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.

Friday, June 19, 2020
“One Voice: Black + Blue”
Jun 19 @ 7:00 pm
Online
Image

 

“One Voice: BLACK & BLUE” is an exceptional narrative highlighting orations from one of America’s most influential black leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King will be embodied by Jeremiah Dew during this virtual experience, and video vignettes of local South Carolinians who lived through the Civil Rights Movement in the deep South will tell us their own stories in their own words. This special one-time presentation of JDew’s one man show, will be streamed on Juneteenth (June 19th, 2020) via YouTube Live, at 7 PM.

Saturday, June 20, 2020
Girls on the Run of WNC Virtual 5K
Jun 20 all-day
Girls on the Run of WNC Virtual
Image

While we wish we could celebrate our girls in person this season, we will use the Girls on the Run of WNC VIRTUAL 5K run and walk as an opportunity to join together virtually to support the unstoppable strength, resiliency, and power of every girl! Our virtual 5K will be held from Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th. Here are a few ways you can participate:

  • Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or another distance of your choosing in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or somewhere that is safe. Don’t worry about how fast or how far you go, as we teach our girls, it is all about finding your happy pace and to keep moving forward!
  • No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.

Participation in the Virtual 5K is FREE. However, you can donate to Girls on the Run during registration to help support girls in our community or you can create your own fundraising page (see Become a Fundraiser tab). All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund, which aims to make the program accessible to all girls, regardless of their ability to pay the program registration fee.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RUN?

A virtual run is an event that can be run (or walked!) from any location you choose and any time during the open event date (Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th). It is a great way to get active and celebrate with your family, friends, or co-workers while we practice social distancing.

Walk, run, jog, indoors on a treadmill or outside in the neighborhood, a virtual run is the best way to get comfortable moving at your happy pace!

No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.

SHARE YOUR RESULTS AND PHOTOS!

Show your GOTR spirit from your respective event by posting pictures and videos to the Facebook Event or using #gotrwncvirtual5k #GOTRatHome #GOTRGotYourBack and tagging @gotrwnc!

Check back on our social media to see if you have been featured!

Grant Opportunities for the Crafts
Jun 20 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.
MANNAfesting Hope: One Ticket. Nine Families Fed. Fundraiser
Jun 20 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.)
N.C. Department of Health and Human Service: help for low-income families 
Jun 20 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.

NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation Launches “Brothers And Sisters Like These” Podcasts
Jun 20 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/

Official Statement: Asheville Tourists
Jun 20 all-day
Online
One Buncombe: funding for entrepreneurs of color 
Jun 20 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. 

Orange Peel: Black Lives Mater! Resources
Jun 20 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:

Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses
Jun 20 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.
Phase 3 Industry Guidance from NCDHHS
Jun 20 all-day
Online
As we look toward the potential of moving into Phase 3 after June 26th and more businesses work to reopen and resume business in the new normal, it is important for businesses to stay up-to-date on the current recommendations.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has provided industry-specific guidance for safety measures related to COVID-19. Click “more information” below for industry-specific guidance.
Pisgah Legal: Benefits Guide During COVID-19
Jun 20 all-day
Online

This guide points towards help during this difficult time. This is not legal advice. The guide does not cover every
situation you may face. If you need additional help, contact Pisgah Legal Services at
(800) 489-6144 or apply online at pisgahlegal.org.

Pisgah Legal: Resources for supporting local Black-owned businesses
Jun 20 all-day
Online
Resources for supporting local Black-owned businesses:
  • The Hood Huggers International Green Book serves as a starting guide for anyone interested in supporting the resiliency of the African American community in Asheville. The goal is to highlight and connect the businesses and organizations listed, and to provide career inspiration for our youth.
  • The Color Of Asheville directory, compiled by Sasha Mitchell, includes African American owned businesses in Asheville, NC.
  •  AVL TODAY listing of local black-owned businesses submitted by readers.
These are just a few of the community resources available.
Please share any resources that you have to [email protected].
Pisgah Legal: Updated information for renters
Jun 20 all-day
Online

he information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact Pisgah Legal Services or a private attorney if you need to speak with an attorney regarding your specific situation. You can apply online for Pisgah Legal at www.pisgahlegal.org/free-legal-assistance or call 1-800-489-6144.

Pisgah Legal: What You Need to Know About Returning to Work
Jun 20 all-day
For Workers: Jessica Leaven, Employee Specialist from Grimes, Teich and Anderson, LLP, and Pisgah Legal volunteer attorney, presented a Facebook Live on “What You Need to Know About Returning to Work.”

