Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Saturday, July 11, 2020
2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled Over Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns
Jul 11 all-day

2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled Over Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns

Drive’s 15th Anniversary Season in Downtown Greenville delayed until 2021

The Greenville Drive, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and the South Atlantic League today announced that the 2020 season has been cancelled due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the world.

|

The ongoing concern regarding the safety of our community, and Minor League Baseball communities across America – including fans, front office staff, gameday staff, players and coaches – led to this decision.

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) issued the following statement today:
“In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”
ACT Online Youth Summer Classes
Jul 11 all-day
Online

This Week’s Online Youth Classes

All classes are FREE! Please register for whichever class you’d like to take, and we’ll send you a unique link to the class! If you have any questions about these classes, email Amanda Klinikowski, Education Director!

 

Contact Amanda for specifics on the coming week’s classes.

Anti-Racisim: Resources Literacy Council
Jul 11 all-day
Online

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.
Apply Now for a Preservation Grant
Jul 11 all-day
Online
Our second and final grant round of 2020 is now open.  We will be accepting grant applications through August 9th in the following categories:
1. Bricks and Mortar -Rehabilitation, restoration and repair of structures that are 50 years of age or older
2. Public Education -Development of educational materials and programs that advance knowledge of our shared history
3. Planning, Survey and Designation -Planning and design for building rehabilitation and restoration projects, historic resource surveys and local or national designations
Asheville Art Museum: #MuseumFromHome
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Now more than ever, we’re striving to provide you with inspiration, education, relaxation, and solace through art. Until we reopen to Members and visitors, we invite you to explore our Collectionvirtual programsblog, and art activities through the Museum From Home page on our website. Here’s a sample of our latest virtual offerings:

Work of the Week: Assistant Curator Whitney Richardson examines the history of craft and its ability to let historically silenced people express themselves artistically. When craft allows artists to make their voices actively heard, it can serve an even higher purpose. The pottery of Upstate South Carolina artists known as Pottery by Eugene offers husband-and-wife team Rosa & Winton Eugene a way not only to share their skills and creativity but also to communicate their voices as African Americans. Read more here.
#MakerMonday: In the 1960s, artist Ray Johnson began to create small collages and drawings. He mailed them to friends and other artists. Sometimes he would ask them to add something and mail it back. What began as a simple and creative form of communication developed into what is now known as “mail art.” For instructions and inspiration to create your own mail art click here. Look for a new art activity on our website this Monday.
Asheville Artists: Mural Artwork Opportunity
Jul 11 all-day
Online

How To Enter:

Send in your submissions to [email protected]

Contest Timeline:

 

  • Submissions will be accepted June 15, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
  • Top 10 designs will be selected July 31, 2020 – August 31, 2020 on Facebook.
  • We will select the winning artist based on portfolio/resume submissions to be announced on Labor Day Weekend.

 

A Note to the Artists Regarding the Final Mural:

Once the final artist has been selected, the mural artwork will need to include 2 of the following elements: The Toyota brand symbol, Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville logo, OR 1 Toyota vehicle.

Asheville PARC: Free Black Lives Matter Signs
Jul 11 all-day
2 Asheville locations-see below

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

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

BLM Street Mural

In alignment with the community’s commitment to uplift racial healing and communal reconciliation, Councilwoman Sheneika Smith, along with other community groups and leaders, will be coordinating a public art installation in Asheville’s central business district. The purpose of this installation is to galvanize solidarity and celebrate our collective movement towards addressing systemic issues locally.

Upon final approval from the City of Asheville, the proposal envisions a street mural located at Pack Square Park on N. Pack and S. Pack Square – an area previously planned as part of the city’s public space initiative.

We need financial support to help make this happen! Our goal is to raise $24,000 for supplies, documentation, maintenance, removal, and most importantly to make sure the artists get paid. The Asheville Area Arts Council is the fiscal agent for this project. Please donate what you can and help us spread the word!

One of the main purposes of the Black Lives Matter mural is to elevate the voices of black artists and make sure they are paid for their work. But, it is much more than that. “The artists who will put their hands to this street mural represent many untold stories,” said Councilwoman Smith. “It is my hope that all eyes that connect with this piece will experience and appreciate the bloody truths released from our collective memory onto a hard canvas. Yet, this is more than a painting or bold expression. It’s an altar that observes the most sacred social movement of my lifetime.”

