The Trial to Table events are a chance to test the taste and practicality of the trial crops.
Photo via The Utopian Seed Project
Among its many programs, the Utopian Seed Project designs trials around different crop varieties — sometimes for open-minded exploration, sometimes for the needs of the region. Beyond the crops’ resiliency, they’re also delicious — and you can get a taste of some of the nonprofit’s work this weekend.
The season’s first Trial to Table event is this Saturday, Aug. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Mule. Some of Asheville’s most talented chefs will be cooking up small plates, including Chef Nick Barr of Chai Pani, Chef Jamie Wade of Sand Hill Kitchen, and Chef Tie Whittaker of Buttermilk Boutique.
Cat Academy: Cat Trivia | 6 p.m. | Archetype Brewing | Free | See how well you know your feline facts — prizes from The Love Cats are up for grabs.
Aaron Irwin TRIO | 7-10 p.m. | Little Jumbo Bar | Free | Wind down for the day at one of the best bars in the country with a cocktail and some live music.
Tuesday, Aug. 12
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $50 | The rotating musical collective is famous for fabulous swing and jazz renditions of your favorite iconic tunes.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Golden Folk Sessions | Wednesday, Aug. 13-Monday, Dec. 15 | Times vary | The Grey Eagle | $12.30 | Six artists will each perform three-song sets during this intimate evening of folk music.
Thursday, Aug. 14
Summer Send Off Sip and Shop | 3-6 p.m. | Biltmore Park Town Square | Free | Stores will have special beverages, light bites, and new fall fashions to discover.
Friday, Aug. 15
2025 Asheville Film Festival | Friday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Aug. 17 | Times vary | Asheville Masonic Temple | $10+ | Wear your comfy clothes for three days of screening short indie films and documentaries — then on the last night, sport your finest ‘fit for the Awards Night gala.
Downtown After 5 | 5-10 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | Asheville’s beloved community concert series wraps up for the season with a ‘90s country theme, complete with Mustache the Band, a Best Boots Competition, and a Dolly Parton lookalike contest.
Saturday, Aug. 16
Come to Leicester Studio Tour | Saturday, Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 17 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Various locations | Free | Grab a map and embark on a self-guided tour of the workspaces of talented painters, ceramicists, sculptors, and craftspeople.
The Black Cat Market AVL | 2-7 p.m. | Eulogy | Free | Shop racks on racks of vintage clothes to find your new favorite piece for fall.
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In a Facebook post, the Town of Lake Lure shared that the famous Lake Lure Flowering Bridge will soon be removed after sustaining severe structural damage during Helene. The volunteer group behind the bridge says they will create new gardens and continue to host educational activities and events.
Coming Soon
The NC Mountain State Fair is almost here, and this year, there are plenty of new acts to dazzle you. Pompeyo’s Amazing Dogs Show of “America’s Got Talent” fame will show off their captivating canine crew from Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 14. (WLOS)
Family
A handful of openings still remain for Buncombe County Parks and Rec’s Fall Family Campout at Lake Julian Park, Saturday, August 16 to Sunday, August 17. Register your fam for a night of s’mores and sleeping under the stars.
Real Estate
Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission recently gave the OK to a nine-story luxury condo complex planned for the South Slope’s Church Street. Unit prices range from $1.5 million to $3.5 million. Next, the project will go before the Technical Review Committee for a final review. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Eat
Chefs Mallory Foster and Brooke Adams are bringing plenty of fun, flair, and fully loaded focaccia to The Rhu. The team is keeping the ethos of Rhubarb by bringing top-notch, farm-fresh food, but offering a unique twist with weekly pancake specials, biweekly grilled cheese days, and a revamped sandwich menu. (Mountain Xpress)
Civic
Buncombe County has brought on UNC Asheville grad Daysha Chaney as the new County Manager Fellow. According to Assistant County Manager DK Wesley, Chaney will have a key role in public safety communication, development of the Swannanoa Small Area Plan, and planning property revaluation communication.
Featured Home
This million-dollar Montreat new build looks straight out of Architectural Digest: Contemporary, classy, and packed with luxe features. Wide windows overlooking the mountains, and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace for that cozy cabin feel. Get ready to gasp.*
Show
Curated and hosted by 19-time GRAMMY winner Béla Fleck, this all-star celebration of “all things banjo” brings genre-bending brilliance to the Blue Ridge. Big names, big sound, one night only: Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Buy tickets.*
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for this show. | Photo via Montford Park Players
We’re about halfway through the Montford Park Players’ Season of Lunatics, Lovers, and Poets, which means if you haven’t caught a show, you’re long overdue for a visit to the starlit stage.
The theater, considered to be the oldest community-based Shakespeare theater in NC, has just begun its fourth of six plays.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights through Saturday, Aug. 30, the theater will perform “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the ultimate secret admirer story by Edmond Rostand. And as is tradition, all performances are free (although donations are very much appreciated).
Here’s what else will grace the stage this season:
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.
I’m just here to reiterate that the Trial to Table events really are as delicious as they sound. Sometimes I still think about the fried okra, ‘nduja and corn pizza, and popsicle flight that I dined on at one of the summer events in 2023.
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