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.

Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting

Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Asheville Art Museum

Throughout the history of painting from the mid-19th century forward, artists have used an

endless variety of approaches to record their world. Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting continues this thread, offering an opportunity to explore a singular and still forceful aspect of American art. Photorealism shares many of the approaches of historical and modernist realism, with a twist. The use of the camera as a basic tool for organizing visual information in advance of painterly expression is now quite common, but Photorealists embraced the camera as the focal point in their creative process.

Beyond the Lens presents key works from the collection of Louis K. and Susan Pear Meisel,

bringing together paintings and works on paper dating from the 1970s to the present to focus on this profoundly influential art movement. The exhibition includes work by highly acclaimed formative artists of the movement such as Charles Bell, Robert Bechtle, Tom Blackwell, Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, and Ralph Goings as well as paintings by the successive generations of Photorealist artists Anthony Brunelli, Davis Cone, Bertrand Meniel, Rod Penner, and Raphaella Spence. Featured artworks in the exhibition include diverse subject matters, but the primary focus is on the common and every day: urban scenes, “portraits” of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, still life compositions using toys, food, candy wrappers, and salt and pepper shakers. All provide opportunities for virtuoso studies in how light, reflection, and the camera as intermediary shapes our perception of the material world.

This multigenerational survey demonstrates how the 35-mm camera, and later technological

advances in digital image-making, informed and impacted the painterly gesture. Taken together, the paintings and works on paper in Beyond the Lens show how simply spellbinding these virtuosic works of art can be.

“Beyond the Lens offers a fascinating look into the Photorealism movement and delves into the profound connection between the artists’ observation and creative process,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of Asheville Art Museum. “We are delighted to present this curated collection of artworks encapsulating the creative vision and technical precision that defines this artistic genre.”

Photorealism found its roots in the late 1960s in California and New York, coexisting with an explosion of new ideas in art-making that included Conceptual, Pop, Minimalism, Land and Performance Art. At first, representational realism coexisted with the thematic and conceptual explosion but was eventually relegated to the margins regarding critical and curatorial attention. Often misunderstood and sometimes negatively criticized or lampooned as a betrayal of modernism’s commitment to abstraction, the artists involved in Photorealism remained committed explorers of the trail they had blazed. In the decades of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century, realistic and symbolic painting experienced a renaissance, as contemporary artists are increasingly drawn to narrative and storytelling. Concurrently, using a camera as a preparatory tool equally legitimate and valuable as pencils and pens has made the rubric of Photorealism increasingly relevant.

This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and guest curated by Terrie Sultan.

This exhibition is sponsored in part by Jim and Julia Calkins Peterson.

Categories: Art & Craft

Greenville Remodeling Expo

Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Greenville Remodeling Expo on Jan 12th-14th! This comprehensive home show brings together homeowners and many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Every aspect of the home can be explored, from the smallest design detail to the largest house addition. Professionals will be on-hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones.

Admission:

Adults: $4

Children under 18: FREE

For more information click here: Greenville Show: Remodeling Expo | L&L shows (homeshowcenter.com)

Categories: Business & Networking Business and Networking Community

Hot Cocoa Creation Bar

Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Asheville Art Museum

Make your own hot cocoa creation in Perspective Café

Every weekend in December

Unlock the joy and creative spirit of the holidays while also supporting the Museum’s mission! Start your winter cocoa creation by choosing between traditional or white hot chocolate as your base. Next, decorate your creation with all kinds of toppings, including crushed peppermints, butterscotches, caramel syrup, mini marshmallows, candy canes, sprinkles, and more.

Categories: Art & Craft Food & Drink

Romare Bearden: Ways of Working Exhibition

Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Asheville Art Museum

Romare Bearden (Charlotte, NC 1911–1988 New York, NY), African American writer and artist, is renowned for his collages. He constantly experimented with various techniques to achieve his artistic goals throughout his career. This exhibition highlights works on paper and explores his most frequently used mediums, including screen-printing, lithography, hand-colored etching, collagraph, monotype, relief print, photomontage, and collage.

Bearden’s work reflects his improvisational approach to his practice. He considered his process akin to that of jazz and blues composers. Starting with an open mind, he would let an idea evolve spontaneously.

