Downtown Asheville Flavor

From the website:

"Here is a little bit of the Asheville streetlife right across from Pritchard Park and Wachovia Bank in downtown Asheville. CVS has just recently moved out and this store remains vacant with nothing covering the windows. Some musicians are playing in the entryway and some others talking on the side, one dressed as Santa."

John Paul Jones, Allman Brothers, Derek Trucks Noodle ‘Til Dawn at Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam

Guitarist Warren Haynes’ annual Christmas Jams are known for their jaw-dropping “wow” moments, but this year’s star-studded, 20th anniversary throw-down — held December 12th and 13th in Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, North Carolina — had more than usual. The one that silenced the 7,200 partiers who packed the Asheville Civic Center on the first night came when Haynes and one of his rock & roll heroes, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, appeared onstage together and played a stirring, acoustic guitar and mandolin version of the Zeppelin classic, “Going to California.”

When Haynes changed the lyrics to “Going to Carolina with an aching in my heart,” the crowd erupted. The duet came about three-quarters of the way into the Friday night show, which began with a performance by Haynes’ band Gov’t Mule, at about 7 p.m., and didn’t end until more than nine hours later, at 4:20 a.m. Saturday morning, when Haynes’ other group, the Allman Brothers Band, hit the last note of “One Way Out.”

Sandwiched in between were performances from the Derek Trucks Band, Joan Osborne, country singer Travis Tritt, bluegrass king Del McCoury jamming with gospel group the Lee Boys, and New Orleans funk band Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk. On Saturday night, Haynes, who sat in with every act on both nights, did it all over again, this time with Ben Harper, Steve Earle, Coheed & Cambria, Johnny Winter and and a slew of guests including Susan Tedeschi and Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood.

For 26-year-old fan Jeremy Hargett, who drove 10 hours, from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it’s a Southern rock family reunion he hasn’t missed for the past five years. “Warren does this for people who still love live music,” Hargett said during Osborne’s set. “It’s like a big family of musicians and fans that we’re all a part of. And you always see something that just blows you away.”

Santa in Pritchard Park!

Kids of all ages can mail their letters to Santa at the North Pole Express mailbox in Pritchard Park. Santa arrives every Saturday at 9:30 - 11 AM to pick up his mail and spend some time with kids.

Event Contact Information:
Sandie Rhodes 828 628 1422

December 13 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - FREE
December 20 - 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - FREE

PRITCHARD PARK
Triangle intersection of Haywood St, College Ave, and Patton Ave
Asheville , NC 28801

Looking For A Place To Stay In Asheville?

Have you considered Couch Surfing? There are almost 100 couches in the Asheville, NC, area just waiting to accommodate you.

Go have a look.

The Big Crafty

SantaCon In Asheville!

Watch it on YouTube!

ASHEVILLE SANTACON 2007
WHAT THE HO?

It starts at 3pm at Rocket Club off of Haywood Rd. There's also a pre-party noon-3 at someone's house on Riverview Rd., but I don't know the exact address. Public transportation will be used to get around.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
***Asheville SantaCon is December 6th*** That's right kids, it's that time again. SantaCon is coming!!! I've seen the pics from the last few years and have to say, Yall do it right!!!! Just to remind everyone, I have listed the rules for SantaCon again. There is no Santa in charge to call. If you can't show up for the start, get the phone number of someone who can help you catch up later.

1. AGAIN! Santa does not make children cry. Really - If you see kids, give them nice toys, candy, or something pleasant. Parents and Tourists are a different matter altogether -- adjust based on their attitude.

2. Santa dresses for all occasions. It's December. Smart Santas wear multiple costume layers. Dress to maximize merriment whether singing Christmas carols in the snow, or swinging from a stripper pole.

3. Santa doesn't whine! We will be outside alot and commuting mainly on foot -- bring enough "snacks" to keep your pie-hole filled until we get indoors.

4. Bring gifts -- NAUGHTY gifts to give grown ups; NICE stuff to give kids. Throwing coal at people is discouraged no matter who they are. YES THAT INCLUDES POLITICIANS. But giving out coal is always ok?.

5. Watching Santa get drunk and obnoxious is fun. Babysitting Santa while they vomit in an alley is not. Don't be that Santa.

6. Pay for your Beer and tip the bar staff, we want to be able to this again. Bribery gets you everywhere! Also pay for your beer or drink as soon as you get it. Other Santas get tired of waiting on Santas to clear their tab before being able to move on. This entire adventure should be a cash only. Credit Cards only take longer.

7. No Santas left behind. Don't go leaving one or two Santas in the process. Santa dont like that. Pick a few people you know and keep an eye out for them when it's time to move to the next location. If you don't see them, speak up so everyone waits. Every Santa should have at least 2-3 other Santas they look out for and that look out for them. We don't want to leave someone in the shitter and have them wandering around looking for us. Santa is safer in numbers. What one Santa couldn't get away with without getting questioned, 50 can. Stick together Santas! More »

SEE PHOTOS FROM SANTACON ASHEVILLE 2007

Asheville SantaCon | More »

For more Santa craziness see Santarchy and SantaCon.com

CHRISTMAS JAM BY DAY

We are pleased to announce the return of Christmas Jam By Day to downtown Asheville. We will have Music during Friday and Saturday Afternoon (At Stella Blue, The Emerald Lounge and Jack of The Wood), Film Screenings Thursday, Friday & Saturday (At The Fine Arts Theatre), an Art Show with an opening reception on Thursday Night that will be open all weekend (At The Satellite Gallery) and the debut of The Comedy Jam taking place on Friday Afternoon (At The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium). Band schedules will be announced shortly.

8 arrested in Craigslist prostitution sting in Asheville

Police arrested eight women in a recent series of special operations targeting alleged prostitution on the Craigslist Web site.

The article goes on to name the eight women.

link

* I have mixed emotions on prostitution. Mainly it's such a degrading thing for a woman or a man to do for one thing, but, if no one is being harmed I don't see why you should be arrested if it involves two consenting adults.

* And from Asheville's standpoint, is it really so bad for business?

* And C, the whole entrapment thing is a whole 'nother matter by itself.

National Protest Against Prop 8 - Saturday

Saturday, November 15, 2008
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Pritchard Park

Organizer: UNCA Students for a Democratic Society
Facebook | Wetpaint

oiaTV

Welcome to oiaTV, our online weekly video project which showcases the highlights from the gay, lesbian and LGBTQ community. We shoot our video everywhere from Gay and Lesbian bars and clubs to gay-friendly locations of all kinds. Our videos feature gay celebrities, authors, musicians and performers from all walks of life. To suggest an event you think oiaTV should attend, please e-mail oiaTV Director Sean David Robinson at oiatv@outinasheville.com.

