Calendar of Events

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

It’s never too late to begin writing the next great American novel – or children’s book. The Leicester Library Creative Writing Work Group is opening its doors to any and all adults who are interested in writing children’s books. Meetings will include writing exercises, idea sharing, and other group discussions. The group will focus on writing picture books, early-reader, and chapter books. Participants are welcome to bring up to 500 words of original writing to share. But you don’t have to, you’re welcome to bring your thoughts to turn into great ideas later.

The classes take place on the first Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. at the Leicester Library. In previous groups, local children’s authors have visited to discuss their writing process. Also, members of the group have already published their own books.

Looking to practice your Spanish Language skills? Come to the Spanish Conversation Group at Pack! The group meets once a week to practice their language skills and to help each other out when needed. Newcomers are always welcome.

No registration is necessary.

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

All items in Bookends Used Book Store will be half-price for this one day sale. Proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library.

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

So many amazing new comics have popped up in Asheville in the last year and we want to celebrate the best way possible, with a giant new faces showcase!!!
Join Kenny Stempien, Derek Boskovich, Marlene Thompson, Corey Smathers, Ben Atkins, Kelsey Rosen and so many more!!!

Sponsored by BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-year-new-crew-local-comedy-showcase-tickets-83489257617

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

“Dressing for the Occasion” offers visitors a window into the style, culture, and feel of mid-century America. The family’s clothing and accessories weave together the roles of Carl Sandburg as a prominent writer, celebrity, father, and husband. This temporary exhibit offers an exciting opportunity for the public to view objects that are normally in storage or in the possession of Sandburg family members. Tours of the Sandburg Home are offered daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets are available first come, first served, each day from the visitor information area in the ground level of the Sandburg Home.

Nearly every room in the historically furnished house museum will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see the characteristic scarves Carl Sandburg wore as he played his guitar and sang folk songs to entertain his family and guests, the dress Lilian Sandburg wore to meet President Lyndon B. Johnson, and many other mid-century pieces worn by the Sandburgs and their daughters. Historic photographs, paired with the clothing, will provide context.

Bring your current needle project and work while socializing with other like-minded crafters

Asheville City Council recently approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels. To move the process forward, the City will host  a community conversation on Jan. 9 titled “Impacts of Hotels: A Community Discussion.” The Urban Land Institute (ULI) of Charlotte will facilitate the conversation, and then come back on Jan. 30 to present their findings to the community.

Following the public process and analysis, City staff will provide Council with recommendations for development and approval of appropriate land use policies, strategies, tools and regulations. The public can anticipate these recommendations in the summer of 2020.

Description

Help shape the themes, content, design and route of Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail

We use stories to make sense of the world. How will Asheville tell an inclusive story of its history?

Dina Bailey has explored that question. She’s an expert on inclusive history. Her experience includes work with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

In January she’ll lead talks about Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. The community is invited to help shape the themes, content, design and route of the trail by participating in one of the sessions led by Bailey.

Attend one of four free community listening workshop sessions

Join one of four free community listening sessions to discuss how and what to feature on Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. Choose from one of the following sessions:

• Friday, January 10, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
• Friday, January 10, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
• Saturday, January 11, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Explore Asheville offices (former Allen High School, across from Berry Temple), 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Free childcare, refreshments and parking are offered at all locations.

More about this project

In addition to attending a listening session, the public is invited to complete an online survey.

The sessions and survey are part of an engagement process with community advocate Kimberly Hunter of Asheville. The trail was featured at the Creative Sector Summit kickoff at the YMI Cultural Center in May and at the African Americans in South Appalachia Conference at UNC Asheville in October. Design and construction are slated for 2020-2021.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is funding the project through its Tourism Product Development Fund grant program. River Front Development Group, an African American founded nonprofit, submitted the grant application in 2018. BCTDA will maintain the trail markers as part of its Wayfinding Signage Program. For more information, visit: ashevillecvb.com/african-american-heritage-project.

Beautiful Gorges State Park near Cashiers was narrowly spared from hydroelectric projects planned to create pumped storage for use by Duke Energy. Bill Thomas, former Chair of the North Carolina Chapter of Sierra Club, is widely credited with leading the successful campaign to halt the projects. He was also essential in the creation of Dupont State Forest and the Horsepasture Scenic River. Come see his beautiful photos of the wonders in Gorges, learn how it was preserved and help us recognize a true environmental hero.

Bill will be introduced by Will Harlan, editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors, and by Dan Dewitt, author of “How Gorges was Saved” in the August edition.

Gorges State Park and Bill are also honored in the current issue of The Laurel of Asheville.

Would you like to learn more about how literacy changes our students’ lives?

Please join us for coffee and a one-hour tour of the Literacy Council.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES for 2020

Friday, January 10 – 9am | Monday, February 10 – 4pm | Friday, March 13 – 9am
Monday, April 13 – 4pm | Friday, May 8 – 9am | Monday, June 8 – 4pm

Description

Help shape the themes, content, design and route of Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail

We use stories to make sense of the world. How will Asheville tell an inclusive story of its history?

