Mountain Xpress 04.01.26

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BUSINESS IN BLOOM

Throughout the spring, entrepreneurs will flock to The Block — the historic heart of Asheville’s Black business and cultural district — for the Ujamaa Marketplace. The monthly, recurring vendors’ market launched in March and will continue to run through May, with a final special all-day gathering set for Juneteenth. On this week’s cover, starting left, alexandria ravenel, Aisha Adams and Ramona Young.

PUBLISHER & EDITOR: Jeff Fobes

ASSISTANT PUBLISHER: Susan Hutchinson

MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas Calder

EDITOR: Gina Smith

OPINION EDITOR: Tracy Rose

STAFF REPORTERS: Thomas Calder, Brionna Dallara, Justin McGuire, Gina Smith

COMMUNITY CALENDAR & CLUBLAND: Braulio Pescador-Martinez

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

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Emily Klinger Antolic, Christopher Arbor, Edwin Arnaudin, Danielle Arostegui, Mark Barrett, Eric Brown, Cayla Clark, Molly Devane, Ashley English, Tessa Fontaine, Merin McDivitt, Mindi Meltz Friedwald, Troy Jackson, Bill Kopp, Chloe Leiberman, Anabel Shenk, Jessica Wakeman, Arnold Wengrow, Jamie Zane

PHOTOGRAPHER: Caleb Johnson

ADVERTISING, ART & DESIGN MANAGER: Susan Hutchinson

LEAD DESIGNER: Scott Southwick

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS: Caleb Johnson, Olivia Urban

MARKETING ASSOCIATES: Sara Brecht, Dave Gayler

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES: Jeff Fobes, Mark Murphy, Scott Southwick

WEB: Brandon Tilley

BOOKKEEPER: Amie Fowler

OFFICE MANAGER: Mark Murphy

FRONT OFFICE: Phillip Brock

DISTRIBUTION: Susan Hutchinson, Dave Gayler

DISTRIBUTION DRIVERS: Cass Kunst, Cindy Kunst, Courtney Israel Nash, Joey Nash, Carl & Debbie Schweiger, Gary Selnick, Noah Tanner, Mark Woodyard

Protect UNCA’s woods for city’s long-term resilience

Here in Asheville’s mountain valley, three challenges increasingly shape daily life: stormwater flooding, rising housing costs and rapid development. These issues are often discussed separately, but in reality, they are closely connected. How we manage land and growth will determine whether Asheville becomes more resilient — or more vulnerable — in the years ahead.

For that reason, the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods (CAN) supports the Five Points Neighborhood Association and the Save the Woods coalition in opposing the UNC Asheville administration’s current plans to develop the UNCA woods.

Our position is grounded in several concerns.

logical stability in an increasingly built environment.

Second, large private developments can have complex and sometimes unintended effects on housing affordability. While such projects are often promoted as engines of economic growth, they can also increase nearby property values and accelerate displacement in surrounding neighborhoods. In a state where rent control is prohibited, rising land values frequently translate into higher housing costs that push working-class residents farther from the city, lengthening commutes and increasing pressure on regional infrastructure.

Any development of the woods — even one that includes a limited number of designated affordable units — must be evaluated in terms of its broader effects on neighborhood affordability and displacement.

Asheville has often made its best decisions when community voices were actively engaged in shaping the future of the city. Before irreversible changes are made to the UNCA woods, the public deserves a full and transparent conversation about the long-term environmental, economic and social costs of development on this site.

For these reasons, the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods urges residents and neighborhood organizations across the city to join in calling for the preservation of the UNCA woods.

— Dan Rogers CAN President Asheville

Rail service could help local commuters

[Regarding “Back on Track?

Optimism Builds for Asheville Passenger Train Revival as Funding Challenges Loom,” March 11, Xpress:]

I broadly and strongly support the proposed train rail line between Asheville and Salisbury in North Carolina. Note that the proposed rail line could include stops in Black Mountain, Old Fort, Marion, Morganton, Hickory and Statesville, and the value of such a line would only be increased by the inclusion of those stops.

It would significantly increase the usefulness for local travel and especially for local commute options for people working in Asheville but not able to afford living here.

— Sam Bedinger Asheville

Passenger rail could offer great alternative to cars

[ Regarding “Back on Track?

First, the steady replacement of urban forest with roofs, pavement and landscaped lawns has significantly intensified Asheville’s heat-island effect and stormwater runoff. As climate change increases the severity of weather events, those local conditions can turn heavy rains into damaging floods and landslides, such as the runoff-driven flooding experienced during Tropical Storm Helene.

The UNCA woods play an important role in mitigating those risks. The forest’s roughly 20,000 trees help absorb rainfall and reduce runoff, preventing an estimated 2.2 million gallons of stormwater each year from flowing directly into the French Broad River. In addition, the woods are one of the last remaining large green spaces in northwest Asheville, providing cooling shade and eco-

Finally, Asheville’s history shows the importance of careful public oversight when major development decisions are made. From the urban renewal projects that reshaped neighborhoods in the 20th century to more recent controversies involving public land and large institutional developments, the community has learned that transparency and broad public participation are essential to good outcomes.

The proposed development of the UNCA woods raises similar questions about long-term planning, environmental stewardship and public accountability. Many residents are concerned that the process has moved forward without sufficient evidence that such development would provide clear public benefits commensurate with the loss of one of Asheville’s last remaining urban forests.

Optimism Builds for Asheville Passenger Train Revival as Funding Challenges Loom,” March 11, Xpress:] Thanks so much for starting up the passenger rail discussion again. As an Asheville resident, I fully support the project. I understand the logistics and cost are complicated, but train travel needs more support in the U.S. in general. I think supporting it at the state level is a great start.

I grew up hearing my grandmother share stories about using the rail system to get to the mountains. It could be a wonderful, sustainable and accessible way for more people to enjoy our state.

Geographically, since we are such a long state, I dread driving to the Piedmont or the beach. My dream would be for the passenger rail to continue beyond Salisbury in the long run. I’m so tired of feeling like car travel is our only option.

Thanks again for bringing up this important topic!

— Carlisle Harper Asheville

Editor’s note: Xpress reporter Justin McGuire notes that from Salisbury, travelers can access passengers trains that can take them to Charlotte, Raleigh and the broader national rail system. A follow-up story can be found in this issue on page 12.

City residents shouldn’t carry all the tax burden

The City of Asheville has a right to demand a percentage of the occupancy taxes collected from the tourism industry. A small percentage of those taxes collected would easily cover the budget’s shortfall and ease the burden on citizens already hardpressed with skyrocketing property taxes and affordable housing.

It’s ludicrous that 0% of the 6% occupancy tax charged to lodging tourists goes to city/county coffers. In the fiscal year 2021-22, $37.5 million was generated in occupancy taxes (and that was a COVID-19 year). Of that $37.5 million, a whopping 75% went into marketing — marketing (Like the city of Asheville lacks notoriety or isn’t yet well-known enough as being a destination for all strata

of tourism.) And of that $37.5 million, a mere 25% went into projects like parks and facilities, which have an ever-growing demand on them by the influx of tourists to this region.

The City of Asheville loves being host to and being a wildly sought-after area in the country to visit, but these figures equate to an egregiously inequitable equation for local area residents. All financial burden is placed squarely on residents’ taxpaying shoulders to support all infrastructure and all resources for not only themselves, but they have been expected to carry the burden for a highly critical-resource-demanding industry! It’s about time the citizens be remunerated and financially compensated for providing this wildly prosperous industry with resources vital to sustaining it.

Thank you for providing this platform for public opinion.

— Daphne Gruener Asheville

Should local governments fund nonprofit organizations?

I used to think that nonprofit and charitable organizations relied primarily on volunteers to operate and were generally funded by donations from individuals and businesses, and some-

times small organizations received grants from larger nonprofit organizations (United Way, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Dogwood Health Trust, etc.).

In reviewing the current and prior budgets for the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, I was surprised to see the millions of dollars of taxpayer funds that the city and county are distributing each year to various nonprofit organizations via “grants.”

Beyond the city- and county-funded public agencies, is it an appropriate function or responsibility for city and county governments to redirect taxpayer funds to nonprofit organizations of their choosing by awarding grants to programs that pay for such things as home repairs, community meals/food programs, health care, child care, toddler and pre-K scholarships, summer camps, literacy programs, mentoring youths, affordable vehicle repairs, diaper-rash cream, peer harm reduction (clean needles) and community gardens?

I have immense compassion for people who are experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, substance addiction, mental health problems, learning disabilities and a plethora of other personal challenges or struggles. The question is not whether these are worthy causes or organizations; the question is whether these orga-

nizations should be funded by local governments using taxpayer funds. Locally, certain organizations are receiving ongoing yearly grants, and many of them appear to have the same program services. What accountability or oversight exists to ensure the organizations are using the funds for the intended purpose? Who is deciding which nonprofits are “worthy” of financial support? Just as importantly, how many child care, literacy programs and educational support services should be funded and at what cost? Are funds for these nonprofit programs being diverted from public schools?

The amount of money that local government is literally giving away is concerning, considering that Asheville has a projected $26.4 million shortfall for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

— L. Cash Asheville X

Word of the week

fleshment (n.) excitement associated with a successful beginning

Given the recent launch of the Ujamaa Marketplace on The Block — and considering the monthly series is the focus of this week’s cover story — we found “fleshment” a fitting choice. X

CARTOON BY BRENT BROWN

Is socialism or capitalism better for WNC?

Editor’s note: In this column, Xpress aims to highlight contrasting views on local issues from two writers who come from different perspectives — and to encourage thoughtful discussion from our readers across the political spectrum. This time, we asked our columnists for their opinions on the following questions: How do socialism and capitalism play out in Asheville and Western North Carolina? Is one system better than the other for our region — and why?

ON THE LEFT

Bill Branyon : Two mere words — capitalism and socialism — have twisted America’s economic knickers into tangled knots for over a century. That would be satirical slapstick if it weren’t so destructive. So, despite the hundreds of books trying to explain what each means, I’m going to simply define capitalism as a theory that claims it’s best if private people own most of the property and businesses, whereas socialism is a theory that contends that it’s best if government owns most of the property and businesses.

In Asheville, one of the largest expressions of capitalism is the Biltmore Estate, and one of the largest expressions of socialism is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then there’s the profusion of capitalist hotels, restaurants and other businesses that make money off people coming to see those two wonders.

Another enormous area of socialism is Asheville city government. It includes the police and fire departments, as well as sanitation, stormwater management, streets and other infrastructure. Without those services, our capitalist businesses would have a tough time functioning at all.

Thus, almost all Ashevilleans benefit from capitalist and socialist aspects of our economy. So the real question becomes: Which sectors of our economy work best being capitalist, and which work best being socialist?

That sounds simple, but the “C” and “S” words are afflicted by horrible historical baggage. It includes the murderous socialists Stalin and Mao and their brutal worker and ecological exploitation. Then there’s the murderous, capitalist colonialism of Western civilization and its brutal worker and ecological exploitation. This helps cause many Asheville economic discussions to degenerate into mudslinging, with opposing sides catcalling the other as either socialist slugs or capitalist pigs.

Meanwhile, much of Europe has devised a middle way that isn’t so warped by the C and S words. People in the European Union benefit from national health care options, free higher education, humane labor regulations, an almost impermeable economic safety net and an average of 33 days of paid time off every year. Yet, according to the extremely capitalistic, right-wing Heritage Foundation’s measure of economic

freedom, 16 European countries are ranked more free than America. Thus, much of the European economic world is a relatively flexible smorgasbord of democratic socialistic capitalism.

Luckily, many Americans have begun to understand the semantic maze that is the C and S labyrinth. For instance, democratic socialist and Democratic Party candidate Bernie Sanders might have won the 2016 Democratic primary if Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz hadn’t undemocratically manipulated support for Hillary Clinton. In Asheville, current City Council member and mayoral candidate Kim Roney was endorsed by the Asheville Democratic Socialists in the 2022 mayoral election, yet she still won 45% of the vote. She described herself as an independent when she first ran for City Council in 2017 but is a registered Democrat now.

If Roney wins in November, Asheville may soon begin making more objective decisions about whether this or that aspect of the economy works best as capitalist or as socialist. Are hospitals better run socialistically and CBD stores capitalistically, or vice versa? Are unions socialist monsters or capitalist partners? Should all of Asheville’s neighborhoods be capitalistically zoned as: “Build whatever you want”? Or should urban woods and green spaces be socialistically preserved? Etc.

Next, I want to ponder anarchism and libertarianism: Are they kissing cousins or feuding foes?  X

BILL BRANYON

Art by Brian Vasilik

ON THE RIGHT

Carl Mumpower: Previously, my colleague has suggested socialism and capitalism are so culturally intertwined as to defy differentiation.

I agree but see the difficulty as more about corruption than dictionary conflict.

In Asheville, as surely as nationally, we deceptively practice hybrid crony-capitalism that panders to special interests, selectively doles out entitlements, manipulates tax policy, recycles budgetary pretense and cheers the seductive promise of something for nothing.

Done correctly, capitalism and socialism function as differently as a beer and a joint.

Capitalism’s prudent benevolence is a beer. You don’t get drunk on a beer.

Socialism’s pretend altruism is weed. You get high every time you fire one up.

The core premises of authentic free enterprise are equitable rules, competition and liberated productive enterprise as a viable path to broader prosperity. History repeatedly proves that it works. The evidence is affirmed by America’s remarkable history of economic achievement.

The core premises of socialism are selective rules, collectivism and controlled enterprise as an imagined path to prosperity. History repeatedly proves that it doesn’t work.

That assertion was personally affirmed by a Cuba trip some 20 years ago with my then-teenage son. We traveled to explore the realities of socialism. The poverty, decay, armed guards on corners, protein-deprived population and cattle car transportation system taught him far more than the pretensive bias of his public education.

Yes, Asheville, the theory of socialism — let’s all work together — sounds great.

I’d even wager that in the end, this attractive con is going to prevail.

Unfortunately, we will thus collide with an inevitable fatal flaw in this system — selfishness.

People dependably like less work over more work; security over liberty; rules for the other guy; and generosity toward our fellow man only after our own fickle needs are met.

Contrastingly, free enterprise taps into our innate self-interest with a viable success equation — Liberty + Opportunity + Responsibility = Prosperity.

Consider the four kinds of people populating our world: chickens, chickens acting like eagles, eagles acting like chickens, and eagles.

CARL MUMPOWER

Art by Brian Vasilik

The first group lives within a fence, stuck in a pecking order, while desperately seeking sustenance amid the funkiness. The second group poses and postures, but its members are similarly confined. The third is afraid, confused and/or paralyzed. The fourth group embraces the courage and discipline necessary to reach one’s fuller potential.

Socialism offers false promises to the first three groups, while constraining them within a fence perfected and violently maintained by lavish-living leadership.

Capitalism offers opportunity for all four groups to reach high and fly out of the script Henry David Thoreau highlighted in suggesting most of us “lead lives of quiet desperation.”

Watch the growing bedlam coming out of Asheville’s governing Council of crony-socialists for a front-row seat on collectivism’s fabricated fantasies. For magnification, revisit your latest property tax appraisal.

More directly, witness the historic ruthlessness of despotic socialist leaders once they manipulate their way into controlling us chickens.

Chicken processors and socialistic regimes share common enthusiasms.

“I was guilty of judging capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature.”

— Sidney Hook X

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Asheville City Council candidates discuss environmental priorities

THE QUESTIONS

Website: Ball4yall.com

Occupation: Southeast campaigns director with Natural Resources Defense Council

Previous candidacy or offices held: Current Buncombe County commissioner

UNCA’s woods are an asset for students, research and community well-being. I’ve met with university leaders, advocates and neighbors, and I’ll continue working toward a solution that meets UNCA’s needs while preserving this resource. Personally, I enjoy the woods for reflection and recreation. The university should engage the city and county as partners, leveraging that collaboration to meet its goals while working together to protect what makes Asheville special.

Website: jeffreyforasheville.com

Occupation:

Jeweler, designer and small-business owner

Previous candidacy or offices held: First-time candidate for City Council

The general election is not until Tuesday, Nov. 3, but as part of Xpress’ annual Sustainability series, we reached out to candidates running for office to share their ideas and policy plans on a number of environmental issues.

Included are responses from Asheville City Council candidates, who are competing for three open seats. We will have additional Q&As with other local candidates featured throughout April.

— Thomas Calder X

The insider’s guide

We provide tips on the well-known attractions, hidden gems and quirky oddities that make Asheville so beloved. What to do and where to find it!

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The city is currently on track for its 2% CO2 reduction goal. But according to its FY25 Sustainability Annual Report, “further actions [are] needed for 4% goal.” What practices would you like to see the city implement to achieve that 4% reduction goal, and what would be necessary — in terms of funding, equipment, training, education, etc. — for your proposal to succeed?

Last August, Council passed Resolution 25-194, which established four Helene Recovery Boards, reducing the role of the previous 13 advisory boards and commissions to meet on an asneeded basis through June 2027. This includes the Sustainability Advisory Committee. In your opinion, why or why not was this the correct decision?

Should City Council and the City of Asheville be encouraging more dense development in the city limits? What about the position of residents who want to preserve green space in the city? What development policies are better for city residents and the region in terms of sustainability?

We should double down on energy efficiency and expand local clean energy, especially for city operations. It’s work we’re already advancing at the county level. That means retrofitting buildings, adding solar with battery storage and reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuels. We also need stronger accountability from Duke Energy to meet shared climate goals. Success requires upfront investment and partnerships to lower long-term costs and support resilience. This is both a climate and affordability strategy.

