While it won’t be Cheap Joe’s, the art supplies are here to stay. | Photo by AVLtoday
River Arts District painter Philip DeAngelo and his wife Tina couldn’t bear to lose Cheap Joe’s — so they bought it. The couple is giving the beloved art supply haven new life, opening Asheville Art Supply in its place.
In late March, Cheap Joe’s announced it would close all three of its locations due to “economic strain within the industry,” including its Riverside Drive store. A couple of weeks later, Cheap Joe’s announced that a local company would take over the space, continuing to sell art supplies — but the name of the new local operator wasn’t shared until last week.
The DeAngelos have been part of the RAD community for nearly two decades, and after Helene tore through the area, destroying 80% of its studios, losing Cheap Joe’s was another devastating blow to local artists.
“It’s more than a place to go buy paints or brushes,” DeAngelo said.
Catan Tournament | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $7 | See if you can outwit your way to victory on the competitive magical quest.
Tuesday, April 29
Intro to Improv Class | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Misfit Improv & Acting School | Free | Tap into your creativity and curiosity as you foray into the unscripted art form.
Wednesday, April 30
Band Together Asheville: A Speed Band Matching Event | 6-8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville | Free | Local musicians can find their next great collaborator through jam sessions and an open mic showcase.
Thursday, May 1
TF3’s Jukebox with Time for Three | 7 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $20+ | See the Asheville Amadeus Festival headliners perform their blend of classical and Americana tunes.
369 Monologue and Short Play Festival Part 3: Hell and High Water | Thursday, May 1-Sunday, May 18 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Tina McGuire Theatre | $23+ | Over three weekends, prepare to be bewitched by six short plays and nine powerful monologues in ten unique evening performances.
Friday, May 2
WNC Farmers Market Spring Festival | Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4 | Times vary | WNC Farmers Market | Free | Add all sorts of delicious farm-fresh goodies to your tote bag and score everything you need for the spring growing season, from herb starts to landscaping plants.
How Do We See Ourselves in Each Other? | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum | Free | A free art exhibition and conversation with the artists, followed by live music, food, and drinks.*
Reconnect with nature and learn about our environment through experiences for kids + adults. | Photos by AVLtoday
We don’t know about you, but our schedules have been busy all month as AVL springs back to life.
That’s why we jumped at the chance to slow down at The North Carolina Arboretum: the perfect place to stop + smell the flowers.
Check out our recent Instagram Reel to see how we spent our day, plus tips to help you plan your peaceful trip to the Arb.
What we tried
We hit the gardens first, welcomed by the iconic Spring Quilt Garden. The 65 acres of gardens contain both native species and plants from around the world.
Next, we walked the trails. The Arboretum boasts 10+ miles of dog-friendly hiking + biking trails, from challenging workouts to family-friendly strolls.
The Arboretum is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Be sure to check the calendar of special events, exhibitions, and educational programs.
Pro tip: Want exclusive perks like discounted tickets to special events? Sign up to become a member of The North Carolina Arboretum Society.
Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium will reopen this Thursday, May 1, from 12-10 p.m. The brewery, known for its vast selection of sour beers, will be open for the first time since closing from the impacts of Helene.
Outdoors
The City of Asheville is beginning the process of restoring parks along the French Broad Riverfront, posting a Request for Qualifications for design services. The city seeks to use federal disaster relief funds to cover the $25+ million in damages. Design and public engagement will take two years, followed by two to three years of construction.
Number
$5.13 million. That’s how much grant funding the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation received from theAppalachian Regional Commission to support regional tourism across WNC and Southwest VA. Funds will support the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan, a joint effort between 22 counties to strengthen tourism strategies.
Coming Soon
Beefie Boys food truck plans to open this summer in Biltmore Village, outside Fetch Dog Spa. Customers can savor brisket, Chicago beef sandwiches, pastrami, corned beef, and more. It’s owner Jeremy LaRochelle’s new spot after losing Moe’s Original BBQ during Helene. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Cause
From October to the end of December, Pisgah Legal Services held 31 FEMA and Disaster Legal Services Clinics, helping more than 2,000 people across 11 counties. Get the bigger picture of the nonprofit’s impact in its 2024 Annual Report. You can support the org at its upcoming Jazz for Justice fundraiser in late May.
Try This
This Friday, May 2, head to East Fork to raise a glass to the new Matisse collection. Chemist Spirits will be serving up cocktails to accompany the new ceramics featuring the art of Henri Matisse. While you’re at it, reserve a free ticket for the store’s community craft night on Tuesday, May 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Edu
Registration is now open for UNC Asheville’s summer session, offering five flexible terms ranging from three to eight weeks.Psst: You might also qualify for the Summer 2025 Tuition Grant, which covers up to two courses.*
Hiring just got easier. Post unlimited job listings with us for free on the AVLtoday Job Board + connect with the right candidates faster. We’ve got your back.
Finance
They went from a 40-seat “blink-and-you’d-miss-it” bar to routinely topping “best of” awards lists across the country. Now Death & Co is expanding to Nashville, Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and even Australia. Don’t miss your chance to invest in Death & Co stock and lock in the current share price by May 15.†‡*
Here’s the tea. It’s getting warm out, and Appalachian Tea Co. is ready to cool you down. You can pre-order cold brew iced teas, like the delicious and refreshing hibiscus mojito, on their website.
‡This is a paid advertisement for Death & Company Regulation A offering. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please read the offering circular at invest.deathandcompany.com.
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