Plus, the deets on the inaugural Great Pottery Throwdown.
It’s game time ✍️
Play “Would You Rather” with us, Asheville
Play this game with your friends as the perfect nightcap. | Photo by @davidhousephoto
When’s the last time you played a game of “Would You Rather,” Asheville?
In case you’ve never played, here’s a quick rundown:
Step 1 — A question is posed that pitches two options. Example: “Would you rather live in Asheville, NC, or any other city in the world?”
Step 2 — You decide what you’d rather do. No surprise here, we’re saying the Land of the Sky.
Now that you’re a “Would You Rather” expert, let’s tap into our inner middle schoolers and play this nostalgic game, featuring some of Asheville’s most iconic landmarks, qualities + foods.
Question one
Would you rather have seen the Beastie Boys or Warren Haynes + Dave Grohl live at The Orange Peel?
I’d sing my heart out from “Brass Monkey” to “Sabotage.”
I’d rock until I rolled and then do it all over again.
Question two
Would you rather be able to communicate with the WNC Nature Center’s red pandas, Leafa and Phoenix, or the Cataloochee Valley’selk?
It’s adorable (red) pandamonium for me.
I’d get into a good rut with those bugling boys for sure.
Question three
Would you rather have the endurance to hike Black Balsam Knob forever (without breaking a sweat) or the speed to get from downtown to the Blue Ridge Parkway in five minutes?
Give me the endurance.
Give me the speed.
Question four
Would you rather have unlimited bowls of ramen from Heiwa Shokudo or burgers from Rankin Vault?
For ever and ever, ramen.
Burgers are the only bun for me.
Question five
Would you rather live in a downtown loft on Broadway Street or a cozy home on Town Mountain?
Things will be great when you’re downtown.
I’ll stay tucked away.
Question six
Would you rather experience Asheville 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future?
Winter Birds of Western North Carolina | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Rd., Fairview | Free | From waterfowl to sparrows and finches, let Ventures Birding Tours’ Simon Thompson introduce you to WNC’s winter birds.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Back of the Pack/Party Pace Club (Run/Walk) | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 6-7 a.m. | Asheville Training HUB , 95 Thompson St, Asheville | Free | Join the AVL Training Hub on an inclusive + move-at-your-own pace walk, run, or jog.
Thursday, Jan. 26
Not Rocket Science Trivia | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Downtown Taproom, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | Free | Get a team together and join this weekly trivia showdown.
The Naughty New Year Showcase | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Rhubarb, 7 SW Pack Sq., Asheville | $35 | This 21-and-up event features a range of seductive experiences, including a product display from VaVaVooom, sensual burlesque performances, and live caricature drawings from Paul Choi of Bad Drawings.
Friday, Jan. 27
Family Education: Fun with Food & Picky Eaters | Friday, Jan. 27 | 10-11 a.m. | Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | Free | Dana Miller will share practical information with parents and caregivers about how to make healthy eating fun for kids.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Pop-up Yoga Class | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 1-2 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge- South Slope Lounge, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | Free | Reserve your spot to attend this free yoga class by a forthcoming studio Yoga Six — stick around after for a cold ginger beer or NA beverage.
Color Machine Music | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 4-6 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge- South Slope Lounge, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | Free | This singer-songwriter plays tunes inspired by artists like Nathaniel Rateliff, The Avett Brothers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Sunday, Jan. 29
Winter Flow | Sunday, Jan. 29 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Build heat and strength in the body with this class, suitable for levels one and up.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
7 secrets to know about hiring a financial advisor 👀
SmartAsset is a hassle-free way to find vetted financial advisers in your area. | Photo by SmartAsset
Life should be a balance of adventure and relaxation — not finances. Enter: Working with a financial advisor. But choosing the wrong one could potentially wreak havoc on your retirement and investments.
Mariscos Seafood Shackhas opened at 503 N. Leicester Hwy. Operated by the folks at Ay Caramba Mexican Grill - Leicester, the new spot specializes in American + Mexican-inspired seafood dishes, including aguachiles, camarones, and shrimp po boys. Shell yeah. 🦐
Closed
Bonfire BBQ (1056 Patton Ave.) has closed its doors, according to social media. The eatery opened in 2015 and offered a variety of smoked meats and Southern sides. 🍖
Listen
Local arts journalist Matt Peiken is launching a new podcast production company. Podcast Asheville will include a daily podcast about our city called “The Overlook,” which will feature interviews with journalists, artists, and trend setters. It should debut Monday, Feb. 13 with episodes up every Monday-Friday at 6 a.m. 🎧
DYK
Wanna be more green this year?Oakley Mountain Greenhouses’2023 String Of’s Cuttings Cluboffers a unique string of’s cutting (think: String of Pearls, Variegated String of Hearts, String of Fishhooks, and more) delivered to your door each month. See membership subscription options. 🪴
Outdoors
The National Forest Service has completed objection reviews for the Pisgah-Nantahala forest plan. A new plan — which replaces the current document created in 1987 — is expected to be released by the end of January. Get details. (Smoky Mountain News)
Try This
Ever wanted to try meadow-themed planting? Get your chance on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 1-3 p.m. with this Make Your Own Meadow workshop. From planning, plant selection, preparation approaches, and ways to plant, the event will enable attendees to create a lovely natural space. Reserve your spot.
Asked
Mardi Gras season means king cake, and we want to know where we can get our hands on these colorfully delectable treats. We know City Bakery will be offering them — if you know of other spots, please let us know so we can help spread the word, please and thank you.
Edu
Looking for summer activities for your high school student? Look no further. Registration for UNC Asheville’s Pre-College Programs is now open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The 11 different week-long immersive camps span different subjects, including the arts and science. Learn more + apply(space is limited).*
Holiday
Bring your Valentine and get ready to turn up the classics. The Omni Grove Park Inn’s Rock ‘N Roll Weekend featuring the legendary sounds of Absolute Queen and non-stop energy of Departure Friday, Feb. 10- Saturday, Feb. 11. Book an overnight package or individual tickets per concert. This event is 21+.*
Learn
Meet Morning Brew, a free daily newsletter that covers the latest news across business, finance, and tech, written in a fun and witty tone that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Four million people are already subscribed — it’s 100% free and takes just five minutes to read.*
Trending
The internet’s most popular cup is backin stock. The Stanley Quencher is beloved for its comfortable handle, large straw, ability to fit in your car’s cup holder, and how it keeps water cold for 11 hours. Plus, the popular 40 ounce size means all day hydration. 💧*
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ARTS
We’re all fired up for this fundraiser
Get ready for The Great Pottery Throwdown
A vast array of ceramic items will be on offer at the Great Pottery Throwdown. | Photo via Odyssey ClayWorks
All Together Artisn’t claying around when it comes to arts education.
The new Asheville-based nonprofit offers arts classes + experiences to WNC’s underserved communities, including Veterans and LGBTQ+. To fund its offerings, it’s partnered with ceramic arts studio and school Odyssey ClayWorks for its inaugural fundraising event, The Great Pottery Throwdown.
Slated for Saturday, Feb. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Odyssey ClayWorks (236 Clingman Ave.), the free event will feature area potters going head to head in ceramics challenges. In addition to admiring all that literal clay motion, attendees can vote on the winning potters, bid on pieces in a silent auction, take part in a raffle, and enjoy light refreshments.
Interested in donating artwork for the raffle?Email All Together Art.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Brook.
Editor’s pick: Putting together this local Would You Rather was a lot of fun, and it brought up lots of memories of places we’ve known and loved over the years. I still miss you, Broth Lab.
Editorial:Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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