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.

Thursday, June 2, 2022
Cook and Serve Meals – ABCCM Transformation Village
Jun 2 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Transformation Village

Cook teams of 4-6 individuals are invited to bring ingredients and prepare meals onsite or bring meals that have been prepared elsewhere.  To meet our dietary standards, we ask that each meal provides a meat, vegetable and starch.

Requirements:

  • Background Check
  • Brief orientation prior to service
  • Ability to Multi-Task
  • Friendly Demeanor

Health & Safety:

  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face mask if you have not been fully vaccinated
  • Temperatures will be checked and a COVID-19 disclosure will be signed at the volunteer entrance
  • Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

    Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


    ABCCM Transformation Village provides up to 100 beds of transitional housing and will provide emergency shelter beds, post Covid-19.  Transforming lives is through four developmental phases called Steps to Success including stabilization, life skills, education and reintegration.  We are honored to report that 8 out of 10 leave us with a living wage job and permanent housing.

    Transformation Village gives hope, healing, health and a home to single women, mothers with children, and female Veterans experiencing homelessness.  We provide residents a fresh start and a place to heal surrounded and supported by Christian love, trust, education and companionship.

    We are seeking energetic volunteers to prepare and serve meals for our residents for lunch and dinner. This opportunity provides you with the chance to prepare meals in our commercial kitchen alongside our trained staff while serving the women and children of Transformation Village. 

Eliada Home guided walking Farm Tour
Jun 2 @ 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
Elida Homes

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.

We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.

All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!

Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.

This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

Thursday Produce Sorting/Box Prep with Bounty + Soul
Jun 2 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Bounty + Soul

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


Bounty & Soul is a community-based non-profit with a mission to connect people to food, education and each other.

This opportunity involves sorting and inspecting produce donations from local grocers and placing them into food boxes that are distributed at weekly drive-thru markets. 

Time Commitment:

  • Thursdays 10am-12pm
  • Thursdays 1-3pm

Requirements:

  • Volunteers should agree to adhere to all the safety measures implemented
  • Ability to lift 25 lbs.
  • Bending, stooping, and twisting may be required
  • Closed toed shoes

Health/Safety:

  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face covering when delivering items
    • Cloth covering nose and mouth
    • Fabric or disposable face mask
  • Asking volunteers to maintain physical distance of 6 feet or more when possible
    • Note: there are times when the volunteer task requires volunteers to engage closer than 6 feet. Please do not sign up if you feel uncomfortable.

 

1 and older
Is Family Friendly
Is Not Outdoors
Is Wheelchair Accessible
Lifestyle Choices that May Lower Your Risk for Dementia
Jun 2 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
online

Can your risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias be lowered? What foods are best for our brains?  What effect does exercise have on brain function?  What about the importance of sleep and social connection?  Come join us for a presentation and discussion of why healthy lifestyle behaviors are critical for optimal brain function.

Presented by Dr. Stelley Gutman, MemoryCare Staff Physician

Wilma Dykeman Legacy – Green Money Forum: “Valuing the Environment” Panel
Jun 2 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
online w/ Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Speakers

Leah Mathews
Professor and Chair of Economics @Uuniversity of North Carolina Asheville
Dr. Leah Greden Mathews is an applied environmental economist. Her research focuses on estimating the value of those things you can’t buy on grocery store shelves – like water quality, scenic quality and cultural heritage. Leah is a founding member of the Food for Thought cluster at UNC Asheville, a multidisciplinary faculty group teaching courses across campus. Food for Thought focuses on developing students as informed consumers of food by providing a platform for discussion of what we eat, why we eat, where our food comes from, its journey from production to consumption, and how food affects our bodies and health. As a systems-thinking teacher/scholar, Leah engages students and colleagues from multiple disciplines in order to enrich her intellectual life and to broaden her understanding of the world. Dr. Mathews earned her BA in Economics, French, and International Affairs from Marquette University, and her PhD in Agricultural and Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota.
Jamie Ager
Chief Executive Officer @Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Jamie Ager is a fourth-generation farmer at Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, North Carolina. Jamie, in partnership with his wife Amy, built Hickory Nut Gap into a well-established regional brand and created a destination farm that welcomes visitors to learn about agriculture. The farm currently raises organic cattle, pasture-raised hogs and poultry, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. In addition to the farming production, the Agers built and oversee an on-farm store and butcher shop. Jamie and his wife Amy have three sons and live at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys working on the farm, swimming in the farm pond, learning, and spending time with his family.
David Gantt
Attorney and former Chair @Board of Commissioners of Buncombe County
David Gantt is an Asheville-based Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation lawyer. He earned his BA in Economics at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and his JD at Campbell University Law School. David was elected to the Buncombe County Commission in 1996 and served as Chair from 2008 to 2016. The governor appointed him to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (2008-2012), as well as to the Mountain Resources Commission (Chair, 2010-2013). David has won the Sierra Club of Western North Carolina’s Leadership Award, the Minnie Jones Social Justice Award, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Legacy Award, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Humanitarian Award.
Youth Literacy Tutors Needed!
Jun 2 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Asheville

