Mountain Xpress 05.08.24

A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT

With the general election six months away, Xpress speaks with all six City Council candidates about their campaign strategies and lessons from the trail thus far. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Asheville residents will choose three of those candidates to serve on Council.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes

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EDITORS:

Lisa Allen, Gina Smith, Jessica Wakeman

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Thomas Calder

OPINION

EDITOR: Tracy Rose

STAFF REPORTERS: Lisa Allen, Edwin Arnaudin, Thomas Calder, Justin McGuire, Greg Parlier, Brooke Randle, Gina Smith, Jessica Wakeman

COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Braulio Pescador-Martinez

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Jon Elliston, Mindi Friedwald, Peter Gregutt, Rob Mikulak

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Oby Arnold, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Carmela Caruso, Cayla Clark, Kristin D’Agostino, Brionna Dallara, Storms Reback, Kay West

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DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Ashley Alms, Corey Biskind, Tracy Houston, John McKay, Henry Mitchell, Courtney Israel Nash, Joey Nash, Carl & Debbie Schweiger, Gary Selnick, Noah Tanner

Send BID bill to the tourism bureau

[Regarding “(More) Help Wanted: What Would BID Safety Ambassadors Bring to Downtown?” April 17, Xpress:]

Since much of this effort revolves around cleaning up downtown to make it more desirable for tourists, demand that the funds come from the tourism bureau and their grossly overfunded budget.

Welcome, tourists! We’ve now turned down your sheets and gotten the needles off of the streets!

— Anne Barker

Asheville

TDA funding could go further

[Regarding “Liftoff: TDA Approves About $10 Million for Community Projects but Not Affordable Housing,” May 1, Xpress:]

The move to put one-third of occupancy tax revenues to capital projects is going in the right direction, but I think it could have gone further.

We need to protect visitors’ experiences with more police patrols, a continuous downtown shuttle originating from a satellite parking lot, better sidewalks, turning the pit of doom into a busking zone, etc.

I really wish they’d throw a ton of money at subsidizing workforce housing so we can keep good people who love that work in their jobs and give visitors the experience they want. I am sick of the city kicking this issue to developers who are having a tough time making market-rate apartment developments profitable.

I understand hotel and Vrbo stays are down most everywhere, so revenues aren’t going to be great at this transition point, but our brand is

out there everywhere. We have a lot to sell, and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce sold it well.

— Bill Steigerwald Burnsville

Please move Downtown After 5

I suggest that the Asheville Downtown Association please use Roger McGuire Green for Downtown After 5.

Lexington Avenue is under the expressway, which spreads gas fumes and noise amid hundreds of people and drowns out music. It is narrow with increasing crowds and presents difficulty maneuvering to

the businesses (few that there are!), vendors, etc. The acoustics echo. McGuire park is lovely, with lots of room for crowds and vendors, and great acoustics.

Please use the park we have all paid for.

Thank you.

— Susan Hickerson Weaverville

Let’s get profit out of health care

Health care administrators are business folk. They generally have a Master of Business Administration degree. They follow that with a short time spent learning how to manipulate the available monies within health care. They do not provide health care. Their role is to keep the money flowing so the community

has health care. The experts (physicians and nurses) tell administration what things are needed. The administrator’s obligation is to provide those things.

The Medicare and Medicaid programs in our country were put in place in 1965 to provide health care during retirement years and care for those unable to pay for their own. These systems were susceptible to fraud and abuse. To maintain the solvency of these programs, DRGs (Diagnosis-Related Groups) were enacted in 1983 as a regulating device to stop these abuses. Many small community hospitals across our country didn’t survive these changes. It felt like money was taken away or no longer available.

The International Journal of Health Services in Volume 51(1) of 2021, pages 67-89, addresses these concerns in its article, “For-Profit Hospitals Have Thrived Because of Generous Public Reimbursement Schemes, Not Greater Efficiency: A Multi-Country Case Study.” Research reveals public hospitals and nonprofit hospitals produce better patient outcomes than the for-profit ones.

All excess monies within a health care system were at one time reserved to provide the same level of care to the most unfortunate among us. These extra funds were also held in trust to provide for the maintenance of facilities, the purchase of new and improved equipment, and construction of new facilities.

Please join me in petitioning our representative, Rep. Chuck Edwards, to introduce the necessary legislation in the People’s House in Washington, D.C., the House of Representatives, to repeal the ability to profit from pain, misery, illness, infection and death. Let’s make WNC the home of the people who changed the country! — Jill McMahon Asheville X

CARTOON BY RANDY MOLTON

Taking stock

BY JOHN DIAMOND-NIGH

Asheville has been hyped to the skies. That’s favored some; it hasn’t been good for many citizens of the city or for its recent architecture.

The title of a recent piece in an architectural journal proposed that we should just stop building. It was rhetorical, of course, but the gist of the piece was to ask why we continually build too much and build so badly, at such an environmental cost. Whether for political ambition or unreflective developmental greed, we don’t think twice; it falls, we are assured, under the sanctifying heading of growth.

WALKING IN ASHEVILLE

Forward thinkers in architecture uniformly suggest that the game has changed. Old notions of growth are growing obsolete. We need to build less, we need to build smarter, and we need to build to elevated green standards, which has not been the case at all in Asheville.

There is, as well, a psychological dimension to this. We don’t need a Frank Gehry or Jeanne Gang to design every new building in Asheville. But well-designed, even original buildings, enhance any

city. Oversized corporate schlock demeans it and even makes walking around the streets oppressive.

For example, I walk downtown to visit the library, and to get there, I must pass through a gauntlet of new hotels that are so ill-suited to their context and to the scale of the street that I get to the library in a miserable mood. The street no longer even feels real.

All of which brings me to one critical role for architecture: to interpret and advance the unique character of a city, not to sand away that uniqueness with off-the-shelf buildings of staggering grandiosity and banality, a case in point being the new Embassy Suites hotel.

A bit farther along on my walk home, I pass an equally disenchanting new structure, filling up most of a block and reminding me of another function of good architecture: to balance “fill” and space; to actually site something, not simply gobble up all the oxygen with a mass that’s shaved to the outermost dimensions of the site. Vast buildings in small cities are like elephants on a basketball court.

BOOMTOWN BUILDING

Asheville is a living museum of great past architecture, a sort of dec-

“Vast buildings in small cities are like elephants on a basketball court.”

laration of our independence from standard idioms of design, a declaration of our civic guts. Yet what of that distinguished legacy is reflected in our current and utterly unremarkable boom?

There has been one good building built in Asheville in the last decade, one at least that is in the public eye, and that has been the new art museum. Highly modern, yes, impeccably made and as distinctly “Asheville” as the Grove Arcade. I enjoy looking at it, just as I enjoy City Hall and the I.M. Pei building across the plaza. Each in its own way declares our independence; each says, yeah, here’s some tailor-made stuff by good designers that really fits.

Architecture can be grand; it can produce a Fallingwater just as easily as it can adapt to vernacular scale and pattern. It can be tactful. As much under threat in Asheville as the more commercial zones are the city’s neighborhoods. Not to dwell on my own lamentations, but a house that’s highly out of place, one purposed simply to squeeze more people in, has soiled the ethos of my own neighborhood.

Builders, too, can be good architects. The builder who helped me build our house, which I had designed, was dieu donné — Godgiven in the way he made suggestions and revisions, enlarging windows, extending eaves and relocating doors in ways that made our house more suited to the scale and spirit of our neighborhood, more tactful and even more fun to live in.

Lesson? That even in small homes, especially in small homes, architecture should move quality-of-life discussions forward. The “need is great” slogan alone is neither a convincing argument nor a recipe for the best city outcomes.

Much of the worst of what is happening now I attribute to that “hyping to the skies.” To overgrowth. To an expeditious banality that could have come from some data warehouse in Phoenix. And to a failure to take the time to really care for the marvelous culture of this city.

John Diamond-Nigh is a poet, artist and retired professor, with a long-standing passion for design and architecture. X

JOHN DIAMOND-NIGH

A marathon, not a sprint

BY BROOKE RANDLE

brandle@mountainx.com

Running for local elected office isn’t for the faint of heart. It involves investments in time, effort and money, as well as a willingness to stand up for your beliefs in the face of criticism or disagreement.

Of the eight Asheville City Council candidates who decided to take the political plunge this year, only six advanced from the March primary: CJ Domingo, an operations supervisor at Securitas Loomis; Kevan Frazier, owner of Well Played Games and executive director of community partnerships at Western Carolina University; Bo Hess, clinical social worker at Western North Carolina Therapy and Consulting; Tod Leaven, an attorney at Leaven Law Firm; Kim Roney, music educator and City Council member since 2020; and Sage Turner, finance and project manager at the French Broad Food Co-Op and City Council member since 2020.

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Asheville residents will choose three of those candidates to serve on Council.

With the general election six months away, Xpress asked each candidate about campaign strategies and lessons from the trail thus far. All replied by email. Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.

FIRST-TIMERS

Three of the Council candidates, Frazier, Leaven and Domingo, are running for office for the first time.

“I suppose it’s most like being an intern,” says Domingo. “You keep showing up for a job with the hopes it turns into a ‘real’ position. You work as hard as you can and in return you’re getting ‘paid in experience.’ The biggest difference is that instead of trying to improve your own career prospects, you’re trying to improve your local government, and instead of bringing coffee to execs, you’re bringing hot chocolate and tea to the people helping to represent you at the polls.”

Meanwhile, Leaven says running an open and honest campaign can make a candidate feel vulnerable.

“You have to let people in and get to know you,” he notes. “It is easy to pander, be vague or respond in noncommittal ways, but this helps nobody. When you disagree or have contrary opinions, you need to listen but you also need to speak your

Council candidates share life on the campaign trail

HATS IN THE RING: This year’s candidates for Asheville City Council are, clockwise from top center, Sage Turner, Kevan Frazier, Bo Hess, Tod Leaven, CJ Domingo and Kim Roney. Photos courtesy of the candidates

truth. You have to be open and honest, and this can get awkward.”

For his part, Frazier says he doesn’t ordinarily enjoy the spotlight but campaigning has taught him to embrace discomfort as a way to connect with voters.

“Running for office for the first time has been a little strange,” Frazier says. “As a candidate, I am asked to talk about myself much more than I am wont to do. What’s more natural for me is to listen, to consider and then to lead in a collaborative way.”

All of the newcomers say they have been pleasantly surprised at the sense of congeniality among their fellow candidates, even when vitriol

at the national and state levels seems to be at an all-time high.

“I do not want this taken out of context, but I am surprised by how much I genuinely like the other candidates I am running with,” Leaven notes. “Even though I disagree with a number of their approaches, I believe they all have Asheville’s best interests at heart.”

Domingo echoes Leaven’s observation. “I have been pleasantly surprised how much locals are on the same page about many local problems and what types of solutions they would like to see our government and institutions pursue to improve the situation on our toughest challenges,” he says.

“Especially at the local level, we are just neighbors wanting to support our neighbors,” Frazier adds. “Twice during the primary season, we had public events that included dance parties. All candidate forums should include dance parties.”

SEASONED VETS

On the other hand, this isn’t the first rodeo for the other half of the candidates. Turner, Roney and Hess have all led campaigns before. Hess, who ran in 2022 for the U.S. House of Representatives in District 11, says that he vividly remembers

the moment he decided to run in late November 2020.

“I started thinking about the critical issues of the time, for example, rising fentanyl overdoses and how the opiate epidemic ties into national security. I was concerned about surges in authoritarian tendencies, both at home and abroad,” Hess recalls. “I felt a bit out of my element. I had never run for office, let alone on the national stage, but I also felt determined and called to serve my community.”

He laid the groundwork — filing the necessary paperwork, connecting with current and former officeholders and building a support team — for around five months before launching his campaign in April 2021. “We sent out our press releases in the morning, and I was humbled by a quieter-than-expected reception, a firsthand experience of the importance in building trust and rapport in Western North Carolina’s political landscape,” Hess says.

Council incumbent Turner remembers the months leading up to her 2020 primary Council win amid the COVID19 pandemic, racial justice uprisings and economic uncertainty. She attributes her electoral win as a first-time candidate to decades of community service and relationship building.

“The primary was exciting, daunting and full of activity. I was attending events, meetings, coffees, house parties, luncheons, etc., almost daily for months. Then COVID hit a few days after the primary, and within a couple weeks, we were in shutdown mode,” Turner remembers. “That changed the general election, as we moved to virtual meetings, virtual neighborhood gatherings, approximately 20 questionnaires and very few events. Campaigning took on a new energy, one of greater concern for community survival, first responders, emergencies, hospitals, salvaging business activity and incredible uncertainty.”

Incumbent Roney, who first ran for City Council in 2017, recalls the

exhilaration of campaigning for the first time.

“Those days of juggling two jobs while planning fundraisers, participating in 23 candidate forums and knocking on thousands of doors was so exhausting and yet so heartwarming,” remembers Roney. “When I assembled a team of friends and neighbors to help me run for City Council, I knew we would be running on a tight budget and without political party infrastructure, but it was exciting to innovate ways we could mobilize working, poor and compassionate people that shared a vision for ways Asheville could “Be ’Bout It Being Better.”

Hess, who was the fourth-highest vote-getter in the 2022 Democratic primary election for the 11th District, says the experience of running for office is full of highs and lows.

“There will be moments when you feel unstoppable, fully supported and as if everything is falling into place. Conversely, there will be times when it seems like no one is paying attention or cares about your campaign, and every step feels like an uphill battle,” Hess explains. “Running for office is a valuable experience, regardless of the outcome. Whether you win or lose, you’ll find the journey worthwhile. Stay positive, be present at every possible event and engage with your community.”

Roney says that she was “heartbroken” after losing the 2017 Council race but recalls some sage advice from a friend and fellow gardener. “It’s not about wins and losses; it’s about growing, so compost that energy into the next season of change,” Roney says. “So that’s what I do no matter what the outcome of an election.”

BUILDING COMMUNITY

In the months ahead, candidates can count on sending emails, posting on social media, answering question-

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naires and attending forums, meetand-greets, house parties and more.

Turner says in addition to all that, she’ll continue to provide context and clarity around current City Council issues and continue communicating with residents.

“Info sharing remains the biggest component for me. Government and its many layers are complex; folks want to understand and learn how they can get involved and help shape their community,” she says. “Campaigning a second time is exciting in a new way, in that it’s a broader check-in with residents and neighborhoods on their issues, large and small. It is also helpful to hear direct feedback about how I’ve been doing thus far.”

Frazier says his favorite way to connect with voters is in small groups and plans to attend several meet-andgreets over the next few months.

“I love meeting folks one on one as well, but I am finding that in small groups neighbors feel empowered and more comfortable speaking about what excites them about our community or what is keeping them up at night,” he says. “Surprisingly, one of the most powerful tools has been the postcards I sent to voters. In my businesses, we rely heavily on social media, but I am not finding it a useful tool for the campaign. In this time of never knowing if what you see online is actually real, in-person is powerful.”

Roney is also continuing two campaign innovations from her 2017 run: homemade yard signs and custom seed packets that share campaign information.

“Our hand-painted, wooden signs were a tremendous group effort and definitely a labor of love,” Roney recalls. “It was hard, messy work that I couldn’t have done without a skillful, core team and dozens of volunteers. I often joke that if I never see another pallet again it will be too soon, but our process changed my way of thinking, and now I can’t walk past a construction site without peeking into the dumpster and estimating how many signs could be built.”

HAVING YOUR BACK

Behind any good candidate is a network of friends, family and mentors. Leaven says that while his network is vast — he’s a combat veteran, lawyer and adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law — his family has been the foundation of his campaign.

“My wife told me from the start to just be myself. I met early on with a lot of people in the know, and they had a wealth of great information, but in the end, it was my wife who gave the best

advice,” says Leaven. “My wife is one of the most ethical and honest people I know. She is also wickedly smart and strong. She keeps me grounded and is my lodestar.”

“From my mentors, I’ve learned that politics is a marathon, not a sprint,” adds Hess, who says his mentors include both former and current players in the political arena. “I often tell voters and my team that I welcome constructive feedback — it’s essential for my growth and effectiveness as a candidate and, hopefully, as a representative.”

For his part, Domingo says that he’s grateful to have received a plethora of advice and help from former candidates, employers, friends and family.

“I would say that the most important lesson is this: If you see a problem — even if it is bigger than you can solve — if you start taking the first steps to fix it, you will be surprised how many people will appear to try and help,” he says.

JUST DO IT

Reflecting on their campaigns so far, all six of the Council candidates offer hearty encouragement to anyone considering running for elected office.

“Go for it! Local races don’t cost a lot upfront, and you will learn a mind-blowing amount about your community,” Domingo says. “The real cost is showing up every day, but it is absolutely worth it to gain a new perspective on our city and to meet hardworking folks who strive to make Asheville a better place.”

“I absolutely love the fact that anyone with the drive can step up to help get this amazing city back on track,” says Leaven. “Also, don’t try to be the perfect candidate for Asheville — just be yourself. Democracies always get what they deserve. If you are true to yourself and you are what Asheville wants, then you will get elected.”

“Do it! We need more folks stepping into these challenging roles. We are a better city when we have diverse leadership with various backgrounds and perspectives,” says Turner. “I encourage everyone to consider it.”

Hess sounds a similar note.

“My advice is to not let self-doubt take hold. Ignore the inner voice that says you can’t do it or that you don’t fit the traditional political mold. Keep your vision clear, maintain your integrity and focus on your goals,” he says. “I myself am not what many would picture as the ‘typical politician,’ yet I firmly believe that with hard work, a compelling message and a sincere heart, anyone can run for office — and should — if they feel called to it.” X

Uprooted? Community members fight for the future of Southside’s urban farm

BY GINA SMITH

gsmith@mountainx.com

A cool April breeze ruffles the rows and raised beds of spring vegetables at Southside Community Farm as Chloe Moore runs water over handfuls of vivid green leaves at an outdoor wash station. A small boy romping with a group of young children at the Head Start playground next door darts up to the chain-link fence.

“What’s that?” the boy asks brightly. “It’s chard, Swiss chard,” Moore says. “Do you like greens?” The boy shakes his head vigorously, a decisive no. “Do you like blueberries?” Moore asks. “Yes!” the boy responds, grinning and clapping his hands. “Me, too!” Moore beams.

Impromptu interactions like this one are common occurrences at the farm, says Moore, who has managed the half-acre main growing space and nearby small fruit orchard and herb garden in Asheville’s historically Black Southside neighborhood since late 2020. But those and other opportunities for Southside residents to enjoy the lush space and nourish themselves from the farm’s abundance were threatened with the introduction of Resolution No. 202411 at a recent meeting of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville’s board of commissioners.

The March 27 proposal called for the demolition of the 10-year-old farm, which occupies HACA-owned land behind the Housing Authority’s Arthur R. Edington Education and Career Center. The farm’s removal would make way for a $200,000 outdoor youth play area to serve the more than 150 children — mainly from local public housing communities — who take part in programs at the Edington Center.