 

BUDGET

$  6,000 Painting supplies and other event day expenses
$  1,900 Documentation (live stream video, photographer)
$  2,000 Maintenance (This temporary installation could be in place for up to a year. Because of wear and tear from vehicular traffic it will require additional maintenance.)
$  6,000 Removal (As part of the approval process, we must provide a maintenance and removal plan. This expense is based on quotes we have collected from other similar projects.)
$  8,100 Artist Honorariums ($1,000 for 1 lead artist per word & $300 per letter for supporting artists)
$24,000 TOTAL*

 

Brevard Music Center 2020 Car Raffle
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Audi

https://secure.brevardmusic.org/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=675AE1B4-86F1-415C-A143-14C5CF72B47E&_ga=2.241774155.834414944.1593434306-1167664433.1585669593&_gac=1.238887476.1589811935.EAIaIQobChMIwrfu-8696QIViZ-zCh0qEQQPEAAYASAAEgKAs_D_BwE&utm_source=Brevard+Music+Center&utm_campaign=38bda965b2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_31_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b154873bc5-38bda965b2-131688489

Our 2020 Raffle is happening now! We are proud to partner with Hunter Automotive Group in Hendersonville, NC, in this year’s raffle! Only 1,500 tickets will be sold, so get yours online today! You may also call 828-862-2100 to order tickets over the phone.

Our winner will have ultimate flexibility in choice of model: ANY New 2020 Volvo or Subaru from Hunter Automotive Group with a MSRP up to $50,000!

Proceeds

This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Drawing

The drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 3:00pm EST. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EST on Monday, November 30.

Brother Wolf is Launching a Second Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic!
Jul 11 all-day
Online

The coronavirus pandemic halted spay and neuter surgeries as communities were forced to suspend non-emergency veterinary services. This has resulted in a huge backlog of unaltered animals. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that the current backlog is over 260,000 animals nationwide. Brother Wolf currently has a waiting list of over 500 animals that are in need of spay and neuter services.

Even prior to this pandemic, we couldn’t meet the existing need with our original clinic. A second clinic will enable us to double our capacity and serve an average of 180 animals each week! Spaying and neutering is so critical because it saves lives by reducing pet overpopulation. Our Second Spay and Neuter Mobile Clinic will travel around Western NC, providing low-cost services to under-resourced communities.

We need your help to make this program a reality. Please donate today, thank you!

 

Calling all local musicians! Get your tunes on the Dig Local Spotify playlist!
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Wow! Thanks to all those who have submitted tunes for the Dig Local Spotify playlist. If you’d like to be considered as an addition to our music compilation, we are still accepting submissions for our Spotify playlist now (check out the playlist here).

There are only three requirements to be considered:

  • You or your group must be regionally based in the Asheville area
  • Your song submissions must be all original compositions
  • The songs must be “family-friendly” (no profanity or obscenity or violence)

If selected, one or two of your songs will be featured in our Spotify playlist. There may also be opportunities to be featured in our Weekly Scoop email and on our social media platforms!

Submit your music by filling out the following info at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5LCQovN51Y56SLuo7kB_hmeer33DsNhITEvz7TkF8O9ATqA/viewform?mc_cid=8ce4073971&mc_eid=258ba8532a

Celebrate Pride! Top LGBTQIA+ Owned and Operated Restaurants in America
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Illustration depicting two people celebrating Pride
                                                          month with
                                                          food

https://www.opentable.com/lists/pride-2019/usa?ref=9472&cmpid=em_Email2020&utm_campaign=Email%2BAdhoc%2BNA%253A%2BUS_104_20200629_Pride&utm_source=simon&utm_medium=email

Celebrate Pride!
Get in on global Pride by dining in or ordering from these LGBTQIA+ owned and operated restaurants around the U.S.
Digital BMC: past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Opening Night 2016: An American in Paris

Posted July 2, 2020; originally aired in the 2016 season

https://www.brevardmusic.org/online/digital-bmc/?utm_source=Brevard+Music+Center&utm_campaign=a4740e663a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_31_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b154873bc5-a4740e663a-131688489

Selected past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Open Air Brevard.

Dogwood Alliance: Woods + Wilds: The Podcast!
Jul 11 all-day
Online

https://www.dogwoodalliance.org/2020/07/woods-wilds-the-podcast-episode-one/?fbclid=IwAR1i8UtIuKNXhpfQPJbkQB4jw5XW4tWGLyXBTqpSz3hWejTTWROWIeYOAa8

For the safety and well-being of our supporters, Dogwood Alliance will not hold our annual Woods & Wilds live storytelling event this year. It’s an event we look forward to every year because it’s an opportunity to celebrate the magic of forests with our community. We still wanted to find a way to bring that same kind of magic to people wherever they are, so we teamed up with SlayTheMic to launch Woods & Wilds: The Podcast! We will be releasing an episode every other Monday.