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


Literacy Together (formerly the Literacy Council of Buncombe County) is a nonprofit organization working with children, youth, and adults to increase comprehensive literacy and English language skills through access to literacy resources and specialized instruction by trained volunteer tutors. Literacy Together relies on volunteer tutors to offer students personal instruction and high-quality materials through various programs.

The Youth Literacy Program is seeking tutors to meet with students K-5 twice a week for 50 minutes, between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The Youth Literacy Program works with two after-school programs that primarily serve youth of color.  The two locations are in Asheville.

Youth Literacy tutors work with children from low-income families who read, write, and/or spell below their grade level. Tutors in this program complete an initial orientation and a 16-20 hours training, which includes some pre-course work and/or homework (short articles to read, short videos to watch). They then receive follow-up support and the option to attend in-service training throughout their tutoring commitment. Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Time Commitment:

  • Twice a week for 50-minute sessions between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
  • Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Requirements: 

  • GED or High School diploma
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to work patiently with various levels of literacy skills
  • Access to reliable internet
  • Ability to navigate virtual meetings with minimal distractions
  • Complete a background check

Training:

  • Tutors must complete 16-20 hours of training prior to being assigned a student
Reading Buddy – Project Lighten Up – Shiloh
Jun 2 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Project Lighten Up

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


Getting Back to the Basics/Project Lighten Up is a unique summer and afterschool educational opportunity for low-income and minority youth that supports students’ recreational and educational learning. We provide meaningful educational support and develop self-esteem in a positive environment through mentoring and enriching activities.

Project Lighten Up is seeking in-person volunteers to assist students attending the afterschool program during the school year with spelling and reading 1-2 times a week for 1 hour.  

Time Commitment:

  • Commitment to a 5-week session
  • Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 1 shift per week
  • Volunteers choose from one, 1-hour session per week OR two, 30-minute sessions per week
  • Volunteer shifts are Tuesdays & Thursdays between 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Please arrive 15 minutes prior to shift start for health screening and transition time

Requirements/Training:

  • Respond above to the opportunity
  • Answer all health/safety and opportunity related questions prior to submitting your response
  • Phone interview with the program director
  • Volunteer application
  • Complete a background check
  • Attend training by program staff
  • Adheres to all CDC guidelines and safety protocols

Skillset: 

  • Enjoys working with youth in different grade levels
  • Enjoys working in a learning environment
  • Remains patient and calm with students experiencing technical or learning challenges
  • Demonstrates a positive attitude and empathy for students and Lighten Up team
  • Non-judgmental, fair, firm, and friendly
  • Models excellent verbal and non-verbal communication

Health/Safety:

  • Health and safety screening prior to every shift start:
    • List of health and safety questions asked
    • Temperatures taken
  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face covering (masks available upon request)
    • Fabric or disposable face mask
  • Asking volunteers to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more when possible
    • Note: there are times when the volunteer task requires volunteers to engage with students closer than 6 feet. Please do not sign up if you feel uncomfortable.
  • Volunteers will be asked to adhere to proper hand hygiene
Cook and Serve Meals – ABCCM Transformation Village
Jun 2 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Transformation Village

Cook teams of 4-6 individuals are invited to bring ingredients and prepare meals onsite or bring meals that have been prepared elsewhere.  To meet our dietary standards, we ask that each meal provides a meat, vegetable and starch.

