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    Monday, December 21, 2009

    Sweet Peas Hostel set to open in downtown Asheville

    During an era when most new hotel-style lodging in Asheville has veered toward the higher end, a downtown business is poised to open a decidedly cheaper opportunity for overnight visitors: Sweet Peas Hostel, at 23 Rankin Ave., is slated to open on Saturday, Dec. 26.

    To reserve your bed, read this information, then call (423) 612-5325 Mon-Fri 9-5 EST or send them an e-mail.

    link | hostel

    Friday, December 18, 2009

    Snow Day!



    link

    This link is from Asheville Live Cam website. Snow days are always huge days for AshevilleLiveCam.com's web traffic, as native Ashevillians, expatriots and fans check in from all over the world to see the mountains and the downtown area blanketed in white.

    Wednesday, December 16, 2009

    Winter Solstice Events

    Monday, Dec. 21

    WINTER SOLSTICE HIKE, 7-9 p.m., Hooker Falls parking lot, Dupont Road, DuPont State Forest, Hendersonville. A winter solstice hike will offer participants an opportunity to quietly welcome the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere and celebrate the darkness of the longest night along the 1/4-mile moderate trail to Hooker Falls. Hikers are urged to bring flashlights and a warm drink to toast the winter solstice.

    DuPont State Forest, DuPont Rd.; Monday, 7-9 p.m.; free; (828) 692-0385; www.eco-wnc.org

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    A Swannanoa Solstice
    December 20, 2009, Sunday
    2:00p.m. & 7:00p.m.

    The Winter Solstice is a time for joyful and thoughtful seasonal reflection. Delight with family and friends at the 7th annual edition of this holiday concert that has become a warm winter tradition of tis own.

    link

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    **There are still a few Winter Solstice celebrations that aren't being widely advertised so I'm not going to post them until I can find out if they are for everyone. So regardless, have a wonderful Winter Solstice.

    Tuesday, December 01, 2009

    Santa in Pritchard Park

    We've got Saturdays with Santa again this year! Saturdays will be special at Pritchard Park because Santa will be stopping by from 10 - 11 am every Saturday right up until Christmas. Bring the kids and grandma and grandpa, too! Everyone loves Santa.

    Stay in downtown after visiting Santa and enjoy lunch at one of our great restaurants, do some holiday shopping and then enjoy the Saturday Sizzle at Seven fireworks, presented by the Grove Park Inn and the Asheville Downtown Association.

    Monday, November 30, 2009

    Protesters on Generator at Cliffside - PHOTO



    View More »

    Protesters Chain Themselves To Generator

    Breaking News: Two people are locked down to the Cliffside generator in Greenville, SC. Press release below and more info coming. Also keep track at: http://twitter.com/RisingTideNA


    Photo taken today near Cliffside coal plant

    Greenville, SC - Two protestors have locked themselves to the 1.5 million pound generator destined for Duke Energy’s Cliffside coal plant in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Protestors are vowing to prevent the generator, which has been traveling across South Carolina on a 300 foot trailer, from reaching the coal plant. “Our nation has no choice, we must stop burning coal. The only choice that we can make is whether we do that in time to still have breathable air, drinkable water, a livable climate, and standing mountains,” said, Catherine Anne. Protestors also draped a large banner from the top of the generator reading, “Stop Cliffside.”

    The 880,000-pound generator is on its way to Duke Energy's Cliffside Steam Station in Boiling Springs, N.C.

    An environmental group called Asheville Rising Tide said in a statement sent to FOX Carolina that the protesters are vowing to prevent the generator from reaching the coal plant. via

    Sunday, November 15, 2009

    Asheville Gingerbread Tour


    TOUR - our participating inns, including The 1900 Inn on Montford, At Cumberland Falls, Abbington Green Bed and Breakfast and The Albemarle Inn. The tour begins at the Asheville Visitor Center, where a trolley ferries participants to the inns.

    SEE - Professionally designed Gingerbread House scenes, each telling part of the story of the beloved poem "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" at each of the Inns

    TRAVEL - Go to each of the Inns via Asheville’s Gray Line Trolley while enjoying music and songs of this magical season, $30 per person

    WHEN - Every Saturday, starting at 5:00 pm

    For More Information | See Photos

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009

    Saturday, October 24, 2009

    2pm – 4pm
    In front of Asheville City Hall
    2 – 3pm Kids and Adult Activities
    3:00 pm Climate Action Rally
    3:30 – 3:50 pm Be in the Big Photo that is going to Copenhagen!

    350 is the most important number in the world--it's what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

    Everyone from Al Gore to the U.N.’s top climate scientist has now embraced this goal for stabilizing the planet and preventing complete disaster. Our leaders need to craft a treaty and policies that will put the world on track to get to below 350.