The podcast will sometimes offer tales of the forest and other times will be an interview with our guests about their unique connection to nature – often touching on the connection between hip hop and nature.

We were overjoyed to welcome our very first guest, Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley aka RaShad Eas, also known as the Hip Hop Forester and the Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where he helps strengthen community diversity and develops programming around workplace equity. He’s also the author of the incredible article How Hip Hop Can Bring Green Issues To Communities of Color.

Eblen Charities Amazon Smiles
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Small Donations will add up on
AmazonSmile!
If you are already using Amazon, we would like to remind you that if you use AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com and choose Eblen Charities as your charity this is just one more way to help our community at no extra cost to you.
Eblen Cooling Project
Jul 11 all-day
Online

The Temperature is Rising
Something as simple as
a box fan can save a life!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are going to be giving away fans to those who are in need very soon. If you would like to help keep someone cool this summer, please donate $15 or more at the link below or mail a donation to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville NC 28806
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDESS!
Eblen Cooling Project
Eblen Charities will be providing fans for individuals/families in need of cooling this summer. Donation of $15 will provide a fan to someone in need.
Experience WNC History From Home
Jul 11 all-day
online
Douglas Ellington: Asheville’s Boomtown Architect presents a look at his iconic Asheville creations along with other buildings he completed throughout his career in other cities.
Hillbilly Land explores the power, prevalence, and persistence of the hillbilly stereotype from the days of its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day.
In 1918 vs 2020, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Folk Music of North Carolina
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Explore a series of posts to learn how the roots of American music run deep in North Carolina.

Free Daily Stretches For Musicians
Jul 11 all-day
Online

The Violin Channel recently caught up with violinists and www.intermissionsessions.com wellness coaches Elena Urioste and Melissa White to get their advice on some simple physical exercises that every string player should be doing to stay physically and mentally healthy – during quarantine and beyond …

Violinists Elena Urioste & Melissa White share 10 essential, daily stretches for musicians.

Free WIFI Hotspots Available Outside Buncombe Libraries
Jul 11 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries

Buncombe County Public Libraries have free wifi hotspots available outside any library building. To use the wifi, look for the LibraryGuest network and use the password readmore. The wifi is available all day every day, whether the library is open or not. Please observe all Buncombe County social distancing and gathering requirements while using the wifi. Questions? Call (828) 250-4700 or email [email protected].

Grant Opportunities for the Crafts
Jul 11 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.
Grants for Heritage Projects
Jul 11 all-day
Online

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership
(BRNHA) has announced its 2020 Heritage Grants Program, which will provide funding for
projects that preserve, interpret, and promote Western North Carolina’s agricultural, craft,
Cherokee, music, and natural heritage. These five distinctive legacies earned the region a
Congressional designation as a National Heritage Area in 2003.

Nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and units of state and local governments are
eligible to apply. Applicants must provide at least an equal match. The total pool of funding for
the 2020 grant cycle is $180,000.

Grants awarded in previous cycles have supported exhibits, demonstration gardens, oral history collections, video documentaries, interpretive programs, teaching materials, artist training, visitor brochures, music venue improvements, and the marketing of heritage destinations. The grant projects have provided engaging and authentic cultural experiences to hundreds of thousands of visitors and residents.
The deadline for grant applications is October 1, 2020. Complete information on the 2020 Heritage Grants Program can be found at www.blueridgeheritage.com/partners/grants.

Help Buncombe Expand Broadband Internet Access
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Are you interested in helping Buncombe County expand reliable, high-speed internet? If so, we need your help. Please consider joining the Buncombe Broadband Working Group. Applications are due by Friday, July 17.

Objective:

This posting is for 3-5 community members to the Buncombe Broadband Working Group which will support the evaluation of proposals submitted to Buncombe County for high-speed internet solutions.

Term:

Members shall serve for approximately 6 months, but the term may be extended or reduced based on responses from high-speed internet providers. Members may be replaced at any time at the sole discretion of the respective institution or organization. Time commitment is an estimated 4-5 hours each month.

Responsibilities:

The workgroup will:

  • Develop a Request for Proposal document for high-speed internet services in Buncombe County,
  • Objectively evaluate the proposals received,
  • Weigh proposals based on cost, and ability to deliver excellent, sustainable service using the scoring matrix provided to bidders through the RFP, and
  • Provide a recommendation to County leadership.

Qualifications:

Applicants must be Buncombe County residents. Ideal candidates have an understanding of the technical requirements of high-speed internet operations, experience leading or supporting community high-speed internet initiatives, or experience/relationships working with high-speed internet providers. Candidates must report any potential conflicts of interest.