Advisory boards work best with clear, actionable goals and timelines. Without that, we risk wasting the time of dedicated residents. I support regularly reviewing boards’ structure and purpose, but this must be done thoughtfully, not by sidelining public input. Council and staff can’t do this work alone, nor should they. We need transparent, goaloriented committees with defined scopes and report-backs to ensure meaningful community engagement and better outcomes.

We have to do both: Protect green space and build more housing in the right places. Our region is growing rapidly, and people are moving here whether we plan for it or not. If we don’t allow dense, walkable development, we push sprawl into surrounding natural areas and drive up costs and traffic for residents. Smart zoning can focus growth along corridors while preserving tree canopy and neighborhood character, supporting affordability, sustainability and a healthier community.

I support the UNCA woods. They are critical green infrastructure, not vacant land. They manage stormwater, reduce heat and provide public access to nature. I respect the strong community support behind saving them. While the city doesn’t control university land, Council can push for transparency and engagement. As Asheville grows, protecting green space and advancing anti-displacement policies must go hand in hand so we can work with neighbors to make better land use decisions and understand community impact.

We need to focus on practical, scalable actions. That includes improving building efficiency, expanding transit reliability and investing in municipal energy upgrades. Energy efficiency is often the fastest and most cost-effective place to start. To reach 4%, we’ll need dedicated capital funding, access to state and federal grants, and clear implementation plans. Climate goals are most impactful when they are tied to real projects, timelines and accountability.

I understand the need to streamline during Helene recovery, but sidelining advisory boards long term is not the right approach. Boards like sustainability bring expertise and community voice into complex decisions we need now more than ever. We must work toward reactivating them efficiently and in a well-supported manner, while reevaluating the structure so boards remain impactful without overextending staff capacity. Strong public input and subject-matter expertise lead to better, more durable sustainability outcomes.

This is not an either/or. Smart density, in the right places, helps protect green space by reducing sprawl and infrastructure strain. Tools like missing-middle housing maps identify where growth makes most sense, especially along transit corridors. At the same time, we need to be intentional about preserving natural areas within the city, like the UNCA woods. Growth should align with infrastructure and community context. Done well, density supports sustainability, lowers emissions and helps people live closer to jobs and services.

Many conservation and sustainability efforts rely heavily on federal funding. How can our state and local governments build stronger, more resilient systems for environmental stewardship when federal priorities or funding fluctuate?

We build resilience locally by investing in proven programs, strengthening partnerships with the state and supporting nonprofits doing on-theground conservation work. Diversifying funding sources and empowering community volunteers are key. Asheville should also prioritize projects that reduce long-term costs and climate risk. When we align public investment, nonprofit capacity and community engagement, we create durable systems that don’t depend on shifting federal priorities.

We need to build local systems that are flexible and durable. That means using tools we already have, like stormwater funding and capital planning, and strengthening partnerships with utilities and nonprofits to expand impact. We should prioritize projects like flood mitigation, watershed protection and building efficiency that lower long-term costs. We should still pursue federal funding but not rely on it alone. Local resilience comes from investing early in infrastructure that reduces risk and saves money over time.

The Save the Woods campaign at UNC Asheville remains active. What is your position on the issue? And what role can City Council play in the conflict?

MAGGIE ULLMAN ANTANETTE MOSLEY

Website: MosleyForAvl.com

Occupation: Vice mayor of Asheville; attorney

Previous candidacy or offices held: Appointed to Asheville City Council in 2020; elected in 2022; currently vice mayor

I understand why people care deeply about preserving that space. It reflects a broader concern about protecting Asheville’s natural assets as we grow. At the same time, we have to be mindful of equity and make sure conservation efforts don’t overlook communities that have historically had less access to green space. While the city doesn’t control UNCA property, Council can help encourage dialogue and support thoughtful, balanced land use planning across the city.

Website: N/A

Occupation: Self-employed

Previous candidacy or offices held: Incumbent; first elected in 2017, currently serving.

UNC Asheville is working to strengthen enrollment, expand housing and amenities, and remain competitive in a changing higher education landscape. At the same time, nearby neighborhoods and residents have real concerns about land use, environmental impact and the character of their community. This is ultimately a land use question, and we must be mindful of governmental overreach while also honoring the responsibility we have to the residents who elected us. City Council does not control the university’s land use decisions, but we do have a role as a fair and engaged stakeholder. That means ensuring transparency, encouraging meaningful community engagement and advocating for outcomes that reflect both institutional needs and community priorities. I support the work of the Millennial Campus Development Advisory Committee and believe that strong community engagement, shared understanding and negotiated agreements will lead to the best long-term outcome.

Website: maggie4avl.com

Occupation: Climate advocate

Previous candidacy or offices held: Elected to City Council in 2022

These woods have long functioned as a park, and losing access to it — especially after Helene — just didn’t sit right with a lot of people. That’s why I helped write a joint letter from local elected leaders calling for a more thoughtful, community-centered process. As a UNCA alum, I want the university, woods and neighborhood to thrive. My role is to keep pushing for transparency and partnership so we land on an outcome people can trust.

Website: keithforavl.com

Occupation: Public policy analyst/ deputy clerk of superior court

Previous candidacy or offices held: Asheville City Council

I respect the community’s desire to protect green space, and I respect UNCA’s responsibility to plan for its future. City Council should not dictate university land use, but we do have a role in making sure development is responsible, transparent and aligned with infrastructure and environmental stewardship. The goal is collaboration, not conflict, protecting what matters and planning responsibly for the city we know is continuing to grow.

To reach a 4% reduction, we should build on what’s already working: improving energy efficiency in city facilities, expanding fleet electrification where practical and investing in transit and multimodal options. Supporting building efficiency and retrofits will also be key. This will require targeted funding, staff capacity and strong partnerships with utilities and regional stakeholders, with a focus on measurable and scalable outcomes.

Given the scale and urgency of Helene recovery, consolidating into focused recovery boards made sense. It allows for more coordinated decisionmaking and clearer priorities during a critical time. At the same time, it’s important that advisory groups like the Sustainability Advisory Committee remain engaged and ready to inform long-term planning as we move beyond immediate recovery.

Yes, in the right places. Thoughtful density helps reduce sprawl, supports transit and protects surrounding green space. At the same time, we have to be responsive to residents who care about neighborhood character and preservation. We also have to be honest that some legacy neighborhoods have already lost significant tree canopy, so preservation can’t come at the expense of communities that have historically carried that burden. The goal is balanced, equitable growth.

To close that gap, I would continue to focus on the areas a city can control most directly: municipal buildings, fleet, energy procurement and land use. That means accelerating energy retrofits in city facilities, electrifying more of the city fleet where operations allow, expanding charging infrastructure, reducing fuel use through route and equipment management and prioritizing infill and walkable development patterns that lower transportation emissions over time. Asheville also needs to protect and expand tree canopy, because urban forest is climate infrastructure, not just landscaping.

After Helene, we needed a more focused structure to move recovery work quickly and coordinate decisions effectively. It was the right call, and it also helped ensure staff were not overburdened so they could stay focused on recovery and core services when our community needed it most.

As the city’s former sustainability director, I know these goals are within reach — but we need to treat them like a priority, not a side program. I continue to advocate to restart a reinvestment model so energy savings fund the next round of work and expand renewable energy where it lowers long-term costs. Done right, this isn’t just about hitting a target — it’s about lowering bills, strengthening resilience and building a city that’s ready for what’s ahead.

We reach bigger goals through practical steps people can see and afford. That means improving energy efficiency in city facilities, modernizing fleets where it makes financial sense and improving transit so it is reliable enough for people to use. Success requires disciplined budgeting, workforce training and clear performance targets. Sustainability has to be measurable, affordable and grounded in real operations not pie in the sky aspirations. Real results matter!

We should be prioritizing adaptive reuse of underutilized office and retail space and rethinking areas with excess surface parking so we can add housing and mixed-use development without pushing into our remaining green spaces. That’s how we grow responsibly: by making better use of what we already have. At the same time, preservation matters. Our tree canopy and green space are critical to our resilience, especially after Helene. But sustainability in Asheville also requires us to be honest about displacement. We can’t talk about protecting green space without also talking about preserving Black space. The balance is simple in both the green and Black spaces: Grow where we’ve already built and protect what we cannot replace.

We need stronger local and state partnerships and more resilient funding strategies. That includes leveraging public-private partnerships, regional collaboration and dedicated local funding where possible. It also means prioritizing investments that reduce long-term costs, like energy efficiency and resilient infrastructure, so we’re less dependent on shifting federal priorities. Frankly, we have to stop treating sustainability like a special project and start building it into how we run the city every day. That means putting clear goals into our capital planning, land use policy and infrastructure decisions. If we know we need better stormwater systems, stronger tree canopy and lower energy costs, then that should show up in how we design projects and approve development. At the end of the day, federal dollars can help us go faster, but they shouldn’t determine whether we move at all.

To me, this restructuring is about making community leadership more connected to real decisions and funded work, so when people take the time to show up, they can actually see where their input goes. Instead of sustainability being one of 13 separate boards, the People and Environment Recovery Board is now one of four — an elevated role that helps ensure sustainability and equity are woven through all of our recovery work.

I don’t see this as an either/or — it’s a both/and. To address our housing crisis, we need more homes in the right places: near jobs, transit and services. That’s how we reduce sprawl and protect the green spaces that define this region. Asheville can grow like a city — without losing what makes this place special. Done well, we can do both and do it responsibly.

After a disaster, speed and coordination matter, and streamlining boards can help government move faster. But residents must always have a voice in the process, and that voice needs to be heard and respected regardless of the final decision. Advisory boards exist because community insight strengthens outcomes. Efficiency is important, but trust is essential. Trust comes from making sure people know they were heard.

Development and affordability are directly connected. How and where we grow determines what people pay to live here. Right now, homeowners in Asheville are getting their butts handed to them with rising taxes every year, because our tax base has not kept up with our city’s needs. Years of resistance to responsible development slowed growth, and now those past decisions are coming back to haunt us in the form of higher taxes every single year and rising costs. We can protect green space and still allow smart development where infrastructure already exists. Responsible growth strengthens the tax base, spreads costs more fairly and helps keep people in their homes and rents low. Right now homeowners and renters are feeling the brunt of bad development sprawl through tax hikes and unrealistic rent cost.

We can’t build a system that only works when federal funding aligns. I’ll keep advocating in Washington for programs like BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities), but we also have to keep moving here at home. That means aligning our capital planning with climate risks and using local dollars strategically — so projects don’t stall halfway through and recovery doesn’t drag on longer than it has to.

We cannot build our future on funding we do not control. Strong local government means maintaining infrastructure, planning ahead and building partnerships that keep projects moving regardless of what happens in Washington. Federal dollars help, but resilience comes from discipline at home. We don’t have to be stingy, but when we manage resources responsibly and make long-term investments, we protect our community even more when funding priorities shift.

Midyear updates

BY BRIONNA DALLARA

bdallara@mountainx.com

Asheville City Board of Education received midyear updates on students’ academic progress and teaching strategies at its March 19 board retreat. During the daylong session, the board also discussed its long-term vision for the district.

Additionally, the board approved a resolution calling for more state funding for its Exceptional Children (EC) programs. (Buncombe County Board of Education approved a similar resolution, which you can read about at avl.mx/fga.) Apart from the resolution, members exchanged little, noting that state lawmakers have yet to pass a budget.

Instead, Heidi Kerns, the chief financial officer for Asheville City Schools (ACS), reported that the school district’s 2024-25 audit was clean and that ACS secured $2.3 million in grant funding last school year. The big project for 2026, Kerns continued, will be aligning the budget with the district’s strategic plan. According to Superintendent Maggie Fehrman, the board will finalize the plan this spring. (The full presentation can be viewed at avl.mx/fg9.)

Below are five highlights from the retreat.

PROGRESS AND DISPARITY

Between August and January, student growth in English language arts (ELA) and math was evident across all grade levels, school staff reported. ELA, however, continues to outpace math growth. Staff said the curriculum and instruction team will continue to analyze data trends and

Asheville City Board of Education addresses community engagement and AI at annual retreat

VISION: The

make instructional adjustments to improve academic performance by the end of the school year.

The most notable gains took place among kindergartners and Black students in kindergarten through second grade. Despite progress, overall proficiency gaps remain between Black and non-Black students.

Board member Jesse Warren asked what the district is doing to address this disparity.

Thurs., April 23rd • 11am - 1pm

Come enjoy a presentation about Givens Gerber Park: a more affordable rental retirement option (55+) and enjoy lunch on us.

Monthly fees are all-inclusive and based on income. RSVP required.

compared its goals to students’ recommendations for the next

consultant Kathleen Osta, board members Jesse

Staff members said they are targeting academic support to Black students through tutoring opportunities and learning plans informed by professional learning communities (PLC). PLC teams are groups of educators that meet regularly to analyze student data, share best practices and refine teaching strategies.

Ian Nelson, director of testing and accountability for ACS, also shared that the district has plans to boost

career preparedness by increasing student enrollment in career and technical education (CTE) courses. All CTE courses will be offered for honors credit in the 2026-27 school year, along with expanded career awareness activities starting in kindergarten.

AI AND

DIGITIZED

LEARNING

Matt Whiteside, ACS director of instructional technology and media

SHARED

Asheville City Board of Education

three years at its March 19 retreat. Pictured, starting left, is retreat

Warren, Amy Ray, Sarah Thornburg, Rebecca Strimer, Pepi Acebo, George Sieburg and Liza Kelly, and Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman. Photo by Brionna Dallara

services, shared that this year marks the first time that ACS digital learning coaches are tracking data from their digital learning groups. The data shows effectiveness in the use of platforms such as Infinite Campus (IC), which is a portal for grades, assignments and attendance.

This year, ACS also made digital coaches more available throughout the district.

At the school year’s midway point, there have been a total of 309 digital coaching interactions and 280 collaborative teaching events, along with 70 hours dedicated to IC training and 32 artificial intelligence (AI) interactions with the platform Wayground, which generates AI quizzes and provides insight on student comprehension based on how they respond to questions.

AI has also been an area of growth for digital learning coaches, Whiteside said.

“AI’s new for everybody. Nobody knows what it means to the education world,” Whiteside said. “This is a group that’s out there exploring that, and we’re finding good resources and trying to bring that to our teachers.”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

One of the main goals of ACS’ strategic plan is to strengthen community with students, families, staff and education partners by June 2027. Engagement on social media has been a priority. ACS’ Instagram and Facebook pages are exceeding expectations in terms of followers, based on similarly sized districts.

Meanwhile, surveys from community partners show positive feedback concerning the district’s effectiveness in partnerships and collaborations. Staff reported that over the course of the current school year, ACS has engaged with more than 400 individuals through community partner initiatives.

STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Mark Dickerson, assistant superintendent for human resources, reported that ACS takes an average of 44 days to fill a job — from posting to candidate acceptance. The national average is 35 days. Positions for the district’s Exceptional Children program take the longest — up to 130 days.

There are currently 346 certified teachers and 98 instructional assistants working in the district. The number of teachers returning each school year is above 70% across nearly every school, except for the Education and Career Academy at the William Randolph campus, which has a return rate of 54.5%.

In addition to addressing these issues, the district also plans to expand its recruitment of Black teachers to improve the ratio between Black instructors (currently at 5%) and Black students (currently at 18%).

WHERE DO YOU SEE ACS IN THREE YEARS?

Kathleen Osta, an organizational consultant for Vital Clarity, asked board members to reflect on their vision for the school district over the next three years. The consultant compared the board’s responses to a previous exercise carried out with the Student Advisory Board.

In several areas, board members’ ideas aligned with student suggestions, including calls for greater creative liberty in the classroom and regulated AI use between students and teachers.

Whereas board members emphasized academic growth among all demographics and strengthening grade-level support, students emphasized their needs, such as equal access to internships, school supplies, learning “real history” and hands-on activities in the classroom.

The next Asheville City Board of Education meeting is Monday, April 13. X

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

COMMISSION RALEIGH DOCKET NO. P-100, SUB 137E BEFORE THE NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION

NOTICE OF AREA CODE RELIEF PLAN FOR 828 NPA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 24, 2025, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA) filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Commission) a recommendation made by representatives of the telecommunications industry to provide relief for the 828 area code in North Carolina. The Petition provides notification to the Commission that the 828 numbering plan area (NPA or area code) serving the western area of North Carolina, including the cities of Asheville, Boone, Hendersonville, Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Newton, and Waynesville, is projected to exhaust its central office (CO) codes (or NXX codes) by the third quarter of 2028 and is in need of relief. The NANPA notes that absent NPA relief, the supply of CO codes in the 828 NPA is projected to run out during the projected exhaust quarter. This has created a need to introduce another area code in the geographic area now covered by the 828 area code to ensure the availability of telephone numbers in the future.

Industry representatives have recommended an all-services overlay as the relief plan for the 828 area code. Under the recommended plan, a new area code would be assigned to cover or “overlay” the entire geographic area using the existing 828 area code boundary lines. This would result in two area codes for the same geographic area. When telephone numbers in the 828 area code run out, new residential and business telephone numbers for the area would be assigned from the new area code. Implementation of an all-services overlay requires mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls, including calls within the same NPA.

Persons desiring to send written statements to the Commission on the Petition should submit their statement on or before March 31, 2026, and should include any information that those persons wish to be considered by the Commission in this matter. Interventions or statements should be addressed to the Chief Clerk, North Carolina Utilities Commission, 4325 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4300. Statements may also be faxed to (919) 733-7300 or, preferably, submitted electronically on the Commission’s website as a Consumer Statement using this website address: APPENDIX A PAGE 2 OF 2 https://www. ncuc.gov/contactus.html. Consumer Statements should be filed in Docket No. P-100, Sub 137E.