    Asheville 350 | Global 350

    Friday, October 02, 2009

    TribOriginal



    OCTOBER 8 - 11, 2009

    Tribal Dance, Music, and Culture Camp

    TribO aspires to offer something for everyone: the bellydancers, musicians, burgeoning circus sideshow types, mates, spouses, children, teens, morning people and late-nighters, meat-eaters and vegetarians, camping-types and city folks.

    link

    Friday, September 25, 2009

    Looking For Evolver Asheville Group Organizers

    Our regional coordinator made the big move to NYC and we are now looking for bold, daring evolutionaries to organize monthly "Spore" gatherings in the region. If you're interested in kick-starting the evolution in Asheville, just send an email to jonathan((at))evolver((dot))net with "Asheville Coordinator" in the subject line.

    Evolver Asheville

    Thursday, September 17, 2009

    VIRATO LIVE! on Saturday

    BRIAN "SKYE" FESTA

    Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10:06 AM-11 AM EDT

    Virato's guest this Saturday morning, Brian "Skye" Festa, was born and raised in Lancaster Pennsylvania, home to the Amish. Amidst his many adventures, he has studied Percussion Performance and Music Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

    He founded Koinonia in the Spring of 2008 and has compiled a holistic curriculum which gives each student their own creative foundation from the very beginning.

    Sunday, September 13, 2009

    Thursday, September 03, 2009

    Asheville Full Moon Gatherings


    Sept. 4-7, 2009
    Location: Kuykendall Falls, Brevard, NC
    Theme: Pisces Moon-Exstasis


    The theme for this gathering is Exstasis - A transference of consciousness from the physical plane to another inner and superior plane, accompanied by awareness and memory of the experience.

    Please bring artwork, costumes, and food to share at the Saturday and Sunday lunchtime potlucks. As this is a gathering we also ask you to help with any labors of love needed during the weekend.

    This is a leave no trace event. Pack it it and pack it out. There is no trash and recycling removal except YOU.

    link

    Wednesday, September 02, 2009

    SPUD Patrol

    Come and volunteer for these SPUD Patrol Dates!

    September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5


    We now have coordinators for a new S.P.U.D. Patrol in Asheville, North Carolina! Chuck & Annette Hunner at 828-216-1422 or hunner@charter.net

    Location in Asheville is Pritchard Park, downtown Asheville in the triangle formed by Patton Avenue, Haywood Street, and College Street.

    Stay tuned for SPUD Reports from the beautiful city of Asheville, and thank you, Chuck & Annette!

    Sign up in your city by emailing or calling the coordinators in your city below:



    link

    Saturday, August 29, 2009

    TEDx Asheville

    --by Jason Sandford in the Mountain Xpress.

    Call it a circus for your brain. Call it an idea explosion with a rock-and-roll vibe. Call it a variety show for nerds, by nerds.
    No matter how organizer Jennifer Saylor describes it, the TEDx Asheville event set for Aug. 30 at the Orange Peel will do one thing — spotlight the ideas and talents of Asheville's big thinkers and creative minds. The event is the culmination of several months of planning after a local group of fans of the annual California-based conference known as TED (which stands for technology, entertainment and design) got together and decided to stage an Asheville version of the event.

    "Our presenter lineup is the result of around 90 speaker nominees and months of volunteer labor, watching videos, reading bios, discussing our options, listening to talks and ideas," Saylor says. "We think our lineup is completely in the TED spirit of humor, mastery, changing society and having vision for the future. It's made up out of the coolest and most interesting people we could find in a citywide search several months long."

    The line-up of speakers includes David McConville, co-founder of The Elumenati, an Asheville design and engineering company that creates custom immersive environments such as domes; Drew Jones, a specialist in systems dynamics and climate-change modeling who is program director for the Vermont-based Sustainability Institute; Dee Eggers, an environmental studies professor at UNC Asheville; Robert Zimmerman, whose Web development company has created sites for illustrators and art directors; and Caroline Yongue, a home-funeral educator who talks about end-of-life transitions.

    There's plenty of entertainment mixed in the four-hour event, with acts including poet Glenis Redmond and Chris Tanfield and Dave Hamilton. Saylor promises a couple of "big surprises" as well.

    Seating is limited to 400 people and the show is free, so Saylor is encouraging people to arrive early to be sure they get a seat. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The party starts at 7 p.m. Saylor says she doesn't have a feel for whether the event will fill up, but adds that interest has been high.

    Asheville resident Rick Fornoff, who coaches public speakers and is a TEDx Asheville organizer, has been coaching four of the event speakers. The TED requirement is that each speaker be limited to 18 minutes.

    "Part of the power of the talks is that it's great information that's condensed. You don't have long to get it out there," Fornoff says. "So it's a matter of pruning and getting to the point."