To Apply:

Please complete the Boards and Commissions application found here and return to Lamar Joyner at [email protected] by Friday, July 17.

Hungry Paws Initiative Seeks to Fill Empty Bowls
Jul 11 all-day
The Blue Ridge Humane Society

“The goal of Hungry Paws is to provide pet food for homes that are having to choose between feeding themselves or their pets. We don’t want people to surrender their animals to shelters because they cannot afford them right now.” says Derek Fox. “The fund is intended to cover the needed window until people can go back to work or who need the support to get by. Until then, it’s up to us to provide for these wonderful animals.”

Derek got to work, contacting area rescues and finding other partners. Pet Source, a local Hendersonville pet supply store, jumped on board, contacting their suppliers to setup a discounted purchasing program that will make the donated funds go even further.

The fund partners with Blue Ridge Humane Society, as both a recipient and as distributer of funds and food to other rescues in the area with food support programs or that have a need in their community.

“The fund will help to set pet owners up for success and bridge the gap until folks are employed again or able to get ahead again.” shares Angela Prodrick, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Humane. “This is even more vital during this time as there is an increased need as people are finding themselves in the new situation of needing help when they haven’t before, and we are here to help.”

There are several ways to donate to the fund. The Hungry Paws Initiative can be found on Facebook with an easy donation process, or on www.refinedpup.com/. Donations can also be made to Blue Ridge Humane with a note designating it for Hungry Paws online at www.blueridgehumane.org or by mail to 14 Towne Place Drive, Suite 130, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

The Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption at the Adoption Center; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.

If you believe in our cause, consider making a donation or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.

Introducing Bookfix: Custom Reading Recommendations
Jul 11 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries curbside pickup

Photo of typewriter

 

 

Miss browsing the library’s shelves? Let us help with Bookfix. Call or email your local library to have a librarian put together a bundle of books tailored to your specific interests. You can pick up your personal Bookfix bundle at our curbside hold pickup service. Our Ask a Librarian line is available Monday-Saturday at (828) 250-4700 or you can email [email protected].

Keith’s Corner: Keith discusses Strauss’s tone poem Don Quixote
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Keith discusses Strauss’s tone poem Don Quixote and the experience of preparing and performing it with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra and internationally renowned cellist Johannes Moser. The featured recording is from that performance in 2015.

 

https://www.brevardmusic.org/online/keiths-corner/?utm_source=Brevard+Music+Center&utm_campaign=a4740e663a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_1_31_2018_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b154873bc5-a4740e663a-131688489

LEAF Global Arts Open Downtown Asheville
Jul 11 all-day
LEAF Global Arts
Join us for the LEAF Global Arts experience in Downtown Asheville, on The Block. Explore the world through immersive music & art experiences & cultural connections. We are committed to fostering global citizenship and opening pathways of understanding…for kids to elders. During July, Global is open by reservation for small groups, rentals and recording sessions. Contact Marsha [email protected]
Lincoln Center at Home presents Ballet Hispánico
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Hailed as a “masterpiece” by the Chicago Sun-Times, Ballet Hispánico presents choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia – a Picasso-inspired, contemporary take on Bizet’s classic opera. Recorded at Lincoln Center, this riveting, imaginative and theatrical performance will be available online until Tuesday, July 14.

 

Literacy positions available: Literacy Council
Jul 11 all-day
Online

Exciting news! LCBC recently received a Buncombe County Strategic Partnership grant that will allow us to move the part-time Adult Literacy position to full-time. Currently the Youth Literacy and Adult Literacy programs have shared one director, Rebecca Massey. Rebecca will move to full-time in Adult Literacy in August.
This week we will begin the search for a new half-time Youth Literacy Director. The full position description and application instructions are available on our website at the link below. Please take a look if you are interested in applying, or share it with anyone in the community you feel might be a good match for the organization and the work.
NC Forest Service’s Annual Tree Seedling Sale
Jul 11 all-day
Online

a dirt path in a forest

The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale.

Each year, the NCFS Nursery Program produces millions of quality seedlings for nearly 50 species of conifers, hardwoods and native understory plants, including eastern and Carolina hemlock seedlings, as well as an expanded selection of genetically improved third cycle loblolly pine seedlings.

How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery Program?

  • Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.
  • Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).
  • Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
  • A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and costs to order. Each tree description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.

Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery, near Crossnore. For information on planting trees, people are encouraged to contact an NCFS county ranger. Contact information for your local NCFS county office and nursery locations is available at www.ncforestservice.gov/contacts.