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.

June 2020 Jun 2020
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Saturday, June 27, 2020
Resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity Literacy Council
Jun 27 all-day
Online

Racism, white privilege

and what it all means

Recognizing and understanding racism, and actively unlearning the everyday, built-in mechanisms of systemic racism is an ongoing effort that must be made by every single one of us. It can be difficult to navigate issues, origins, and solutions surrounding systemic racism, especially with so many different angles portrayed by the media.
There are countless truthful resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity. Here are just a few educational resources and ways to help our Black communities:
Educational reading:
The above photo has an excellent list of books!
Community:
Media:
Follow Black activists and voices on social media! Please reach out to us if you’d like suggestions on whom to follow.
Read more
Categories: Bookclubs Community
SBA reopens disaster loans for small businesses and nonprofits
Jun 27 all-day
Online
It’s a good day for small business. After closing applications for Economic Injury Disaster Recovery (EIDL) loans back in April, the U.S. Small Business Association has announced that an additional round of funding has been opened up.

The first round of SBA loans, which pulled from a pool of $17 billion, went quickly. The SBA reported that they received more than $5 million in applications. In May, applications opened up – but only for farm and agricultural businesses.

Now, funds will be opened back up to a broader range of businesses and nonprofits. Applications open on Monday, and will remain open through the end of the year.
Read more
Categories: Community
Take an Online Course – Free with Lynda
Jun 27 all-day
Online

Learning with Lynda

Looking to learn something new? Buncombe County Public Libraries offers free, unlimited access to the award winning online learning company, Lynda.com from LinkedIn. Lynda.com offers streaming video courses on thousands of topics taught by recognized industry experts. Learn business, software, technology and creative skills at your own pace without leaving home, all free with your library card.

You can use Lynda.com anytime from anywhere you have internet access. All you need is a Buncombe County Library card. Don’t have a library card? Email us at [email protected] and we can give you one.

How to access lynda.com content with your library card:

Use the lynda.com button to go to the Buncombe County Library lynda.com login page (do not go directly to the Lynda.com homepage). If you are using  a smartphone or tablet, use your device’s browser, not the lynda.com app.

At the login page, enter your library card number and PIN.

Once you are logged in, the next step is to create a personalized account by entering your name and e-mail address. This account can help manage your course history, playlists, bookmarks, and Certificates of Completion.

Be sure to write down your password. If you forget your password, you’ll have to contact lynda.com directly by phone at 1 (888) 335-9632.

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Categories: Community Education
The Gallery at Flat Rock Offers Porch Portraits
Jun 27 all-day
varies

Suzanne has generously donated a portion of the session fee to Flat Rock Playhouse and she has a goal of raising $15,000 before the end of the year! She has currently raised $2,015, so help Suzanne reach her goal and capture some memories along the way. Check out some of her portraits above and click the link below to schedule your session today!

Inspired by the national trend of porch portraits, Suzanne of The Gallery at Flat Rock, will be offering portrait sessions and donating a portion of the session cost to Flat Rock Playhouse. 

 A fifteen-minute porch portrait session is $65 (cash or check) of which $15 will be donated to the Flat Rock Playhouse, a friend and neighbor to the gallery which made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 season. 
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Categories: Community Fundraisers
Three Powerful Documentaries Events happening in America today
Jun 27 all-day
Online

The Peace Center has partnered with Magnolia Pictures to offer three curated documentaries for in-home streaming designed to give a deeper understanding of the events happening in America today.

Now through June 30, these engaging and thought-provoking films are available to own separately for $6.99 each or as a bundle for $15.

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO

TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I

WHOSE STREETS?

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Categories: Community Film
Video: “No Day But Today” w/ cast of RENT in Seoul, South Korea
Jun 27 all-day
Online

This heartwarming video featuring the iconic song from RENT showcases the talents of the cast members and the unique steps that their theatre is taking to ensure safety amidst COVID-19. Though theatres across the globe have had to close their doors during the pandemic, this production offers hope for the future of performing.

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Categories: Community Music Theatre
Virtual Exhibit: Hillbilly Land Myth and Reality of Appalachian Culture
Jun 27 all-day
Online WNC Historical Society
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

The hillbilly stereotype is one that is alive and well in American popular culture as a quick survey of the cable dial reveals with such shows as Moonshiners, Appalachian Outlaws, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and countless others.

Surprisingly, it is one often displayed among educated sorts here in Western North Carolina who would never dream of disparaging any minority or “out group,” but do not hesitate to characterize native Western North Carolinians, as a group, as ignorant, in-bred, hopelessly retrograde, violent, snake-handling, moonshining/meth-making rednecks.