    Both Saylor and Fornoff note that local organizers have a real passion for TED, which is built around the idea of offering a global forum for ideas worth spreading. They hope that their excitement shows in the production.

    "We're all fans of TED, and in Asheville we're all proud of the fertility of the community here," Fornoff says. "This is a chance for us to show off our intellectual capital."

    The goal is to hold the event again next summer, with planning for that starting in October. Saylor urges anyone interested in getting involved to send an e-mail to tedxavl@gmail.com.

    For more information, visit http://www.tedxasheville.com.

    Source | live simulcast of this Sunday’s TEDx event

    Wednesday, August 26, 2009

    The Village Witch

    Byron Ballard is a local writer, urban farmer and Buncombe county native who writes about traditional Appalachian witching and modern Earth religions. She holds a BA from UNCA, a Master of Fine Arts from Trinity University and lives in historic West End of Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, four cats and a demanding garden. This blog is the place to come to find out what’s happening in the local Earth religions community, to learn about mountain cures and charms and to ask questions about which witch is which.

    link

    Follow along on the Citizen-Times website.

    Friday, August 21, 2009

    Gathering of the Peacemakers

    Asheville/Black Mountain, NC
    August 30-September 5, 2009

    Our 90th One Event - Our 4th One Love Retreat!


    Tons of events and music!

    link | performers

    "Rethink Afghanistan" movie on August 27th

    Film & Discussion — Free
    Thursday, August 27, 2009 7-9PM
    North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave.

    Since the October 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S. has spent almost
    $225 billion and coalition forces have lost more than 1300 troops. In just
    the first six months of 2009, we killed more than 1,000 civilians. There
    is no end in sight.

    Why are we still there? Are the people of Afghanistan any better off? Have
    women’s rights improved? Is the government stable? Are there better ways
    to spend our tax dollars? Is our military presence effective?

    Carnegie Endowment's Gilles Dorronsoro says:
    "The mere presence of foreign soldiers fighting a war in Afghanistan is
    probably the single most important factor in the Taliban's resurgence."

    What do you say?

    Join Veterans For Peace for a screening and discussion of Brave New Films’
    documentary, “Rethink Afghanistan” (http://rethinkafghanistan.com/). This
    full-length documentary about America’s escalating military involvement in
    the country provides expert opinions as well as troubling images as it
    answers many questions and raises others.

    www.Veterans4Peace.org More info: (828) 626-2572

    Friday, August 14, 2009

    Sunday's Washington Post On Asheville

    Asheville, N.C., Has a Song at Its Heart

    By Christina Talcott
    Washington Post Staff Writer
    Sunday, August 16, 2009

    In Asheville, music is everywhere. From church bells and buskers to pipe organs and drum circles, the city pulses with soundtracks as different as the experiences it has to offer. Read More »

    There's also a page on What To Do In Asheville/Where To Go.

    The Grey Eagle, August Calendar

    Some of the best music around today can be found at The Grey Eagle. It boggles the effin' mind, I tell you.

    If you appreciate the essence of classic rock, you'll like Dungen. They're from Sweden and their sound is psychedelic rock sung in Swedish. Dungen's appearing Tuesday, AUGUST 18. And Woods is also on the bill.

    The White Rabbits AND Fiery Furnaces visit Tuesday, August 25. They've got two drummers and tight vocals with a solid rock sound. What's not to love? Here's a video of my favorite song of the White Rabbits called "Percussion Gun".



    There's much more in store in August at The Grey Eagle. Stop by the website and have a look at the calendar section. link

    Thursday, August 13, 2009

    Pets of Western NC

    I've found a website that is just loaded with all sorts of pet information for the surrounding 18 counties.

    Lost Pets of Western NC began with the intention to provide information and resources that will shorten the time between loss and reunion. It's full of good information for any pet owner and someone has really put their heart into this website.

    They also have tons of resources.

    Pet Sitting
    Pet Mobile Services
    Pet Behaviorists
    Pet Daycare/Boarding
    Lost & Found Information
    Vets & Hospitals
    Shelters/Human Societies
    Pet Memorials
    Pet Portraits

    link

    Saturday, August 08, 2009


    World Bridge IV: Veils will be lifted, worlds be bridged.
    7-9 August 2009 presented by Those People Productions



    Join us once again for a ritual of deep, dark, twisted, mind expanding, trance dancing. It's another year of amazing tribal/neuro trance under the stars at Deerfields Retreat, NC,US.

    Prepare… this one is going to be a psychedelic journey of massive proportions! Come dance with us in the mountains!