The Public Staff of the Utilities Commission, through the Executive Director, is required by statute to represent the using and consuming public in proceedings before the Commission. Statements to the Executive Director should be addressed to:

Christopher J. Ayers Executive Director - Public Staff 4326 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4300 Fax: (919) 733-9565

‘Ready to move forward’

Western North Carolina making progress on ambitious railroad plans

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

jmcguire@mountainx.com

Ray Rapp left the recent Railroads and Regional Economic Development Conference optimistic about the future of rail service in Western North Carolina.

Rapp, a former state representative and co-chair of the nonprofit WNC Rail Committee, was among 140 people who attended the March 18 conference in Morganton. Restoring passenger service between Asheville and Salisbury was a major topic, while attendees also discussed expanding regional rail tourism and strengthening freight corridors.

Rapp says key decision-makers showed support for the ambitious 139-mile Asheville-Salisbury route. Now comes the hard part — how to pay for it.

Recent studies put the project cost at about $665 million for track upgrades, station improvements, rolling stock and maintenance facilities. Federal discretionary grants could cover up to 80%, meaning about $133 million in state and local funding would be needed.

“The biggest takeaway from the conference is we are now ready to move forward — with the state legislature and the local governments along the route — to begin developing a strategy for coming up with local matching funds,” Rapp says. “The state rail division has gotten us into the queue for funding, and now they want to see demonstrations of the community’s engagement and enthusiasm for this, along with some kind of financial commitment.”

He hopes, for example, that Asheville and Buncombe County will form a committee as soon as possible to determine the location of a passenger station. Possible sites include a city-owned property on Thompson Street along the Swannanoa River, which was damaged in Tropical Storm Helene, or perhaps a new location in the River Arts District, Rapp says.

In previous reporting, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer indicated that while the city supports continued planning for the corridor project, its top priority is maintaining a balanced budget and core services during post-Helene recovery. She said the city will focus its efforts on regional coordination to strengthen the case for investment. Xpress reached out to

TRACK STARS: Amtrak operates passenger rail service in North Carolina cities including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham. Western North Carolina officials hope to add Asheville to that list within a decade. Photo courtesy of the N.C. Department of Transportation

Buncombe County for comment but did not hear back before press time.

Rapp notes the committee would also need to coordinate with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the AshevilleBuncombe Tourism Development Authority (TDA) to demonstrate broad community support.

Xpress reached out to the chamber and TDA for comment but did not hear back before press time.

ALL ABOARD

The proposed 139-mile passenger corridor would carry riders from Asheville to Salisbury in about 3 1/2 hours, with projections of three daily round trips and about 100,000 local trips per year by 2045. Restoring Asheville service would reconnect the mountains to Charlotte, Raleigh and the broader national passenger rail system for the first time in half a century.

Local governments along the Asheville-Salisbury route, whose support will be crucial, were well represented at the conference, Rapp says. Ronnie Thompson, mayor of Morganton; Steve Little, mayor of Marion (and co-chair of WNC Rail Committee); Manheimer; and Susan Kluttz, mayor pro tem of Salisbury, were among the attendees.

“These are the mayors along the route who have to help energize their communities to get started on the next step in this process,” Rapp says.

Rapp notes that while the $133 million needed from state and local sources may seem overwhelming,

regional planning organizations can play a central role in that effort.

Representatives from the Land of Sky Regional Council, Western Piedmont Council of Governments and Foothills Regional Commission attended the conference as well. “We need them to work with local governments on how much they’re able to contribute and, more importantly, what kind of grants they can pursue,” Rapp says.

TOURIST TRAINS

While passenger service remains a long-term goal, tourism rail is already delivering measurable economic benefits in WNC — and expanding rapidly.

Rapp points to the Bryson Citybased Great Smoky Mountains Railroad as a prime example, describing it as “the second-largest tourist railroad in the country.”

The railroad continues to build on popular seasonal attractions, he adds.

“The Polar Express continues to sell out every year,” Rapp says. “The Harry Potter train is coming, and that’s going to be a major economic boost to the region.”

At the same time, smaller operations are exploring ways to integrate rail into outdoor recreation and local tourism networks.

Rocky Hollifield, president of the Woodfin-based Craggy Mountain Line, for instance, told conference attendees his railroad is in discussions with river outfitters about linking train service to rafting des-

tinations along the French Broad River. Taylor’s Wave, the Town of Woodfin’s artificial whitewater river wave, is expected to open soon and bolster tourism in the area.

These kinds of partnerships, Rapp says, demonstrate how rail can complement existing industries while creating new ones — particularly in a region where tourism is a major economic driver.

“We want to promote this kind of tourist rail in the region and continue that kind of growth,” Rapp says.

FREIGHT RAIL’S ECONOMIC IMPACT

Freight operations are central to both the passenger rail plan and broader regional economic development. Norfolk Southern owns much of the Salisbury-to-Asheville line and has committed $40 million to $50 million to restore the Old Fort Loops, a mountainous stretch badly damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.

Rapp says the conference provided critical insight into how local governments can work with freight operators. “The first thing in our mission statement is how Norfolk Southern and CSX can work with local communities to develop manufacturing sites along the route,” he says. “Reliable freight service supports local economies and attracts manufacturers who can take advantage of rail connections.”

The Burke County town of Valdese, for example, is reengaging with the WNC Rail Committee to coordinate with Norfolk Southern and local economic planners. “Valdese was one of the founding members of the committee but had fallen away,” Rapp says. “They’re now back in the fold, advising their planners on how the railroad can support industrial development. Communities like Valdese are seeing how freight, passenger and tourist rail can all work together.”

The conference also emphasized the need to avoid mistakes made in other states. California’s high-speed rail project encountered delays because planners started building in remote areas without considering station placement in urban centers. “We’ve got the studies, we’ve got the facts, and we’ve got the support. Now we need to show the federal government that we’ve learned from others’ mistakes,” Rapp says.

With feasibility studies complete, demonstrated ridership demand, freight infrastructure being restored and federal dollars available, Rapp is optimistic about the future.

“What we want to do is continue to build the momentum. We have interest. We’ve had background funding. Now we’ve got to move to the next stage,” he says. X

Council to explore Parkside entertainment center development

Residents expressed concern and skepticism over the future of a cityowned parking lot during Asheville City Council’s March 24 meeting. The 2.43-acre parcel is adjacent to City Hall, in the East End/Valley Street neighborhood, a historically Black community whose residents were largely displaced by urban renewal projects beginning in the 1960s.

Chris Corl, the city’s director of community and regional entertainment facilities, explained to Council that the city entered into a memorandum of understanding with ATG Entertainment to explore the site as a potential location for a 2,500-seat entertainment venue with rehearsal and education spaces and 300 parking spots.

Corl emphasized that conceptualizing a development would include a partnership with the East End/Valley Street community.

During public comment, some speakers proposed other locations for the venue, including South Asheville. Most commenters voiced concerns that an entertainment complex located in the East End/Valley Street neighborhood would not provide any benefits to the people who have historically lived there. Many residents asked whether the partnership would entail providing input or include a financial partnership.

“What is needed here is shared decision-making, not consultation after the fact,” said Nina Ireland, a member of the Government Accountability Project of Asheville. “Going forward, The Block and East End/Valley Street must be present at every table where plans are being made.”

Vice Mayor Antanette Mosely described how her family was direct-

SEAT AT THE TABLE: Asheville City Council is weighing the future of a 2.43-acre parcel, referred to as “Parkside,” that is currently used as a parking lot for city staff. The site could become home to a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. Residents of the East End/Valley Street neighborhood, a historically Black community deeply impacted by urban renewal projects beginning in the 1960s, demanded a seat at the table for all future decisions. Graphic courtesy of the City of Asheville

ly impacted by the East End/Valley Street displacement and requested that she be at the table when the partnership is sorted out.

Following the discussion, Asheville City Council unanimously approved a motion to adopt a resolution to put a two-year landholding on the Parkside property in order to explore the potential development of the arts and entertainment facility on the site.

Fee changes for 2027

The city’s fees and services manual for 2027 will include several increases, following unanimous approval from Council.

Lindsay Spangler, the city’s budget and performance manager, presented the recommendation, which included a $2 increase for solid waste disposal, a $2 increase for entry into the WNC Nature Center for residents ($3 for nonresidents) and an increase in fees for temporary street closures. Combined, these increases and other minor adjustments could provide $1.1 million in additional annual revenue.

Spangler noted that at a recent Council work session, parking staff presented various options for increasing parking fees and ser-

vices. However, such options were not included in the ordinance, and Spangler explained they could be adjusted later during the adoption of the budget.

In other news

• Council voted 4-3 to renew the Asheville Rides Transit contract with RATP Dev, a private transit service. Transportation Assistant Director Jessica Morriss shared that RATP Dev’s new contract would increase the goal for on-time performance (80% instead of the current 72%). Additionally, the contract would monetarily penalize the company for the early departures of buses or poor cleanliness at ART facilities and bus stops and add several new roles, including a crisis counselor to connect riders in need with services in the community. The four-year contract totals nearly $55 million.

• Parks and Recreation Director D. Tyrell McGirt provided an update on parks recovery projects following Tropical Storm Helene. The city conducted several public engagement sessions on Azalea Park and French Broad River Park/

Carrier Park, which were damaged by the storm. Public input prioritizes flood resiliency, aesthetics and public art, and restoration of recreational facilities.

• In the consent agenda, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with licensed behavioral service providers Responder Support Services (RSS) to provide embedded and individual counseling to public safety workers and their families. RSS currently provides these services for the city. The new contract would renew services for an optional three years for roughly $1.2 million.

• In the consent agenda, Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to apply for grants from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) from the State of North Carolina to reimburse a portion of expenses on a project for Walton Street Park in the Erskine-Walton neighborhood. The Walton Street Park is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Plan and funded by the 2024 General Obligation Bond program.

— Jessica Wakeman

X

An estimated 11,000 people gathered at Pack Square Park on March 28 as part of the nationwide No Kings 3.0 rally, said Alyssa Morgan, an organizer with Asheville Fights Back Network.

Some in the crowd were new to political protests. Paula Schlesinger, a former Republican, said she came out because she was exhausted by the Trump administration. “It’s one thing after another,” she said. “It’s total corruption.”

Paul W., who did not want to offer his last name, said “I’m not really a rally guy. But things have gotten so bad. … Everyone who has been quiet needs to be more vocal. I’m talking about myself.”

Sarah and Jonathan Granger were also attending their first No Kings rally with their two young children, Ellie and Max.

“We want to show our kids how to exercise the right to protest,” said Sarah Granger. “We’re also tired of people being so forgiving of Donald Trump, despite how often he fails his constituents.”

“Seeing Americans killed on the streets and starting wars,” added Jonathan Granger, was another reason for the family’s participation.

For additional photos and coverage, visit avl.mx/fgk.

—Thomas Calder  X

Photo by Jeffrey DeCristofaro

Photo by Thomas Calder

Photo by Thomas Calder

Business in bloom

BY BRIONNA DALLARA

bdallara@mountainx.com

Throughout the spring, entrepreneurs will flock to The Block — the historic heart of Asheville’s Black business and cultural district — for the Ujamaa Marketplace. The monthly, recurring vendors market launched in March and will continue to run on the first Saturday of each month through May, from 10 a.m-3 p.m., with a final special all-day gathering set for Friday, June 19, in celebration of Juneteenth.

The event’s organizer, alexandria ravenel, says the series aims to draw in foot traffic that might otherwise overlook the historic district, which was uprooted by urban renewal policies between the 1950s and 1980s and continues to deal with issues associated with gentrification.

The monthly gatherings, says ravenel, represent “an opportunity for Black businesses whose families had their own businesses here on The Block to be able to come back and participate and reclaim their space.”

Ravenel, who serves as the director of cultural programming for the YMI Cultural Center and is co-founder of Noir Collective AVL, continues, “It’s about showing people that we’re here — we’ve always been here. It’s also about bringing locals back downtown, and more specifically, Black vendors, who really don’t have a lot of places to sell their wares.”

Ramona Young, owner of Kente Kitchen Market, says the series harkens back to her youth spent on The Block. She recalls neighborhood gatherings at former staples such as The Ritz restaurant, where locals gathered for Southern dishes. She also remembers the long-standing and

Springtime market brings new energy to The Block

ongoing presence of the YMI, which continues to help sustain a sense of community within the neighborhood.

While several of the newer businesses in the area offer nods to the

corridor’s past, Young says it isn’t the same. “It’s changed,” she says. “I miss my home.”

Still, Young notes that she appreciates those who’ve attempted to

keep the neighborhood’s legacy at the forefront, despite the disruptive history businesses and residents on Eagle and Market streets have faced.

MARKET MAGIC: This spring, vendors will be lining The Block on the first Saturday of each month to boost visibility of the historic corridor. Photo courtesy of alexandria ravenel

36th SPRING HERB FESTIVAL

For ravenel, the current markets represent the latest chapter in The Block’s history, with an eye on recapturing some of its past energy. And though funding for Ujamaa Marketplace ends in June, ravenel envisions future collaborations with the Goombay Festival and other YMI gatherings — all in an effort to raise greater awareness of The Block.

COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS

For several years, ravenel has been a member of The Block Collaborative, a cohort of 20-plus businesses and two housing communities focused on finding ways to elevate the history and stories associated with the neighborhood. Through the collaborative, she began engaging with the City of Asheville’s Boosting the Block initiative, a multiyear project that will involve redesigning Pack Square Park and creating greater visibility and connectivity to The Block.

During these conversations, she says, her vision for Ujamaa Marketplace formed. The series’ Swahili namesake translates to “extended family” and represents the philosophy of cooperative economics, which is a guiding philosophy for the monthly gathering.

The goal, says ravenel, is for street vendors to attract foot traffic, which will ultimately benefit both the market participants as well as the brick-and-mortar operations such as Noir Collective and PennyCup Coffee Co.

In addition to funding through ArtsAVL, which helped cover city-related costs such as permitting, street closures and sanitation, ravenel says the YMI, Eagle Market Street Development Corp. and The Block Collaborative contributed to costs associated with the series.

The Block Collaborative also received the Neighborhood Matching grant, ravenel continues, which provides dollar-for-dollar funding that offsets vendor costs. Vendors also paid on a sliding scale for booth space. Vendors also paid on a sliding scale for booth space.

Velene Fagan , owner of the online merchandise company Loud Musings, says the low-cost entry allows newer entrepreneurs to participate at an affordable rate.

The market, says Fagan, has been a positive experience so far. “It brings some color to what’s happening downtown,” she explains. “And people can’t resist an open market, they just can’t.”

Fagan hopes organizers find a way to keep the series going after initial funding runs out in June. “That would take the place of a brick-and-

mortar for me,” she says. “Instead of me paying rent and utilities, I would be paying to show up in a certain spot every month or every week or whatever it is, and people can know that’s where they can find me.”

BIG PICTURE

The larger Boosting the Block initiative advances key elements in the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan, including the planning, design and implementation of a gateway and cultural corridor along South Market Street. Currently, the city is in the early stages of improving Eagle and Market streets, says Dana Frankel, a downtown planner for the city and coordinator for the Pack Square and Block projects.

Frankel says the timing of Ujamaa is ideal, noting that it will help inform future streetscape improvements that are currently in the design stages. She notes that because there is no continuous sidewalk connecting Eagle Street to Pack Square, “it’s hard to know when you’re at Court Plaza that there is more to see if you keep walking.”

The Boosting the Block project is funded by a $3 million grant from the Mellon Foundation’s Monuments Project, awarded to the city on Juneteenth 2023.

The grant also supports two related initiatives: Reframing the Square, a roughly $1.1 million effort to design and engineer a new plan for the site of the former Vance Monument and surrounding plaza; and Sharing Our Stories, a roughly $164,000 project aimed at expanding Buncombe County’s oral history program to broaden how the community’s past is shared. Funding must be allocated by 2027, Frankel says.

Frankel encourages the public to stay engaged by signing up for updates on both the Boosting the Block project page at avl.mx/dui as well as the Eagle and Market Street Enhancements project at avl.mx/fg7.

Ravenel says it’s the combination of the city’s ongoing efforts to reestablish The Block’s relationship to downtown as well as initiatives that business owners bring to the neighborhood that will sustain the historic district’s character and legacy.

Ravenel’s long-term vision is to find a way to not only continue the first Saturday markets but to extend them all the way to Triangle Park.

“Whether [the market] becomes permanent or not, we have no idea,” she says. “There are a lot of powers at play.”

For now, she continues, folks can attend the next iteration, Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. X

April 24 & 25

April 26

FOOD TRUCKS GALORE!

• Bluebird Bubble Tea

• Cecilia’s Kitchen

• Dave’s 209 Restaurant

• The Garden

• Habibi Village

• Smasheville

• Southern Grounds

WORKSHOPS on herbal medicines, cures and treatments, container gardening, and everything herbal!

LIMITED SPACE

BOOK YOUR SPOT NOW: ashevilleherbfestival.org/ workshop-registration/

APRIL. 1 - APRIL. 9, 2026

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



More info, page 32

WELLNESS

50+ Yoga

For individuals aged 50 and above, focusing on gentle movements and flexibility, taught by Barbara.

WE (4/1, 4/8), FR (4/3), MO (4/6), noon, Weaverville Yoga, 3-B Florida Avenue

Anahata Yoga

A heart-centered yoga practice focusing on the Anahata chakra, led by Barbara.

