Views of the night sky go for miles at PARI. | Photo by Tim Reaves
Monday, April 21 marks the start of International Dark Sky Week, an initiative to combat light pollution in cities worldwide so we can appreciate clear, starry skies and nocturnal wildlife can follow its natural rhythm.
Did you know?Deep in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, there’s a historic space research station with ties to NASA — and it’s one of only three International Dark Sky-certified Parks in NC. We’re talking about the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) — an isolated 200+ acre area that first opened in 1963 as NASA’s Rosman Tracking Station.
A photo of the Rosman NASA Tracking Station under construction back in the 1960s.
Photo courtesy of the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room
In 1967, its 26-meter radio telescope received one of the world’s first color photos of the full Earth from space, as well as a TV transmission. For decades, the station played a vital role in the space program, communicating with satellites and manned space flights such as Project Gemini and Project Apollo as they passed over the East Coast.
BearWise | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | The NC Wildlife Resources Commission will guide you through all of the do’s and don’ts of coexisting with our city’s black bears.
Earth Day Comedy | 7-9 p.m. | DSSOLVR | $15+ | Commemorate Mother Nature by attending the outdoor show — plus, you’ll get a free packet of flower seeds to bring some color back to WNC.
Friday, April 18
History is for the Birds | Friday, April 18, Friday, April 25 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Swannanoa Valley Museum | $75+ | Led by guides from the Blue Ridge Audubon Chapter and Swannanoa Valley Museum, bask in natural beauty while learning about avian friends and arcane history.
Kyle Gordon | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $32+ | The comedian is taking his viral joke songs on the road to celebrate the release of his new album, with parody tracks spanning from pop to nu metal.
Saturday, April 19
Pisgah Brewing’s 20th Anniversary Party | 6-11 p.m. | Pisgah Brewing | $28+ | The beloved Black Mountain brewery is celebrating 20 years with a hoppin’ celebration featuring performances from Spafford and New Dawn Starkestra, food trucks, and plenty of brews.
Bicycle Day 2025 with SOOHAN, Plantrae, & Numatik | 6 p.m.-2 a.m. | Sly Grog Lounge | $16+ | Dance the night away to commemorate Dr. Albert Hofmann’s 1943 bicycle ride after becoming the first person to intentionally ingest LSD.
Sunday, April 20
Easter Brunch | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bargello | $59+ | Snag one of the few remaining tables to dine on three courses, with picks like a seasonal spring tartlet, shrimp and grits, and warm apple cake.
Mission Surgery’s team of experienced surgeons work to provide comprehensive care, focusing on each patient’s unique needs for optimal outcomes. | Photo provided by Mission Health
Mission Health performs more procedures than any other hospital system in the region, offering 40+ surgical options in Asheville. From hernia repair to surgical oncology, the team utilizes minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques when possible.
With a multidisciplinary approach, Mission Health provides comprehensive surgical services close to home, providing patients with services they need without leaving the region.
French Broad River Brewery is back in action after months of restoration work repairing damage from Helene. The brewery is open through Sunday, April 20, before it takes a few days to regroup, opening again on Thursday, April 24. Raise a glass to the reopening and catch Jerry’s Dead onstage tonight. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Open
Baba Nahm is serving up scrumptious Mediterranean breakfast and lunch at its new spot on Biltmore Avenue, across from the Moxy. Stop by Monday-Friday for a breakfast laffah wrap, falafel, shawarma, and so much more.
Coming Soon
Patton Avenue is getting about half a mile of new sidewalk on the eastbound side from Druid Drive to Louisiana Avenue. Construction will begin in June to make pedestrian access safer in the area, which has been marked as the “highest level of safety concern.” Construction is expected to last about a year. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Community
The Land of Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) has entered a partnership to create the Land of Sky WestNGN Device Refurbishment Program to close the digital divide and reduce tech waste in WNC. Program partner Advanced Data & Network Solutions will revive laptops received by LOSRC. (Mountain Xpress)
Biz
Henderson and Buncombe County business owners have formed the Recovery Leadership Alliance, a group sharing recovery resources and advocating for grant funding for businesses affected by Helene. Business owners can join the next meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 6-8 p.m. at Ginger’s Revenge.
Calling all small business owners. Features in our 2025 Parents Gift Guide are now 20% off. Secure a spot for your business’s product or service by using code PGG2025 at checkout.
Speaking of dark skies, picture this: You’re wrapping up a night on the town, and the midnight munchies hit. But it seems like the lights are off at all your favorite local restaurants.
That’s not quite true — here are 15+ joints that cater to nighttime eaters with pizza, wings, pierogies, and more.
The Barrelhouse | Daily, 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
Count on this North Asheville spot to feed every night of the week, with classics like burgers, sandwiches, and BLTs — plus handcrafted pierogies.
Something sweet
Old Europe | Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
You don’t have to be an early bird to get the prettiest picks in the case. We’re big fans of the tiramisu, no matter the time.
Really cute waterdrop earrings, with one pair of gold and one pair of silver for $12.99. The minimalist earrings hug ears + look heavy while feeling surprisingly lightweight.
If today’s space talk has you itching to explore the night sky, join the Astronomy Club of Asheville at its next public star gaze tomorrow, April 18. You can also check out the site to learn about upcoming astronomical events like the Lyrid Meteor Shower, which peaks at the beginning of next week.
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