Episode 7 is the current episode and features Chuck Giezentanner as he talks about his art, we get a tour of 11 Grove Street, and Lin Ordorf talks to Ron Curran of WNCAP.

This Dancin's Not Dirty

Although painful to watch, it is not criminal for Madison County's Rebecca Willis to dance which she proved after an eight year battle in court and a payoff of $275,000.

She had been banned for life in late 2000 from the Town Depot because some thought her dance moves were too provocative. Her case against the town of Marshall was dismissed, but a fourth District Court of Appeals ruling allows her to keep fighting. The ACLU contends that the dancing ban was a violation of Willis' civil rights.

Go Granny, Go! How tenacious was she to hang in there for eight long years?

link

Dead bear covered with Obama signs left at WCU

A dead bear that had been shot in the head and draped with Barack Obama campaign posters was dumped at the entrance to Western Carolina University, university police said Monday.

Maintenance workers found the 75-pound bear cub at the roundabout near the Catamount statute about 7:45 a.m., said Tom Johnson, chief of university police.

Very freaky...

link

UNCA's Students for a Democratic Society UPDATE

UNCA's Students for a Democratic Society is bringing Elaine Brown to Asheville! She will be speaking on UNCA's campus in the Humanities Lecture Hall @ 7:00pm, Oct 30th.

Throughout the last four decades, Elaine has been committed to and organized significant efforts toward effecting progressive change in the United States. In addition to Black Panther Party leadership, Elaine has continued to actively work for social change. Much of her recent work has been focused on radical reform of the criminal justice system and related efforts.

This event is free for the Public, if there is any question contact: Charla at 828-243-6065

Barbecue To Go For Obama

Barak Obama still in Asheville after arriving last Friday afternoon. Guess he'll fly out tomorrow morning for Nashville's Tuesday debate with John McCain.

Going for barbecue take-out at 12 Bones Restaurant. See Citizen-Times photos here.

Obama in Asheville

Barak Obama in Asheville

Barak Obama just spoke at the Grove Park Inn and Scrutiny Hooligans has all the details of his weekend visit and the big rally tomorrow at the Asheville High School.

link | shot by Gordon Smith

BLOGASHEVILLE AWARDS

VOTE IN THE 2008 BLOGASHEVILLE AWARDS!!

Each year, the mighty bloggers of BlogAsheville come together for a uproarious night of celebration, congratulation, community and awards. The 3rd Annual Extravablogiversapaloozathon BlogAsheville voting has begun!

Vote Here

Go over and vote for me! I did. If you don't have a lot of time, you can vote for what you can and go ahead and submit it. Voting closes this Thursday at 11:59pm. It's always a good way to visit more of the Asheville blogs. There really is a lot of pretty cool blogs.

(x-posted to Easy Bake Coven)

Holy Ground

A Feminist Retreat Ministry

Sacred Circle Worship Each Wednesday of every month, women and men of all faith perspectives are invited to Holy Ground for a time of communal silence, meditative reading, group reflection and sharing and ritual. Sacred Circle meets from 9-10 am.

September 9 & 23, October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, December 2& 16, every other Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30

Drawing Deeply from our Own Wells: A Writing Experience for Women with Late Life Wisdom with Joyce Hollyday

Upon hearing that most people in the U.S. have water piped into their homes, an African woman responded, “But how do the women speak to each other? If we didn’t talk at the village well, we wouldn’t know about our lives.” If you are a woman in that third stage of life (what shall we call it -- the Crone era?), please consider being part of this 8-week series. You will be invited to dig deeply into your own personal well of experience and wisdom. And together, we will create a “village well” as we share our stories. No writing experience is necessary. No grades! Just a safe space for writing, sharing, and connection.

Joyce Hollyday is a co-pastor and co-founder of Circle of Mercy, an ecumenical congregation in Asheville. She is the author of several books, including Clothed with the Sun: Biblical Women, Social Justice, and Us.

18 Orange St., Asheville, NC

link

Third Annual RiverSculpture

Third Annual RiverSculpture
A Contemporary Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition,
September 27, 2008 - January 5, 2009

The new dates, September 27, 2008 - January 5, 2009, encompass the leaf season as well as the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays — allowing all of us to enjoy the sculpture in a full range of natural settings. The exhibition is free and open to the public seven days a week with plenty of parking.

The new work, from accomplished sculptors in three states, includes new and returning artists working in a range of traditional and environmental media. In addition, a series of special events during October integrates kids’ art, music, dance and theater with contemporary sculpture.

link

Moving Women

Founded in 2007, Moving Women is a dance performance ensemble that honors and invites the diverse perspectives offered by cross-genre collaboration. Core members challenge themselves by working with other dancers, visual artists, musicians, poets, actors, and performance artists to create original works.

Movement for Peace Project

This project is designed to inspire, inform and involve community while promoting 11 days of peace, leading up to the UN’s International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 21.

The Movement for Peace Project have many events coming up. Besides the peace events, there is the yoga, and LAAFF, and Sunday September 21st, The International Day of Peace.

link | link

Spiritual Didgeridoo Workshop: Discovering the Sacredness of Breath & Sound

828-891-8700 or 684-3798
Sunday September 7, 2008
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd
www.unitync.net

with Sound Therapist Phil Jones. During this interactive presentation, Australian sound therapist Phil Jones will teach you how to play the didgeridoo, an ancient and sacred wind instrument made from the eucalyptus tree, hollowed out by white ants, decorated with symbolic Dreamtime art, and traditionally played in ceremony and healing by the Aboriginal clans of Australia. Playing the didgeridoo is an entertaining way to explore the power of breath and sound and increase your lung capacity with healing and revitalizing oxygen…Shallow breathers, asthmatics, and smokers particularly benefit. You will discover how simple deep breathing exercises, when combined with the mesmerizing primordial sound of the didgeridoo, will effectively:

* Balance, Harmonize, and Recharge your Body, Mind, and Soul
* Erase ‘Thought Clutter’ and enhance Objectivity, Insight, and Clarity
* Enable you to authentically Express and Connect with your Creative and Intuitive Self

The primordial vibration of the didgeridoo and the simple breathing techniques help create a state of relaxation, lower blood pressure, relax the heart, improve digestion, and significantly reduce sleep apnea and snoring. Phil will also share the traditional Aboriginal techniques of “Circular/Continuous Breathing” and “Australian Bush” sound effects. Phil studied seven years with an enlightened Hindu teacher (1968-1975) and parallels the didgeridoo, a non-denominational meditation accelerator, with Eastern Philosophy, New Thought, and Aboriginal Traditions.

