The group’s mission is to create beauty born from loss. | Photo via Echoes of the Forest
Helene felled countless trees across WNC, but local nonprofit Echoes of the Forest is turning them into memorials.
In the aftermath of the storm, the group’s founder, Liisa Andreassen, sought to make lasting tributes to the tragedy, connecting with local woodworkers to create art out of the fallen trees called “echoes.”
The group will unveil the first echo on Thursday, June 12, at 5 p.m. at Foundation Woodworks. Outside the Lyman Street tent, Chester Shuey of Appalachian Joinery will debut a bench from an 800-pound white oak salvaged from Helene’s wake. After initially learning about Echoes of the Forest, Shuey was immediately on board.
“It just felt like the right thing to do because these trees mean so much and so does our artist revitalization,” he said.
After the ceremony, The Radical will host a “meet the woodworkers” afterparty where a one-of-a-kind piece by esteemed Maggie Valley woodworker Mike Ayers will be raffled off. Buy a ticket for a chance to own the two-foot-tall mountain man carved from a fallen walnut tree.
Swing Asheville Lessons + Live Jazz | 8-10 p.m. | Fitz and the Wolfe | Free | Try your hand (or feet) at Swing dancing with lessons and live jazz music at the new downtown bar + restaurant.
Thursday, June 5
Wildlife and Wildflowers| 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library | Free | Pam Torlina of Conserving Carolina will offer their biology expertise to uncover the unexpected ways plants and animals interact in our ecosystem.
$5 After 5 Thursdays | 5 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville | $5 | Every Thursday through the end of September, admission to the Kolo Bike Park is discounted when you bring your own bike.
Friday, June 6
The Disco Biscuits: 30th Anniversary Tour | Friday, June 6-Saturday, June 7 | 7-11 p.m. | French Broad Brewing | $48+ | Celebrate the anniversary of the pioneering “Trance-Fusion” band, blurring the lines between electronic dance music and jam rock.
Saturday, June 7
Asheville Radio Museum Fundraiser | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | A-B Tech - Asheville | Free | Become the proud new owner of a functional vintage radio while supporting the museum’s curation of rare equipment.
Celebrate International Tabletop Day | 10 a.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe | $5+ | Play classic, modern, or mystery games during this celebration of old-fashioned entertainment.
Historic Montford Garden Tour | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Montford Neighborhood | $30 | Stop and smell the roses of eight gorgeous gardens with local musicians and plein air artists setting the serene vibe.
Wednesday, June 11
Beabadoobee | 7 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $65+ | Sway to the easy vocals and alt rock chords of Beabadoobee as part of “The Space In Between” Tour.*
Local athletic subscription box business Fuel Goods announced plans to invest $1.7 million in an operations facility, generating 47 new jobs in the next five years with an average wage of nearly $43 per hour. “We’re not just fueling athletes - we’re fueling Asheville’s future,” co-founder Laura Jorgensen said in a press release.
Regional
Foothills Watershed, a family-friendly riverside recreation area and bike park, is gearing up to open this month in Old Fort. The opening date is TBA, but expect new takes on your favorite Foothills Grange eats, Latin-inspired fare from Chef Luis Martinez, a dynamic network of trails, and river access.
Coming Soon
It seems that Zillicoah’s reopening is getting even closer. Yesterday, June 3, the brewery posted a photo of a fresh shipment of malt with no caption. Our excitement is brewing. Follow for more updates as the rebuild gets closer to completion.
Arts
Blue Ridge Pride is hosting its annual Festival Logo Art Contest, sending the call to volunteer artists to submit designs for this year’s festival theme, “Resilience and Resistance.” Submit logos by Monday, June 30 to be eligible for the $750 prize.
Smokies Life has released its first audiobook, with Frances Figart’s “A Search for Safe Passage” available for listening on platforms like Spotify. The two-hour narration, intended for middle-grade students, follows best friends Bear and Deer as they encounter challenges crossing the dangerous highway that divides their home mountain range.
Sports
Rocky has a new look. UNC Asheville Athletics unveiled a new Bulldog logo and branding package now being used across all teams’ uniforms and merch.
Seasonal
Summer’s more fun when you can actually hear it. Whether it’s ocean waves or outdoor movies, get back in the moment with this crowd-favorite hearing aid that packs dual processing tech for the ultimate clarity. Bonus: The 45-day trial means no risk if you’re not into it.*
Pets
Sundays For Dogs began when a veterinarian couldn’t find food she trusted for her own dog — so she made one. Try real, clean dog food for 50% off.*
Post of the Day
Photo via @AshevilleMall
The Asheville Mall announced on Facebook that Skate 828 is coming soon. Commenters on Facebook and Reddit speculate that the rink will likely take over the former Sears department store. We’re not dusting off our skates yet as we’re still a little hurt from the West Asheville Roller Rink fakeout (if you know, you know), but we’re cautiously optimistic about this announcement. We hope to have an update rolling through your inbox soon.
A really good electric bikini trimmer. Its stainless steel ceramic blades provide a smooth shave free of nicks, razor burn, and ingrown hairs. Bonus: It’s waterproof + boasts up to five hours of battery life.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Remember this for when Monday evening rolls around and you can’t bear to cook dinner. Every Monday night, Mela is dishing out vegan and vegetarian entrees for a discounted price of $12.
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