Plus, Asheville makes a list of the South's best cities.
 
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57º | 0% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:45 a.m. | Sunset 7:34 p.m.
 

Art outside the box

Art outside the box at the 2024 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival
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Random Acts of Fringe, like Drip, Drop, Splash Picasso Here, are free. | Photo by Jennifer Bennett
Now in its 22nd year, the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival resists strict definition. Its artists and performances explore the peculiar and experiment with the irregular; they take familiar mediums, like film or music or theater, and drag them into unfamiliar places. It’s strange, striking, beautiful, evocative — and unforgettable.

This year’s more than 60 performances take place Sunday, March 17-Sunday, March 24 at venues all around the city.

Here are just a few of the can’t-miss events:

Fringe Short Films | Monday, March 18 | Times vary | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Ste. 10, Asheville | $16 | The work of local, national, and international filmmakers takes to the silver screen.

Artificial Poetry Cabaret | Thursday, March 21, Saturday, March 23 | Times vary | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville | $16 | Channeling the subversive cabarets of the early 20th century, Poetry Cabaret Collective explores human words from human mouths with an electric AI voice backdrop.

The Princess Strikes Back | Friday, March 22, Sunday, March 24 | Times vary | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $16 | Victoria Montalbano was introduced to her perfect man, Han Solo, when she was 13 — and she’s been searching for the space cowboy of her dreams ever since.

Strange daughters butoh dances prostrate in the grass.

Catch the improvisational performance from strange daughters butoh.

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Photo by Jennifer Bennett

Moth Eyes On My Eidolon | Saturday, March 23 | 12-3 p.m. | Fleetwood’s, 496 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Strange daughters butoh honors our shadow selves during this intimate dance piece — bring a representative item for the altar.

Drip, Drop, Splash Picasso Here | Saturday, March 23 | 3-3:30 p.m. | Marquee Asheville, 36 Foundy St., Asheville | Free | Movement and color abound as three dancers cavort in paint on canvas and paper.

There’s lots more listening, watching, and partying to be done, so check out the full schedule. If you plan to fill your calendar, you can grab a 2024 Asheville Fringe Freak Pass for access to up to 12 of the ticketed shows.
Five more events we're eyeing
Asked

Which local venue was home to the first Asheville Fringe Arts Festival in 2003?
A. The BeBe Theatre
B. The Orange Peel
C. Fine Arts Theatre
D. The Grey Eagle
Set the scene
 
Events
Monday, March 11
  • The Hot Seat | Monday, March 11 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Fleetwoods, 496 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Comics (and maybe even audience members) will step into the spotlight to answer questions + topics submitted by the audience.
  • Ira Wolf with special guest John Charles Dwyer | Monday, March 11 | 7 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O. Henry Ave., Asheville | $15-$18 | Experience a lyrical exploration of heartache, love, loss, homesickness, and a nomadic life.
Tuesday, March 12
  • Introduction to Pollinators | Tuesday, March 12 | 6:30-8 p.m. | West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Explore the world of local pollinators and how you can participate in their conservation at this session hosted by Bee City - Asheville.
  • The Beauty Boost Dinner Date | Tuesday, March 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bold Rock Asheville, 39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Connect with new friends during a laid-back meetup — the event is free, but food and drinks are not included.
Wednesday, March 13
  • Intro to Rhythm and Drumming | Wednesday, March 13 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Practice percussion during this educational guided session with TRAP of Asheville — no registration required if you bring your own instrument.
  • Dungeons and Drafts | Wednesday, March 13 | 6-9 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., Ste. 100, Asheville | $15 | Embark on an adventure and enjoy good company — no experience necessary and premade characters available.
Thursday, March 14
  • 1920s Speed Dating Murder Mystery Party | Thursday, March 14 | 6-9 p.m. | Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St., Sixth floor, Asheville | $20-$30 | Get ready for a roaring good time during an evening of mystery, intrigue, and romance — proceeds support the “Voices of Dembe” project.
Friday, March 15
  • Art & Craft Supply Bazaar | Friday, March 15-Sunday, March 17 | 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. | plēb urban winery, 289 Lyman St., Asheville | Free | Shop new + used arts materials and tools — from sewing to quilting, jewelry to candle making, and more.
Saturday, March 16
  • Asheville Symphony Presents Masterworks 5: Violin Virtuosi | Saturday, March 16, Saturday, March 16 | Times vary | First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak St., Asheville | $25-$75 | Violin superstar husband + wife duo Noah Bendix-Balgley and Shanshan Yao headline this incredible three-part, all-violin concerto.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Shop

Top drawer looking sad? Time for a spring refresh.
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Bombas’ top spring products include the Lightweight No Show Sock + Garden Party Ankle Sock. | Photo by Bombas
It’s time to spring clean your top drawer — and Bombas’ comfy, invisible socks will gladly replace your old, mismatched pairs.

