Plus, the first community meeting for the Parks + Rec Systemwide Plan.
 
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Shake up your reading routine

Shake up your reading routine with a new book club
Full book shelves in Pack Memorial Library's bookstore are surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
Join the Book Club Fair to meet reading groups around the city. | Photo by AVLtoday
Maybe you need help reaching your reading goals or maybe you can’t seem to get your bookworm friends together once a month. Whatever the reason, the start of a new year is a perfect time to reimagine your reading routine.

So if you like big books and you cannot lie, here are a few book clubs in Asheville you might not know about.

Land of the Sky 101
Hosted by a Buncombe County Special Collections (BCSC) librarian, the four-part series of readings follows themes of the BCSC exhibit “An Incomplete History of Buncombe County.” The first meeting is on Saturday, March 2.

Asheville Art Museum’s Book + Art
Whether you’re an artist yourself or just an art enthusiast, these discussions exploring books about artworks and the art world are sure to pique your interest. Plus, the books are available at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café for a 10% discount.

Books to Action Book Club
Share your interest in community issues with a nonfiction book club that includes both discussions and a community service project, educational field trip, or expert presentations. The next meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Pack Memorial Library, will connect to “Poverty, By America” by Matthew Desmond.

North Carolina Arboretum’s Book Talks
Part of the Adult & Continuing Education Classes program at the Arboretum, Book Talks let you dive into works about the natural world. Noted authors will share their stories, research, and expertise, and you’ll get to listen, learn, and participate.

Silent Book Club
Introverts, unite. This unique book club invites you to settle in for a cozy hour of reading time with whatever book you’d like — then socialize with other readers once the time is up. The next meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Dobra Tea Downtown.

But keep reading. If you’re still looking for your literary people, visit the Book Club Fair online or at Pack Memorial Library’s Lord Auditorium this Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. to hear presentations from more than a dozen local book clubs (all of these included).
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Events
Monday, Jan. 29
  • Jenga Tournament | Monday, Jan. 29 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | The Whale Outpost, 2 Beverly Rd., Asheville | Free | Prove your jenga skills, drink beer, and win prizes — advanced registration is required.
Tuesday, Jan. 30
  • Voices of Asheville | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 11 a.m. | Four Points by Sheraton, 22 Woodfin St., Asheville | $10 | Prepare yourself for inspiration and insight from Asheville’s professional speaking community, and kickstart your year with tools to achieve your goals.
  • The Bargain Store: A Dolly Parton Workshop | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 6:30-8 p.m. | rEvolve Mercantile, 697 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $5-$25 | Let poet Dustin Brookshire guide you through the lessons that the Queen of Country can teach about writing, craft, and perspective in poetry.
Wednesday, Jan. 31
  • Black Mountain College Virtual Symposium | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 9-11 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn the history, exhibition details, and digitization practices of the Asheville Art Museum’s multi-year project enabling the digital creation of artworks in the Black Mountain College Collection.
  • Faster and Looser Stand-Up Comedy Writing Workshop | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 8-10 p.m. | Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Take your stand-up to the next level with the help of Erin Terry of Eyes Up Here Comedy during this workshop for femme + nonbinary comedians.
Thursday, Feb. 1
  • Indoor Volleyball Tournaments | Thursday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville, 87 Haywood St., Asheville | $150-$200 | Gather up a co-ed, male, or female team to play a round-robin of sets against other competitors — and get ready to get served (or just cheer the players on for free).
  • The Love Night | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St., 6th Floor, Asheville | $20-$30 | Grab your friends or come solo as the speed dating sparks fly during your search for the perfect match.
May-July
  • Mountain Institute for Lifelong Learning at Warren Wilson College | Monday, May 13-Friday, July 26 | Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Rd., Swannanoa | $650-$5,800 | Register for Warren Wilson College’s lifelong learning program, happening May-July + featuring a variety of non-credit adult courses and three “Worldwide” traveling opportunities.*
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News Notes
Civic
  • The grass is getting greener because Buncombe County’s Parks and Recreation Systemwide Plan is now underway. The first community meeting invites residents to speak out during various parks, recreation, and trails planning exercises. Share your feedback on Thursday, Feb. 1 at East Asheville Library from 5 to 7 p.m.
Real Estate
  • Asheville’s housing market saw a record median sales price of $485,000 last year — a 53% increase since 2019. Henderson, Madison, Haywood, and Transylvania counties also experienced record-breaking sales prices, with Transylvania County’s median price topping the list at $468,000. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Biz
  • The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced a new young professionals program. PROpel AVL will offer workshops and mentors, introduce members to employers seeking talent, and grow a local community of professionals who are fresh out of school or just starting to make their mark. Learn how to get connected.
Cause
  • Two holidays in one and a chance to give back — you won’t want to miss Valenween. Held at Citizen Vinyl on Thursday, Feb. 15, the Valentine’s + Halloween mash-up works to address period poverty through donations of pads and tampons for BeLoved Asheville and funds raised through art and merch sales.
Outdoors
  • All hands on deck. Nonprofits Conserving Carolina and Mountain True are partnering to improve the French Broad River Paddle Trail, a 140-mile recreational watercraft trail between Rosman, NC and Newport, TN — and they’re starting with a redesigned website. Check out the latest maps and info before you explore the blueway.
Pets
  • Does your pet have what it takes to make it on TV? Well start the training now, because TBS’ Stupid Pet Trick Tour is coming to Oskar Blues Brewery in Brevard on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2-6 p.m. Talented pets and their people will have the chance to capture their audition for the new series hosted by Sarah Silverman.
Active
 
Arts

Events

Avant-garde art at Assembly Required
Colorful silicone figurines stand on a display table at Assembly Required Designer Toy Expo. The designer toys are by Magitarius.
The art pieces, like these by Magitarius, hearken back to childhood. | Photo by JenBen Media, via Unboxing Asheville
“Toy” isn’t quite the right word. Although the items you’ll see on display at Assembly Required look like toys (the same materials, bright colors, and even packaging), they’re actually art. For six years, the designer toy expo has showcased these pop surrealist pieces for artists, collectors, and appreciative observers alike.

Designer, bootleg, or art toys take the methods and mediums of commercial toy manufacturers and turn them into handmade sculptures. The form has its roots in the mass production of toys in the 60s, 70s, and 80s and the marketing that was directed at kids — artists pay tribute to this cultural shift that they experienced in childhood while rejecting its commercial nature.

Interested in seeing that commentary come to life? Get your expo tickets for Saturday, Feb. 3 + Sunday, Feb. 4 at The Grey Eagle. You can also join the kickoff party at DSSOLVR on Friday, Feb. 2, 8-10 p.m., or the after party at Citizen Vinyl on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Buy

The Buy 1.29.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Thermal, fleece-lined leggings that look like sheer tights. Pair them with your favorite skirts and dresses to keep your legs toasty this winter.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
If you prefer your film festivals with a punk rock flair, then mark your calendar for the “Mythic Monsters Music Video Showcase” on Friday, Feb. 23 at DSSOLVR. Presented by Mythic Merch, Cat Fly Indie Film, and GodzDog Films, the lively event celebrates a collaborative spirit between local filmmakers and musicians. Experience a diverse array of music videos and hear from the creatives behind them.
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