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Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.
 

📖 Once upon a time in Asheville

Asheville’s Monica McDaniel reinvents a fairytale with “Riding Hood”
riding hood cast monica mcdaniel
The play asks you to approach the familiar story with an open mind. | Photo via Monica McDaniel
We all know the original tale. A little girl in a bright red hood and a big, bad wolf, a grandmother and a simple lesson of not trusting strangers. But Monica McDaniel’s new original play “Riding Hood” — which she wrote, produced, and directed — is not the “Little Red Riding Hood” you may know.

For one, you’ll get to see Asheville as the adaptation’s backdrop. Monica’s family has been in the area for 130 years, and the city of the play is one of her past. The proverbial journey through the woods starts in the Stumptown neighborhood and wanders all the way to Shiloh.

“In my mind, we’re back in the 80s when it was two Black communities,” says Monica. “And back then there was a lot of walking, a lot of dirt roads, only a couple of streetlights — that’s the Asheville I grew up in.”

But sure, in this once upon a time, Little Red Riding Hood is still on her way to grandmother’s house with muffins in tow — although she’s also bringing cards so grandmother can play spades with her seniors club. She does meet a wolf (well, two wolves), but the conflict and the characters will not be what you remember. There are secrets, and there is darkness. Before the journey is over, the protagonist will travel to the biblical Lo-debar, a place of sadness whose name means “no pasture,” and try to make it out safely.

At the same time, Monica doesn’t want you to get the impression that this story is going to be all dark and gloomy — there’s laughter, music, dancing, and an homage to the legendary Big Mama Thornton. It explores love, Black identity, and family on the way out of the woods.

“Riding Hood” will be shown on Friday, Sept. 8 at UNC Asheville’s Carol Belk Theatre and Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center.
The Blood Connection
 
Events
Thursday, Sept. 7
  • Shuffleboard Mornings | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | Free | Have some fun, make some friends, and learn the sport of shuffleboard.
  • STEAM Studio, Six Years in the Making | Thursday, Sept. 7-Thursday, Sept. 14 | 5-9 p.m. | S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in Owen Hall, 100 Theatre Ln., Asheville | Free | See the works that have been created at the studio over the years.
  • Newly Minted Storytellers Tell All | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville | Free | Hear compelling tales from the new graduates of the Center’s storytelling workshop.
Friday, Sept. 8
  • Come Cup Coffees | Friday, Sept. 8, Friday, Oct. 13 | 12-1:30 p.m. | Cooperative Coffee Roasters, 210 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Sip a cup alongside the professionals while you taste and learn about the intricacies of coffee production, processing, and flavor profiles.
  • Speakeasy Improv Presents: Movie Night | Friday, Sept. 8 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | It’s a night of improvised movies for film buffs and improv lovers alike.
  • Comedy at Catawba: Naomi Karavani | Friday, Sept. 8 | 9:30 p.m. | Catawba Brewing, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $15 | Writer and cast member of “Redacted Tonight” and veteran of Edinburgh Fringe, Naomi Karavani brings captivating stories and sardonic wit.
Saturday, Sept. 9
  • Village Art & Craft Fair | Saturday, Sept. 9-Sunday, Sept. 10 | Times vary | The Cathedral of All Souls, 3 Angle St., Asheville | Free | The fair returns for its 51st year with more than 100 exhibitors of all media.
  • First Aid Kit | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $39.50-$45 | Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg showcase their indie folk sound on the stage.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
euphoria
 
Festival

ICYMI: The 2023 NC State Fair kicks off tomorrow
Slideshow of rides and vendors at the NC Mountain State Fair.
Popular returning acts include chainsaw artist Joey Rowe, the Human Canon Ball - David “The Bullet” Smith, a clogging competition, mountain music, comedy hypnotist Brad Matchett + an agricultural magic show. | Photos provided by the North Carolina Mountain State Fair
It’s the best time of the year — the NC Mountain State Fair returns to the WNC Ag Center tomorrow, Sept. 8-Sunday, Sept. 17.