 

Resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity Literacy Council
Jun 20 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.
Take an Online Course – Free with Lynda
Jun 20 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.

The Gallery at Flat Rock Offers Porch Portraits
Jun 20 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. 

Three Powerful Documentaries Events happening in America today
Jun 20 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.

Voting in the June 23 Second Primary Election: What You Need to Know
Jun 20 all-day
Buncombe County

The upcoming Second Primary Election is on Tuesday, June 23. Buncombe County Election Services wants to make sure you have all the information you need. Below is information about Early Voting, absentee ballots, finding out if you’re registered, sample ballots, and more. If you have additional questions, contact Election Services at (828) 250-4200.

Pisgah Legal Services: Helps Unemployed Due to COVID-19 Find Health Insurance
Jun 20 @ 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.

 

 

 

 

Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions Exhibit
Jun 20 @ 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.

 

Free Lunches at Ferguson YMCA
Jun 20 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ferguson Family YMCA

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoor, possible text that says 'the MEETING COMMUNITY NEED'

FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.

For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.

Weaverville’s Music on Main
Jun 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Town Hall (30 South Main Street, Weaverville

Featuring Dangermuffin & A Weaverville Song Contest!

Weaverville’s Music on Main is an open-air, one-night concert event on Main Street in Weaverville.  Our headliner this year is Dangermuffin.  More details about this year’s event will be coming soon!

Attention singer/songwriters!  2020’s Music on Main in Weaverville is looking for an original Weaverville song to be performed this June 20, 2020 at Weaverville’s Music on Main outdoor street concert! The successful candidate/candidates will open this year’s Music on Main by performing the song to the thousands in our community who love music and love Weaverville!

This is a great opportunity for any musician(s) of any genre to write and perform! Weaverville’s Music on Main is a hugely popular event.

The concert will  take place in front of Town Hall (30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787) from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2020. The event is free and open to the public.

Music on Main is brought to the community by the Weaverville Business Association and the Music on Main Sponsors.

There will be food, drink, kids activities and booths. Local restaurants will be open all along Main Street. Traffic will be stopped between Merrimon Avenue and Brown Street.

Sunday, June 21, 2020
Downtown Street Art Highlights Black Lives Matter
Jun 21 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
Girls on the Run of WNC Virtual 5K
Jun 21 all-day
Girls on the Run of WNC Virtual
Image

While we wish we could celebrate our girls in person this season, we will use the Girls on the Run of WNC VIRTUAL 5K run and walk as an opportunity to join together virtually to support the unstoppable strength, resiliency, and power of every girl! Our virtual 5K will be held from Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th. Here are a few ways you can participate:

  • Complete a 5K (3.1 miles) or another distance of your choosing in your neighborhood, on a treadmill, or somewhere that is safe. Don’t worry about how fast or how far you go, as we teach our girls, it is all about finding your happy pace and to keep moving forward!
  • No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.

Participation in the Virtual 5K is FREE. However, you can donate to Girls on the Run during registration to help support girls in our community or you can create your own fundraising page (see Become a Fundraiser tab). All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls on the Run of WNC scholarship fund, which aims to make the program accessible to all girls, regardless of their ability to pay the program registration fee.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RUN?

A virtual run is an event that can be run (or walked!) from any location you choose and any time during the open event date (Saturday, June 20th to Saturday, June 27th). It is a great way to get active and celebrate with your family, friends, or co-workers while we practice social distancing.

Walk, run, jog, indoors on a treadmill or outside in the neighborhood, a virtual run is the best way to get comfortable moving at your happy pace!

No interest in running or walking the 5K? No problem! Complete a GOTR Physical Activity Card (details coming soon!). These cards include fun physical activity challenges that celebrate the joy of movement and highlight some of the important lessons that girls learn throughout our program. Select whichever card appeals to you and aim to complete as many of the activities you can.

SHARE YOUR RESULTS AND PHOTOS!

Show your GOTR spirit from your respective event by posting pictures and videos to the Facebook Event or using #gotrwncvirtual5k #GOTRatHome #GOTRGotYourBack and tagging @gotrwnc!

Check back on our social media to see if you have been featured!

Grant Opportunities for the Crafts
Jun 21 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.
MANNAfesting Hope: One Ticket. Nine Families Fed. Fundraiser
Jun 21 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.)
N.C. Department of Health and Human Service: help for low-income families 
Jun 21 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.

NC Veterans Writing Alliance Foundation Launches “Brothers And Sisters Like These” Podcasts
Jun 21 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/