    Bring your art, vibe, rituals, & moves, and meet us on the floor for trancendental communication through sound and movement.

    link

    Tuesday, July 28, 2009

    TRANSFIGURATIONS


    THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY - AUGUST 13-15, 2009

    TRANSFIG-URATIONS: Kurt Vile, Coathangers, & more.

    Other artists playing TRANSFIGURATIONS include: Bonnie Prince Billy, Akron/Family, The Books, The Budos Band, Espers, Circulatory System, The War on Drugs, Mount Eerie, Brightblack Morning Light, Jonathan Kane, Steve Gunn, Villages & Ice Cream.

    Harvest Records of West Asheville will be celebrating its 5-year anniversary with TRANSFIGURATIONS -- an intimate gathering of Harvest's favorite musical artists today.

    link | link

    Tuesday, July 07, 2009

    Roller Derby in Asheville this Saturday



    More information about the Blue Ridge Rollergirls is available at: blueridgerollergirls.com or myspace.com/blueridgerollergirls

    Friday, June 12, 2009

    STONEWALL RALLY ASHEVILLE JUNE 27th!

    Asheville's Annual Stonewall Commemoration Rally will be held at the end of this month. Please join us for a momentous celebration in honor of those who laid the groundwork for the contemporary LGBTQ movement during the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City!

    There will be speakers, performances, a permited sidewalk march, and of course an ice cream social. Following the days events will be an after party to remember with live music, drag, dance troupe and burlesque performaces and a dance party into the night.

    Join in with your partners, friends, allies, family, and neighbors! Feel free to dress for the occasion by bringing out your best flare or just your own fabulous self! Please use your community contacts to forward this widely and let's come together for the best Stonewall Rally Asheville has ever had!

    This year's theme is Super Queeros! We will be honoring our community's very own super hero legends of the past!

    Here's the Info:

    Saturday June 27th!

    Day events location: Prtichard Park, downtown Asheville
    5:00 Rally with speakers and music
    6:00 Permited sidewalk march, we have signs, but you can also bring your own signs and rally cries!
    7:00 Ice Cream Social with music at Pritchard Park

    Afterparty events location: Hookah Joes (behind Hairspray)
    Event begins at 9:00 and we can admit under 21 with prior coordination with organizers

    Performances include:
    Blondie Coverband (Durham, NC with ex-members of Roxotica-long time supporters of Stonewall and Tranzmission events)
    Sparkle Rainbow Ponies of Death (local rockers!)
    Burlesque and Drag Performers by Asheville's finest Tranzmission Drag Troupe
    Talon Dance Troupe
    DJ dance party to follow!

    Stonewall Commemoration Rally organizers

    for more info contact: Louise138@gmail.com

    Wednesday, June 10, 2009

    The Biltmore Forest home of Andie MacDowell





    Photos by John Fletcher.

    link

    Monday, June 08, 2009

    Beards Of Comedy Tour

    This coming weekend at 35 Below.


    Friday, June 12, 2009 at 8:00 and 10:15 pm
    Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    The Beards of Comedy Tour is comprised of four seasoned and bearded comedians, in a unique format that blends stand-up, sketch and audience comedy. The show is 90 minutes of nonstop laughter, with several surprises in store.

    link

    Friday, June 05, 2009

    Protest against NC Congressman in Asheville after his 2-day visit to Sri Lanka

    Raleigh, NC June 5, 2009– Tamils Against Genocide is holding a protest march in Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday June 06th in response to Congressman Heath Shuler’s (D-11) two day visit to Sri Lanka last week. On his recent visit, Representative Shuler took a tour sponsored by the Sri Lankan government to the internment camps in northern Sri Lanka, in which 300,000 ethnic Tamil refugees are currently being held. Human rights advocates are angry after Representative Shuler commended the Sri Lankan government on the conditions in the internment camps after a government conducted tour. The protest will be held in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville from 11am to 3pm.

    Two weeks ago, the Sri Lankan government ended the island-country’s 26-year civil war in a final assault which killed more than 20,000 Tamil civilians. Shuler’s statements contradict reports by reputable human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, who accuse the government of intentionally shelling the civilian population and denying foreign media and non-governmental aid organizations into the conflict zones.

    Sunday, May 24, 2009

    Free Asheville

    Get free items in the Asheville North Carolina Area on Twitter at Free Asheville.

    Thursday, May 21, 2009

    Green Bash

    A banging bass-heavy warehouse party to feel great about. Introducing Asheville to Atlanta’s infamous “80 Megaton” soundsystem (4 x 18″), light up dance floor, and snow machine and more all made possible by Mellow Mushroom. Just wait til you see how this event gets decked out.

    Featuring spoken-word poets of The Poetix Vanguard, hip-hop stylings of Preach Jacobs, the freshest DJ sounds of Bowie, Midnite Ace, Mindelixir, and Cameron Corey, with digital projection art from VJ collective The NightLight Riders.