“Romare Bearden: Ways of Working highlights Bearden’s unique artistic practice and masterful storytelling through art,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jerald Melberg Gallery to present these extraordinary works on paper in conversation with Bearden’s collage Sunset Express, 1984 in the Museum Collection (on view in the Museum’s SECU Collection Hall). This exhibition will also provide a glimpse into the cultural histories and personal interests that influenced his art-making practice, and we hope it encourages introspection and dialogue with our visitors.”

Jerald Melberg states, “Romare Bearden’s groundbreaking artistic practice continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With an unparalleled legacy of creativity and innovation, Bearden’s contributions to art remain deeply influential years beyond his life.” We have enjoyed organizing this exhibition with the Asheville Art Museum to showcase his artistic genius and inspire visitors from the Western North Carolina region and beyond.”

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Judy Appleton Fund. Many thanks to the Jerald Melberg Gallery for the loan of these important artworks and to Mary and Jerald Melberg for their long-standing support of the arts, artists, and the Asheville Art Museum.

Categories: Art & Craft

Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection

Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Asheville Art Museum

Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. Several artists of the Studio Glass Movement came to the region, including its founder Harvey K. Littleton. Begun in 1962 in Wisconsin, it was a student of Littleton’s that first came to the area in 1965 and set up a glass studio at the Penland School of Craft in Penland, North Carolina. By 1967, Mark Peiser was the first glass artist resident at the school and taught many notable artists, like Jak Brewer in 1968 and Richard Ritter who came to study in 1971. By 1977, Littleton retired from teaching and moved to nearby Spruce Pine, North Carolina and set up a glass studio at his home.

Since that time, glass artists like Ken Carder, Rick and Valerie Beck, Shane Fero, and Yaffa Sikorsky and Jeff Todd—to name only a few—have flocked to the area to reside, collaborate, and teach, making it a significant place for experimentation and education in glass. The next generation of artists like Hayden Wilson and Alex Bernstein continue to create here. The Museum is dedicated to collecting American studio glass and within that umbrella, explores the work of Artists connected to Western North Carolina. Exhibitions, including Intersections of American Art, explore glass art in the context of American Art of the 20th and 21st centuries. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the medium can be seen in this selection of works from the Museum’s Collection.

Categories: Art & Craft

EARLY: COUNTRY BRUNCH W/ VADEN LANDERS

Jan 14 @ 12:00 pm

The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES (free admission for kids)
– LIMITED SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

Country Brunch at The Grey Eagle – a music series for early birds. Country Brunch showcases a goldmine of local country bands that can usually only be found playing late nights in local and regional venues, and brings them out into the light of day for lovers of an early matinee show. The series runs monthly with a different band each month.

Categories: Music

Food Scraps Drop Off: Stephens-Lee Recreation Center

Jan 14 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in

two locations for all Buncombe County residents. This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin? Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

Locations

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

- Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

- Dawn – Dusk

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander

- - - Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    - Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm

Categories: Community

Oakley Precinct 9.1 On the Move Canvassing

Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Buncombe County Democratic Party

We will get a brief training on the use of the MiniVAN canvassing app and go out to the neighborhoods. Staging and training at will be at BCDP headquarters. Those who already know MiniVAN can come and get a turf list without the training.

Who should attend: Any and all Oakley Precinct 9.1 residents who want to canvass our community. Bring a fully charged smartphone and your walking shoes.

Categories: Community

Who Let the Dogs Out Costume Contest

Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Bold Rock Hard Cider - Mills River, NC

Who Let the Dogs Out Costume Contest, 1-5pm, Grab your pup and join Bold Rock in Mills River and celebrate “National Dress
Up Your Dog Day” Costume contest. There will be a local dog-trainer on-site to help host, along with dog-inspired giveaways,
prizes for the winners, and live music from Stephen Evans at 1pm,

Categories: Family Fun Food & Drink Pets

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred

Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Sigal Music Museum

Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.

Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.

And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!

Categories: Education Music

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert

Jan 14 @ 2:00 pm

Peace Concert Hall

John Jesensky, conductor

Cars fly, trees fight back, and monsters are on the loose in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! This concert features the film Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in high definition, on a giant screen, while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. Relive every magical moment as the music brings life to a story that has enchanted the world.

WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR.

Categories: Family Fun Music

HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational

Jan 14 @ 4:00 pm

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Tickets are on sale now for the HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational, a four-day celebration of unity, community and collegiate basketball. Set to take place January 12-15, 2024, the event will commemorate the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while showcasing 14 basketball teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Collegiate team match ups include Claflin University, Clinton College, Fayetteville State University and Johnson C. Smith University, among others.