No musical experience is necessary. All participants will be provided an authentic Australian didgeridoo to play during the workshop. Didgeridoos and meditation CD’s will be available to purchase after the workshop. Love Offering.

2008 Pritchard Park 8

2008 Pritchard Park 8
Originally uploaded by anoldent

PERFORMANCE & INSTRUCTION IN THE PARK - just a few more weeks! Join Baraka Mundi from 5:30-7pm on Wednesdays at Pritchard Park on Patton & College. To see some beautiful shots from last week, visit www.flickr.com/photos/anoldent.

Wednesday - Asheville, NC
at Pritchard Park in Downtown Asheville

Summer 2008

Haunted High School in Asheville?

link

Tersicorps - Theatre of Dance

Hurricane & Other Forces Of Nature



August 7-9, 8pm

Diana Wortham Theatre
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801
828-257-4530

$30/$25 students & seniors

Our lovely ladies return to join the men for Hurricane & other forces of nature, featuring the Asheville premiere of Maloy’s award winning, "Hurricane." The piece, created for the 21st Century Choreographic Competition in April, will be restaged for the Terpsicorps dancers. The idea for "Hurricane" grew out of the climate crisis that is becoming increasingly apparent in today’s world. The choreography embodies the strength, patterns and progression of a hurricane from its beginnings at sea to its aftermath on land. The dancers portray the hurricane itself, as well as individuals impacted by the escalating fear of climate change. Maloy will be collaborating once again with projection artist G. Craig Hobbs.

Footage of actual hurricanes will swirl around the dancers adding to the atmosphere of a storm, with recorded music by Godspeed You Black Emperor! and costumes by Asheville’s premiere fashion designer R. Brooke Priddy.

Terpsicorps also has a myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/terpsic orps

link

Happy 30th, Bele Chere! We're watching you LIVE

Mountain Xpress also has a Live Cam during the festival and tons of good information.

link | Bele Chere | Flickr

Pritchard Park Friday

Concerning the usual Pritchard Park Friday night drum circle:

Friday & Saturday night from 8:30 to 10:00 there will be community drumming at the Main Stage on Lexington Ave.

On Sunday from 5:00 - 6:00 there will be drumming at the Drum Tent on Lexington and Walnut.

This week's Mountain Express has a Bele Chere pull-out section that covers all the rest of the drumming schedule at the Drum Tent. I hope this helps. Enjoy the drumming and Bele Chere.

Changes because of Bele Chere this weekend

The 2008 National Convention

Latest SDS Convention Updates:

This summer, from July 24-28, join SDSers from around the country for our Third National Convention! SDS has grown in numbers, in organizational capacity, and in prominence over the past year, and it’s time to celebrate those successes and decide how to move forward as an organization. We left the second convention, and the subsequent ratification process, with several excellent instruments that have served us quite well, including many of the National Working Groups, the SDS News Bulletin, and more.

We still do not have a formal national structure yet, however, and it’s time to ask, once again, how do we organize ourselves? How do we make SDS as horizontal, diverse, and accessible as possible? How do we spread out national work and empower more people to take on leadership? How can we better provide support for chapters around the country? In short, how can we become a truly effective organization that can seriously challenge the power structure of this country, and work towards building a truly democratic society?

Join us in College Park, MD to discuss these questions and more, to build skills, to network, and build our organization! We’re working on travel stipends, so don’t let a lack of funds get in the way of participating in this important event!

Folks are encouraged to arrive on Thursday, July 24th and depart Monday, July 28th. Although all decision making will start July 25th and end the evening of July 27th, there will be social events and good times July 24th and possibly an action July 28th.

Kenneth Snelson

link

Equality Asheville

Join the Coalition for Equality and concerned citizens July 15-19 for a week of educational, eye-opening, powerful & fun activities for Western North Carolina to learn about the harmful realities of "Reparative Therapy", which aims at changing one’s sexual orientation.

A Community Response to the Exodus International Conference being held at Ridgecrest Conference Center during the same dates.

link

Coalition for Equality, P.O. Box 2612, Asheville, NC 28802 - 828-669-6677

This has been going on all week so apologies for being a little late getting this information.

Helen's Bridge

When the Zealandia Castle caught fire in the late 1900's, a woman named Helen lost her only child, a daughter. Helen was so crushed by the loss that she hung herself from the bridge right down the road from the castle, thereby the name, Helen's Bridge, located on Beaucatcher Mountain. On Halloween night, people go to the bridge and try to conjure Helen. There are many versions of this legend and some say you must call for Helen 3 times.





Helen's Bridge photo by Mike. I've heard the bridge has been restructured. Has anyone been to the bridge lately?

Speaking of folklore and urban legends, Asheville has many good ones that attract visitors from afar. Grove Park Inn's Pink Lady is a popular one. See about more of them here on Ghost Stories of Asheville.

Sacred Sound Concert & Elementals Workshop

An "Open-to-All" Sound Weaving Concert by Gabriella Kapfer and Storytelling from the Elemental Kingdom by Terry Frank

Saturday Evening, July 19 at 6:30 pm – Love Contributions for the Concert

Mystic Glenn Wisdom School in Waynesville, NC

For directions call (828) 926-4998 or e-mail events@sistersoflight.com

Sisters of Light

The Big Crafty

The Big Crafty is a day-long celebration of handmade indie art/craftistry, including artists and their wares, demos by acclaimed crafters, food, drink, and DJ’d music.

It all takes place on Sunday, July 13th from 1:00 pm – 7 pm at the Grey Eagle, in the heart of Asheville’s River Arts District.

Open to all two and three dimensional arts and crafts media including (but not limited to) painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, sculpture, glass, wood, fiber-arts, metal-work, and mixed media.

UNCA SDS

This summer UNCA SDS will be hosting Action Camps from August 15th-17th! Please join our google group if you want to help organize!

Also, the SDS National Convention is coming up! Several of us are heading up to College Park July 24th-27th!

Demonstration at Staples

There will be a noon demo out in front of Staples on Merrimon Avenue this Sunday, June 29th.

Staples supplies Huntingdon Life Sciences, a notoriously cruel laboratory, and doesn't care about its customers concerns regarding this.

www.closehls.net

Asheville Burlesque &SIdeshow Festival

They're taking over Asheville this weekend! Festival, Film, Workshops, and more at the Orange Peel

ABSfest, the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival, offers three days of performance, workshops, and networking, in gorgeous Asheville, North Carolina.

www.sideshowburlesque.org or call 828 232 2980 for information - see also www.myspace.com/aabsfest

Cruel Summer - The Attack on Camp Summerlane

What does Paul Krassner have in common with North Carolina's Camp Summerlane in 1963?

