South Asheville Cemetery by Anne Chesky Smith
From Mountain Crafts to Arts and Crafts by Bruce Johnson
It happened on Chiles Avenue by James Vaughn
and more
Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Saturday, April
30, 2022
Celebrating Rwanda’s Resilience Through Music + Culture
Farmer-to-Farmer Training: WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT)
History @ Home – Virtual Exhibits w/ The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Hunger is Real: The Voices of WNC MANNA Announces a Short Documentary on Food Insecurity in WNC
Online Education Programs with The Preservation Society of Asheville + Buncombe County
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure – Asheville
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted
The Brevard Project: Reimagining the Future of Orchestral Programming
Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
ADULT CONTEMPORARY DANCE CLASS WITH STEWART/OWEN DANCE
Biltmore Blooms Tour
Mindtreks Forum: Learn, Discuss, Connect: “Climate Change in Western North Carolina—Why Should I Care”
Mindtreks Forum: Learn, Discuss, Connect: CLIMATE CHANGE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA – WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Homegrown Dreams Workshop
Speaker Series – An Introduction to Western Carolina Butterflies
Asheville Outlets Hosts Drive Electric Earth Day
STEWART/OWEN OPEN COMPANY CLASS
Burial: Forestry Camp Production Facility Tour
Guided Trail Walk
Public Tour at Asheville Art Museum: Intersections in American Art
Step Into the heart of Rwanda With Culture Keeper David Kwizera + the LEAF International Rwanda Jr. Troupe! This spring documentary is exactly what you need!
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Farmer-to-Farmer Training
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).
Why join CRAFT?
- Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
- Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
- Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
Old Shiloh was one of Asheville’s first communities established by emancipated people. The community moved to its present-day location – New Shiloh – after George Vanderbilt, in an effort to expand his land holdings as he planned to build his Biltmore Estate, purchased the land and buildings and agreed to relocate the Shiloh church and cemetery.
The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC) was formed in 1976, with interest in preservation sparked by observance of the U. S. Bicentennial, and in response to threats to local buildings and sites posed by neglect, insensitive alteration, and large-scale transportation projects. Disinvestment in downtown, plans for the open cut through Beaucatcher Mountain, and a proposal to turn Montford Avenue into a through street connecting to U.S.19-23 spurred formation of the volunteer group, which quickly incorporated and initiated work as a community non-profit.
Online Education Programs
Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.
Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).
The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.
Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.
The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.
Dates: July 11 – 16, 2022
Application: Available now through MyBMC
Cost: A $600 fee covers all housing, meals, classes, materials, and concert tickets. Spots are limited and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Please note: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all students, faculty, and summer staff for the 2022 season. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Program Summary
Brevard Music Center (BMC) presents The Brevard Project: Reimagining the Future of Orchestral Programming, a six-day intensive seminar and think-tank on orchestral programming intended for professionals and influencers in the orchestral field. Presented by Brevard Music Center in partnership with Bard College, the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the South Dakota Symphony, the University of Michigan School of Music, and Project Director Joseph Horowitz, The Brevard Project takes place July 11-16, 2022. The central goals of The Brevard Project are to re-evaluate the artistic mission of the American orchestra and to share the skills needed to curate a more comprehensive, more inclusive American orchestral repertoire.
Curriculum
The Brevard Project: Reimagining the Future of Orchestral Programing complements Brevard Music Center’s week-long “Dvořák’s Prophecy” festival from July 11-16 and is inspired by Joseph Horowitz’s acclaimed new book Dvořák’s Prophecy and the Vexed Fate of Black Classical Music. Part think-tank, part seminar, this inaugural Project gathering equips practitioners and scholars alike to begin to answer questions about the dense nexus of culture and race, of historical, political, and moral reckonings surrounding the story of American orchestral music. The central goals of this program are to re-evaluate the artistic mission of the American orchestra and to share the skills needed to curate a more comprehensive, more inclusive American orchestral repertoire. The Brevard Project is designed for conductors, artistic administrators, executive directors, community engagement specialists, conservatory students, and engaged orchestra Board members.