There’s fun for the whole family, including rides, heritage artisans, livestock shows, entertainment, and, of course, the food.

Don’t miss new + returning attractions like:
  • Racing and swimming pigs
  • A swirling and spinning new ride
  • Chainsaw artist Joey Rowe
  • Fun competitions + exhibits
  • Mountain Music Festival
Advance admission tickets are now on sale online.
Plan your visit
News Notes
Civic
  • As part of evaluating and improving the Business Inclusion program, the City of Asheville is holding a Disparity Study public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center. Business owners + stakeholders are invited to give their opinions on the local marketplace, City contracts, and more.
Outdoors
  • Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is kicking off its new Woodland Wonder Walks on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a immersive tour of the Collier Cove Trail. Guided hikes will also be hosted in October and November. The hikes are free, but registration is required.
Cause
  • During its meeting on Tuesday, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners honored the local nonprofit by declaring Tuesday, Sept. 5 to be MANNA FoodBank Day. The County is also hosting a drive for the food bank from Monday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Oct. 7 at local libraries and other county buildings. Get the details.
Concert
  • The Asheville Symphony announced its 2023-2024 Masterworks Series, which will launch with a dive into the depths of drama and tragedy with “Out of the Shadows” on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. The series will continue through May 2024, with shows like “American Portraits” and “Golden Glamour.”
Talk
  • Get up to speed and get online with Pack Memorial Library’s series of technology talks. Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 13, local tech company Rent a Millennial will host sessions that cover everything from internet basics to understanding the Cloud. Register now.
Plan Ahead
  • Cleaning out isn’t just for spring. The bi-annual Swannanoa Community Yard Sale returns on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m.-1 p.m., and you can reserve a seller’s spot for $15 in advance. If you’re just on the hunt, you can join dozens of sellers and hundreds of buyers to dig for treasure.
Featured Space
  • Did you know the WNC Farmers Market had over 1.4 million visitors in 2022? Market Shop C is available for rent — ideal for an agribusinesses looking for a retail + wholesale store front to scale business and reach new buyers. The space boasts 500 sqft of selling space with a 40-sqft office, plus shipping + receiving docks.*
Finance
  • This leading credit card touts 0% intro APR on balance transfers for guess how many months… with no annual fee. (Hint: The 0% intro APR period lasts until 2025.) Details revealed here.*
 
Award

Business

AVLtoday gets a win (or four) at Best of WNC
city editors grace and molly with mountain xpress best of wnc
You can find us in Best of WNC, Part Two. | Photo by AVLtoday
We’ve been sitting on the news for a while, but now we’re excited to announce AVLtoday’s big wins for Mountain Xpress Best of WNC. Readers voted us first place in Local Events Information Source and Local Social Media Page to Follow for News, Events, and Local Happenings. Plus, we received third place in Local News Website and a tie for third in Local News Source. Thank you, all — we couldn’t have done it without you.

So now it’s time to celebrate. The Best of WNC Party will be happening tonight, Sept. 7 at The Meadow at Highland Brewing. From 5 to 9 p.m., Ashley Heath, Firecracker Jazz Band, and DJ Lil Meow Meow will be cranking out the music + The Hop, El Kimchi, Melt Your Heart, and The Smokin’ Onion will be serving up the food. Don’t miss the fun and the best that WNC has to offer.
Answered

On Tuesday, we asked for your favorite Asheville fact, and here’s what you said:

“Asheville once had a zoo. I grew up in the area and remember my parents bringing me to the park and zoo. This was in the early 1950s.” — Jean C.

“Not only was Carrier Park a race track, but it was the original Asheville Airport. I remember large spheres on the power lines at the east end to warn the pilots.” — Alan H.
You can still share your local trivia
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The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
If you don’t mind a short drive for a good book (who among us), you might want to check out the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival in Burnsville. Starting today and running through Saturday, the festival will feature workshops, talks, and internationally bestselling authors.
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