Requirements:

  • Background Check
  • Brief orientation prior to service
  • Ability to Multi-Task
  • Friendly Demeanor

Health & Safety:

  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face mask if you have not been fully vaccinated
  • Temperatures will be checked and a COVID-19 disclosure will be signed at the volunteer entrance
  • Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

    Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


    ABCCM Transformation Village provides up to 100 beds of transitional housing and will provide emergency shelter beds, post Covid-19.  Transforming lives is through four developmental phases called Steps to Success including stabilization, life skills, education and reintegration.  We are honored to report that 8 out of 10 leave us with a living wage job and permanent housing.

    Transformation Village gives hope, healing, health and a home to single women, mothers with children, and female Veterans experiencing homelessness.  We provide residents a fresh start and a place to heal surrounded and supported by Christian love, trust, education and companionship.

    We are seeking energetic volunteers to prepare and serve meals for our residents for lunch and dinner. This opportunity provides you with the chance to prepare meals in our commercial kitchen alongside our trained staff while serving the women and children of Transformation Village. 

Online Spanish Practice Group 
Jun 2 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
zoom

an older woman takes an online course

 

Are you looking for a way to develop your Spanish language skills or a way to keep your skills fresh? Join this friendly and welcoming Spanish Language Practice Group organized by Pack Library. Newcomers are always welcome on the first Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. This group meets online and is focused on providing an intermediate level, immersive discussion experience. This event is free, but you do need to register. Please visit the library web page and use the link on the calendar for this program to sign up.

“Queer Voices of the Past and Present”: Documenting, Remembering, and Celebrating LGBTQ Lives in Western North Carolina
Jun 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
zoom

Join the Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) Thursday, June 2 at 6PM as we kick off our month of Pride and LGBTQ+ history programming. This event airs live via Zoom.

West of Asheville there has been little research on LGBTQ history or activism. Just last year, Dr. Travis Rountree and colleagues from Western Carolina received an internal grant to expand drag performer oral narratives to include other LGBTQ+ voices from Jackson County, NC. Our speaker will talk about how collecting these voices helped to recognize LGBTQ groups established from the 1960s to current, newly formed, local LGBTQ organizations. He will also touch upon how these narratives helped to spark the first ever Sylva Pride (the first Pride to occur west of Asheville) in addition to a local community production inspired by some of these voices. These collections and events are critical in recognizing the past and present LGBTQ voices of Western NC.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Travis A. Rountree is an assistant professor in the English Department at Western Carolina University. He earned his PhD from the University of Louisville, his MA in English from Appalachian State University with a certificate in Appalachian Studies, and his BA in English from James Madison University with a minor in American Studies. He is from Richmond, Virginia, but lived in Boone, NC for 9 years.

Dr. Rountree’s research interests include queer archival research and pedagogy, Appalachian rhetorics, place-based pedagogy, and public memory studies. He has been published in The North Carolina Folklore JournalJournal of Southern History, and Appalachian Journal. He continues to work on his manuscript under contract with University Press of Kentucky titled Hard to See Through the Smoke: Rhetorical Remembering of the 1912 Hillsville, Virginia Courthouse Shootout.

He enjoys running, weight lifting, and gardening. He is an avid fan of old time, bluegrass, and country music and lives in Sylva, NC with his two cats.

Tickets: $5 for WNCHA members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Viewing: Registrants will receive a Zoom link with which to view the program. It will also be recorded and later available on our website.

(Image: “Lavender Bridges First Year Anniversary” courtesy Western Carolina University, Hunter Library Digital Collections)

“Queer Voices of the Past and Present”: LGBTQ Lives in WNC
Jun 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
online w/ Western North Carolina Historical Association

“Queer Voices of the Past and Present”: LGBTQ Lives in WNC

Join the Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA) Thursday, June 2 at 6PM as we kick off our month of Pride and LGBTQ+ history programming. This event airs live via Zoom.

West of Asheville there has been little research on LGBTQ history or activism. Just last year, Dr. Travis Rountree and colleagues from Western Carolina received an internal grant to expand drag performer oral narratives to include other LGBTQ+ voices from Jackson County, NC. Our presenters will talk about how collecting these voices helped to recognize LGBTQ groups established from the 1960s to current, newly formed, local LGBTQ organizations. They will also touch upon how these narratives helped to spark the first ever Sylva Pride (the first Pride to occur west of Asheville) in addition to a local community production inspired by some of these voices. These collections and events are critical in recognizing the past and present LGBTQ voices of Western NC.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Travis A. Rountree is an assistant professor in the English Department at Western Carolina University. He earned his PhD from the University of Louisville, his MA in English from Appalachian State University with a certificate in Appalachian Studies, and his BA in English from James Madison University with a minor in American Studies. He is from Richmond, Virginia, but lived in Boone, NC for 9 years.