WE (4/1, 4/8), FR (4/3), SA (4/4), MO (4/6), 10:30am, Weaverville Yoga, 3-B Florida Avenue

Meditation for Community Healers

Inviting all who contribute to the wellbeing of our community, including psychotherapists, spiritual teachers, bodyworkers, social workers and more.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 10am, Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd

Wellness Wednesdays:

Cue The Pub Run

A fun pub run that takes place every Wednesday, rain or shine. All ages and experience levels are welcome.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 6pm, Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd

Community Yoga w/ Carrie

A free hour of yoga, meditation and mindfulness with local yoga instructor.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 10:30am, AmeriHealth

Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave

Tai Chi Fan

The Tai Chi Fan class includes a short Flying Rainbow Single Fan form, partner work, and Flying Rainbow Double Fan form.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 1pm, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

Tai Chi for Beginners

In the Beginner Tai Chi class, the focus is on the Yang 10 and 24 forms as well as Qigong exercises for health.

TH (4/2, 4/9), 11:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

Yoga in the Park

Asheville All-levels yoga classes in the park.

SU (4/5), 1pm, West Asheville ParkGassaway Field, 198 Vermont Ave

Common Threads in Uncommon Times

This is a space where spiritual and religious philosophies, and practices are welcome.

SU (4/5), 9am, Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd

Untangling the Know of a Solid, Separate Self

A dharma talk that invites you to look directly at one of the Buddha’s most liberating teachings: that what we call “self” is not as fixed, separate, or solid as it appears.

MO (4/6), 6:30pm, Quietude, 1130 Montreat Rd

Y12SR: Yoga & 12 Step Recovery

Learn to deal with life’s stressors, substance free.

MO (4/6), 4:30pm, AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave

Yin Yang Qigong

Together, we will balance the Yin and Yang within to effortlessly smooth out internal and external physical, emotional and mental disharmonies.

MO (4/6), 10am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

Kin ē sa Mat Class

Kin ē sa focuses on retraining the brain and calming the nervous system to release habitual patterns of posture, movement, and body mechanics.

TU (4/7), 8:30am, Happy Body Pilates, 25 Reed St., Suite 210

Meditative Morning

The first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for Meditative Mornings , a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails.

TU (4/7), 8am, NC Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way

Yoga for Optimal Aging w/Leslie Temme

Instructor Leslie Temme will guide us through movement to help maintain joint and muscle health and address inflammatory

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

CRAFT GUILD DEMONSTRATIONS: The Southern Highland Craft Guild kicks off its education event series with Glass, Metal and Clay Day on Saturday, April 4, starting at 10 a.m. More than a dozen guild members will demonstrate their skills and techniques in glassblowing, blacksmithing, pottery making and more at this free event in the Folk Art Center auditorium. Photo courtesy of Southern Highland Craft Guild

conditions.

TU (4/7), 1:30pm, Quietude, 1130 Montreat

Qigong for Health and Resilience

We practice a variety of simple yet powerful standing movements that can be as deep and challenging as you wish.

TU (4/7), 9am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

SUPPORT GROUPS

Staying Grounded in Shaky Times

It will explore a variety of spiritual practices including meditation, breath-work, meditative movement and more.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 2pm, AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave

AA for Early Birds

Early AA meeting in the Library of The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

WE (4/1), 7:30am, The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 1895 Greenville Hwy Community Listening Circle

This free virtual listening circle offers a judgement-free, trauma-informed space to gather, reset and reflect-together. Register at avl.mx/f9u.

WE (4/1), noon, Online

Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders Support Group

This support group is peer-led and facilitated by licensed therapists & dietitians specializing in eating disorders. Register at avl.mx/es6.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 6pm, Online

Marijuana Anonymous

A safe, supportive, inclusive, and non-judgmental space to share, listen and grow together.

TH (4/2), 6:30pm, American Legion Post, 851 Haywood Rd

Reconnecting Through Hard Times

This quick but valuable, interactive training offers simple, powerful strategies to support others after a crisis. Register at avl.mx/f9v.

TH (4/2, 4/9), noon, Online

Stroke Support Group w/Stronger Together Wellness Stronger Together Wellness empowers stroke survivors and their caregivers through shared experiences.

TH (4/2), 3pm, AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave Solutions Group Daily living sober meeting. For more information, visit avl.mx/f91.

SU (4/5), 12:30pm, Virtual, Online

Sunrise AA Meeting Daily virtual Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. For more information, visit avl.mx/f91.

SU (4/5), 7am, Virtual, Online

The Compassionate Friends of Blue Ridge

This meeting will be to support family members, after the loss of a child, every first Friday of every month.

MO (4/6), 6pm, Abernathy Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Avenue, Ste 1722

Families Anonymous Support group for those affected by someone else’s addiction.

TU (4/7), 6pm, Love & Respect, 350 Chadwick Ave Suite 300

WNC MS Support Group

This support group provides a chance for individuals with MS, their families, friends and other care partners to share common experiences and concerns, provide and receive emotional support, obtain information related to the disease and on various aspects of living and coping with MS.

WE (4/8), 1pm, CenterWell Senior Primary Care, 1425 Patton Ave

Dementia Partners Support Group

This community group offers support to those with dementia or those supporting loved ones

and two-stepping in a friendly, inclusive environment. No boots, partner or experience needed.

WE (4/2, 4/9), 6pm, Banks Ave, 32 Banks Ave

Nia Dance Class Nia brings the body, mind, emotions, and spirit to optimal health through music, movement, and self expression.

TH (4/2, 4/9), TU (4/7), 10:30am, Dragon Phoenix, 51 N Merrimon Ave

We Line Dance

Instructor Brenda Mills leads an all-inclusive exercise class using line dancing to get your body moving.

TH (4/2, 4/9), 6:15pm, Stephens-Lee Rec Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Asheville Community Square Dance

A night of community social dance, music laughs and fun. The dances are all taught and are beginner and family friendly.

SA (4/4), 7pm, Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd

Monday Night Contra Dance

with dementia.

TH (4/9), 6pm, Ferguson Family YMCA, 31 Westridge Market Pl Caregiver Support Group w/Stronger Together Wellness Stronger Together Wellness empowers caregivers through shared experiences, fostering a vibrant community that inspires healing, resilience, and hope on the journey to recovery.

TH (4/9), 3pm, AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave

DANCE

Latin Night Wednesday w/DJ MTN VIBEZ

A Latin dance social featuring salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, and reggaeton with dance lessons for all skill levels.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 8pm, One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd Country Line Dance w/ Kristey Featuring beginner and advanced classes that are open to everyone. Dust off your favorie boots, and get ready to groove.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 6pm, Eda’s Hide-a-Way, 1098 New Stock Rd, Weaverville Country Western Line Dancing & Two-Stepping Steppin’ Out AVL presents three hours of free line dancing

In a New Light: American Impressionism 1870–1940

This exhibition explores the ways in which local artists interpreted America’s rural, maritime and urban spaces and portrayed daily life using the Impressionist devices of capturing the moment with brisk brushstrokes, a vibrant palette, and atmospheric effects. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through June 29, 2026. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Dialogue: Lindenfeld & Lindenfeld

This exhibition celebrates the works of mother-daughter artists, Lore Kadden Lindenfeld and Naomi Lindenfeld. It features clay and mixed media work of Naomi Lindenfeld as she responded to a selection of her mother Lore’s innovative textiles. Gallery open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am. Exhibition through May, 9. Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 120 College St

Experience a fun and social dance that is open to everyone, every Monday. MO (4/6), 7:30pm, A-B Tech Community College, 340 Victoria RdA

Beginning Belly Dance

Every class is a gentle but excellent workout that is focused on building core strength, flexibility, balance, confidence, and grace.

TU (4/7), 6pm, Uphora Dance & Fitness, 1501 Patton Ave

ART

Virginia Derryberry: Private Domain

Featuring large-scale narrative figure paintings, the exhibition will explore themes of duality, transformation, and human complexity through imagery drawn from alchemy, mythology, and contemporary life. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 12pm. Exhibition through April 10, 2026.

Upstairs Artspace Gallery, 49 S Trade St, Tryon

Highwater: Ceramics from the Gail & Brian McCarthy Collection Highwater features ceramics from the collection of Gail & Brian McCarthy, celebrating the 45-year legacy of Highwater Clays as a pillar of the ceramics community in WNC and beyond. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through April 26, 2026.

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Unrelenting: Cherokee People & the American Revolution Featuring historic objects in conversation with works by contemporary Cherokee artists, Unrelenting delves into 250 years of Aniyvwiya innovation, adaptability, and resistance, centering Native voices, perspectives, and creativity. Gallery open daily, 9am. Exhibition through Dec. 30, 2026. See p32 Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee

Opening Reception: A-B Tech Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition

This exhibition features two dozen pieces of student work such as short film, prints, paintings, ceramic vases and more. FR (4/3), 5:30pm, Revolve Gallery, 821 Riverside Drive

Women of the Pacific Northwest

This exhibition celebrates the voices, visions and material mastery of female artists working today, with roots from this rich and progressive region. Gallery open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am. Exhibition through May 17, 2026. Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square

Jazz Showcase w/Dr. Bill Bares The White Horse Jazz showcase with Dr. Bill Bares will spotlight outstanding regional vocalists, UNCA faculty

Ballot Categories 2026

This year’s Best of WNC ballot offers voters an opportunity to celebrate the local individuals, organizations and businesses that are helping define our region and how it evolves. You are invited to vote this April based on your local knowledge and passions. The online ballot covers hundreds of topics and issues. Don’t be daunted — just vote for the categories you care about and skip those you don’t.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Music Events & Venues

• Local Music Festival

• Indoor Music Venue

• Outdoor Music Venue

• Intimate Music Venue/ Listening Room

Musicians & Bands

• Lyricist (Songwriter)

• Vocalist (Singer)

• Guitarist

• Bass Guitarist

• Percussionist-Drummer

• Keyboardist/Pianist

• All-Round Favorite Band

• Acoustic/Folk

• Americana/Country

• Blues

• Funk

• Jazz

• Old-Time/Bluegrass

• R&B/Soul

• Hip-Hop

• Rock

• Punk/Metal/Garage

• Traditional Appalachian Musician

• Local Busker/Street Group

• DJ (Nonradio)

Music Services

• Musical Instrument Repair Company

• Music-Related Nonprofit

• Recording Studio Arts & Crafts

• Arts/Crafts Fair or Event

• Studio Stroll/Driving Tour

• Craft School or Place to Learn a Craft

• Art Gallery

• Craft-Oriented Gallery

• Nonprofit (Not Music) That Serves the Arts Artists, Crafters

• Fiber Artist

• Jewelry Artist/Designer

• Metal Artist or Blacksmith

• Glass Artist or Studio

• Woodworker

• Mural Artist

• Painter/Illustrator

• Potter/Ceramic Artist

• Portrait/Headshot Photographer

• Still Life/Nature Photographer

• Wedding/Event Photographer

Film, Stage, Dance & Writing

• Movie Theater

• Local Filmmaker

• Theater Company

• Actor (any gender)

• Performance Dance Company

• Place to Take Dance Classes or Lessons

• Improv Group/Comedy Troupe or Series

• Local Comedy Show/ Night/Event

• Comedian

• Karaoke Night

• Trivia Night Emcee

• Drag Performer/Group

• Open-Mic-Night Venue

• Local Author

• Local Poet

• Local Literary Event

* Locally Written Book (author lives in WNC) Published in the Last 12 Months

DRINKS

Bars

• Bar That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Neighborhood BarDowntown (including South Slope)

• Neighborhood BarRiver Arts District

• Neighborhood Bar - South

• Neighborhood Bar - West

• Neighborhood Bar - North

• Neighborhood Bar - East

• Bartender

• Bar for Live Music

• Bar With a View

• Bar With Games

• Family-Friendly Bar or Brewery

• LGBTQ+ Friendly Bar

• Hotel Bar

• Dive Bar

• Sports Bar

• Upscale Bar

• Bar or Brewery That Gives Back to the Community

• Bar: Local Beer Selection (excluding breweries)

• Bar: Unusual Beer Selection (excluding breweries)

• Wine Bar Cocktails, Spirits & Wine

• Local Winery

• Wine Store

• Cocktails

• Distillery

• Bloody Mary

• Margarita

Beer, Cider & Breweries

• Cidery

• Local Cider

• Local All-Round Brewery (for its beers)

• Brewery (for its taproom & atmosphere)

• "Creative, Experimental Brewery"

• Local Beer (Any Style)

• Local Dark Beer

• Local Lager

• Local Sour Beer

• Local IPA

• Seasonal Beer

• Brewmaster

• Favorite Local Beer Event

• Beer Store Coffee, Tea & Healthy Drinks

• Coffeehouse for Its Vibe

• Establishment With the Best Coffee

• Barista

• Coffee Roaster

• Place to Drink Tea

• Bubble Tea

• Smoothies/Juices

• Mocktails or Nonalcoholic Options

• Local Nonalcoholic Drink or Soda

• CBD Drinks/Health Elixirs

• Kava Bar

EATS

• Restaurant That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Favorite Restaurant Neighborhoods

• Restaurant in Downtown (including South Slope)

• Restaurant in the River Arts District

• Restaurant in West Asheville

• Restaurant in North Asheville

• Restaurant in East Asheville

• Restaurant in South Asheville Restaurant Type

• People-Watching Restaurant

• Restaurant With a View

• Outdoor Dining

• Romantic Dining

• Fine Dining/Upscale

• Catering Company

• Late-Night Eats

• Food Truck

• Quiet Restaurant

• New Restaurant (Opened in the Last 12 Months)

• Restaurant to Take Out-of-Towners to

• Green/SustainabilityFriendly Restaurant

• Kid-Friendly Restaurant

• Diner/Homestyle

2026

Restaurant Offerings

• Breakfast

• Brunch

• Lunch

• Quick Meal

• Restaurant Wine Selection

• Restaurant Cocktail Selection

• Pub Grub

• Takeout

• Bagels

• Best Value

• Best Service

• Barbecue

• Biscuits

• Burger

• Burrito

• French Fries

• Fried Chicken

• Healthiest Food

• Hot Bar/Buffet

• Hot Dogs

• Local-Food Emphasis

• Pasta

• Pizza

• Ramen

• Ribs

• Salad

• Sandwich Shop

• Seafood

• Special Diet Options (Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, etc.)

• Steak

• Sushi

• Taco

• Sub Shop

• Vegan

• Vegetarian

• Veggie Burger

• Wings

• Restaurant Still Needed in Asheville

Cuisine

• Chinese

• Restaurant Comfort Food

• French

• Greek

• Italian

• Latin American

• Mexican

• Middle Eastern

• Indian

• Japanese

• Southern

• Thai Desserts & Sweets

• Desserts

• Ice Cream

• Frozen Treats Other Than Ice Cream

• Chocolate

• Local Cookie Maker

• Doughnuts Bakeries

• Bakery (Sweets/ Desserts)

• Bakery (Bread) Miscellaneous

• Pastry Chef

• Fresh Fish Seller

• Fresh Meat Seller

• Cheesemaker/ Cheese Dairy

• Local Food Product

• Locally Made CBD Treats

• Chef

• Local Food Festival or Event

• Nonprofit Helping With Hunger Issues

FARM, YARD & GARDEN

• Tailgate/Farmers Market

• Roadside Farm Stand

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farm

• Farm to Visit

• Orchard

• Community Garden

• Garden Supply Store

• "Nursery (Trees, Shrubs)"

• Mulch Supplier

• Tree Service

• Landscaping Service (Other Than Lawn Care)

• Nonprofit Supporting Farms/Farmland Preservation

• Lawn/ Yard Care

VOTE NOW !

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Physician (General Practice)

• Pediatrician

• Family Medical Practice

• Membership Health Care Provider

* Functional/ Integrative/Alternative Medical Practice

• Women's Health Center

• Maternity Care/Service

• Hospital

• Emergency Room

• Urgent Care/ Walk-In Clinic

• Place to Get Medical Care When Underor Uninsured

• Therapist or Counseling Center

• Dental Practice

• Dentist

• Eye Care Specialist/ Service

• Assisted-Living Community

• Hospice

• Mortuary/Funeral Services

• Health & WellnessFocused Nonprofit

• Place to Center Yourself

* Place to Worship/ Church, Synagogue, Mosque, etc. Alternative

• Chiropractor

• Acupuncture Clinic

• Acupuncturist

Physical Therapy

• Physical Therapist

• Massage Therapist

* Occupational Therapist Fitness

• Fitness Studio With Classes

• Physical Trainer

• Gym or Place to Work Out

• Pilates Studio

• Yoga Studio

• Yoga Teacher

• Martial Arts Studio Stores

• Pharmacy/Drugstore

• "Place to Buy Supplements, Vitamins & Herbs"

• Place to Buy CBD Products

KIDS

Schools & Classes

• School (Precollege)

• Preschool

• Child Care or Day Care Service

THROUGH APRIL FAQ s

When does voting start and end?

Voting officially begins April 1 and continues through April 30.

In how many categories must I vote in order for my ballot to be counted?

• After-school Program

• Art Education Program

• Music Teacher Places

• Daytrip for Kids

• Kid-Friendly Hike

• Overnight Camp

• Day Camp

• Place for Indoor Fun

• Place for Outdoor Fun

• Playground

• Museum

• Physical Therapy Clinic

How do I get a category added or changed?