Farm staff began sharing news of HACA’s plans on social media in early April, quickly generating support from the community. Nearly 3,000 people have so far signed a petition asking for the farm’s preservation. And hundreds, including numerous elders and community leaders from Asheville’s Black legacy neighborhoods, rallied at the April 24 HACA board meeting at the Edington Center — the first since the resolution was introduced — to speak out against the farm’s removal. While the meeting ended with an expression of willingness from HACA CEO and President Monique Pierre to take time to explore mutually agreeable solutions, the future of the farm remains undecided.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: Southside Community Farm manager Chloe Moore, front row, second from left, prepares to make comments at the April 24 Asheville Housing Authority board of commissioners meeting. Hundreds of community members attended to advocate for preserving the farm. Photo by Gina Smith

CONFLICTING DESIRES

Previous HACA leadership provided the farm’s main plot behind the Edington Center to Southside residents in 2014 for use in growing food for a community plagued by food access challenges since urban renewal policies razed homes and businesses, uprooted gardens and shuffled residents into public housing in the 1960s and ’70s. But no lease was ever put in place, Pierre told Xpress in a telephone conversation.

“There was no formal agreement for them to be there. The Housing Authority, for a while, worked with them because there was, I guess, no conflicting desire to have anything else in that space,” she says.

The resolution emerged, Pierre continues, from conversations that started in January about ways to use HACA’s budget to create a safe, outdoor children’s activity area, including basketball courts, at the Edington Center. A small lawn on the other side of the facility has been a popular makeshift play area for youths, she explains, but part of that property is owned by a nearby church, and the location presents serious safety concerns due to its proximity to busy Livingston Street.

“So the only option is behind our building,” she says. “It was all about how do we best utilize the resources

that we have for our residents. [The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development] requires that anything that we do, whether it’s our land, our buildings, our apartments — whatever it is, whatever resources we bring in — are specifically and explicitly to benefit our residents who live in public housing.”

‘DIRECT BENEFIT’

The resolution asserts that the farm “does not provide a direct benefit to the residents of the HACA in a significant enough manner to justify its use of the HACA property” and that its proximity to the Edington Center “has resulted in rodents and infestation in the building.”

Moore points out the proximity of the fenced playground at Herb Watts Park, which was renovated and expanded in 2019 and 2022. “And there are indoor and outdoor basketball courts that are brand new at the [Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center], and a basketball court at Walton Street Park, which is in public housing. So, to me, why would you add another basketball court in the neighborhood and get rid of the neighborhood’s only farm?”

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Moore says that last year, the farm — the only one in Southside, which has no grocery stores — produced close to 2,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit from more than 50 crop varieties ranging from collards, beets and tomatoes to apples, blueberries and elderberries, which are made into syrup.

Three-quarters of that harvest was distributed to the surrounding community at no cost, mostly via the farm’s free refrigerator and another one on South French Broad Avenue near Bartlett Arms public housing community. A quarter of the harvest was sold at the farm’s EBT-accessible farmers markets, which run monthly MayOctober, often drawing crowds of up to 200 people to shop from around two dozen vendors, all of whom identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color.

As for rodents, farm leaders say HACA had never approached them with those concerns before the resolution. And a letter of support sent by N.C. State University’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems to Pierre and the HACA board on April 23 — one of more than 200 such letters sent about the farm by late April — states that on a recent visit to Southside Community Farm the CEFS team observed “proper sani-

FEEDING COMMUNITY: On its small plot behind the Edington Center, Southside Community Farm grows more than 50 varieties of crops each year for the surrounding neighborhood. Photo by Gina Smith

tation practices that would prevent such pests from entering the space.”

Farm co-founder and longtime Southside resident Musa Fardan says that with its covered outdoor pavilion, educational offerings and

mission of providing free, fresh food to all with no questions asked, the garden functions as a social hub in an increasingly diverse neighborhood. “It is supporting the community in a healthy way,” he says.

Moving the farm to a new location, says Fardan, would destroy a valuable community resource of carefully cultivated, rich soil a decade in the making. “When I put the first plow in the ground, I had doubts about it ever becoming what it is now, because the soil was just dust in some areas,” he says. “I feel that if we lose this land, it’s going to take us another 10 years to get apple trees that look the way these do now, and blueberries — beautiful.”

He and Moore say the farm is very much open to collaborating with HACA to explore solutions. But they say no one from HACA approached farm leaders before the resolution was proposed to discuss the situation, and up until the April 24 board meeting, they had not been successful in multiple attempts to meet with Pierre.

Farm staff and leaders responded to news of the March 27 resolution by drafting and emailing a letter directly to Pierre and the HACA board members asking to discuss the proposal. After receiving no reply, they followed up with emails and phone calls, including to Pierre’s assistant, who was responsive, but they never heard from

Pierre before the April 24 meeting. HACA Commissioners Reggie Robinson and Roy Harris, who is also a farm co-founder, responded to the outreach and were communicative, farm staff members report.

RESIDENT INPUT

By the Housing Authority’s count, at least 250 people were at the April 24 board meeting — normal attendance, say HACA staff, typically tops out around 30 people. The large room at the Edington Center was at capacity with people standing along the walls and seated two and three rows deep on the floors beside the chairs. Outside, dozens lined the hallway hoping for a chance to enter.

Though HACA didn’t gather input from public housing residents before the introduction of Resolution No. 2024-11, Pierre says her team sent out a four-question survey in midApril. Those results were shared on a screen and read aloud to the crowd, revealing that of 202 residents polled, 158 had heard about the community farm and 44 had not, but the majority of those who were aware of its presence didn’t realize it was a public space available for their use.

A large majority said they had never accessed food from the farm, but just over three dozen said they used it daily, weekly or monthly. In a multiple-choice question whereby residents could select more than one answer, more than 150 stated that they’d like to see the farm space used for basketball courts and/or a playground, and 70 said it should remain a community farm. An additional 36 respondents said they’d like an outdoor stage for entertainment, which the farm’s pavilion already has.

As the results of the survey were presented, several attendees who identified themselves as Southside public housing residents voiced that they had never heard of the poll and had not been included.

Charlesetta Fletcher, a resident of HACA’s Erskine-Walton Apartments who volunteers at the farm and has used its free refrigerator, expressed dismay that neither she nor some of her neighbors received the survey, which HACA said was distributed door to door and by email.

“Nobody came through with it,” she says. “I’m always home, plus I have cameras that I look at every day. Nobody came through doing a survey.”

Farm staff also noted during public comments that the survey wasn’t dated and there were no specifics mentioned about the resident demographic that was polled.

SUPPORTERS SPEAK OUT

The board limited public comments to a strict 30-minute window with tight time limits for each speaker, so many who had signed up to make remarks were unable to do so. Among the eight who spoke was Southside resident, artist and educator Cleaster Cotton, who introduced Black community elder and legendary local cook Hanan Shabazz, referring to a conversation the two had had about Southside’s food-secure past.

“She spoke about the fruit trees that used to be in this area before urban renewal, or what people here called ’urban removal.’ And how if you were hungry, you could walk down the street and eat a piece of fruit from a tree, and how all those trees left,” she said. “Now the trees we have in the garden, the farm — apple trees, the pear tree, elderberry trees, fig trees, blueberry bushes, raspberry bushes, strawberries — people can come and eat. People can come from their homes and cut collard greens and go home and feed their families.”

Shabazz, who for years did culinary job training and served food to the neighborhood through various programs at the Edington Center, stressed the importance of the farm, eliciting thunderous applause and a standing ovation from attendees.

“The garden is very important. It means a lot to be able to go out there and pick food up from the earth, get your hands dirty,” she said.

Southside native, former public housing resident and past HACA employee Shuvonda Harper reiterated the community’s former food self-sufficiency and the need to reclaim it, noting that with urban renewal 1,100 homes and dozens of businesses, including 14 grocery stores, vanished from Southside.

“Those things were lost in this community, and what came up was our public housing community,” she said.

After the comments, Pierre told farm staff and supporters that she was willing to meet with them to discuss collaboration and there was no rush to make a decision, although no timeline was provided.

“It’s very early. It’s not anything that has to be done right now, and I just feel like there’s room and there’s time,” she said to Xpress. “I’m willing to do the work, I’m willing to communicate, I’m willing to compromise wherever it’s possible.”

For more information and updates from Southside Community Farm, visit avl.mx/dnl. The farm’s first BIPOC Farmers Market of the season is noon-3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at 133 Livingston St., Asheville. X

Amid funding uncertainty, BCS to request more from county government

Faced with uncertainty over state and federal funding next fiscal year, Buncombe County Schools is seeking to fill financial gaps with local money from the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

The county Board of Education passed an increased funding request of $13.5 million over last year’s budget at its May 2 meeting. The request will go before county commissioners at their Thursday, May 9 work session.

“As of today, we do not have state or federal planning allotments. This has never been the case at this point in time. Therefore, we still have incomplete information about most critical budget variables, both on the revenue side of the budget and expenditure side of the budget,” BCS Chief Financial Officer Tina Thorpe wrote in her letter to the board, presented at the meeting.

At the May 9 meeting, Asheville City Schools will also lobby for a $3.8 million increase over its 2023-24 allocation of $16.1 million.

The largest chunk of BCS’ request — more than $5 million — would go toward maintaining current levels of service to students by retaining 87 permanent staff positions using local funds instead of expiring COVID-era Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER, funding.

The increase also includes $3.3 million for mandated increases in salaries and benefits for those graduating to higher-paid steps based on years of service and $680,000 for unchangeable hikes in operation costs. There is no request to raise the local supplement for teacher or staff raises outside of typical step increases.

The rest of the increases address some of the demands the Buncombe County Association of Educators brought forward in a petition at the April 11 school board meeting. BCAE also filled the room with red-clad supporters at the May 2 meeting, 17 of whom advocated for their demands during public comment.

There is a $2 million increase for multilingual learner services and support in the proposal, including 12 new multilingual learner teacher positions, Thorpe said.

The budget includes nearly $1 million to increase the hours for exceptional-children assistants from seven hours a week to eight, which amounts to about a $4,500 raise per

ADDRESSING NEEDS: Buncombe County Board of Education member Rob Elliot, left, said the district did the best it could to address the need to increase staffing and support for exceptional-children programs and mental health. Photo by Greg Parlier

year, she added. That surpasses the BCAE’s request to increase the salaries of certified and classified staff who work with exceptional children by at least $2,000 a year to limit turnover in the positions.

The proposal also includes almost $1.5 million for additional assistant principal, counselor and social worker positions.

Shanna Peele, a special education teacher and BCAE president, asked the board to support and enhance the proposed budget by providing additional support for exceptional-children educators and fully paying for positions previously funded by ESSER.

“Our students with exceptional needs deserve access to the specialized resources and support necessary to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Increasing the number of exceptional-children educators and behavior support staff members, we can better address the challenges and requirements of these students, fostering an inclusive learning environment where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” she said.

Erin Byrnes, an academic interventionist at A.C. Reynolds Middle School, said her job is endangered because of expiring ESSER funds. Byrnes identifies students who may be experiencing learning loss and helps them overcome those issues.

“I have data to show you that every single child that I’ve worked with in

the past two years has shown growth … but my job is on the chopping block. So if our [goal] is to increase our student performance on standardized tests and other limited measures of their potential and their abilities, then we should not consider cutting the very positions that are designed to uplift our students who do not have all the advantages,” she said.

ASSUMPTIONS: Buncombe County Schools Chief Financial Officer Tina Thorpe said the district had to make vast assumptions and projections to craft a proposed budget because the district still doesn’t know how much it will get from state and federal sources, just two months before the beginning of the fiscal year.

Photo by Greg Parlier

Cody Edenfield-Estes, a teacher at Oakley Elementary, said she and others had calculated that the district needs $54 million more to address BCAE’s identified needs, not the $13.5 million the district is requesting.

“We need you to come out swinging for us. We need to feel that you are fighting for us,” she argued.

Board member Rob Elliot said he was proud of the budget the staff presented and argued that it addresses many of BCAE’s demands.

“I made a motion to approve this budget tonight because I do believe that there are mechanisms in this budget that we presented that do address a good number of these concerns, though it doesn’t solve 100% of them,” he said “And later, when we talk about a legislative agenda, I think you’ll hear that we’re actively going to be advocating to the N.C. General Assembly and others to help solve some of the other pieces.”

Board member Kim Plemmons acknowledged that the district desperately needs more multilingual teachers, exceptional-children teachers, social workers and counselors, but thinks educators have to be realistic in their approach to county commissioners.

“I know we need more, I definitely think we need more. And I wish I could say that the county’s going to give us a lot more money,” she said. “But in all honesty, there’s only so much money the county has.”

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

During every BCS budget discussion, board members direct most of their frustration with funding shortfalls toward the N.C. General Assembly. Increasingly, so do teacher advocates.

Teacher and outgoing BCAE Vice President Lissa Pedersen said public education in North Carolina is at a crisis point, citing low teacher pay, tax-funded vouchers for private schools, culture wars and the stance of candidates running for statewide office, including superintendent of public instruction.

The BCS board passed a slate of priorities it would collectively advocate for at the state level, including many funding priorities.

Those include providing mental health personnel at nationally recommended ratios, bringing base pay for teachers and administrators up to the national average, reinstating pay for advanced degrees and longevity, reinstating full retirement benefits to all employees and funding full-time, permanent substitute teachers.

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Greg Parlier  X

Gettin’ zippy with it

Exploring the great outdoors, 3,600 feet at a time

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN

In hindsight, all five of my previous experiential articles probably should have required signing a waiver — especially the one about antiquing. But my visit to Navitat Canopy Adventures in Barnardsville to see what they’ve been up to these past 15 years officially earned that distinction. So, to everyone who’s suffered these journalistic exploits with me over the past two-plus years, please consider this acknowledgment an apology for my negligence. You deserve better; and by “you,” I of course mean professional pickleball player and Asheville Watchdog reporter John Boyle, who hasn’t invited me back to the courts since our December 2022 showdown.

For the first time, this series of ill-conceived activities on Xpress’ dime was leaving Earth’s surface, and I sought an accomplice willing to take to the friendly skies. To quote Peregrin “Pippin” Took in Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring, “You need people of intelligence on this mission. Quest. Thing.” And the person to answer my SMS text of “Do you like zip lining?” with “I do” was none other than Silas Durocher, vocalist/ guitarist for The Get Right Band. Much like how the fellowship’s journey to Mordor didn’t go quite as planned, our exploration of Middle Earth (aka rural Buncombe County) from above required some thoughtful maneuvering. FAQs on the Navitat website have one about what happens in the event of precipitation, noting that the business “operates rain or shine, guests regularly report that zipping in the rain is a BLAST!” But with our Mountaintop Tour date approaching faster than a pack of Uruk-hai and the forecast calling for steady downpours, Navitat guest services manager and amateur meteorologist Teresa DeCastro was kind enough to check in and see if we’d prefer to reschedule for a sunnier day.(We did.)

We couldn’t have asked for better April weather than what transpired that Tuesday afternoon. But before we could partake, Silas and I were weighed on scales at the welcome desk and informed that our totals hadn’t violated in-house rules. After confirming that we were neither drunk, high nor pregnant, our acceptance became official.

Silas let me borrow one of the numerous gas-station sunnies from his Hyundai, and we returned to the welcome desk and met Teresa. She asked if I’d been zip-lining before, I mentioned my experience with another area course nearly 13 years ago and, in reply, she may as well have sung the chorus to BachmanTurner Overdrive’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” complete with badass air guitar moves.

FEAR FACTOR

Before long, we were summoned by Tolkien-certified wizard guide Greg Yost and his elf colleague Naomi Dunn, and given a basic safety spiel. Also in our group was an elf from Hendersonville, her visiting elf friend from Montana, plus a mother elf and her two elf-maidens, down from Boston to visit her parents in Hendersonville. We were each outfitted with harnesses and a helmet and handed a trolley that would be our connection to the cable, but which mostly made me think about Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and got the trolley theme song stuck not unpleasantly in my head.

With Silas nervous about no access to water until the tour’s halfway point and myself hoping that twoplus hours without a bathroom break wouldn’t be a problem, this fellowship boarded a van for a rocky uphill ride, composed of approximately 937 switchbacks, that proved more jarring than anything I encountered on the pothole-riddled streets of Cuba in late February. To take our minds off the terror, Silas and I joked that it was one merely giant ploy by Navitat to convince scaredy cats that if they survived the ride up, the zips would be a cakewalk.

As the fellowship exited the van, staggering as if we’d all just stepped off a playground spinner, and made our way to the first zip line platform, the Hendersonville-based elf shared her fear of skydiving and zip-lining but noted that the Montana elf had convinced her to try it out since it was a side-by-side experience versus a solo one. I asked if she likes roller coasters, to which she replied in the affirmative, opening the door to my thesis that I love roller coasters and horror movies because they’re both controlled chaos in a safe space.

The question of wearing sunglasses on the course was then raised. Based on my FAQ perusal, I’d envisioned a scenario in which my beloved 5-year-old free pair of plastic Stone Brewing shades fell off my face and to the forest floor below — perhaps to be worn by a fash-

ion-forward fox or rabbit — and left these prized possessions at home. But the check-in person noted that I’d be reaching speeds of 60 mph, and should I want to use my eyes later, I could purchase a colorful pair of protective gear from the nearby display for a few bucks.

“Yes! That’s the best way I’ve heard someone put it,” she said. “I love horror movies, and it really is about experiencing fear without getting hurt.”

Silas looked my way with a wry grin. “It’s as if you have some professional experience informing that take,” he cracked wise.

THE NEED FOR SPEED: Silas Durocher, left, and Edwin Arnaudin strike a pose during Navitat Canopy Adventures’ Mountaintop Tour. Photo courtesy of Navitat

Greg zipped off to welcome us at the other end of the 1,100-foot cables, which would get us to approximately 40 mph. The older of the two elf-maidens volunteered to zip first and, not wanting to let her older sister show her up in front of all these strangers, the younger elf-maiden popped up a split second later.

Silas and I went in the penultimate group, leaving Naomi and the mother elf for last. Though we launched off in unison, the zip quickly became a physics lesson as, having slightly more mass than Silas, I zoomed past him after a few seconds.

Zipping high above the ground, taking in the largely untouched forest all around us, it hit me that I was doing so with a complete lack of fear — and how, not all that long ago, the opposite would have been true. Not exactly a risk-taking youth, I avoided the zip line across the lake at Hendersonville’s own Camp Tekoa during my first few summers as a camper. But in middle school, I finally felt brave enough to try it out, part of an overall commitment to Live Más and eat less Taco Bell — and loved it. Though I never upgraded to the harness-free, drop-in-the-lake option, I looked forward to the ride over the water for the rest of my camper days.

Much like flying in airplanes and consuming milk made from tree nuts, we’ve somehow normalized recreational gliding high above ground on cables. And to this evolutionary development, I say, “Yes, please.”

The shortest of the three zips also has the most abrupt braking system, and thankfully Naomi warned us about the impact that awaited or else I may have wished I’d worn darker shorts and/or brought a change of clothes. Once Greg hauled me in with the emergency arrest device, I checked in with my fellow scary movie fan with a querying face and a hopeful thumbs-up, and received a thumbs-up back.