Plenty.

Read the excellent investigative piece in this week's Asheville's Mountain Xpress by Jon Elliston.

link

Rites of Passage Council

An Evening with Malidoma Some': Drumming, Teachings and Discussion Saturday, June 21st at the Rites of Passage Council Medicine Lodge from 7pm-10pm.

Energy Exchange: $30.

Also, Private Divinations with Malidoma Some'will be available in 2008 on June 21st, 23rd and 24th. Private Divinations are $250.

To Register and Receive Details and Directions, contact Theresa at (828)777-1492 or Theresa@RitesofPassageCouncil.com

link

The Asheville 48 Hour Film Project

Filmmakers Take to the Streets

The weekend of June 20 filmmakers throughout the Asheville area will take part in the 48 Hour Film Project.

Our list of teams for Asheville is posted to the right. At the Kickoff Event, each team will draw the genre for its film out of a hat. In addition, a character, prop and line of dialogue will be announced and must appear in each film.

All of the completed films will screen on the following dates: Tuesday - Thursday, June 24, 25 and 26!

It is not too late to participate in the Asheville 48HFP!

KICKOFF

Date: Friday, June 20

Time: 6-7pm

Place: Asheville Pizza & Brewing, 675 Merrimon

Notes: Teams arrive at 6pm and can leave by 7pm. You must have someone present to draw the genre for your film. Teams get their genre, character, prop and line of dialogue that must be used in their film. At 7 PM, teams bolt out the door to begin their 48 hours of filmmaking.

Asheville Fashion Conspiracy

Asheville Naked Bike Ride UPDATE

The thunderstorms likely rained out the event. Rain came like crazy at the time they were to meet up and get the body paint. It didn't let up until a few minutes before the race began.

Four riders showed up. Police were not intimidated.

But those dedicated four rode all around downtown and got a great response from onlookers.

Congrats, riders. You showed a lot of heart-- and other body parts.

Gay Asheville Online

Asheville
The New San Francisco of the Southeast

Known as “The Land of the Clouds” since 1876 from a book by the same title, Asheville is quickly becoming touted as a favored spot for both visitors and new residents of the gay and lesbian community. Renowned for its tolerant and diverse attitudes, Asheville has become a gay Mecca of the twenty-first century while maintaining the ambiance of another era. Referred to as the “happiest place in the United States” by author Eric Weiner in his 2008 publication The Geography of Bliss, Asheville is enjoying a resurgence of energy in both professional and leisure opportunities that make it a major contender for gay-friendly cities on the rise.

[A new to me Gay Asheville website. Good business and services links and content. Welcome, Gay Asheville Online! Also, clicking on the GayAsheville label below will take you to more Gay Asheville websites.]

Fowl Play in Asheville?

from the Inbox

Have you ever dreamed of walking into your back yard and collecting fresh eggs from your own chickens? Have you dreamed of never again paying $4/dz for organic free range eggs? Would you like an all natural and totally green way to rid your garden of insects and bugs?

Dream no more. A group of people have begun meeting at Greenlife to develop an amendment to the current Asheville city ordinance regarding keeping a small number of chickens within city limits.

The group (fowlplayAshvl@aol.com) hopes to collaborate with city officials to establish a more friendly distance requirement. The current restrictions now prevent urban folks to tend small back yard coops. Restrictions on size of habitat, number, roosters would be emphasized.

For any suggestions/input, interest, or even help please send your comments and contact info to Jenny at fowlplayAshvl@aol.com

Yours in intentionally communing,

Cathy

Celestial Reverence

A Sagittarius Full Moon Gathering
Monday 6/16 through Wednesday 6/18

Each full moon we gather from dusk until dawn to celebrate the cyclical, cosmic interplay of life through music, dancing and ritual under open sky.

Our purpose is to experience joy, to heal ourselves through movement and to embody the truth of each moment through sound. Every gathering is an opportunity for us to practice living and breathing at a higher vibration, to acknowledge our unity of spirit and to ground this collective experience through our bodies and into our daily lives.

We invite you to co-create this experience with us. We share a cultural identity that is rooted in a global, social phenomena beyond specific musical genres or religious associations. As we continue to grow, we will communicate and collaborate with our larger community around the world, celebrating our differences as well as our unified purpose to heal and to manifest The Vibe.

from: Asheville Full Moon Gatherings

World Bridge III

Tribal_Neuro Trance Under the Stars

July 11-13, 2008 presented by Those People Productions

Come dance with us in the mountains! Another year of amazing tribal/neuro trance under the stars at Deerfields. Bring your art, vibe, rituals, dancing shoes, and meet us on the floor for transcendental communication through sound and movement.

* This is a RAIN OR SHINE event with rustic camping accomodations.
* Bring EVERYTHING you need to survice...there is no re-entry.
* Camping is free Friday and Saturday nights. If interested in camping Sunday night, there is a land usage fee of $10.00US per person. This fee can be paid to the land owners when you are on site.
* No renegade sound systems
* NO DOGS PLEASE
* This is a LEAVE NO TRACE EVENT!!! Please respect the land and remove everything you bring (including trash) when you leave.
* Feel free to bring your artwork to help decorate!
* Rituals and vibes provided by You, the Community.
* ARRIVED INSPIRED!!!

Asheville Naked Bike Ride

Asheville is getting ready for the big Asheville Naked Bike Ride soon. It's part of the global World Naked Bike Ride.

From Asheville Freak Bikes: "It's in the planning stages and the 14th June is more like the official date this year so there's plenty of time to organize. I've also been told that the French Broad Food Coop is the usual meeting place, so if everyone can confirm this and decide on a definite date and time..."

In March and June 2008, in cities around the world, people will be riding bikes naked to celebrate cycling and the human body. The ride demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and is a protest against car culture.

Flickr Group | x-posted to Easy Bake Coven

MORE TO COME!

**UPDATE: June 14, 2008--It's official! 1 PM French Broad Food Co-op, Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC link

Shimshai Live - One Night Only

Friday, May 30th

Shimshai is a Namaste family favorite. He will perform one night only outdoors at the Glen (a garden and natural ampitheatre) at Homewood in historic Montford neighborhood. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs for a unforgetable night in oneness. Teas and goodies will be for sale. This will be a rain or shine show (we have can move indoors if need be).

Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folklore songs of South America, or performing his original works of divine inspiration, Shimshai’s music invokes a sentiment of ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth, described by many as possessing the voice of an angel, Shimshai is gifted with the innate ability to deliver his message flawlessly in several languages; most profoundly the universal language of Love and Oneness.

$20 in advance $25 at the door. Gates open at 7pm

To reserve your ticket call Namaste Sacred Events 828.252.8149 or go to Namaste Yoga in downtown.

To learn more about Shimshai visit his website at www.shimshai.com

TIME FOR OUR POWER

Welcome to the inaugural Time for Our Power! "Women Bringing Change to the World" Conference, which will be held in Asheville, North Carolina.

JUNE 20 - 22, 2008

The purpose of this 3-day event is to provide a forum for women of all ages, and ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to gather, learn, grow and become inspired to personally and collectively bring powerful, positive and much needed change to their own lives and to the world.

Time for Our Power! will feature speakers, panelists and workshop leaders from a wide variety of fields: environmental, political, international affairs, business, medical, spiritual, personal growth and the arts.

So many amazing performers and speakers that will be at the event so let me leave you with a few names.

Jane Fonda , Keynote Speaker

Glenis Redmond

Julia Butterfly Hill

Starhawk

Grandmother Red Leaf will oversee the SUMMER SOLSTICE event.

The Green Sage

How is The Green Sage Coffeehouse "green"?

Friday, May 23rd at 6:30pm - Come hear about a model green business.



The Green Sage, Asheville's fair trade organic coffeehouse, serving food made with local and organic ingredients, breakfast until 4pm, lunch & dinner til 9pm, 10pm on Friday and Saturday. First restaurant in downtown Asheville to install solar hot water panels on the roof.

In the old Bean Street's location, on the corner of Broadway and College St. Partners are Randy Talley and Al Kirchner, both formerly involved with Earth Fare.

Merrimon Avenue Then and Now

I'm back after having breakfast at the Atlanta Bread Company on Merrimon Ave (Asheville), which has been there about 3 years now. Actually, some people who've left Asheville would be surprised to see how little Merrimon Avenue has changed. Years ago on this corner of Merrimon and Edgewood is where the Brass Tap, Caesar's and the Human Factor once stood. All the same place, just different ownership.

It was a laid back bar with live music. You could walk in with your guitar and get called up to join the band or get asked to come up and sing harmony.

It was an intimate musician's place where single pickers and bands came to play on Open Mic nights or were booked for a set. Guitar builders, songwriters and wicked blues musicians were showcased all the way to New York and Nashville.

Local heros like Malcolm Holcombe, Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), Ray Sisk, Joey Freeman, Bruce McTaggart, Steve Cook and a few others. Ronnie Burgin, who has since passed on, may have been the best blues guitar player/singer I ever did see. Sober or not.

But back to Merrimon Avenue. It is still the same small 4-lane road with a few new banks and restaurants, but Merrimon Avenue basically looks the same way it did 20 years ago when I met my husband at The Brass Tap.

x-posted to Easy Bake Coven

Montford Art Festival

artdaysale
Originally uploaded by Victor Nunnally

Look at these outstanding glass works of art by Victor Nunnally. So bold and so fun!

Amy Goodman In Asheville

Amy Goodman to speak May 23 in Asheville, NC

Award-winning journalist Amy Goodman will speak at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College as part of a national tour for her new book, "Standing Up to Madness: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times."

The talk will be held in AB-Tech's Ferguson Auditorium on the Asheville campus. Admission is $10, with proceeds going to support the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) and its radio station, WPVM, 103.5 FM.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Malaprops Bookstore or by calling MAIN at 828-255-0182.

Haywood Street Cello Player

Haywood Street Chello Player
Originally uploaded by mogmismo

Part of a nice set of photos by Michael Tracey all taken within the same day in Asheville.

Pangea Day

It's Pangea Day
Local time: May-10-2008 14:00 EDT

4 Hours. 24 Films. A New Way To See The World
Thousands of people around the world will gather before their computers Saturday to view four hours of "Pangea Day" programming, brought to you by independent filmmakers, celebrities and the folks that organize the annual TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference.

...for the past two years, Pangea Day was planned as a way to bring the global community together. Over 2,500 independent films were submitted and the organizers picked out 24 short pieces that will be aired. There will also be music and celebrity talks, given by the likes of Queen Noor of Jordan, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, musician/activist Bob Geldof, and Iranian rock phenom Hypernova.

PANGEA DAY | LIVE FEEDS

**CELEBRATING IN DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE @ 2:00 PM EST** ALSO AT THE FLOOD GALLERY AND AT FIRESTORM CAFE--48 Commerce St**

2-4pm, May 10th, 2008
Firestorm Cafe & Books
48 Commerce Street

On Saturday May 10th, Asheville will join thousands of cities around the world for Pangea Day, a program of powerful films, visionary speakers and uplifting music. The program will be broadcast live to the world through the Internet, television, digital cinemas and mobile phones in seven languages. In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, Pangea Day plans to use the power of film to bring the world a little closer together.

Asheville residents are invited to participate in this historic event locally at Firestorm Cafe & Books, a new community event space located at across from the downtown Post Office on Commerce Street.

For more information on Pangea Day, contact Laura Galloway at (212) 260-3708. For more information on Firestorm Cafe & Books, contact info@firestormcafe.com. link

DeVotchKa

Website | MySpace

Blue Ridge Commute

Seventeen years ago a small group of people launched Bike to Work Day in Asheville. Claudia Nix, co-owner of Liberty Bikes was involved in the early campaign and recalls, at that time we just wanted to promote the National Bike to Work Campaign, encourage more people to bike and to increase awareness about the rights of cyclists. Over the years the event evolved into Strive Not to Drive Week focusing more broadly on a variety of transportation alternatives to the single-occupant car, including carpooling, walking and public transit.

link

Trinumeral

08/08/08

The Trinumeral is a yearly festival held on the date in which
the day, month, and year align in an auspicious numeric sameness.

Citizen Camera!

Power to the people! During the Day in the Life of Asheville project in April 2008, we put out disposable cameras around town and let anyone who wanted take a picture. The images in this profile are the result. Enjoy!

If you can name someone in a picture or know any picture details, feel free to add that stuff in a comment. All pictures will be donated to the Pack Library archive.

What a cool idea!

Citizen Camera link

What the (bleep) is Performance Art???