The Hillbillyland Exhibition explores the power, prevalence, and persistence of the hillbilly stereotype from the days of its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day. The exhibit takes a unique approach by focusing on photography featuring the people of the region, some of them stereotypical images, combined with poetry and short prose pieces that challenge and complicate these stereotypes.
Visit the Virtual Exhibit
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Categories: Community Education
Virtual Tour 1918 vs. 2020 Flu Pandemics WNC
Jun 27 all-day
Online Smith-McDowell House

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.wnchistory.org/virtual-exhibits/influenza/?utm_source=Western%20North%20Carolina%20Historical%20Association&utm_campaign=78fa0bbdf8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_23_05_25_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7424f63c4d-78fa0bbdf8-329482143

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Categories: Community Education
West-Wayne Street Tweak Public Interest Survey
Jun 27 all-day
Online

Project design satellite view

One of two ways to submit comments on the WestWayne Project: At the project kiosk and online from home.

SEE PROJECT DETAILS AND INPUT SURVEY »

The Street Tweaks Team is kicking off a physical distanced public input process for the proposed traffic-calming and safety project at the intersection of Westwood Place and Waynesville Ave. near Haywood Rd., in West Asheville. The team encourages the community to participate in the public comment by visiting the Street Tweaks Team kiosk at the intersection and taking input survey by texting “westwayne” to 555888.

The survey can also be accessed directly through AoB’s website, but we encourage place-based input for those who are able to participate. This allows you the best understanding of existing street design and the potential for using quick-build tactical urbanism strategies for creating safe movements through the area for all modes.

Public Input Survey

The Street Tweaks Team is working towards the installation of a tactical urbanism project at the intersection of Waynesville Avenue and Westwood Place, behind the Walk. This project will be an intersection improvement consisting of a neighborhood traffic circle, crosswalks, and other related changes. The design is not yet finalized as of 5/28/2020 but the City has indicated that our proposal meets their requirements.

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Categories: Community
In-Person Services Resume Buncombe County Offices
Jun 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Buncombe County

On Monday, June 29, Buncombe County will open the majority of its public-facing offices. This move is the result of significant planning, consulting with public health officials, implementing disease transmission mitigation efforts, and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, County staff continued to provide services for the community while also responding to the crisis. County staff provided modified services, such as drop boxes and virtual meetings, to allow for social distancing. These alternative means of accessing services will continue to be available, and the public is encouraged to continue to use services via those platforms when possible. However, if residents need to access County offices, they will be able to do so in a modified capacity starting June 29.

The safety of the public and our employees is a top priority as we transition to this next phase of operating. Below you will find a list of safety procedures in place to help keep residents and our employees safe.

What has changed? 

Public health and safety officials audited our public-facing facilities to determine the safest way for County operations to be accessible to the public. As a result, here are some of the changes we have instituted:

  • Installation of plexiglass barriers for public-based work
  • Increased sanitation and cleaning of County facilities
  • Public accessibility of hand sanitizer and disposable face coverings
  • Social distancing markers and signage
  • Comprehensive internal procedures for employees to foster a safe workplace, including a daily employee self-screening tool

Note: If you are visiting a County office, face coverings should be worn in accordance with the Stay Safe, Stay Smart order of May 22, 2020, which requires face coverings for individuals in all indoor public commercial facilities. Again, alternative means of accessing services are available, and the public is encouraged to continue to use services via those platforms when possible.

The following departments will open their facilities to the public on June 29:

  • Ag and Land Resources (Soil and Water/Coop. Ext) –  49 Mount Carmel Road, Suite 101
  • Air Quality – 52 Coxe Ave.
  • Budget, Communications, County Manager’s Office, Finance, HR, Internal Audit, Legal, Performance Management, Sustainability – 200 College St.
  • Permitting and Inspections – 30 Valley St.
  • Planning & Development – 46 Valley St.
  • Register of Deeds (Vital Records department is already open to the public), 205 College St.
  • Strategic Partnerships – 35 Woodfin St.
  • Tax Assessor – 155 Hilliard Ave.

Recreation Services

Most open spaces, greenways, trails, and common park and recreation areas operated by Buncombe County have reopened. During Buncombe County’s Safer at Home Phase 2 emergency order, playgrounds, restrooms, fitness centers, picnic shelters, boat rentals, sporting events, recreation programs, and mass gatherings have been closed or restricted. When Buncombe County enters Phase 3, it will not be an immediate return to normal park operations. Additional mitigation measures and guidelines to maintain states of low to no community transmission are updated frequently on the department’s website and through signs at facilities. Buncombe County’s five outdoor pools reopened June 18 with new safety measures.

