By the end of the summer, there will be a new crown jewel of downtown. Longtime collector Sharon Ryback is opening the Museum of Costume Jewelry at 60 Haywood St., across the street from Pack Memorial Library.
From bracelets to brooches and over-the-top bejeweled necklaces, the hundreds of pieces behind the cases largely come from Ryback’s personal collections. For the past 10 years, she’s been planning to open the museum, giving the works of art a new home for others to appreciate.
In the 31 exhibits, you’ll find jewelry and accessories from legendary names such as Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Christian Dior.
The left image shows WWII-era sweetheart jewelry, and the right shows an Art Deco-era piece.
Photos via Sharon Ryback
The displays will present more than just gemstones to gawk at and stones to dream about sporting. They will offer unique insight into the cultural and political happenings of bygone eras, like an upcoming exhibit commemorating the 80th anniversary of WWII. The exhibit features “patriotic and sweetheart jewelry,” including brooches women would wear on their lapels to indicate they had a son or husband in service.
Blue Ridge Bingo “Over the Rainbow” Party | 6:30-9 p.m. | Hilltop Events Center | $20+ | Serve “Wizard of Oz” inspired glam for a lively night of bingo, prizes, and tunes to benefit Asheville FM.
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
Land Trust Day Closet Clean Out Sale | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy | Price of purchase | Grab some vintage SAHC tees to support the nonprofit and celebrate all they do.
Look Homeward, Asheville | 10-11:30 a.m. | Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site | $5 | Explore locations pivotal to Wolfe’s life and hear excerpts of his writings on this downtown walking tour.
Swannanoa Family Fest | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Grovemont Park Pavilion | Free | Buncombe County Parks and Rec and the Swannanoa Community Council are joining together to provide a full day of family fun with crafts, games, food, and engaging performances.
Sunday, June 8
Asheville Honey Fest | 12-6 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | Savor the sweet side of Asheville with honey tastings, a market of beeutiful goods, music from Queen Bee and the Honey Lovers, and live judging of the Black Jar Honey Contest.
Best Friends Day Bracelet Making | 1-4 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage | Free | Hey bestie — bring your BFF to make the cutest friendship bracelets decked out with beads (and sip on a special bev while you’re at it).
Friday, June 13
Modest Mouse | 7 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $65+ | Modest Mouse is bringing its genre-defying sound and richly layered lyrics to Asheville Yards. VIP meet + greet options available.*
Saturday, June 14
Dispatch | 7 p.m. | Asheville Yards | $72+ | Like a perfect summer playlist comes to life, Dispatch blends rock, reggae, and a pinch of soul. VIP bundles and Meet & Greet experiences available.*
Saturday, June 28
Gaelic Games: Highland Field Day 2025 | 11 a.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | Join Highland Brewing for their first-ever Gaelic Games, a 21+ event including hilarious competitions, free-play games, live music, and Gaelic Ales.*
During this month’s Helene briefing, Buncombe County officials announced the local State of Emergency will be lifted at the Tuesday, June 17 commissioners meeting. Find more insights into the recovery process shared at the briefing, including hurricane season prep and town hall schedules.
Community
The Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) officially launched this week, supplementing city services with litter and graffiti removal, restroom cleaning, pressure washing, spot cleaning, and more. You can find Community Ambassadors within the BID boundary every day from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with colorful cleaning carts.
Environment
The Southern Appalachian brook trout is WNC’s only native trout, and a team from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission is studying how the species has fared after Helene. After shocking and surveying streams, there should be a better picture of how habitat changes impact them by the end of fall. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Plan Ahead
Biltmore Village’s New Morning Gallery (one of thelongest-running craft galleries in the country) will commemorate its 231 days spent rebuilding from Helene with a grand reopening reception. On Friday, June 20, at 5 p.m., meet talented local artists, listen to live music, savor local flavors, and toast the gallery’s return.
Theater
This one’s for the Broadway buffs. Head to DayTrip on Monday, June 9 for Musical Mondays, a bimonthly gathering celebrating the song, dance, and spirit of the stage. Get the details on the meeting.
Arts
As Marquee rebuilds in the RAD, the gallery has announced a host of new and returning artists + vendors that will fill out the space. As a reopening date draws closer, follow along on social for weekly behind-the-scenes looks at the process.
Outdoors
Waypoint Adventure NC and the NC Division of Parks and Recreation renewed their partnership, continuing to provide adaptive adventures to people with disabilities. New this summer, accessible kayaking will be offered at Lake James State Park, located about an hour away. Learn more about the program.
Featured Home
Inspired by the Celtic term for “winding river,” The Wyre is a luxury apartment community nestled along the French Broad River in Asheville’s River Arts District. With limited-time move-in specials, modern amenities, and 16,000 sqft of on-site retail — it’s a place you’ll love to call home. Take a tour.*
This colorful East Asheville artist’s haven opens for tours this Sunday, June 8, from 2-4 p.m. The 4-bed, 2.5-bath space features a light-filled loft area (perfect for an art studio), plus a private patio surrounded by greenery. Peek before you stop by.*
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Meet us at The People’s Place
Learn the history behind historic movements like the Greensboro sit-in. | Via AVLtoday
Speaking of museums. While waiting for the Museum of Costume Jewelry to open, head over to The People’s Place, a new mini museum and gift shop at 58 Broadway St., open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The People’s Place was created by educators, community organizers, scholars, and activists who envisioned a space for the community to engage in meaningful conversations around activism and grassroots organizing. More than a museum and gift shop, the storefront is a place for future events and collaborations with Asheville’s social justice ecosystem.
The group will host its next event tomorrow, June 7, “We the People,” a collaboration with Merchants of Downtown Asheville to launch the storefront and introduce Asheville’s new Black-owned business to the neighborhood.
Here’s how you can participate:
Head to The People’s Place tomorrow at 1 p.m. to experience the museum and gift shop, then receive a free t-shirt to customize with provided supplies.
We’ve built your new go-to summer outfit. Grab the complete look below for under $200.
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💎 Ettika’s freshwater pearl necklace plated with 18k gold to help prevent skin sensitivity.
💄Complete this (or any) look with Clinique’s best-selling Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.
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.
It’s the first Friday of the month, which means today you can score fee-free tickets to Orange Peel shows when you visit the box office. Bonus: the first 20 customers will get a free Orange Peel tote and one very lucky concert goer will win a $100 gift card. I’m looking forward to Blondshell and Band of Horses, but check out the full calendar of upcoming shows.
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