Calendar of Events

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Summer Cycle is This Saturday!

HOSTED BY: Asheville on Bikes and the event sponsors.

This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and includes easy-to-follow route options for bike riders of all ages and abilities, followed by a celebration at New Belgium Brewing. Summer Cycle is perfect for the new or returning bike rider to get started and meet new friends to ride with in Asheville. Volunteers needed too!

Pick your Summer Cycle route! 

• 2 mile easy River Arts District loop
• 10 mile Main Route that tours the best of the RAD& West Asheville.
• 14 mile Ride More Route that adds an extra loop to the Main Route

Summer Cycle ’19 Schedule:

• 3:00pm – Gather at New Belgium Brewing
• 3:30pm – Kick off with all-ages balance bike loop, then all rides depart
• 4:30pm (ish) – Return to New Belgium Brewing for post-ride celebration.

Participants are asked to have their bicycle in good condition and bring a water bottle, lights, and bike bell. Costumes are encouraged, helmets are required!  There is lots more info at AoB’s Facebook page, where you can RSVP and even VOLUNTEER to help make it happen.

Brian got his start in DC before moving to New York City, performing on New Faces at Montreal Just For Laughs, and going on to win an Emmy for his writing on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He performs standup in NYC and on the road, hosts one of the hottest monthly comedy shows in Brooklyn, and has been selected to perform at a number of other festivals including Laughing Skull, Laughing Devil, Skankfest, Asheville Comedy Festival, Cinderblock, and the Boston Comedy Festival.

Featuring Erin Terry and Ben Daniels
Hosted by Becca Steinhoff

Doors at 9pm, show at 9:45
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-brian-parise-tickets-64180743331

Sean Finnerty and Tom Feeney are coming back to Asheville!

After 21 years of growing up in Longford, Ireland, Sean Finnerty decided to move stateside where a series of mature decisions that he failed to make led him to stand-up comedy. Recently he was rewarded for his efforts as he became the first ever Irish comedian to perform on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (2019). Spending his first number of years in comedy based out of Orlando, Sean was selected for Comedy Central’s Up Next competition (2013) and as a semi finalist in Florida’s Funniest Comedian (2014) resulting in him opening for WWE hall of famer Mick Foley.

A breakout year in 2015 saw Sean make his television debut as co-host of Season 9 of Fireball Run on Amazon Prime as well as being to selected to perform at the Boston Comedy Festival.

In 2016 Sean moved to New York where he quickly became known as one to watch, performing at famous venues such as The Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, The Stand and The Friars Club. Recently, he has also performed at several festivals including Laugh Your Asheville Off (2017) Edinburgh Fringe (2018) and Electric Picnic (2018), along with making it to the semi finals of the nationwide talent search Stand Up NBC. A keen eye for detail Sean has also developed a reputation as a Roaster and is currently the number 1 ranked roast comic in New York City.

Hosted by Lily Campbell
Featuring Tom Feeney

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-sean-finnerty-tickets-64181069306

Ryan Singer is the epitome of a comic’s comic, all the while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences. He is unlike any other comedian working today – through stories of experiences in his own life, he dares to venture into the world of the esoteric, paranormal, and the mystical seeking ways to make us laugh at ourselves and understand our connectedness. At his core he operates from the viewpoint that, “It is more fun to believe,” and that shines through in his humble and head-on approach of confronting hefty topics and taking counter-culture stances. He beautifully takes the audience on a journey of the mind and through imagination to find the inspiringly funny. With an overall positive message in his material, Singer reminds us to re-embrace our intuition and go with our gut, all the while he’s trying to bust it.

Ryan has released 4 full-length albums FREE LOVE, IMMORTAL FOR NOW, COMEDY WONDER TOWN & HOW TO GET HIGH WITHOUT DRUGS, was a recurring character as himself on IFC’s MARON, been seen on Seeso and is the creator and host of one of the top Science & Medicine podcasts on iTunes, ME & PARANORMAL YOU, conducting in-depth interviews with people who possess paranormal abilities or have had extraordinary experiences. His most recent album FREE LOVE was selected as on of the Top 10 Comedy Albums of 2018 by Vulture.com. He was selected by LA Weekly as one of “10 LA Comics to Watch” for 2014, was mentioned in NY Magazine as a “Comic to Watch,” was one of 4 finalists in the original CMT’s Next Big Comic Contest, is a frequent guest on the WTF Podcast w/Marc Maron and the Bob & Tom Show, and his joke “United Snacks of America” has over 9 million listens on Pandora.

