Blood at The Root written by Dominique Morisseau – BLOOD AT THE ROOT is a striking ensemble drama based on the Jena Six; six Black students who were initially charged with attempted murder for a school fight after being provoked with nooses hanging from a tree on campus. This bold new play by Dominique Morisseau (Sunset Baby, Detroit ’67, Skeleton Crew) examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and the crises in relations between men and women of all classes and, as a result, the shattering state of Black family life.

“Bursting with youthful exuberance, critical race issues, emotional authenticity, and astonishing beauty.  It is powerfully auspicious“-DC Theater Arts

“Blood at the Root vividly illustrates the near impossibility of getting through one’s teenage years-fraught in the best-case scenario-unscathed when also having to tackle larger societal problems. It’s a necessary and evocative production all-around.” – Chicago Reader

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Shared stories of memorable summers. Hosted by Tom Chalmers.

All tickets are general admission. Performance begins at 7:30pm in 35below at Asheville Community Theatre. The 35below lobby doors and box office will open at 6:30pm.

A storytelling series in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening of stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens. Hosted by local comedian Tom Chalmers. Stay tuned for this month’s theme!

With deep ties to Houston’s influential early-’90s rap scene, Devin the Dude rolled through several generations of hip-hop, cultivating a laid-back style fixated on weed, partying, and his distinctively hazy perspective on everyday life. Producing as well as rapping, he began releasing solo albums in 1998 with The Dude. He quickly became a rapper’s rapper, collaborating with big-name talents from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg to De La Soul, Nas, Andre 3000, and many others. Though he never rose to the mainstream success of some of his peers, albums like 2007’s stony yet intricate Waiting to Inhale were hits with critics and a dedicated cult following. He landed in the Top 20 of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2010 with Suite 420 and Gotta Be Me and hit number nine on the Top Rap Albums chart with 2013’s One for the Road. Devin the Dude has remained a left-of-center favorite with albums like 2017’s Acoustic Levitation, 2019’s Still Rollin’ Up: Somethin’ to Ride With, and 2021’s Soulful Distance.

Devin the Dude was born Devin Copeland in Pontiac, Michigan, but raised in Florida and Texas. As a child, he went back and forth from New Boston to Houston and finally settled in the latter after he graduated high school. In the late ’80s, Devin met Rob Quest, a blind rapper, and producer who was part of a Houston crew called the Coughee Brothaz. Later, the duo formed a group named the Odd Squad and recruited Devin’s longtime friend Jugg Mugg and a local DJ named DJ Screw. Screw (who was later replaced by DJ Styles) took the group’s demo tape to Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James Smith, who quickly signed the group in 1992. Their debut album, Fadanuf fa Erybody!!, was released in 1994 with “I Can’t See It” as the lead single and video.

Although hip-hop fans praised the effort put out by the Odd Squad, their album was not as commercially successful as they hoped. While the group went back to the drawing board, Rap-A-Lot franchise artist Scarface approached Devin to be a part of his new group, Facemob. Facemob released one album in 1996, The Other Side of the Law, and then broke up due to internal problems. At this time, Devin decided to work on his debut solo album, The Dude, with the help of Smith and Scarface.

The Dude was released in 1998 with virtually no video and little radio play. It was a smoothed-out, funk-laden album and an ode to wine, women, and weed. Regardless, the album built a large underground following and even caught the attention of veteran hip-hop producer Dr. Dre. He contacted Devin in 1999 and asked him to be a part of the 2001 album on the track “Fuck You.” This single appearance made Devin a hot commodity, earning him appearances on songs with De La Soul, Raphael Saadiq, veteran rap group UGK, and a solo track on the Oz soundtrack.

His anticipated sophomore LP, Just Tryin’ ta Live, was released in the summer of 2002 and featured appearances from Nas, Xzibit, and Raphael Saadiq with production from Dre, DJ Premier, and his Coughee Brothaz. To tha X-Treme arrived two years later and was followed in 2007 by Waiting to Inhale, his first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard’s album chart. It featured guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Bun B, and more. It would also be Devin’s last record with Rap-A-Lot after a 15-year relationship. He signed on with Razor & Tie for his 2008 album Landing Gear. Suite #420 followed in 2010 and had the honor of being released on the stoner’s holiday of April 20. His seventh LP, Gotta Be Me, arrived later that year.