Moving forward requires a fresh and closer look at our musical past – and to the lagging formation of an American symphonic canon. A new narrative of American classical music will be proposed that explores timely and topical issues that impact present and future orchestral programming. Why did our repertoire remain so stubbornly Eurocentric? What can we learn from this history? What can be mined from the treasure trove of long-hidden indigenous and Black music that can help to pave the future?
Classroom sessions will be highly interactive, drawing upon first-hand accounts of humanities-infused approaches to programming and community engagement. Topics of exploration include creating a “new paradigm” for American orchestral repertoire, rethinking the concert experience, and redefining the role of the music director. Participants will be challenged to envision programming and organizational initiatives to promote symphonic events grounded in the American experience, past and present.
The Faculty
A remarkable faculty has been assembled for this groundbreaking exercise.
*virtual participant
Joseph Horowitz, Project Director
Leon Botstein, President, Bard College; Music Director, American Symphony; Founder, Bard Festival and The Orchestra Now
Lorenzo Candelaria, Dean, Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University
Mark Clague, Music Historian, University of Michigan
JoAnn Falletta*, Music Director, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Christopher Gibbs*, Music Historian, Bard Conservatory; Artistic Co-Director, Bard Festival
Delta David Gier, Music Director, South Dakota Symphony
Blake-Anthony Johnson, CEO, Chicago Sinfonietta
Keith Lockhart*, Artistic Director, Brevard Music Center
Douglas McLennan, Founder/Editor, ArtsJournal
Jason Posnock, Chief Artistic Officer, Brevard Music Center
Jesse Rosen, Former CEO, League of American Orchestras
Larry Tamburri, CEO, Newark School of the Arts (former CEO, Pittsburgh and New Jersey Symphonies)
The Performers
Lara Downes, Pianist, producer, arts advocate
Sidney Outlaw, Baritone/pedagogue, Ithaca College
George Shirley, Tenor/pedagogue, University of Michigan
Enrollment Information
Conductors, artistic administrators, executive directors, community engagement specialists, conservatory students, and Board members are all encouraged to apply for The Brevard Project.
Capacity is limited. A $600 fee covers all housing, meals, classes, materials, and concert tickets for the week. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply now through MyBMC.
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
Led by Stewart/Owen Dance Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this open level adult contemporary dance class gradually awakens the body and senses through guided improvisation and a follow along warm-up, followed by foundational across-the-floor exercises and center-work combinations. All experience levels welcome!
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots. They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
April 1st through May 26th, 2022
Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at our Winery. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.
“Climate Change in Western North Carolina—Why Should I Care” will be facilitated by Tom Fiedler, former Executive Editor of The Miami Herald, and will feature local climate impact experts. The focus will be on how climate change will specifically affect those who live and work in Western North Carolina.
CLIMATE CHANGE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA – WHY SHOULD I CARE?
This pilot BMC Mindtreks Forum will explore a subject affecting us now; one that will continue to impact generations to come: climate change in our own backyard, Western North Carolina. The forum will be moderated by Tom Fiedler, former Executive Editor of The Miami Herald, and Dean Emeritus and Journalism Professor at Boston University’s College of Communication. Local expert panelists will include Deke Arndt, James Fox, Scott Shuford, Amber Weaver, and Ben Teague. Held at Parker Concert Hall on the Music Center’s picturesque campus in the delightful Blue Ridge Mountain town of Brevard, event patrons will also have the opportunity to enjoy a music interlude, to mix and mingle with the experts, and to enjoy the beautiful Music Center grounds.
