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.

Friday, June 16, 2023
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity seeks AmeriCorps members
Jun 16 all-day
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking
AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home
Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for
people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and
group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living
allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits.

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage
volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to
build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on
experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development.
For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a
career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

 

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for
something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is
are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing

options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible
choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in
overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more
families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence
and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit ashevillehabitat.org/careers to learn
more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) was the first Habitat affiliate in North
Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and
home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation
of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners
to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home
repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables
long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Juneteenth Story Walk
Jun 16 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

NC State Parks is celebrating Juneteenth. Throughout the week, explore our Juneteenth Story Walk on the Great Woodland Adventure trail to learn more about this national holiday and its history.

MANNA’s Outpace Hunger campaign
Jun 16 all-day
online

Let’s get you registered for Outpace Hunger!

Pisgah Legal Together We Dream Giving Challenge
Jun 16 all-day
online

According to a study by Syracuse University, North Carolina ranks last in the country for people likely to have legal representation in their immigration cases. Here in Western North Carolina (WNC), nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides most of the free civil legal aid for area immigrants and is working to raise $100,000 by July 1st to support this important work.

“Pisgah Legal Services provides life-changing – and sometimes life-saving – legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers, and that help is scarce and very hard to come by,” says PLS Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson. “We only have three immigration attorneys to serve our entire 18-county region, and Pisgah Legal provides the majority of free legal aid for immigrants in WNC.”

She continued, “Thanks to generous supporters who have already come forward, we have raised $30,000 towards the $100,000 goal by July 1 for our Together We Dream Giving Challenge. We need additional charitable contributions to keep families together and educated about their rights, to secure legal immigration status and work authorizations and to stop the violence and abuse that many come to the United States to escape.”

Gifts made in the coming week will be matched! “A generous donor has stepped forward to help us build momentum to reach our goal,” says Wilson. “From now until Wednesday, June 21st, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Give today and your gift will have double the impact!”

Want to Help?

Giving online is fast, easy and secure at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/dream or contact Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson by phone 828-210-3444 or via email: [email protected].  Checks may be mailed to Pisgah Legal Services, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, N.C.  28802

Preservation Grant
Jun 16 all-day
online w/ Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County

The addition of preservation grants to our existing efforts in advocacy, technical support, preservation easements, and education, will allow us to reach a new and diverse audience.  This program will allow us to support both large and small projects from downtown Asheville to our rural and under-served communities.

Click here for the Grant Application

We look forward to helping with emergency stabilization projects and restorations of important places, to helping neighborhoods receive designations such as recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and to encouraging and supporting new and unique education and research opportunities.  We want to be surprised and humbled by the projects our community asks us to support!

As our city faces the inevitable challenges of growth, PSABC’s voice and reach must expand.  The important addition of this Preservation Grant Program comes in response to the needs of our community.

*Deadline to apply for the current grant round is Friday August 11th*

Preservation grants from $500 – $5000 will be offered to the public in three categories:

  1. Bricks-And-Mortar

Rehabilitation, restoration and repair of structures that are 50 years of age or older

Some examples: Windows and doors • Exterior painting • Porches • Roofs and gutters • Electrical and plumbing • Hardscaping • Foundation • Original exterior or interior details

  1. Public Education

Development of educational materials and programs that advance knowledge of our shared history

Some examples: Research and documentation • Oral histories • Installations specific to buildings, place history, and culture • Exhibitions • K–12 educational publications • Seminars and lectures • Documentary films

  1. Planning, Survey and Designation

Planning and design for building rehabilitation and restoration projects, historic resource surveys and local or national designations

Some examples: Historic building condition reports • Engineering and rehabilitation plans • Feasibility studies • Historic resource surveys • Updates of previous surveys • Local and national historic designations

Read about our past winners here!

Senior Programs with Asheville Parks + Rec.
Jun 16 all-day
Various Locations

3.1 WEB – WebTrac Activity Search (vermontsystems.com)

Social Seniors

Grove Street Community Center offers a variety of activities that include socializing and meeting new people, table games, trivia, cornhole, crafts, and more. We also offer an independent exercise area for your convenience. Come check us out, Monday -Friday 9:00am -5:00 pm. Please call 828-350-2062, for more information.