In 2013, Devin issued One for the Road (eOne). His eighth full-length entered the Top 50 of the Billboard R&B/hip-hop chart. In 2017, he returned with the collaborative single “Smoke with Me,” with rapper Crim Dela Crim. He also issued the Acoustic Levitation album, which was accompanied by a tour of the same name. In 2019, he returned with his ninth studio LP, Still Rollin’ Up: Somethin’ to Ride With. The full-length Soulful Distance arrived in February 2021.

PONCÉ is a rock ’n’ roll band from Nashville, TN fronted by twin brothers, Carson and Michael Poncé. The twins have opened for musical giants such as Bomba Estéreo, PHOX, Andy Frasco, Matt Thiessen, CBDB and The Ataris and the group draws heavy influences from The Killer, Cage The Elephant and Tom Petty.

Based in Asheville, NC, the genre-fluid trio, Chilltonic, doles out groove-centric rhythms that are easy on the ears and melt the soul. An eclectic pastiche of sound influenced by pop, rock, hip hop, funk, and reggae — the engaging songwriting speaks to the human condition and the hooks stick in the head for days on end.

The WNC Farmers Market is the premier destination for buying and selling the region’s best agriculture products directly from farmers & food producers to household & wholesale customers in an environment that celebrates the region’s diverse culture, food & heritage.

House of Operation:

WNC Farmers Market: 24/7, 361 days a year market access for farmers
Office: Monday- Friday, 8am-5pm
Market Shops: 7 days a week, 8 am-5 pm
Wholesale and Truck Sheds: 7 days a week

Financial Empowerment for Women

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World® – Building Resources for a Better Life. YWCA’s Getting Ahead program aims to provide financial empowerment for low-income women of all ages and backgrounds to make choices that positively impact themselves, their families and their community.

Knowledge is Power

A series of “kitchen table” discussions that investigate the causes of poverty, the hidden rules of class, and resources needed by all. Participants will assess individual situations as well as the condition of our community to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

“Going through the program made me realize that I wasn’t in this by myself. I was surrounded by people just like me who were humble enough to say ‘I need help.”

“The class has re-shaped my thinking process- the way I approach situations as possibilities, not obstacles”

Participants Receive

• Childcare and meals at each session
• A $20 stipend for each session attended
  Received once the program is completed
• A workbook to keep track of learning and personal goals
• One-on-one case management for 18
  months to support personal success
• Transportation support is available

Attention WNC Hair Stylists!
Join us for our exclusive certification bootcamp for hand-tied hair extensions. Here are the details:
September 25-26th, 2022 from 9am to 3pm
📍 Atlas Beauty Asheville
257 Broadway St Suite 301, Asheville, NC 28801
•This exclusive two-day workshop will only be open to ten stylists to ensure the maximum success of our attendees.
2-day workshop includes:
•Weft Extension Certification
•Marketing & Business Training
•In-Salon Training
•Work on Live Models
•Meals Provided
What to expect:
Day 1
•Consultation
•Intro to Technique
•Mannequin Work
✨Day 2
•Marketing and Business Training
•Hands on Training with Live Models
✨Certification
•One row fine hair application on mannequin
•One row for medium and coarse application on a mannequin
Final on a live model
There are two options to buy:
1. Pay in Full Now
2. Pay 50% now, 50% due 7 days prior to workshop. Additional processing fee.

• The Council on Aging of Buncombe County was formed in 1964 to address the needs of seniors in our community
• We provide essential support to people over 60 who need assistance with food, heat or a/c, and health care
• Our volunteers make this work possible– consider joining us today!

Our Mission Statement: Promote the Independence, dignity, and well-being of adults through service, education, and advocacy

We are looking for volunteers to work with low-income Medicare recipients as an unbiased, knowledgeable guide, providing education and assistance with navigating through the application process to help them receive much-needed assistance with the following programs:

• Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
• Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as Food Stamps)
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

The safety of our clients is our highest priority. Here’s what’s required for this role:

• Clear criminal background check and driving record.
• Minimum $100,000/300,000 in auto liability coverage.
• Orientation and training with the Council on Aging.
• A reliable vehicle that will pass NC safety inspection.

Additionally, we are very flexible and will work with your schedule.

Who would make a strong candidate for this volunteer role?

• You care about seniors and want to support those who need help most
• A resident of Buncombe County, NC, or a nearby town.
• Someone willing to learn basic education about the Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC) and what benefits are available for lower-income Seniors.
• Someone willing to receive education about outreach, what larger events entail, and how to assist with these events.
• Someone willing to travel around Buncombe County and set up a table at outreach events, educating the community on the services offered at Council on Aging and the Benefits Enrollment Center.
• Someone able to assist clients with benefits applications and maintain awareness of changes to income guidelines.

