Shop local alternatives to big box retailers | Major retail chains are closing across the US, so we’re highlighting some of our favorite alternatives to the familiar franchises.
Creative Pop Up Exhibition | 5-7 p.m. | Pink Dog Creative | Free | See the work of Wesley Ethyn Bowers, Catherine Cervas, and Nicolette Leigh Yates at this opening reception — the exhibit changes biweekly to display work of displaced artists.
Don’t Tell Comedy | 8 p.m. | Location TBA | $25 | The only thing we know about this show is that you’ll be in stitches — the lineup and location are a secret.
Latin Night | Saturday, Feb. 22 | 8-11 p.m. | Hemingway’s Cuba | Price of purchase | Sip on a cocktail and hit the dance floor to groove to 90s Latin hits.
Sunday, Feb. 23
Fourth Wing Threshing | 6 p.m. | The Mule | $15+ | Celebrate the release of “Onyx Storm” in costume with knife throwing, special cocktails, Fourth Wing trivia, and local artisans selling handmade goods.
Monday, Feb. 24
CDBG-DR Community Input + Info Session | 6:30-8 p.m. | Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center | Free | Share your input on the city’s Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery action plan.
Dream jobs alert. Check out this week’s top new job listings on AVLtoday’s Job Board — including a Catalyst Program Director position at Mountain BizWorks.
Holiday
Spirits sales are down by 1.1% — with one exception. Tequila sales are up by 2.9%. As good an excuse as any for National Margarita Day today (and our favorite spots to grab a drink).
Pet
French Bulldogs are the most popular breed of dog in America, according to Visual Capitalist. Whether you’re a Frenchie fan or a Labrador lover, the Asheville Humane Society has plenty of adoptable pets worth your affection — including Zita, an adorable one-year-old pup with piercing blue eyes.
State
267. That’s how many gallons of maple syrup were produced by the state of North Carolina in 2022. Maybe that’s why Asheville’s brunch scene is so good.
The First Baptist Church of Asheville also includes Renaissance influences. | Photo by AVLtoday
Asheville’s mountain views are a sight to behold, but you’ll find equal beauty in its historical architecture. In the 1920s, business was booming, and Asheville became home to 65 new commercial buildings. Development slowed as the nation hurdled toward the Great Depression, but the city was left with sleek, geometric art deco buildings. And the man behind many of these iconic structures was Douglas Ellington.
The NC native studied architecture at the Drexel Institute and the University of Pennsylvania, later studying in Paris after winning the 1911 Paris Prize from the Society of Beaux-Arts Architects. He developed his art deco style before opening an office in Asheville’s Flatiron Building.
Let’s dive into some of his most well-known local works (and a few you may not know he designed):
First Baptist Church
One of Ellington’s most iconic works, the church’s stunning dome takes inspiration from the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. Though art deco was certainly a calling card of Ellington’s style, this design is heavily influenced by Rennaisance-style architecture. Abstract palm leaves and religious symbols are apparent throughout.
The lipstick that’s more like a phenomenon: Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. The sheer, glossy lipstick is designed to flatter everyone (and it’s only Clinique’s best-selling lipstick shade of all time).
I ventured out into the cold weather this week to get a taste of the Market Place’s restaurant week menu. Needless to say, I’ll be dreaming about their French onion soup all weekend long. Head to our Instagram page to see the cheese pull.
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