The tournament will also feature a highly anticipated high school basketball match up and step fest on Sunday January 14.

On Monday January 15, the community are invited to partake in a special MLK Day March to The Well Parade, which will begin at City Hall in downtown Greenville.

SATURDAY:
HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational Session 1

SUNDAY:
High School Basketball & Stepfest
Atlantic Collegiate Prep vs. Legacy Early College High: 4:00PM Tipoff High School Stepfest: Showtime at 6:30PM

MONDAY:
HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational Session 2
MLK Day March to The Well Parade

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Categories: Community Family Fun Sports

CRAFT: Authors in Conversation with Denise Kiernan and Rachel Hawkins

Jan 14 @ 4:30 pm

Little Jumbo

Join us at Little Jumbo for CRAFT: Authors in Conversation, a series conceived and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan. On Sunday, January 14, Denise’s guest will be novelist Rachel Hawkins.

Doors open at 4:00 PM. Conversation starts no later than 4:30 PM. Seating is first come, first served.

No registration is required.

Little Jumbo staff will create a specialty cocktail or mocktail for each CRAFT event.

Little Jumbo offers free parking at 5 Points Restaurant across Broadway. There is also street parking nearby. Find more information at denisekiernan.com/craft.

THE HEIRESS

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins comes a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind.

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.

But to everyone’s surprise, Cam wants little to do with the house or the money—and even less to do with the surviving McTavishes. Instead, he rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past.

Ten years later, Camden is a McTavish in name only, but a summons in the wake of his uncle’s death brings him and Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House. Its views are just as stunning as ever, its rooms just as elegant, but coming home reminds Cam why he was so quick to leave in the first place.

Jules, however, has other ideas, and the more she learns about Cam’s estranged family—and the twisted secrets they keep—the more determined she is for her husband to claim everything Ruby once intended for him to have.

But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. As Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will––and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, and The Villa, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.

Denise Kiernan is an author, journalist, producer, and host of “CRAFT: Authors in Conversation.” Her new young reader’s book, We Gather Together: Stories of Thanksgiving from then to now, arrives September 2023, and is a companion title to the popular adult nonfiction book, We Gather Together, and children’s picture book, Giving Thanks. Her book The Last Castle was an instant New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback and was also a Wall Street Journal bestseller. She is also the author of The Girls of Atomic City, which is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NPR bestseller and has been published in multiple languages. She lives in North Carolina.

Categories: Bookclubs

In-Person at Little Jumbo | CRAFT: Authors in Conversation with Denise Kiernan and Rachel Hawkins

Jan 14 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Little Jumbo

Join us at Little Jumbo for CRAFT: Authors in Conversation, a series conceived and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan. Denise’s guest will be novelist Rachel Hawkins.

Doors open at 4:00 PM. Conversation starts no later than 4:30 PM. Seating is first come, first served.

No registration is required.

Little Jumbo staff will create a specialty cocktail or mocktail for each CRAFT event.

Little Jumbo offers free parking at 5 Points Restaurant across Broadway. There is also street parking nearby.

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins comes a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind.

Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, and The Villa, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.

Denise Kiernan is an author, journalist, producer, and host of “CRAFT: Authors in Conversation.” Her new young reader’s book, We Gather Together: Stories of Thanksgiving from then to now, arrives September 2023, and is a companion title to the popular adult nonfiction book, We Gather Together, and children’s picture book, Giving Thanks. Her book The Last Castle was an instant New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback and was also a Wall Street Journal bestseller. She is also the author of The Girls of Atomic City, which is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NPR bestseller and has been published in multiple languages. She lives in North Carolina.

Categories: Community

COVERFEST III: A BENEFIT FOR ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Jan 14 @ 5:00 pm

The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM
– PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

COVERFEST III
Sunday January 14th, the Grey Eagle will host Coverfest III: “A Benefit for Asheville Middle”. This special community event will raise funds for Asheville Middle School’s annual 8th Grade capstone trip to Washington DC. Several of Asheville’s amazing bands will donate their time & talent to perform mini-sets of covers throughout the day. Come hungry and get dinner at the Grey Eagle Taqueria as this year’s Coverfest promises to be a uniquely entertaining night of music & community all for a great cause. Doors 4pm, show 5pm till 10pm.

FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM:
Drunken Prayer
Dulci Ellenberger
Fashion Bath
Hearts Gone South
Jeff Santiago y Los Gatos
Kid Billy
Krave Amiko
Scott Stetson’s Stink Bug Band
Tin Roof Echo
Upland Drive

Categories: Community Education Fundraisers Music

Comedy at Catawba: Kourtlyn Wiggins

Jan 14 @ 6:30 pm

Catawba Brewing Company South Slope

Every Sunday Modelface Comedy brings you the best stand up comedians from all over the country! This week we have Kourtlyn Wiggins from Atlanta!

Kourtlyn Wiggins is an Atlanta based stand-up comic who’s clever observations of life allow him to find the funny in even the most unfavorable situations. Taking inspiration from comedy giants such as Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, and Kevin Hart, Kourtlyn gives you an unfiltered glimpse into his atypical personal life.

Kourtlyn has shared stages with comedy greats including comedienne Ms. Pat, Bruce Bruce, Emo Phillips, and Ron White. He has participated in Laffapalooza and Laughing Skull comedy festivals.

In Atlanta, Kourtlyn features regularly at Laughing Skull Lounge and The Punchline. He was Laughing Skull’s resident comic September 2019. Kourtlyn will be hitting stages all over the country with comedienne Ms. Pat from BET’s “Ms. Pat Show,” beginning spring 2021.

When not on stage, Kourtlyn can be found hanging out with his son at Atlanta Hawks games, chauffeuring his daughter to dance classes, and dreadfully repeating himself to his wife.

Kourtlyn’s unorthodox thinking, coupled with his ability to draft a sound bit and deliver the perfect punchline, is sure to keep audiences laughing for years to come.

Featuring Dwayne Duke

ages 18+
doors at 6pm, show at 6:30pm

Categories: Comedy

Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at NC Stage

Jan 14 @ 7:30 pm

North Carolina Stage Company

Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver

PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY

It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.

Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter

Categories: Theatre

Karaoke Nights in The Draftsman

Jan 14 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The Draftsman Bar + Lounge

“Sing your heart out every Sunday with Lyric Jones at our laidback basement bar. Whether you’re a classic crooner or want to relive your glam metal glory days, find your moment to shine between 8pm and 11pm. Remember: what happens at karaoke night, stays at karaoke night.

People in the biz get half off select appetizers and burgers all night!”

Categories: Community Food & Drink Music

Monday, January 15, 2024

17th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award Nominations Now Being Accepted

Jan 15 all-day

online

The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, UNC Health Pardee, Optimum, and Hunter Automotive are pleased to announce the 17th Annual ATHENA Leadership Award in Henderson County in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz. Nominations are now being accepted for the ATHENA Leadership Award, which will be presented at the Professional Women’s Luncheon in April to an exemplary leader who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, served the community in a meaningful way, and, most importantly, actively assisted women to achieve their full leadership potential.

Vanessa Y. Mintz brought the ATHENA award to Henderson County in 2008 and she embodied the values underlying ATHENA International’s philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities, and our government. Reflective of a quote attributed to Plato, “What is honored in a country will be cultivated there”, the ATHENA Leadership Award honors and illuminates the leaders and leadership styles of individuals others would emulate.

The program is facilitated locally by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, a licensed ATHENA host organization. Nominations are sought throughout the community. Recipients are selected by a diverse group of out-of-town professional judges, based on Athena leadership criteria.

ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients hail from all professional sectors. The award’s rich history, international scope, and emphasis on mentorship make this award unique and amongst the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. Past Henderson County ATHENA Recipients Include:

Julie Huneycutt, Hope Coalition (2023)
Adriana Chavela, Hola Carolina (2022)
Kathy Streeter Morgan, Henderson County Emergency Management (2021)
Barbara Volk, City of Hendersonville (2020)
Barb Morgan, Project Dignity of WNC (2019)
Lee Henderson Hill, Community Foundation of Henderson County (2018)
Roxanna Pepper, Children & Family Resource Center (2017)
Judy Stroud, State Farm Insurance (2016)

Judith Long, Free Clinics (2015)
Caroline Long, St. Gerard House (2014)
Annie Fritschner, First United Methodist Church (2013)
Myra Grant, Pardee Hospital Foundation (2012)
Joyce Mason, Four Seasons Compassion for Life (2011)
Pat Shepherd, Pat’s School of Dance (2010)
Ragan Ward, Carolina Alliance Bank (2009)
Robin Reed, Bares It All (2008)

ATHENA Leadership Award Recipients are presented a hand-cast, bronzed and crystal sculpture that symbolizes the strength, courage, and wisdom of ATHENA Recipients.