Dina Bailey has explored that question. She’s an expert on inclusive history. Her experience includes work with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

In January she’ll lead talks about Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. The community is invited to help shape the themes, content, design and route of the trail by participating in one of the sessions led by Bailey.

Attend one of four free community listening workshop sessions

Join one of four free community listening sessions to discuss how and what to feature on Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. Choose from one of the following sessions:

• Friday, January 10, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
• Saturday, January 11, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Explore Asheville offices (former Allen High School, across from Berry Temple), 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Free childcare, refreshments and parking are offered at all locations.

More about this project

In addition to attending a listening session, the public is invited to complete an online survey.

The sessions and survey are part of an engagement process with community advocate Kimberly Hunter of Asheville. The trail was featured at the Creative Sector Summit kickoff at the YMI Cultural Center in May and at the African Americans in South Appalachia Conference at UNC Asheville in October. Design and construction are slated for 2020-2021.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is funding the project through its Tourism Product Development Fund grant program. River Front Development Group, an African American founded nonprofit, submitted the grant application in 2018. BCTDA will maintain the trail markers as part of its Wayfinding Signage Program. For more information, visit: ashevillecvb.com/african-american-heritage-project.

Help shape the themes, content, design and route of Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail

We use stories to make sense of the world. How will Asheville tell an inclusive story of its history?

Dina Bailey has explored that question. She’s an expert on inclusive history. Her experience includes work with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

In January she’ll lead talks about Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. The community is invited to help shape the themes, content, design and route of the trail by participating in one of the sessions led by Bailey.

Attend one of four free community listening workshop sessions

Join one of four free community listening sessions to discuss how and what to feature on Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. Choose from one of the following sessions:

• Saturday, January 11, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Explore Asheville offices (former Allen High School, across from Berry Temple), 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Free childcare, refreshments and parking are offered at all locations.

More about this project

In addition to attending a listening session, the public is invited to complete an online survey.

The sessions and survey are part of an engagement process with community advocate Kimberly Hunter of Asheville. The trail was featured at the Creative Sector Summit kickoff at the YMI Cultural Center in May and at the African Americans in South Appalachia Conference at UNC Asheville in October. Design and construction are slated for 2020-2021.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is funding the project through its Tourism Product Development Fund grant program. River Front Development Group, an African American founded nonprofit, submitted the grant application in 2018. BCTDA will maintain the trail markers as part of its Wayfinding Signage Program. For more information, visit: ashevillecvb.com/african-american-heritage-project.

Pack Memorial Library is hosting an oral history exhibition that explores the history of substance use and recovery in Southern Appalachia. The exhibition was created by documentary filmmaker John Kennedy who spent the past two years collecting oral histories from individuals who are currently using substances or are in recovery.

“Let Us Now Listen” will feature recorded oral histories, portraits by professional photographers, and a “living library” of peers who will be on hand to share their stories and answer questions. The exhibition is a partnership between Kennedy, Pack Memorial Library, Buncombe County Government, and Mountain Area Health Education Center.

Kennedy has collected 53 stories to date with a goal of 100 stories representing a diverse group of men and women who are active or former substance users from across Western North Carolina. These stories explore the intersections between drug use, mental health, sex work, and trauma. The collection also explores the empowerment and hope that can be found in community-based services, peer support, and treatment.

The opening for the exhibit will be Friday, January 10 from 6-8pm at Pack Memorial Library. The exhibit will be at the library for the month of January. These events are free and everyone is invited

The Vanishing Wheelchair’s performers invite friends and family to a unique “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” performance  to celebrate the non-profit’s founder Ricky D. Boone’s sixtieth birthday. The family-friendly, hour-long show features story tellers, singers, jugglers.  All proceeds help the non-profit The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc.

Diagnosed with a rare bone disorder, Morgani’s Syndrome, Ricky D. Boone, local magician and magic shop owner, was never supposed to live past the age of four – on January 13 he will turn sixty. Through the years he has survived brain surgery and a heart attach from a rare virus, yet he not only has survived, but thrived. Boone’s magic shop, Magic Central, is one of the last standing brick and mortar stores in the country, he has had a successful performing business, is a motivational speaker, has been on all four major television networks, appeared on NPR, and has had a book written about his life, not to mention has won numerous awards from his performances including two Emmy awards for a story about his life on WLOS. Yet Boone admits his greatest achievement is helping people with disabilities find their passion in life through teaching them skills in the arts through his 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc. 

This show marks the eighth season in which “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” has appeared on a monthly basis in Asheville. The show features numerous talents of people with disabilities and those who wish to help them. At any given show, an audience may see singing, story telling, and of course magic. 

Come support and see what The Vanishing Wheelchair is all about. Tickets may be available at the door, but advanced reservations are strongly encouraged since seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.VanishingWheelchair.org, or contact Magic Central, 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite L, Asheville, North Carolina 28804, or call 828-645-2941.