    Party kicks off at 9:00 pm sharp on Saturday May 23rd. @ The Star Factory, 191 Lyman St. Suite 101, Asheville, NC.

    Drum Circle to receive new equipment

    The Asheville Downtown Association will present several drums and accessories to the Asheville Drum Circle at 7 p.m. Friday.
    “We are so fortunate to have this group of people who create this music in Pritchard Park,” said Byron Greiner, the president of the association's board of directors, in a statement. "The circle encourages participation and we are donating instruments to support their activities."
    The association is donating a 55-gallon dun dun, two djembes, an ashiko, a cowbell, three sets of claves and three shakers.

    The drum circle has been active since 2001 and takes place each Friday, weather permitting, in Pritchard Park, downtown.

    Monday, May 11, 2009

    Asheville Communes & Cohousing


    Visitors come by here looking for communes in the Asheville area so I'm going to put up this post and hope it gets in the search engines.

    The best place to look from the urban co-ops to cohousing groups to ecovillages to rural communes in the Western North Carolina area is the Intentional Communities website by state. You can also update that site yo'self. (Earthaven is probably the most well known place around.)

    Cohousing has really grown around our area the past decade or so. It's an attempt to utilize the social, economical, and practical benefits of cooperative living while at the same time allowing for individual needs and privacy. In cohousing, families reside in their own private apartments but unlike traditional urban or suburban neighborhoods where anonymity is the rule, cohousing not only allows for, but strongly encourages social interaction, interdependence, and cooperation among all members. Think of it as living in a dorm. You can learn all about cohousing at cohousing.org

    The websites stay up to date I so hope this helps out a bit and if there's anything we need to add please let me know.

    Monday, May 04, 2009

    Free_Asheville


    Free material items in the Asheville North Carolina Area.

    This twitter feed on Free Asheville items is busy, busy, busy.

    Wednesday, April 15, 2009

    Black Whole


    An immersion in video, sound and dance at downtown Asheville’s Food Lion Skate Park.

    The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center along with co-sponsors the City of Asheville, Moog Music and Centering on Children are proud to present an outdoor, multi-media, interdisciplinary performance entitled BLACK WHOLE at downtown Asheville’s Food Lion Skate Park on Saturday, April 25th.

    The evening will begin at 8:00 pm with an interactive pre-show “Theremin Garden” featuring Moog Music’s Jason Daniello, a celebrated local musician.

    link

    Sunday, April 12, 2009

    Thursday, April 09, 2009

    TRON-A-THON


    Tron-A-Thon Electronic Music Summit

    Friday & Saturday April 10-11, 2009.

    Club Nashwa & Hookah Joes
    38 N French Broad St Asheville, NC.

    Featuring live performances by Pnuma Trio, Future Rock, Elliot Lipp, Kap10, DJ Rootz, Two Fresh, Random Rabbit, Freepeoples Frequency, Sci Fi, Agobi Project, Midnight Ace, Aquarium, Somni Suite, DJ Ginza, Mindelixir, EP3, Tropa, Darth Brown, DJ Bowie, Par D, Live Painting by Ishmael, and Live Graphics by CODE-E.

    For Tickets visit: http://www.tronathon.com

    link

    Paul Hersey - Organic Armour



    Paul Hersey, the tailor to the gods, goddesses, warriors and priestesses of our world works in an unassuming studio on Lyman Street in Asheville. He fashions the gold and copper breastplates, armbands, headdresses and elaborate belts that supernatural beings wear for ceremonial purposes, performances or just for really great parties.

    Made with foam, latex, paint, faux jewels and a heaping dose of transformative power, Paul Hersey's "Organic Armor" is simply divine in more ways than one, and to wear it is to discover the hidden warrior-princess-tribal-punk-fairy that you never even knew lurked within you.

    link | via

    Wednesday, April 08, 2009

    Good Vibrations


    Richard Hite approaches the three large gongs, kneeling reverentially and nestles in among the bells, conch shells, Tibetan temple horns and goat horns on the floor. He reaches up with a mallet, and with a feathery touch begins priming one gong with an arcing motion across the textured brass. The result is a continuous low drone that resonates deep into the skin. With his other hand he gives a second gong a glancing blow, the direct tone weaving into the undulating tones of the first.

    "Playing the instrument regularly is as much a practice of my own spiritual path as anything else I do," says the 57-year-old Hite. "For me, it's a meeting with God, it's an expression of gratitude. I had a God experience the first time I heard one."