ABOUT BMC MINDTREKS FORUM
The Brevard Music Center (BMC), one of the nation’s premier music institutes and music festivals, is developing a new forum series designed to illuminate and inform about contemporary issues facing residents of Western North Carolina. While BMC will always maintain its paramount focus on teaching gifted young musicians, it also recognizes an opportunity to play a role in furthering community education and dialogue. Initiated and designed by BMC patrons and civic leaders Kathleen Mainardi, Bruce Rogow, Steve Keeble and Tom Parker, the format for this series is structured to stimulate learning, provide opportunity for reflection in a leisurely setting, and to connect with other community members through presentations by highly regarded local subject matter experts and civil discussion. Designed as a welcoming and flexible space, the new Parker Concert Hall is an ideal venue for this type of event.
FORUM SCHEDULE
9:30am – 12:00pm Panelist Presentations
12:00pm — 12:45pm Attendee Small Group Discussions + Lunch*
12:45pm — 1:15pm Music Presentation
1:15pm — 3:30pm Attendee + Panelist Engagement + Discussion
9:30am – 12:00pm Panelist Presentations
12:00pm — 12:45pm Attendee Small Group Discussions + Lunch*
12:45pm — 1:15pm Music Presentation
1:15pm — 3:30pm Attendee + Panelist Engagement + Discussion
CLIMATE CHANGE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA – WHY SHOULD I CARE?
This pilot BMC MindTreks Forum will explore a subject affecting us now; one that will continue to impact generations to come: climate change in our own backyard, here in western NC. The forum will be moderated by Tom Fiedler, former Executive Editor of The Miami Herald, and Dean Emeritus and Journalism Professor at Boston University’s College of Communication. Local expert panelists will include Deke Arndt, James Fox, Scott Shuford, Amber Weaver, and Ben Teague (see panelist details below).
Held at Parker Concert Hall on the Music Center’s picturesque campus in the delightful Blue Ridge mountain town of Brevard, event patrons will also have the opportunity to enjoy a music interlude, to mix and mingle with the experts, and to enjoy the beautiful Music Center grounds.
FORUM SCHEDULE
9:30am – 12:00pm Panelist Presentations
12:00pm — 12:45pm Attendee Small Group Discussions + Lunch*
12:45pm — 1:15pm Music Presentation
1:15pm — 3:30pm Attendee + Panelist Engagement + Discussion
*Box Lunches are available for $10 each. Reservations can be made by choosing the Add-On Lunch option during the ticket purchase.
Have you been dreaming about a more sustainable future? Cultivate a deeper connection with your community, place, and self with the Organic Growers School one-day workshop: Homegrown Dreams, Visioning for a Land-Based Life.
Homegrown Dreams is an entry-level workshop designed to help you start planning out and acting on your dreams to become more self-sufficient and live off of your land, no matter the scale.
When we form these reciprocal relationships with the land, we better understand the importance of regenerative practices.
Enhance your confidence, skill, and excitement to create the lifestyle you imagine.
Uncover your personal values, skills, and resources
Chart a path to move forward over the next 1 to 5 years in your homestead plans.
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2022; 10am – 4:30 pm
Location: Creekside Farm
339 Avery Creek Rd, Arden, NC 28704
https://organicgrowersschool.org/product/2022-homegrown-dreams-in-person/
Speaker: David Ahrenholz
During this presentation, participants will learn how to identify the butterflies of the western Carolinas through photographs taken by the presenter, as well as the foodplants needed to attract both the caterpillar and adult stages to your home butterfly garden.
Dr. Ahrenholz began his interest in butterflies as a child in Iowa. He taught himself photography because family and friends were not interested in dead insect specimens. After medical school he continued his passion for nature photography, photographing butterflies across the US and tropical South America. His photographs captured new species and led to an appointment as a Research Associate in the Entomology Department at the Smithsonian. He has pursued a 25 year project with the museum to document the butterflies of Ecuador in photographs and by collecting specimens. Now retired from his surgical career at the University of Minnesota, he has moved with his wife to their horse farm in the Landrum area where he enjoys equestrian foxhunting and sharing images from his butterfly garden.