Their no-show styles vanish under shoes, while blister tabs keep your heels happy. Plus, one pair purchased equals one pair donated to those in need.

Select top picks for spring are currently 5-15% off. (We love the Lightweight No-Show Sock 4-Pack + Garden Party Ankle Sock 4-Pack.) Plus, orders $50+ ship free.

Bonus: New customers can use code 6AM20 for an extra 20% off.
Shop spring socks
News Notes
Holiday
  • The start of Ramadan, a month of reflection + fasting in Islam, depends on the sighting of the new moon. We wish you all a peaceful month, and we’ll see you on Eid.
Ranked
  • No. 5. That’s where Asheville landed on Southern Living’s list of “The South’s Best Cities 2024.” The feature lauded our city’s endless hiking trails, artistic community, and craft beer + culinary scenes. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
  • On Thursday, March 7, Buncombe County Commissioners approved creating a Recovery Housing Program Citizen Participation Plan, which is a step in eligibility to receive funding from the NC Department of Commerce for affordable housing. One of the grant’s goals is to provide stable housing for people in substance abuse recovery.
Outdoors
  • Buncombe County Parks & Recreation launched a new online reservation system for park pavilions and field rentals. Use the site to secure a spot, cancel a reservation, and check real-time availability of pavilions. Get a tutorial before you book.
Civic
  • Make yourself at home for the City of Asheville’s community feedback session for the Affordable Housing Plan. The meeting will include an interactive presentation of the plan’s findings, survey results, and themes identified at January’s open houses. The session will take place at Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville on Wednesday, March 27.
Announced
  • The Asheville Citizen-Times announced that it will vacate its building at 14 O. Henry Ave., which it has occupied for the past 85 years, when the lease is up on Sunday, March 31. The newspaper will continue its local news coverage both in print and online.
Plan Ahead
  • This festival’s sure to hit the right note. The 2024 lineup for the annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival will be announced today, Monday, March 11 at 12 p.m. The festival will bring together the best of bluegrass in Tryon on Friday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Sept. 1.
Health
Shop
  • This cozy men’s sweatshirt has been climbing the sales ranks and we can see why — the brushed fleece makes this everyday essential super comfortable.*
HomeTrust Bank
 
Civic

Phase one for sidewalk accessibility

City of Asheville kicks off the Patton Ave Sidewalk Accessibility Improvement project
A map of Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville with markings of lane closure and pedestrian access routes between Asheland and Coxe avenues.
The City plans to complete the final phase of the project by August. | Photo via the City of Asheville
When the City of Asheville’s GAP Plan was adopted back in 2022, the section of Patton Avenue between Asheland and Coxe avenues was identified as high priority for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. It includes three curb ramps that aren’t ADA compliant, and according to the Asheville Downtown Association, it has 22 defects (like broken pavement and tree roots).

That was the genesis of the Patton Ave Sidewalk Accessibility Improvements project — and now, the first phase is breaking ground.

Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, the City will start removing existing sidewalks and trees. The south side of the street will be tackled first and will necessitate full sidewalk and right lane closure between Asheland and Coxe (take a look at the map for a visual).

Construction is expected to last about four or five weeks, but you don’t have to worry about too much interruption. Businesses in this area will stay open, pedestrians can still have access, and you’ll still be able to turn onto and off Patton.
The Buy

The Buy 3.11.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Flower pots, solar lights, or lemon trees in QVC’s garden deals. “Love your garden” items are on sale until Thursday, March 28, meaning it’s the perfect time to start dreaming up this year’s outdoor spaces.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
I’m once again on the hunt for a super niche subject to devote far too much of my time and energy to — but instead of googling “weird but interesting topics,” I’m just going to go to Nerd Nite this Thursday, March 14 at the River Arts District Brewing Co. I may get a new obsession started with talks on oxytocin and its role in childbirth, the tell-tale signs of bad photo editing, and the women of the local bootlegging history.
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