Dr. Rountree’s research interests include queer archival research and pedagogy, Appalachian rhetorics, place-based pedagogy, and public memory studies. He has been published in The North Carolina Folklore JournalJournal of Southern History, and Appalachian Journal. He continues to work on his manuscript under contract with University Press of Kentucky titled Hard to See Through the Smoke: Rhetorical Remembering of the 1912 Hillsville, Virginia Courthouse Shootout.

He enjoys running, weight lifting, and gardening. He is an avid fan of old time, bluegrass, and country music and lives in Sylva, NC with his two cats.

Sarah Steiner is the gender and sexuality studies specialist at Western Carolina University’s Hunter Library. She also coordinates the Jackson County LGBTQ+ archive at WCU.

 

Tickets: $5 for WNCHA members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Viewing: Registrants will receive a Zoom link with which to view the program. It will also be recorded and later available on our website.

(Image: “Lavender Bridges First Year Anniversary” courtesy Western Carolina University, Hunter Library Digital Collections)

VIRTUAL Adult Studio: In the Absence of Consent, Exploitation Remains: Documenting Communities with Intention
Jun 2 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online w/ Asheville Art Museum

In the absence of consent, exploitation is what remains. When documenting communities, particularly those who are marginalized, there is the potential to either support or exploit said communities by our intention and actions behind the camera. This 4-part class series will explore themes within Gillian Laub’s Southern Rites exhibition, examples of both exploitation and consent, and offer feedback & perspective to current documentary projects. Particular to this class are discussions about racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia and other discussions around intersections of identities.

Please note:

  • This class will be held via Zoom and requires participants to have a Zoom account and access to a computer with video/audio capabilities.
  • This class series is intended for photographers of all levels, but some experience behind a camera is required.
  • 2 seats for this class will be offered at $15 and priority will be given to BIPOC artists.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Jupiter “Jupe” Javeta is a Black, southern, queer, nonbinary person who resides in Albany, Georgia where they were born and raised. They are an artist, culture keeper, and community member who practices community healing through visual art, documentation, written work, and installations. Their visual work (photography and documentary short films) center reconciliation and reprieve for Black folks in the Deep South. Their written work centers grief as a ritual and rites process, and digs into the transformative potential of grieving. Their community work (events and arts spaces) focuses on marginalized communities and connecting people across those communities to places and spaces of rest, affirmation, and communion. In each modality, they are driven by a deep love for their people and a determination to reflect it back to the communities they come from.

ADULT STUDIO

The Museum’s studio program for adults offers a core curriculum in drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional media, and also explores the intersections between them. Local and visiting artists help students of all levels and abilities develop skills in media that reflect techniques and themes featured in the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. Classes meet for 3–12 weeks, and are designed for anyone interested in exploring specific media in depth; daylong workshops introduce new media or processes. To add your name to our Adult Studio mailing list, click here or call 828.253.3227 x133.

Friday, June 3, 2022
Farmer-to-Farmer Training: WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT)
Jun 3 all-day
Organic Growers School
CRAFT-Main-Header

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.
Gardening in the Mountains presents: Building a Wattle Gardening Bed
Jun 3 all-day
online w/ Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County

 

Presenter: Carol Brown, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer

Newly constructed wattle gardening bed at The Learning Garden

If you’re looking to expand your garden and want a quick and inexpensive project, consider using the building method known as wattle. Wattling has been used for centuries and involves weaving thin, whippy branches around 2×2 inch stakes. It’s a project you can do by yourself, or as a way to get your kids involved in the garden. This short video shows you all you need to know to get started.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

Building a Wattle Gardening Bed

Or go to www.buncombemastergardener.org , click on the ‘Gardening Videos’ tab at the top of the page and select the video from the list provided

Continuing the Challenge – Reproductive Justice
Jun 3 @ 9:00 am
online w/ YWCA

Reproductive Justice

We recently wrapped up our 21-Day Stand Against Racism Challenge in April. The conversation moves forward with continuing the challenge because the work is far from over! As we became aware of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is again evident that the systems in place that already harm young women of color the most can be regressed even more by those with power today. In these crucial moments and always, knowledge is a way to take back power.
WE CHALLENGE YOU TO…

2 mins
Watch Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice shares The History of Reproductive Justice (RJ), a powerful video clearly communicating the definition of RJ, watch here.