Nomination Form

Categories: Business and Networking Community

2024 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest is open with a theme of “Memory”

Jan 15 all-day

online w/ Carl Sandburg Home

Carl Sandburg wrote countless words in an array of different genres, including poetry, children’s stories, journal articles, as well as a biography and autobiography! He wrote of love and nature, dreams and struggles. This year’s theme of “Memory” is echoed in much of his works. ““Under the summer roses, when the flagrant crimson, lurks in the dusk, Of the wild red leaves, Love, with little hands, comes and touches you with a thousand memories, and asks you beautiful, unanswerable questions.” Carl Sandburg

Poems submitted for the 2024 contest should reflect the theme of “Memory.” By definition, “the process or power of recallling something learned or experienced from the past” Note: Poems do NOT need to be titled Memory, as long as the poem itself relates to the theme.

Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry and is open to students nationwide!

Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be submitted by email by Monday March 4, 2024. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 7, 2024, and will be invited to participate in a virtual celebration program on Sunday, April 28.

Categories: Family Fun Poetry

2024 Property Tax Listing Period Notice

Jan 15 all-day

online

NOTICE OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LISTING PERIOD
Property Tax Listing forms must be completed and returned by
5 p.m. on January 31, 2024 to avoid late listing penalty.

Notice is hereby given, that all persons who own personal or business property subject to taxation in Buncombe County on January 1, 2024, must list such property no later than January 31, 2024. Any person who fails to do so will be subject to penalties prescribed by law. Per North Carolina General Statute 105-296(c), the regular listing period is January 1 through January 31. If the regular listing period begins or ends on a day other than a business day, the period for such filing shall be extended through the next business day.

The listing period for 2024 will begin Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and end Friday, January 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Listing forms will be mailed in December 2023 to persons or businesses who have requested a listing form or filed a listing last year. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment or contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4920.

Real Property

*All persons who own real estate must list any new additions, changes, or deletions that have been made since January 1, 2023. Please contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4940.

*According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all property that is not defined or taxed as “real estate” or “real property” is considered to be “personal property.”

Personal Property

*All persons who own personal property such as un-tagged motor vehicles, permanently tagged trailers, manufactured homes, boats and boat motors, airplanes, rental personal property or farm machinery used for income purposes, must file a listing form annually. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/personallistingform.

Business Personal Property

*Business personal property is taxable whether it is owned, leased, rented, loaned, or otherwise made available to the business.

*All businesses are required to file a business personal property listing form annually during the listing period stated above, which includes: machinery and equipment; furniture and fixtures; computers; improvements to leased property; manufactured homes; aircraft; international registration plan (IRP) plated vehicles, supplies, etc. used in connection with the business. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/businesslistingform. This also includes all furnishings within a dwelling that is used as a long- or short-term rental. Download a Rental Listing form at buncombecounty.org/rentallistingform.

Extensions

*Listing extensions may be granted on request and for good cause shown. Extensions must be requested no later than January 31, 2024. Request an extension at businessextensions.buncombecounty.org. If you are a new businesses that has not listed before, email [email protected] to request an extension prior to January 31, 2024.

*Extensions cannot be granted beyond March 15, 2024. If you are a new business for 2024, and have not filed a previous listing form, please contact our office for information at (828) 250-4930.

Tax Relief

*Property tax relief may be available for Veterans, anyone 65 and older, or anyone permanently disabled under NCGS 105-277.1. Call (828) 250-4915 to see if you qualify or download an application at buncombecounty.org/taxrelief.

Reminder: Listing forms will be accepted January 2-31, 2024. Property Assessment is located at 155 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. except for holidays. Call (828) 250-4920 for more information. Instructions and forms are available at: buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment.

The County of Buncombe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment, in its services, programs, and activities, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

Categories: Community

Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail

Jan 15 all-day

Asheville Area

Explore the Rich Heritage of Black Communities in Asheville

The Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail leads visitors through three areas of Asheville: Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. The entire trail takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to walk and read.