    Hite and his partner of 20 years, physical therapist Susan Thompson, are living at the Embracing Simplicity Hermitage in Hendersonville while preparing for a concert at the Light Center in Black Mountain on April 25. "We don't have a plan after that," he says with astounding faith.

    link

    The Mantra Of Bliss


    Mantra of Bliss with Goa Gil and Ariane
    Friday May 15th - Sunday May 17th, 2009
    Deerfields, Asheville, NC

    Welcome Goa Gil back to the southeastern US to the annual Mantra of Bliss.

    Join us in a regional gathering of the tribes as we celebrate Goa Gil's sonic transmission of cutting-edge psychedelic trance across the amazing Deerfields, a 940-acre family-owned retreat of unspoiled wilderness full of lush green valleys, apple orchards, and freshwater ponds for swimming after a long hot dance!

    Bring your art, vibe, rituals, dancing shoes, and meet us on the floor for transcendental communication through sound and movement.


    Beneath the skies we will dance by ritual fire in the sacred Appalachian Mountains.

    Thursday, March 19, 2009

    Asheville Art Scene This Weekend - 2 Events

    How to survive as an Artist? The future of Riverside Arts District & creating an Artist Resource Center

    When: Fri, March 20, 6pm – 8pm

    Where: Firestorm Cafe @ 48 Commerce St

    Description:
    You've come to Asheville because you've heard it's the happening place for the Arts Scene - but how do you connect with other artists and learn about festivals, events, and venues to sell your art? What are the organizations & grants available to help artists make their means and connect with other creative thinkers? And looking deeper - how does the philosophy of art as a major artery in the life-blood of Asheville allow us to utilize the potential of creative design and innovation in coming era?

    Learn about the discussions concerning the future development of the Riverside Arts District & where there are affordable creative spaces and studios in Asheville.

    Discuss the creative opportunities involved with developing an Artist Resource Center in Asheville (as called for in the Downtown Master Plan) and how to get involved with it's effort.

    For more information please contact Jen G. Bowen at admin@AshevilleABC.com



    Public Arts Space, Graffiti, & Murals

    When: Sun, March 22, 6pm – 8pm

    Where: Rosetta's Kitchen @ 111 Broadway St.

    Description:

    Where can buskers, jugglers, hula-hoopers, actors, break-dancers, and spray paint artists go in Asheville to act out their creative tasks?
    Learn about the different free expression spaces and the rules of public use.
    Discuss the current policies and issues concerning graffiti, and the opportunities that can be found with public free-space walls and community mural projects.

    More info about the Asheville ABC series can be found at
    www.AshevilleABC.com

    For more information please contact Jen G. Bowen at admin@AshevilleABC.com

    Faces of Asheville
    Portrait Documentary Project
    **Opening June 5th @ the Satellite Gallery in Dntn Asheville**

    Moderator & Organizer
    Asheville ABC's Community Conversations
    www.AshevilleABC.com

    "Celebrate your Individuality
    Amongst your Community!"

    Tuesday, March 17, 2009

    Terry Riley - A Rainbow in a curved air - 1969



    Oops - I meant to post this on Easy Bake Coven.

    Saturday, March 14, 2009

    Gathering of the Peacemakers

    Life-changing Vacations in Beautiful Mountain Retreat Settings!
    Reservations needed as space is limited!

    The goal of our retreats is to prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually for the coming decades of change so that we might share this peace with others.

    Days of Conscious Instruction
    Solar, wind, wilderness & earth skills, organic gardening, perma-culture, affordable & green shelters, building your own house, healing arts & holistic health, yoga, intentional communities, handling your money wisely, voluntary simplicity, creating & sustaining loving unions, finding your mission in life, staying awake in a sleeping world, creating visionary events & work, drumming circles, Hopi & Mayan prophecies, forgiveness & condolence ceremonies, & more! We also host a Native American “Elder-in-Residence” at each Gathering.

    Nights of Celebration & Conscious Music
    As the sun sets, we celebrate together. First, we gather around the fire circle where, via storytelling and video footage, we travel together through our books where you meet the Native America, Mayan and Rastafarian Elders and hear their messages of unconditional love for all. Our evening parties follow with performances by conscious recording artists including, Laura Reed & Deep Pocket, Roots Nation, Chalwa, Robanic, Tim Robinson, Songs of Solomon, Julian Abey, Black Rebels & more. Afterwards, there are drumming circles and our One Love Coffee Shop stays open late.


    The Roskind family has organized and hosted 80+ free One Love Events at schools, prisons, Native American reservations and public venues in Jamaica and the U.S. All gatherings feature Jamaican and American conscious recording artists and carry the same core message: we are here to learn and teach love. They have also produced an award-winning PBS series and have authored 7Bob books that carry a message of unconditional love - One Love

    Check out THEIR website - www.rastaheart.com


    The gathering is just what Jah ordered

    Saturday, March 07, 2009

    Asheville Free Book Exchange

    ALL BOOKS ARE FREE!

