The event will be hosted at the Funkatorium, which reopened in March. | Photo via Wicked Weed Brewing
Since January, Buncombe County Special Collections and a team of volunteers have been gathering personal stories, photos, videos, audio recordings, and other materials for “Come Hell or High Water,” a community archiving project documenting Helene’s impact on our region. At its storytelling event on Thursday, June 26, you can help enhance the project by sharing your stories of resilience and lessons learned from the storm.
Local writers Bonnie Antosh and Will Bahr will host the evening at the Wicked Weed Funkatorium, themed “272 Nights: What We Cling To” — folks wishing to share a three- to five-minute story will sign up at the door. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and storytelling begins at 7:30 p.m.
The project aims to create a space for community healing and reflection — something that wasn’t available to victims of past disasters like the Great Flood of 1916. Explore the project’s collection so far and learn how to contribute an item.
Events
Events
Wednesday, June 18
Mercy in the Mountains | 7 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $18.45 | The evening of blues music from Mama & The Ruckus, The Mad Dog Blues Band, and Eric Freeman will benefit Habitat for Humanity and LEAF Global Arts.
Thursday, June 19
AVL Digital Nomads 4th Birthday Extravaganza | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing RAD | Free | Get to know this impactful meetup group of remote workers as they celebrate four years of community events.
Queer Open Mic | 6-8 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge | Free | Blue Ridge Pride hosts the monthly open mic, empowering LGBTQ+ folks to show off their talents, from poetry and music to comedy and performance art.
Wine By the Vines: Greece | Thursday, June 19, Thursday, June 26 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Gemelli | $75 | Reserve your seat for a five-course dinner that will transport you to the Mediterranean coast, complete with Greek wine pairings.
Asheville Tourists Blood Drive | 11 a.m. | McCormick Field | Free | Donate blood to score an exclusive AVL baseball jersey and two tickets to a home game.*
Friday, June 20
Collaboration for Climate Action | Friday, June 20-Sunday, June 22 | Times vary | Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa | Free, RSVP | The three-day summit will welcome workshops, demonstrations, art + performances, and expert speakers to connect over climate resilience and recovery.
Blind Date Live | Friday, June 20 | 6:30 p.m.| The Orange Peel | $30 | Watch locals take the stage to fall in love (or just overshare at minimum) sight unseen — the evening kicks off with a steamy mixer.
Saturday, June 21
RAD Solstice Celebration | 2-7 p.m. | RAD Brewing Co. | Free | Celebrate the RAD’s renewal on the longest day of the year — sign up to join the drum krewe, shop goods from local artists, and dance the day away with The Screamin’ Stevens.
Food & Wine sat down with No Taste Like Home founder Alan Muskat to talk about the ins, outs, and ethos of foraging, particularly in Asheville. Wonder what you may find on a foraging tour with No Taste Like Home? Take it from us.
Community
The Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, responsible for overseeing services to aid people experiencing homelessness, has created its first strategic plan based on recommendations from the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The newly restructured board’s roadmap to collective action begins this July with four main objectives. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Eat
Here’s another way to celebrate Ashleigh Shanti’s James Beard Award win: join the foundation’s “Taste America” dinner here in Asheville on Sept. 3 for a multi-course dinner created by Shanti with help from James Beard Semifinalist William Dissen of The Market Place.
Real Estate
If your home was damaged by Helene, you can apply for Renew NC’s Single-Family Housing Program to help cover costs. The state program is funded with a $1.4 billion CDBG-DR grant from HUD. Find eligibility details and application info.
Listen
The Asheville Symphony has appointed Dr. Brian Allen as its new First Concertmaster, beginning his role at the free Symphony in the Park on Sunday, Aug. 31. The Symphony has changed its tune, also adding its first-ever Second Concertmaster, Jackie Tso, for the 2025-2026 season.
Asked
It’s getting hot out. What’s your favorite local treat to help cool off? We’re updating our guide for cold, summer treats and want to know your top picks — for research, of course. Think: popsicles, ice cream, and slushies.
Does your business have an upcoming event? Promote it in AVLtoday. Head to our self-service ad portal to find an option that works for your budget — from eye-catching banner ads to engaging social posts.
Category
Plan Ahead
🎣 Fly new fest supporting the French Broad
The festival helps bolster recovery along the river. | Photo by Uproar Concept
The teams behind Wrong Way Campground and Uproar Concept announced a new fly fishing festival celebrating the river’s stewards and benefiting conservation efforts. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the two hosts will reel in a crowd for RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival, a free all-day celebration at Wrong Way Campground.
Expect activities like casting and fly-tying competitions, clinics, kid-friendly fun, raffles, and immersive shopping from outdoor brands in the A-frame cabins.
Local bands will supply the live music, and Imposter Pizza Co., Chop Shop Butchery, and local breweries will supply the food + bev. Plus, in true Wrong Way fashion, tattoo artists will be on site to ink river-themed designs.
Ultimately, the festival serves to bolster the recovery of the French Broad, with a portion of proceeds supporting RiverLink and the French Broad Riverkeeper. Borne from Blue Lines, a collaboration between Uproar Concept and Headwaters Outfitters, will aid members of the fly fishing community through a special guide expo and merch sales.
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.
If you wish to share a story for the “Come Hell or High Water” project, but prefer a more private setting, you can call the project’s phone number and leave a three-minute voicemail.
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