Combs is the newest inductee with AVL ties, part of the 2025 cohort. | Photo by NASHtoday
From George Clinton to James Taylor, North Carolina has no shortage of musical talent. Each year, the Kannapolis-based NC Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to a select number of legendary musicians with Cackalacky ties.
Currently, the Asheville area boasts 10+ NC Hall of Fame musicians, including Luke Combs, who was announced in the newest cohort of musicians who will be inducted later this fall. Let’s see who else has made the cut.
Luke Combs | 1990-now
Before the country superstar became a household name, he was singing in the choir and playing football at A.C. Reynolds High School. More recently, he collaborated with Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor to headline “Concert for Carolina,” raising more than $24 million for Helene recovery efforts.
Jermaine Dupri | 1972-now
While he now lives in Atlanta and works with superstars like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and Janet Jackson, this legendary hip-hop producer + rapper was born in Asheville.
The Curious Case of Charles Lindbergh | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | East Asheville Library | Free | James Davidson has written three books about the famous pilot, and tonight he’ll share his expertise.
Wednesday, June 11
River Arts District Farmers Market | 3-6 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | Price of purchase | Shop for the same delicious produce, meats, and baked goods you know and love in the market’s new location.
Bluegrass Jam Wednesdays | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | French Broad River Brewery | Free | The Saylor Brothers will bring a new cast of guests each week for some improvisational bluegrass.
Thursday, June 12
Turning the Page on Helene: Altered Book Workshop | 5:30-8 p.m. | The Whale West Asheville | Free | Participate in the project turning old books into visual art, telling the community’s story of Helene.
Books + Brews Trivia with Lit | 6-8 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge | Free | Sip on a ginger beer while putting your literary knowledge to the test — dive into speculative fiction with this month’s theme, “What If?”
Friday, June 13
Slow Art Friday: How to Look at Abstract Art | 12-1 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum | Donation-based | Impress your art connoisseur friends after a thoughtful tour with educator Hank Bovee, breaking down how to appreciate abstract works.
Brews + Bears | 5:30-8 p.m. | WNC Nature Center | $10+ | Come out of hibernation to stroll through the Nature Center with a beverage in hand and support the wildlife.
Construction is underway across WNC as Novant Health brings new clinics, services, and state-of-the-art facilities to the region. | Photo provided by Novant Health
After eight years, Manicomio Pizza will close this month — however, the space will remain a pizza shop. In a social media post, the Manicomio team shared that Birdie’s Pizza will take over ownership of the Biltmore Avenue restaurant, serving NY-style pies and slices.
Ranked
No. 1. That’s where Asheville lands on Food & Wine’s list of the Top Small Cities for Food and Drink. Our city tops the list for its farm-fresh ingredients and contemporary twist on Appalachian fare. The magazine cites Neng Jr.'s, Good Hot Fish, and Black Mountain’s Hell or High Water as standouts.
Concert
This is music to our ears.Arbor Evenings begin tomorrow, June 11 at the NC Arboretum, welcoming local musicians to play on the lawn each Wednesday and Thursday evening through mid-September. The tunes begin at 5:30 p.m. with Marley’s Chain. See even more ways to enjoy live music around Asheville this summer.
Arts
Story Parlor’s latest artists-in-residence, Adam J. N. Keene and Langston Kelly, known together as Becomyth, will share their project “We Begin in Chaos” over three installments this July. Explore the nature of beginnings through music and theatrical storytelling, starting on Sunday evening, July 13.
Opening
Custom bikepacking bag brand Rockgeist will reopen in a new spot after Helene destroyed its original workshop. The team will celebrate its new space with a grand reopening party on Saturday, June 21, with beer, bike gear, and hot dogs.
Drink
After five years, the Lower Park has reopened at Sierra Nevada’s Mills River Taproom. Enjoy a brew in the outdoor area behind the amphitheater, accessible by trail. (WLOS)
Pets
Dog-friendly vacation retreat Barkwells earned Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards Winner for 2025. The doggie paradise has fenced yards and common areas, and ponds for swimming — find 20+ more dog-friendly digs with our guide.
Improve gut health + boost natural production of GLP-1 (the same hormone Ozempic mimics for weight loss) with Bioma’s 3-in-1 formula. Use code 6AM10 for an extra 10% off.*
Older Adults
Are you 62 or older with limited income? This is a must-read. Did you know a reverse mortgage lets homeowners 62+ turn home equity into cash without monthly payments? See how it works and view Money’s list of the best annuities to find options with A+ BBB ratings and competitive pricing.*
Post of the Day
Exactly nine months after Helene’s floodwaters devastated the 77,000 sqft space, the Antique Tobacco Barn will once again be packed with timeless antiques as it prepares to reopen. The team has overseen an enormous clean-up and rebuilding effort, which is documented on their Instagram page. Help celebrate this significant recovery milestone by scoring some new treasures at its grand reopening on Friday, June 27.
The shoe of the summer: sneaker mules (aka smules). Effortlessly stylish and easy to slip on, these can be paired with your go-to shorts, sundresses, linen jumpsuits, and more. These are five of our favorites:
👟 Under $150: Dolce Vita’s sporty-chic sneaker mules in a fun + flirty pink floral pattern.
👟 Under $80: This pair by Anne Klein that will go with practically everything in your closet.
👟 Under $60: Blowfish Malibu’s platform style with adjustable lacing and a unique patterned insole.
👟 Under $50: These Naturalizer white leather smules made with comfort technology for all-day walking.
👟 Under $30: These canvas kicks available in 15+ colors and constructed with a memory foam insole for maximum comfort.
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.
This tea is piping hot. After months of recovery and rebuilding, Asheville Tea Co. is now coming off of pre-orders and getting back to regular shipping schedules. That means it’s time to send your out-of-town friends some cold brew iced tea bags just in time for summer. Here in Asheville, you can find plenty of blends in local shops and at Ingles and Whole Foods.
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