    Greetings book lovers of Buncombe County and beyond. You are now welcome and invited to experience one of the latest installments to the Asheville River Arts District. We are the "Asheville Free Book Exchange," an experiment in the art of shepherding literature by the community and for the community.

    Here, on location, we are housing and displaying books for visitors to peruse. Enjoy a comfortable space here to sit while reading or surfing via wi-fi. If you have books you are ready to let go, bring them in. Recycle your books here so others may enjoy them. Find some books here that you would like to bring home.

    Asheville Free Book Exchange is also hosting a variety of functions, activities, group meets, film screenings, art and craft showings, and celebrations. Would you like to schedule an event at the Asheville Free Book Exchange? Write us an email, call us direct, and/or meet with us here during the week.

    Asheville Free Book Exchange
    191 Lyman Street, Suite 320
    Asheville, NC 28801 USA
    tel: 404.933.9173
    email: info@freebookexchange.org

    Wednesday, March 04, 2009

    Christo and Jeanne-Claude Poster Installation



    The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Poster Installation is being brought in from the windows of businesses around town and put on display in Pack Place Community Gallery through March 15, 2009. Look for it this week! Click here to view on online gallery of the posters.

    Visit the installation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude signed prints in Pack Place Community Gallery. These works, donated and signed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude, will be sold to support the Museum's exhibition programs.

    The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Poster Installation is held in conjunction with the smArt speak: Distinguished Artist Series lecture Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Works in Progress with Q+A.

    Tuesday, March 03, 2009

    One Nation Online in 2009

    Space is limited and reservations for the bus must be made by 5 p.m. TODAY. Reserve your seat now!

    Please be sure to indicate in your RSVP that you are interested in taking the bus.

    The bus departs at 7:15 a.m. from the Westgate Shopping Center (40 Westgate Parkway, Asheville), stops in Hickory at 8:45 and then in Greensboro at 10:30. The trip will include lunch and dinner.

    WHAT: InternetforEveryone.org town hall meeting
    in North Carolina
    WHEN: Saturday, March 7, 2009, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    WHERE: Durham Marriott Convention Center
    201 Foster Street
    Durham, N.C.
    RSVP: Reserve Your Place
    (Only 250 seats are available. RSVP now.)

    Help represent Western North Carolina by catching the bus to Durham from Asheville. We are offering free transportation, including lunch and dinner, from Asheville to encourage folks living in the western part of the state to add their perspective to the discussion about the future of the Internet. The bus will depart at 7:15 a.m. from the Westgate Shopping Center (40 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC) and return at 8:00 p.m.

    To learn more about being a part of this important meeting, visit
    http://www.internetforeveryone.org/events/durham

    Saturday, February 28, 2009

    The Gathering of the Peacemakers


    Features days of conscious instruction on topics including solar, wind, wilderness skills, organic gardening, wind, affordable & green shelters, handling your money wisely, creating & sustaining loving unions, finding your mission in life, staying awake in a sleeping world & more!

    April 9, 2009 - April 13, 2009

    Black Mountain, NC

    link

    Thursday, February 26, 2009

    The Graduates

    The Graduates is a fun coming-of-age comedy about four friends who head to the beach after graduation. They go to party and chase girls, but end up growing up over the course of the week.

    The Graduates features music from Asheville's Mad Tea Party and also features Robin Williams' son Zak Williams in his feature film debut. The Graduates was directed by Asheville's Ryan Gielen (also directed Larry Keel: Beautiful Thing) and will be in theatres nation wide starting May 8th and will run through the summer.

    Here are the details:
    Thursday, March 12th
    Doors at 9:00pm
    Screening at 9:30pm
    Tickets $5

    TICKETS AVAILABLE AT OUR SITE ONLY - Previous screenings have all sold out so get your tickets at the website soon.


    The Graduates (Official Trailer) from Ryan Gielen on Vimeo.

    Saturday, February 07, 2009

    Infuse Those Sunday Dol-drums

    Are you up for it?

    Brush off those winter blues by attending the Drum Circle at Pritchard Park on Sunday, February 8, 2009, @ 2:00 PM.

    Forecast 62° and mellow.

    Saturday, January 24, 2009

    All Fun Gifts


    Our business was started from scratch 11 years ago in a very grassroots fashion. We've come a long way from the days of hand drawn catalogs and peddling our wares at Grateful Dead and Phish shows.

    This has been an amazing year for us! Still in beautiful Asheville, NC, our inventory has expanded to include many new products that our customers have requested over the last few years, and some that we just thought you'd like because they're cool. We have more excellent, wonderful, happy customers than ever, and we've added 4 more dynamic and hard-working individuals to our own staff saving them from the drudgery of corporate America!