Public Libraries

Beginning June 29, select branches will offer appointment-based visits. Updates on those branches will be announced on our website. All social distancing rules will be observed during library use. Curbside hold pickups and digital library services will continue. Free Wi-Fi is available in every library parking lot and library cards can be issued by emailing [email protected]. For help with any service, please call (828) 250-4700.

Tax Collections

The Tax Collections Office is anticipated to reopen in July. Significant changes were needed to expand the lobby to allow for social distancing.

Elections Services

The office at 77 McDowell Ave. is open to the public if you are returning an absentee by-mail ballot. For all other services, there is a dropbox in the entry way, a buzzer to ask questions, and Election Services staff is available for questions at (828) 250-4200. Board of Elections meetings are being held virtually, find out how to attend at buncombecounty.org/vote.

All other County departments remained open or reopened prior to this announcement.

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Categories: Community
Ingles Tools for Schools Supply Drive
Jun 27 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Ingles

The ( Super-Safe-Social-Distancing Drive-Thru Only )
Ingles Tools for Schools Supply Drive
Ingles Tools for Schools Supply Drive: August 4th located at 29 Tunnel Rd.
In partnership with Eblen Charities
Distribution by appointment: August 12th
If your office or group is interested in sponsoring and/or collecting school supplies
please contact Amanda Putnam at [email protected]
Read more
Categories: Community Fundraisers
Pisgah Legal Services: Helps Unemployed Due to COVID-19 Find Health Insurance
Jun 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Online

Pisgah Legal Services Launches Campaign to Help Those Recently Unemployed Due to COVID-19 Find Health Insurance through Special Enrollment Process

 

Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), a nonprofit that provides free, civil legal aid in Western North Carolina, recently launched a targeted campaign to reach people recently unemployed due to COVID-19 who may have also lost their health insurance. Anyone who has experienced a qualifying life event in the past 60 days, including job loss, may qualify for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance. Pisgah Legal Services offers free assistance and free information to help understand options for affordable health insurance. To find out more or to make an appointment, visit pisgahlegal.org/aca  or call 828-210-3404.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people without jobs and with that, health insurance,” said Jim Barrett, Executive Director for Pisgah Legal Services. “Many of these people may qualify to file for health insurance through Special Enrollment and it’s our goal to help them understand their options.”

 

As recently as early May, NC had surpassed the one million mark for individual unemployment insurance benefit claims, as noted on the N.C. Division of Employment website. Almost one-quarter, or 20.3 percent of the 4.97 million North Carolinians listed in the state’s workforce as of mid-March have filed an unemployment insurance claim. “The need is great and will likely grow,” notes Barrett. “Pisgah Legal wants to make sure that no one misses health care coverage as a result of recent job loss.”

 

When qualifying for a special enrollment period, people do not have to wait until November for Open Enrollment; they can take advantage of options now. One Asheville resident, Christina, lost her job in March and with it, her insurance. She suffers from heart disease and without insurance, was unsure how she would afford her medicines. By working with Pisgah Legal Services, she was able to get a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan for less than $17/month.  “Pisgah Legal took care of everything for me,” said Christina. She hopes others take advantage of this valuable, free service.

 

Pisgah Legal Services works with organizations in WNC to provide these services across the region. These organizations include: Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Legal Aid or North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., and, Western Carolina Medical Society.

 

 

 

 

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Categories: Community Health & Wellness
Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions Exhibit
Jun 27 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center

Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center celebrated the opening of its newest traveling exhibit, “Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions” on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The exhibit will run through the July 4th weekend at MGM, located at 24 Water Street in Old Fort. Admission is free.

 

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Categories: Community Family Fun Other
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Asheville PARC: Free Black Lives Matter Signs
Jun 28 all-day
2 Asheville locations-see below

They’re small, just 9×12, but highly visible.

The quickest way to get a sign is to pick one up at:
Asheville Hemp Farms
28 N Lexington Avenue, downtown
11- 6 daily; 1–6 Sunday
or
Urban Orchard Cider
210 Haywood Rd, 28806
 2 –7, M–F; Sat/Sun 12-9
If you can’t make it to these places and you live within Asheville city limits, email us your address and we’ll put one in your yard. We’re running behind, but we’ll get there. If you’ve already requested one and still don’t have it, please email us a reminder!
Signs are free in Asheville and cheap everywhere else…
If you have out-of-town friends
who need signs,
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Categories: Community
Buncombe Applications Open for Vance Monument Task Force
Jun 28 all-day
Online

Buncombe Applications Open for Vance Monument Task Force

On June 9 and June 16, 2020, the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, respectively, passed a joint resolution to remove two confederate statues located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance monument.

