💭 Things to know

• Tickets are available for individual days or the whole weekend, ranging from $30 to $50.
• Transform into your favorite character for the cosplay contest (but read the rules before registering online or in person).
• It wouldn’t be a comic con in the Beer City without local brews — Green Man Brewing’s Ninkasi’s Nectar, an IPA named after the convention’s mascot, will be on tap.
• You’ll have the chance to meet celebs like Laura Banks of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and Pokémon + Yu-Gi-Oh! voice actor Megan Hollingshead — find the full list of guests.

💥 Beyond the Con

• Science of Supervillains | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 7 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | This special edition of Project Mind Lab features chats about your favorite villains, an engineering challenge, and a chance to work with wire sculptures to help you improve your cosplay game.
• CONx | Friday, Sept. 29 | 3-6:30 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $24 | Hear from guests including comic book creators, psychologists, and philosophers during this lecture series.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) | Friday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Sept. 30 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville | $15-$20 | View the original live action film followed by a special Q+A with screenwriter Todd Langen — plus, animated series voice actors Wayne Grayson and Marc Thompson will join for the second showing.

• Mipso | Friday, Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $22-$25 | Take in the alternative folk tunes from this Chapel Hill-based quartet.
• Black Cat Tales: Story Time with Kiddies & Kitties | Friday, Sept. 22 | 4-4:30 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic, 841 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15-$25 | Encourage a love of reading in your little ones with a kitty-companion storytime.

• 6th Annual LOTSAR Housing Fair | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Ct., Asheville | Free | Get information on affordable rentals, paths to affordable homeownership, renter’s rights, and more from local organizations, businesses, and government representatives.
• Shrektoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 3-11 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | The fest returns for its second year — bigger, badder, and Shrexier than ever with an onion toss, costume contest, and ogre roar competition.

• Brunch and Beats 360 | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 2-7 p.m. | Haiku, 26 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | $25-$30 | Get your groove on at this daytime dance party — food vendors will be on site to fuel your Sunday Funday.
• Broken Social Scene | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $28-$30 | See the indie rock band on the 20th anniversary tour for their 2002 album, “You Forgot It in People.”

• Fall Scones and Quickbreads | Monday, Sept. 25 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, 16 Glenn Willow Dr. #36, Arden | $110 | Learn to bake seasonal treats like spiced scones, pumpkin bread, and apple cinnamon coffee cake.

1. Moody Mountain Modern: In-person
2. Brush Creek English Modern: In-person
3. Homestead Revival: Virtually
4. Mountain Modern Vista: Virtually

• Yom Kippur begins at sundown this Sunday, Sept. 24, marking the beginning of the Day of Atonement and holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Those who observe will refrain from eating or drinking until nightfall on Monday, Sept. 25.

• It’s beginning to look a lot like “A Biltmore Christmas.” The Hallmark movie spent 15 days shooting at the Biltmore and in surrounding areas of WNC in January — and now, the flick is set to premiere on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. as part of the channel’s Countdown to Christmas programming. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Celebrate 30 years of the Organic Growers School at Sow & Grow Fest on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Smoky Park Supper Club. Savor offerings from local food trucks, sip on craft beverages, and boogie to bluegrass tunes. Admission is free for this kid-friendly event, but registration is encouraged.

• Gourmand and Plēb Urban Winery have joined forces to create a limited-edition red wine blend. The blend of Jacquez, Chambourcin, and Cabernet Franc is available for you to enjoy by the bottle or glass starting today, Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24 at Gourmand, located in the S&W Market.

• Tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 23 is National Public Lands Day, honoring the connection between people and the green spaces in their communities. It’s also one of the National Park Service’s fee-free days, allowing folks to visit locations like the Cradle of Forestry and Great Smoky Mountains National Park at no cost.

• They’re making the grade. UNC Asheville was ranked No. 9 in the Top Public Schools - National Liberal Arts Colleges category on U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges list, and Mars Hill University was No. 20 in the category of Best Regional Colleges - South. Both were included in top 100 rankings for social mobility.

• Choosing a water heater means thinking about factors like the type of water heater, fuel source, size, energy efficiency, and your specific needs. Did we lose you? Not to worry — here’s a step-by-step guide to help take the guesswork out of replacement.*

• Do you want more affordable housing in downtown Asheville? How about accessible medical care under the roof of a new YMCA? Project Aspire aims to make that possible. On Tuesday, Sept. 26, City Council will vote on the transformational project, a partnership between First Baptist Church of Asheville and the YMCA. Learn more or show your support.*

• Mars Hill University is the place to be this weekend. See the region’s best Appalachian musicians, singers, and dancers at the Lunsford Festival (WNC’s second-oldest running folk festival) happening at the university tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 23. Bonus: The Madison Heritage Arts Festival also takes place on campus tomorrow.*

• Meet Beam Dream: a nighttime hot cocoa crafted with ingredients like reishi and melatonin. In a clinical study, 93% of users woke up feeling more refreshed. Get sippin’.*