Spectators will view a wide range of electric cars, as well as the latest in personal electric transportation vehicles.
“Come out and see electric vehicles from old to new and learn why they are becoming mainstream,” Rudy Beharrysingh President of the Blue Ridge EV Club. “In addition to electric cars, you can check out the latest in personal electric transportation vehicles: electric bikes and bicycles, electric scooters, hoverboards, One wheels and more,” he adds.
Electric vehicle owners and dealers will be available to answer any questions about costs, range, charging and more. Plus, meet members of the Blue Ridge EV Club and Tesla Owners of Western North Carolina groups. Local solar installers will also be on hand to discuss powering EVs.
Spectators are encouraged to bring nonperishable canned or boxed provisions for Loving Food Resources, a local food pantry. Items of need include boxed elbow macaroni & spaghetti, saltine crackers, brownie and baked goods mixes, foil packed tuna, bagged sugar, and more.
Led by Stewart/Owen Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this class begins with full body conditioning followed by a series of technical modern exercises, and culminates in either phrase creation or Stewart/Owen repertory. Dancers are encouraged to modify for their own bodies and spaces! We recommend this class to experienced dancers who are looking for a fast-paced contemporary class that pushes their physical and mental boundaries.
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots.They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
Details:
- 90 minute tour with beverages/light food pairings*
- Reservation only
- 21+ up
Designated drivers don’t need a reservation, but must accompany a ticketed guest.
*If you have an allergy or accomodation request, please note these while placing your reservation, or email [email protected] with your needs.
Attire + Footwear
- Closed-toe shoes with hard soles required
- This tour is exposed to the elements. Please check the weather in advance and be prepared!
Accessibility
There are elements of the tour that are not wheelchair accessible. Please reach out directly to [email protected] for information and accommodation.
Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with the return of guided trail walks in 2022! From April — October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.
Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..
Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.
There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.
Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Know Before You Go
- Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
- Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
- Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
- Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
- COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
- At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
SECU Collection Hall. Image Sterling E. Stevens.
Today’s public tour is led by Shana Hill, touring docent.
PUBLIC TOURS
Join docents for tours of the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. No reservations are required.
Sunday, May
1, 2022
Celebrating Rwanda’s Resilience Through Music + Culture
Farmer-to-Farmer Training: WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT)
History @ Home – Virtual Exhibits w/ The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted
Better World Day 2022 Week of Events
Biltmore Blooms Tour
Step Into the heart of Rwanda With Culture Keeper David Kwizera + the LEAF International Rwanda Jr. Troupe! This spring documentary is exactly what you need!
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Farmer-to-Farmer Training
WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).
Why join CRAFT?
- Network with beginning and experienced farmers to exchange your ideas and knowledge and build community in the region.
- Expand your training opportunities beyond your farm to bolster the robustness of your apprenticeship offerings.
- Attract aspiring farmers to your apprenticeship positions to cultivate success and improve the future of our region’s agriculture.
Old Shiloh was one of Asheville’s first communities established by emancipated people. The community moved to its present-day location – New Shiloh – after George Vanderbilt, in an effort to expand his land holdings as he planned to build his Biltmore Estate, purchased the land and buildings and agreed to relocate the Shiloh church and cemetery.
Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).
The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.
Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.
The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.
Evergreen Community Charter school of Asheville, North Carolina is holding Better World Day, a week-long Earth Day event. Evergreen has anchored our Better World Day activities in our annual Earth Day event for years. This has traditionally been a day where our school community participates in watershed stewardship service projects around our campus with support from community partners and a variety of learning workshops led by local wildlife experts. This year, we are making important changes to our event that reflect our school’s mission more broadly and to more comprehensively embody our school’s mission.