A variety show with local performance artists Julie Becton Gillum, John Crutchfield, Jim Julien, Claire Elizabeth Barratt, Elisa Faires, Alexander Jacobs, Julia DeVita, Qi Shen & Natalie Arosemema-Achi

Performances include “Black Snow Flying Upwards or My Embarrassment” by John Crutchfield which he describes as “a jittery vaudeville solo about a monotonous crucifixion”; Jim Julien’s “In Search of a New Delicious”, a short monologue on recent scientific discoveries in the perception of taste and a live demonstration of sensory excitement. Claire Elizabeth Barratt will present a motion sculpture/movement installation titled “Come” and “Go”.

Several of the performers are from Warren Wilson College where they take a class from well-known local performer and Butoh dancer Julie Becton Gillum.

link

The Dark Side of the Rainbow

Join the Asheville Art Museum’s ARTmob from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 25 for an evening of synchronicity as we explore the musical and magical landscapes of The Dark Side of the Rainbow.

ARTmob, the Museum’s event series and member group for social networking and art appreciation for the area’s young professionals, will bring an urban legend to life by screening the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz synchronized with the sounds of Pink Floyd’s 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.

The result is a fun, outrageous and at times eerie audio-visual sensation which has to be experienced to be believed.

The screening will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m., but come early to enjoy the exhibition Time is of the Essence: Contemporary Landscape Art.

link

A Celebration Of Southeast Whitewater

"On the Down Low" "LVM 26: The Southeast Issue"

World Premiere Thursday April 24th
Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville, NC.
9:30pm, $8 at the door

Asheville Filmmakers, John Grace and Thomas Oliver, present a premiere film event at the Fine Arts Cinema in Asheville on Thursday April 24th at 9:30pm. Two films will premier showcasing the whitewater kayaking culture which is nestled within the creeks and rivers flowing throughout Western North Carolina and beyond.

“This premiere is for anyone who has ever seen a kayak on top of a car around here and wondered where it’s been. It’s an eye into the whitewater community which calls Asheville and the Western North Carolina mountains home.” Oliver states.

The first film is a short directed by Oliver and entitled "On the Down Low." It follows three characters as they make plans to break from their everyday routine to kayak the Green River, the home river of choice for many WNC paddlers. "This is the river that attracts so many paddlers to our region." adds Oliver. "On the Down Low" provides a brief glimpse into the lives of these kayakers while showcasing the beauty of the rivers they play on.

The second film for the evening will be the world premiere of Lunch Video Magazine's 26th DVD issue. Lunch Video Magazine, LVM for short, is a unique whitewater industry video magazine which features the freshest and most exciting video footage of the latest kayaking expeditions on a quarterly basis. "This business has always been about kayaking. More specifically, kayaking with our friends." Grace reflects.

Read More »
Filmmaker's Inc | View Trailer
LVM VIDEO | View Trailer

Asheville Calling

Email your story to Asheville Calling about how Asheville "called you".

It doesn't look like the site's been updated lately, but it is still fascinating. The very fact that this website exists helps to define the stories about the "pull" that Asheville has.

Toss in the word "Vortex" and you'll be pulled into a conversation that could last for hours. Local folklore? Asheville secret? Depends on who you ask. My first conversation about that was in the 80s at a bar called The Brass Tap on Merrimon Ave, long gone after Atlanta Bread Company mowed it down.

link

Omar Faruk and his Ensemble!

Sunday, April 20, 7 PM

Earth Day Concert with Omar Faruk- One Magical Night not to be missed!

Come and experience the world famous Sufi Master Musician, Omar Faruk, and his 7 piece ensemble, including local musical luminaries River Guerguerian and Chris Rosser, for the largest Namaste Concert yet, with 500 of your closest friends celebrating the spirit of true Peace on Earth.

Honored as a peacemaker and virtuoso, Omar Faruk is one of the most sought after Turkish/Middle Eastern musicians in the world. Relentless world wide touring and openness of all cultures position him as a rare artist who transcends political obstacles while maintaining traditional sensibilities in a way few artists can manage. He is also a master on the Nay (bamboo flute), the Zurna (double reed oboe type instrument and percussions.

See www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIIvdbHm0j0

Namaste Events, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville, 828-252-8149
SLIDING SCALE $15-$25!!!
EVERYONE INVITED!

For Tickets:

Namaste Events
Asheville, NC
828-252-8149

link

The Orange Peel in current Rolling Stone Magazine

Locals have always known what a treasure we have here in Asheville when it comes to live music. The variety of live music available in intimate settings is enough to satiate any passionate music lover.

Be it bluegrass, blues, jazz, mountain music, reggae, traditional rock 'n' roll, Asheville's got it all. No Britney Spears here, y'all. Just good ol' fashioned good-time, genuine artists.

Now, the secret is coming out and the world is beginning to learn about the magnetic appeal of Asheville's music scene.

In its current issue, Rolling Stone magazine is naming The Orange Peel as one of the top music venues in the country.

Read More

Asheville's Vortex Music Festival Announces Lineup

Featuring an all-star lineup of Asheville- and regionally-based bands, the Vortex Music Festival begins its residence in Asheville on June 27 at the Asheville Civic Center. The inaugural two-day event features Perpetual Groove, Dubconscious, Toubab Krewe and Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, along with 16 more bands and DJs that highlight the local music scene in Asheville, NC and the surrounding region. The full lineup is posted below.

Night Skye Entertainment, the organization responsible for the Vortex Music Festival, seeks to highlight local talent as well as provide a broad spectrum of musical genres to enlighten, inspire and celebrate individual creativity through sound. From the electronica of John Kelley and Telepath to the roots rock of Laura Reed and Deep Pocket, the festival offers something for every Asheville music lover and beyond.

In addition to the event's unique lineup of stellar regional bands, Vortex offers something for the common good as well; this year's inaugural event will sponsor three nonprofit organizations, including Child Abuse Prevention Services, NCAHA and Manna Food Bank. In addition, the event will be broadcast live by 105.9 The Mountain, so that everybody can enjoy the music if they can't make it to the show, and can feel free to donate to any of the above nonprofits as well.

Tickets for the Vortex Music festival go on sale on April 20th and will be available at the door for the same price ($30 ADV, $50 DOS). The Asheville civic center will play host to vendors and booths that are accessible from the venue floor, and food and drink will be readily available to all attendees. For a complete lineup of artists, see below:

Announced Lineup

Friday, June 27:

Toubab Krewe

Telepath

SeepeopleS

Stephanies Id

Strut

Josh Phillips Folk Festival

Black Eyed Susan

Moksa

Thunder Drums

=============================================

Saturday June 28:

Perpetual Groove

Dubconscious

Laura Reed and Deep Pocket

Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band

Marsupial

Blues Forgotten

John Kelley

Hardcut

Psiklone

Olof

Ethermusic Festival

Weekend Theremin Festival!

