Calendar of Events
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.

Pisgah Brewing Company officially kicks off its 2023 season with Black Mountain’s original Sunday Jam, hosted Spiro and Friends!
This jam features original jams and favorite covers. Bring your instrument! Sign-ups at the stage starting at 6:00 PM!
Pisgah Beer, Gluten Free and N/A options available. Family and dog friendly venue.
The taproom is open from 2:00 to 9:00 PM with music beginning at 6:30 PM.
Photo credit: David Simchock Photography
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
THE MOTH resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….
CLEAN: Prepare a five-minute story about spotlessness. Leaving your vices behind, purity through virtue, or coming out unscathed. Germaphobes or slobs. Colossal messes or confessions. The tidy and the untainted. Mr. Clean in the house!
Public Onsale Begins:
Monday, April 3, 2023 3:00 PM
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Experience poetry unlike you’ve heard before with this collective of performance poets. The Dead Poets take center stage resurrecting classic words of the likes of Shakespeare, Hughes and Frost with expert musicianship and whit. Then be swept by the literary prowess of Redmond and entertained by Wolf.
Each with their own performance style and acclaimed in their own right, have spent nearly 30 years performing regionally and nationally, educating through the power of verse.
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.
THE MOTH resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….
You will find Tom Tenbrunsel a delightfully refreshing poet with a wide variety of subject matter and a style somewhere between Sandburg, Frost and the late Appalachian poet James Wright. Tom challenges one’s whit with a refreshing array of non-conforming rhyme, structure, rhythm and oft made-up words and hidden meanings. Uniquely Tom includes a photo and Author’s Notes with each poem. Join us in May to engage the spirit and myth of poetry with Tom’s “Poetry on my Mind”
Casual Poetry/Poetry on my Mind. Tom will read a couple poems for fun. He will ask guests to write a
short poem from a prompt with feedback from the group. Tom would like guests to feel free to bring short
poems to read and discuss. He encourages questions about writing poetry, about a poem of his or his
journey as a poet or his Self Help Series. So familiarize yourself with his works by scanning his website,
tenbrunsel.com Comments or questions are welcomed. Or feel free to email him in advance at
[email protected]. Check out his website tenbrunsel.com before the workshop. Send in one of your
poems to be commented on by Tom.
This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop here!
A writer and a poet, Dr. Tenbrunsel enjoyed a long successful career in Clinical Psychology. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tom graduated from Bellarmine University, obtained his doctorate from St Louis University in 1969. He taught, published and was in administration at Michigan State University and was VP for Advancement at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He and his wife reside in the Appalachians of Western North Carolina. They have three successful children and eight grand grandchildren. Dr T. enjoys photography, gardening, cycling, hiking, camping and stalking the elusive trout. His writings and publications speak for themselves. He has published numerous books including: Casual Gardening, Poetry on My Mind, The Fund Raising Resource Manual, The Fund Raising Handbook, Fund-Raising and Grantsmanship: Getting Money from the Community for the Community, The Lansing Area Doctors Directory, 1&2, Dissertation “A Group Coupon Economy Program in Treating Mental Illness: An Experiment in Social Innovation”, A Wrinkle in My Time: My Memoirs (a work in progress)
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Ready, Set…WOOF! Experience the inaugural event of the summer and join us at Patton Park for a truly unique experience on Friday, June 16th for the Inaugural Bark & Bolt presented by Hunter Subaru in Hendersonville, NC!
This family and pup-friendly event will feature the Bark & Bolt 5k, One Mile, and 100 meter Paw Pursuit. The race will be followed by a Top Dog Contest and a Bark in the Park Dog Fair with local pet friendly vendors.
We invite participants of all fitness levels to join us: whether you’re an avid runner looking to have your pup tag along with you or someone just looking for an enjoyable walk, our event is sure to provide something for everyone. Not only will it give you the chance to explore Hendersonville’s beautiful parks and greenways with your pet but also be part of a cause that helps rescue pups find loving homes.
Join us to help make this inaugural event an unforgettable success! Sign up today and get ready to bark and bolt your way through this summer event!
Event Schedule
- 4:45 – 6:30pm – Registration & Packet Pickup
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5:00 – 8:00pm – Bark in the Park
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6:00pm – One Mile Fun Run/Walk
-
6:30pm – Paw Pursuit 100m Dash
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6:45pm – Bark & Bolt 5k Race Start
-
7:45pm – Awards Ceremony
Courses
5k:
The Bark & Bolt 5k starting and finishing at Patton Park in Hendersonville, NC is the paw-fect race for you and your pup! This course is made up of a flat, fast out and back section along the beautiful Oklawaha Greenway. It’s all on a paved surface, so no need to worry about muddy paws! Don’t be fooled though – one short, stinker of a hill will get you back to the finish line, so make sure you and your four-legged friend are ready for the challenge. With great views and plenty of spectator friendly spots along the way, this race will be ruff to resist! So grab your pup and join us – you won’t be barking up the wrong tree with this one!
Leashed (no retractable leashes allowed), vaccinated and friendly dogs are required!