BEAST MODE

Hiking to the second zip line, Greg and Naomi enlightened the group on local flora, and after a fairly taxing trip to the top of the trail, we were rewarded with some high-quality H20, mixed on demand with organic hydrogen and oxygen by our dedicated guides. Ah, hydration…

Next up? The “Beast of the East,” a 3,600-foot zip with speeds of up to 60 mph, reaching 350 feet above the ground — or, as Greg put it, “as high as the Statue of Liberty with a school bus on top.” Silas went off in

an earlier group so he could document my arrival a few minutes later and spotted my beaming smile from roughly 3,400 feet away.

None of the three zips on the Mountaintop Tour existed 15 years ago when Navitat opened with its Treetop Tour. The Mountaintop Tour followed in 2014 and now includes a nighttime option for Transylvanians and the otherwise monster-identifying. (But seriously: I want to come back and take the tour in the dark.)

“Our mission is to design courses that fit seamlessly into the natural environment,” Teresa says. “We

want to leave the smallest footprint possible on the land itself so that in 50-100 years, if you took down the courses and buildings, you may not ever know we were here.”

Following a shorter, easier hike, during which such topics as ursine bowel movements were discussed almost to the extent of “oohs” and “aahs,” we reached the third and — wait, this is the final zip? Already?!? I mean, sure, we’ve averted our own calls of the wild in the name of esprit de corps, but have nearly two hours really elapsed?

And people are paying $100 per person for this? As I came to grips with the economic realities of lower/ middle-class journalist types being able to afford such a jaunt, without sounding like a complete shill, it became clear that this isn’t exactly an everyday activity. Like many unusual experiences — including the enjoyment of various performing arts — a lot of people and thought went into making today’s tour happen, and it’s not like I’m going to go out in the woods, connect a 0.682-mile cable securely between two trees and feel confident zipping down it. I might as well build my own helicopter and go check out Alaska.

Gearing up for the course’s steepest line, which would take us 2,400 feet at around 60 mph, Silas and I opted to go first, in turn volunteering to be group models for the fellowship’s official photo shoots. Choosing from an array of possibilities suggested by Naomi, we went with the synchronized “one-arm wave,” looking like seasoned chorus line members as we turned to face the camera, then continued on our final descent.

Expressing our “waddaya mean it’s over???” sentiments with Greg on the other side, he noted that there’s talk (read: rumor) of adding one final zip down to the visitor center. We agreed it’s an excellent idea and sat back as the elves and elf-maidens made their descents. X

CABLETOWN: Edwin Arnaudin arrives at the end of the “Beast of the East” as Navitat guide Naomi Dunn monitors his speed. Photo by Silas Durocher

8 - MAY 16, 2024

For a full list of community calendar guidelines, please visit mountainx.com/calendar. For questions about free listings, call 828-251-1333, opt. 4. For questions about paid calendar listings, please call 828-251-1333, opt. 1. 

Online-only events

 Feature, page 26-27

 More info, page 28

 More info, page 32-33

WELLNESS

Therapeutic Recreation

Adult Morning Movement

Active games, physical activities, and sports for individuals with disabilities ages 17 and over. Advanced registration at avlrec.com required.

WE (5/8, 15), 10am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Community Yoga & Mindfulness

A free monthly event with Inspired Change Yoga that will lead you into a morning of breathwork, meditation and yoga. Bring your own mat.

WE (5/8), 11:30am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Tai Chi Fan

This class helps build balance and whole body awareness. All ages and ability levels welcome. Fans will be provided.

WE (5/8, 15), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Tai Chi for Balance

A gentle Tai Chi exercise class to help improve balance, mobility, and quality of life. All ages are welcome.

WE (5/8, 15), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Free Zumba Gold Fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. Free, but donations for the instructor are appreciated. For more information please call (828) 350-2058.

WE (5/8, 15), noon, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Nia Dance Fitness

A sensory-based movement practice that draws from martial arts, dance arts and healing arts.

TH (5/9, 16), 9:30am, TU (5/14), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Weekly Zumba Classes Free in-person Zumba classes. No registration required.

TH (5/9, 16), TU (5/14) 6:30pm, St. James Episcopal Church, 424 W State St, Black Mountain

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Tai Chi for Beginners

A class for anyone interested in Tai Chi and building balance, whole body awareness and other health benefits.

TH (5/9, 16), MO (5/13), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Qigong for Health

A part of traditional Chinese medicine that involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind and spirit.

FR (5/10), TU (5/14), 9am, SA (5/11), 11am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Yoga for Everyone

A free-in person yoga class for all ages and abilities that is led by alternating teachers. Bring your own mat and water bottle.

SA (5/11), 9:30am, Black Mountain Presbyterian, 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Slow Flow Yoga

A Mother's Day themed slow flow yoga class. Please come at least 15 minutes before class to claim your mat space.

SA (5/11), 10:45am, Urban Orchard Cider Co. S Slope, 24 Buxton Ave

Yoga in the Park Yoga class alongside the French Broad River, based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions and led by certified yoga instructors. All experience levels welcome.

SA (5/11), SU (5/12), 11am, 220 Amboy Rd

Sunday Morning Meditation Group

Gathering for a combination of silent sitting and walking meditation, facilitated by Worth Bodie.

SU (5/12), 10am, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Spring Flow w/Jamie Knox

Prepare your body for warmer weather with a yoga practice designed to release toxins and heaviness left over from winter. No need to pre-register, but bring a mat.

SU (5/12), 10:30am, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

Sit & Sound Sanctuary

An opportunity to come together and explore our inner terrain, and to

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT: Asheville Parks and Recreation brings back Movies in the Park night on Friday, May 10, starting around 8 p.m. This month’s family-friendly movie is Wonka and will be shown on a massive outdoor screen at Pack Square Park. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy this free summer tradition. Photo courtesy of Parks of Recreation

quiet things down for a bit. Our intention is to cultivate more resilience in our body, mind, and life.

WE (5/15), 6:30pm, W Asheville Branch Library

SUPPORT GROUPS

Magnetic Minds: Depression & Bipolar Support Group

A free weekly peer-led meeting for those living with depression, bipolar, and related mental health challenges. For more information contact (828) 367-7660.

SA (5/11), 2pm,1316 Ste C Parkwood Rd

Wild Souls Authentic Movement

An expressive movement class designed to help you get unstuck, enjoy cardio movement, boost immune health, dissolve anxiety and celebrate community.

SU (5/12), 9:30am, Dunn’s Rock Community Center, 461 Connestee Rd, Brevard

DANCE

Line Dancing Lessons Free dancing lessons with Jerri and the AVL country western dancers. Everyone is welcome, no experience is required.

SU (5/12), Shakey’s, 38 N French Broad Ave

Tango Tuesdays Tango lessons and social with instructors Mary Morgan and Mike Eblen. No partner required andno experience needed for the beginners class.

TU (5/14), 6pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. S Slope, 24 Buxton Ave

Bachata Thursdays Bachata nights combined with Cha Cha, Cumbia, Merengue and Salsa. Dance lessons begins at 8:30pm and beginners

are welcomed.

TH (5/16), 8:30pm, Urban Orchard Cider Co. South Slope, 24 Buxton Ave

ART

Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson

This exhibition celebrates the legacy of Lambert Wilson, a passionate collector of contemporary Native American art. Gallery open Tuesday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through June 28, 2024

WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee

I Will Tell You Mine

This exhibition features works by 27 artists that work across an  impressive range of applications, methods and materials. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am, and Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through May 26. Tyger Tyger Gallery, 191 Lyman St, Ste 144

Art Park

Create art inspired by nature and our community. All supplies are provided, but advanced registration is required.

TH (5/9), 2pm, Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd

Resonance

An art exhibition that harmoniously weaves together the distinctive styles of two artists, Lauren Betty & Rand Kramer. Each navigate the delicate balance between spontaneity and control in their unique mediums. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through June 30. Citron Gallery, 60 Biltmore Ave

Sov·er·eign·ty: Expressions in Sovereignty of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

This exhibition educates visitors about the Eastern Band of Cherokee

Indians’ autonomy, its relationship with the federal government, and how the tribe has defined its own relationship with its land, people, and culture. Gallery open daily, 9am. Exhibition through Feb. 28, 2025. Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd., Cherokee

Making Changes Exhibition

Exploring sentiment that growth is universal, whether planned or spontaneous, material or spiritual. Red House Studios invite all mediums to contribute to a collective exploration of the unawakened and unknown. Open daily, 10am. Exhibition through May 13.

Red House Gallery & Studios, 101 Cherry St, Black Mountain

Agony & Ecstasy: Images of Conscience by Janette Hopper

These linoleum prints show the agony and ecstasy of human life. The love, sorrow, conflict, beauty, enjoyment of nature, contemplation of what is, was and could be and political commentary. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 11am and Sunday, 1 pm. Exhibition through May 31. Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, 850 Blue Ridge Rd, Black Mountain Asheville’s Naturalist: Watercolors by Sallie Middleton

This exhibition features a selection of botanical and wildlife prints by renowned watercolor artist Sallie Middleton. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through June 10 Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

The New Salon: A Contemporary View

A modern take on the prestigious tradition of the Parisian Salon with the diversity and innovation of

Daily Craft Demonstrations

Two artists of different media will explain and demonstrate their craft with informative materials displayed at their booths, daily. These free and educational opportunities are open to the public. Open daily, 10am. Demonstrations run through Dec. 31.

Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy

Focus Gallery Exhibit: Art of Detailing

The Southern Highland Craft Guild opens its first focus gallery exhibition of 2024 with Art of Detailing, featuring both traditional and contemporary craft by five members of the Guild. Open daily, 10am. Exhibition through May 20, 2024. Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy

Stellar Picks: A Community Choice Exhibition

today’s art world. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through Aug. 19.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Vera B. Williams: Stories

This retrospective will showcase the complete range of award-winning author and illustrator Vera B. Williams. It will highlight her time at Black Mountain College, her political activism in addition to her work as an author and illustrator. Gallery open Monday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through May. 11, 2024.

Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Western North Carolina Glass: Selections from the Collection Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the medium can be seen in this selection of works. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through September 16. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Honoring Nature: Early Southern Appalachian Landscape Painting

This exhibition explores the sublime natural landscapes of the Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina and Tennessee. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through Oct. 21.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Thistle & Pearl Art Show

This exhibition features art from the whole Thistle and Pearl Tattoo crew including BB June, Bill Smiles, Reina Lynn, Doe Bull, Ash Grey and more. Gallery open Monday through Sunday, noon. Exhibition through May 19.

Push Skate Shop & Gallery, 25 Patton Ave

set. Benjamin Tod and Ashley Mae will sit down for an informal chat before performing a few songs.

TH (5/9), 6pm, Citizen Vinyl, 14 O Henry Ave Americana Concert Series: The Krickets A trio from the Gulf Coast region whose music is genre-bending Americana steeped in their signature folk harmony.

TH (5/9), 6:30pm, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon Lonely Parrots This folk-pop duo will be playing a free outdoor show in the Salt Cave's gardens. Bring a camping chair and/or a blanket as well as snacks and drinks.

TH (5/9), 7:30pm, Asheville Salt Cave, 16 N Liberty St

Echoes of the Blue Ridge: Songs of Renewal & Resistance

This exhibition is for everyone who has a favorite piece of art in the WCU Fine Art Museum collection or would like to discover one. Gallery open Tuesday through Friday, 10am. Exhibition through June 28. WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr, Cullowhee

Counter/Balance: Gifts of John & Robyn Horn

A presentation of important examples of contemporary American craft, including woodworking, metalsmithing, fiber and pottery by renowned American artists. Gallery open daily, 11am, closed Tuesday. Exhibition through July. 29, 2024. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Shifting Perceptions: Member-Only Preview Become a Museum Member and join us for the opening of our newest exhibition, Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection.

TH (5/16), 5pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Third Thursday Open

Studio Social

An opportunity for artists to network, share ideas, and create together with extended gallery hours.

TH (5/16), 5pm, Foundation Studios, 27 Foundy St

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Dogwood w/Emma Garau & John Dikeman Trio

Dogwood combines elements of soundscape, free jazz, and electronic music into a unique performance.WE (5/8), 7pm, Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center, 120 College St

Peeled Back w/Benjamin Tod & Ashley Mae

A unique connection with an artist through curated interviews and a stripped-down intimate

Explore the sounds of Appalachian singing traditions with Come Away to the Skies: A High, Lonesome Mass. FR (5/10), 7pm, SA (5/11), 4 pm, First Presbyterian Church ACMS Presents: The Canellakis-Brown Duo This pianist and cellist duo brings their infectious rapport to present programs that celebrate both standarrd known gems, as well as original works. See p32 FR (5/10), 7:30pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place Asheville Classical Guitar Orchestra Baroque and modern classical guitar repertoire ensemble performance; free to public.

SA (5/11), 2pm, E Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Rd

Sal Landers Party Rx Sal brings her inimitable brand of groovy rock’n roll to the stage with an infectious energy and passion that swaggers and captivates.

SA (5/11), 7:30pm, Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr Superwoman Sundays: Abby Bryant Each week will highlight a powerful female artist who will perform for an hour before opening the stage for collaboration and open mic.

SU (5/12), 2pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd Blue Ridge Ringers Concert: Swingin' Spring

A community handbell choir performing classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites that span a wide range of genres.

SU (5/12), 3pm, Fletcher United Methodist Church, 50 Library Rd, Fletcher Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series: Quentin Baxter & Marcus Amaker

A taste of jazz and poetry by percussionist, composer, and jazz musician Quentin Baxter. He'll be joined by first Poet

Laureate of Charleston

Marcus Amaker.

TU (5/14), 4pm, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon

The Songwriter Sessions

w/Mare Carmody, Mike

Hollon & Jack Miller

An evening of original songs in a natural acoustic listening room. This month we'll feature popular local musicians

Mare Carmody, Mike Hollon, and Jack Miller.

WE (5/15), 7pm, The Brandy Bar, 504 7th Ave E, Hendersonville

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Crafting w/Cricut

Make a new craft each month using your Cricut. For more information, call (828) 350-2058 or email kkennedy@ ashevillenc.gov.

WE (5/8), 6pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Permanent Jewelry W/ Honey Koshka

Permanent jewelry is clasp-less, custom fit jewelry that’s micro-welded to create a seamless flow. Personalize yours with charms, initials, and gemstones.

FR (5/10), 4:30pm, Ignite Jewelry Studios, 191 Lyman St

Skate Jam Clinics

Bring your own skates or rent a pair as instructors spread the love of roller skating to beginners.

FR (5/10), 5pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Tarot W/Cats

A 1-hour workshop that will be held in the cat lounge and will show how to incorporate a one- and three-card pull for daily guidance.

FR (5/10), 5:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

The One-Liner Workshop: Transform Your Business Story

This workshop equips you with a simple threepart framework to create a one-liner that will have listeners wanting to learn more about what you do.

FR (5/10), 9am, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave

Hat Bar W/She’s Crafty

Avl & Sol Collective

Learn to design a stunning fedora hat. You’ll be able to add a touch of flair with ribbons, feathers, cards, gemstones, and other accoutrement.

SA (5/11), noon, Sol Collective, 36 Battery Park Mosaic Lamps

In this workshop you will be able to choose from a candle holder, table lamp, swan lamp or moon lamp. There will be a wide variety of color mosaics and beads to create with.

MO (5/13), 6pm, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville

Community Drum Class W/Larry Mcdowell

Hone your hand drum skills with an experienced local drummer and instructor. All skill levels welcome.

MO (5/13), 7pm, The Well, 3 Lousiana Ave

Floral Arrangement Workshop

A floral arrangement workshop that aims to improve health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and personal moments of kindness.

TU (5/14), 10am, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Chakras, Mythology & Astrology W/Johnny Barnett

A 2-hour exploration of the basic building blocks of chakras that help us navigate the complexities of being an infinite spirit in a physical body.

WE (5/15), 6pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave

Change Your Palate Cooking Demo

This free lunchtime food demonstration is open to all but tailored towards those with type 2 diabetes or hypertension and/ or their caretakers. The featured host is Change Your Palate’s very own Shaniqua Simuel.

WE (5/15), noon, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Cultivating Medicinal Mushrooms: Lion’s Mane

Discover the versatile Lion’s Mane. You can eat it, boil it, tincture it and reap it’s benefits. This event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the world of medicinal mushrooms. . Register at avl.mx/dl4.

WE (5/15), 6pm, Online Instagram For Business

This course will help you master Instagram marketing strategy, which will help you grow your business at a rapid pace and gain thousands of the right kind of followers. Register at avl.mx/do3.

WE (5/15), 6pm, Online Food Preservation Series

A hands-on approach to learning home food preservation. Participants will learn fermenting, boiling water canning, and pressure canning.

TH (5/16), 5:30pm, Madison County Cooperative Extension Office, 258 Carolina Lane, Marshall

LITERARY

Mothership: Greg Wrenn w/Alanna Collins, Davi de Paula & Yara Yaworâ

A Mothership Reading and Rainforest Medicine Concert with Eco-Memoirist Greg Wrenn along with Alanna Collins, Davi de Paula, and Yara Yaworâ.

WE (5/8), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

J. Drew: Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves

J. Drew Landham will be discussing his book Joy is the Justice We Give Ourselves. Attendance is free but registration is required.

FR (5/10), 6pm, NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

Shiloh Storytelling Day

A fellowship open to anyone who want to share a story or listen to others, stories help us learn new ideas and find understanding in each situation.

SA (5/11), 1pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Jeff Zentner: Colton Gentry's Third Act Jeff Zentner will be presenting his adult fiction debut novel, Colton Gentry's Third Act. Stephanie Perkins will join him in conversation afterwards.

MO (5/13), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

TBR Book Club

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles is this month's book club selection.

TU (5/14), 6:30pm, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

The Red Grove Launch w/Tessa Fontaine Celebrate the launch of Tessa Fontaine's new book, The Red Grove

This event is free and open to the public and no registration necessary. See p26-27

TU (5/14), 7pm, rEvolve Buy+Sell+Trade, 697 Haywood Rd

Thoughtful Cooking: William Dissen & Johnny Autry w/Ronni Lundy Chef and author William Dissen will join photographer Johnny Autry to discuss Thoughtful Cooking with Ronni Lundy.

WE (5/15), 6pm, Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, 55 Haywood St

Asheville Storyslam: Snooping Prepare a five-minute story about being nosy. Eavesdropping, meddling and sneaking around. Seemingly harmless questions or internet stalking.

TH (5/16), 7:30pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

THEATER & FILM

Stewart/Owen Dance: Student Series

Enjoy an exciting collection of all-new contemporary choreography. The Student Series is open to school groups, homeschoolers, community groups and families.

TH (5/9, 16), 10am, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

Bloom Documentary

Screening & Birth Doula

Discussion

A feature-length documentary explores the work doulas are doing

to fill gaps in the medical system.

