Head to RAD Renaissance, the sequel to RADFest. | Photo by AVLtoday
Last week, the city hosted an Advisory Services Panel from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) — a global non-profit research and education organization group of experts in disaster recovery funding, urban design, climate change resilience, and infill development.
After the nine-person panel engaged with residents, talked to local leaders, and assessed damages before presenting a set of recovery recommendations.
“Arts and culture are way too valuable to return to harm’s way,” said panelist and Harvard Business School professor John Macomber. He proposed a “RAD 2.0" — a long-term relocation to a safer site, using $30 million in CDBG-DR funding. Macomber also acknowledged that most artists can’t afford the “new build” rents, and many are hesitant to return for emotional and environmental reasons.
But that’s not all that was proposed for the arts community:
Creation of a creative incubator that provides business support services, technical assistance, and marketing support from educational institutions and nonprofits
Prioritization of affordable commercial leases for artists
Cannabis Infused Drinks Tasting | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel | $10 | Try out some infused beverages from DSSOLVR, Levity, and more.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band | 9 p.m. | Third Room | $15+ | The beloved local band will bring the funk, playing early tunes and new music in the immersive, art-filled space.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Second Chance Fest | 12-5 p.m. | Deep Time Cafe | Free | The coffee shop’s first festival will bring together more second-chance employers, community partners, and creatives for live performances, food, and back-to-school celebrations.
French Broad River Brewery’s 25th Anniversary | Saturday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 10 | 1-10 p.m. | French Broad River Brewery | Free | Cheers to a quarter of a century of great beer and a resilient staff with a weekend filled with live music and food trucks.
Silent Disco | 7-10 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | $10 | Dance + enjoy the vibes at this special event — tickets include a pair of headphones to rock out with.
Country Summer Series with Payton Smith | 6-8 p.m. | Wicked Weed Brewing | Free | Upgrade your IPA with Wicked Weed as they wrap up their country concert series with rising star Payton Smith.*
Sunday, Aug. 10
Seafood Paella at Jettie Rae’s | 12:30-6:30 p.m. | Jettie Rae’s | $55 | Feel like you’ve been swept to Spain during this meal of fresh shrimp, clams, mussels, pan con tomate, gilda, and more — your ticket includes a glass of Spanish wine.
Peggy Ratusz & Daddy Longlegs | 2 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company | Free | Peggy and her band will set the stage on fire with rock, blues, and swing tunes.
Monday, Aug. 11
Random Acts of Flowers | 12-2 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas NC Wellness and Opportunity Center | Free | Register to put together bouquets for folks in need of a smile.
After 318 days of rebuilding, Corner Kitchen is making its highly anticipated return to Biltmore Village on Monday, Aug. 11. In a social media post, the team said Corner Kitchen 2.0 is “filled with new stories, hidden time capsules in the walls, and still, at its core: welcoming, nourishing, familiar, home.”
Announced
Rock royalty Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are coming to Asheville to talk all about their new children’s book, “My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!” Grab a ticket for the reading and Q+A at Highland Brewing on Friday, Sept. 12 — the cost includes a signed copy of the book.
Award
Local artist Matthew Decker won Wicked Weed’s “You Deserve An Upgrade” contest, earning $10,000 toward rebuilding his art studio. During the community campaign, Decker received more than a dozen entries on his behalf, highlighting his commitment to the community.
Civic
The US Army Corps of Engineers has completed waterway debris removal in Asheville. For smaller-scale debris removal in lower-risk areas, the city will rely on state and federal programs and local non-profits. The city will also collaborate with Buncombe County to address long-term streambank stabilization.
Cause
If you want to help with stream cleanups, MountainTrue has volunteer opportunities and paid positions available through its new state-funded cleanup project. The city also has the Temporary Activation Program, letting volunteer groups help with erosion control, invasive species management, and community cleanup in Helene-impacted areas.
Biz
A survey of 700 WNC businesses by regional nonprofit Mountain BizWorks shows that each business experienced an average economic loss of $322,000. Despite challenges, most business owners said they were “very” or “somewhat confident” in their ability to recover. (Blue Ridge Public Radio)
Read
The Punch Bucket Lit Literary Festival is just over a month away, meaning it’s the perfect time to fly through a few more reads from the author lineup. Find passes for the whole fest or just the opening night rapid read.
Sports
This new bulldog is already a local. Asheville Christian Academy guard Ian Bailey committed to play basketball at UNC Asheville in 2026. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team + apply today.
Eat
Take a break from shopping and dig into comfort classics at The Whitman — the indoor-outdoor dining spot at the limited-time Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up. Pro tip: Be sure to book your table before it closes on Sunday, Aug. 10.*
Featured Home
Let us paint you a picture: 1.4 acres of trees and creek access in Swannanoa. Front and back porches for cozy coffee mornings. Detached two-car garage with 400+ sq ft of dedicated storage space. So, what do you think?*
Need a roof you can rely on? Use HomeBuddy to compare prices, read reviews, and get matched with local roofing pros. Get started for free.*
The Buy
Your new favorite pair of yoga pants:
🛍️ Under $150: For a show-stopping pair, Alo’s best-selling stirrup leggings feature a high-waist, sheer paneling, and a foot-hugging hem.
🛍️ Under $100: Snag lululemon’s classic Align yoga pants in trending colors like mystic pink and autumn rush.
🛍️Under $40: These butterluxe, high-waisted leggings on Amazon are rated 4.8 stars.
🛍️ Under $30: Move comfortably and securely in this Superflex high waist pair sold on Nordstrom Rack.
🛍️ Under $20: Want to try a wide-leg style? This best-selling pair is marked down for under $20.
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.
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