Grove Street Card Sharks

Card Sharks is the name, so bring your “A” Game!! This program offers a variety of card games such as Bid Whist, Spades, Tunk, and more. So bring a partner and come join in on the fun, Wednesday’s from 2:00pm-5:00pm. If you have any questions, please call 828-350-2062.

Senior Dining

Senior Congregate Dining is a year around program offered to Senior 60+ who are registered with Buncombe County’s Council on Aging Senior Meal Site. This program offers a variety of guest speakers, nutritious lunch, and a friendly social setting for participants. Offered Monday-Friday, 11:45AM-12:30PM. For more information please call 828-350-2062.

Billiards

Whether you are looking for a place to practice or have a friendly game our Billiards Room is open Monday- Friday 10:00am-5:00pm. There is no registration or fee required. Call the center for Saturday availability at 828-350-2062.

Exercise

For an Hour, come build some Power, with our gentle based chair exercise that is fun and upbeat. This program is offered every Tuesday from 10:00am-11:00am. All are welcome and this program is free of charge. If you have any questions call the center at 828-350-2062.

Be Active Live Longer

Come and workout at your convenience in our B.A.L.L. (Be Active Live Longer) area . This area offers a treadmill, weights, and bicycle. Call the center for more information. 828-350-2062

A Cappella Alive

If you love to sing and looking for a group that does, look no further. A Cappella Alive is a small non-profit chorus group that are looking for a few new members to join in as they bring joy to others by singing. If interested please feel free to stop by Senior Opportunity center Thursday’s from 6:00pm-9:00pm or contact us at (828) 350-2062.

Square Dancing

Circle 8 Square Dancing is a group that meets every Tuesday from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Come out and meet some new people and have a good time square dancing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact (828) 350-2062.

Groove at the Grove

Looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon? Come “Groove at the Grove” with us and enjoy 10 Tables of Games! Spades to Bid Whist, Uno to Phase 10, we have a table for you!!! Come meet new people and test your luck every 4th Saturday of the Month from 3pm-6pm. If you have any questions please contact Grove Street Community Center at (828)350-2062.

Pen to Paper Writing Group

Let’s share the stories of our lives. This event takes place every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.  6/21, 7/5, 7/19, 8/2, 8/15
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity seeks AmeriCorps members
Jun 17 all-day
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking
AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home
Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for
people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and
group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living
allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits.

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage
volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to
build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on
experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development.
For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a
career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

 

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for
something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is
are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing

options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible
choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in
overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more
families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence
and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit ashevillehabitat.org/careers to learn
more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) was the first Habitat affiliate in North
Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and
home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation
of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners
to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home
repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables
long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get
involved at ashevillehabitat.org.

Green Drinks online
Jun 17 all-day
online

Green Drinks lives on every Saturday as The Free & Open University of Eco-Sustainability on Facebook

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Jun 17 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Juneteenth Story Walk
Jun 17 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

NC State Parks is celebrating Juneteenth. Throughout the week, explore our Juneteenth Story Walk on the Great Woodland Adventure trail to learn more about this national holiday and its history.

MANNA’s Outpace Hunger campaign
Jun 17 all-day
online

Let’s get you registered for Outpace Hunger!

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Jun 17 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Pisgah Legal Together We Dream Giving Challenge
Jun 17 all-day
online

According to a study by Syracuse University, North Carolina ranks last in the country for people likely to have legal representation in their immigration cases. Here in Western North Carolina (WNC), nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides most of the free civil legal aid for area immigrants and is working to raise $100,000 by July 1st to support this important work.

“Pisgah Legal Services provides life-changing – and sometimes life-saving – legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers, and that help is scarce and very hard to come by,” says PLS Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson. “We only have three immigration attorneys to serve our entire 18-county region, and Pisgah Legal provides the majority of free legal aid for immigrants in WNC.”

She continued, “Thanks to generous supporters who have already come forward, we have raised $30,000 towards the $100,000 goal by July 1 for our Together We Dream Giving Challenge. We need additional charitable contributions to keep families together and educated about their rights, to secure legal immigration status and work authorizations and to stop the violence and abuse that many come to the United States to escape.”

Gifts made in the coming week will be matched! “A generous donor has stepped forward to help us build momentum to reach our goal,” says Wilson. “From now until Wednesday, June 21st, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Give today and your gift will have double the impact!”

Want to Help?