The categories are set for this year, but to suggest a change for next year, email: bestofwnc@ mountainx.com

• Place for Birthday Parties

• Parents Night Out Program

• Bakery for Birthday Cakes

Skill-Building

• Dance Studio

• Gymnastics Program

• Martial Arts Program

• Team-Sports Program Shopping

• Kids Clothes

• Toy Store Medical

• Pediatric PracticeGeneral Medicine

• Pediatric Practice

- Dentistry

• Orthodontist

MEDIA

• Local Radio Station (commercial)

• Local Radio Station (noncommercial)

• Local Radio Personality/ Announcer

• Local Podcast

* Local Print Publication

• Local Reporter (Print and/or Online)

• Local News Source

• Local Events Information Source

• "Local Social Media Page to Follow for Local News, Events and Local Happenings"

• Local E-Newsletter

• Favorite Feature in Xpress

• Local News Website

• Most Important Local News Story (in the Last 12 Months)

• Most Underreported Story (in the Last 12 Months)

• Most Overreported Story (in the Last 12 Months)

OUTDOORS

• Outdoor Gear and Apparel Shop

• Ski Resort

• Place to Roller Skate or Skateboard

• Canopy Tour/Zip Line

* Shooting Range

• Environmental or Conservation Nonprofit

CONTINUES )

How do you prevent voter fraud? Ballots are examined for telltale signs of voter fraud or ballot stuffing. We disqualify all ballots that appear to be fraudulent. I hope my business wins. How do I get voting promotional materials? Call us at 828-251-1333. We can provide you with printable and digital materials, or contact your sales representative for information. ( CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS )

Each ballot must have votes for at least 30 categories to be counted. Why do voters have to vote for 30 categories? We want meaningful results from people who are invested in and knowledgeable about the Asheville/WNC area.

How are the votes counted? Mountain Xpress tallies the votes by hand, taking great care to understand each voter’s intent. We reserve the right to reject any ballot with inappropriate responses.

Hiking

• Backpacking Trail/ Overnight Hike

• Day Hike Trail

• "Easy Hike Trail (For Kids, Elders, Limited Mobility)"

• Walk - In or Near Asheville

• Waterfall

• Picnic Spot

Biking

• Mountain Bike Trail

Camping

• Camping Spot

Water & Rivers

• Place to Relax on the Water

• Swimming Hole

• Rafting Company

* Paddling Outfitter

PERSONAL SERVICES

• Spa

• Local Body-Products Maker Cosmetic

• Esthetician

• Eyebrow Shaping

• Hair Salon

* Hair Colorist

• Hairstylist

• Barbershop

• Barber

• Nail Salon

• Nail Technician

Tattoo & Piercing

• Tattoo Parlor/Studio

• Tattoo Artist

• Piercing Studio

PETS

• Veterinary Services

• Veterinarian Services

• Pet Kennel

• Pet Day Care Facility

• Grooming Service

• Trainer/Training Center

• Pet Sitting/Dog Walking Service

• Animal Shelter/Rescue Organization Places & Shops

• Pet Supply Store

• Outdoor Place to Take Your Pet

• Pet-Friendly Bar or Brewery PROFESSIONAL & HOME SERVICES

• Print Shop

• Cellphone Service Provider for the WNC Mountains

• Computer Repair

• Car Repair

• Place To Get Your Oil Changed

• Bike Repair

• Equipment Rental Services

• Green Builder

• Plumbing Company

• Electrical/Electrician Company

• Heating/Cooling Company

• Pest Control Service

• Moving Company

• Construction Firm (Design and/or Build)

• House Painters

• Roofing Company

• Alternative Energy Sales and Installation

• Handyperson

• Home Cleaning Service

• Dry Cleaner

* Tailor/Alterations Financial

• Accountant/CPA Firm

• Place to Have Your Taxes Prepared

• Financial Adviser Legal

• Law Firm

• Real Estate Attorney

• Estate Planning Attorney Home

• Real Estate Company

NOW

• Real Estate Agent

• Insurance Agent

SHOPPING

• Store That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Pawn Shop

• Mall-Style Market

• Florist/Plant Shop

• Bookstore - New

• Bookstore - Used

• Record/CD Store

• Musical Instrument Store

• Game Store

• Comics & Collectibles Store

• Gift Shop

• Head Shop

• "Adult Toys, Lingerie & Naughty Things Store"

• Bike Shop

• Automobile Tire Store

• Auto Dealer - New and/or Used Fashion

• Clothing: Dress-Up/Stylin'

• Clothing: Used or Vintage (for-profit store)

• Clothing: Used or Vintage (nonprofit store)

• Asheville-Style Clothes

• Shoe Store

• Jewelry Store Food

• All-Round Grocery Store

• Local Grocery Delivery or Curbside Pickup

• Budget-Friendly Grocery Store

• Health Food Store

• International/Specialty Food Store

• Convenience/Corner Store

• New Furniture Store

• Used Furniture Store (for-profit store)

• Used Furniture Store (nonprofit store)

• Antique Store

• Refurbished Or Upcycled Goods

• Picture Framer

UNIQUELY ASHEVILLE

• Neighborhood

• Street for a Stroll

• Local Asheville Attraction

• Place to Take Your Eccentric Friends

• Place to Pretend You're a Tourist

• Place to Connect With Nature Within or Near to Asheville

• Historic/Interesting Building

• Holiday EventSpring-Summer

• Holiday Event - Fall-Winter

• Local Hero

• Local Villain

• Local Politician

• Local Fundraising Event

• Bumper Sticker or Slogan About Asheville

• Thing Downtown Asheville Needs

• Thing West Asheville Needs

• Thing North Asheville Needs

• Thing South Asheville Needs

• Thing East Asheville Needs

• Thing the River Arts District Needs

• Project You'd Like to See Local Government Do

• Best Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months

• Worst Thing to Happen to Asheville in the Last 12 Months

• Biggest Threat to Asheville's Uniqueness

• Biggest Opportunity for Asheville's Uniqueness Hospitality

• Local City Tour

• Venue to Book for a Party or Event

• Place to Get Married

• Hotel

• B&B or Small Boutique Hotel Nonprofits

• Nonprofit That Improves Asheville

• Nonprofit That Serves the Underprivileged

• Activist Group for Civic/ Political Action

WORK & BUSINESS

• Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Asheville

• Employment Sector to Work in

• Business That Gives Back to the Community

• Co-Op/Employeeowned Business

• Bank

• Credit Union

• Bank/Financial Services for Small Business

• Support Organization for Entrepreneurs and New Businesses

REGIONAL

Questions for the following regions: Brevard Burnsville

Hendersonville/ Flat Rock/Mills River Hot Springs

Marshall/Mars Hill Swannanoa/ Black Mountain Cullowhee/Sylva Waynesville/Maggie Valley/Canton

Weaverville/Woodfin

• Business That Best Represents the Spirit of Your Town

• Breakfast Restaurant

• Lunch Restaurant

• Dinner Restaurant

• Coffee & Sweets

• Local Bar/Brewery/ Watering Hole

• Music/Entertainment Venue

• Retail Store

• Art Gallery

• Cultural or Historical Landmark

• Cultural or Arts Event

• Local Place to Enjoy the Outdoors

• Local Cause to Support

• Best Thing to Happen to Your Town in the Last 12 Months

* New Business Opened in the Last 12 Months

jazz artists, and additional special guests.

Your host Dr Bill Bares is a Pianist, composer, scholar, and educator.

WE (4/1), 7pm, Monte Vista, 308 W State St

Choir Night: Simply the Best

Spend an evening learning and singing

Tina Turner’s “The Best” in harmony. Open to everyone — whether you read music or just love to sing.

TH (4/2), 7pm, The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave

Sit a Spell: Bluegrass Session

Musicians of all levels are welcome to bring instruments and join the circle, while community members are invited to come listen and enjoy an evening of traditional music.

FR (4/3), 6pm, Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr #100

Bradley Ditto Presents Dance Of Life: Hold On To Your Love

Bradley Ditto returns with mesmerizing music that fosters love, hope, peace, and joy. Featured guests include well-known musicians

Scott Musick and Billy Laymon, among others.

TH (4/9), 7:30pm, Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave, Tryon Pan Harmonia: Grief Leads to Gratitude

A special, very intimate program and the world-premiere of Asheville-based composer Carolina Perez’s Song Cycle: A Mother’s Grief Journey After Stillbirth.

TH (4/9), 3pm and 7pm, First Presbyterian Asheville, 40 Church St

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Welcome to Bridge

Have fun, meet new people and exercise your brain. Register at the website or by emailing mailto:abrclubmanager@gmail.com.

WE (4/1, 8), 10am, Asheville Bridge Room at Beth Israel Synagoue, 229 Murdock Ave

Celebrating Ramps: An Appalachian Foodways Cooking Class

This cooking class will explore traditional ways to use ramps in everyday meals that are tasty, easy to make and stick to your budget.

TH (4/2), 5:30pm, NC Cooperative Extension Madison County Center, 258 Carolina Lane

The Poetry & Paint

Experience

An immersive and interactive event during which those in attendance can participate in various activities such as open mic poetry, group poetry creation, group painting projects

and more.

FR (4/3), 7pm, Hi-Wire S Slope, 197 Hilliard Ave

Garden Helpline Extension Master Gardener volunteers are here to help. Please email, call, or drop by with your gardening questions. Call 828-255-5522 or email buncombemg@ gmail.com.

TU (4/7), 10am, Buncombe County Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Rd, Ste 102

LITERARY

Poetry Open Mic

Asheville’s longest-running open mic, welcoming all forms of creative expression. Sign-up at 8 p.m. for a 5 or 10-minute spot.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 8:30pm, Sovereign Kava, 268 Biltmore Ave

Flooded Poetry

Mondays

Poetry-specific open mic, starring you plus weekly featured readers, every Monday. MO (4/6), 6:30pm, Flood Gallery, 802 Fairview Rd #1200

Library Tour

We’ll take you behind the scenes at the library, highlighting things you may or may not know and sharing tips for making the most of your library.

WE (4/8), 3:30pm, Transylvania County Library, Brevard, 212 S Gaston Stree

Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West

A special author event with Dr. Bart Ehrman discussion his newest book, Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West.

WE (4/8), 7pm, Blue Ridge Books, 428 Hazelwood Ave

Pack Book Club

We read a variety of genres. Newcomers are always welcome.

WE (4/8), 10:30am, Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St

THEATER & FILM

Lauren Gunderson: Natural Shocks

Natural Shocks is an immersive, 1-woman show dealing with themes of domestic violence. Starring Trinity Smith Keel as Angela, and featuring live original sound by Franklin Keel. See p32 TH (4/2), FR (4/3), SA (4/4), MO (4/9), 7:30pm, SU (4/5), 2pm, The BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St

Mindstorm Productions Presents: A Film Screening of The Human Journey

A documentary that explores oneness around the world. Proceeds from this screening will directly benefit efforts to build a clean water well in Africa. TH (4/2), 6pm, The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Road St. 10

Rage @ The Stage: A Frenzied Evening of Improv Comedy Hosted and curated by Stacey Uria, Matt Peiken, Paul Dixon and George Awad, this show is all about spotlighting some of our fave improv teams in the region, all while bringing some of that improv magic to you, the audience.

FR (4/3), 7pm, NC Stage Co., 15 Stage Lane

The Comedy Zone: Kevin Bozeman

A stand-up comedy performance by Kevin Bozeman.

FR (4/3), SA (4/4), 8pm, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

Social Seniors

A social gathering for seniors to engage in various activities and connect with peers.

Open Monday through Friday, 9am, Grove Street Community Center, 36 Grove S

WNC Sierra Club

Monthly Meeting: Crypto Mines & AI Data Centers

A timely presentation on the accelerating expansion of crypto mining and AI data centers and their real-world impacts — including rising greenhouse gas emissions, increased air pollution, heavy water use, persistent noise, and growing costs for residential ratepayers.

WE (4/1), 7pm, Reuter Center, 300 Campus View Road

Laurel Chapter April Meeting of EGA

The program will be a show and tell. Chapter members will present and explain either their first embroidery project or their worst embroidery project.

TH (4/2), 9:30am, Grace Luther Church, 1246 7th Ave. W

Sunday Celebration

An uplifting science of mind celebration.

SU (4/5), 11am, Center for Spiritual Living Asheville, 2 Science of Mind Way

Atheists of WNC

This little Atheist group invites anyone who doesn’t believe in religions to come chat with like-minded people. Find out more

at avl.mx/f8c.

SU (4/5), 10am, EarthFare - Westgate, 66 Westgate Pkw

The Shifties Social Ride

On the first Monday of each month, we’ll depart from the South Slope taproom for an hour and a half ride around town.

MO (4/6), 6pm, Burial South Slope, 40 Collier Ave.

Tarot Club

Each month, we’ll study a new method, approach, or way to work with the cards while engaging in personal journeywork.

TU (4/7), 7pm, The Well, 3 Louisiana Avenue

Confluence: A WCU Litfest Panel

Author Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle facilitates a conversation with Indigenous writers Vanessa Lillie, Deborah Taffa, Laguna Pueblo, and Shane Hawk.

TH (4/9), 12:30pm, TJ Holland Education Room, Museum of the Cherokee People, 589 Tsali Blvd

IBN Biz Lunch: Brevard/Pisgah Forest Attendees can promote their business, products, and services, and meet new referral contacts. Optional food and drinks available for purchase.

TH (4/9), noon, Hawg Wild Smokehouse & Taproom, 91 Pisgah Hwy

Knit Night

In partnership with Black Mountain Yarn Shop, this evening provides an open and welcoming environment for folks to sit, knit, socialize, eat, & drink.

TH (4/9), 6:30pm, Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

Buncombe County Hosting Property Appeals Clinics

To help answer questions about property values, connect owners to tax relief programs, and help navigate the appeals process, Buncombe County Property Assessment staff and volunteer real estate experts will host a series of free property value appeal clinics.

WE (4/1), 4pm, Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Rd

TH (4/2), 5pm, Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road

TH (4/9), 4:30pm, Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville Study Hall: Election 2026 w/Speaker Chris Cooper

In this discussion, Chris Cooper will discuss the who, what, when, where, how and even

a little bit of the why of the 2026 election. While we’ll discuss U.S. elections in general, the focus will be on what to know as it pertains to NC.

TU (4/7), 6:30pm, Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd

GAMES & CLUBS

Asheville Board Game Club Meetup

Play a wide variety of games—strategy, party, cooperative, and more.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 5:30pm, Well Played Board Game Café, 162 Coxe Ave, 101

Board Game Night

An assortment of board games available to play.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 5pm, Hi-Wire RAD Beer Garden, 284 Lyman St Game Night

This game night will feature board games and video games such as Rock Band, Smash Bros and more.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 7pm, River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St Homeschooler’s Hangout

Games help develop cognitive skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, and logical analysis.

TH (4/2, 4/9), 11am, Well Played Board Game Café, 162 Coxe Ave, 101

Southside After Praise After church, enjoy an afternoon playing spades or dominoes.

SU (4/5), 1:30pm, Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St

Weekly Sunday

Scrabble

If you like Wordle, Boggle, Words with Friends or Scrabble online, this club may be a good fit for you. All of the games are provided.

SU (4/5), 1:30pm, Stephens-Lee Rec Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave

Cribbage

Western North Carolina

Cribbage Club meets every Monday.

MO (4/6), 6pm, Waynesville American Legion, 171 Legion Dr RAD Music Bingo

Bring your charged cell phone, listed to music, mark off squares until you get a bingo, win prizes.

MO (4/6), 7pm, Hi-Wire Rad Beer Garden 284 Lyman St

Magic: The Gathering Whether you’ve been playing for years or are just starting your journey, this is your chance to battle, brew, and build community.

TU (4/7), 6pm, Well Played Board Game Café, 162 Coxe Ave, 101

LOCAL MARKETS

RAD Farmers Market

A year-round weekly market featuring local fruits vegetables, meats, bread, honey, eggs, pastries, flowers, crafts and more.

SNAP, Double SNAP, & Farmers Market

Prescriptions accepted here.

WE (4/1, 4/8), 3pm, New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St

Weaverville Tailgate Market

This market features a selection of fresh, locally grown produce, grass fed beef, pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, baked goods, artisan bread, eclectic handmade goodies, garden and landscaping plants.

WE (4/1), 3pm, Weaverville Tailgate Market, 60 Lake Shore Dr

WNC Farmers Market

This year-round market features locally grown produce, fruits and vegetables, mountain crafts, plants, shops, arts and crafts, sourwood honey, and other farm fresh items. Open daily, 8am. 570 Brevard Rd

LoCol Market

The Local Collective is hosting a monthly market for locals to show off their passion projects, and hobbies.

SA (4/4), 10am, The Local Collective, 52 S Main St

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

A-B Tech’s Space Fest

Come and enjoy many fun family-friendly activities related to outer space, including a walk-in mobile planetarium that will display a projection of the night sky, complete with constellations.

WE (4/1), 5pm, A-B Tech Mission Health Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr

Asheville Comedy Festival: Spring Laugh Invasion

For two nights only, this festival brings together a powerhouse lineup of sharp writers, fearless performers, and absolute crowd killers from across the country. See p32 FR (4/3), SA (4/4), 7pm, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave

Mars Hill First Fridays

Celebrate First Friday in downtown Mars Hill with live music, dance, shopping, art, food, local businesses and more.

FR (4/3), 5pm, Downtown Mars Hill

VISUALS Presents: Hallowedland Wine Festival

Celebrate those that continue to inspire our journey in wine,

and drink through their beautiful liquid creations - wines that, quite incredibly, encapsulate the very spirit of the land they inhabit.

SA (4/4), 2pm, Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave

Easter Egg Hunt

Hippity Hop to Reems Creek Nursery for an fun Egg Hunt to celebrate Easter, intended for kids ages 2 to 12. Please register each child so we know how many children to anticipate.

