We’re all aflutter over monarch butterflies

Monarch butterflies migrate through Western North Carolina

What an absolute stunner. | Photo via @nansherryart

If you see extra orange in the trees this fall, know that it’s not just leaves. It’s actually a contingent of the ~500,000 monarch butterflies making their annual migration South — and it’s a wing-derful sight to behold.

Monarchs are one of the few insects that migrate to warmer climates. Every fall, these elegant insects flee their homes in the eastern United States + southern Canada and make an incredible 2,500-mile trek to Central America and California to ride out the winter. During that time, the monarchs hibernate for six to eight months in fir or eucalyptus trees before laying eggs and migrating back north in March.

Each red dot signifies a self-reported sighting of migrating monarchs. | Screen grab via Journey North

Orange you glad we’re mentioning this now? As of mid-September, the monarchs have already begun passing through Asheville and will continue for several weeks into October.

According to Explore Asheville, your best shot at observing these bivouacs (the moniker for a group) is along high-elevation mountain ridges, including:

Wagon Gap Road parking area (Milepost 412.2)
Pounding Mill Overlook (Milepost 413.2)
Cherry Cove Overlook (Milepost 415.7)
Black Balsam summit (Milepost 420.2)

Want to support the monarch’s migration? Cultivating pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed, black-eyed susans, *and* coneflowers can help supply the resources + nutrition needed by butterflies to make the long haul.

Pro tip: You can also check out our guide to building a pollinator-friendly garden for more specific guidance.

Share this using the buttons below and whip up a flurry of excitement for migrating monarchs.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Live Jazz Mondays: Asheville Art Trio | Mon., Sept. 26 | 7-10 p.m. | Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St. | Free | Enjoy live jazz tunes while sipping craft cocktails. 🎷
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “Crossroads” | Mon., Sept. 26 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $15 | Come listen (or tell) a polished, five-minute story about a turning point in your life at this themed-story slam. 🎤
Community Yoga Class | Mon., Sept. 26 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Down Dog Dog Bar & Yoga Studio, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | $8+ suggested donation | Stretch away stress at this vinyasa based, beginner-friendly class taught by a rotating staff of trauma-informed and conscious instructors.

Tuesday

Survey Says! | Tues., Sept. 27 | 7-9 p.m. | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St. | Free | Bring your best and fastest answers to this Family Feud-style game.
Paint Spirit Animal with Guided Meditation | Tues., Sept. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | The Venus Studio, 107 Merrimon Ave., Ste. 323 | $55 | Enjoy a guided meditation to meet your spirit animal and then paint it on canvas. 🎨

Wednesday

HIIT Workout | Wed., Sept. 28 | 7-8 a.m. | Carrier Park | Free, registration required | Feel challenged and empowered at this 60-minute high intensity workout. 💪

Thursday

Old School France Dinner | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 5-8 p.m. | Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden | $65 | Indulge in a three-course meal with traditional French cuisine and a selection of French wines. 🍷

Friday

The Sun Touches Everything opening reception | Fri., Sept. 30 | 5-8 p.m. | Tyger Tyger Gallery at Riverview Station, 191 Lyman St. | Free | Check out over 60 works from 15 national and international artists featured in Tyger Tyger’s latest exhibition, curated by artist Danielle Winger (on display through Nov. 13).*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Celebrate Appalachian heritage at the Folk School’s 46th Fall Festival 🍂

John C. Campbell Folk School - Dancing.jpg

The Fall Festival attracts thousands from across the region to the school’s scenic Brasstown, NC campus to celebrate Appalachian craft, culture, and heritage. | Photo provided by John C. Campbell Folk School.

After a two-year hiatus, Fall Festival is back. Ashevillians are invited to celebrate all things Appalachia with live music and dance, artisan craft demonstrations and vendors, food, and more Sat., Oct. 1-Sun., Oct. 2.

Festivalgoers can stroll along wooded paths, visit fine craft exhibitors, and listen to old-time, folk, and bluegrass music from local + regional musicians. Find food vendors and barbecue eats by the Festival Barn.