Reflecting on Community Resolve

Did you know that Black people helped create this region’s first non-Indigenous households? Did you know that Black people helped build Asheville and connected Asheville globally? Black entrepreneurs created thriving business districts. Black families cultivated close-knit neighborhoods. Black people from all backgrounds built resilient communities and fostered social change.

Immerse yourself in the history and heroism of Black Ashevillians by walking the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Deepen your understanding with articles, videos, and more resources available here on the trail’s website.

Follow the Trail

Experience this trail in pieces as you explore Asheville or start at one of our three introduction kiosks to learn more about how Black people in Asheville negotiated landscapes of unequal power to build resilient communities and foster social change.

Categories: Community Tours

BCAlerts From CodeRED

Jan 15 all-day

online

Stay informed. Get emergency notifications and general Buncombe County information on your smartphone, telephone, or email.
Sign up for BCAlerts today

Here is what you need to know.

What is CodeRED?

Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.

Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert(not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit to sign up for the new system. If residents have previously signed up for Nixle BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June 30.

Alerts to choose from:

Emergency
General
- Recreation Services
- Election Reminders
- Governing
Weather

NOTICE: For CodeRED support, please call 1-866-939-0911. For all other questions email [email protected].

Categories: Community Health & Wellness

Casino Night for Cardiology – new 50/50 CASH Raffle

Jan 15 all-day

online

Completely separate from the Casino Night event tickets we are excited to announce the addition of a 50/50 CASH RAFFLE to our event!

This optional $100 ticket enters you for your chance to win up to $10,000 with two cash out prizes, one at $10,000 and one at $5,000.
With only 300 tickets sold, and two chances to win, the odds are ever in your favor!
The Cash Raffle winners will be announced at Casino Night on 2/23/24, but you do not need to be present to win.
Your event ticket DOES NOT enter you into the CASH RAFFLE – these are two separate tickets, one for the event and one for the CASH RAFFLE.
Both ticket prices are $100/per.

Categories: Raffle

City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) applications open

Jan 15 all-day

online

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) program is designed for sophomores and juniors who are interested in career exploration, leadership development, and gaining 21st-century job skills to prepare them for their future. C.A.Y.L.A provides young people with an excellent opportunity to work and grow in Asheville while also acquiring valuable work experience that will advance their future careers.

Program Benefits

The program takes place over the summer months, during which the students will become paid interns based on their career interests. Students will have the opportunity to get first-hand experience in their career of choice, network, and build skills and relationships that will aid them as they get ready to begin their college life. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a $2,000 scholarship to go towards their college education.

Apply Today!

The application period will remain open until January 15, 2024. If you know someone who might be interested in this incredible internship opportunity provided by C.A.Y.L.A, please encourage them to apply.

For questions about the C.A.Y.L.A. program, please contact Promise Boseman at: [email protected]

Categories: Community Education

Community survey on the City of Asheville

Jan 15 all-day

online

Tell us – How are we doing as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with Polco/National Research Center to find out.

The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on local governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.

Some residents were randomly selected to participate in the scientifically significant survey in December and were notified by mail. If you were notified by mail, please do not complete the online survey as well.

The survey is now open to all residents at the following links:

English: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23ENG

Spanish: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23SPAN

Russian: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23RUSS

The survey will be open through January 22. The survey will take about 18 minutes to complete.

When this survey closes, results will be presented online in interactive charts and tables. Asheville’s last resident survey was conducted in 2021. You can find the results here as well as results from 2018, 2015 and 2008.

What will the City do with the results? The National Community Survey will compare and analyze the results from previous years and provide the metrics comparison. As the city enters budget planning season for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the results will help guide the City’s operational planning and help to determine project prioritization and resource allocation.

Categories: Community

DIY River + Road Cleanups

Jan 15 all-day

Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Links & Attachments

Cleanup Record

DIY Cleanup Instructions-C5tsCUvm.pdf

Do’s and Don’ts – Roadside Cleanups-j81w1uHK.pdf

Syringe Safety-DBjtozsc.pdf

Categories: Community Volunteers

Flat Rock Playhouse 2024 SEASON

Jan 15 all-day

Flat Rock Playhouse

The 2024 SEASON HAS ARRIVED and you’re not gonna want to miss a show!
Subscriptions on sale January 10 / All Tickets on sale January 24.
– The Magic of Live Theatre is alive and well at Flat Rock
Playhouse! Coming off a wildly successful 2023 season, Flat Rock Playhouse, The State
Theatre of North Carolina is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated lineup for the 2024 season.