The Vance Monument Task Force (VMTF) will consist of up to 12 members whose appointments will be made in equal numbers by the two governing boards. It is the intent of the governing boards of the City of Asheville and Buncombe County that the Vance monument be replaced or altered in such a manner, as to honor the local history of African-Americans. The VMTF will be tasked with gathering citizen input, particularly from those most impacted by the monuments, participate in public dialogue, and will present the governing boards a final report of recommendation within three months of the completion of all membership appointments.

What to expect

Due to the projected timeline, members may anticipate an average of one meeting per week, with research and activity between the meetings. Members will be asked to actively participate in planning, gathering data and input, evaluation of facts and alternatives, and reach consensus on the final content for the report. The initial focus of this taskforce will be to develop and present a final report regarding the future of the Vance Monument. The governing bodies may request additional activities within the scope of the resolution.

The Buncombe County application process will close on July 7, 2020, the Board will hold interviews the period of July 8-19, 2020, and will announce their appointees at the July 21, 2020, regular meeting. Click here to log on and apply or use the attached application and return to [email protected] or by mail to Vance Monument Task Force, 200 College St., Asheville, NC 28801. Printed applications are available at 200 College St., third floor.

Note: The City of Asheville will open a similar application process for their six appointees. Stay tuned to Asheville City Source for more information.

The Vance Monument Task Force will operate in accordance with North Carolina open meetings and public records laws. Information provided in this application, during meetings, all records, and communications are subject to NC public records law and may be disclosed to third parties.

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Categories: Community
COVID-19 Business Supplies Page: Information for Cleaning Services
Jun 28 all-day
Online
Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Supplies Page Now Includes Information for Cleaning Services
Main Logo
Earlier this month, the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce developed a resource page with information on vendors providing PPE and business supplies related to COVID-19. As more businesses have opened and increased exposure, we have had several requests for information on cleaning companies who can assist with regular preventative cleanings and for deeper cleaning should any staff contract COVID-19. That information has now been added to the resource page.
If you’re a member business offering any of these services, please email us and we can add your information to the page.
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Categories: Community
Downtown Street Art Highlights Black Lives Matter
Jun 28 all-day
Downtown Asheville
Photos by Casey Orr, Dig Local.
The next time you’re in downtown Asheville, take some time to check out the street murals on local storefronts.

New murals downtown showcase the Black Lives Matter movement. Small memorials can be found tucked away at the base of trees along the brick sidewalks in remembrance of the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and the others whose lives have been lost.

#BlackLivesMatter
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Categories: Community
Eblen Cooling Project
Jun 28 all-day
Online

The Temperature is Rising
Something as simple as
a box fan can save a life!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are going to be giving away fans to those who are in need very soon. If you would like to help keep someone cool this summer, please donate $15 or more at the link below or mail a donation to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville NC 28806
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDESS!
Eblen Cooling Project
Eblen Charities will be providing fans for individuals/families in need of cooling this summer. Donation of $15 will provide a fan to someone in need.
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Categories: Community Fundraisers
Grant Opportunities for the Crafts
Jun 28 all-day
online
The Craft Futures Fund will fund up to $30,000 each month from May 2020 – October 2020 to support craft-based education projects. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that envision and build new futures for craft.

Image may contain: text

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Categories: Art & Craft Community Grants
LEAF: Putumayo: World Peace — India.Arie “One” Video of the Wek
Jun 28 all-day
Online

From her 2013 album, SongVersation, India.Arie shares the song that took her a lifetime to write. “One” says everything that India once afraid to say but love for humanity and her courage for truth gave her the words and music to express the powerful and universal truth in this masterful song. This song is dedicated with love to all. #worthy

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Categories: Community Music
LEAF: Resources for Your Equity Journey
Jun 28 all-day
Online


V-LEAF, LEAF’s 1st Virtual Festival- You can still experience!
Friday // Saturday // Sunday

Roots + Wings Creative Community

“What Motivates People from Dominant Groups to Support Social Justice” Diane J. Goodman and Lee Anne Bell

“The Costs of Racism to White People” by Paul Kivel

Seeing White Series from Scene On Radio, a 14-part documentary series exploring whiteness in America.