TH (5/9), 6pm Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd

Stewart/Owen Dance: Where I End, You Begin Wortham’s resident dance company returns to share their latest contemporary choreography, which draws on themes of passion, intimacy and playfulness. See p32

TH (5/9, 16), FR (5/10), SA (5/11), 8pm, SU (5/12), 2pm, Wortham Center For The Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

A God in the Waters

A delightful, moving, and masterful exploration of the making of art and the forging of family. See p28

TH (5/9, 16), FR (5/10) SA (5/11), 7:30pm, BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St

The Campfireball: Failure

A storytelling show involving the audience and created spontaneously out of whatever stories and lives happen to be gathered together at that moment in time.

TH (5/9), 7:30pm, Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd

James Hindman: Popcorn Falls

Two actors play over twenty roles in a world of farce, love, and desperation, proving once and for all that art can save the world.

FR (5/10), SA (5/11), 7pm, SU (5/12), 2pm, Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain

Anne of Green Gables Dive into the enchanting world of Anne Shirley with this heartwarming adaptation of Lucy Montgomery’s timeless classic.

FR (5/10), 7:30pm, SA (5/11), SU (5/12), 3pm, Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S Washington St, Hendersonville

Montford Park Players: Edward III

The production will depict the turbulent reign of Edward III of England through a series of captivating scenes, delving into themes of power, loyalty, and national identity.

FR (5/10), SA (5/11), SU (5/12), 7:30pm, Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St

The Secret Garden

A tale of forgiveness and renewal, reminding audiences that even amidst grief, there's always the possibility for healing and joy to blossom. See p28

FR (5/10), SA (5/11), 7:30pm, SU (5/12), 2pm, Hart Theatre, 250 Pigeon St, Waynesville Movies in the Park: Wonka

A free family-friendly movie night on a massive outdoor screen held outside for all community members. This week's movie feature is Wonka and kids will also receieve free bottles of bubbles.

See p33 FR (5/10), 8pm, Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plaza

Bill Daniel: Who is Bozo Texino?

Shot on freight trips across the western US over a period of 16 years, Who is Bozo Texino? chronicles the search for the source of a ubiquitous rail graffiti.

TH (5/16), 5pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

David Novak Storyteller: An Animated Life David Novak combines the magic of theatre with the evocative voices of the master storyteller. His stories range from humorous to thought-provoking, folktales, fairy tales and myths.

TH (5/16), 7pm, Lake Louise Community Center, Weaverville, Weaverville

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Walk Through History: Piney Grove Cemetery

Take a guided tour of the Piney Grove Church cemetery, which dates all the way back to the end of the Revolutionary War.

WE (5/8), 9:30am, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 W State St, Black Mountain

The Great Bird Adventure

An expertly guided educational tour that gently leads you through

five magnificent exhibits, showcasing rare and endangered birds from every continent of the world.

WE (5/8, 15), FR (5/10), SA (5/11). MO (5/13), 10am, Carolina Avian Research and Education, 109 Olivia Trace Dr, Fletcher

Figure Study Sessions

Meet and draw together with a live a model. Bring drawing supplies that you want to work with. No previous drawing experience is necessary.

WE (5/8, 15), noon, The Well, 3 Louisiana Ave Ask a Native Plant Aficionado: Madam Clutterbucket's Neurodiverse Universe

Plants for Wildlife is hosting experienced native plant gardener volunteers at each of the plant kiosks during the spring planting season to answer plant-related questions.

WE (5/8, 15), 4pm, Madam Clutterbucket's Neurodiverse Universe, 21 Battery Park Ave, Syte 101

Strange Visitors on Brown Mountain w/ Arcane Carolinas Arcane Carolinas discusses the myths, legends, forgotten lore, and hidden history of the Carolinas, from Appala-

chia to the Atlantic.

WE (5/8), 6pm, Black Mountain Library, Black Mountain

Business Communications: The Art of Influence

This program is for entrepreneurs and/or small business owners who are looking to maximize the impact of their communication efforts. Register at avl.mx/dna.

TH (5/9), 9am, A-B Tech Small Business Center, 1465 Sand Hill Rd, Candler

Ask a Native Plant Aficionado: Farm & Garden Supply Plants for Wildlife is hosting experienced native plant gardener volunteers at each of our plant kiosks during the spring planting season.

TH (5/9), 3pm, Lotus Farm & Garden Supply, 455 N Louisiana Ave

Green Drinks: The French Broad Paddle Trail & Henderson County

Learn about the history, present condition, and opportunities for growth facing the French Broad Paddle Trail in Henderson County and abroad.

TH (5/9), 5:30pm, Trailside Brewing Co., 873 Lennox Park Dr, Hendersonville

Pigeon Community Conversations w/ Storytellers Series

This week, Ann Miller Woodford will interpret the history and culture of WNC African Americans.

TH (5/9), 6pm, Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center, 450 Pigeon St, Waynesville

The Evolution of Southern Appalachian Barn Traditions

Taylor Barnhill presents how the southern Appalachian Mountains embody a historically recent example of the American post-Revolution settlement.

TH (5/9), 6pm, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N Dougherty St, Black Mountain

Dharma Talk w/Paul Linn Meditation followed by a Dharma talk on Buddhist principles applied to daily life. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.

TH (5/9), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Nerd Nite AVL

A monthly gathering hosted in over 100 cities around the globe. Each month, a rotating cast of knowledgeable characters talk about a topic they are uniquely

educated in.

TH (5/9), 7pm, The River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St

Valley History Explorer

Hike: Davidson Grave & Alexander Farm Ruins

A journey to the final resting place of Samuel Davidson, one of the earliest European settlers west of the Blue Ridge. Following this solemn visit, the expedition will head to the ruins of Alexander Farm.

SA (5/11), 9am, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 W State St, Black Mountain

Ask a Native Plant

Aficionado: Honey & the Hive

Plants for Wildlife is hosting experienced native plant gardener volunteers at each of the plant kiosks during the spring planting season to answer plant-related questions.

SA (5/11), 11am, Honey & the Hive, 23 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville

Bioregional Herbalism

Learn about the food and medicine plants that are abundant in our region. And how to prepare the plants, and an introduction to herbal energetics.

SA (5/11), 1pm, Earthaven Ecovillage, 5 Consensus Circle, Black Mountain

Coloring w/Cats

Set time for yourself and cuddle with the panthers, meet other cat-lovers, and color a beautiful picture of a cat from our adult coloring books.

SU (5/12), 2pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Therapeutic Recreation

Adult Crafting & Cooking

A variety of cooking and crafts for individuals with disabilities ages 17 and over each week. Advance registration at avlrec.com is required.

TU (5/14), 10am, Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd

Queer Cowork

A new cowork space in West Asheville by and for queer folk. Get your work done and some community engagement at the same time.

TU (5/14), 11am, The Well, 3 Louisiana

Kung Fu: Baguazhang

It is the martial arts style that Airbending from the show Avatar: The Last Airbender was based on.

TU (5/14), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109

Generation Plus Social Hour w/Blue Ridge Pride

This event creates a community space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, ages 55 and older, to come together and connect with like-minded peers.

TU (5/14), 5pm, Ginger's Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Riverside Dr

Provider Open House

An invitation to explore our gym and services, setting the stage for potential partnership and referrals. Please bring your business marketing materials to share with other providers.

TU (5/14), 5pm, All Bodies Movement and Wellness, 211 Merrimon Ave

The Town & the Dam: Proctor Revival

Learn about how the Tennessee Valley Authority began construction of the massive Fontana Dam WNC during WWII, inundating several communities and requiring the relocation of residents.

TU (5/14), 6:30pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, 300 Campus View Rd

Bird-Friendly Communities for Migratory Songbirds

Paulina Jones presents an overview of neotropical songbird migration and ways that we can ensure their safety.

TU (5/14), 7pm, OLLI/ Reuter Center, UNCA, 300 Campus View Rd

3 Practices Solution Circle: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Raised?

The 3 Practices Circle is a process oriented, problem-solving mechanism business owners can use to get questions answered, holistically, from various perspectives. Free with registration at avl.mx/do2.

WE (5/15), 1pm, Online Craft Schools: Where We Make What We Inherit A program series that goes behind the scenes with leading craft scholars to learn about their new projects in progress. May features Michelle Fisher and Natasha Chandani for a discussion of the upcoming book and exhibition, Craft Schools: Where We Make What We Inherit. Register at avl.mx/dnz.

WE (5/15), 5:30pm, Online

The Foxy Chef: A Night of Vegan Cooking Chefs will take us on a culinary journey, explaining health benefits of nature's herbs and spices. This class is open for anyone and everyone.

TH (5/16), 5:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave

Dharma & Discuss Meditation instructions will be given during a sitting which will last 15 to 20 mins. This will be followed by a talk and an opportunity to ask Roger questions afterwards.

TH (5/16), 6:30pm, Quietude Micro-retreat Center, 1130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

GAMES & CLUBS

Therapeutic Recreation

Adult Hiking Club Participants need to pack a lunch, water bottle, and comfortable clothes.

This session will depart from Murphy-Oakley Community Center for Laurel River Trail.

TH (5/9), 9am, Oakley Community Center, 749 Fairview Rd

Southside Family Game Night Classic and contemporary board and card games provided, but feel free to bring your own. Bring your family, friends or just yourself.

FR (5/10), 6pm, Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

Trivia & Game Show Fun

A fun-themed event for the community to connect and play trivia and games with friends, couples and families.

FR (5/10), 6pm, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

Bid Whist

Make bids, call trumps, and win tricks. Every Saturday for fun competition with the community.

SA (5/11), 1pm, Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr. Southside Center, 285 Livingston St

Weekly Sunday Scrabble Weekly scrabble play where you’ll be paired with players of your skill level. All scrabble gear provided.

SU (5/12), 1:30pm, Stephens Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave Montford Adult Walking Club

Improve your heart and lung health, reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stress and joint pain.

MO (5/13), 10:15am, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Dungeons & Drafts

An evening of adventure, drinks and company to play D&D. There will be premade characters for you to choose from and join the action.

WE (5/15), 6pm, Ginger’s Revenge Craft Brewery & Tasting Room, 829 Roverside Dr

Treks Hiking Club for Adults 50 & Over

A low-impact hiking club offering leisurely-paced hikes for active adults. No hiking experience is required, but the hike covers over three miles on uneven terrain.

TH (5/16), 9:30am, Asheville Recreation Park, 65 Gashes Creek Rd

KID-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS

Tot Time w/Kylie Brown

Take an express tour of the galleries, then go on an adventure with art, music, or storytelling in the Museum’s interactive Art PLAYce. For children ages 0–5 years old and their families or caregivers.

WE (5/8), 11:30am, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Black Cat Tales: Story Time W/Cats

Families with children age 7 & under are invited to relax in the cat lounge and listen to a cat-centric book surrounded by the resident panthers.

WE (5/8, 15), TH (5/9, 16), FR (5/10), 4pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Kids & Teens Kung Fu Learn fighting skills as well as conflict resolution and mindfulness. First class is free to see if it’s a good fit for you.

TH (5/9, 16), MO (5/13), TU (5/14), 4pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave, Ste 109 Coloring W/Cats: Kiddie Edition

An artistic session with coloring books and markers for children ages 13 and under to relax by coloring as they pet cats to reduce stress and anxiety.

SA (5/11), 1:30pm, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Toddler Kickball Extravaganza Watch little ones demonstrate athletic abilities. Meet new people, enjoy refreshments, and let your toddler run wild. Free and designed for 2-4 year-olds.

SU (5/12), 11:30am, Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd

LOCAL MARKETS

RAD Farmers Market

Providing year-round access to fresh local foods from over 30 local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, pastured meats, cheeses, raw honey, and more. Located right on the Greenway, the market is safely accessible by bike, foot, or rollerblade.

WE (5/8, 15), 3pm, Smoky Park Supper Club, 350 Riverside Dr

Friday Market

Produce to the People provides equitable access to nutritious, culturally relevant food through weekly community markets. Come enjoy local staples as well as a live cooking demo and kids activities.

FR (5/10), 205 NC-9, Black Mountain East Asheville Tailgate Market

Featuring locally grown vegetables, fruits, wild foraged mushrooms, ready made food, handmade body care, bread, pastries, meat, eggs, and more to the East Asheville community since 2007. Every Friday through Nov. 22. FR (5/10), 3pm, 954 Tunnel Rd

Hendersonville Farmers Market

Approximately 45 vendors will sell local food products including eggs, herbs, produce, plants, baked goods, coffee,

meat, honey and more. Every Saturday through October.

SA (5/11), 8am, 650 Maple St, Hendersonville North Asheville Tailgate Market

The oldest Saturday morning market in WNC, since 1980. Over 60 rotating vendors providing a full range of local, sustainably produced produce, meats, eggs, cheeses, breads, plants and unique crafts.

SA (5/11), 8am, Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr

Black Mountain Saturday Tailgate Market

Featuring organic and sustainably grown produce, plants, cut flowers, herbs, locally raised meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheeses, eggs and locally handcrafted items. Every Saturday through November.

SA (5/11), 9am, 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain

Mars Hill Farmers & Artisans Market

A producer-only tailgate market located on the campus of Mars Hill University on College Street.

Offering fresh local produce, herbs, cheeses, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey, body care and more. Every Saturday through Oct. 26.

SA (5/11), 10am, College St, Mars Hill

Mothers' Day Native Plant Swap & Market

Bring plants from your own garden to trade or plan to purchase. Natives are preferred but non-invasive, non-natives are welcome.

SU (5/12), 9am, Charlotte Caplan’s House, 39 Courtland Ave

Magical Market

Stock up on magical supplies in the shop, browse the market of local vendors, pet some panthers in the cat lounge, and finish your day off with an intuitive reading.

SU (5/12), noon, House of Black Cat Magic, Co., 841 Haywood Rd

Gear Swap

Bring your pedals, amps, drums, guitars and any other gear that you would want to trade. This a great way to get some gear and meet fellow Asheville musicians.

SU (5/12), 1pm, The Odd, 1045 Haywood Rd

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Women for Women

Grant Awards Celebration

Shannon Spencer, the current Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at Warren Wilson college will be the guest speaker.

WE (5/8), 4:30pm, Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste 200 2024 Bearfootin: Bear Art Reveal

This event will unveil 20 new works of bear art and will provide behind-the-scenes insight

on what inspired the artist and the mission of the nonprofit beneficiary chosen by the sponsors.

WE (5/8), 5:30pm, Welcome Center Stage, 201 S Main St, Hendersonville

2024 WNC Yarn Crawl

A chance to create a self guided tour, stopping by as many Local Yarn Stores during this event for a chance to win prizes, shop great deals and specials.

For the full list of participating stores and their house, visit avl.mx/dne.

TH (5/9), Multiple Locations, Citywide 2024 Festival of Peonies in Bloom

The event is free for all peony lovers to visit the farm and enjoy a blooming peony paradise. Open daily, 10am. Wildcat Ridge Farm, 3553 Panther Creek Rd, Clyde Sneaker Ball & Awards Program

Featuring live entertainment and guests are encouraged to wear their favorite kicks with black-tie attire. Proceeds from the event will support poverty alleviation and economic mobility programs across North Carolina.

TH (5/9), 8pm, Harrah's Cherokee Casino, 777 Casino Dr Cherokee Mother's Day Brunch

Enjoy a meal to celebrate all mothers and mother figures. Burton Street staff provides transportation at no cost, but the cost of the meal is not included.

FR (5/10), 10am, Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St

Europa's 10th Anniversary Celebration

Europa will celebrate their 10 years in business.

FR (5/10), 11am, Europa, 125 Cherry St, Black Mountain

Hendersonville Arbor Day

Three red oak trees will be planted near the trail from Patton Park to the Oklawaha Greenway, along the fence of the old ball field.

FR (5/10), noon, Patton Park, 1730 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville

Jump Off Rock Block Party

Oklawaha Brewing is closing the street for another block party with live music from Blake Ellege and Detective Blind. This party will also feature an artisan market with local vendors showcasing and selling their products.

FR (5/10), 2pm, Oklawaha Brewing Co., 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville

7th Annual Bird Festival

Celebrate World Migration Bird Day through a day filled with fun, education and appreciation for our feathered friends. This event will also feature live music, local artists, art displays, food trucks, vendors and more. See p32-33

SA (5/11), 10am, Monteith Farmstead & Community Park, 1381 W Hometown Pl, Sylva

Fiber Day

Visitors of all ages are invited to engage with demonstrations by the region’s most talented craftspeople.

SA (5/11), 10am, Folk Art Center, MP 382, Blue Ridge Pkwy

Mother's Day Market

This outdoor craft fair will showcase a diverse array of crafts, including jewelry, ceramics, leather items, wooden décor, baked goods and more.

SA (5/11), 10am, Historic Johnson Farm, 3346 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville

Spring Mane Event

Enjoy a horse demonstration, Breyer mode horse painting party, face painting for the kids, keynote speaker and food trucks.

SA (5/11), 11am, Heart of Horse Sense, 7041 Meadows Town Rd, Marshall

Montford Car Show

Ethanol fueled excitement for car enthusiasts of all ages that features classic, muscle, and sports cars.

SA (5/11), 3pm, Tempie Avery Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Ave

Pisgah Brewing Company's 19th Anniversary Party

Celebrate Pisgah Brewing's 19th Anniversary with a party featuring music from Empire Strikes Brass, Airshow and Hunter Begley.

SA (5/11), 6pm, Pisgah Brewing Co., 2948 US Hwy 70 W, Black Mountain

Portal in Bloom: A Collective Fashion Show

This community fashion show will feature 19 local makers and 15 local models as well as a surprise guest. There will also be specialty cocktails, curated tunes, and smalls bites.

SA (5/11), 8pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd Ste 10

Mother's Day Tea Party

The afternoon features fresh tea, sandwiches, scones, fruit, house-made pastries and an opportunity to design and create your own Fascinator Hat.

SU (5/12), 3pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Festy at the Westy

The Osprey Orchestra will be hosting a festival with live music, beer, vendors, flow and visual arts.

SU (5/12), 6pm, One World Brewing W, 520 Haywood Rd

WWBC 10th Year

Anniversary Gala Step into an evening of elegance and empowerment as we commemorate a decade of excellence and serving the WNC community at the WWBC.

TH (5/16), 5pm, The Venue, 21 N Market St

Affordable Housing Summit

The summit is open to non-profit service providers, members of

the business community, government leaders, affordable housing advocates, and anyone committed to improving housing in Henderson County and across the WNC region.

TH (5/16), 5:30pm, Hendersonville High School, 1 Bearcat Blvd., Hendersonville

Third Thursday w/DJ Phantom Pantone

An evening of live music on the museum’s rooftop featuring DJ Phantom Pantone. This eclectic evening also features a screening of Who is Bozo Texino? by Bill Daniel, special cocktails and a public tour of Discovering Art in Asheville.

TH (5/16), 6pm, Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

DraDivine Intervention: Fundraiser for Sunrise Community

Enjoy another round of Divine Intervention, the sell-out smash hit game show FUNdraiser. All profits donated to Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness.

TH (5/9), 7pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Grace WTZQ Blood Dr Donate blood by making an appointment through (828) 585-8060 and give them sponsor code, 23GL.