5k course map – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42022755
One Mile:
The Bark & Bolt One Mile course is a perfect way to get your pup and your feet moving! Starting at Patton Park in Hendersonville, NC you can enjoy a relaxing run along the Oklawaha Greenway, which has a paved surface that will keep your pup’s paws comfy throughout. A single stinker hill awaits you on the way back to the finish line, but don’t worry – it’s the only one on the route. The rest of the way is flat and fast, making this course a treat for runners (and their furry teammates) of all ages and abilities. So leash up those tail-wagging wonders and get ready to bark and bolt through this fun one-mile adventure!
Leashed (no retractable leashes allowed), vaccinated and friendly dogs are required!
One mile course map – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42023092
Paw Pursuit:
The Paw Pursuit 100 Meter Dash is the ultimate test of canine athleticism and speed! This competition is only for the most well-behaved pups, so it’s time to see who is Top Dog. Dogs will be divided into three weight classes: Lightweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight.
This Paw Pursuit 100 Meter Dash promises lots of fur-ocious fun for pet owners looking to find out just who is Top Dog!
Let’s see which pup has what it takes to come out on top as the most paw-some pup in town! So, get excited and get your pup ready to run!
Dog owners are encouraged to run alongside their pup!
We are thrilled to announce JAMBAR will be the official nutrition/energy bar partner of the race!
JAMBARS were created by the co-founder of the original PowerBar, Jennifer Maxwell. Jennifer worked for four and a half years to create the perfect bar. “Everything in a JAMBAR you could eat off a spoon!” JAMBAR is featured in this month’s Runner’s World magazine as one of the top bars of the year for their Mango flavor! JAMBARS are
- Certified organic & non-GMO
- Crafted in small batches in the company’s own facility
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
- Made with real fruit and/or fair trade chocolate
- Sweetened with authentic sweeteners from nature
- Offer 10 grams of protein per bar
JAMBAR also donates 50% of all after-tax profits to qualified nonprofits to support music, active living and community connections! You’ll find JAMBAR at the water station. Be sure to stop by and pick one up! With four delicious flavors to choose from, you’ll definitely “Get your jam on!”
Ready, Set…WOOF! Experience the inaugural event of the summer and join us at Patton Park for a truly unique experience on Friday, June 16th for the Inaugural Bark and Bolt presented by Hunter Subaru in Hendersonville, NC!
This family and pup-friendly event will feature the Bark and Bolt 5k, One Mile, and 100 meter Paw Pursuit. The race will be followed by a Top Dog Contest and a Bark in the Park Dog Fair with local pet friendly vendors.
We invite participants of all fitness levels to join us: whether you’re an avid runner looking to have your pup tag along with you or someone just looking for an enjoyable walk, our event is sure to provide something for everyone. Not only will it give you the chance to explore Hendersonville’s beautiful parks and greenways with your pet but also be part of a cause that helps rescue pups find loving homes.
Join us to help make this inaugural event an unforgettable success! Sign up today and get ready to bark and bolt your way through this summer event!
All human finishers will receive a finisher ‘dog tag’ at the finish line and pups will receive a Bark and Bolt custom/commemorative bandana!
POETRY & STORYTELLING OPEN MIC NIGHT
Following a performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf
Are you a poet or storyteller? We’d love to hear your work! Come out on Friday, June 16th, at 10pm, following the performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf. We are offering up to 5 minute slots per person and you can sign up that night.
Don’t want to perform but would love to come watch? Please do! Audience tickets are pay what you can, first come, first serve. If you see the performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf that night, you can stay for the Poetry Open Mic for free.
Come help us celebrate the uniquely human gifts of writing, performing and sharing this work in community!
Pay What You Can **Note: Attendees of the June 16th performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf can stay for free!
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
FREE | Bring those four-legged canines over for some happy tail-wagging at our Summer Dog Pawty! Come out for a great time celebrating these furever friends of ours. Giveaways for all. Prizes for best dog costume, best dog trick, & best at guessing the right amount of treats in a jar! Refreshments are provided for both humans & canines! Dogs must be on a leash.
Hora Feliz para Mascotas
GRATIS | ¡Trae a esos perros de cuatro patas para que disfruten de una cola feliz en nuestra Fiesta de Verano para Perros! Ven y diviértete celebrando a nuestros amigos de cuatro patas. ¡Habrá obsequios para todos! Premios para el mejor disfraz de perro, el mejor truco de perro y el mejor adivinador de la cantidad correcta de golosinas en un frasco. ¡Se proporcionarán refrigerios tanto para humanos como para caninos! Los perros deben ir con correa.
During the Pup Crawl, participants will visit Guidon Brewing Company, M&T Distillery, Southern Appalachian Brewery, The Brandy Bar & Cocktails, and Celtic Creamery to enjoy food, drinks, and activities hosted by each business. As you stop for a drink and an activity, make sure to get your ‘pupport’ pass stamped at each bar. Once you collect all the stamps, check back in at the Blue Ridge Humane table at the last location you visit and enter the Grand Prize drawing with tons of swag and goodies from our hosts for you and your pup!