    Shop the headshop catalog at All Fun Gifts, request a catalog or read all about the crew. I think you'll find them quite interesting and their composition represents Asheville brilliantly.

    link

    Monday, January 05, 2009

    THE BEARDS OF COMEDY TOUR COMES TO ASHEVILLE

    Stand-Up Comedy at the Rocket Club, Wednesday Jan. 14th

    Distinctive Laughs Comedy has been offering quality, alternative stand up comedy shows around bigger cities on the east coast, including Charlotte, Asheville, Greenville, Athens, and Atlanta. Distinctive Laughs is teaming up with Athens based Loft Comedy and Asheville’s own Rocket Club to present the Beards of Comedy Tour on Wednesday, January 14th at 8 PM.

    Admission is $8 at the door, general seating. Doors will open at 7:00pm and the show will begin promptly at 8:00pm.

    The Beards of Comedy Tour is comprised of four seasoned and bearded comedians, in a unique format that blends stand-up, sketch, and audience interactive comedy. The show is 90 minutes or more of nonstop laughter, with several surprises in store.

    The Four Beards: www.beardsofcomedy.com

    Joe Zimmerman: (aka “the cuddly beard”) Comes ouf of Charlotte, NC where he performed regularly with Habitual Ritual Sketch Comedy, the Charlotte Comedy Theatre Improv, and was named Charlotte’s Best Stand-Up Comedian by Creative Loafing Magazine. Joe now calls Asheville, NC his home, where he performs regularly at the Diana Wortham Theatre. zimmermancomedy.com

    Andy Sandford: (“aka “the cuddlier beard”) makes his home in Atlanta, where he headlines all of Atlanta’s premier alternative clubs including The Warren City Club, The Highland Inn Ballroom, the Star Bar, and the Relapse Theater. myspace.com/sandfordcomedy

    TJ Young: (“aka the cuddliest beard”) has made his name in Athens, GA, as the founder of Loft Comedy, and winner of Rooftopcomedy.com’s coveted Rusty Nail Award. This past summer, TJ was invited to the Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival where he was given the festivals sole honor of “Stand-Out Stand-Up.” tjisfunny.com

    Dave Stone: (aka “the cuddliest beard times infinity”) is a road warrior based just north of Atlanta. He has taken his bearded comedy as far away as London, Sweden, and even created a strong Chilean fan base, thanks to his ability to perform his act in several different languages. Myspace.com/davestonecomedy1

    Together, they are the “Beards of Comedy,” a powerfully funny comedy tour that has made a name for itself in clubs, colleges, festivals, and beard & moustache club meetings around the east coast.



    If you would like to schedule an interview with any of the Beards, please contact Joe Zimmerman by phone at 704-962-2467 or via email at beardsofcomedy@gmail.com. Try phone contact first.

    Thursday, January 01, 2009

    T'Ai Chi in Asheville

    Is anyone around western North Carolina interested in T'Ai Chi? I'm told that groups are sprouting up all over the place and here are the ones that I'm aware of.



    * Tai Chi - Saturday, January 3, 2009. 3-4:30 PM. Firestorm Cafe & Books, 48 Commerce St. 255-8115

    * South Asheville T'Ai Chi

    * T'Ai Chi Ch'uan of Asheville

    * The Harvest House on Kennilworth Road is starting classes soon. Contact Lee at harvesth@ashevillenc.govor 828-350-2051.

    * At Total Tai Chi, Paul Gallagher is taking on a very limited number of personal students-apprentices. If you are profoundly interested in learning the Taiji health arts, and Life Strategy, call 828/628-1629.

    * ChiRunning combines modern physics with the ancient wisdom of T’ai Chi to create a running form that is easily learned and makes running more effortless and enjoyable.

    Jerry Cain (828) 456-5164 - Asheville, NC
    Harry Johnston (828) 298-6221- Asheville, NC
    Matt Kabat (828) 778-7467 - Asheville, NC
    Brent Neely (828) 253-2207 - Neely School of T'ai Chi - Asheville, NC
    Cathy Easterbrook (828) 698-8290 - Therapeutic Touch - Asheville, NC
    Martha Sachs (828) 891-4542 - Asheville, NC
    Tao Mountain Sanctuary (828) 668-1198 - NC

    Related:
    DIRECTORIES

    * Besides Tai Chi the Asheville Calendar lists a veritable cosmic buffet of groups and gatherings. There's an Eckhart Tolle group, a Sufi Healing Circle, the SECRET philosophy, and much more.

    * Body Mind Spirit - Conscious Living in and around Asheville, NC.

    Asheville Fringe Festival


    Join us for our seventh year of original performance, genre-bending theatrical fringy-ness and exciting experiences for culturally adventurous audiences.

    JANUARY 23, 24, 25, 2009

    Visit website for more info - link