FR (5/10), 8am, Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville

Farm Fresh 5k Race through downtown Waynesville; while raising crucial awareness of supporting local small farmers, and growing support for HCM's works of promoting food security and economic stability.

SA (5/11), 9am, Waynesville, NC, 9 S Main St, Waynesville

Community Plant Swap

Bring your extra vegetable starts, bare root plants, indoor plant clippings, seeds, and other garden items you would like to share.

SA (5/11), 10:30am, Black Mountain Public Library, 105 N. Dougherty St, Black Mountain Kids Deserve Justice

An evening of live music, featuring Jane Kramer and the band Rooster. By participating you contribute to the Children's Law Program which provides crucial support to kids in our communities.

WE (5/15), 4:30pm, Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave

by Jessica Wakeman | jwakeman@mountainx.com

County simulates viral outbreak response

TEST RUN: The Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services held a point-of-distribution exercise April 25 simulating the mass distribution of hepatitis A vaccines. The goal was to familiarize participants with the process directed by the federal National Incident Management System. Photo courtesy of Stacey Wood

The Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services held a point-of-distribution exercise at Trinity Baptist Church on April 25, which simulated vaccine dispersal for a viral outbreak.

The exercise was a mass distribution of hepatitis A vaccines, explains Amparo Acosta, BCDHHS director of nursing, who served as the on-site incident commander. “We know that being prepared is critical to dealing with emergencies.”

The exercise included three 20-minute rotations by 60 participants from BCDHHS, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and Western Carolina University School of Nursing. It began with a presentation by BCDHHS’ medical director, Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, about the hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted through bodily fluids. Then William Krepps, western regional pharmacist for N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Preparedness and Response, spoke about the state’s strategic stockpile for public health emergencies.

The goal of the exercise was to familiarize participants with the process directed by the federal National Incident Management System, Amparo explains. It includes a simulation of vaccine administration, discussion of contraindications with patients, coordination with interpreter services if needed and

a simulated waiting area at the site for patients to wait for possible reactions.

Weaverville offers free pickleball clinics

The Town of Weaverville is offering free, 75-minute beginner pickleball clinics on the last Saturday of each month through October: May 25 at 10 a.m.; June 29 at 9 a.m.; July 27 at 9 a.m.; Aug. 31 at 9 a.m.; Sept. 28 at 9 a.m.; and Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.

Clinics are free, limited to 20 students and taught by certified instructors. Electronic sign-ups will be posted one month before each event, and sign-ups are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more at avl.mx/dmj.

Fostering resource center opens

The Henderson County Foster Parent Association opened a Family Resource Center at 1507 Haywood Road, Suite C, Hendersonville, on April 5. The resources include clothes, toys, books and hygiene items for foster children from newborns to teenagers. For more information about donations, contact hendersoncountyfapa@gmail.com.

Pardee offers sports physicals

Pardee Sports Medicine at UNC Pardee Health will offer sports physicals at 19 middle schools and high schools in the region. To play school sports, all students are required by law to undergo a sports physical.

Students must have all required forms, available from coaches and school front offices, signed and brought with them on the day of the physical. The cost of the physicals ranges from free to $20 per child.

The physicals will take place in the gymnasium at each school. For dates, times and prices, visit avl.mx/cmu.

Murphy clinic relocates

Appalachian Mountain Health Murphy relocated to a new facility at 4226 E. U.S. Highway 64 Alt., Murphy. Appalachian Mountain Health is a federally qualified health clinic and provides services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.

The Murphy clinic is open 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. It provides primary care services as well as services for behavioral health and substance use disorders; an on-site pharmacy and dental services are coming soon. Call the clinic at 828-837-7732.

Support groups for LGBTQ families

Full Circle Community Wellness is holding two free series for LGBTQ families.

The first is a free community group called BreakOut for LGBTQ teens on Wednesdays, May 15 and 29, 6 p.m., at 1915 George St., Hendersonville. Licensed clinical mental health counselor Gentry Hamrick will facilitate. Teenagers 13-18 are welcome to participate in activities like arts and crafts and making snacks. Parental informed consent is required for participation. The second group, Rainbow Allies, is a support group for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ kids. Rainbow Allies will meet Wednesdays, May 8-June 5, 6-7 p.m., at the center, 303 Jack St., Hendersonville. For more information about Rainbow Allies, contact licensed clinical mental health counselor Janet Canfield at janet@fullcirclewnc.org.

WNCCHS-McDowell expands

Western North Carolina Community Health Services began construction of its revamped WNCCHS-McDowell Health Center at 136 Creekview Court, Marion. Construction will expand behavioral health and primary care services and add an on-site pharmacy. WNCCHS is a federally qualified health clinic and provides services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. For more information, visit avl.mx/dmp.

Gym donates fees

Beginning in May, all new members of Pisgah Fitness, a gym at 151 W. Haywood St., have the option to donate their membership fees to Asheville Poverty Initiative, a nonprofit serving

low-income people. Membership fees are on a sliding scale. Donations can continue as long as the gym membership continues. Contact Pisgah Fitness founder Ben Williamson at ben@ ashevillepovertyinitiative.org.

Walk-in interviews for peer supports

Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness is holding walk-in interviews for several certified peer support roles on Thursday, May 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at 209 Tunnel Road. No appointment is needed. Applicants should bring a copy of their resume.

Sunrise is hiring certified peer supports to work with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department to help individuals at the county Detention Center with medication-assisted treatment booking. The peer support will engage with participants in the booking process at the jail and assist with system navigation. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and a minimum of two years off parole.

Sunrise is also seeking certified peer supports for overnight shifts at Blair H. Clark Respite House as well as roles with the Foothills Recovery and Employment Ecosystem and the Syringe Services Program at the Buncombe County Health Department. For more information, contact Alisa Carlisle at acarlisle@sunriseinasheville. org.

Community kudos

• Cardiologist Dr. Eduardo Balcells has joined AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at AdventHealth Hendersonville as medical director of cardiology. Balcells has previously worked at Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pardee Hospital and Haywood Regional Medical Center.

• Asheville Parks and Recreation athletic manager Zachary Stewart received certification as a youth sports administrator from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, a nonprofit that establishes standards for youth sports coaching. Stewart is a former physical education teacher for Buncombe County Schools.

Save the date

• Buncombe County Parks and Recreation is holding a community meeting Wednesday, May 8, 5-7 p.m., at Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School, 305 Overlook Road, regarding greenways and trails in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Staff will be available to answer questions, and guests can take the county’s survey about park usage, which is also available at avl.mx/dmq.

• Asheville Tool Library, which provides low/no-cost access to tools, and Dave Pike from the Buncombe County Emergency Medical Services community paramedics will hold a free Stop the Bleed workshop on Wednesday, May 8, 6-7:30 p.m, at 16 Smith Mill Road. The workshop will include a presentation and demonstration of techniques, such as tourniquet application and pressure dressing, to stop preventable death from severe bleeding. Participants should dress in work clothes and bring a tourniquet if possible.

• Land of Sky Regional Council and Area Agency on Aging will hold a free professional networking session for Madison County aging providers and professionals Thursday, May 9, 10 a.m.-noon, at the A-B Tech Madison Auditorium, 4646 U.S. Highway 25/70, Marshall. Register at avl.mx/dmh. For more information, contact LeeAnne Tucker, Area Agency on Aging director, at leeanne@landofsky.org or 828-251-7436.

• Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont is hosting an open house at Camp Pisgah in Brevard on Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (For the safety of the girls, the address will be shared only with registrants.) The drop-in event includes camp tours and opportunities to try archery, a climbing wall and other activities. Participants should wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the outdoors. Girls in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome. Fees are $5 per adult or child, whether or not the participant is a member of the Girl Scouts. Register at avl.mx/dn3.

• All Bodies Movement and Wellness, 211 Merrimon Ave., is holding a provider open house Tuesday, May 14, 5-7:30 p.m. Physicians, mental health therapists, doulas, dietitians and other health and wellness providers are invited to meet with like-minded practitioners who practice from a Health at Every Size, or HAES, lens. Light refreshments will be provided.

• The Greenway Walking Club for Asheville Parks and Recreation will traverse the French Broad River Greenway on Wednesday, May 22, 5:30-7 p.m. The group will meet at

the Carrier Park picnic shelter and walk through French Broad River Park. Register at avl.mx/dmm.

• The Hendersonville Police Department and Hope Coalition will offer a drug take-back event Friday, May 24, 9-10:30 a.m., at Patton Park, 114 E. Claremont Drive, Hendersonville. Community members can safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications.

• The Invision Diagnostics Mammogram Bus will offer 3D mammograms for women 35 and older Thursday, May 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at AmeriHealth Caritas N.C. Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave. Patients must have a primary care or OBGYN provider; N.C. Medicaid and private insurance are accepted. To make an appointment, call 877-318-1349.

• My Child Is Trans, Now What? author Ben Greene will speak about challenges to the transgender community and how families and allies can support transgender children Friday, May 31, 6-7:30 p.m., at Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Road. Allies, members of the trans and queer community, and children are welcome to attend.

The life of the mind

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN

earnaudin@mountainx.com

Ten years is a long time to wait between albums, but there’s a sense throughout Santiago y Los Gatos’ Washing Away Wetiko that the 10-song collection wouldn’t have been as rich without that amount of space.

Full of energy, thoughtful lyrics and ripping guitar solos, the sonically diverse record serves as a reflection of frontman Jeff Santiago’s past decade as an artist, son, father, husband — and operations manager at The Orange Peel.

“My influences come from everywhere. I’m a music fan and, obviously, I see live music all the time — all sorts of kinds,” Santiago says. “Whatever [style] I feel like I connect with ... I just sort of explore and see what happens.”

Santiago describes the album as “deeply personal,” particularly in terms of confronting loss. The touching “Aura” is about the 2021 passing of his mother, Aura Santiago, and features cello from his neighbor Melissa Hyman, who performed a song at Aura’s memorial service with her husband and The Moon and You bandmate, Ryan Furstenberg. Six months after Aura’s death, Santiago’s brother Freddie unexpectedly died, resulting in the song “Brother.”

“We were heading into the studio already — we had some material ready to go. And the emotion of those losses pushed to the forefront,” Santiago says. “I felt like I needed to find a way to express myself. I was like, ‘I don’t know if these are going to be songs that I can have ready for the record or anything.’ And then they wound up being two of the first four songs we released [as singles]. It just became the priority.”

Fellow Washing Away Wetiko track “After Me” was inspired by a racially

Santiago y Los Gatos and Cliff B. Worsham release new albums

GETTING PERSONAL: Santiago y Los Gatos, left, and Cliff B. Worsham delve deeply into their histories on their latest releases. Santiago photo by Chuck St. Laurent; Worsham photo by Anna White

motivated incident a few years ago at The Orange Peel in which Santiago was accosted by an intoxicated patron who was being removed from the venue for inappropriate behavior. She responded by telling Santiago, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, to go “back to Mexico.”

“I’m like, ‘I don’t mind going there. I have no problem with that. However, I’m not from there. I’m from right here,’” he says. “And it became a big deal. After being removed from the venue, the woman came back with fam-

ily, and they came back with pipes and stuff like that, so it got really intense.”

Asheville Police Department officers arrived on the scene and prevented things from escalating to physical violence. But the experience left a mark on Santiago, who was already hyperconscious of the rising xenophobic rhetoric aimed at Latinos and immigrants in general.

“The whole idea that there’s a certain checklist that some people want to impose on others as to what it means to be an American, whether that’s speak-

ing the language, education, job, paying my taxes — I’m like, ‘I checked them all off the list. It still doesn’t matter. You made it obvious to me,’” he says.

“It matters to me because I’m part of a community, so I want to be doing the right thing by my community,” he continues. “But it doesn’t matter to that person who gave me the checklist in the first place.”

“Gaslight” takes a more general look at how entrenched people get in what Santiago calls an “it’s gotta be completely my way [and] my philosophy or you’re dead to me” mindset and how, when people are called out for their toxic behavior, it’s accompanied by the titular form of lying and redirected guilt.

But Washing Away Wetiko isn’t all about grief and suffering. “No Way” celebrates his relationship with his wife, Tiffany, and “Sunrise Drive” takes its name from the street where he and his family once lived.

“I kind of took the idea of it being a place but also something you would do to clear out your mind and soul search when you’re looking for something or looking to reconnect in your relationship,” he says.

“No Way” also serves as a celebration of Santiago’s heritage. The track features bass guitar from Alex Bendaña, a member of the Grammy-winning

Latin group La Santa Cecilia, and a lively Latin-inspired flute performance from Marcus James Henderson of the Marshall Tucker Band. The album’s standout song also gets an encore version in Spanish to close out the collection under its translated title, “Eres Tú.”

Encouraging this expression was producer David Elliot Johnson, a Miami native and third-generation drummer who played early in his career with Tito Puente. Santiago says he and his bandmates look forward to further exploring that side of their sound. And if it takes another decade for another album to materialize, so be it.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/dnh.

GHOST STORIES

Many Asheville-area music fans know Cliff B. Worsham as MOTHER HOOD, vocalist and producer for electronic group RBTS WIN and a member of the hip-hop duo Spaceman Jones & The Motherships. Meanwhile, those who followed the post-hardcore scene in the early-mid 2000s will recall his tenure as lead vocalist and keyboardist in Secret Lives! Of The Freemasons.

But long before Worsham screamed into a mic or picked up an MPC and crafted one of his signature darktinged beats, he was steeped in other musical traditions.

“Guitar was the first instrument that I touched,” says Worsham, whose new folk album, The Cove Ghost, was released March 29. “It was one that was always around. My brother’s really good at guitar, and my grandfather and uncle and grandmother — it was a heavy influence in my life and guitar was expected of me, I guess.”

As a youth growing up in Candler’s Hominy Valley community, the first instrument Worsham chose to play was bass guitar, which gave him a portal into his budding hard-rock interests. But he also kept up his acoustic guitar skills to join in with the bluegrass, gospel and folk performances surrounding him.

However, Worsham’s musical interests continued to deviate from those roots and he set the guitar aside, pretty much only picking it back up to add layers to RBTS WIN tracks — largely invisible additions since the instrument never appears in their live shows. Yet right before the COVID19 pandemic hit, he’d bought a new acoustic guitar. And with his fellow performers all isolating until restrictions for gathering were scaled back, he had plenty of time at home to reunite with his first instrument.

“It was kind of cool — I’d put it down for so long that it was new again,” Worsham says. “Realistically, I still knew how to play but I really took a child’s perspective on it

and just started from zero. I learned my chords all over again and started working my scales — then I started to try to work on my fingerpicking and stuff like that.”

Like many creatives during that time of uncertainty and disconnect, the already prolific Worsham went into overdrive, working on new and established collaborative projects and exploring his renewed interest in folk music. Struck by the charged state of the world and the numerous socioeconomic impacts of overdevelopment in the Asheville area, he reflected on his past and wrote about his childhood in Candler.

“Every song on [The Cove Ghost] is like a journal entry. That stuff wasn’t ever supposed to really be heard — it was a cathartic thing to do,” Worsham says. “I felt like I was going crazy, like a lot of people did during that time.”

Emotions were particularly high while he was writing “The Kitchen,” a poignant, imagery-rich reflection on hardscrabble country living and the losses of beloved people and places. Worsham says he cried writing it and that its finished version — augmented by beautiful fingerpicking — regularly brings audiences to tears when he plays it live.

But not every song came so naturally. Similar to a stand-up comic testing out new material, Worsham used regional open mic nights to help him figure out if his songs were connecting with listeners. If they weren’t resonating, he’d return home and retool entire verses, then try them out again until they achieved the desired effect.

The dedication paid off and is connecting him with a wider community than he expected. While Worsham notes that the free-form, abstract nature of RBTS WIN has proved elusive to a lot of listeners, he says his singer-songwriter output is attracting listeners in their teens up through their 80s.

“I think with this stuff, a lot more people can connect with it a little easier,” Worsham says. “They don’t have to have an ear for obscure music to ingest it. To the core, it’s really just simple folk songs.”

The Cove Ghost also serves as somewhat of a subconscious atonement for not cherishing folk, bluegrass and gospel traditions the way his elders hoped.

“It’s funny — I wish I could go back to those times with those people and really appreciate it for what it was. But I didn’t appreciate it at all,” he says. “If you do enough of the work on yourself, you can see through all the haze of what may have been holding you back from seeing the beauty the whole time. So, that’s where I’m at with it now: It’s like I cleared the webs from my mind.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/dng. X

Magical Offerings

5/9: Reader: Alondra 3-7 Magical Book Club 6-7

5/10: Reader: Krysta 12-6:30 Merry Meet & Greet 5-7

5/11: Reader: Edward 12-6

Music Concert w/ SJ Tucker 5:30-7:30

5/12: Reader: Andrea 12-5

Mercy Fund Animal Rescue

Adoption Event 12-3

5/14: Reader: Byron 1-5

Sangoma Tarot Release Event

‘Smashed up against death’

BY THOMAS CALDER

“This really weird thing happened,” says author Tessa Fontaine, in discussing her forthcoming debut novel, The Red Grove

It was February 2022, the Asheville-based writer continues, and she was experiencing seizures amid a difficult childbirth. Several hours after her daughter was born, the new mother was still struggling. Yet, somehow, the latest draft of her book seeped into her consciousness.

“I was, like, punched in the head with this thought: I had completely misunderstood the mother character up until this point,” Fontaine recalls.

In retelling her experience, the author is quick to laugh at her own observation. “I mean, I’d been a mother for maybe like six hours at this point, and I’m already like, ‘No one understands how hard we’re trying!’”

•

Still, that window helped reshape a key relationship within the story she’d been working on for several years, which ultimately became The Red Grove, a coming-of-age tale set in the late 1990s with elements of mystery, horror and suspense. At its center, the novel is about a woman gone missing and her teenage daughter’s quest to find her. The pair, along with 200-plus other women, live in Red Grove, an isolated, intentional community in Northern California that is shrouded in secrets.

Back in the delivery room and still recovering from labor, Fontaine understood that she needed to complicate Gloria, the mother character. In earlier drafts, the author explains, Gloria had been presented as a villain with little nuance.

“She made mistakes, but she was also trying,” Fontaine says of her character. “Those things are simultaneously true for most people and parents. … That really unlocked a lot for me in thinking through a very flawed mother.”

On Tuesday, May 14, at 7 p.m., Fontaine will celebrate her book’s publication with a launch party at rEvolve Mercantile, 697 Haywood Road. The event, which is co-hosted by Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe and Punch Bucket Lit, will include a

conversation between the author and fellow local writer Heather Newton. The discussion will touch on many of the book’s themes of brutality, love, mythology and the inevitable shortcomings of the most well-intended plans.

IN THE ABSENCE OF VIOLENCE

Similar to her 2018 memoir, The Electric Woman, Fontaine’s debut novel confronts death head-on. But whereas her memoir explored her mother’s slow and limited recovery following a stroke (in tandem with the author’s own brief stint as a member of a traveling sideshow), The Red Grove asks the question: What would life be like for women if they never had to worry about violence?

The question, notes Fontaine, arose in the midst of the 2016 election, when an audio recording of then-candidate Donald Trump was released, in which the future president boasted about grabbing women by their genitals.