10 mins
Check out Planned Parenthood’s article, Roe v. Wade at Risk: Nationwide Legal Abortion May Be a Thing of the Past. Access the article here.

13 mins
Consider this from NPR, which featured an article titled, Roe’s Legal Fate is Unclear. But Studies already Show Who’d Likely Be Hit the Hardestread here.

42 mins
Listen. Parenting and Politics host Monica Simpson, a North Carolina Native and Executive Director of Sister SongSister Song is a Southern-based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Listen to the podcast here.

For more Continuing the Challenge resources click below:



What is the Stand Against Racism Challenge?

Many people are becoming newly aware of how systemic racism and violence are impacting people of color. Even if you are new to the conversation, that is OK. Our STand against racism challenge, formerly the  21 Day Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants who sign up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience. If you’ve already completed this challenge with us in the past please know that our challenge is designed to be taken multiple times by selecting different daily challenges in order to expand what you have previously learned. Follow this link for the resources.

The Brevard Project: Reimagining the Future of Orchestral Programming
Jun 3 @ 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
apply online

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.

Wilma Dykeman Legacy – Green Money Forum: “Policy Choices” Panel
Jun 3 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
online w/ Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Speakers

Jackson Ewing
Senior Fellow @Duke University’s Nicholas Institute of Environmental Policy Solutions
Jackson Ewing is a senior fellow at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute of Environmental Policy Solutions as well as an adjunct associate professor at the Sanford School of Public Policy. He works closely with the Duke Kunshan University Environmental Research Center and International Masters of Environmental Policy programs to build policy research collaboration across Duke platforms in the United States and China. Jackson holds a PhD in environmental security and an MA in international relations from Australia’s Bond University, in addition to a BA in political science from the College of Charleston. Prior to joining Duke, Ewing was director of Asian Sustainability at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New York, where he led projects on carbon market cooperation and sustainable resource development. He previously served as a MacArthur Fellow and head of the Environment, Climate Change and Food Security Program at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Julie Mayfield
Co-director of Mountain True and a sitting North Carolina State Senator
Julie Mayfield was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2020, representing District 49. Before that, she served five years on Asheville’s City Council where she led the Council’s work on transportation, the environment, clean energy, affordable housing, and land use. Senator Mayfield is also co-director of MountainTrue, a regional environmental advocacy organization. She has served on and/or chaired numerous boards, including the Mountain Resources Commission, the Environmental Quality Institute, and the North Carolina Conservation Network. Prior to moving to Asheville and MountainTrue in 2008, Senator Mayfield worked as VP and General Counsel for the Georgia Conservancy, directed the Turner Environmental Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law, and practiced environmental law at Kilpatrick Stockton. She is a graduate of Leadership Asheville and Leadership Atlanta. Senator Mayfield received her BA from Davidson College and her JD from Emory University School of Law.
Michael Fisher
former VP and Senior Economist @Abt Associates
Michael Fisher is a former VP and Senior Economist with Abt Associates, a public policy research and advisory firm. He has over 40 years’ experience in economic/financial analysis of issues of environmental and energy policy and regulation, and energy resource development. At Abt, Mr. Fisher directed the firm’s clean water policy and energy/climate change policy practices in Abt’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. Mr. Fisher has provided analytic and public policy counseling support for diverse clients, including U.S. federal agencies such as the EPA, state and international governments, and U.S.-based non-government organizations. Since retiring from Abt Associates, Mr. Fisher has supported the Carolina Mountain Club and Cape Fear River Watch in environmental policy work. He currently chairs the Carolina Mountain Club’s Conservation Policy and Advocacy Committee. Mr. Fisher holds a Master of Philosophy in Economics, and M.A. and B.A. in Economics, all from Yale University.
Local History Volunteers Needed
Jun 3 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Online w/ Buncombe County Libraries

Special Collections logo

Did you know that Buncombe County Special Collections collects, preserves, and provides access not only to photos, documents, books, and letters but also to audiovisual materials such as event recordings and oral history interviews? In order to increase access to these materials, BCSC has been hard at work digitizing audiocassettes, migrating CDs/DVDs, and uploading digitized or born-digital recordings to a dedicated page on the Internet Archive.