New this year, a pet-centric vendor fair will be hosted on Barker Street. Vendors will be onsite for participants to meet, learn about their businesses, and enjoy freebies or activities for themselves and their dogs.
Pupport ticket sales will open May 1st until June 23 for $15 for one pet/$30 for multiple pets and day of registration on June 24th will have pupports available for $20 for one pet/$40 for multiple pets. Included in the pupport purchase price is also a 10% discount code for the event t-shirts. Shirts will only be available online, prior to Pup Crawl, and will not be available for purchase during the event. Visit www.blueridgehumane.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/pupcrawl/ for more information and to purchase your pupport.

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Calling all Doodle owners! Considering the number of labradoodles, goldendoodles and other oodles of doodles out there. Let’s get our doodles together to socialize and make friends in between!
Our little guy, Gator is half mini poodle and socializes well with other doodles. Join us and tell us all about your doodle!
The Whale offers a roomy pet friendly patio but polite pets are also allowed inside. This craft beer collective pours brews from around the world plus wine, cider, mead & sake.
**West Asheville location**
https://thewhalecollective.com/west-asheville-nc/
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.
Join us for our monthly poetry reading series coordinated by Mildred Barya. This month, we welcome Jenny Bates, David Dixon, Kathy Cantley Ackerman, and Thomas Alan Holmes
This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online. The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.
Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.
All featured books will be available for purchase at the event. This event also includes a book signing.
If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. To order Kathy Cantley Ackerman’s Repeat After Me, please call the store at (828) 254-6734.
If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.
If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!
Jenny Bates is a member of Winston-Salem Writers, NC Poetry Society, and NC Writers Network. Where the Deer Sleep is Bates’ third book with Hermit Feathers Press following Slip (2020) and Visitations (2019). She’s published in numerous journals including Pinesong, Flying South, Wild Goose Poetry Review, and Old Mountain Press. Born and raised in Michigan, she now resides in the foothills of North Carolina.
Where the Deer Sleep is an inspiring call to reverence and wonder. To a place where “directions are not geographical.” To a time life can “go back to being a good dog.” To the church of cats and crows, stars and thunder, patience and grace – where the ordinary is divine. And miracle. I believe Jenny when she tells us she sits with toads – and listens. These poems make no pretense of being the High-Priestess of anything. Instead, they stand quietly by the entrance, bulletin in hand – inviting us in. You will be glad you did.
—
David Dixon is a physician, poet, and musician who lives and practices in Mount Airy. He is the medical director of Surry Medical Ministries, a free clinic in the area. He has played in several regional bands and remains active in local music. His written work has appeared in Rock & Sling, The Northern Virginia Review, Connecticut River Review, FlyingSouth, The Greensboro Review, and elsewhere. He is the author of The Scattering of Saints (Hermit Feathers Press, 2022).
David Dixon whirls readers through languages of faith, illness, love, loss; lives of apostles, pets, poets, and trees. These poems are a search for what remains and what illuminates when all the lights go out and we’re left to find our way home in the dark, hoping there is a home. Dixon troubles us with all the pesky questions: how to die? how to live? How to bind? Every poem a sign. Each line a constellation.
—
Kathy Cantley Ackerman was born in coal country West Virginia, grew up in Ohio, and has lived in the Carolinas nearly 40 years. She has published three poetry chapbooks and three full-length collections, most recently Repeat after Me. Her 2019 collection, A Quarrel of Atoms, received the Lena Shull Book Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society. Ackerman serves as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Isothermal Community College in Spindale and lives on a loblolly farm in Polk County.
How hard it is to keep what lives alive. Kathy Ackerman brings it all to life: love, loss and the fear of loss, revelations about what’s become essential and what no longer is. These poems are ordinary days like the ones we all must hack a path through, but when we look back and consider the way we’ve come an unexpected clarity fills us. Everything ordinary is extraordinary. Repeat after me: so it is with love that lasts, tender and perennial / tender and vulnerable.
—
Thomas Alan Holmes, a member of the East Tennessee State University faculty, teaches American literature with specialties in Appalachian and Black American literature. His creative and scholarly work has appeared in such journals as Valparaiso Poetry Review, Appalachian Journal, The North American Review, and Still: The Journal. Iris Press published In the Backhoe’s Shadow, Holmes’ first poetry collection, in 2022.
In the Backhoe’s Shadow celebrates the bonds of family in a time of rapid change. The poems display extraordinarily precise, photographic details of work and memory, childhood games and pets, sad country songs. Some are poems of dailiness and humor, and the legacy of a certain time and place. Holmes is a gifted storyteller of the struggle with contemporary uncertainties, of deep kinship, of love.
—
Mildred Kiconco Barya is a writer and poet. She has written short-stories and essays for various publications, features and travel articles for newspapers. Her first collection of poetry titled: Men Love Chocolates But They Don’t Say won the National Award for poetry publication 2002. She is also the author of the poetry collections The Price of Memory and Give Me Room to Move My Feet. Barya is Assistant professor of Creative Writing and World Literature at University of North Carolina-Asheville. Learn more at http://mildredbarya.com/.