The subsequent national discussion around sexual harassment and assault led the writer to survey female colleagues and friends, asking them questions such as: “What do

you think would be different in your life if you never were afraid of violence — specifically male violence?” Fontaine says the responses were both horrifying and fascinating. Some participants revealed detailed experiences, such as one woman’s account of being trapped in an elevator for two hours while she was assaulted and raped. Others discussed their need to carry weapons out of constant fear for their safety. Meanwhile, a few insisted they did not let men impact how they lived their lives.

The array of answers helped Fontaine imagine the types of women who might seek refuge in a place like Red Grove, a community steeped in traditions and with an almost religious belief in the perceived natural powers within the forest that surrounds the unincorporated town.

In the process of populating her book, Fontaine also began to explore and develop the unintended consequences such a community would face, both among its residents as well as with the outside world.

As she writes early on in the novel, “A number of newspapers had written about the Red Grove over the years, including a slanderous article

FREE OF FEAR: Tessa Fontaine’s debut novel, The Red Grove, asks the question: What would life be like for women if they never had to worry about violence? Photo by Thomas Calder

written by an undercover reporter in 1977 who’d posed as a woman seeking asylum and then described them as a lesbian cult, blaming them for America’s skyrocketing divorce rate. There was often speculation about whether they were a coven of witches.”

NOBLE INTENTIONS

What’s brilliant and compelling throughout The Red Grove is the contrast between Gloria and her 16-year-old daughter, Luce. Whereas Gloria arrives in Red Grove with deep reservations and ongoing skepticism, Luce is introduced to readers as the community’s heir apparent, favored to take over the leadership role in the not-too-distant future.

Early in the story, Fontaine establishes the philosophical and emotional differences between the pair, creating a tension that threads its way through the entire narrative — especially once Luce is on her own and trying to unravel the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.

The outside world, void of the perceived protections that Red Grove promises, is seen by its residents as a madhouse, replete with endless dangers that are reinforced by the narratives and hearsay shared within the community.

“The going theory was that each person unknowingly interacted with five serial killers in their lifetime,” Luce contemplates at one point in the story. “Five! They were everywhere.”

Meanwhile, through Gloria, Fontaine gets at one of the community’s core contradictions, as well as one of the novel’s most compelling themes: the relationship between safety and freedom. “[T]he longer they lived here,” she writes in an early passage of The Red Grove, “the more Gloria realized that any isolated community, no matter how noble its intentions, restricted you.”

Despite Gloria’s physical absence in much of the novel’s present-day story, her own past — including what drove her to relocate her family to Red Grove — is slowly revealed throughout the book. It’s this evolving narrative that propels readers forward in ways reminiscent of a thriller.

But the story’s engine is Luce. And it is her growth that keeps readers emotionally invested — a feature that is often missing in the characters of more traditional mystery novels.

Fontaine’s mastery in blending the literary with aspects of genre fiction offers a compelling and rewarding read, where moments of humor bleed into horror. Meanwhile, the external world never overshadows her characters’ interior lives.

One of the novel’s most poignant scenes arrives within the first 100 pages and illustrates Fontaine’s talent as a writer. Her lyrical style lures readers into darker corners that they might otherwise avoid; yet, once there, they discover the devastating joy of being human.

“People told Gloria that the day her first child was born would be the most magical of her life. You’ll fall madly in love, everyone said. You’ll witness a miracle. You’ll meet your little soulmate,” she writes.

“Nobody had told her that to give birth was to be smashed up against death, pressed all the way against a quickly cracking window to the other side. … And then, after forty hours, at midnight exactly, this weirdly pink creature came out of her with a shrieking cry and wide, dark eyes that stayed open for a strangely long time, the doctor said, so alert for a newborn, so awake. And her hands, as small as a walnut, flexing open and closed on Gloria’s breast like a tiny cat. She named her Luce, light, an aspirational name for what she thought the baby might bring to her life. And then she waited for the love that everyone said would flood her.” X

Playbill picks

BY EDWIN ARNAUDIN

If you’re a fan of local theater, Western North Carolina offers plenty of options. Below are some highlights of productions hitting various stages across the region.

MAESTRO STATUS

The Sublime Theater begins its year of shows with the world premiere of A God in the Waters, which runs Thursday, May 9-Saturday, May 18, at the BeBe Theater.

David Brendan Hopes’ latest play also concerns a world premiere — that of celebrated but controversial classical composer Peter Loredan’s second (and allegedly final) symphony. Steven Samuels, Sublime producing artistic director, directs and plays Loredan. He describes the tale, set at New York’s

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, as “a profound and wonderfully entertaining meditation on the nature of art, artists and family,” and is full of praise for the writer.

“I think David is way overdue for some serious attention, if not an appraisal. This prolific poet, novelist and playwright has been an Asheville treasure for decades, and I dearly hope he’ll receive some of the attention he deserves before it’s too late,” Samuels says.

“A God in the Waters strikes me as the perfect occasion. It won’t be his swan song — and yet, it sounds all the notes of an accomplished senior artist making an ultimate statement.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/dnm.

BLOSSOMING

Audiences of all ages are welcome to explore The Secret Garden, running Friday, May 10-Sunday, June 2,

at Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.

Adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, the Tony Awardwinning story follows young Mary Lennox as she uncovers a hidden, unkempt garden with the power to mend the pains of the past.

“The Secret Garden was my favorite story as a child, and when I became a teenager, it became my favorite musical. This story has followed me into adulthood, and its themes have become even more profound as I have grown older,” says director Kristen Freeze.

“As Mary heals, she becomes the catalyst for healing and growth for all around her, and the garden becomes the symbol of peace and beauty that is possible to attain in our lives as we learn to carry grief in a different way.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/dnp.

WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU

Flat Rock Playhouse kicks off its Mainstage Season with Jersey Boys, which runs Friday, May 10-Saturday,

June 1. The beloved musical biopic chronicles the rise and tumultuous history of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and features such timeless songs as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “Jersey Boys, to me, is about family,” says Candi Boyd, the show’s director and choreographer. “There’s a quote in the show that Frankie says, which is, ‘Family is everything,’ but I think it’s more complex than that. These real people that we portray in our show had their real families, their road families, the neighborhood was family — not to mention their mob ‘family.’ No matter what family they meant, their love and loyalty ran deep, even if times weren’t always easy.”

Boyd adds that she’s worked on Jersey Boys in some capacity since 2009, first as an actor, then a choreographer and now a director. “This community of show people have become my chosen family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/dno. X

MAY DAYS: Area theaters are gearing up for their busiest time of the year.

Photo by iStock

What’s new in food

Posana restaurant celebrates 15 years of service and its famous kale salad

When Martha and chef Peter Pollay opened Posana in 2009, they were not thinking long-term goals. “We wanted to serve good food and be part of the community,” Peter recalls.

Mission accomplished — and so much more. Posana is one of Asheville’s most well-regarded restaurants, a dining destination for locals and visitors alike; a leader in establishing the stellar culinary reputation of the city and a solid anchor for an ever-changing downtown — all the while being 100% gluten-free. (Martha lives with celiac disease, a chronic immune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion.) But to hear Peter tell it, the couple just segued their style of cooking, eating and entertaining at home to a restaurant.

On Thursday, May 16, 5-9 p.m. the couple will celebrate Posana’s 15th anniversary at 1 Biltmore Ave., with a sampling of menu staples and seasonal spring dishes, as well as a one-night-only return of the restaurant’s award-winning lobster mac and cheese. The bar will reprise its famous Zentini — vodka, ginger syrup, lime juice, ginger juice and lime bitters — and pour a glass of bubbly for each guest.

Before moving to Asheville in 2003, the Pollays lived in Malibu, Calif., where they shopped three times weekly at local farmers markets, choosing local meats, fish, fruits and vegetables to prepare at home. “This was before Martha got celiac, but what we were cooking was naturally gluten-free and delicious,” says the chef.

When the Pollays first arrived in Asheville, tailgate markets were not as prolific as they are now, so Peter established a relationship with a distributor at the WNC Farmers Market to buy cases of produce grown nearby. “We had neighbors also interested in that, so we’d go in together and divvy it all up from our dining room table,” he explains. “Then we’d invite them back for a big dinner.”

When the couple decided to open a restaurant, Peter suggested they just re-create the food they made at home. “We’ll source from the market, make the food and serve the food,” he recalls of their plan. “By then, Martha was diagnosed with celiac, and I wanted a place where she could safely eat.”

For years, the Pack Square corner building had been Café on the Square, and the ambiance was very much a casual café model, open for breakfast and lunch with soft seating, sofas in the front window and tables at a banquette.

The Pollays kept much of the decor, creating a new menu for breakfast and lunch and adding dinner, which meant the restaurant was serving three meals a day, seven days a week.

The hours were not sustainable. About two years in, Posana dropped breakfast except for weekend brunch service and, about a year and a half later, also eliminated lunch.

As the restaurant’s food, beverage and service programs became more elevated, the Pollays realized the space didn’t reflect that sophistication, so the year the restaurant turned 5, Posana underwent a complete remodel.

A decade later, in addition to its original commitment to being gluten-free across the board — from bread and pasta to desserts — and sticking with charter vendors Sunburst Trout and Three Graces Dairy, Posana’s famous kale salad has not been altered. “If we changed it or took it off the menu, there would probably be protestors outside the door,” Peter says with a laugh.

Reflecting on 15 years, Peter speaks warmly of staff members who have passed through the front and back of house. “It’s a huge honor to have had them in our family, to see them develop skills, grow and go on in this industry or another field,” he says. “It’s a great feeling to be part of their lives and the lives of all the guests who have chosen Posana for meals and milestones.”

Posana is at 1 Biltmore Ave. Tickets to the Thursday, May 16, celebration dinner are $75 per person and are available at avl.mx/dnj.

Sharing is caring

Since its founding as We Give a Share in 2020, Equal Plates Project has been on a dual mission: support local farms and address food insecurity. The nonprofit achieves this by buying produce from Western North Carolina farm partners to prepare scratch-made meals for community members expe-

riencing barriers to nutritional food access. EPP’s new Buy One, Give One catering program, launching this month, seeks to turn every meal bought by a catering client into one of equal value for people facing food insecurity. Executive Director Madi Holtzman describes the program as “catering with impact.” Farm partners include Sunburst Trout Farms, Gaining Ground Farm, Creasman Farms, Looking Glass Creamery and Dry Ridge Farm. Homeward Bound, 12 Baskets Café and Food Connection are among the groups EPP serves. Pricing is on a sliding scale, from $18-$30 per plate. Meal options include roasted chicken with potato salad, kale Caesar and apple beet salad or barbecued pulled pork with cornbread, broccoli slaw, and mac and cheese; menus are seasonally driven. Suggested as a healthy option for corporate retreats, staff meetings, family reunions and gatherings, Buy One, Give One can accommodate

THEN AND NOW: Peter and Martha Pollay when they launched Posana on Pack Square in 2009, left, and today. The 100% gluten-free restaurant will mark its 15th anniversary with a dinner event Thursday, May 16. Photos courtesy of Posana

groups of 50-100 people and will deliver (for a fee) in the Asheville area.

EPP began cooking from the kitchen at downtown Asheville’s Central United Methodist Church in March 2022 and, in that time, has prepared over 30,000 meals there and invested over $50,000 in local farms.

For more information on EPP and BOGO, visit avl.mx/bvs.

Mother dearest

Breakfast in bed is messy and highly overrated. Moms want to dress up, get out of the house and have a Mamamosa on their special day, which this year is Sunday, May 12. Tick-tock, kids.

The Radical Hotel’s Golden Hour restaurant plans to treat moms like gold with its Mother’s Day brunch menu. Highlights include shellfish beignets, grits and greens, steak and eggs, and croissant French toast. There will be live music 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with the chance to be Top Mom and win a Golden Ticket for a Radical getaway. The Radical is at 95 Roberts St. Reservations: avl.mx/dn4.

Bargello in the Hotel Arras will also be Mother’s Day brunching 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with a prix fixe, three-course, multichoice menu that includes items like zeppole (Italian doughnuts), frittata, crabcake Benedict and espresso panna cotta with hazelnut biscotti. Bargello is at 7 Patton Ave Reservations: avl.mx/dn5.

New, hot book

Her first restaurant, Good Hot Fish, just launched in January on Asheville’s South Slope, but chef Ashleigh Shanti has had other irons in the fire as well. The former Benne on Eagle chef de cuisine and 2020 James Beard Award Rising Star Chef finalist has announced plans to release her debut cookbook, Our South: Black Food Through My Lens, on Oct. 15. Our South’s 125 recipes explore Black foodways through the chef’s experience, “offering readers an intimate look at the regions that have defined her culinary identity,” including Black Appalachia, the South Carolina Lowcountry, the Southern Midlands and Shanti’s native coastal Virginia, as well as dishes she cooks today. Hot collard and oyster dip with fried Saltines, grilled sorghum chicken on a stick and rice custard brulée with strawberries are a few standouts.

Kitchen kids

Slicing, dicing, sautéing and the science of sourdough starter are part of the syllabus for Asheville Mountain Kitchen’s hands-on cooking camp for

kids ages 8-14. Chef/owner/instructor

Ofri Hirsch is offering four weeklong camps beginning Monday, June 10. Each session presents five areas of study, starting with Knife Skill Mondays. “Like anything with risk, you have to be taught. We show them how to hold a sharp knife and use it, so fingers are out of the way,” Hirsch assures.

Every day includes a walkable destination: The Italian food class will visit olive oil shop Olive This!, and sourdough baking sessions include a walk to The Rhu. Camp takes place 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. daily at 16 Eagle St. Meals are included in the fee, which is $400 per student (15% sibling discount).

For more information and to register, visit avl.mx/dn7.

Gardening is elementary

The Bountiful Cities FEAST program in Asheville City, Buncombe County and Madison County schools provides cooking and gardening classes that teach and touch over 1,500 students a year. Funds from FEAST’s upcoming series of school-based spring plant sales will help support its activities throughout the year.

According to outreach coordinator Cathy Cleary, the sales will offer a little bit of everything — vegetables, herbs, flowers and houseplants — at all different stages of development. “Many of the seedlings were planted by elementary students in our FEAST program, so they get to see the direct impact of their work at these plant sales,” Cleary says.

The outdoor sales take place at these elementary schools: Francine Delaney New School for Children (119 Brevard Road) — Thursday, May 9, and Friday, May 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Lucy S. Herring Elementary (98 Sulphur Springs Road) — May 10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Isaac Dickson Elementary (125 Hill St.) — May 6-10, 7:30- 8 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m.

For more information on FEAST, visit avl.mx/dn9.

Rice as nice

In late March, local chef J Chong; HP Patel, president and CEO of BCA Hotels; Tim Love, director of economic development and governmental relations for Buncombe County; and Carol Nguyen Steen of Biltmore Farms gathered at Highland Brewing Co. for the creation of a rice lager to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. The easy-drinking beer — named Xie Xie, Chinese for thank you — will be tapped on Thursday, May 16, aka Oscar Wong Day, as recognized by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.

The idea was the brainchild of Ana Reynolds, Highland’s production services specialist, who is of FilipinoGerman descent. In a press release, Reynolds explains, “A rice lager is an exciting West Coast style that aligns with owners Oscar Wong and Leah Wong Ashburn’s Chinese heritage.”

Highland Brewing Co. is at 12 Old Charlotte Highway. Visit avl.mx/8ze for taproom hours.

— Kay West X

Around Town Stewart/Owen Dance unveils new project

Stewart/Owen Dance will present where i end, you begin Thursday, May 9-Sunday, May 19, at the Tina Mcguire Theatre.

The six-dancer production is led by husband-and-wife duo Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, who moved to Asheville in 2017, bringing along and recruiting a company of dancers to realize their artistic vision. The couple has also choreographed music videos for Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Place features prominently in the ethos and performances of the dance company, inspired by the couple’s time in the Appalachian mountains.

“The vibrancy of this community, combined with our connection to nature, have inspired us to create work that highlights the interplay of the odd and the beautiful,” Owen says. “We believe WNC is a place where quality performing arts can thrive, and we want to make dance that lives here, not leaves here.” In April 2023, the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts commissioned a production from Stewart/Owen, featuring community collaboration and bringing them on as the resident dance troupe.

The Tina McGuire Theatre is an intimate performance venue in the Wortham Center, and Owen looks forward to the physicality of the space, which places the audience up close and personal with the dancers. She says it supports an experience of immediacy and interconnectedness, which is the theme of the performance. “The tone of the show is buttoned up, yet rough around the edges and off-kilter,” says Owen. “The dance is set to a folksy, energetic and whimsical soundtrack.”

The company also offers regular dance workshops and programming for schools, the YMCA and other community organizations, emphasizing the use of movement to tell stories. Performances of where i end, you begin will be at 8 p.m. with an additional 2 p.m. showtime offered on Saturdays and Sundays while the performance runs.

The Tina McGuire Theatre is at 18 Biltmore Ave. For more information, visit avl.mx/dnt.

Piano-cello duo

The Canellakis-Brown Duo, composed of pianist Michael Stephen

Brown and cellist Nicholas Canellakis, will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville on Friday, May 10, 7:30 p.m.

The Canellakis-Brown Duo has been performing together for over 15 years, honing unique musical arrangements of classic pieces. They have been lauded by The Washington Post as “a pair of adventurous young talents who play with their antennae tuned to each other.” Their most recent recording (b)romance was released in March. The Asheville performance will incorporate nine pieces, including original pieces from the performers’ repertoire as well as rare and familiar classical pieces such as Claude Debussy’s Beau Soir, Lukas Foss’ Capriccio and Niccolo Paganini’s Variations on One String on “Moses” by Rossini Tickets are $45 for adults and $25 for children.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville is at 1 Edwin Place. For more information, visit avl.mx/90a.

Mother’s Day comedy show

Slice of Life Comedy presents Not Your Mom Jokes, a Mother’s Day comedy show and open mic on Sunday, May 12, 6:30-9 p.m., at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co.

The event, hosted by Hilliary Begley, promises plenty of mom jokes, drinks and dinner. Though the press release labels the show as “not safe for all moms,” new mom Becca Steinhoff is set to perform, alongside Carrie Adams, mother of twins, and Helen Jenny who says, “Hell no, I’m not a mom!” Following the performance, the mic will open for anyone who wants to share their best mom jokes. The event will take place in movie theater 2. Asheville Brewing Co. is at 675 Merrimon Ave. For more information, visit avl.mx/dnu.

BirdFest comes to Dillsboro

BirdFest is coming to Monteith Farmstead & Community Park in Dillsboro on Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

This is the seventh annual BirdFest in Western North Carolina, celebrat-

ing all birds, especially migratory birds that reside in the region. “World Migratory Bird Day coincides with the return of our feathered friends from their overwintering locations,” says Hope Corbin, outreach coordinator for Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, a festival partner. “This year, the theme of the festival is ‘Protect Insects, Protect Birds,’ highlighting the important relationship that birds share with insects.”

