Classes at the Wortham

Prioritize your health and wellness with a revolving series of ongoing classes for lifelong learners in yoga, dance, theatre, and more.

Classes are held in the Henry LaBrun Studio at the Wortham Center at 18 Biltmore Ave. Please access the front courtyard from the breezeway by White Duck Taco. Signs will then direct you to the studio door to the left. Parking information can be found here.

2024 Classes

Check Out Our New Arts Discounts Page We have exciting news! The ArtsAVL website has a new feature: a discounts page!  At any time, you can head on over to artsavl.org/discounts to see special discount offers our members are offering. View Offerings

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Package List

• Golden Ticket (Thursday)

  Description: Receive one ticket to all performances included in the Symphony Series, Opera Lovers Series (Thursday), and the Parker Concert Hall Summer Series. Also includes Opening Night and Season Finale.

  Save 25% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Golden Ticket (Saturday)

  Description: Receive one ticket to all performances included in the Symphony Series, Opera Lovers Series (Saturday), and the Parker Concert Hall Summer Series. Also includes Opening Night and Season Finale.

  Save 25% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Symphony Series

  Description: Receive all sixteen (16) symphony events at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.

  Save 20% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Compose Your Own

  Description: Purchase at least eight (8) eligible* events from our summer season.

  Save 15% on single ticket prices.

  *Opening Night, Season Finale, BMC Presents, and Legendary Artists Series are not eligible for inclusion.

  More Information

• Opera Lovers (Thursday)

  Description: Receive one (1) ticket to each of the following Thursday night events: Flight, La Bohème, The Threepenny Opera, and An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends.

  Save 10% on single ticket prices.

  Please note that seating assignments for An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends are on a first-come, first-served basis.

  More Information

• Opera Lovers (Saturday)

  Description: Receive one (1) ticket to each of the following Saturday afternoon events: Flight, La Bohème, The Threepenny Opera. Includes one (1) ticket to the following Thursday evening event: An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends.

  Save 10% on single ticket prices.

  Please note that seating assignments for An Evening of Jerome Kern & Friends are on a first-come, first-served basis.

  More Information

• Parker Concert Hall Summer Series

  Description: Receive all twelve (12) Parker Concert Hall Summer Series events.

  Save 15% on single ticket prices.

  BMC Presents and Legendary Artists Series are not included.

  More Information

• Flex

  Description: Purchase at least three (3) eligible* events, and receive a 5% discount off single ticket prices.

  Flex tickets cannot be purchased during the subscription renewal/purchase phase and will be available during the donor presale to qualifying purchasers.

  *Opening Night, Season Finale, BMC Presents, Legendary Artist Series are ineligible for this discount package.

  This discount will activate automatically once you add the required number of eligible events to your cart.

Your voice matters, help shape a brighter tomorrow by joining one of our committees.

Early Childhood Committee:

The Early Childhood Education and Development Fund is a major driver in assuring every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The focus of this initiative is to increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education. As such, Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Committee, featuring 15 total members including 3 County Commissioners, was established to guide how the fund is invested. The purpose of the committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input, and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. This committee typically meets monthly, on the 1st Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 pm.

We have multiple vacancies on this committee for a 2-year term beginning 7/1/2024. We are seeking:

• one (1) business community or economic development professional
• one (1) funder or community investment professional
• one (1) pediatrician or medical professional in service to young children
• one (1) professor or higher education professional
• one (1) member of the public representing the community at large

Strategic Partnership Grant Committee:

The purpose of the Committee is to make Strategic Partnership Grant investment recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County. Strategic Partnership Grant funding is granted to nonprofit organizations working toward outcomes in alignment with County Commissioner goals. The committee generally meets the first Thursday of every month from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, with special meetings as needed.

We have one vacancy on this committee for a 3-year term beginning 7/1/2024. We are seeking members that bring expertise in one or more Strategic Plan Focus Areas (education, environment, well-being, economy) and represent the diversity of the County. Applicants should not have any conflicts of interest with nonprofits applying for Strategic Partnership Grants, to include not currently serving on the Board of Directors or staff of an applicant organization.

More information about both programs is available at www.buncombecounty.org/grants.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact Angelyn Johnson ([email protected]) or Sara Joss ([email protected]).

Apply online: https://boardapplications.buncombecounty.org/

Participating Asheville Restaurants |

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) will host its annual Dining Out For Life event on Thursday, April 25. Now in its 22nd year, Dining Out For Life 2024 encourages residents of Asheville and Western North Carolina to dine out at participating restaurants. This celebration supports both the local restaurants that host the events while raising money for WNCAP’s life-saving services. The money raised by Dining Out for Life helps provide care, rental assistance, and education in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

2024 Participating Restaurants (List Updated Daily)

* Member of Asheville Independent Restaurant Association 

*Farm Burger Downtown
*Farm Burger South AVL
*Gan Shan West
*Jettie Rae’s Oyster House
*Laughing Seed
*Posana
*Salt Face Mule
The Noodle shop
*Twisted Laurel Downtown AVL
*Vinnie’s Italian
*Vinnie’s South
Vivian Asheville

On Thursday, April 25th, the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) will host their annual Dining Out For Life event. Dining Out For Life 2024 will encourage residents of Asheville and Western North Carolina to eat out at Participating Restaurants. This celebration supports the local restaurants that host the events while raising money for WNCAP’s life-saving services. Now in its 22nd year, Dining Out for Life has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The money raised by Dining Out for Life helps provide care, rental assistance, and education in our fight against HIV/AIDS. Dine Out. End HIV.

