03.27.2024

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66º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 7:48 p.m.

The written word on walls + windows

Keep an eye out for Poetry in Plain Sight

A purple poster on a community board with a poem called "Poems Don't Always Do What We Tell Them"

The posters, like this one at Malaprop’s, put a little more art into the world. | Photo by AVLtoday

It’s difficult to turn a street corner or glance in a gallery window without seeing Asheville’s arts scene on display. From murals to sculpture, these creations have a prominent place in the city — but the written arts aren’t nearly as visible. Poetry in Plain Sight is working to change that.

Each year, the North Carolina Poetry Society program chooses poems from NC poets to print on posters and display in businesses’ windows. You’ll find them in shops around Raleigh, Charlotte, Burnsville, and Greensboro (to name a few), but for a long time, there were scant few in Asheville. Alida Woods, poet and former Asheville City Schools educator, asked why.

“Well, when you ask those kinds of questions — ‘How can we get that here?’ — guess what happens,” says Woods. “You get to do it.”

Poetic purpose

So Woods took a stack of posters and began to approach Asheville businesses to see whose windows and walls could become a canvas for poetry. Even occupying these quiet spaces, the poems offer not just a public eye for NC poets, Woods says, but an inspiration for young and old.

“I’m just one who completely believes that poetry can change lives,” says Woods. “If you’re just standing around waiting somewhere and you see this poster, you could read it and think, ‘Wow, there’s a role for poetry in the world.’”

See the stanzas

You can find the poetry posters on display all around the city at places like Malaprop’s Books & Cafe and West Asheville Library. On Friday, April 5, 6-8 p.m., The Hop West will unveil its posters and celebrate the program. Tune in virtually on Saturday, April 6 to see the launch of the 2024-25 program and hear works from the selected poets.

To celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day, kids ages 5-18 can submit a poem to be posted at The Hop West. The celebration (complete with ice cream) will take place on Saturday, April 27.

Send an email for details on submitting your child’s poem or for getting a poster for your business.

Events

Wednesday, March 27

Recreate Asheville Feedback Session | Wednesday, March 27 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | If you can’t attend an in-person workshop, offer your feedback during this virtual session.
Gardens 101 | Wednesday, March 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Get started on your spring garden by learning the basics of growing and nurturing a small garden plot.
Dungeons and Drafts | Wednesday, March 27 | 6-10 p.m. | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $15 | Join the party to embark on an adventure — all experience levels welcome.

Thursday, March 28

Missing Middle Housing: TLDR | Thursday, March 28 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Ferguson Auditorium at AB-Tech Community College, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville | Free | Learn more about the details of the City’s housing study from a host of local experts.
In Conversation: Ann Shafer | Thursday, March 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | The curator, art historian, and leading expert on intaglio printmaking will discuss the current exhibition, American Art in the Atomic Age: 1940-1960.
First Annual Adult Spelling Bee | Thursday, March 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Leveller Brewing Co., 25 N. Main St., Weaverville | Free | Test your wits (or at least your spelling skills) or just take a spectator’s seat to cheer on the competitors.

Friday, March 29

Hat Bar with She’s Crafty AVL | Friday, March 29 | 5:30-8 p.m. | The Cottage Collections, 30 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $10 | Design your own trendy hat, complete with ribbons, feathers, and whatever else strikes your fancy — ticket price goes towards your hat.
Family Dinner Presents: Spring Fling | Friday, March 29 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15 | Celebrate the season with a long-form improv performance party to remember.

Saturday, March 30

Spring Eggstavaganza | Saturday, March 30 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Let the little ones enjoy an eggcellent time with a hunt, refreshments, and crafts.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Opening

These brewers are trying a new kind of brew. Appalachian Mountain Brewery announced its foray into the world of coffee with the opening of Trail Marker Coffee Co. The coffee trailer, which sources coffee from Boone’s Bald Guy Brew, will open on Monday, April 1 at the Mills River taproom.

Civic

Buncombe County administrative offices and Asheville City Government offices will be closed on Friday, March 29 for Good Friday. ART bus services will operate on a holiday schedule, and public libraries will be closed on Friday and Saturday.

Biz

Blue Ridge Pride and Misfit Improv and Acting School are educating local businesses and organizations on issues relating to LGBTQ+ communities. On Tuesday, April 2, join Welcoming Spaces 101 for hands-on exercises, a presentation, and a Q+A with ideas on creating an inviting space for your community. Register for the free event.

Award

Explore Asheville is accepting nominations for the Heroes of Hospitality Awards, recognizing outstanding service workers in local visitor-facing businesses like entertainment, food + bev, and retail. Submit a nomination by Friday, April 12.

Eat

Fall back on good food. Utopian Seed Project will be showcasing its fall squash harvest at the first Trial to Table event of the year. Join the team to taste the field trials on Saturday, April 27 at Hickory Nut Gap (and check out the rest of the 2024 schedule).

Transit

Get ready to hit the road. The City of Asheville Travel Training Committee is seeking input from residents over the age of 50 on their preferences, challenges, and suggestions around public transportation. Take the survey before Sunday, March 31 to help guide future recommendations + projects.

Try This

So, you’re planning an event. With our self-service advertising options, you can create some buzz in Asheville + make sure people show up. Psst… Your listing could be featured in this newsletter in as little as two days. Rake in the RSVPs.

Open

Who says functional can’t be whimsical? Find beautiful + colorful bottles, bags, dishes, and much more at Delighted, Asheville’s newest locally-owned gift shop.*

Biz

Business

Closed Asheville businesses you miss most

String lights hand above a darkened bar with red light. Five patrons and a bartender are silhouettes.

MG Road was a frequent mention in most-missed spots. | Photo by Lauren Van Epps

Recently, we asked you to share the closed Asheville businesses that you miss most. More than 1,800 comments later, consider this an ode to just a few of those gone-but-not-forgotten spots.

This list is best read with Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” playing in the background.

Lucky Otter

This West Asheville restaurant closed at the beginning of 2018, more than 15 years after it started serving up fresh Mexican fare.

“I still dream about their Calypso fish tacos. I tried to recreate them but just not the same.” - @magrusch

MG Road

Home of pop-ups and parties, this bar from the founders of Chai Pani opened in 2012 and closed in 2019. Bonus: MG Road will get a bit of a rebirth when Chai Pani opens MG Mini in the mezzanine of its new location.

“We spent many a night shaking our buns at MG Road 😢" - @bunintendedavl

Four more unforgotten favorites

The Buy

The Buy 3.27.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

New denim on Nordstrom Rack. We’re seeing great finds in women’s jeans from Joe’s, Good American, and Lucky Brand, all perfect for a spring refresh.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

I have a bad habit of going a little overboard with my spring closet cleaning and ending up with nearly no remaining wardrobe. If your organizing is also over-enthusiastic, you’ll have a chance to stock up again this weekend. Asheville Vintage Market is hosting its first market of the year on Saturday, March 30 at Asheville Sports Club — stop by starting at 10 a.m.

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