In the spring, birds especially rely on insect populations as an important source of food for their nestlings. Mindfulness and conservation are key aspects of the festival, which features educational presentations on birds as well as vendors, food trucks, local artists, bird walks, crafts and games.

BirdFest is the culmination of WNC Bird Week, a series of free and donation-based bird and conservation-themed events throughout the region, including birding and songwriter meetups in Pisgah National Forest.

Monteith Farmstead & Community Park is at 1381 W. Hometown Place No. 316, Sylva. For more information about Birdfest and WNC Bird Week, visit avl.mx/dnv.

BPR announces new lineup

Blue Ridge Public Radio has announced that longtime music host Don Pedi will be moving his show, “Close to Home,” to WNCW starting Sunday, May 12.

According to a press release, the move comes as BPR prepares to split its content and offer two distinct broadcasting services to WNC: BPR News, which will feature local and syndicated news stories, and BPR Classic, which will feature exclusively jazz and classical music.

“It has been my privilege to serve as an on-air host at Blue Ridge Public Radio since 1985,” says Pedi in the release. “I am most grateful to WNCW for welcoming me into their lineup and for the opportunity to continue sharing what I consider to be ‘positive energy’ through music on the radio.” “Close to Home” features traditional American music and considers its influence on popular music. Pedi uses his decades of musical expertise to articulate similarities between American musical

traditions and the musical traditions of other countries.

BPR has previously provided both musical and news coverage on a single station, serving 650,000 people in over 14 counties. The nonprofit organization is funded by listeners and regional businesses and other organizations.

For more programming information, visit avl.mx/dnw.

New gallery showcases butterfly art

A new gallery in the River Arts District will feature entomological and bird-inspired art, with a focus on butterflies.

Sam Trophia has loved butterflies since he was 7 years old and has been working with butterflies since he was 15. Before opening On the Wing Gallery with his brother David Trophia and his husband, Shane Hall, Sam co-owned a butterfly conservatory with Hall in Florida, where they stocked hundreds of pupae. He has also worked for the University of Toronto, locating the monarch butterfly overwintering site. He says these experiences put him in touch with the butterfly suppliers who made his art possible. Each of the butterflies used for his pieces is meticulously preserved, using sustainable farming and preservation techniques to replenish threatened butterfly species, removing the impact on wild populations while supplying scientific organizations, hobbyists and artists with a varied stock of butterflies. The farm-raised butterflies are preserved in acrylic cases.

In addition to the entomological creations, the gallery will feature custom jewelry by Deb Karash, Tony Perrin and David Trophia and artwork inspired by winged insects.

On the Wing Gallery is at 20 Artful Way, No. 105. For more information, visit avl.mx/dnx.

Movies in the Park schedule released

Asheville Parks & Recreation will kick off the summer Movies in the Park series in Pack Square Park on Friday, May 10.

The free movies are played on a large outdoor screen on the second

Friday of each month. The APR Rec n Roll Play Zone opens an hour before the movies begin, offering games, music and themed giveaways for kids and teens. Food trucks will be available, along with local vendors Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s Famous Kettle Corn.

“The Asheville Parks & Recreation team creates each year with the goal of bringing community members together through the unique power of shared experiences,” says APR director D. Tyrell McGirt in a press release.

The showtimes are as follows:

May 10: Wonka (PG) at 8:25 p.m. Kids will receive free 2-ounce bottles of bubbles while supplies last.

June 14: Barbie (PG-13) at 8:45 p.m. The first 300 kids will receive free pink-and-black sunglasses with UV 400 lenses providing 100% ultraviolet A and B protection.

July 12: Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) at 8:45 p.m. The first 300 kids will receive free Recycling Raccoon coloring books.

Aug. 9: Toy Story (G) at 8:25 p.m. The first 100 kids will receive rubber duck toys that change color in water.

Community members are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to Pack Square Park and are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes before the showing. Pets, smoking and alcohol are prohibited.

Pack Square Park is at 80 Court Plaza. For more information, visit avl.mx/6xa.

— Oby Arnold X

MOVIE REVIEWS

THE OLD OAK: Director/humanist Ken Loach’s final film is another lovely ode to Britain’s working class and mankind’s potential. Grade: A-minus — Edwin Arnaudin

MAKING MOVES: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen unveil their latest project — where i end, you begin — at the Wortham Center. Photo courtesy of Stewart

THANKS FOR VOTING

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

27 CLUB

Total Wife, Celltower, Feeling Format & Trust Blinks (noise-pop, rock, experimental), 9pm

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA Trivia Night w/ PartyGrampa, 7pm

EULOGY

The 40, 20, 10s w/Gold Rose (Americana), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6pm

HI-WIRE BREWING BIG TOP Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Falcon4 (funk, dance), 10pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm

RABBIT RABBIT Primus w/All Them Witches (alt-indie, progrock, prog-metal), 7pm

SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm

SHILOH & GAINES Trivia Wednesdays, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE DRAFTSMAN BAR + LOUNGE Trivia Nights, 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Eric Slick w/Scott McMicken (indie-rock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Knotty G's (Americana), 7pm

THE MONTE VISTA

HOTEL

Music Wednesdays, 5pm

THE ODD

Ellimist w/Systematic Devastation & 4th Horse (death-metal, rock), 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Periphery w/Eidola & Jake Bowen (prog-metal), 8pm

THE RAILYARD BLACK MOUNTAIN

Dan's Jam (bluegrass), 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD

CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia, 6:30pm

THURSDAY, MAY 9

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

Christine Havrilla & the Sirens (funk, pop, rock), 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra w/After Hours (jazz, prog-rock, funk), 9pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK

EXCHANGE

Mike Kenton & Jim Tanner (jazz), 5:30pm

CROW & QUILL

Russ Wilson & The Kings of Jazz, 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Karaoke, 8pm

EULOGY

Gos w/Natural Blk Invention & Nostalgianoid (experimental, glitch, electronic), 8pm

FALLOUT ART SPACE Open Mic Night, 7pm

CLUBLAND

IMPRESSIONISTIC COUNTRY ROCK: On Tuesday, May 14, Chicago-based band

Minor Moon brings its country rock songs to Static Age Records, starting at 8:30 p.m. The show also features local support from Claire Whall with a full band, and a solo set from Lavender Blue. Photo courtesy of Hannah Sellers

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

BIG TOP

Survey Says, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA

Modelface Comedy

Presents: John-Michael Bond, 8:30pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Music Bingo Thursdays, 6:30pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE

Karaoke w/Banjo Mitch, 6pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

West End String Band (bluegrass, roots), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

The Knotty G's (Americana), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Chris McGinnis & Patrick French (Appalachian, Americana, bluegrass), 8pm

OUTSIDER BREWING

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

PISGAH BREWING

CO.

The Well Drinkers (Americana, bluegrass, Cajun), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Karaoke w/DJ Franco, 9pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Karaoke Night, 8pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Django & Jenga Jazz Jam, 7pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Paper Pills, Machine 13, Acid Jo & Puppy Chain (metal, alt-rock, experimental), 8:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Polly Panic (rock), 5:30pm

• Tep No (pop, electronic), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Hope Griffin (folk), 7pm

THE ODD Manic Third Planet, The Ruff'tons, John Kirby Jr. & The New Seniors (punk, metal, rock'n'roll), 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Helmet w/Cro-Mags (alt-metal, alt-rock), 8pm

THE OUTPOST

The Plate Scrapers (bluegrass), 7:30pm

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN

Mr Jimmy (blues), 6:30pm

URBAN ORCHARD

CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Bachata Thursdays, 8:30pm

WICKED WEED

BREWING

Andy Ferrell (folk, blues, bluegrass), 5pm

FRIDAY, MAY 10

27 CLUB

Sacrilege: Going Away Party (dance party), 9pm

ASHEVILLE BEAUTY

ACADEMY

P*rn Star Karaoke, 10pm

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

Mr Jimmy's Friday Night Blues, 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

Caitlin Krisco & the Broadcast (soul, rock, blues), 9pm

CATAWBA BREWING

CO. SOUTH SLOPE

ASHEVILLE

• Comedy at Catawba: Chloe Radcliffe, 7pm

• Hot & Horny Comedy Showcase, 9pm

CITIZEN VINYL

Tim Easton (folk, rock'n'roll), 7pm

CORK & KEG

Jean Bertrand Cajun Dance Party, 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Drayton & The Dreamboats (vintage-jazz, rock'n'roll), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Vurn & Khandroma (experimental, psych, jazz), 9pm

EULOGY

• Sweeping Promises w/Lion Country Ferrari & Superflower (postpunk, pop, lo-fi), 8pm • Open Hearts w/DJ LC Tamagotchi, 11pm

FLEETWOOD'S Tristan Smith, Floral Hygienists, Puppy & the Dogs (new-wave, punk, rock), 9pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM The Freeway Jubilee (Southern-rock, funk, psychedelic), 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING DOWNTOWN

TAPROOM

Jason Daniello (electronic), 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Brother & The Hayes (Americana, country), 9pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE Open Mic w/Hamza, 8pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE

Dave Desmelik (alt-country, folk, Americana), 6pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Blue Ridge Blues Jam, 10pm

INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACE

food. music. beer. community. and maybe a train or two.

Wednesday, 5/8 at 7pm

Dan 's Jam

Traditional bluegrass tunes by local musicians.

Thursday, 5/9 at 7pm

Moonshine State

Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Elizabeth McCorvey & vocalist Raphael in multi-genre acoustic medleys. With Brad Curtioff.

Friday, 5/10 at 7pm Cuberow

Soulful Indie acoustics with local duo Autumn Raines & Billy Presnell.

Saturday, 5/11 at 7pm

Carolina Cold Ones

Carolina Cold Ones are an old time string band based in Asheville serving up spicy shuffles and bouncy beats on fiddle, banjo and guitar.

Sunday, 5/12 - noon-10pm

Mothers Day specials

Half-off food for all moms ~ $4 Mimosas $6 Bloody Marys ~ $4 drafts ~ Mimosa bar

Details, food menus and more at railyardblkmtn.com

live music + 15 screens of sports + full bar + tasty eats + ice cream sammies + fun for the family open til 11 pm | kitchen closes 10 pm on fri and sat

Largest inventory selection in Western North Carolina for over 25 years Thousands of items to choose from 20% off One Item Expires May 31, 2024 Adult Superstore

Open 9-11pm Every Day WHERE ADULT DREAMS COME TRUE

CLUBLAND

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Bobby Frith Duo w/ Colby Elswick (multigenre), 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

The Dirty French Broads w/The Pinkerton Raid (bluegrass, Americana), 8pm

RABBIT RABBIT

Silent Disco w/DJ Drew, 9pm

SALVAGE STATION

White Denim (rock), 8pm

SHAKEY'S

The Discs (power-pop, punk, new wave), 9pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Ethan Heller Trio (psych-rock, funk), 9pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Sister Ivy (neo-soul, rock, R&B), 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Sold Out: Sarah Jarosz w/Le Ren (pop, indie), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Moonshine State (Americana, country), 7pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

The Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), 7pm

THE ODD

Sun Goblin w/The Absurd (Americana, grunge), 9pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Sold Out: Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band (country), 8pm

THE OUTPOST

Tan & Sober Gentlemen (Irish, Appalachian, Americana), 8pm

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN

Vaden Landers (country), 6pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

Muddy Guthrie (rock, Americana), 8pm

SATURDAY, MAY 11

ASHEVILLE CLUB

Mr Jimmy (blues), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

LTJ Bukem w/Armanni Reign (electronic), 9pm

BATTERY PARK BOOK EXCHANGE

Dinah's Daydream (jazz), 6pm

CATAWBA BREWING CO. SOUTH SLOPE

ASHEVILLE

• Comedy From the Future, 7pm

• Secret Saturday Late Nite Comedy Showcase, 9pm

CITIZEN VINYL

Gully Mills & The A-Band (R&B, rap), 9pm

CORK & KEG

THe Onlies (Appalachian, old-time), 8pm

CROW & QUILL

Meschiya Lake & The Moodswingers (jazz), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Drayton & The Dreamboats (jazz, rock'n'roll, honky-tonk), 8pm

EULOGY Wayfarer (metal, gothic-country, Americana), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S

The Deathbots, Failure

2 Conform & tinyTVs (punk, metal, garage), 9pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Scottish Sessions, 4pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch w/ Ther 81 Drifters, 12pm

• Nobody’s Darling String Band, 4pm

LA TAPA LOUNGE

Karaoke, 9pm

LAZOOM ROOM

Karaoke w/KJ Beanspice, 8:30pm

MAD CO. BREW

HOUSE Stand-up Comedy Night, 7pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

• Alma Ross (acoustic), 11:30am

• Heavy Lifters (Ska, reggae, soul), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Acklen Walker (hip hop, pop, indie-rock), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

• Laura Blackley & The Wildflowers (Appalachian, rock'n'roll, folk), 4pm

• Reedy River String Band (bluegrass, rock'n'roll, Appalachian), 9pm

SALVAGE STATION

Supatight w/Funkelstilskin (funk), 8pm

SHAKEY'S

• Friday Late Nights w/ DJ Ek Balam, 12am

• Boot Scoot N Boogie, 10pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Reggie Headen & Nightime Noon (jazz, alt-rock, soul), 9pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Mike Rhodes Fellowship w/Datrian Johnson (funk, soul), 9pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Conor Donohue, Slow Packer & Julie Odell (indie-rock, folk), 9pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters (country, Americana), 8pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO. PX3 (synth-wave, EDM, funk), 6pm

THE ODD

Party Foul Drag: Saturday Night Tease, 8pm

THE OUTPOST

Outpost: Carpal Tullar (rock, pop), 7:30pm

THE STATION BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Live Music Saturday Nights, 7pm

WXYZ BAR AT ALOFT

DJ Rexx Step, 7pm

SUNDAY, MAY 12

27 CLUB

Fear Illusion, Dober Man's Shadow, Exhale & Puppy Chain (deathcore, metal), 9pm

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO.

Mama Jokes Standup Comedy, 6:30pm

CITIZEN VINYL

Nellie McKay (pop, jazz, folk-rock), 7pm

EULOGY

Earth w/Esther Blue (rock, metal), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S Best Ever Karaoke w/KJ Chelsea, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER

BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa, 3pm

GINGER'S REVENGE CRAFT BREWERY & TASTING ROOM

Jazz Sunday's, 2pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch w/ The Bluegrass Brunch Boys, 12pm

• Traditional Irish Jam, 3:30pm

ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Commander Voodoo (funk, R&B), 10pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Just Rick (rock, folk), 3pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Pisgah Sunday Jam, 6pm

S&W MARKET

Mr Jimmy (blues), 1pm

SALVAGE STATION

Cypress Hill w/The Pharcyde & Souls of Mischief (hip-hop), 6:30pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Cosmic Appalachian Soul Sundays, 7pm

THE DRAFTSMAN BAR + LOUNGE Karaoke Nights, 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Country Brunch w/My New Favorites, 12pm

• Chat Pile w/Portrayal of Guilt & NIGHTOSPHERE (noise-rock, sludge, metal), 9pm

THE MEADOW AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Peggy Ratusz & Daddy Longlegs (blues, rock), 2pm

THE OUTPOST

Dirty Dead (Grateful Dead tribute), 4pm

PLĒB URBAN WINERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 4pm

MONDAY, MAY 13

27 CLUB Karaoke Monday, 9pm

5 WALNUT WINE BAR CaroMia, Rahm, Iannuci & Jaze Uries (dreampop, soul, R&B), 8pm

DSSOLVR Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

EULOGY

Bleed From Within w/ Great American Ghost & Fractured Frames (metal), 8pm

FLEETWOOD'S Guitar Wolf w/Hans Condor (garage-rock), 9pm

HI-WIRE BREWING RAD BEER GARDEN Hot Mic w/Taylor Knighton, 6pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO. Geeks Who Drink Trivia, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Quizzo! Pub Trivia w/ Jason Mencer, 7:30pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Takes All Kinds Open Mic Nights, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Open Mic Night, 7:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd, 8pm THE GREY EAGLE Cloud Nothings (indierock), 8:30pm THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Mr Jimmy & Friends (blues), 7pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

The Longest Johns w/ Seán Dagher (folk), 8pm THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

TUESDAY, MAY 14

27 CLUB

Smile More: DJ Night, 9pm

EULOGY Gel & Militarie Gun (hardcore, punk), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

FUNKATORIUM Trivia w/Billy, 7pm

HI-WIRE BREWING Themed Trivia w/Not Rocket Science Trivia, 7pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Team Trivia Tuesday's, 6:30pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE

Team Trivia Tuesday's, 6pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

June Bunch & Deb Ruby (indie, folk), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

The Grateful Family Band Tuesdays (Grateful Dead tribute), 6pm

SHAKEY'S Booty Tuesday w/DJ GrimmJoi, 9pm

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): When my friend Jessalyn first visited Disneyland as a child, she was smitten by its glimmering, unblemished mystery. “It was far more real than real,” she said. “A dream come true.” But after a few hours, her infatuation unraveled. She began to see through the luster. Waiting in long lines to go on the rides exhausted her. The mechanical elephant was broken. The food was unappetizing. The actor impersonating Mickey Mouse shucked his big mouse head and swilled a beer. The days ahead may have resemblances to Jessalyn’s awakening for you. This slow-motion jolt might vex you initially, although I believe it’s a healthy sign. It will lead to a cleansed perspective that’s free of illusion and teeming with clarity.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keizoku wa chikara nari is a Japanese proverb that means “To continue is power.” I propose you make that your motto for the next four weeks. Everything you need to happen and all the resources you need to attract will come your way as long as your overarching intention is perseverance. This is always a key principle for you Tauruses, but especially now. If you can keep going, if you can overcome your urges to quit your devotions, you will gain a permanent invigoration of your willpower.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Do you believe there are divine beings, animal spirits and departed ancestors who are willing and able to help us? If not, you may want to skip this horoscope. I won’t be upset if you feel that way. But if you do harbor such views, as I do, I’m pleased to tell you that they will be extra available for you in the coming weeks. Remember one of the key rules about their behavior: They love to be asked for assistance; they adore it when you express your desires for them to bring you specific blessings and insights. Reach out, Gemini! Call on them.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I’m taking a gamble here as I advise you to experiment with the counsel of visionary poet and painter William Blake (1757–1825). It’s a gamble because I’m asking you to exert a measure of caution as you explore his daring, unruly advice. Be simultaneously prudent and ebullient, Cancerian. Be discerning and wild. Be watchful and experimental. Here are Blake’s directions: 1. The road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom, for we never know what is enough until we know what is more than enough. 2. If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise. 3. The pride of the peacock is the glory of God. The lust of the goat is the bounty of God. 4. No bird soars too high if it soars with its own wings. 5. Exuberance is Beauty.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Cosmic energies are staging a big party in your astrological House of Ambition. It’s a great time to expand and intensify your concepts of what you want to accomplish with your one wild and precious life. You will attract unexpected help as you shed your inhibitions about asking for what you really want. Life will benevolently conspire on your behalf as you dare to get bolder in defining your highest goals. Be audacious, Leo! Be brazen and brave and brilliant! I predict you will be gifted with lucid intuitions about how best to channel your drive for success. You will get feelers from influential people who can help you in your quest for victory. (P.S.: The phrase “your one wild and precious life” comes from poet Mary Oliver.)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Is it possible to be too smart for your own good? Maybe, although that won’t be a problem for you anytime soon. However, you may temporarily be too smart for some people who are fixated on conventional and simplistic solutions. You could be too super-brilliant for those who wallow in fear or regard cynicism as a sign of intelligence. But I will not advise you to dumb yourself down, dear Virgo. Instead, I will suggest you be crafty and circumspect. Act agreeable

ROB BREZSNY

and humble, even as you plot behind the scenes to turn everything upside-down and inside-out — by which I mean, make it work with more grace and benefit for everyone concerned.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In my fairy tale about your life in the coming weeks and months, you will transform from a crafty sleuth to an eager explorer. You will finish your wrestling matches with tricky angels and wander off to consort with big thinkers and deep feelers. You will finish your yeoman attempts to keep everyone happy in the human zoo and instead indulge your sacred longings for liberation and experimentation. In this fairy tale of your life, Libra, I will play the role of your secret benefactor. I will unleash a steady stream of prayers to bless you with blithe zeal as you relish every heart-opening, brain-cleansing moment of your new chapter.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the coming months, I will encourage you to keep deepening and refining the art of intimacy. I will rejoice as you learn more and more about how to feel close to people you care for and how to creatively deal with challenges you encounter in your quest to become closer. Dear Scorpio, I will also cheer you on whenever you dream up innovations to propitiate togetherness. Bonus blessings! If you do all I’m describing, your identity will come into brighter focus. You will know who you are with greater accuracy. Get ready! The coming weeks will offer you novel opportunities to make progress on the themes I’ve mentioned.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You could offer a workshop on the perks of wobbliness. Your anxious ruminations and worried fantasies are so colorful that I almost hesitate to tell you to stop. I’m wondering if this is one of those rare phases when you could take advantage of your so-called negative feelings. Is it possible that lurking just below the uneasiness are sensational revelations about a path to liberation? I’m guessing there are. To pluck these revelations, you must get to the core of the uneasiness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): During the last 11 months, life has offered you unprecedented opportunities to deepen and ripen your emotional intelligence. You have been vividly invited to grow your wisdom about how to manage and understand your feelings.