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-ryan-singer-tickets-64204121255

In this free, fun and educational event, you’ll have a chance to learn about the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and build nest boxes to aid in its recovery!

Join Defenders and special guest presenter U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist Sue Cameron on Thursday, July 18th to learn about the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel. Ms. Cameron coordinates efforts to recover the squirrel, and you’ll learn what makes it special and why it is endangered, as well as effective strategies aimed at helping it recover. You’ll also hear from Anna Norton – live and on location at Southern Highlands Reserve – about the unique role the Reserve is playing in the squirrel’s recovery.

Following the presentation, you’ll have the chance to help these critters in the wild by assembling flying squirrel nest boxes that the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will install as part of their monitoring program. Refreshments will also be provided.

Then, join us on Saturday, July 20th for a walkabout along Flat Laurel Creek Trail, Pisgah National Forest, NC. We’ll enjoy this cool, high elevation spruce-fir forest – an endangered ecosystem in our region and home to several other rare species – while we explore what makes this squirrel habitat unique. We’ll also examine previously installed nest boxes in the area for upgrading through the Resource Commission’s programs and a collaborative red spruce restoration project underway.

Sponsored by weilerwoodsforwildlife.com. Nest boxes made possible by deltechomes.com.

Wildlife Workshop: Carolina Northern Flying Squirrels

Thursday, July 18th, 2019, 5:15pm – 7:00pm
Defenders of Wildlife’s Southeast Office
1 Rankin Avenue, 2nd Floor
Asheville, NC 28801

-AND-

Wildlife Walkabout

Saturday, July 20th, 2019, 8:00am – 1:00pm
Flat Laurel Creek Trail, Pisgah National Forest
Route 215
Canton, NC 28716

For more info, contact Tracy at [email protected].

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Vision: For Asheville to be a community of connected pathways that is healthy, safe and accessible for people of all ages.

Mission: To educate the public about bicycle and pedestrian transportation; to advocate for the development and maintenance of safe, convenient and inter-connected facilities; to promote the benefits of walking and biking for individuals and community health.

Thursdays at Pulp Lounge, part of The Orange Peel in Downtown Asheville, Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic is a mix of professional local comedians, first-timers and everything in between!
Only $5, drink specials and FREE cookies are always part of the show!

Jesse Barry, known for her soulful blues pipes and contagious enthusiasm on stage, began her music career at the tender age of eight years old. Influenced by Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Carole King, Etta James, and Susan Tedeschi, Jesse has created her own, unique blues sound. She is often described as an “old soul” and audiences are stunned by the huge voice that comes out of her small body. Popularly known as “Skinny Legs” from Skinny Legs and All, a band she created as a teenager, Jesse has placed in the Mountain Xpress “Best Of” blues band category three years in a row, and has performed at B.B. King’s Club for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, and at the Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Jesse competed on the popular TV show “American Idol” in season 9 and has made a lasting impact on her hometown, Asheville, North Carolina. She has recorded 3 albums with Skinny Legs and All and is currently working with her blues, funk, and soul group Jesse Barry and The Jam, special events band A Social Function, and her new Steely Dan tribute band Dirty Logic.

Join us at Hickory Nut Gap to see Jesse Barry and The Jam perform, eat farm-to-fork food, and prepare to dance!

Casey Balsham is a comedian and cheese lover out of New York City. She has been seen on Gotham Comedy Live, Tidal’s No Small Talk series and can be heard as one of the co-hosts of the popular Not Another True Crime Podcast by Betches. Casey was also the lead in the Off Broadway musical HA! and wrote and starred in her own one woman show called “Casey Balsham Does A Thing”. She has an album coming out this summer and would really like you to follow her on Instagram @casefaceb.