Giving online is fast, easy and secure at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/dream or contact Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson by phone 828-210-3444 or via email: [email protected].  Checks may be mailed to Pisgah Legal Services, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, N.C.  28802

Preservation Grant
Jun 17 all-day
online w/ Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County

The addition of preservation grants to our existing efforts in advocacy, technical support, preservation easements, and education, will allow us to reach a new and diverse audience.  This program will allow us to support both large and small projects from downtown Asheville to our rural and under-served communities.

Click here for the Grant Application

We look forward to helping with emergency stabilization projects and restorations of important places, to helping neighborhoods receive designations such as recognition on the National Register of Historic Places and to encouraging and supporting new and unique education and research opportunities.  We want to be surprised and humbled by the projects our community asks us to support!

As our city faces the inevitable challenges of growth, PSABC’s voice and reach must expand.  The important addition of this Preservation Grant Program comes in response to the needs of our community.

*Deadline to apply for the current grant round is Friday August 11th*

Preservation grants from $500 – $5000 will be offered to the public in three categories:

  1. Bricks-And-Mortar

Rehabilitation, restoration and repair of structures that are 50 years of age or older

Some examples: Windows and doors • Exterior painting • Porches • Roofs and gutters • Electrical and plumbing • Hardscaping • Foundation • Original exterior or interior details

  1. Public Education

Development of educational materials and programs that advance knowledge of our shared history

Some examples: Research and documentation • Oral histories • Installations specific to buildings, place history, and culture • Exhibitions • K–12 educational publications • Seminars and lectures • Documentary films

  1. Planning, Survey and Designation

Planning and design for building rehabilitation and restoration projects, historic resource surveys and local or national designations

Some examples: Historic building condition reports • Engineering and rehabilitation plans • Feasibility studies • Historic resource surveys • Updates of previous surveys • Local and national historic designations

Read about our past winners here!

Senior Programs with Asheville Parks + Rec.
Jun 17 all-day
Various Locations

3.1 WEB – WebTrac Activity Search (vermontsystems.com)

Social Seniors

Grove Street Community Center offers a variety of activities that include socializing and meeting new people, table games, trivia, cornhole, crafts, and more. We also offer an independent exercise area for your convenience. Come check us out, Monday -Friday 9:00am -5:00 pm. Please call 828-350-2062, for more information.

Grove Street Card Sharks

Card Sharks is the name, so bring your “A” Game!! This program offers a variety of card games such as Bid Whist, Spades, Tunk, and more. So bring a partner and come join in on the fun, Wednesday’s from 2:00pm-5:00pm. If you have any questions, please call 828-350-2062.

Senior Dining

Senior Congregate Dining is a year around program offered to Senior 60+ who are registered with Buncombe County’s Council on Aging Senior Meal Site. This program offers a variety of guest speakers, nutritious lunch, and a friendly social setting for participants. Offered Monday-Friday, 11:45AM-12:30PM. For more information please call 828-350-2062.

Billiards

Whether you are looking for a place to practice or have a friendly game our Billiards Room is open Monday- Friday 10:00am-5:00pm. There is no registration or fee required. Call the center for Saturday availability at 828-350-2062.

Exercise

For an Hour, come build some Power, with our gentle based chair exercise that is fun and upbeat. This program is offered every Tuesday from 10:00am-11:00am. All are welcome and this program is free of charge. If you have any questions call the center at 828-350-2062.

Be Active Live Longer

Come and workout at your convenience in our B.A.L.L. (Be Active Live Longer) area . This area offers a treadmill, weights, and bicycle. Call the center for more information. 828-350-2062

A Cappella Alive

If you love to sing and looking for a group that does, look no further. A Cappella Alive is a small non-profit chorus group that are looking for a few new members to join in as they bring joy to others by singing. If interested please feel free to stop by Senior Opportunity center Thursday’s from 6:00pm-9:00pm or contact us at (828) 350-2062.

Square Dancing

Circle 8 Square Dancing is a group that meets every Tuesday from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Come out and meet some new people and have a good time square dancing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact (828) 350-2062.

Groove at the Grove

Looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon? Come “Groove at the Grove” with us and enjoy 10 Tables of Games! Spades to Bid Whist, Uno to Phase 10, we have a table for you!!! Come meet new people and test your luck every 4th Saturday of the Month from 3pm-6pm. If you have any questions please contact Grove Street Community Center at (828)350-2062.