Volunteers are needed to make sure that these resources are transcribed so that researchers can more easily find and search for the topics they need. Contact BCSC to learn how you can help by transcribing interviews from home!

Cook and Serve Meals – ABCCM Transformation Village
Jun 3 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Transformation Village

Cook teams of 4-6 individuals are invited to bring ingredients and prepare meals onsite or bring meals that have been prepared elsewhere.  To meet our dietary standards, we ask that each meal provides a meat, vegetable and starch.

Requirements:

  • Background Check
  • Brief orientation prior to service
  • Ability to Multi-Task
  • Friendly Demeanor

Health & Safety:

  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face mask if you have not been fully vaccinated
  • Temperatures will be checked and a COVID-19 disclosure will be signed at the volunteer entrance
  • Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

    Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


    ABCCM Transformation Village provides up to 100 beds of transitional housing and will provide emergency shelter beds, post Covid-19.  Transforming lives is through four developmental phases called Steps to Success including stabilization, life skills, education and reintegration.  We are honored to report that 8 out of 10 leave us with a living wage job and permanent housing.

    Transformation Village gives hope, healing, health and a home to single women, mothers with children, and female Veterans experiencing homelessness.  We provide residents a fresh start and a place to heal surrounded and supported by Christian love, trust, education and companionship.

    We are seeking energetic volunteers to prepare and serve meals for our residents for lunch and dinner. This opportunity provides you with the chance to prepare meals in our commercial kitchen alongside our trained staff while serving the women and children of Transformation Village. 

Eliada Home guided walking Farm Tour
Jun 3 @ 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Elida Homes

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.

We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.

All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!

Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.

This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

Wilma Dykeman Legacy – Green Money Forum: “Climate Change” Panel
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
online w/ Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

Speakers

Kathleen Lawlor
Professor of Social Relations and Assistant Professor of Economics @UNC Asheville
Kathleen Lawlor is Professor of Social Relations and Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina Asheville. She is an applied microeconomist specializing in development economics, environmental economics, and impact evaluation. Prior to academia, Dr. Lawlor worked on international environment and development policy with numerous organizations including the World Bank Group and Duke University. As a Peace Corps volunteer, she worked with farmers in Cameroon on agroforestry and HIV/AIDS education. Her courses at UNC Asheville emphasize the power of the economic approach to causal inference and how economic theory and evidence can be harnessed to fight poverty and inequality through public policy. Dr. Lawlor holds a BA from The College of William & Mary; an M.E.M. from the Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University; and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from UNC Chapel Hill.
Jeffrey Gold
Professor Emeritus @East Tennessee State University
Dr. Jeffrey Gold taught courses in philosophy, religion and humanities for 42 years (1978-2020) at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN and for one additional year at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio (2020-2021). During his time at ETSU, Jeff served as Chair of the Department twice (for a total of 11 years), Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (for 6 years), and Director of the Advisement Center (for 8 years). His publications include papers on Plato, Yoga, Buddhism, Jewish Mysticism, Meditation, and Cultural Diversity. Jeff’s current research investigates a connection between Buddhism and the lyrics of rock and roll music. The main works which influence his perspective on Environmental Philosophy are The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram, Woman and Nature by Susan Griffin, and Buddhism. Dr. Gold earned his BA in Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and his MA and PhD in Philosophy at The Ohio State University in Columbus.
James Fox
Senior Resilience Analyst @NEMAC+FernLeaf
James (Jim) Fox is a Senior Resilience Associate with NEMAC+FernLeaf, a local Public/Private Partnership. Jim has over 40 years of experience in helping people understand and make decisions in a complex and changing world. Jim is the past Director of UNC Asheville’s NEMAC, where he led the group from 2005 to 2020. The private company FernLeaf Interactive was spun from NEMAC in 2014 with the goal of commercializing climate resilience products and services. The NEMAC+FernLeaf team is known nationally for its significant role in the development and management of the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit in collaboration with NOAA’s Climate Program Office. Since the development of NEMAC+FernLeaf, Jim has helped develop and deliver community resilience assessments that include climate for West Palm Beach (FL), Tallahassee (FL), Charleston (SC), North Carolina’s Triangle region (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Cary), the Asheville region (NC), and the State of NC Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan.
Youth Literacy Tutors Needed!
Jun 3 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Asheville

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


Literacy Together (formerly the Literacy Council of Buncombe County) is a nonprofit organization working with children, youth, and adults to increase comprehensive literacy and English language skills through access to literacy resources and specialized instruction by trained volunteer tutors. Literacy Together relies on volunteer tutors to offer students personal instruction and high-quality materials through various programs.

