Spur-of-the-moment stays

All aboard for excursions

• Well-Crafted Music Series | Wednesday, July 17 | 6-8 p.m. | The Meadow at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Settle in for a special edition of the series as host Matt Smith is joined by Rick Cooper and Zach Smith.
• The Blackout Diaries | Wednesday, July 17 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Pulp, 103 Hilliard Ave., Asheville | $15 | Be a part of the show as an uproarious lineup of comedians and non-comedians tell drinking stories.

• Summer Splash | Thursday, July 18 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Malvern Hills Park, 75 Rumbough Pl., Asheville | Free | Take your kids on an aquatic adventure with an array of water-themed activities.
• Carolina Quiroga’s Beyond the Myth | Thursday, July 18 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$100 | Delve into the mythology of fathers and reflect on your own relationship to paternity during the second night of the Story/Arts Residency.
• “Voice Commands” | Thursday, July 18-Saturday, July 27 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St., Asheville | $20 | Follow three interlocking, darkly comedic stories that submerge you in the murky waters of artificial intelligence and its frailty.

• Founder’s Gala | Friday, July 19 | 6-9 p.m. | The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville | $250 | Celebrate the 37-year legacy of arboretum founder George Briggs with music, a plated dinner, and a special program.
• Haunted History Tour | Friday, July 19 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, 223 W. State St., Black Mountain | $25-$30 | Travel the city’s storied streets and learn about the humorous, haunting, and harrowing history of the Swannanoa Valley.
• “Henry IV” | Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 92 Gay St., Asheville | Free | Catch the last weekend of political strife, power struggles, and tavern hijinks playing out on stage.

• 1-On-1 Pottery Lessons | Saturday, July 20-Saturday, Aug. 17 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Odyssey ClayWorks, 236 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $75 | Book a time slot to get one-on-one instruction from an expert potter during a quick and fun 30-minute class.
• Tell Me Lies | Saturday, July 20 | 8 p.m. | Asheville Music Hall, 31 Patton Ave., Asheville | $20-$25 | Jam out to the beloved sounds and visuals of Fleetwood Mac, meticulously recreated by a band dedicated to their legacy.

• Tomorrow night, July 18, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Patton Avenue will be fully closed between Grove Street and North Ann Street to allow construction crews to continue work on the Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater project. See the detours before you make your way downtown.

• Make yourself at home, because the 2024 Buncombe County Homeowner Grant Program is now open for applications. Qualified homeowners can receive financial assistance for housing costs, mortgages, insurance, or even taxes. Take a look at the eligibility requirements, and apply before Monday, Sept. 30.

• Riverside Residences in the River Arts District was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Of the complex’s 240 units, 5% will be deemed affordable for 80% of the median area income, but a previous proposal to include green infrastructure and adaptively reuse an old cotton mill was cut. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• The Asheville History Museum is accepting nominations for the 2024 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award, recognizing local authors or works with a focus on WNC. If you’ve got an author who’s in your good books, submit a nomination by Friday, Aug. 16.

• iHeart Media Asheville just said, “I have nothing if I don’t have you” to hip-hop and R&B. The outlet officially launched Throwbacks 101.1, which will bring classic hip-hop and R&B tunes to our airwaves, with artists like Nelly, 2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G. Tune in.

• The US Forest Service is seeking public comment after releasing a draft of the Grandfather, Appalachian, Pisgah (GAP) Restoration Project. The project’s focus is reducing wildfire risk and restoring fire-adapted sections of the Pisgah National Forest. Submit feedback on the plan by Sunday, Aug. 11. (WLOS)

• Drink Up Week — a celebration of our city’s vibrant beverage culture — is coming up quickly from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. We asked local businesses to join the fun by sharing drink deals; check out this map of promos that are poppin’ just for the occasion.

• Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? It’s Christmas in July, and we’re celebrating by gifting new and returning advertisers with special promotions to get your message in front of our readers. Get in touch to learn more (read: open your present).

• Sitting on the water in a luxe gated community, this fully furnished cabin features vaulted ceilings, front + back covered porches, and 8+ acres of natural beauty. See inside and out (and don’t miss the dock).*

• It’s Amazon Prime Day. Browse limited-time deals, like 40% off these luxury memory foam pillows that feature a dual-sided design to support your sleep hygiene.*