Pen to Paper Writing Group

Let’s share the stories of our lives. This event takes place every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.  6/21, 7/5, 7/19, 8/2, 8/15
Work out for free at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
Jun 17 all-day
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

 

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Work out for free at Stephens-Lee Community Center
Jun 17 all-day
Stephens-Lee Community Center

Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) recently renovated fitness centers at Linwood Crump Shiloh and Stephens-Lee community centers – and community members can enjoy use of cardio equipment, exercise machines, free weights, open gym time, and more through June 30, 2023. During this time, APR will waive membership and daily pass fees so more people can access the necessities for a regular fitness routine. Locals can sign up online or at either community center to receive a fitness center key fob that can be scanned at either location.

 

“Our team is committed to creating spaces in which everyone feels welcome,” according to D. Tyrell McGirt, APR Director. “We are in the community building business. The gyms and fitness rooms at these two locations are filled with everything you’d expect from other top-notch fitness facilities and dedicated to body positivity and accessible wellness. By waiving the cost to use them for the first six months of the year, we hope more friends and neighbors will be able to connect with each other and maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Food Scraps Drop Off: Buncombe County Landfill
Jun 17 @ 8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience 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.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

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
Food Scraps Drop Off: Stephens-Lee Recreation Center
Jun 17 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 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.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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
Community Data Training
Jun 17 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The City of Asheville’s Municipal Building

The training will be held at the City’s municipal building at 100 Court Plaza, Asheville, in the second-floor training room. Limited parking is available in the City Hall parking lot.

 

The training will focus on introducing the community to the data resources available on the City of Asheville’s website. It will be conducted by City staff responsible for the resources that will be highlighted.  The training was developed after ODAP staff conducted information-gathering interviews with community members and service providers in the summer of 2021, many expressed a desire to know how to access City-related data available to them on the website.

 

The goal of the community data training is to promote transparency through data accessibility as an organization, advance the conversation regarding data use in the community, as well as encourage community use of the City’s website.

 

The training is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required.  For more information, contact the Office of Data& Performance at Office of Data & Performance Office of Data & Performance [email protected].

Food Scraps Drop Off: West Asheville Library
Jun 17 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
West Asheville 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.

 

Register for Food Scraps Drop Off

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

942 Haywood Road, Asheville

Library open hours

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

 

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
Saturday Seminar: Pollinator Plants at The Learning Garden
Jun 17 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
NC Cooperative Extension Buncombe County Center
 

 

Honey bee on clover_Andy Murray_CC BY-SA 2.0_Flickr

The Learning Garden is certified by Asheville Greenworks as a Pollinator Habitat.  Plants for pollinators thrive in several of the individual gardens.  The Pollinator Garden, surrounding the Vegetable Garden, consists of annuals and is designed to attract beneficial insects to the Vegetable Garden. The Sun and Shade Garden has a new area dedicated to native plants that attract butterflies. Pollinator-attracting perennials are found throughout the Four Seasons and Cottage Gardens.

Come to this presentation to get ideas and a plant list for creating your own Pollinator Garden.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately as part of this presentation will be held outside, weather permitting.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Jun 17 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

City of Asheville Juneteenth Celebrations: Festival at Pack Square Park
Jun 17 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Pack Square Park
juenteenth graphic

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, in partnership with the City of Asheville, has planned the 2023 Juneteenth Celebration with the intended outcomes of a diverse celebration that fosters broad participation, fosters community awareness and appreciation, and celebrates the liberation of enslaved people. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two-and-a-half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Thus, starting the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The City of Asheville designated Juneteenth as a City holiday in 2021, and on June 8, Mayor Esther Manheimer issued a proclamation acknowledging Juneteenth as a day of celebration for Black Americans.

The Juneteenth Celebrations will culminate with a two-day Juneteenth Festival at Pack Square Park, Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday, June 18, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Featured groups include:

  • Guest MC, Ty Russell, WLOS
  • The Stanley Baird Group, LLC
  • Westsound Productions
  • Virtuous
  • Malecia Williams
  • Delta House Jazz Band
  • Eaze Dogg
  • Hypnotic Band
  • WIZEDEV
  • The Carolina Diva Diamondz and Others
IC Imagine Upper School Graduation
Jun 17 @ 11:00 am
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

IC Imagine Upper School Graduation ceremony in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville.