Featuring Robby Slowik
Hosted by TBA

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-casey-balsham-tickets-64181881736

The celebration is sponsored by Triskellion Brewing Company with entertainment provided by The Gathering
Dark. The Hendersonville Shrine Club will be on hand in the non-profit booth. Other offerings during the
festivities will be food demonstrations, samplings, the kid’s zone and other surprises.
The market now offers SNAP/EBT recipients a chance to use their benefits to purchase Henderson County goods,
with support from “Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas,” an initiative of the Duke Endowment. Debit and credit
cards are also accepted.
The Henderson County Tailgate Market features fresh county grown produce. It is one of the oldest and most
successful open air markets in Western North Carolina.
The season is open to the public through October 26 from 8am to 12 noon at 100 North King Street in the parking
lot of the county office building.

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

Put on your dancing boots and join Friends of the Smokies for the 2nd annual “Smokies Stomp” Barn Party just outside of Asheville, NC. The Smokies Stomp supports projects and programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park like Parks As Classrooms, which brings thousands of schoolchildren into the Smokies every year. Folks will be treated to a gourmet farm-to-table dinner, live music, drinks, square dancing, and the opportunity to visit with rangers from the National Park Service. So come on out for fun and fundraising at the Smokies Stomp Barn Party!

Robby Slowik has been called “a national treasure and comedy’s most talented talent” by an anonymous reddit account that is definitely not controlled by Robby Slowik. Stop implying that it is.

And while those claims are true, it took time to get there. After starting comedy in Tampa, Fl (The cultural capital of the world) Robby moved to L.A. (The Tampa of California) before settling in New York City where he does stand-up most nights.

Aside from clubs and venues nationwide, Robby has done stand-up on Conan (TV!) and numerous festivals such as The Great American Comedy Festival and Laughing Skull.

He has also written for TV including working with Jon Stewart on his HBO project, as well as shows for IFC, MTV, and Comedy Central.

You can see where Robby is performing if he remembered to update the “shows” tab of his website this month.

Featuring Davidson Boswell and Casey Balsham
Hosted by TBA

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-robby-slowik-tickets-64190083267

Do you love cars? If so, then join us at Asheville Outlets (ShopAshevilleOutlets.com) for Cruise ‘In, a monthly car show featuring an exciting display of cars, trucks, motorcycles and special interest vehicles behind the Food Court on Sundays, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20 and November 17, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cruise ‘In is free to car owners and spectators.

TRUE stories from comedians who partied way too hard and lived to tell YOU the story. With photos from the events! Chicago comedy comes to it’s favorite mountain town to party.

Discover the beauty of the Appalachia’s both wild and rural. Your day begins with the expansive views of Chimney Rock State Park where your group is welcome to enjoy one of the many leisure or intensive hiking trails on the property. Lunch at the award-winning Old Rock Cafe is included with this package to enjoy at your leisure after 11am. At 2pm, join the park’s animal educators for the Animal Encounter, an interactive experience where you can touch, feel, and learn about the wildlife at the park. After meeting the animals of the wild, your group will drive an easy 20 minutes North up 74A for the evening portion of your day trip.

Starting at 4pm, your evening encounter begins with an in-depth tour of the farm’s history and agricultural model along with a meet-and-greet of our farm animals. Choose our standard top-tier tour or upgrade to a horseback ride for an intimate farm experience. Immediately following the tour, your group will be treated to a plated Farm-to-Fork meal prepared by our expert catering chef including an adult beverage of your choice. Finish the day with engaging conversations and gorgeous long-range views as the sun sets.

Every Saturday in July the park stays open late, until 9:00 p.m., so you can make more time for family memories. Enjoy evening train and stage shows, rides at dusk, and fun throughout the park.

This tour goes exploring through our 80 acres of working farmland. Head to the top of UFO hill for a spectacular view, walk alongside the creek through forest, see the grazing animals on pasture, and learn about regenerative agriculture. You will get an overview of our farm history but a more in-depth look at our farming practices. We will be traversing over rough terrain, so suitable hiking attire is suggested.

