Video of the Week

Members of the BMC 2020 Janiec Opera Company join together to perform an at-home version of the “Humming Chorus” from Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly. This wistful, wordless melody is sung by an off-stage chorus at the end of Act II, as Butterfly waits for her husband’s ship to dock.

Keith Lockhart discusses his deep connection with the music of Mahler and collaborating with his dear friend Ilana Davidson.

https://brothersandsisterslikethese.buzzsprout.com/

• We want to amplify the work of BIPOC-led organizations and businesses across our region, and ask for you to support them with your attention and money.

  During this time, it is NOT helpful to ask people of color what they need or how you can help. Direct financial contributions speak LOUDLY and are one of the best ways you can show your support.

  Some Organizations Include:

  • Asheville Black Lives Matter
  • BeLoved Asheville
  • Center for Participatory Change
  • Men and Women United for Youth and Families
  • RAFI USA Farmers of Color Network
  • WNC Workers Center

  POC-led Farms & Food Businesses include:

  • Cooking With Comedy Catering
  • Dreadlife Kitchen
  • Fresh Future Farm
  • Golden Organic Farm
  • Green Heffa Farms
  • The Ettison Group
• The Harriet Tubman Freedom Farm
• Lionpaw Botanicals
• Ms. Quitas Kitchen
• Off Grid in Color
• Oliver’s Agroforest
• Rayburn Farms
• Sankofa Farms
• Smallcakes
• Southside Community Garden
• Sweet Thangs
• Sylvanaqua Farms
• Transplanting Traditions
• Tiger Bay Cafe

If there are others we have missed and should be added to this list, please let us know! Send suggestions to Emily Bell, [email protected]

The second primary election will take place on Tuesday, June 23. Eligible voters include:

• Registered Republicans
• Unaffiliated voters that voted Republican in March
• Unaffiliated voters that did not vote in March

Absentee by-mail voting is taking place now.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and response the North Carolina State Board is reminding North Carolinians that all voters can vote by mail during every election, casting a ballot without leaving the comfort of home. No excuse is necessary. The State Board Office and Task Force are discussing ways to make voting by mail easier, while making sure that the 100 county boards of elections stand ready to process an expected increase in mail-in ballots. If you, or someone you know, will be unavailable to vote in person, there is information you need to know to ensure your vote is counted.

For active duty military, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad:

You will need to go to FVAP.gov or ncsbe.gov/voting-options/military-overseas-voting and follow the absentee ballot instructions to receive an absentee ballot. If you have questions about that process, you can call us at (828) 250-4222.

For all others wishing to receive an absentee ballot:

Anyone else wishing to request an absentee ballot may do so for any reason as long as they complete a 2020 North Carolina Absentee Ballot Request Form and return it one of the following ways:

• Mail it to: P.O. Box 7468, Asheville, NC 28802
• Hand deliver it to the dropbox located in the entryway of our office at 77 McDowell St., Asheville, 28801

Special Note: Military and overseas voters may email to [email protected] or fax (828) 250-6262 a signed copy of this form.

Deadline to return the completed Absentee Ballot Request Form is Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m.

Once your N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form has been received, an absentee ballot will be sent out. Absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, June 23, 2020, and received by Friday, June 26, at 5 p.m. They may also be returned in person to our office (by 5 p.m. on June 23) but only by the voter or a near relative. For more information about absentee voting, visit the North Carolina Board of Elections website.

Near relative exceptions

From June 17 to June 22, a voter’s near relative may come into the office to fill out an absentee request form for a voter who is sick or disabled who did not previously request an absentee ballot. The request will be processed immediately and the ballot handed to the near relative to take to the voter.  These ballots have the same deadlines as stated above.

The following qualify as a near relative: spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, in-laws, stepparent, stepchild, or verifiable legal guardian.

Session Law 2019-239 made several changes to the absentee voting process. Changes include:

• An absentee request form is now valid only if returned to the county board of elections by the voter, the voter’s near relative or legal guardian, or a Multi-partisan Assistance Team (MAT).
• The absentee request form must be mailed or delivered in person to the voter’s county board of elections. Unlike past elections, request forms may not be emailed or faxed.
• If a voter needs help completing the request form due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, and a near relative or legal guardian is not available, the voter may get help from another person, who must list their name and address on the form.

For any additional information or questions contact us at (828) 250-4200.

We are happy to announce that we will be offering socially-distanced summer camps. All camps will comply with CDC and NCDHHS and the state Executive Order 138 regarding easing restrictions on travel, business operations, and mass gatherings: Phase 1.

Here are some guidelines and protocols that we are putting in place, including, but not limited to:

• Providing adequate hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, and disinfectant solutions.

• All campers will be required to bring masks to camp, and to wear them in all appropriate settings.

• Camps with more than 10 people will be held outdoors to assist in maintaining 6 or more feet of social distancing.

• Camps with 10 or fewer people will be held indoors at AMS Loft, with proper ventilation assured, and will include as much outdoor time as possible.

• Singing will be properly monitored for extra social distancing, and will include masks and 1-person-use microphones at all times.

JUNE 15-19: Rock Camp, ages 10-18

JULY 13-17: Ukulele Camp, ages 7-10, 9am-12pm

JULY 20-24: Ukulele Camp, ages 7-10, 9am-12pm

JULY 27-31: Harry Potter-themed Suzuki Strings, ages 7-12

JUNE 8-12: Fiddle Camp, ages 7-12, 1pm-4pm

Camps run 9am-4pm, except where noted.
Prices range from $190-$350

Don’t miss our staff-curated list of live events and resources.

BMC@Home – Composition student Andrew Kosinski performs a new piece for solo piano, guest artist Hanzhi Wang performs a Mendelssohn transcription for accordion, and flutists Amy Porter and Dilshad Posnock join conductor JoAnn Falletta in a special work for flute choir.