Juneteenth Tour of Leah + the Rabbit at Vance Birthplace State Historic Site
Jun 17 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Vance Birthplace State Historic Site

Leah & the Rabbit: A Conversation Around Resiliency & Reclaiming Narratives – Vance Birthplace State Historic Site and the American Myth Center will partner for Juneteenth to present an afternoon of historical drama and discussion on the appropriation of African American stories, resiliency among enslaved people, and the romanticized view of the plantation past.

This three-act piece begins with a tour of the 1790s slave dwelling and reconstructed Vance house, including the contextualization of the stories of Brer Rabbit. The tour will be followed by the play, Leah & the Rabbit, which utilizes the historic tales to tell the story of Leah Erwin, an enslaved woman who lived on the Vance plantation. The program concludes with a moderated discussion on the play, the perpetuation of the Lost Cause mentality, and the reclaiming of our collective histories.

The program is free and will include two showings on June 17th at 11:00 am 1:00 pm. Each performance will run approximately an hour and a half. Seating is limited and registration is strongly encouraged!

Act I – Born in the Briar Patch – Join us before the play for a 30-minute tour of the Vance Birthplace. Visitors will go on a journey through the site, including the 1790s slave dwelling and the reconstructed Vance house. They will discover the history of Leah and Sandy Erwin, who were enslaved by the Vances before emancipation in 1865 and whose experiences inspired this program. On the tour, visitors will also learn about the history of Brer Rabbit tales. These African trickster tales featuring a wily, talking rabbit came to the Americas with people forced into slavery, and have been passed down over the years.

Act II – Leah & the Rabbit – Written, created, and directed by local artist Mikayla Wilson, this play will feature the art of puppetry and live storytelling as visitors witness some of the traditional Brer Rabbit tales interwoven with the story of Leah and Sandy. Three puppeteers and one live actor will present Leah as an elder weaving the yarns of Brer Rabbit and friends. As the show progresses, Leah finds herself pulled into her own story with the trickster Rabbit.

Act III – Discussion – For our third “act” we are honored to welcome Zakiya Bell-Rogers to facilitate a post play discussion with director Mikayla Wilson, the show’s performers, Vance Birthplace Assistant Site Manager Lauren May, and the audience. This conversation will touch on the reclaiming of African American stories, the development of this play and program, Juneteenth, and the many threads of resiliency throughout history. We will reflect on the first two acts and think about the complicated lives of the enslaved people, while also focusing on how history can serve as a conduit for healing dialogue and spark continued discussion around resiliency, understanding, and inclusive storytelling.

Zakiya Bell Rogers has lived in Asheville for 28 years and currently serves the Buncombe County community as a Community Development Specialist. She has a diverse background in dealing with and addressing deep issues, such as homelessness, racism, medical and maternal injustices, and educational barriers for students of color. She is passionate about working toward equity and facilitating hard conversations with truth, dignity, compassion, and a little humor.

Pre-Visit Materials – Upon registering, guests will receive a virtual “program” giving background on the stories of Brer Rabbit, the history behind the characters portrayed in the play and background on the art form known as “crankies.”

The American Myth Center is a non-profit organization in Asheville whose mission is to curate stories that spark necessary conversation within our community. For more information visit www.americanmythcenter.org.

Makers Market at Atelier Maison & Co.
Jun 17 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Atelier Maison

Atelier Maison & Co. and Show & Tell are teaming up to showcase the best in art & design! Join us at the Atelier Maison & Co. showroom off of Sweeten Creek Rd for a monthly Makers Market every third Saturday in the Asheville Design District. Each month will feature vendors and artisans selling housewares, vintage clothing, original art, handmade crafts, fair trade imports, and more.

Juneteenth Celebration
Jun 17 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
with reception to follow
Join us for a spiritual journey of song and narrative performed by tenor Irwin Reese and pianist Julia Bady, followed by
Joyful Noise with the Unity Choir and
Church of the Living God Choir.
Presented by the
Thermal Belt Friendship Council &
the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Jun 18 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Juneteenth Story Walk
Jun 18 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park

NC State Parks is celebrating Juneteenth. Throughout the week, explore our Juneteenth Story Walk on the Great Woodland Adventure trail to learn more about this national holiday and its history.