Thankfully, the Asheville contingency was successful. | Photo via NPS
This week 90 years ago, construction began on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Cumberland Knob, near the VA state line — and this week 38 years ago, the Linn Cove Viaduct was finished, completing all 469 miles of America’s Favorite Drive. Though the parkway is central to Asheville today, history nearly left the city out of the loop.
The original parkway plans
Today, the parkway runs from the southern terminus of Shenandoah National Park’sSkyline Drive in VA to US Route 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee. But the original 1930s plan had the parkway turning at Blowing Rock, extending into the Unaka Mountains and TN, which would have bypassed Asheville entirely.
With Asheville’s economy shattered by the Great Depression, city representatives and leaders from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce lobbied for a new route that would bring visitors to the Land of the Sky. What ensued was a battle between NC and TN, each fighting for its share of what would become America’s most-visited national park.
Music Video Asheville | 5:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $25+ | Screen 25+ music videos from local musicians and filmmakers before live voting for the People’s Choice winner.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Bike-in Cinema | 7-9 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing Asheville | Free | Every Thursday in September, bike to the brewery for a flick — this week, it’s “The Goonies.”
Friday, Sept. 12
Open Hearts Art Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration | 5-8 p.m. | Open Hearts Art Center | Free | Celebrate the organization’s milestone in empowering adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the arts with refreshments, music, a photo booth, and special staff exhibit.
BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival | Friday, Sept. 12-Saturday, Sept. 13 | 7-10 p.m. | Wortham Center for Performing Arts | $22+ | Experience high-altitude thrills from the comfort of the theater — proceeds benefit MountainTrue.
Saturday, Sept. 13
Asheville Botanical Garden Fall Native Plant Sale | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Asheville Botanical Garden | Free+ | Drop by to explore a bounty of native plants for sale, with proceeds supporting the garden.
Hard-2-Recycle | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | North Buncombe High School, Weaverville | Free | If you have old technology, books, or food-grade styrofoam lying around, take it to the experts who will give it new life.
RAD Resilience | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | River Arts District | Free | The art event is rooted in healing and strength, with many artists showcasing pieces created in direct response to the storm — expect live music, food trucks, artist talks, and an interactive project.
🎹 Marking a milestone of resilience with community + music
Presented by Asheville Symphony Orchestra
This will be the first of seven “Masterworks” performances for the symphony’s upcoming season. | Photos provided by Alex Avrumchuk and Emanual Ax
The Asheville Symphony will strum the first notes of its 2025-26 Masterworks Series on Saturday, Sept. 20, as the community reflects on a year since Hurricane Helene.
Masterworks 1: Eroica will honor our shared community resilience, opening with a piece commissioned for the occasion entitled “The Things We Say to Death,” composed by Asheville Symphony’s own Amber Ferenz, Second Bassoonist.
World-renowned guest
A very special guest artist will also be in attendance: American classical pianist Emanuel Ax.
Audiences have only two opportunities to experience this moving Masterworks performance — Saturday at 2 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. A portion of net proceeds will directly benefit the River Arts District Artists Foundation.
Find tickets online or by calling the symphony’s box office at (828) 254-7046.
The installation is open daily at 172 Riverside Drive in the RAD.
Photo by Emily Clanton
Arts
This Saturday, Sept. 13 at RAD Resilience, an art event marking one year since Helene, artist Emily Clanton will activate her participatory installation, “The Ties That Bind Asheville” at Local Cloth’s grand reopening. Stop by to tie fabric strips into a living “garden of resilience.”
Community
The Shiloh Community Association recently celebrated the grand opening of the Shiloh House, right next to the community garden, which will serve as a local resource center. Through this Sunday, Sept. 14, the association is holding its annual historic community celebration. See the full schedule of events, including the signature Shiloh Legacy Gala. (WLOS)
Eat
You probably can’t cook like James Beard Award winner Ashleigh Shanti, but you can eat like her. The Good Hot Fish owner recently wrote an Asheville dining guide for the James Beard Foundation, highlighting some of her favorite local dishes, like Gan Shan’s Mapo Tofu and Hot Dog King’s bologna sandwich.
Environment
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission warns that black bears are particularly hungry this time of year as they prep for colder months, when less natural food is available. Like, seriously hungry — this time of year, bears can gain anywhere from 20% to close to 100% of their summer weight. Better brush up on those Bearwise basics.
Plan Ahead
Blue Ridge Audubon’s annual Swift Night Out returns to the roof of the Harrah’s parking garage downtown on Thursday, Sept. 25. Folks will gather around 6:45 p.m. to watch Chimney Swifts swirl overhead and roost into nearby chimneys. In past years, crowds have seen between 3,000 and 4,000 swifts in one night.
Cause
For its annual Find the Good Day this Saturday, Sept. 13, the Junior League of Asheville is constructing Little Free Libraries at Tanger Outlets, Salt Face Mule, and Budgie’s Bakeshop, with more to come in the future. Want to support or suggest a location? Learn how to get involved with the women’s leadership org.
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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.
Anyone up for a September star gaze? The folks from the Astronomy Club of Asheville are hosting one of their bimonthly public star gazes this Friday, Sept. 12 at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County.
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