Subscriptions go on sale January 10 and all single tickets on sale Jan. 24. We can’t wait
to share these incredible productions with our community.
Kicking off the season is our ever-popular Music on the RockTM Concert Series followed by our
Mainstage Series.

Mixtape! The Best of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s – February 22 – 25

It’s February, which means ‘the boys are back!’ From the same outstanding musical talent who
brought you the Music of Queen, the Eagles, and the Beatles, welcome to Mixtape! The Best of
the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Come shake off the winter blues with this red-hot rockin’ playlist
featuring tunes you know and love. It’ll be ‘a gas,’ ‘far out,’ and ‘totally tubular!’

The Music of John Denver – March 8 – 9
Celebrate the Timeless Music of John Denver with this Spectacular Tribute Concert, featuring
national tribute artist, Ted Vigil. An unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia honoring the
legendary singer-songwriter, and you won’t believe the uncanny resemblance to the legend!
From classics like “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My
Shoulders,” this concert will showcase the breadth and depth of John Denver’s musical legacy.

Uptown: The Music of Motown – March 21 – 24
Motown Remixed! From New York City, the epicenter of Soul and R&B, these young men of
‘UPTOWN’ will sing and dance their way into your hearts, and out of your seats in STYLE. With
the class of young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5, vocals like Marvin Gaye and Stevie
Wonder, and the contemporary feel of Bruno Mars … “Everybody’s Going UPTOWN!” It’s old
school soul for a new generation!

Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute – April 4 – 6
Let’s Go Surfin’ Now…you get it! At over 80 shows a year, Sail On is the most booked Beach
Boys Tribute band in the world! Sail On plays all of the Beach Boys’ classic hits, plus some
treasures from the band’s brilliant extended catalog, recreating the soundtrack to an Endless
Summer completely live and in rich detail. If you are looking for an authentic Beach Boys
concert experience, you won’t find one better than Sail On! It’s all Good Vibrations!

Country Gold: Country Music’s Greatest Hits – April 25 – 27
International Recording Artist, Grammy Member, and American Idol Golden Ticket Winner,
Blake Ellege is a generational talent whose unparalleled vocals have transported and enthralled
audiences around the world. Join Blake and his showband: “Saddletramp” on a journey through
Country Music’s Greatest Hits. Come see for yourself why Blake has been named one of the
most prominent and charismatic entertainers on this side of the Mississippi.

Jersey Boys – May 10 – June 1
“The Four Seasons story still hits all the high notes!” Experience the Unforgettable Music and
Untold Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Jersey Boys. This Tony Award-winning
musical, filled with chart-topping hits, captivating storytelling, and electrifying performances, will
have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring iconic songs like “Sherry,” “Big
Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” this musical is a
celebration of the timeless music that defined a generation. Don’t miss your chance to
experience the magic, the music, the story of Jersey Boys.

The Shawshank Redemption – June 14 – 30

Embark on an unforgettable journey of resilience, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit
as the Playhouse proudly presents The Shawshank Redemption. Adapted for the stage by
Owen O’Neil, Dave Johns and based on Steven King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption, and its subsequent 1994 film adaptation, this captivating story has enthralled
audiences around the world. Prepare to be riveted, moved, and inspired by this timeless tale of
hope and reclamation as it comes to life on the Playhouse stage!
*Adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised.

Cabaret – July 12 – August 3
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub! A Berlin Nightclub at the end of the 1920s. Hitler’s totalitarian
regime and the Nazi Party are on the rise. Be transported back in time and welcome for the first
time at Flat Rock Playhouse, Kander and Ebb’s Broadway sensation, Cabaret! Dark and
sensual, it will break your heart and lift your spirits more wildly than anything else you’ll see this
season. “Cabaret is one of the great Broadway musicals and musical scores of all time–an
exhilarating, harrowing masterpiece.” –Time Out New York *Adult language and content.
Parental discretion is advised.