If you want to help make a difference in the lives of real people right here in western North Carolina, we would love to welcome you on board as a volunteer.

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

Get your 10K steps a day as a greeter, guide, wheelchair transporter and wayfinder for incoming or discharge patients and guests.

Pastoral Care: for trained and experienced lay chaplains to serve patients in all departments

Behavioral Peer Group Facilitation: experienced peers for group facilitation

One on One Peer Support: for specific medical conditions

Pet Therapy Handlers and Team Assistants: for dog lovers to assist, and dogs and handlers certified for Pet Therapy to visit patients

Occasional One Time- or Short Term-volunteers for special events and short term projects

Child Life and Family Support Assistants: Support programs by helping with cleaning, collecting and packaging art supplies, leading craft projects with patients in the pediatric, behavioral and emergency units.

Volunteer onboarding requires a background check, immunization documentation and a 2 ½ hour training. We ask for a commitment of 4 hours per week.

Asheville Outlets is pleased to announce the opening of Aéropostale, a specialty retailer of high-quality denim and fashion basics offered at compelling values in an innovative and exciting store environment. A destination specialty store for young men and women seeking fun, classic casuals at affordable prices, Aéropostale offers a wide array of fashions from jeans and graphic t-shirts to shirts, skirts and dresses, and accessories.

Aéropostale is a specialty retailer of casual apparel and accessories for guys and girls ages 18-22. Through the brand’s Oneness ethos, Aéropostale embraces acceptance, empathy and respect to promote a sense of unity among its loyal customers and in communities around the world. Aéropostale offers a selection of high-quality denim and fashion basics at compelling values in an innovative and exciting store environment. With over 1,000 locations worldwide, Aéropostale currently operates stores in key territories around the world, including the United States, Mexico, Latin America, South America and the Middle East. For more information, visit Aeropostale.com.

The synergy of vibrant outsider art created locally and shared with Tryon Fine Arts has resulted
in a one-of-a-kind art exhibit opening June 1, 2022. The Skateboard: Re-purposed includes
works from North Carolina, Oregon, California, England and Germany. Seven artists are
featured, including Tryon’s own Jonathan Caple, Nicholas Harding (England), Matt Mercurio,
George Rocha, Michael Mauney, Paris Evans and Folk Dunker (Gemany).
Skateboarding has been popular for over a century and is now experiencing a resurgence in both

the sports arena and the art world—it became an Olympic sport in 2020 and was part of a
successful 2019 Sotheby’s auction, with boards by, among others, Damien Hirst and Marilyn
Minter.
Skateboards re-purposed as art will be on exhibit in TFAC’s Parker Gallery beginning June 1,
2022. The exhibit will feature skateboard art in many sizes and forms including graceful
sculptures, nature art, chairs, wall art, a crocheted piece, photographs, and more. Several of the
exhibit pieces will be for sale, supporting both the artists and TFAC as the exhibit sponsor.
The public is invited to attend the opening reception on June 9 from 5 – 7 PM, where they can
also meet local skateboard artist, Jonathan Caple. The exhibit will be on display through to the
end of July 2022.
To access the gallery, plan to enter through the Pavilion at the rear of Tryon Fine Arts Center.
Free parking is available behind TFAC and on surrounding side streets. For more information,
call 828-859-8322 or visit www.tryonarts.org.

YWCA of Asheville is a nonprofit organization working to bridge gaps in education, health, childcare, and earning power for women and families in the Asheville region. The mission of the YWCA of Asheville is to eliminate racism; empower women; and promote peace,  justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA indoor pool hosts a comprehensive Aquatics Program with activities for all ages, abilities, and interests.

Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities 

• Join the fun in the pool as a swim assistant. Help children and adults learn the basics of floating, kicking, breathing, and diving.
• Support the Aquatics Program with behind-the-scenes administrative work or on-the-deck supervising

Time Commitment

• Flexible time commitment

Volunteer Requirements

• Background check

“LIFE ART LIFE William Bernstein 50 year retrospective” exhibition August 6-October 9, 2022 at the Toe River Arts’ Kokol Gallery, Spruce Pine, NC, features the paintings and glass of this artist who has been on the forefront of the studio glass movement.