We want to hear from you about what classes & workshops you’d be interested in! We would greatly appreciate if you took a minute out of your day to fill out this quick survey so we can best serve our community through our educational programming. Take the Survey

• We’re excited to be approaching this year’s GRINDfest: the celebration of BIPOC business and entrepreneurship. It’s going to be bigger than ever!!!

  This event is an annual effort to bridge economic gaps so that local BIPOC folks can serve as many customers as possible. Together, we collaborate to support various makers, producers, artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs that work very hard all year to prepare to serve festival attendees.

   

  To sign-up for a specific shift time and role, please visit
  VOLUNTEER SIGNUP FORM

   

  https://grindfestavl.com/

  Home

  Depot St, River Arts District, Asheville, NC

• FESTIVAL INFORMATION

  EVENT: GRINDFEST 2024
  WHEN: May 24th to May 26th, 2024
  WHERE: A.B. Tech Conference Center | 16 Fernihurst Dr. Asheville, NC 28801

  EVENT SCHEDULE

  • Friday (May 24th)
    • 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Annual Meeting
    • 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM – Partners Lunch
    • Friday Night – Vendor Setup (Time TBA)
    • 9:00 PM to 12:00 MN – Casino Night
  • Saturday (May 25th)
    • 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Vending
    • 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM – Salvage Station
  • Sunday (May 26th)
    • 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Vending
    • 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Gospel Showcase

  *****CARNIVAL RIDES start at 12:00 NOON*****

  We still have a lot of activities not included here! Stay Tuned for all our updates!

  FEATURED MINI EVENTS:

  Asheville on Bikes
  Carnival Rides
  Casino Nights
  Gospel Music Showcase
  Latin Bands
  Hiphop Aerobics

  FEATURED EVENTS: [TICKETED]

  Annual Meeting
  Casino Night
  Harlem Night
  Carnival Ride
  Gospel Showcase

   

   

•  

   

  Email any questions to [email protected].

Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.

Hear stories of . . .

  The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
  The GHOST of Church Street
  The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
  The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
  The architect walled into his own church!
  The KILLING SPREE of 1906
  NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
  ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.

LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camps, which run June 17-August 23 at 19 Eagle Street downtown. Registration is open! Most camps are for rising first-graders through rising sixth-graders, with the addition of the ‘Making a Music Video’ and ‘Songwriting and Recording’ camps for middleschoolers and highschoolers. SUMMER CAMPS • June 17-21 – World Dance • June 24-28 – West African Culture: Drumming, Dance, Clothing & Food • July 8-12 – Blues • July 15-19 – LEAF International Haiti • July 22-25 – Making a Music Video: Songwriting, Recording, and Film-Making* • July 29-August 2 – Stop Motion Animation • August 12-15 – Songwriting and Recording* • August 19-23 – World-Changing Visual Art *middle and high school, all others are rising 1st-6th

MHO is Mast General Store’s Round Up Partner for April at their Downtown Asheville location. Shoppers have the chance to support MHO by “rounding up” their sale to the nearest dollar! Visit Mast General at 15 Biltmore Ave to shop for great gear while supporting a great cause.

Individuals, groups, and businesses are invited to honor a loved one or show your commitment to environmental stewardship by sponsoring a tree for the Sand Hill community orchard. This April, join others from the community in celebrating Arbor Day by helping GreenWorks plant additional native fruit trees in the space. Each year, the community orchard provides fresh fruit for local food pantries, and access to learning and volunteering opportunities.

If your family or business is interested in sponsoring a tree for our April 26th Arbor Day event, please call us at 828-254-1776 to learn more.

Here’s your chance! Asheville Community Theatre is thrilled to offer you the opportunity to win a magical 4-day Disney Cruise for four. By purchasing a raffle ticket, not only do you get a shot at an unforgettable family vacation, but you also support the arts in our community.

Prize Details:

• A Dream Cruise: The winner and three guests will embark on a 4-day journey to the Bahamas aboard a Disney Cruise ship. You’ll stay in a Veranda Cabin with breathtaking views and top-notch amenities.
• Customized Experience: Work with our travel agent, David Lloyd of Foothills Travel, to tailor your trip to perfection. Whether it’s exciting onboard activities or exploring the ports, your adventure will be exactly what you’ve dreamed of.
• Travel Support: We’ve got you covered with an additional $500 to help with transportation to and from Port Canaveral, ensuring a smooth start and end to your magical journey.
• Complete Assistance: From the moment you win to the end of your cruise, you’ll have personalized support to ensure your trip is seamless and unforgettable.
• Tickets are just $50 each, making this the perfect opportunity to potentially win a trip valued at $8,800, while supporting Asheville Community Theatre’s mission to enrich our community through the arts.

Don’t miss out on this chance to create lasting memories with your loved ones. Get your tickets now!

Click here to view the complete set of rules.

Want to learn how to process old clothing into pulp to make paper? Weave on a loom using local fiber? Forage and identify wild mushrooms?

The Mountain Institute for Lifelong Learning at Warren Wilson College is offering a full lineup of one-week courses for adult learners this May and July. These intensive short courses take place on the college campus (701 Warren Wilson Rd.), and are taught by Warren Wilson faculty and staff, local artisans and craft folk. Course topics include painting, podcasting, knitting, film making, natural history, fiber arts, birding, mushroom foraging, and fine woodworking, among many others.

“The Mountain Institute for Lifelong Learning is a vessel for community building, exploration, adventure, place-based learning, and the ignition of new passion for lifelong learners,” said Anna Welton, associate dean of community and global engagement at Warren Wilson. “These courses highlight the unique strengths of Warren Wilson College, which has been a hub of experiential learning since its founding as the Asheville Farm School in 1894.”

Adults of all ages (18+) are encouraged to apply. For information on course offerings, fees and registration, visit www.mountaininstitute.warren-wilson.edu or email [email protected].

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

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