The world's finest Theremin Players are gathering in Asheville to teach and showcase the music of the World's Oldest Electronic Musical Instrument (AND the only musical instrument you play without touching!) - the Theremin. Moog Music will again sponsor this International Theremin Festival – EtherMusic Festival 2008 - a celebration of the Theremin. This event will feature workshops and concerts and much, much more - all sponsored by internationally renowned Moog Music of Asheville, N.C.

Tickets at The Orange Peel website.

link | MySpace

x-posted to Easy Bake Coven

Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Flood Gallery proudly presents Insurgents, curated by its recently hired Assistant Director, Reneé M. Cagnina. This exhibition subversively addresses the internal battles that plague the psyches of its participating artists and exemplifies a unique ability to diplomatically address politics through vibrant illustrations.

Insurgents will run April 5th through May 11th, 2008 and the opening reception is slated for Saturday, April 5th at 7:00pm on the second floor of the Phil Mechanic Building in the River Arts District (109 Roberts Street, Asheville).

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, please call (828) 254-2166 or visit www.floodgallery.org .

link | via

Activist/Artist 'Zine and Blog Workshop

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Pack Memorial Library

Free

Grrly Show by filmmaker Kara Herold is an 18-minute film about the feminist 'zine explosion of the 1990s.

Lori Horvitz, Associate Professor of Creative Writing and Women's Studies at UNC-Asheville, will discuss what evolved out this richly independent feminist media and the way blogs have erupted.

The event will include hands-on workshops with local artists in 'zine-making, blogging, screen printing and knitting in the spirit of Do-It-Yourself culture.

This event is being held in conjunction with the smArt Speak: Distinguished Artist Series.

link

What's New @ Earthaven Ecovillage?

Earthaven is always bustling with new people and new building projects. And you can make reservations for the guided tours they have on Saturdays. This year they're planning to sponsor workshops in Qigong, The Power of Manifestation, Homeopathy, and Plant Wisdom.

News From The Ecovillage

Five Icelandic Sheep have arrived at Brian and Farmer's Gateway Farm. They are considered good breeds for milk, meat and wool. In April we expect a group lambing.

Michaeljon is rebounding wonderfully from bypass surgery, having only just come back from a trip to Machu Picchu, with Kiesa, when we were all surprised by his sudden illness.

Village Terraces neighborhood cleared another three-plus acres of land on the west side of the complex. And Martha and Finch moved into their downstairs flat next door at "Pokeberry Hill."

2008 Calendar Listing of Events

Courses
Permaculture Design Course: 7 Weekends at Earthaven Ecovillage
with Patricia Allison, Chuck Marsh, and Rudy Ballentine M.D.
April 18–20, May 17–18, June 21–22, July 19–20, August 16–17, September 13–14, October 11–12,

Email: Permaculture@earthaven.org or call (828) 664-7632 or visit http://www.patriciaallison.net/.

Internships
Sustainable Life Skills Permaculture Internship at Earthaven Ecovillage
with Patricia Allison, Chuck Marsh, and Rudy Ballentine M.D.
April 12th thru June 15th, September 1st thru November 8

Email: Permaculture@earthaven.org or call (828) 664-7632 or visit http://www.patriciaallison.net/.

Camps
Camp Katuah – Residential Permaculture Summer Camp for boys and girls, 7-15 years old near Raleigh, NC at William B. Umstead State Park.

Session One - June 30 - July 6 for campers 7-11 years old
Cost for Session One is $450

Session Two - July 21 - August 3 for campers 11-15 years old, or entering 6th - 10th grades
Cost for Session Two is $900
Email: info@campkatuah.org or call (828) 664-7632 or visit http://www.campkatuah.org

Click here for more class information!

link | Intentional Communities | Cohousing

Polis is This: Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place

Next Thursday (April 17th)

A film by Henry Ferrini & Ken Riaf
7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2008
Fine Arts Theatre, 38 Biltmore Ave., Downtown Asheville
Admission: $7 BMCM+AC members + students with ID / $9 non-members
Filmmaker Henry Ferrini will be in town for the screening and will answer questions afterward.

"A beautifully composed homage to one of the few truly monumental American poets of our times." Jack Hirschman, Poet Laureate of San Francisco

"The best film about an American poet ever made." Bill Corbett, The Boston Phoenix

"...an impressionistic, yet informative and moving document about the act of creation that neither shies away nor oversimplifies." Michael Kelleher, ArtVoice

Just in time for National Poetry Month in April, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, The Captain’s Bookshelf and Western Carolina University present a striking new film about Charles Olson, poet and charismatic leader of Black Mountain College during its final years, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 17th. Polis is This: Charles Olson and the Persistence of Place wrestles with the six foot eight inch 275lb colossus of poetry through an extraordinary mix of word and image. Filmmaker Henry Ferrini will be present at the April 17th screening at the Fine Arts Theatre to answer questions following the film.

Polis Is This combines interviews, archival footage, commentary and animation into a single voice full of insight and visual beauty. The film allows the audience access to the subject even as it captures the zeitgeist of a formative era in literary history. The 60-minute documentary features John Malkovich, as well as interviews with poets and scholars Robert Creeley, Ed Sanders, Diane di Prima, Gerrit Lansing, John Sinclair, Pete Seeger, Chuck Stein, Anne Waldman, Charles Boer, Susan Thackrey, Amiri Baraka, Robin Blaser, Michael Rumaker, Jonathan Williams, Ammiel Alcalay, John Stilgoe, Vincent Ferrini and the poet’s son, Charles Peter Olson.

Polis Is This illuminates Olson’s life and work by exploring such connections and imaginative journeys. The film traces Olson’s process of self- discovery and makes it clear why Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and many other literary figures traveled to Gloucester to sit with the father of post-modernism — the man they called the "big fire source."

An eclectic soundtrack puts together Boston’s grandfather of punk rock Willie "Loco" Alexander with Black Mountain College avant-garde composer Stephan Wolpe along with a little banjo picking from Pete Seeger. The film has screened to enthusiastic audiences in New York, Cambridge and San Francisco.

via BM

Axis of Justice Tour 2008 in Asheville

The Justice Tour stops by The Grey Eagle at 8pm Tuesday, April 22, led by renowned rock guitarist & political activist Tom Morello performing as The Nightwatchman. Fans who like a dose of relevance with their folk won't want to miss this one. As always, all ages are welcome. Tickets are only $10, and are available now online, at the club, and at Orbit DVD and Harvest Records in West Asheville.