Graduating 1968 from the Philadelphia College of Arts and just married, Bernstein moved to Penland School of Crafts to be their second glass resident artist from 1968-70. He was a co-founder of the Glass Arts Society (GAS) that formed to bring together the glass community so people could work together and learn from each other. Receiving numerous awards, fellowships and grants, he has exhibited internationally and has artwork in many private and public collections. Bernstein has lived most of his professional life in the rural Celo community of Yancey, North Carolina along with his family and artist wife, Katherine Bernstin. This retrospective provides a great opportunity for one to imagine a life surrounded by art.

This has been not only been a year-long process of curating pieces for an exhibit, but a lifetime of making art that connects with all things about one’s life. Bernstein’s work in glass and paint showcases just that: his family, his pets, friends, his environs, his moods and so much more. A life well-lived in creating art. More on Bernstein Glass www.bernsteinglass.com

William Warmus (A Fellow and former curator of Modern Glass at the Corning Museum), writes for the exhibition catalog, “Bernstein is a minimalist whose style is based upon the dedication to the concepts of honesty, modesty, and humility. It has a feel of its surroundings and of the people of the region.”

The Toe River Arts Kokol Gallery is located at 269 Oak Avenue, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. The exhibition dates: August 6 – October 9, 2022. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10:30 – 5:00 pm. 828-765-0520, www.toeriverarts.org

Public receptions on Fridays: August 12 and October 7, both 5:00-7:00 PM. Artist gallery talk Friday, August 12, 4:00 pm. The exhibition travels to Cary Arts Center November 30 – January 21, 2023.

Coinciding with the United Nations’ Year 2022 as the Year of Glass and the 60th Anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement, this has been made possible by Toe River Arts, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Cary Art Center, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, the Blumenthal Foundation, and Mountain Electronics in Micaville, NC.

Join us for a fun and interactive story time designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years.

Jessie B. Telfair, Freedom Quilt, 1983, cotton with pencil, 74 × 68 inches. Collection American Folk Art Museum, NY, gift of Judith Alexander in loving memory of her sister, Rebecca Alexander, 2004.9.1. © Estate of Jessie. B. Telfair, image Gavin Ashworth.

American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection showcases over 80 stellar works of folk and self-taught art including assemblages, needlework, paintings, pottery, quilts, and sculpture. Organized by the American Folk Art Museum in New York, this exhibition will be on view in the Explore Asheville Exhibition Hall at the Asheville Art Museum from June 18 through September 5, 2022. Everyone has stories to tell from both the private and mutual experiences encountered throughout their lifetime. American folk and self-taught artists capture these stories in powerful visual narratives that offer firsthand testimonies to chapters in the unfolding story of America from its inception to the present. Beautiful, diverse, and truthful; the art illuminates the thoughts and experiences of individuals with an immediacy that is palpable and unique to these expressions. These artworks held meaning in the makers’ worlds filtered through their own perceptions. The artworks are organized into four sections—Founders, Travelers, Philosophers, and Seekers—that respond to such themes as nationhood, freedom, community, imagination, opportunity, and legacy. Evocative visual juxtapositions and accessible contextual information further reveal the vital role that folk art plays as a witness to history, carrier of cultural heritage, and a reflection of the world at large through the eyes, heart, and mind of the artist. “While the Asheville Art Museum exhibits many folk and self-taught artists, most are local to the Southeast,” says Whitney Richardson, associate curator. “American Perspectives adds a national voice to the conversation by adding New England, Midwestern, Southwestern, and West Coast artworks that the Museum could never achieve alone. The amount of creative output from folk and self-taught artists was (and still is) on a national level and this exhibition helps to put that into a clear context. Traveling to Asheville from the collection of the American Folk Art Museum in New York, this exhibition will complement and expand the Museum’s ongoing conversations around American history and storytelling through works of art.” This exhibition has been organized by the American Folk Art Museum, NY, with support provided by Art Bridges. Originally curated for installation at the American Folk Art Museum February 11, 2020–January 3, 2021 by Stacy C. Hollander, independent curator. Tour coordinated by Emelie Gevalt, Curator of Folk Art and Curatorial Chair for Collections, the American Folk Art Museum.

Brixx is offering a lunch special of just $9.95 for a pizzette or half pizza and salad. This special offer is available Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., dine in only. Mention that you saw the offer in this email newsletter. Did you know you can download the Brixx app to earn points that can be redeemed for tasty rewards?