In addition to including the traditional watershed stewardship-focused projects, our event will include actions that engage us with community stewardship and emphasize our commitment to breaking down the structural and relational barriers that perpetuate racial inequalities in our community. Our event will celebrate and engage all of the ways we are stewards of the natural world, the rivers, the wild animals, the air, and the humans we share our Earth with. This year on Better World Day, Evergreeners are “In This Together”, exploring the many ways our school’s practices of learning about and taking actions towards habitat protection and ecological restoration can be done with mindful attention towards the building and restoration of our human community, too.
WEEK OF EVENTS:
Friday, April 22- Earth Day! Evergreen’s Better World Day event: Community circle and school-wide day of service projects and learning workshops. Local wildlife experts Carlton Burke, Steve O’Neil, and Rob Gudger will be joining us to share animals and stories of the human impacts on the habitat of some of these wild creatures. The EV Club of Asheville will be bringing an EV car show and sharing information about the impacts of moving towards electric vehicles as one way to curb the impacts of climate change. Every grade level/classroom will engage with meaningful service projects, such as:
– Raised bed construction in the garden ($2K grant monies raised to support this project)
– Forest pond habitat restoration project ($1K grant monies raised to support this project)
– Water quality assessments in local streams with a community partner, Riverlink
– Campus composting program – building bear-proof classroom composting bins, with a community partner, Asheville Greenworks
– Food System Justice, service in local community gardens in partnership with local community gardens, supported by Bountiful Cities
– Invasive Plant Removal- education about invasive plants and their impact on our local ecosystems + service groups focused on the removal of invasive plants from our campus forest and AVL streams (in partnership with Riverlink)
– Family engagement: Evergreen’s Social Justice Curriculum team will share with our greater family community ways to be “In This Together” with us to work towards the greater health of our planet and our community.
Saturday, April 23- My Place in Race: An equity workshop for middle school youth. Evergreen aims to host this workshop that will bring youth from around Asheville together for a day of relationship building and learning together about ways to dismantle structural racism in our communities and the power of youth voice and youth action in this movement. Led by local community leaders. (still seeking funding to be able to make this happen)
Monday & Tuesday, April 25 & 26: Evergreen Plant Sale
A fundraiser to support Better World Day projects and partnerships
Thursday, April 28: Student-Led Conferences.
A family engagement reflection opportunity.
Friday, April 29- Monday, May 1: YWCA’s Stand Against Racism
April 1st through May 26th, 2022
Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at our Winery. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.
Monday, May
2, 2022
Celebrating Rwanda’s Resilience Through Music + Culture
History @ Home – Virtual Exhibits w/ The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Stand Against Racism Challenge
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted
Step Into the heart of Rwanda With Culture Keeper David Kwizera + the LEAF International Rwanda Jr. Troupe! This spring documentary is exactly what you need!
Old Shiloh was one of Asheville’s first communities established by emancipated people. The community moved to its present-day location – New Shiloh – after George Vanderbilt, in an effort to expand his land holdings as he planned to build his Biltmore Estate, purchased the land and buildings and agreed to relocate the Shiloh church and cemetery.
What is the Stand Against Racism Challenge?
Previously known as the 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, the Stand Against Racism Challenge: A Virtual Community of Growth is the same program developed by YWCA and adopted nationwide.
The Stand Against Racism Challenge is an exciting opportunity to dive deep into racial equity and social justice. This year, we will be investigating Critical Race Theory, Living Wage, Film and Television, and Reproductive Justice. Participants will be able to download an app for their phone or visit the challenge website to engage with curated articles, podcasts, videos, activities, and more.
The SAR Challenge goes live Monday, April 4th, and continues (Monday –Friday) through May 2nd. Before April 4th you must register and download the appropriate app for your device.
Participation in an activity like this helps participants discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact their community, connect with one another, and identify action steps to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. This is an exciting opportunity to join a learning community dedicated to racial equity and social justice.
Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).
The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.
Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.
The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.
Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.