We caught an awesome show from local band NOLZ at Third Room last week. | Photo by AVLtoday
Despite the challenges presented by Helene’s devastation, two locals’ years-long effort to open an immersive art-focused music venue has come to fruition. Founders and Art Directors Whitney Wolf and Jack Duvall recently opened Third Room in mid-November, a part multimedia art gallery and part music venue on Wall Street.
Even as the founders and their team dealt with personal property damages in Helene’s aftermath, they were pulling 22-hour days in the week leading up to the opening to fulfill their vision of creating a unique space for people to express themselves.
Inside the space
The art gallery space features a mix of cycling digital art displayed on 65-in screens as well as traditional mediums. Currently on view is the “un/natural worlds” exhibit, including paintings from Asheville artist Ryan O’Sullivan and Art Garden studio artists Annie Kyla Bennett and Jack Henry.
Monday, Dec. 9 The Keith Allen Circus | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $12 | Catch the four-piece show off their unique blend of dark rock and psychedelic electro-pop to create a “trapeze act of sound.”
Tuesday, Dec. 10 WNC Repair Cafe | 5-8 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Skilled volunteer seamstresses will repair your beloved clothing and fabric items.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 Wine By the Vines: Slovenia | 6-8 p.m. | Gemelli | $75 | If you’ve never tried Slovenian food, now’s your chance to dine on five courses, each paired with wine from the central European country.
Jingle Bell Swing | 7-11 p.m. | Haywood Park Hotel | $15 | Drayton & the Dreamboats will provide jazz, and Swing Asheville will provide dance lessons at this festive gathering.
Thursday, Dec. 12 The Campfireball: Humans vs. The Holidays | 7-9:30 p.m. | Story Parlor | $10+ | Immerse yourself in this part game show, part storytelling, part theater experience that’s built around the audience.
Friday, Dec. 13 Holiday Skate Jam | 6-9 p.m. | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Free | The event venue will turn into an epic skate rink for just one night with holiday jams and decor — bring your own skates if you have them.
Potential New Boyfriend is now open on Haywood Road, next to the new Franny’s Farmacy location. Stop by Wednesday-Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. to savor decadent ice cream desserts, sip on wine, and listen to music from the vintage speaker system.
Eat
After serving 1+ million meals to the community with the help of World Central Kitchen, Bear’s Smokehouse is back open, offering delicious barbecue. But its relief efforts will continue as the restaurant’s charitable foundation is aiming to raise $2.1 million to provide 4,000 meals daily to people in need through March — donate to support the effort.
Shop
Keep up your support for local businesses in the new year with the 2025 Go Local Card. Pick one (or several) up at a local business or order online.
Cause
Help ensure local students can celebrate the season through Asheville City Schools’ 2024 Holiday Dream Project. The project provides gifts to students + their siblings facing substantial challenges — to support meet this year’s increased need, shop from the general or high school-specific wishlist, make a donation, or email to shop for a specific student.
Closed
Bold Rock announced the closure of its Asheville taproom, citing losses due to Hurricane Helene. “We have loved being a part of the Asheville community and being able to welcome so many through our doors,” the cidery shared in an Instagram post. You can continue to support Bold Rock by visiting its Mills River taproom.
Biz
The Asheville Area Business Association has launched with the mission of empowering our local businesses through resources + professional development. Learn more about its goals at its inaugural event tonight, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at THRIVE Coworking — if you can’t make it, check out more upcoming AABA events.
Arts
Local nonprofit residency center Trillium Arts has launched a new relief program for WNC artists. Its Helene Emergency Artists Residencies offer artists a $700 stipend along with a week of free accommodations and access to supplies to create. Applications are open through Friday, Jan. 3, with residencies awarded in early 2025.
Announced
ALDI has begun restoration efforts to reopen its Swannanoa River Road store after damage from Helene. In a press release, it was shared that the store is scheduled to reopen in early 2025.
Did you know new windows could lead to lower energy bills? Read: Modern windows have better insulation. Renewal by Andersen is offering $400 off per window and $850 per door, so you can start the new year by saving on style upgrades for your home. Get your free quote.*
Category
Shop
🌃 Shop downtown after dark
Join in on the party. | Photo by Lisa S. (submitted for our 2023 Picture of the Year contest)
This Thursday, Dec. 12, when the sun goes down, the shopping starts. More than 50 downtown shops will stay open until 9 p.m. for Late Night Asheville, a festive evening coordinated by Wine Walk AVL and Zhoosh Creative designed to help support local businesses.
Nine musicians and choirs will be located on street corners to set the soundtrack as you go from shop to shop, picking out thoughtful gifts and savoring treats and drinks. Plus, the Gray Line Trolley will be running with five downtown stops if you’d rather hitch a ride.
Bonus: Many of the participating stores are also stops on the Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread Trail of Giving or have decorative displays for the Winter Windows contest.
Slippers that are warm, cozy, and able to be worn indoors and outdoors (so you can run errands in your slippers — score). Try these faux fur-lined houseshoes on Amazon or go for the UGG Tasman slipper that started the trend.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, local folk band Rising Appalachia has curated a beautiful and heartfelt compilation album for Hurricane Helene relief. You can purchase the album, “Drenched in Place,” on bandcamp — proceeds benefit BeLoved Asheville, Nanostead, and RiverLink.
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