SA (4/4), 11am, Reems Creek Nursery, 76 Monticello Rd

Glass, Metal & Clay Day

This free educational event offers live demonstrations, artist interaction, and handson learning experiences for visitors of all ages.

SA (4/4), 10am, Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy

Spring Fest 5K

This spring fest 5k is a celebration of warmer weather, volunteers and community. There will be music, food, a bounce house and a 5k run/walk.

SA (4/4), 9am, Safe Shelter, 27 Balm Grove Ave

Spring Fling & Seed Swap

Bring your kids, pets, friends and family and enjoy an afternoon of relaxation, yard games, and community.

The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden of Black Mountain will be onsite hosting a seed swap.

SA (4/4), 4:30pm, Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd

Easter Brunch

Enjoy a delicious selection of seasonal favorites, including fresh pastries, savory entrées and sides, fruit and charcuterie, and decadent desserts.

SU (4/5), 11am, Kanuga, 47 Kanuga Chapel Dr

The Great Egg Hunt Festival

A massive property-wide egg hunt and day-long family festival celebrating Easter and springtime. There will

be live music by local musicians Christina Chandler and Marley’s Chain, more than one dozen Craft vendors and festival-style food and more

SU (4/5), 10am, Grey Hawk Bar & Gardens, 111 Resort Lane, Lake Lure

BENEFITS & VOLUNTEERING

Asheville Drag Bingo: Over The Rainbow Fundraiser for Hendersonville Pride

This colorful celebration features six lively rounds of bingo, high-energy entertainment, and prizes worthy of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

FR (4/3), 7pm, Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Ct

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Donation Drive

A Community Donation Drive to support local organizations serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Donations collect will benefit Helpmate and OurVoice, two Asheville-based organizations.

SA (4/4), 1pm, Grind AVL, 346 Depot Street Asheville Humane Society: Dine to Be Kind

More than 50 local restaurants will participate, with premier locations donating 25 percent of all sales and participating venues contributing 15 percent. Visit avl.mx/prx5 for the full list of participating restaurants.

TU (4/7), 12am

BERTHA: Grateful Drag

The world’s first Grateful Drag band, BERTHA is an all-star collective of queer and allied East Nashville talent coming together in wigs and full face for a good cause. $1 from every ticket sold will go to local organizations working to support and empower the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities.

TH (4/9), 8pm, The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave

Easter Egg Hunt

• Reems Creek Nursery

76 Monticello Rd.

• Saturday, April 4 | 11 a.m.

Hippity Hop to Reems Creek Nursery for a fun Egg Hunt to celebrate Easter, intended for kids ages 2 to 12. Register each child at avl.mx/fgj so they know how many children to anticipate.

ARTS & CULTURE

Words to the wise

The ins and outs of launching and sustaining a literary festival in WNC

BY TESSA FONTAINE

tgfontaine@gmail.com

There’s a story that floats around Western Carolina University’s English department: Years back, W.H. Auden was brought in as a guest author. He was, at the time, perhaps the most famous living poet. Students and faculty alike were thrilled, couldn’t wait to hear him read, talk to him.

But nobody could find him. He just wasn’t showing up to the events. Turns out, nobody ever picked him up from the airport.

This is the kind of nightmare scenario that kept Mary Adams, an associate professor of English at Western Carolina University, up at night when she directed WCU’s Spring Literary Festival from 2006-12. Adams was among the many writers and faculty who helped grow what started as a small visiting writer series into one of the most vibrant literary festivals at any college campus in the Southeast.

The choice to expand into a festival, she says, was based on a simple idea: Instead of bringing guest authors in one at a time over the course of the academic year, as the college had been doing, they would bring them all at the same time, over just a couple of days.

Transitioning to a festival model, they reasoned, could solve the problem of low audience attendance, says Brian Railsback, professor of English at WCU and founder of the Spring Literary Festival. “We thought it might increase funding, allowing us to bring in even bigger-name authors.” And so in 2006, they did just that.

Creating a literary festival is no small feat, but sustaining one as it grows over the years takes creativity, patience and a lot of community connection. In the 20 years since WCU founded its Spring Literary Festival, an ever-changing team of faculty, staff, students, writers and community partners has worked together to keep it afloat.

And they hope to pass some of the hard-earned wisdom on to newcomers, like the organizers of the McDowell Literary Festival, soon to have its inaugural event.

BIG NAMES

This year, WCU’s Spring Literary Festival takes place Monday-Thursday, April 6-9, on campus, with headliners including Aimee Nezhukamathil and Ross Gay, as well as WCU faculty member Alice Martin, who recently released her novel Westward Women

Get festive

WHAT Western Carolina University’s Spring Literary Festival WHERE

Most events take place at A.K. Hinds University Center on the WCU campus with some special events at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center. Details at avl.mx/fgf.

WHEN

Monday-Thursday, April 6-9. Free and open to the public.

WHAT McDowell Literary Festival WHERE

Local Author Book Fair takes place in the Parish Hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marion. Specials are also scheduled at participating bookstores: Bigfoot Books Brews in Marion, Little Switzerland Books and Beans in Little Switzerland and B Side Bakery and Books in Old Fort. Details at avl.mx/fgg.

WHEN Saturday, April 25. Free and open to the public.

Over the years, the event has consistently brought in major regional and nationally known writers, from local favorites like Ron Rash and Lee Smith to major American writers such as Pat Conroy, Li-Young Lee, Marilynne Robinson, Billy Collins, Tracy K. Smith, Maxine Kumin, Hanif Abdurraqib and Sherman Alexie

In order to attract a broader audience, English professor Jeremy Jones, director of the event since 2019, has worked to strengthen interdisciplinary connections between festival authors, the university population and Western North Carolina community members.

“Not everyone knows the festival is happening,” Jones says. His strategy is to create events that connect authors to people who may not otherwise encounter their work, such as students in WCU’s nonhumanities classes.

Some activities take place outside the classroom. When Beth Macy, author of the bestselling nonfiction book Dopesick, about opioid addiction, came to the festival in 2023, Jones partnered with WCU’s social work program for a series of community events featuring a range of relevant speakers — law enforcement, a licensed counselor, folks struggling with addiction and someone in recovery.

In addition to reaching into the community, Jones continues, the festival aims to get students out of the classroom. At past festivals,

author Ann Pancake, who writes about Appalachia, took students on a hike, stopping along the way to offer writing prompts. In another event, writers Mark Powell and Charles Dodd White took students canoeing on Bear Lake.

The 2026 lineup features Indigenous writers Vanessa Lillie, Deborah Jackson Taffa and Shane Hawk in conversation about contemporary Indigenous literature at the Museum of the Cherokee People. And headlining writers Nezhukumatathil and Gay, both of whom are involved in community gardening, will take students to a local community garden.

As WCU’s festival has grown, it has continued to forge new ties with organizations outside the university. “A lot more people than you think are literary-minded,” Jones says. “People are always looking for ways to make these things happen.”

These collaborations are part of the words of wisdom Jones offers to others hoping to build a literary festival: “Look for unexpected partnerships.”

FESTIVAL DREAMS

Stephen Knight , who opened Bigfoot Books & Brews in downtown Marion last summer with his daughter, Olyvia Knight, is no stranger to the unexpected. The pair launched

THE WRITE STUFF: Aimee Nezhukumatathil is among the headlining writers at Western Carolina University’s 2026 Spring Literary Festival, taking place April 6-9. Photo by Ashley Evans

the bookstore after Stephen lost his Asheville home in Tropical Storm Helene, then moved to Marion.

But their retail venture quickly grew into something bigger. “One of [our] dreams was to do something like a lit festival,” Stephen says. He and Olyvia envisioned collaborating with other local bookstores for events and hosting author readings and talks in a central space.

Thus, the McDowell Literary Festival was born. A partnership with Little Switzerland Books and Beans in Little Switzerland and B Side Bakery and Books in Old Fort, the festival makes its debut on Saturday, April 25, Independent Bookstore Day.

The festival’s core event is a Local Author Book Fair happening 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Parish Hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Marion, featuring talks and readings from regional authors, including Andrew K. Clark, April Fox, Chrissy McVay, Jim Draper, Clint Bowman and bestselling children’s book writer John Pavlovitz. Participating bookstores will also host their own rosters of special events and sales (see sidebar). All events are free and open to the public.

Additionally, between now and April 25, readers can pick up a McDowell Literary Festival “passport” at participating bookstores and get it stamped at each store to be entered for a grand prize on the day of the festival.

Moira Hutchings , manager of Little Switzerland Books and Beans, says she hopes the festival will help bring attention to WNC’s large community of writers. “Sometimes people picture these little mountain towns as being culturally deficient, but that is not the case,” says Hutchings. “There’s a lot of music, a lot of writing.”

Knight agrees, noting that he hopes the festival will encourage more people “to read and appreciate the amaz-

ing talent of writers here,” plus help support local independent businesses.

Knight says he envisions his bookstore as “a third place for folks to gather, folks who wouldn’t normally be

“I’d like to see [the festival] grow,” says Hutchings. “I hope after this year that we need a larger venue space so we have more authors, a bigger crowd. I hope people come out and find some new authors they love and show our little mountain area support.”

WORDS OF ADVICE

Plans for the McDowell Literary Festival came together surprisingly easily, says Knight. He didn’t consult with folks from other lit fests before proposing the idea to other bookstores a few months back — he just went for it.

But for others considering starting a literary festival, former WCU festival director Adams has advice. “Get the word out early, connect with local book clubs, feature different writers on social media,” she says. And get creative. She remembers one year when WCU got copies of all the featured authors’ books and did presentations at local libraries to drum up support.

WCU festival founder Railsback adds that when WCU’s Spring Literary Festival was established, organizers worked with a local artist to create a striking poster for the event — visuals can make a big difference, he says. He also notes that linking with an area community college or other institution can help build support and enthusiasm for the project.

hanging out together,” and has similar aspirations for the festival.

Organizers say they’re not only excited about McDowell’s inaugural event but are already looking to the future.

A final piece of guidance circles back to Jones’ idea of the unexpected — not just seeking out surprising collaborations, but embracing unanticipated hiccups. Railsback remembers the year National Poet Laureate Ted Kooser gave a reading and was very hungry after his event. The only nearby restaurant still open was a Huddle House, so he and other faculty members fed the national poet laureate chicken-fried steak.

“He was very kind and gracious,” Railsback says, laughing. X

DREAMING BIG: Stephen Knight, left, and daughter Olyvia, right, are working with other local bookstore owners to host the inaugural McDowell Literary Festival on Saturday, April 25. Photo courtesy Bigfoot Books & Brews

Seeking higher ground Plans

take shape for the RAD’s new flood-resilient ‘creative campus’

BY JUSTIN M c GUIRE

jmcguire@mountainx.com

As the River Arts District (RAD) continues to recover from the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene, a local nonprofit is spearheading ambitious plans to create a flood-resilient arts hub with studios, community spaces, offices and more.

The proposed “creative campus,” still in its early stages, is envisioned as both a physical space and a structural shift in how artists live and work in the district, says Kimberly Self Hundertmark, executive director of the River Arts District Artists (RADA) Foundation. The organization is under contract for a two-building Lyman Street property above the flood plain that it plans to transform into the campus after Helene destroyed roughly 80% of the RAD’s studios and displaced more than 500 artists, according to RADA.

“We’re still in that moment where we’ve had to pivot to rebuild and think in terms of resiliency and sustainability long term,” she says. “If you go back to 2004, we’ve seen the flood plain flood even before Helene. With global warming, that possibility is higher than it’s been, and we have to plan accordingly without losing the magic that is the River Arts District.”

The project emerged from the Unified RAD Visioning Charrette, a post-Helene planning process involving more than 1,200 stakeholders.

Plans for the campus include studio space, shared maker facilities, exhibition areas and a flexible venue for performances and community use. Organizers also emphasize the importance of artist-controlled space and the ability to offer more affordable studios, particularly for emerging artists entering the district.

Xpress spoke with Self Hundertmark about the vision, timeline and goals for the project.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Xpress: Where did the idea for a creative campus come from?

Self Hundertmark: We’ve been talking about something like the creative campus since before the storm. One of the main issues in the River Arts District is studio space. There has been space to show work, and for some mediums it’s easier to find space than for others. Our craft community —

woodworkers, glass artists, ceramic artists — faces different challenges than painters. Even painters, if you want to paint really big or a series at the same time, finding space big enough has been an issue.

Another important need is having artists own spaces. Right now, only one building — The Lift Studios, owned by Daniel McClendon — is artist-owned in the RAD. Having space that artists control and program is important for maintaining vibrancy. Some landlords don’t allow kilns, louder equipment or messier artists, so having a space where

we decide layout and usage supports all mediums.

Controlling rent is also important so new artists have workspace that isn’t high-end professional. This helps maintain and grow the arts community, giving new artists room to develop into professional working artists.

The storm clarified these needs and highlighted resiliency. We can’t risk quarter-million-dollar ceramic equipment in the flood plain. Having space above the flood plain, with a plan to move art and tools if another flood happens, is very important — a resiliency hub is critical.

Finally, growing and highlighting the creative economy in the RAD matters. We’ve been recognized as the No. 1 arts district in the country and Canada.

How many artists do you hope to be able to provide space for?

We’re hoping somewhere between 30 and 40 individual studios. We also want a maker space where artists can use tools that may be too expensive or don’t fit in their studios.

There will be offices for RADA, and we’re hoping to work with other local

AFTER THE FLOOD: Flooding from Tropical Storm Helene displaced more than 500 artists in the River Arts District.

Photo courtesy of RADA

nonprofits to see if there is room for office and potentially working space as well. The more partnerships, the better, and the sum is greater than the parts when working with other creative nonprofits.

One of the things that’s great is that between the two buildings, one can be public facing to show the history of the River Arts District, the different mediums and regional artwork.

The craft community in Western North Carolina has a long history in the regional economy. Mediums that don’t get enough attention, like glass, ceramics, woodworking and furniture making, are ones we hope to highlight. This industrial building is already set up to offer opportunities for makers needing more space or more options in electrical outlets or water.

For example, I’m a glass artist, and I don’t have enough sink space. Some tools require water continuously. That building at the end of Lyman is already set up for many of our needs and has space to grow. It’s 4.2 acres.

Long-term plans include housing for residential artists and working with other organizations on housing opportunities. There are many ways to support the arts community in the River Arts District and beyond with those spaces.

Real estate and rentals in Asheville can be expensive. How will you make this affordable for artists who want to rent studio space?

The hope would be that we can find enough money to purchase [the property] outright. Long term, we would be able to offer subsidized studio space and keep market rates managed in the River Arts District in terms of the cost of studio space. Having enough studios there to affect market rates also is important to keep them reasonable.

Also, we want to be a hub in which, for example, a jeweler who just graduated from Haywood Community College’s craft program can come into the River Arts District and have a year to understand what it means to be a professional working artist within the creative community. Supporting folks coming out of A-B Tech, Haywood Community College, UNCA’s art program or Warren Wilson’s art program. How do we bring in those young artists and support them as they become professional working artists so we continue to be a viable part of the creative economy?

A key part of this plan is that the campus will be above the flood plain. Are there other resilience strategies beyond just the location?

Beyond just a creative campus, the goal is that it becomes a resiliency hub. There will be a plan in place for artists in the flood plain to have their work moved up to the creative campus in case of disaster. Groups like CERF+

[The Craft Emergency Relief Fund] have grants for individual artists up to $1,000 to make a disaster plan. It’s basically asking what things you need: Does your equipment need to be on wheels so you can roll it out of your studio? Do you need rubber containers ready to put your tools in during an emergency?

From the foundation’s point of view, as all these individual artists have a plan, how do we as a community organization support those plans by potentially renting trucks and saying, “At 5 o’clock, we’re going to hit your studio; be ready to load your stuff onto this truck, and we will drive it up to the creative campus.”

What’s the timeline?

We are in very early stages. We’re in the survey inspection phase right now. We’re hoping to find the funding to purchase the property within the next year or so. We’re hoping one building will be able to start building out as soon as we purchase the property — the building that will become the Welcome Center and a flex space that can be used by the symphony or by Asheville Community Theatre. It can be a black box theater but also be a gallery space.

The studio space is probably two years away at the earliest because the folks who are in the building now have time after we purchase to find space to move the manufacturing facility that’s there now. So, within two years for the first building, and three to four years for the whole space to become what the plan is.

You mentioned the money for buying the building and some sort of capital campaign. How much are you expecting it to cost, and what is your fundraising process going to be like?

Right now, my focus is on our budget for the foundation because we are still at a moment where we’re making sure we keep in the RAD what we had before. Our budget includes scholarships and grants for artists in the RAD right now. Our capital campaign will start this year. We’re in the feasibility process, seeing where we look for these larger fund amounts. We hope by spring to start a capital campaign and be able to tell people what the long-term goal is for the property.

Grants, foundations, individual donors: We’ll do a full capital campaign in all the ways that we can to raise funds.

We [the RAD] traditionally brought something like $300 million into the economy of Asheville each year. In that pie chart of important parts of the economy, the creative economy is a big part of that for Western North Carolina and for Asheville in particular. So finding long-term ways to protect, grow and support the creative community is superimportant. X

Likely stories

Now in its third year, the Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series returns with monthly installments, AprilSeptember, at the Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center (PCMDC). The Waynesville-based nonprofit launched the series in 2024 as a way to bridge gaps, build community and sustain connections across Western North Carolina by showcasing storytellers from the region’s African American, Hispanic and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian communities.