Wide trails, mostly good footing through forests of hemlock, beech, and poplar. One fairly steep two-mile climb at the beginning, then six easy stream crossings. Includes parts of Sycamore Cove trail, Grassy Road, Thrift Cove, and Black Mtn. Type: figure 8 loop. Ascent: 1450’. Max elev: 2950’. Avg moving pace: 2.7 mph. Difficulty (1=effortless, 10=hard): 6. Dogs: welcome if well-behaved, subject to area restrictions. Trailhead: Pisgah Ranger Station / Visitors Center, 1600 Pisgah Hwy. Directions from Waffle House to Mills River Ingles (9.7 miles): Left (south) on NC-191 Brevard Rd for 9.4 miles; right on NC-280 Boylston Hwy for 0.3 miles. From Mills River Ingles to the Ranger Station (13.7 miles): Right (south) on NC-280 Boylston Hwy for 12.1 miles. Right on US-276 N for 1.6 miles. Meet in the back lot (first right entering from the south). Est. return to Waffle House: 2:00 p.m. PLEASE DON’T SIGNUP IF YOU’RE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE DISTANCE, ASCENT, OR PACE. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP TO “NO” IF YOU SIGNUP, BUT CHANGE YOUR MIND

The Carolina Mountain Meetup Group was founded by the Carolina Mountain Club to access the Meetup platform. As long-standing hiking and trail maintaining club, the mission of the Carolina Mountain Club is • to explore the mountains of Western North Carolina and adjacent regions through its hiking trails and rivers, • to carry out the responsibilities we have been given by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to develop and maintain our assigned section of the Appalachian Trail and to act as its stewards, • to develop and maintain other hiking trails in Western North Carolina as approved by the Club Council, • to encourage the conservation of our natural scenery, • to foster in Club members knowledge and enjoyment of hiking, trail construction and maintenance, and fellowship and enjoyment of the out-of-doors.

Pet policy: Pets are not permitted on regular Carolina Mountain Club hikes. However, they may be permitted on Carolina Mountain Meetup hikes at the leaders discretion only if specifically stated in the hike description.

To view the Carolina Mountain Club website go to: http://www.carolinamountainclub.org/index.cfm/do/home.main

This meetup group gives paddlers of all skill levels a chance to meet other paddlers for flat water and mildwater paddling. We get together to share our love of water and the outdoors. We paddle mostly local/regional waters, and may also plan overnight, weekend, or longer trips farther away. We share tips, information, and knowledge. All members are welcome to post trips and/or discussions. All are welcome. We have NO RULES except be safe and have fun.

“Mildwater” means different things to different people. For new paddlers, mild may mean lakes and flat rivers. For those who have whitewater experience, Class 2+ or Class 3 whitewater may be mild. Meetup organizers provide descriptions of their outings. It is your responsibility to read those descriptions, ask questions if needed, and decide whether a given outing is right for you, given your skills and equipment.

You can’t beat a walk with a friend over good conversation. So, why not take a walk with lots of friends and a history expert to boot? Buncombe County Libraries is excited to announce its Strolling Through History program focused on getting you moving while taking in some experiential history. “Each one of the strolls is a little different. We’ll talk about the evolution of the architecture, famous (or not quite so famous) residents, important events, and more,” explains Pack Memorial Librarian Katherine Calhoun Cutshall. “On our Haywood Street stroll, we talked about how the street has seen two major rebirths and discussed the careers of two WWI nurses who grew up on the street while it was mostly residential.”

Pack Librarians are always looking for innovative ways to showcase the library’s portfolio of initiatives and resources. “The North Carolina Room is a hidden gem in our library system, so programs like Strolling Through History bring the collection to the streets of downtown while showing off resources and programs in a fun new way,” notes Katherine. And of course, exercising your muscles and social skills are important at any age

So, how can you get involved with the monthly Strolling Through History? There are two versions: one for elder adults and one for babies and their caregivers. If you’re interested in participating, the elder adults strolls are the third Friday of every month, and the babies and caretakers strolls are the third Wednesday of every month (except July). All strolls will meet at Pack Memorial Library at 10:30 a.m., and participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water to stay hydrated. Registration is required. 

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

We kick off the 13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival with a stellar lineup of comics from all over the country!

We are so glad to be returning, and what better way to kick off the 13th year of an amazing festival than by celebrating at Asheville’s best brewery?!

Performer Lineup

Andrew Orolfo

Max Fine

Natalie McGill

Ben Bryant

Lace Larrabee

Dro Knows

Hobert Thompson

Dan Carney

Spencer Dobson

Lindsay Glazer

Jeremy Alder

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Kyle Mara – Grisel Cabrera – Carter Deems – Zack Chapaloni – Scott Eason – Becca Steinhoff – Piers Moreton – Dan Drees – Nariko Ott – Ian Aber – Maddie Wiener – Rafe Williams –