Boeing-Boeing – August 9 – 25
The comedy of the season has landed! Fasten your seatbelts–there’s turbulence ahead in this
laugh-out-loud tour-de-farce! It’s the 1960’s and Bernard, an American living in Paris, has the
perfect setup: three international fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent
“layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down, and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes
bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. Prepare yourself for the
most deliriously funny flight of your life.

Jesus Christ Superstar, In Concert – September 5 – 22
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to
the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics
by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional
musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last
seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all
killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the
final note is sung.

The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (The Black Box Series) – October 4 – 13
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to the Lorraine Motel after delivering a history-altering “I’ve
Been to the Mountaintop” speech and encounters Camae, a mysterious maid with some
surprising news. When Camae reveals her true identity, Dr. King must reflect on his legacy and
the challenges facing the civil rights movement, laying bare the leader’s profound humanity.
Hailed as “a thrilling, wild, provocative flight of magical realism…as audacious as it is inventive”
by the Associated Press, Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama reimagines what Dr. King’s
last night on Earth could have been. *Adult language and content. Parental discretion is
advised.

CATS – October 25 – November 10
An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades
with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from
T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway
blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought
cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre
tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!

Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume 3 – The History of Rock and Roll – November 14 – 17
Nat Zegree is back! The inimitable entertainer, (Million Dollar Quartet, Amadeus, Queen,
Macbeth,) returns to The Rock with an all-new musical journey for Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume
3—The History of Rock and Roll! Already known and celebrated for his world-class
musicianship, Nat is also a teacher of distinction whose infectious passion not just for music, but
for the people and histories behind the music make his celebrated concerts second to none.
Join us for this one-week-only event! Don’t be late for class!

A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas – November 29 – December 21
Tis the season to be jolly! The tradition continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you
in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh
bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season.
So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of
this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding, y’all!

Categories: Theatre

Food Scraps Drop Off: Oakley Community Center

Jan 15 all-day

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library

Food Scraps Drop Off

The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in two locations for all Buncombe County residents. This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin? Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.

Locations

Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot

749 Fairview Road, Asheville

- Dawn – Dusk

Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot

30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville

- Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.

West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

- Library open hours
- Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center
  85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
  - - Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    - Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm

Growing Minds Farm to School Mini-Grant

Jan 15 all-day

online w/ ASAP’s Growing Minds

Growing Minds Farm to School Funding Opportunities

We want to help fund your farm to school project in Western North Carolina! Mini-grants are available for schools to engage children in the following farm to school experiences:

Local food taste tests & cooking demonstrations
Incorporating local food into meals or snacks
Farm field trips or farmer visits to preschools and classrooms
Growing edible gardens

Funding can be used to start new projects, or to expand upon existing activities.

Pre-k through 12 schools and homeschool groups are eligible to apply. Schools must be located throughout our 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina.

Smoky Mountains, NC: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain
Southern Mountains, NC: Henderson, Polk, Transylvania
Central Mountains, NC: Buncombe, Madison, Yancey
Foothills, NC: Burke, Caldwell, McDowell, Rutherford
High Country, NC: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes

Growing Minds 2023-24 Farm to School / Preschool Funding

ASAP’s Growing Minds mini-grants help early childhood education (ECE) centers and K-12 schools provide children positive experiences with healthy local foods through these components of farm to school: school gardens, farm field trips and farmer classroom visits, and local foods served in meals, snacks, and/or taste tests.

Mini-grant applications are available three times during the 2023-2024 school year. You may apply one time during this cycle. The amount awarded will be based on availability of funding, number of applicants, and the scope of your project. Mini-grants must be used within a year after receiving the funding.

Applications are due by: January 31, 2024 or March 29, 2024. Funding will be awarded by the 15th of the following month.

If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for funding, please email us at [email protected] before submitting your application. We are unable to provide mini-grants to schools located outside of our 23-county service area or to folks who have received a grant from us within the past year.

Apply Here!

Categories: Education Grants

January 2024 Jan 2024

Calendar of Events

Food Scraps Drop Off

Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver

Explore the Rich Heritage of Black Communities in Asheville

Reflecting on Community Resolve

Follow the Trail

Here is what you need to know.

What is CodeRED?

Alerts to choose from:

Need to know

Links & Attachments

Food Scraps Drop Off

Growing Minds Farm to School Funding Opportunities

Growing Minds 2023-24 Farm to School / Preschool Funding