According to board of directors member Evan Hatch , that mission has been a successful one and attracts a loyal base who enjoy seeing “intelligent, engaging people who are good at talking.”

“There is now a larger audience even, pulling from Asheville, of people who are aware of the uniqueness of the Pigeon Center and are aware that organizations like that exist,” he says. “It’s not even a cultural organization as much as it’s a social community organization.”

The 2026 series kicks off Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m., with Chris Aluka Berry, an award-winning photographer with over 20 years of experience documenting the U.S. South. As she has since the series’ inception, PCMDC program director Latausha “Tausha” Forney will serve as the facilitator and help encourage audience participation.

The series continues the second Thursday of each month. Additional speakers include Latina storyteller Carolina Quiroga (May 14); Cherokee teller Davy Arch; Jamaican-born counselor and therapist Nicola Karesh; and Nancy Tolson (Aug. 13), the assistant director of the African American Studies Program at the University of South Carolina. The final installment on Sept. 10 will feature a special set of individuals.

“We’re actually getting some of the elders in the community who have been interviewed by Pigeon Center staff and oral historians from Western Carolina University,” Hatch says. “Those [interviews] were collected in the book Lift Every Voice! And so these community storytellers are now going to have a chance to revisit those stories and talk about them.”

Tickets are $10 for community members, $7 for seniors age 65 and

older, and $5 for students. Admission is free for children ages 12 and younger. Reduced price $50/$40/$30 series passes are also available.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/eop.

Art walk celebrates East-West Asheville creatives

A new First Friday Art Walk debuts Friday, April 3, 5-8 p.m., during which a dozen neighborhood businesses in East-West Asheville will host free arts-centered events, inviting the public to stroll between locations and experience the district’s creative energy.

The event is organized by Lamplight AVL, which will welcome the public inside its new location at 2 Westwood Place to visit with the variety of artists inhabiting the building’s studio spaces. Other offerings include an art show featuring work by Thom Nguyen at Harvest Records; a live soundscape by Bryce Franich with accompanying visuals by Aida Courtenay-Smith at AyurPrana Listening Room; a live hot-glass demonstration at Nice Time Glass; and music from Daniel Shearin of River Whyless alongside artwork by Matt Fischer and abstract paintings by Jordan Garmon at Cellarest Beer Project.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fgb.

Register for Asheville Music School camps

Asheville Music School is accepting students ages 4-18 for its summer music camps. Options include Rock Camps, Harry Potter-themed Suzuki Strings Camps, Ukulele Camp, Jazz Camp, Music Explorations, Song Circle Voice Camp, Appalachian Music Camp, Open Jam Camp, a new Video Game Music Camp and more. Students will learn music in a fun, supportive, team-oriented environment in large or groups. All camps include outdoor time, weather permitting. Camps run MondaysFridays with half-day (9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m.) and full-day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) opportunities. Cost is $210-$385.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fge.

TALK TO ME: Chris Aluka Berry, left, and Carolina Quiroga are among the featured performers in the 2026 Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series. Photos courtesy of Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center

Asheville Junior Theater rebrands as PACA

The production company formerly known as Asheville Junior Theater has rebranded as PACA: The Performing Arts Company of Asheville. According to a press release, the “transformation reflects the organization’s continued growth and its commitment to inspiring creativity, confidence and connection through the performing arts.”

Despite the name change, students and families “will continue to enjoy the same beloved classes, productions and dedicated instructors that have made the program a cornerstone of the local arts community.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fgc.

Community podcast studio launches

Table & Mic, a professional podcast and media studio, is heading to The Block. The space at 42 S. Market St. is designed for multicamera video podcasts, broadcast-quality audio, interviews and occasional in-studio

music performances. A soft opening is planned for sometime in April.

According to co-organizer Caleb Owolabi, a media producer and Asheville native, the goal of Table & Mic is “to create a place where musicians, artists and community leaders can record conversations and performances in a high-quality but relaxed environment.” The studio grows out of his broader work “documenting the people, culture and landscapes of Western North Carolina through documentaries and episodic television distributed nationally.”

“It’s designed as a space for all voices and perspectives in the region,” he continues. “Our team itself is diverse, and the studio will be open for creators to produce their own work independently of the Table & Mic brand.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg6.

Floral art installation explores impermanence

Local florists Hanna Zahory , Grace Bates-Toulson, Allison Omlor and Gabrielle Thompson combine forces for “How Long Will It Last?”

an immersive floral art installation that runs Friday-Thursday, April 10-16, at Trackside Studios.

According to a press release, the title refers to “a common question in a florist’s career and a mirror to our impermanence. Inspired by the reverence, companionship and guidance of a death doula, we want to invite the public to hold hands with existence and mortality.” The installation is designed to portray “the transition from life to death, metaphorically and literally” that will “make each day a new experience as the flowers evolve in their cycle.”

“Fascinated by the ephemeral, our objective is to create an immersive portrayal of the transitions from life to death in a way that challenges our measure of worth by longevity and durability,” the florists say in the joint artists’ statement. “Our installation will be composed of flowers and plant material and enhanced by play of light, reflection, height and poignant ephemera to envelope participants in the spectrum of transience and grief.”

Free to attend.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg5.

— Edwin Arnaudin X

Hop on it

The following restaurants are among many local businesses offering special menus and dining options on Easter Sunday, April 5:

• The Horse Shoe Farm’s Silo Cookhouse offers a family-friendly celebration, including a brunch buffet crafted from farm-fresh ingredients, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Additional activities include a visit with the Easter Bunny, 11 a.m.-noon, and an Easter egg hunt on the property starting at 11:30 a.m. The buffet costs $65 per adult; children 12 and younger may dine and enjoy the events for free. Reservations are required. To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg4.

• The Market Place brings back brunch service just for Easter with a three-course prix fixe menu available 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Choices include shrimp and grits, crab cakes, steak and eggs, vegetable quiche and more. Tickets are $55 each. To learn more, visit avl.mx/dbu.

• Bargello will serve a three-course prix fixe Easter menu 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The cost is $64 per adult, $34 per child, plus tax and gratuity. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffn.

• Wildwood Still also offers Easter brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The threecourse prix fixe menu costs $59 per adult, $29 per child, plus tax and gratuity. To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffo.

• Capella on 9 will host an Easter brunch buffet at its newly renovated rooftop restaurant and lounge, noon2 p.m. Options include made-to-order omelets, freshly carved roasted turkey breast and deviled eggs. A free drink is included for guests 21 and older. Tickets are $55 per adult and $45 for children younger than 12. To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg3.

• Xico will celebrate Easter 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with a special a la carte brunch menu from chef Scott Linquist. Pomegranate-glazed lamb ribs, huevos rancheros and tres leches French toast are among the choices, along with Mexican-inspired cocktails. To learn more, visit avl.mx/fgi.

• Finest in West Asheville will offer a $49 prix fixe Easter menu at 10 a.m., featuring stracciatella cheese toast, market salad and choice of egg-focused entrée plus orange creamsicle tiramisu for dessert and wine or a spritz. An a la carte menu will also be available. Email hello@ finestavl.com or call 828-220-0037 for reservations. To learn more, visit avl.mx/fgd.

• If you’d prefer to celebrate a day early, Sweeten Creek Brewing hosts its Easter activities Saturday, April 4, 1-4 p.m. Offerings include two rounds of Easter egg hunts, as

BRUNCH IT UP: The Horse Shoe Farm’s Easter celebration, pictured, is among many local holiday brunch offerings. Photo courtesy of The Horse Shoe Farm

well as other games and live music. To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg8.

Spice Witch a semifinalist in national competition

Sabrina Hill’s Asheville-based condiment brand Spice Witch is a semifinalist in The UPS Store Challenge, a national competition recognizing standout entrepreneurs and growing brands across the U.S. According to a press release, Spice Witch is one of nine businesses chosen from more than 6,000 applicants. Prizes include mentorship opportunities, a share of $35,000 in prizes and a feature in Inc. Magazine.

Spice Witch produces “bold, flavor-driven chili oils and chili crisps designed to bring layered spice and depth to everyday cooking,” according to the press release.

Public voting is open daily through Sunday, April 5, and supporters can vote once per day.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/xmasjby.

Bebop teams with Finest on snack menu

On Friday, April 3, 7-9 p.m., Bebop Bottle Shop celebrates the launch of its new weekend snack partnership with Haywood Road neighbor Finest. The event features an a la carte menu centered on Finest’s house-made focaccia, paired with a specially curated list of Italian wines by the glass.

The program runs at BeBop every Thursday-Sunday and includes toasted focaccia, focaccia sandwiches and cheese bread.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/fg2.

— Edwin Arnaudin X

Spring Laugh Invasion

The Asheville Comedy Festival (ACF) returns to town this August for its 18th year with additional headliner events in June, July and September. Though those performances are still months away, impatient fans of stand-up are in luck. ACF presents its Spring Laugh Invasion, FridaySaturday, April 3-4, at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.

Charlotte-based comic and ACF veteran Tyrone Burston hosts both nights, which, according to a press release, will feature a combined total of “over 18 of the nation’s fastest-rising touring comedians.” Industry professionals, network representatives and talent producers will also be in attendance to scout emerging stars, offering a chance for “I saw them before they were famous” bragging rights.

Each showcase starts at 7 p.m. and is designed for audiences ages 18 and older. Tickets are $33 per night or $50 for a two-night package.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffz. X

Natural Shocks

Dedicated to producing what artistic director Melon Wedick calls “urgent, irreverent and accessible adaptations of Shakespeare’s work,” Nemesis Theatre Company branches out this month with its contemporary-works arm, ArchNemesis. The debut production is Lauren Gunderson‘s energetic one-woman show Natural Shocks, about a statistics-obsessed insurance agent who escapes an oncoming storm by seeking shelter in her basement, where

she promptly confronts the various events and relationships of her life.

Directed by Wedick, the show stars local actor Trinity Smith Keel and features original sound design created and performed live by Franklin Keel, the associate principal cellist of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. Performances run Thursdays-Saturdays, April 2-12, at the intimate BeBe Theatre. Tickets are $30 Friday-Saturday and $15 on Thursdays. Showtimes vary by day.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffw. X

The Golden Hours

Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum have a lot in common. Both are acclaimed folk duos, composed of married couples, and all the members just so happen to live in Charlottesville, Va.

After making their individual marks on the indie music scene these past 20-plus years, Lowland Hum’s Lauren and Daniel Goans and David Wax Museum’s Suz Slezak and David Wax have recently formed a supergroup called The Golden Hours. The project began as Concert in the Blind, an immersive musical experience in which

the audience members wear blindfolds or close their eyes. And it’s evolved into the album Terra Nova (to be released in 2026) as well as an East Coast tour this April and June, which stops at The Grey Eagle on Tuesday, April 7, at 8 p.m.

Each duo will kick off the evening with separate sets, followed by their joint The Golden Hours performance. Tickets for this fully seated show are $20.91 general admission and $30.25 for guaranteed seating in the first three rows.

To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffy. X

Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution

This summer, the U.S. commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And in the weeks and months leading up to and following that celebration, the Museum of the Cherokee People (MotCP) seeks to spark conversation about American identity and sovereignty among individuals of all walks of life through Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution.

This first-of-its-kind exhibition debuted March 17 and is on view through Wednesday, Dec. 30. According to a press release, it features “historic objects in conversation with works by Cherokee artists, merging cultural heritage, military history and contemporary art for a nuanced examination of a pivotal moment in Cherokee and American history.”

“Because American nationalist mythology pretends like Native people belong in the past, our contemporary existence contradicts the dominant memory and commemorative landscape of the United States,” says guest curator Brandon Dillard, a member of the Cherokee Nation who worked with MotCP on the exhibition. “With Unrelenting, we just

wanted to invite people to think about some of those things and recognize how complicated it all is — and, most importantly, to welcome complexity when thinking about the past.”

To learn more, visit avl.mx/ffx. X

“Cunne Shote, Cherokee Chief" by Francis Parsons. Image courtesy of the Museum of the Cherokee People

Photo of Spring Laugh Invasion host Tyrone Burston courtesy of the artist

Trinity Smith Keel, left, and Franklin Keel. Smith Keel photo by Scott Treadway; Keel photo by Steve Atkins

Photo of The Golden Hours by Tristan Williams

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1

12 BONES BREWING

SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia Night w/King Trivia, 7pm

185 KING STREET Trivia & Karaoke Night, 7pm

EDA RHYNE

Eda Rhyne's Trivia Night, 7pm

EULOGY

Slomosa w/The Mainliners (rock), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers Jamgrass Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA Trivia Night, 6:30pm

HI-WIRE BREWING -

BILTMORE VILLAGE Weekly Trivia, 7pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ

CLUB Isaac Hadden’s Spatial Explorations (jazz), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old-time Jam, 5pm

SHAKEY'S SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday Open Jam, 8pm

THE ODD

Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Lasso Twins (multigenre), 10pm

TURGUA BREWING CO. Lightning Round Trivia w/ Marty, 6pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY Open Mic Night, 6:30pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

185 KING STREET

Teacher Troubadours (multi-genre), 7pm

ANTIDOTE COCKTAIL LOUNGE AT CHEMIST

Sky's The Limit: Rooftop Comedy, 7pm

CROW & QUILL DJ Whitney (rock'n'roll, soul), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm

EULOGY

Lala Lala w/Mother Soki (indie), 8pm

FLEETWOOD’S Mantra, Paprika & Low

Hawk (folk, garagerock, indie), 9pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays, 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWING

Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ

CLUB

Ben Colvin Quartet (funk, jazz, soul), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Bluegrass Jam, 7pm

LEVELLER BREWING

CO.

Traditional Irish Session, 6pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO.

• Alma Russ (Appalachian, country, folk), 6pm

• Thursday Karaoke, 9:30pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Aaron Lane (multigenre), 8pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

Auto-tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch a Mic, 10pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Frank Hurricane, Sleep Number, Nina GI & Becca Leigh (experimental, folk, noise), 8pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Lee Fields & Monophonics (funk, soul), 8pm

TURGUA BREWING CO.

Alien Music Club Jazz Jam, 5:30pm

CLUBLAND

TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Trivia Night, 6:30pm

URBAN ORCHARD

CIDER CO.

Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

VOWL BAR AT DSSOLVR

Hot Couch Karaoke w/ DJ BridalPartiBucardi, 8pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

185 KING STREET

Andrew Thelston Band (funk, rock'n'roll), 8pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

The Snozzberries w/ Steve Kelly (funk, psych-rock), 9pm

BURGER BAR

Burger Bar Comedy Night, 7pm

CROW & QUILL

Las Montañitas (AfroColombian, cumbia, psych), 8pm

CULTURA

Comedy at Cultura w/ Zach Pugh, 7pm

EDA RHYNE

Don't Tell Comedy: Biltmore Village, 9pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Idle County & Tombstone Poetry (indie, rock), 8pm

ELEVATED

KAVA LOUNGE

DOWNTOWN

Open Mic Night, 8pm

EULOGY

Teathyme Takeover (House), 10pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Mojo Mountain (blues, country, soul), 6pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ

CLUB

UNCA Xtet Jazz Quartet (funk, jazz), 8pm

JACK OF THE WOOD

PUB

Reggie Headen & Nighttime Noon (altrock, jazz, soul), 8:30pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO. Congdon Griffin Band, 8pm

On Monday, April 6,

of newgrass, appears with the John Cowan Trio at The Grey

p.m. With Luke Bulla and Ethan Ballinger, Cowan may lead listeners through

try, bluegrass and gospel numbers to soul, jazz and even

Madison Thorn

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST On The Road To Toe Down (multi-genre), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Luna Worldcast (folk, rock), 8pm

PRITCHARD PARK

DOWNTOWN

The Friday Drum Circle, 6pm

SHAKEY'S 2000s Karaoke w/DJ Franco Nino, 10pm

SHAMROCK IRONS

Rock While Rome Burns, 8pm

SHILOH & GAINES

Lazybirds (blues, jazz, roots), 8pm

STATIC AGE

RECORDS

Mirah, Whym & Son of a Gunther (indie, pop), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE John Craigie w/Anthony da Costa (Americana, folk), 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

• Dan Clare Collective (multi-genre), 6pm

• 5J Barrow (folk), 10pm

ORANGE

8pm

THIRD ROOM Marisa

Blake (funk, Latin, Ska), 7pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Not That Innocent: 2000’s Dance Party, 9pm

BURGER BAR The Best Worst Karaoke, 8pm

CROW & QUILL Firecracker Jazz Band (jazz), 8pm

EDA

THE

PEEL Reverend Horton Heat (psych, rockabilly, swing),

Cristina

RHYNE Witching Hour, Dark & Dirty Comedy, 9pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Chris McGinnis & Alex Williams (Appalachian, country), 8pm

THE VOICE OF NEWGRASS:

John Cowan, hailed as the voice

Eagle, starting at 8

coun-

rock. Photo courtesy of

EULOGY

The Get Right Band w/ Hustle Souls (indie-rock, psychedelic), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Juliana Jade (folk, indie, pop), 6pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

Eyes Up Here Comedy: Ladies of Atlanta Edition, 7pm

GREEN MAN

BREWING

The Z-Man Experience (rock, Ska), 3pm

HARRAH'S CHEROKEE

CASINO RESORT

Santana (Afro, blues, Latin), 7:30pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ

CLUB

Danny Iannucci Quartet (jazz), 8pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Nobody’s Darling String Band (bluegrass, blues, swing), 4pm

• 65 North Pickers (bluegrass), 8:30pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

Ten Toe Turbo, 8pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

• Rhythm & Blues

Dance Party w/Peggy Ratusz & Daddy

LongLegs Dance Band (blues, jazz), 4pm

• April Saturday Sessions (electronic, House), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING

Pat Sheridan & Michael Dunham (Americana, blues), 8pm

SHAMROCK IRONS

Joshua Sewell & Friends (jazz, psych, soul), 8pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO.