Pro tip: Avoid the line and buy tickets online ($8-10; free for children under 12).*

SEE THE SCHEDULE + PURCHASE TICKETS

Weather

71º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain

Open

Golden Chips, a new fast casual eatery that slings dippable bites like chicken fingers + thick cut Belgian fries, is open at 1800 Hendersonville Rd. In addition to an array of homemade dipping sauces, the eatery will also soon have sandwiches and salads on its its menu. 🍟 (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Coming Soon

Rabbit Hole, Sunny Point Cafe’s new bakery + micro-event space, is making progress on its build-out. A delightfully whimsical sign has been installed, and the spot is expected to open later this fall. We’ll keep you posted on updates. 🐇

Festival

Tickets are on sale for Highland Brewing Company’s 2022 Cold Mountain Winter Ale Release Weekend. Taking place Thurs., Nov. 10-Mon., Nov. 14, the beloved event will celebrate 26 years of the iconic brew and feature live entertainment, an array of food trucks, and plenty of suds. Learn more about Asheville’s Cold Mountain obsession. 🍺

Arts

The Center for Native Health, UNC Asheville, the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute, and Tsali Care are partnering to develop a master potters apprentice program named ᎠᏏᎾᏏ ᏃᎴ ᎠᏙᎴᏆᏍᎩ or “asinasi nole adolegwasgi.” The year-long program will travel throughout WNC, exposing emerging Cherokee potters to new techniques. 🏺

Community

The Swannanoa Community Yard Sale returns Sat., Oct. 1 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by nonprofit Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa, the biannual event will feature dozens of sellers and eclectic finds. Better still: Proceeds from seller spaces help support FANS’ work. (The Valley Echo)

Try This

Now this sounds like a party. Nonprofit Binx’s Home for Black Cats is hosting a Black Cat Slumber Party on Sat. Oct. 1 from 4-8 p.m. at Raven & Crone. The event will feature two screenings of Hocus Pocus 2, a raffle, snacks, and adoptable kitties. Get tickets. 🐈‍⬛

Eat

WNC nonprofit Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture has released a cookbook. “Our Blue Ridge Kitchens: Recipes From Our Community” features recipes from Appalachian eaters and producers who take inspiration from local + seasonal ingredients. Get your copy. 📘 (WNC magazine)

Featured

Local photographer Mike Belleme has been featured in the New York Times. Mike snapped pics of an archaeological site in Tennessee, an hour away from Asheville, which has unearthed ancient creatures including mastodons and undiscovered plants + animals. Check it out. 🦴

Health

Did you know? Our allergy triggers change and evolve over time as we age. Read: You might have new allergies you don’t even know about — to find out your most updated allergy triggers, take Picnic’s easy, at-home allergy quiz. Pro tip: Picnic can prescribe customized allergy medicine for relief, too.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Fill up on Fillipino fare at this pop-up

Master BBQ brings authentic Filipino fare to Asheville, NC

Trays of AVL Master BBQ's colorful Filipino fare

Pretty sure each tray counts as an individual serving. | Photo via @masterbbqavl

Wanna visit the Philippines — sans passport?

Get your chance on Sun., Oct 2, when brand new local catering company Master BBQ host its very first pop-up event at Zilliocoah Beer Co. (870 Riverside Dr.) from 12-8 p.m.

Originally based in Los Angeles, Master BBQ recently relocated to WNC and plans to dazzle diners with authentic Filipino comfort food. The dishes are based on 80-year old heirloom family recipes like Filipino Pork BBQ skewers, pancit (savory stir-fried rice noodle dish with pork + vegetables), and lumpia (spring rolls filled with meat + veggies).

In addition to fantastic bites, the event will also feature music and, of course, plenty of craft beer. We’ll raise a glass to that.

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by Brook. Editor’s pick: I hope you had a chance to get outside and enjoy the glorious weather this weekend. And next weekend’s temps are looking even better. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. 🍂 Missed Friday’s newsletter? Don’t miss our guide to the area’s best international markets.
Read More

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Helen Purnell| Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?