I trust you have been capitalizing on these glorious teachings. I hope you have honed your skills at tapping into the power and insights provided by your heart and gut. There’s still more time to work on this project, Capricorn. In the coming weeks, seek out breakthroughs that will climax this phase of your destiny.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau declared, “We need the tonic of wildness.” Amen! In my view, you Aquarians especially need this sweet, rugged healing power in the coming weeks. Borrowing more words from Thoreau, I urge you to exult in all that is mysterious, unsurveyed, and unfathomable. Like Thoreau, I hope you will deepen your connection with the natural world because it “it is cheerfully, musically earnest.” Share in his belief that “we must go out and re-ally ourselves to Nature every day. We must take root, send out some little fiber.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I have four questions and homework assignments for you, Pisces. 1. Is there a person in your inner circle who is close to ripening a latent talent that would ultimately benefit you? I suspect there is. What can you do to assist them? 2. Is there a pending gift or legacy that you have not yet claimed or activated? I think so. What would be a good first step to get it fully into your life? 3. What half-dormant potency could you call on and use if you were more confident about your ability to wield it? I believe you now have the wherewithal to summon the confidence you need. 4. What wasteful habit could you replace with a positive new habit?

SUN: Cosmic Appalachian Soul Sundays, 7pm MON: Ping-Pong Tournament, 6pm TUE: Open Jam w/ house band the Lactones, 8pm WED: Poetry Open Mic AVL, 8:30pm/8pm signup 5/11 SAT MIKE RHODES FELLOWSHIP Ft. Datrian Johnson, 9pm 5/17 FRI THE DOORS: Unhinged, 9pm Ft. Reggie Headen 5/10 FRI SISTER IVY, 9pm Neo-Soul / Jazz / R&B / Rock

SHILOH & GAINES

Open Mic, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA

Tuesday Night Open Jam, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Minor Moon w/Claire Whall & Lavender Blue (country, rock), 8:30pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Dead Poet Society (indie, rock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

The Lads (rock, blues), 6pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Destroy Boys (punkrock, garage-rock), 7pm

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

12 BONES BREWERY

Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING CO.

Trivia Trivia!, 6:30pm

BARLEY'S TAPROOM & PIZZERIA

Trivia Night w/ PartyGrampa, 7pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Mean Mary (folk-rock, bluegrass), 8pm

EULOGY

Amelia Day (folk, rock), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers & Friends (jamgrass), 6pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

BIG TOP Trivia, 7pm

HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Well-Crafted Music w/ Matt Smith, 6pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old Time Jam, 5pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

Bluegrass Jam w/Derek McCoy & Friends, 6pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ Mtn Vibez, 8pm

PULP

Slice of Life Standup

Comedy Contest (Round 2), 7pm

SALVAGE STATION

The Polish Ambassador w/Scott Nice & Grandfather Gold (edm, electronic, dance), 8pm

SHAKEY'S Sexy Service Industry Night, 10pm

SHILOH & GAINES Trivia Wednesdays, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Poetry Open Mic, 8pm

THE DRAFTSMAN

BAR + LOUNGE Trivia Nights, 7pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Sgt. Splendor (rock), 8pm

THE JOINT NEXT DOOR

Rod Sphere (soul, rock), 6:30pm

THE MONTE VISTA HOTEL

Music Wednesdays, 5pm

THE ODD

This That & The Third: Nah, We Good, 9pm

THE RAILYARD BLACK MOUNTAIN Dan's Jam (bluegrass), 7pm

URBAN ORCHARD

CIDER CO. SOUTH SLOPE Trivia, 6:30pm

THURSDAY, MAY 16

ASHEVILLE GUITAR

BAR

MGBs (Americana), 7:30pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Clay Street Unit (country, bluegrass, Appalachian), 10pm

CROW & QUILL

Sweet Megg (jazz), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY Karaoke, 8pm

EULOGY

Josh Clark's Visible Spectrum & Elora Dash (neo-soul, funk, soul), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead (Grateful Dead & JGB Tribute), 6pm

HI-WIRE BREWING

BIG TOP

Survey Says, 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam w/Drew Matulich, 7pm

LAZOOM ROOM BAR & GORILLA

Modelface Comedy Presents: Kenyon Adamcik, 8:30pm

LOOKOUT BREWING CO.

Music Bingo Thursdays, 6:30pm

MAD CO. BREW HOUSE JIm Hampton (country), 6pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Kid Billy (Americana, blues, indie-folk), 7pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

The Knotty G's (Americana), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Black Sea Beat Society (Balkan, Turkish, folk), 9pm

OUTSIDER BREWING Robert's Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Company Swing w/Rock Academy Jazz (swing, jazz, blues), 6:30pm

SALVAGE STATION Chayce Beckham (country), 8pm

SHAKEY'S • Comedy Showcase w/ Hilliary Begley, 8pm • Karaoke w/DJ Franco, 9pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Karaoke Night, 8pm

THE ODD

Alfred Toadhand, Nostalgianoid & Shnoz (experimental, funk, metal), 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Thievery Corporation w/Matthew Dear, 8pm

THE OUTPOST Rock While Rome Burns (psych, rock'n'roll), 7pm

THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO.

Peggy Ratusz & Kelly Jones (blues), 6pm

THE STATION BLACK MOUNTAIN Mr Jimmy (blues), 6:30pm WICKED WEED BREWING Hope Griffin (folk, acoustic), 5pm

MARKETPLACE

Want to advertise in Marketplace? 828-251-1333 advertise@mountainx.com • mountainx.com/classifieds

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember the Russian proverb: “Doveryai, no proveryai,” trust but verify. When answering classified ads, always err on the side of caution. Especially beware of any party asking you to give them financial or identification information. The Mountain Xpress cannot be responsible for ensuring that each advertising client is legitimate. Please report scams to advertise@mountainx.com

RENTALS

HOMES FOR RENT

ASHEVILLE VACATION

RENTAL Country setting

overlooking a fishing pond.

10 mins to downtown. First home is a 3-2 at $1500 per week or $300 per night.

Second home is a 1-1 at $600 per week or $130 per night. 3 night minimum.

828-380-6095

VACATION

RENTALS

ASHEVILLE VACATION

RENTAL Country setting

overlooking a fishing pond.

10 mins to downtown. First home is a 3-2 at $1500 per week or $300 per night.

Second home is a 1-1 at $600 per week or $130 per night. 3 night minimum.

828-380-6095

EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL

FLOWER FARMER, FULL TIME AND PART TIME

OPPORTUNITIES Carolina

Flowers is seeking an experienced farmer with at least a year (or two seasons) of experience. $18 - $22 DOE. Farm is near Marshall. Apply at carolinaflowers.com/ jobs@carolinaflowers.com

SALES/ MARKETING

SALES PROFESSIONAL

WORK FOR A LOCAL COMPANY THAT HAS COVERED THE LOCAL SCENE FOR OVER 20 YEARS! This is a full-time position with benefits in a supportive, team-oriented environment in a community-service, locally-owned business. Ideal candidates are personable, organized, motivated, and can present our company with confidence. Necessary skills include clear and professional communications (via phone, email, and in-person meetings), detailed record-keeping, and self motivation. While no outside sales experience is required, experience dealing with varied and challenging situations is helpful. The position largely entails account development and lead generation (including cold-calling), account management, assisting clients with marketing and branding strategies. If you are a high energy, positive, cooperative person looking to join an independent media organization, please send a resume and cover letter (no walk-ins, please) explaining why you are a good fit for Mountain Xpress to: xpressjob@mountainx.com.

PROFESSIONAL/ MANAGEMENT

THRIVE ASHEVILLE SEEKS EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO LEAD OUR COMMUNITY INCUBATOR WORK Thrive Asheville seeks an innovative and experienced Executive Director to lead our work as an incubator for community solutions. Thrive’s mission is to collaborate with local residents and leaders from diverse perspectives to understand our city’s challenges, forge new relationships, and act on the best solutions together. thriveavl. org/jobs-current-openings

CAREGIVERS/ NANNY

MELLOW MAID WANTED

Mellow, gentle-natured maid needed for way cool disabled lady. Very light housekeeping, laundry, dust and vacuum with 3 pound vacuum. Tips/lunch. $75 every other week, $25 an hour. Hills of Avery's Creek in Arden. (828) 676-0523

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

24/7 LOCKSMITH We are there when you need us for home & car lockouts. We'll get you back up and running quickly! Also, key reproductions, lock installs and repairs, vehicle fobs. Call us for your home, commercial and auto locksmith needs! 1-833-237-1233. (AAN CAN)

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-844588-6579

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-292-8225 Have zip code of property ready when calling! (AAN CAN)

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES In as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months!  Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-877-510-9918. (AAN CAN)

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR? Donate it to Patriotic Hearts. Fast free pick up. All 50 States. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-855402-7631. (AAN CAN)

NEED NEW WINDOWS?

Drafty rooms? Chipped or damaged frames? Need outside noise reduction? New, energy efficient windows may be the answer! Call for a consultation & FREE quote today. 1-877-248-9944. You will be asked for the zip code of the property when connecting. (AAN CAN)

PAYING TOP CA$H FOR MEN'S SPORT WATCHES

Rolex, Breitling, Omega, Patek Philippe, Heuer, Daytona, GMT, Submariner and Speedmaster. Call 1-855-402-7109 (AAN CAN)

PEST CONTROL Protect your home from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-237-1199 (AAN CAN)

STOP OVERPAYING FOR AUTO INSURANCE A recent survey says that most Americans are overpaying for their car insurance. Let us show you how much you can save. Call now for a no obligation quote: 1-866-472-8309

TOP CASH PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 1-855-402-7208. (AAN CAN)

UNCLAIMED / RECEIVED FIREARMS The following is a list of Unclaimed / Received firearms currently in possession of the Asheville Police Department. BLK, RG, 22; BRN/BLK, LUGER, GERMAN, 9MM; BLK, AK, EAA, 7.62; SIL/BLK, JIMENEZ ARMS, JA, 38; BLK, HI POINT, FIREAS, 9MM; BLU, HI POINT, C9, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 45, 9MM; SIL/BLK, SPRINGFIELD, XD, 45; BLK, GLOCK, 43, 9MM; BLK, TAURUS, G2C, 9MM; GLOCK, 43, 9MM; BLK, TAURUS, G2C, 9MM; SIL/ BLK, COLT, 1901 32 RIM, 32; SIL/BLK, RUGER, P95, 9MM; BLK, BROWNING ARMS, 22; RG, RG23, 22; BLK, RUGER, 380; BLK/TAN, TAURUS, G3C, 9MM; SIL/BRN, NAA, 22MC-R, 22; BLK, RUGER, LCP, 380; BLK, HI POINT, C, 9MM; BLK, H&R, 922, 22; BRYCO ARMS, JENNINGS NINE, 9MM; BLK, ASTRA, SEMI-AUTO, 9MM; FIE, TEX, 22; GPB, COLT 1911, 45; BLK, MARLIN, 383T; BLK, HI-POINT, 9MM; SIL/ BLK, S&W, CLERKE 1ST, 32; KURTZ, BACK UP, 38; SIL/ BRN TITAN, 25; SIL/BLK, BRYCO ARMS, 58, 38; BLK/ BRN, I.N.A., REVOLVER, 32; BLK/SIL, JIMENEZ ARMS, JA NINE, 9MM; BLK/SIL, S&W, SD40 VE, 40; WINCHESTER, 190, 22; CHR, LORCIN, L380, 38; HARRINGTON RICHARSON, 12GA; BLK/ RED, GLOCK, 19, 9MM;

WHI/BLK, ROHM, 22, 22; KEL-TEC, P-11, 9MM; BLK/ BRN, LORCIN, 38; BLK, TAURUS, .40CAL, 40; BRN/ BLK, SKS, SKS, 7.62; SIL/ BLK, RUGER, P91DC, 40; BRN/BLK, H&R, PARDNER, 410; BLK, GLOCK, 30, 45; BLK, GLOCK, 19, 9MM; SIL, HAFDA SA, 45; BLK, TAURUS, SPECTRUM, 38; S&W, REVOLVER, 32; BLK/ BRN, WINCHESTER, RILFE, 22; BLK, TAURUS, PT111, 9MM; SIL/BLK, RUGER, .357 MAG, 357; BLK/SIL, S&W, SD40, 40; BRN/BLK, RG, 22LR REVOLVER, 22; BLK, GLOCK, 23, 40; SIL, S&W, AIRWEIGHT, 38; MARLIN, 99C 22; WAFFENFABRIK, MAUSER, 30; BRN/BLK, IVER JOHNSON, PONY, 38; SKKY IND, CPX-1, 9MM; BLK, GLOCK, 33, 357; BLK, ROCK ISLAND, 206, 38; SIL, JENNINGS NINE, 9MM; BLK/BRN, COLT, DIAMONDBACK, 38; BLK, STERLING; BLU, PHEONIX, HP22A, 22; BRN/BLK, NORINCO, MAK 90, 7.62; BLK, GLOCK, 21, 45; SIL/BLK, WALTHER, PPK, 9MM; BLK, ROCK ISLAND, 45, 45; BROWNING, 1191C, 22; BLK, ISRAEL, DESERT EAGLE, 9MM; BLK/BRZ, GLOCK, 19, 9MM; BLK, S&W, BODYGAURD, 380; BLK, TAURUS, TCP; BURSA, THUNDER, 380; BRN, RUGER, 10/22, 22; BLK/ TAN, TAURUS, 9MM; S&W, SD9 VE, 9MM; GLOCK, 27, 40; BLK, GLOCK, 19, 9MM; BLK/RED, TAURUS, TCP, 38; SIL/BLK, BERETTA, PICO, 380; SIL/BLK, S&W, 40; BLK, SPRINGFIELD, HELLCAT, 9MM; BLK/GRN, TAURUS, G3, 9MM; SIL/BLK, H&R, 733, 32; BLK, PHEONIX ARMS, HP22A, 22; BLK, WINCHESTER, SHOTGUN, 20GA; BLK/GRY, HERITAGE, ROUGH, 22. Anyone with a legitimate claim or interest in this property must contact the Asheville Police Department within 30 days from the date of this publication. Any items not claimed within 30 days will be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws. For further information, or to file a claim, contact the Asheville Police Department Property & Evidence Section at 828232-4576

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP

& RESTORATION A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-2902264 Have zip code of service location ready when you call! (AAN CAN)

YOU MAY QUALIFY For disability benefits if you have are between 52-63 years old and under a doctor’s care for a health condition that prevents you from working for a year or more. Call now! 1-877-247-6750. (AAN CAN)

ACROSS

1 Lot unit

5 ___ acid, essential component of vinegar

11 Piece of an edible “rack”

14 Things hung upside down in some toolsheds

15 House of cards?

16 Animal opposite a kangaroo on Australia’s coat of arms

17 Lip_on produc_s

19 Traveler’s aid, in brief

20 Stately country homes

21 Traveler’s aid

23 Do some work as a teaching assistant, maybe

24 About half of the books of the New Testament are attributed to him

26 Ho-ho-holiday time?

27 Auto takeback

28 _lum-colored _lants

30 Longtime residents around the Great Salt Lake

31 Lean (on)

32 “Count your ___ by friends, not years” (greeting card sentiment)

33 Recuperative recommendation

35 Company that merged with Sprint in 2020

39 Granola grain

40 Nincompoop, in Nottingham

41 Thanksgiving meal choice

42 _usy _uzzers

46 “Around the World in 80 Days” traveler Phileas

47 Crushed ingredient in “dirt cake”

48 Lacking manners

49 VCR successors

50 Aids in wrongdoing

52 Brews made with heavily roasted malt

54 Hit hard

55 Fr_endly fac_al tra_t

58 Paternity proof, in brief

59 Christianity’s ___ Creed

60 Big name in bidets

61 String together?

62 Demolition hammer

63 Figure (out)

DOWN

1 Poke menu option

2 Second-mostused substance in the world, after water

3 Gave a new form

4 Nueva York, por ejemplo

5 Cutaneous condition

6 Onetime threat to a castle’s walls

7 Chesapeake Bay is one

8 Evens, as the score

9 Celebrity chef Garten

10 La ___ Nostra

11 Fix, as a sneaker’s sole

12 Savanna grazer

13 Clears the dishes

Cleared the dishes?

Like laid-back personalities

Relatives of vicuñas and guanacos

Bug

Showbiz award quadfecta

Not fantastic

Metal worker?

Annual growth indicator

Valentine line

Purchases that are assembled brick by

Animal crackers?

Powered a unicycle, e.g.

Medical licensing exams

Debonair

Granny, in Southern dialect 45 AnheuserBusch product whose ads once featured a penguin

46 Choice cuts

Spot for a bar code, maybe

IDs with multiple hyphens

A proposal might be done on

1,000 G’s

Message communicated as “short-shortshort, long-