Slavery By Another Name, PBS Documentary

White Awake Manual — a set of educational resources for guiding white affinity processes

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Categories: Community
MANNAfesting Hope: One Ticket. Nine Families Fed. Fundraiser
Jun 28 all-day
Online
MANNAfesting Hope is a simple fundraising campaign to continue providing food and hope to the growing number of people who need our help.
We are asking our Blue Jean Ball enthusiasts, and ALL those who want to help our neighbors in crisis, to donate to MANNA in the amount of what one ticket to Blue Jean Ball would have been: just $95.
Your gift can help MANNAfest Hope for our community by providing enough food for over nine family food boxes.
(You can donate securely online at events.mannafoodbank.org, or send a check to MANNA with MANNAfesting Hope in the notes.)
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Categories: Community Fundraisers
N.C. Department of Health and Human Service: help for low-income families 
Jun 28 all-day
Online

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announces $26 million in help for low-income families
Yesterday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the state’s Community Action Agencies have begun receiving flexible funds that can be used to help low-income individuals and families meet a variety of needs by COVID-19.

These funds are part of the federal Community Services Block Grant and can, among other allowable uses, help eligible residents facing eviction with unmet rent and utility expenses. Community Action Agencies have been helping distribute funds like this, among other initiatives for over 50 years, according to executive director Sharon Goodson. CAAs also provide services like case management, transportation, housing, eviction and emergency assistance program, and more.

To apply for help, contact your local Community Action Agency. For additional information on the CSBG funding or contact information for the 33 Community Action Agencies in North Carolina, visit ncdhhs.gov/csbg-contacts.
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Categories: Community
NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation Launches “Brothers And Sisters Like These” Podcasts
Jun 28 all-day
Online
Brothers and Sisters Like These Podcast Artwork Image

Brothers and Sisters Like These

[email protected]

Brothers and Sisters Like These is a veteran’s writing group, featuring members who share stories and poems with each other and the public around our state as a part of their healing. The group is part of the NC Veteran’s Writing Alliance Foundation. Each of these groups has the goal of supporting veterans as they heal from their war experiences.

https://brothersandsisterslikethese.buzzsprout.com/

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Categories: Community
Neighborhood Service w/the City of Asheville
Jun 28 all-day
Online
Neighborhood-registration

How do we reach you?

Please ensure that your neighborhood or community contacts and information are up to date.  Read more under “Neighborhood Registration” on the Neighborhood Services page at www.AshevilleNC.gov/Neighborhoods.
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Categories: Community
North Carolina Pauses in Phase 2 w/ New Face Covering Requirement
Jun 28 all-day
North Carolina
Governor Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that North Carolina will remain in the Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks, pushing the possible date for moving to Phase 3 to July 17th at 5 pm.
During this announcement, Governor Cooper also included that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places (inside or outside) where physical distancing of six feet is not possible. Additionally, certain businesses must have employees and customers wear face coverings, including retail businesses, restaurants, personal care and grooming; employees of child care centers and camps; state government agencies under the Governor’s Cabinet; workers and riders of transportation; and workers in construction/trades, manufacturing, agriculture, meat processing and healthcare and long-term care settings. Face coverings had been “strongly recommended” up until this point.
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Categories: Community Health & Wellness
Official Statement: Asheville Tourists
Jun 28 all-day
Online

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Categories: Community Sports
One Buncombe: funding for entrepreneurs of color 
Jun 28 all-day
Online
Based on need and recent events, One Buncombe has opened up a second round of funding for entrepreneurs of color in Western North Carolina. Loans up to $10,000 are available, depending on a business’s current revenue. Loans will not given based on credit score, and applicants are not required to provide a Social Security Number.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Business must be located in Buncombe County.
  • Self-employed individuals are encouraged to apply
  • Must have been in business before January 1, 2020.

Learn more about the application process on the One Buncombe website.

Applications are open through June 30th. This loan is only available for entrepreneurs of color. 
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Categories: Business and Networking Community
Orange Peel: Black Lives Mater! Resources
Jun 28 all-day
Online

Image Map
BLACK LIVES MATTER!
We want to express our support for the tens of thousands of people right here in our community standing up against systemic racism and the mistreatment of people of color.  As a gathering place for the community which hosts diverse crowds on a regular basis, we want all patrons to feel safe, respected, welcome, and valued, both at our venue and when they leave. We are committed to listening, learning, and supporting black voices and black-owned businesses in our community.  Here are some ways you can help, too:
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Categories: Community
Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses
Jun 28 all-day
Small Business Association Online
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorship, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
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Categories: Community