The Youth Literacy Program is seeking tutors to meet with students K-5 twice a week for 50 minutes, between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The Youth Literacy Program works with two after-school programs that primarily serve youth of color.  The two locations are in Asheville.

Youth Literacy tutors work with children from low-income families who read, write, and/or spell below their grade level. Tutors in this program complete an initial orientation and a 16-20 hours training, which includes some pre-course work and/or homework (short articles to read, short videos to watch). They then receive follow-up support and the option to attend in-service training throughout their tutoring commitment. Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Time Commitment:

  • Twice a week for 50-minute sessions between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
  • Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Requirements: 

  • GED or High School diploma
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to work patiently with various levels of literacy skills
  • Access to reliable internet
  • Ability to navigate virtual meetings with minimal distractions
  • Complete a background check

Training:

  • Tutors must complete 16-20 hours of training prior to being assigned a student
Cook and Serve Meals – ABCCM Transformation Village
Jun 3 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Transformation Village

Cook teams of 4-6 individuals are invited to bring ingredients and prepare meals onsite or bring meals that have been prepared elsewhere.  To meet our dietary standards, we ask that each meal provides a meat, vegetable and starch.

Requirements:

  • Background Check
  • Brief orientation prior to service
  • Ability to Multi-Task
  • Friendly Demeanor

Health & Safety:

  • We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face mask if you have not been fully vaccinated
  • Temperatures will be checked and a COVID-19 disclosure will be signed at the volunteer entrance
  • Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

    Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


    ABCCM Transformation Village provides up to 100 beds of transitional housing and will provide emergency shelter beds, post Covid-19.  Transforming lives is through four developmental phases called Steps to Success including stabilization, life skills, education and reintegration.  We are honored to report that 8 out of 10 leave us with a living wage job and permanent housing.

    Transformation Village gives hope, healing, health and a home to single women, mothers with children, and female Veterans experiencing homelessness.  We provide residents a fresh start and a place to heal surrounded and supported by Christian love, trust, education and companionship.

    We are seeking energetic volunteers to prepare and serve meals for our residents for lunch and dinner. This opportunity provides you with the chance to prepare meals in our commercial kitchen alongside our trained staff while serving the women and children of Transformation Village. 

Saturday, June 4, 2022
Apple Festival Races Volunteers Needed
Jun 4 all-day
Pardee Hospital Parking 800 N Justice St, Hendersonville, NC
And for the Kids? They’ll love the Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile!
This fun run starts just after the 8K & 5K and each child will receive a finisher’s prize.

A race is only as good as the volunteers and you’re a good one! Let us know if you can help!

Farmer-to-Farmer Training: WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT)
Jun 4 all-day
Organic Growers School
CRAFT-Main-Header

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.
Gardening in the Mountains presents: Building a Wattle Gardening Bed
Jun 4 all-day
online w/ Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Buncombe County

 

Presenter: Carol Brown, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer

Newly constructed wattle gardening bed at The Learning Garden

If you’re looking to expand your garden and want a quick and inexpensive project, consider using the building method known as wattle. Wattling has been used for centuries and involves weaving thin, whippy branches around 2×2 inch stakes. It’s a project you can do by yourself, or as a way to get your kids involved in the garden. This short video shows you all you need to know to get started.

Video access:
To access this video on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website, click on the link below:

Building a Wattle Gardening Bed

Or go to www.buncombemastergardener.org , click on the ‘Gardening Videos’ tab at the top of the page and select the video from the list provided

Volunteer Opportunity: Land Trust Day
Jun 4 all-day
various locations

SAHC has partnered with local businesses who support SAHC’s conservation work for Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 4th, to celebrate and recognize the work that land trusts contribute toward preserving our vital land and water resources. Mast General Store will donate 20% of sales from their Asheville and Waynesville stores, and Second Gear will donate 10% from their Asheville store. We need help from volunteers who are comfortable talking with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and handing out information from our table, which will be inside the stores. Please sign up below for a 2-hour shift at the Asheville Mast General Store.