Morrissey Blvd (funk, rock), 2pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Tatsuya Nakatani, XOR & Crocodylidae (multigenre), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

• Patio: Bam-a-Lam (rock), 2pm

• Woody Wood & Abe Reid (Appalachian, folk, rag-time), 8pm

THE ODD Party Foul Drag, 8pm

THE ONE STOP AT

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

• Riyen Roots (blues, roots, soul), 6pm

• Gooseberry (alt-rock, blues, indie), 10pm

THE ORANGE PEEL

Sold Out: Wednesday (alt-country, indie-rock, shoegaze), 8pm

URBAN ORCHARD

CIDER CO.

70's, 80's and 90's DJ Dance Night, 7pm

WISE EATS

The Candleers (country), 7pm

SUNDAY, APRIL 5

185 KING STREET

Open Electric Jam w/ The King Street House Band, 5pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

In Color w/Eden Joel (alt-pop, rock), 8pm

BURIAL SOUTH SLOPE

Mourning Mass, 2pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Open Mic Night, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Reggae Sunday w/ Chalwa (reggae), 3pm

GINGER'S REVENGE

Jazz Jam Sundays, 2:30pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ

CLUB

Mr Jimmy's Sunday Jazz Session (blues, jazz), 5pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

• Bluegrass Brunch w/ The Bluegrass Brunch Boys (bluegrass), noon

• Traditional Irish Music Session, 3:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Suns of Stars Sunday Residency (bluegrass), 2pm

PISGAH BREWING CO.

Sunday Jam: Spiro & Friends (jam, multigenre), 6:30pm

RIVER ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO.

RAD Comedy w/Kenny Stempien, 7pm

SHAMROCK IRONS

Trippin' Up the Stairs (Appalachian, Celtic), 1pm

SIERRA NEVADA

BREWING CO. Commodore Fox (rock), 2pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Expensive $hit & Cooling Prongs (artpop, Electro, noise), 8:45pm

THE ORANGE PEEL Juvenile (hip-hop, rap), 8pm

VOWL BAR AT DSSOLVR Freshen Up Open Mic Comedy, 7pm

MONDAY, APRIL 6

185 KING STREET Old Time Mountain Music Jam, 6pm

DIATRIBE BREWING Big Brain Trivia, 7pm

DIRTY JACK'S Traditional Old Time Jam, 5:30pm

HI-WIRE RAD BEER GARDEN

RAD Music Bingo, 7pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Mashup Mondays w/ JLloyd (funk, jazz, soul), 8pm

KEEPING ASHEVILLE WEIRD SINCE

4/3 FRI DJ UNCLE RIZZ, 8pm Punk / New Wave / Classic Rock

4/4 SAT ZERO PROOF PARTY, 9pm with Dayowulf

MON Ping-Pong Tournament, 6pm TUE

OPEN JAM: 7:30pm Signup / 8pm Show WED

POETRY OPEN MIC - NIGHT

ONE WORLD

BREWING

Open Mic Downtown, 7:30pm

STATIC AGE LOFT

The Hot Seat w/C.J. Green & Cam (Comedy), 7pm

TAPROOM AT HIGHLAND BREWING CO.

Trivia Night W/Two Bald Guys & A Mic, 6pm

THE GREY EAGLE

John Cowan w/Luke Bulla & Ethan Ballinger (newgrass, Americana), 8pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 7

185 KING STREET Pickers Anonymous w/Nicholas Edward Williams, Owen Grooms, & John Benjamin Davis (multigenre), 6:30pm

ARCHETYPE

BREWING

Trivia Tuesdays, 6:30pm

BURGER BAR

C U Next Tuesday Trivia, 9pm

DIATRIBE BREWING Irish Session, 4pm

ELUVIUM BREWING

Not Rocket Science Trivia, 6pm

FLEETWOOD’S

Williamson Brothers, Die Spinns & Scrap Metal (power-pop, Southern-rock), 9pm

FRENCH BROAD RIVER BREWERY

Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia, 7pm

HI-WIRE RAD BEER GARDEN

RAD Weekly Trivia, 7pm

HI-WIRE SOUTH

SLOPE

Trivia Tuesdays w/ Not Rocket Science, 7pm

MILLS RIVER BREWING CO. Tuesday Night Trivia, 6pm

OKLAWAHA BREWING CO. Team Trivia, 7pm

ONE WORLD

BREWING WEST

Clouds of Delusion (Grateful Dead tribute), 7pm

REVIVAL

Bravo Reality Trivia, 7pm

SOVEREIGN KAVA Open Jam, 8pm

SWEETEN CREEK

BREWING

All Arts Open Mic!, 6pm

THE GREY EAGLE

The Golden Hours w/ David Wax Museum & Lowland Hum (indiefolk), 8pm

THIRD ROOM

Open Decks, 8pm

TURGUA BREWING CO.

Old-time Jam (jazz), 5:30pm

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

12 BONES BREWING SMOKEHOUSE & BREWING

Trivia Night w/King Trivia, 7pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC

HALL

City of the Sun (surfrock), 8pm

EULOGY

Sports w/Chrissy (indie, pop), 8pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Saylor Brothers Jamgrass Wednesdays, 6:30pm

GALACTIC PIZZA

Trivia Night, 6:30pm

HI-WIRE BREWINGBILTMORE VILLAGE

Weekly Trivia, 7pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ CLUB

The Pamela Jones Trio (jazz), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB

Old-time Jam, 5pm

SHAKEY'S SSIN w/DJ Ragga Massive, 10pm

SLY GROG LOUNGE

Weird Wednesday

Open Jam, 8pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS

Feyleux, Cold Choir, Saint Cure & DJ

Blood Chamber (dark-wave, dreampop), 8:45pm

THE GREY EAGLE

Emily Scott Robinson w/Admiral Radio (Americana, country, folk), 8pm

THE ODD

Terraoke Karaoke Takeover, 9pm

THE ONE STOP AT ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Awen Family Band (folk, rock), 10pm

TURGUA BREWING CO.

Lightning Round Trivia w/ Marty, 6pm TWIN LEAF BREWERY

Open Mic Night, 6:30pm VOWL BAR AT DSSOLVR Group Therapy w/ Neptune Spins, 9pm

WHITE HORSE BLACK MOUNTAIN Irish Session, 5pm

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

185 KING STREET Honky Tonk Thursday w/Martha Spencer & the Wonderland Band (country), 6pm

ASHEVILLE MUSIC HALL

Shelly Belly, 8pm

CROW & QUILL Otis Trick & the Books (rock'n'roll), 8pm

EDA'S HIDE-A-WAY

Bless Your Heart Trivia w/Harmon, 7pm

FLOOD GALLERY

True Home Open Mic, 6pm

FRENCH BROAD

RIVER BREWERY

Jerry's Dead Thursdays, 6pm

GREEN MAN BREWING

Thursday Night Trivia, 7pm

HOTEL EVE JAZZ CLUB Starkestra Swings (jazz), 7pm

JACK OF THE WOOD PUB Bluegrass Jam, 7pm

OKLAWAHA

BREWING CO.

• Trevor Kent (acoustic), 6pm

• Thursday Karaoke, 9:30pm

ONE WORLD BREWING WEST

Fee Fi Phaux Fish (Phish tribute), 8pm

ONE WORLD BREWING Red Rock Hill (Americana, indie-rock), 8pm

PULP

Missbliss!, blankstate & Mascons (indie), 8pm

STATIC AGE LOFT Auto-tune Karaoke w/ Who Gave This B*tch a Mic, 10pm

STATIC AGE RECORDS Sooflay, Headringer & Tanner York (lofi, power-pop, rock'n'roll), 8:45pm

THE MULE Jackson Grimm (Appalachian, country), 6pm

TWIN LEAF BREWERY Trivia Night, 6:30pm

URBAN ORCHARD CIDER CO. Wayward Trivia, 6:30pm

VOWL BAR AT DSSOLVR Hot Couch Karaoke w/ DJ BridalPartiBucardi, 8pm

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY BY

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Now is an excellent time to decide your favorite color is amaranth (a vivid red-violet), or sinopia (earthy red-orange), or viridian (cool blue-green, darker than jade). You might also conclude that your favorite aroma is agarwood (deep, smoky, resin-soaked wood), or heliotrope (cherry-almond vanilla), or petrichor (wet soil after a rain). I’m trying to tell you, Aries, that you’re primed to deeply enhance your detailed delight in smells, colors, tastes, feelings, physical sensations, types of wind, tones of voice, qualities of light—and everything else. Indulge in sensory and sensual pleasures!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): My Taurus friend Elena keeps a "gratitude garden" in her backyard. When she feels grateful for a specific joy in her life, she writes it on biodegradable paper and buries it among her flowers, herbs, and vegetables. "I feed the earth with appreciation," she says. "Returning the gift." She feels this practice ensures that her garden and her life flourish. Her devoted attention to recognizing blessings attracts even more blessings. Her cultivated appreciation for beauty and abundance leads her to discover more beauty and abundance. Elena’s approach is pure Taurean genius. I invite you to create your own rituals for expressing your thankful love. Not just paying dutiful homage in your thoughts, but giving your appreciation weight, texture, and presence in the actual world.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Many of us periodically slip into the daydream that everything would finally feel right if only our lives were somehow different. If we’re single, maybe we imagine we ought to be partnered; if we’re partnered, we wish our beloved would change, or we secretly wonder about someone else entirely. That’s the snag. The blessing is this: In the days ahead, you’re likely to discover a surprising ease with your life exactly as it is, and feel a genuine, grounded peace. Congratulations in advance!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A cautious voice in your head murmurs: “Proceed carefully. Don’t be overly impressed with your own beauty. Stick with dependable methods. Live up to expectations and avoid explorations into the unknown.” Your bold genius interrupts: “Tell that fussy, boring voice to shut up. The truth is that you have earned the right to be an inquisitive wanderer, an ingenious lover, a fanciful storyteller, and a laughing experimenter.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In medieval European gardens, there was a tradition of creating "pleasure labyrinths.” They were walking meditations that spiraled inward to a center, then back out again. There were no decisions and no wrong turns, just the relaxing, meditative journey itself. I think you need and deserve a metaphorical pleasure labyrinth right now, Leo. You've been treating every choice as a high-stakes dilemma and every path as potentially problematic. But what if the current phase isn't about making the perfect decision? Maybe it’s about trusting that the path you're on will take you where you need to go, even if it meanders. By cosmic decree, you are excused from second-guessing every turn.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your eye for imperfection is a gift until it becomes the lens through which you see everything. The critical faculty that drives you to refine and enhance may also shunt you into a dead end of never-being-good-enough, where impossible standards immobilize you. In the coming weeks, dear Virgo, I beg you to use your vaunted discernment primarily in the service of growth and pleasure rather than constraint. Be excited by buoyant analysis that empowers constructive change. Homework: For every flaw you identify, identify two things that are working well. You won’t ignore what needs attention, but instead will compensate for the excessive criticism that sometimes grips your inner critic.

ROB BREZSNY

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You Libras shouldn’t expend excessive effort trying to force the external world to be more tranquil. That’s mostly a futile task that distracts from your more essential work. The secret to your happiness is to cultivate serenity within. How do you do that? One reliable way to shed tension is to continually place yourself in the presence of beauty. Nothing makes you relax better than being surrounded by elegance, grace, and loveliness. Now is a good time to recommit yourself to this key practice.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In computer science, there's a concept called "graceful degradation." When a system encounters an error, it doesn't crash completely. It loses some functionality but keeps running with what remains. According to my reading of the astrological omens, Scorpio, you’d be wise to acknowledge a graceful degradation like that. Something isn't working as you had hoped and planned. A relationship? Project? Adventure? In classic Scorpio fashion, you're tempted to burn it all down. But I encourage you to practice graceful degradation instead. Keep what still works and release only what's actually broken. Not everything has to be all-or-nothing. You can lose some functionality and still run. You can be partially out of whack and still be valuable. PS: The awkwardness is temporary.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): At your best and brightest, you are a hunter—though not the kind who stalks prey with weapons and trophies in mind. Your hunt is noble: the fervent pursuit of adventures that nourish your curiosity and the brave forays you make into unfamiliar territories where intriguing new truths shimmer. And now, as the world drifts deeper into chaos, you are called to respond with even more exploratory audacity. I invite you to further refine your hunter’s craft. Lift it up to an even higher, more luminous form of seeking.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn meditation teacher Wes Nisker guided his students to relax the relentless mental static that muddled their awareness. But he also understood that excessive striving can sabotage the peace we're seeking. I invoke his influence now to help you release some of the jittery goal-obsession you’ve been gripped by. Nisker and I offer you permission to temporarily suspend the potentially exhausting drive to constantly be better and more accomplished. Instead, just for now, simply be your authentic self. Loosen your high-strung grip on self-improvement and allow yourself the radical luxury of purposelessness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Here’s a danger you Aquarians are sometimes prey to: spending so much energy fixing the big picture that you neglect what’s up close and personal. You may get so involved in rearranging systems that immediate concerns get less than your best attention. I hope you won’t do that in the coming weeks. Your aptitude for overarching objectivity is a gift because it enables you to recognize patterns others can’t detect. But it may also divert you from the messy, intricate intimacy that gritty transformation requires. Your assignment: Eagerly attend to the details, which I bet will be more interesting than you imagine.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In horticulture, "hardening off" is the process of gradually exposing seedlings started indoors to outdoor conditions before transplanting them. Too much exposure too fast will shock them; no exposure at all will leave them unprepared. Let’s invoke this as a useful metaphor for you. I believe you are being hardened off, Pisces. Life is making small, increasing demands on your tender self. Though this may sometimes feel uncomfortable, I assure you that it's preparation, not cruelty. You're being readied for a shift from protected space to open ground. My advice is twofold: 1. Don't retreat back into the ultra-safe greenhouse. 2. Don't let yourself be thrown into full exposure all at once.

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EMPLOYMENT

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is hiring for a Construction Manager. If

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references to: Office Manager, Mountain Xpress, 2 Wall Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or by email: xpressjob@ mountainx.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

KITCHEN & BATH

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Families! Free fast pickup. Max tax deduction. Se habla Español. Call now: 877-3173360. (NC Press)

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WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Call today for your fair cash offer: 1-919-925-6362. (NC Press)

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(AAN CAN)

WE BUY VINTAGE GUITARS! Looking for 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D'Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. These brands only! Call for a quote: 1-833-641-6577. (NC Press)

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TRAVEL TRAVEL

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MARKETPLACE

HOME IMPROVEMENT

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LEGALS

PUBLIC SALE

PUBLIC SALE OF VEHICLE

To satisfy a lien: for a 2018 Nissan Sentra against Javier Bravo Reyes for $11,955.00; for a 2017 Subaru Outback against Melissa Dawn Bessent and Regional Acceptance Corp for $9,085.00; for a 2017 Ford Focus against Joseph Michael Simpkins and State Employees Credit Union for $8,085.00; for a 2020 Dodge Journey against Adam James Inman and Navy Federal Credit Union for $11,085.00. Auto Safe Towing Inc., 474 ½ N. Louisiana Ave., Asheville NC 28806. 828-2361131 Publication: April 1, 2026 Publisher: Mountain Xpress

ACROSS

1 [Taps casino table]

6 Signs of treble?

11 ___ hair (edgy 2000s trend)

14 Longtime “Inside the NBA” analyst opposite Barkley

15 Deck in divination

16 Mil. authority

17 Failing to pay bills on time may affect this 19 Possessed

20 Lotto-like casino game

21 Summer treats in small cups

22 Sounds of sudden vanishing

24 Zero

26 Inverse of kilo-

27 “Self-Portrait With Bandaged Ear” painter, 1889

32 Pair of cymbals in a drum kit

33 Tribal home, maybe, informally

34 Reason to take a painkiller

35 So-called “melting pot,” in brief

36 E-bike alternative

40 One ___ time

41 Bubbles in a bubble bath

43 A QR code might access one

44 Purplish perennial

46 Villain ranked #1 on A.F.I.’s “100 Years … 100 Heroes & Villains” list

50 Ransacks

51 Retail chain with readyto-assemble products

52 Stays in line, say 53 Hawaiian goose 55 Thumbs-down votes

60 Emulates the three figures in this puzzle ... or what the figures do within the answers to 17-, 27and 46-Across?

63 Fruit drink

64 On a higher level

65 Second-chance show

66 Org. with metal detectors

67 Supped

68 Paradises

Pawn

2 Concerning 3 One subject to a curfew, maybe

4 So-called “Queen of Pop”

5 Former Giant Manning

6 Healthy self-image?

7 Tie up 8 God depicted with a bow

9 Word between “word” and “word” 10 Intervene

Combatant in an octagonshaped cage

13 Calculated ratios

18 Era competitor

23 Gymnast Korbut dubbed the “Sparrow from Minsk” 25 Behaves

26 Where you might lose your way

27 Demo graphics, maybe

28 “This is news to me!”

Cyber punk?

When repeated, “Preach!”

Bratty kid 45 Was a fangirl of, say

“Really awful”

Connected

Scraped (by)

“Huh?”

53 Like the sign for Radio City

Hall

minuti 39 Pulse quickly, as the heart

Roof projection 56 Farming area 57 Actor Steven of “Beef” and “Nope” 58 Tax IDs

61 Result of a solo homer, for short

“There you ___!”