Musicians who have signed on to participate in the Justice Tour include Slash, Perry Farrell, Maynard James Keenan of Tool and Puscifer, Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, Davey Havok of AFI, Boots Riley of the Coup, Shooter Jennings, State Radio, Mike Einzinger of Incubus and Wayne Kramer.

I think since the Smashing Pumpkins did their residency show in Asheville, we are getting tons more respect as a music city and others are adding Asheville to their itinerary.

Asheville Events

Here is the latest batch of events on Around Asheville, especially for those of you who read the website through a feed or email and may have missed it. We keep a running list on the right side of the page. If you want to add anything to the list, just leave a comment or send an email and I'll add it.

* April 22, 2008
Earth Day Asheville 2008

* May 2-4, 2008
French Broad River Festival

* May 3, 2008
Global Marijuana March
contact: ahillsie at hotmail.com

* May 9-11
Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)

* May 16-18, 2008
Goa Gill at Deerfield's

*May 23-25, 2008
Asheville Music Jamboree

* May 24-25
White Squirrel Festival

* July 10-13
Grandfather Mtn Highland Games

* July 25-29
Bele Chere

* August 22-24
Goombay

* September 18-21, 2008
Triboriginal

"A Crude Awakening"

Friday, April 4, 2008 7:00 PM, free
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
********************

PANEL DISCUSSION:
WNC Peak Oil Perspectives
Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:00 PM, free
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Panelists:
John Sticpewich, retired petroleum geologist
Jim Barton, Smith Mill Creek Permaculture School,
"Transition Town Movement"
**************************
About the film
"A Crude Awakening":
Compelling, intelligent, and highly entertaining,
this film visits top experts and comes to a startling but logical
conclusion - our industrial society, built on cheap and readily
available oil, must be completely re-imagined and overhauled.

Shot on
location in Azerbaijan, Venezuela, the Middle East, and Texas, the
film provides not only questions but possible solutions to the most
perplexing and important economic, environmental and public policy
issues of our time.

In a report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy, Robert L.
Hirsch, Senior Energy Program Advisor, Science Applications
International Corporation) challenged the notion that the free market
can solve the peak oil emergency:

"The world has never faced a problem
like Peak Oil. Without massive mitigation more than a decade before
the fact, the problem will be pervasive and will not be temporary.
Previous energy transitions (wood to coal and coal to oil) were
gradual and evolutionary; oil peaking will be abrupt and revolutionary."

PANEL DISCUSSION:
WNC Peak Oil Perspectives
Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:00 PM,
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Panelists:
John Sticpewich, retired petroleum geologist
Jim Barton, Smith Mill Creek Permaculture School, "Transition Town
Movement"

2 Affordable Rooms To Rent

Asheville Hostels

"The immediate feeling of comfort and security. We were welcomed in like family, and enjoyed the conversations as well as the accommodations."

Looking for a place to stay in Asheville on the thrifty side? Asheville Hostels is extremely affordable and may just be what you're looking for when visiting Asheville with not a lot of cash to spare. It's located in downtown Asheville.

16 Ravenscroft Drive
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 582-1938



Bon Paul and Sharkey's

"Here you will find a place to call home for a few days while relaxing, having fun, and interacting with other like- minded travelers – a break from your adventure, and yet still adventure in itself."

Read about how they got their name for their home. They also have photos of the home and inside with the guest quarters. They're located in West Asheville.

816 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 350-9929

Wisdomology

Reveal Your Inner Wisdom

Three Amigos With One Vision

Nowadays James, Bruce, and Lauren (whose diverse paths have led them out of the Ivy League, down the Appalachian Trail, and through the joys and challenges of stay-at-home-parenting) come together each day and try to imagine ways that Wisdomology can enlighten, inspire, inform, and connect people whose backgrounds are as diverse as their own.

There's a lot of beautiful spirits swirling around WISDOMOLOGY. Go see for yourself!

Drum Circle at Pritchard Park

With Spring weather on our side now, drumming and dancing has started up again in Pritchard Park each Friday night at 5:00. I believe they have to stop at 11:00 pm. (Someone will tell us if that's the wrong time.)

The Ashevillage Institute (AVI)

An Urban Sustainability Center

The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is an emerging urban education center and living laboratory for sustainable solutions in action. AVI is located in a cluster of houses in a neighborhood a few blocks from downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

Living at the Asheville Institute in 2008
We want enthusiastic, super responsible, skilled people who are great at living collectively, have a skill-set and passion to help develop AVI, and support the season's programs (while participating in them for free). Read More...

See Upcoming Events
Sustainability Workshops Series
At The Ashevillage Institute (AVI)
Participate in the whole series, or just one!
Discounts are available if you register for all.
Introduction to Permaculture Workshop -- March 27 & 28
Residential Rainwater & Greywater Harvesting Workshop -- April 24 & 25
Bee-Keeping Workshop -- May 29 & 30
Natural Building Workshop -- June 26 & 27
Wild Food & Fermentation Workshop -- July 24 & 25
TBA -- August 28 & 29
TBA -- September 25 & 26
Natural Finishes Workshop - Earthen Plasters & Paints -- October 23 & 24

Support AVI:
AVI is administered by Kleiwerks International. 100% tax-deductible donations can be made by credit card through paypal at http://www.kleiwerks.org/support_us.php, or checks can be sent to: Kleiwerks International c/o 82 Buchanan Ave., Asheville, NC 28801. Write AVI in the memo line.

For more information contact:
Email: AVI@kleiwerks.org
Call: 828.225.8820

Guerrilla Girls in Asheville

Guerrilla Girls Talk / Performance
Monday, March 31, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Asheville Community Theatre
$18 general admission, $16 Museum Members, $14 students

During this event, the famous feminist masked avengers will talk about their work, philosophy of activism while campaigning against an appalling lack of ethics in the art world.

Go to http://www.ashevilletheater.org and click on the 'buy tickets now' button to reserve your seat.

Monkey Bizness with the Guerrilla Girls
Hands-On Workshop
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Asheville Art Museum
Cost: $20 general admission, $15 students

Space is limited for this event and advance registration is required.

To register please contact Nancy Sokolove at the Asheville Art Museum, 828.253.3227, ext. 120.

A founding member of the Guerrilla Girls will lead visitors through the chaotic process of brainstorming, collective give-and-take and larger group input that has helped these anonymous art activists perfect their in-your-face work during the past 20 years. As participants ‘aestheticize their anger,’ they may get some career advice about ethics and the art world along the way.