 

full
6/4/2022 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table.
full
6/4/2022 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table.
sign up
6/4/2022 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table.
sign up
6/4/2022 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table. These volunteers will aid with the breakdown as well.

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy


Land Trust Day at Second Gear

 

SAHC has partnered with local businesses who support SAHC’s conservation work for Land Trust Day, Saturday, June 4th, to celebrate and recognize the work that land trusts contribute toward preserving our vital land and water resources. Mast General Store will donate 20% of sales from their Asheville and Waynesville stores, and Second Gear will donate 10% from their Asheville store. We need help from volunteers who are comfortable talking with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and handing out information from our table, which will be inside the stores. Please sign up below for a 2-hour shift at Second Gear.

 

full
6/4/2022 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
Help with table set up, then speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table.
full
6/4/2022 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table.
sign up
6/4/2022 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Speak with the public about SAHC’s conservation work and hand out information from our table. Will also aid in breakdown at end of the day.
Event Ambassadors – Flying Squirrel 10 Miler and Land Trust Day
Jun 4 @ 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy
event tent and
                                                    promo card
Event Ambassadors – Flying Squirrel 10 Miler and Land Trust Day – Sat., June 4

Do you thrive on parties and events? We need volunteers at the Flying Squirrel 10 Miler (Asheville) to hand out beer and host an SAHC event tent. We also need volunteers at Mast General Store (Waynesville and Asheville) and Second Gear (Asheville) who are comfortable greeting patrons and talking about SAHC’s conservation work.
Pollinator Day at the Hendersonville Farmers Market
Jun 4 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hendersonville Farmers Market

The Hendersonville Farmers Market aims to be a world-class
market that contributes to the success of local producers and growers, expands access to farm fresh foods, and creates a
vibrant community gathering space. With fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts, live entertainment, food trucks, and more,
it’s a weekly outing with something for everybody, In addition to the many market vendors at this open-air market, Bee City USAHendersonville will have a booth with information on pollinator gardening, make-n-takes for the kids, and free pollinator-friendly
seed packets while supplies last. Elle Travis will host a reading of her Nature Connections books; Loretta Zedella will have
Butterfly Flight Wings for sale; Honeybee Bliss will feature a live observation beehive for viewing; Milkweed Meadows Farm will
have pollinator plants for sale; Artist Elizabeth Queen will discuss the nearby pollinator-inspired sidewalk mural Shanti Elixirs will
give away 24 bottles of Jun, their seasonal honey elixir, to the first 24 customers that come in costume and use the code word
“Save the Bees,” Free, Located outside the Historic Train Depot, Hendersonville,

Continuing the Challenge – Reproductive Justice
Jun 4 @ 9:00 am
online w/ YWCA

Reproductive Justice

We recently wrapped up our 21-Day Stand Against Racism Challenge in April. The conversation moves forward with continuing the challenge because the work is far from over! As we became aware of the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade, it is again evident that the systems in place that already harm young women of color the most can be regressed even more by those with power today. In these crucial moments and always, knowledge is a way to take back power.
WE CHALLENGE YOU TO…

2 mins
Watch Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice shares The History of Reproductive Justice (RJ), a powerful video clearly communicating the definition of RJ, watch here.

10 mins
Check out Planned Parenthood’s article, Roe v. Wade at Risk: Nationwide Legal Abortion May Be a Thing of the Past. Access the article here.

13 mins
Consider this from NPR, which featured an article titled, Roe’s Legal Fate is Unclear. But Studies already Show Who’d Likely Be Hit the Hardestread here.

42 mins
Listen. Parenting and Politics host Monica Simpson, a North Carolina Native and Executive Director of Sister SongSister Song is a Southern-based, national membership organization; our purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Listen to the podcast here.

For more Continuing the Challenge resources click below:



What is the Stand Against Racism Challenge?

Many people are becoming newly aware of how systemic racism and violence are impacting people of color. Even if you are new to the conversation, that is OK. Our STand against racism challenge, formerly the  21 Day Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. Participants who sign up for the Challenge will receive daily tasks via email to help foster their understanding and awareness, with activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or reflecting on personal experience. If you’ve already completed this challenge with us in the past please know that our challenge is designed to be taken multiple times by selecting different daily challenges in order to expand what you have previously learned. Follow this link for the resources.