Hey Asheville. Editor Laura here. 👋 I don’t know about you all, but I would do close to anything for a good laugh. Here at AVLtoday, we gave April Fools Day some very sincere consideration. Should we hit them with some #fakenews?Report that Asheville is changing its name to Zebulon B. Vance?Or issue a statement that Mayor Manheimer is stepping down to become a professional wrestler? Ahhh, the possibilities.
After a ridiculous brainstorm session, we decided we best leave the tomfoolery in the hands of the experts — our local comedians. So today we are catching up with the stand-up comedy scene in Asheville + looking at how local comics and event producers are transitioning back into the world of performance now that COVID-19 restrictions are dialing back.
Photo by Michele Scheve
Note: As of March 31, venues have been cleared for 50% capacity per Gov. Roy Cooper’s latest executive order. Read on below to learn more about local comedy acts to follow, as well as a few upcoming standup shows and recurring events.
Silent Rooftop Stand-up Comedy at Rabbit Rabbit (75 Coxe Ave.) This imaginative, near-weekly series takes place Thursday evenings on the rooftop of the Rabbit Rabbit venue downtown. The show, which is facilitated “silently” through bluetooth headphones, is the product of longtime local producers Slice of Life Comedy and Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge. Hosted by comedian Cary Goff, the act includes 8 comics who perform sets up to 10 minutes long. There’s also a short open-mic segment at the end of each show for anyone who wants to take the leap. Find more information about the upcoming April 8 showhere.
Fun fact: The Disclaimer Lounge, which was first launched in 2010 by Tom Scheve + Cary Goff at the bar inside the Asheville Airport, is one of the oldest comedy organizations in Asheville.
Photo by AVLtoday Staff
Brunch of Jokers at The Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave.) Kicking off April 4, The Grey Eagle will host “Brunch of Jokers,” a monthly stand-up comedy/brunch special on its patio,.” Hosted by comedy veteran Jason Scholder of Marquee Comedy, it will take place on the first Sunday of every month from 12–2 p.m. Shows are 18+ and feature adult comics. Purchase tickets here.
Modelface Comedy (Various venues) The Modelface team has stayed busy throughout the pandemic with a DIY-style “Front Porch” comedy series that took place in producer Melissa Hahn’s driveway. Now, Hahn — who previously hosted a regular stand-up series at LaZoom Room and Fleetwood’s + helps produce the Asheville Comedy festival —is just starting to piece together her comedic roster for the coming year. Already though, she has shared that the first show of the year will be April 10, 8 p.m. at Fleetwood’s and feature NYC-based comics Mara Wiles and Kevin O’Brien. Find more details here.
Why did the Ashevillean cross the road?
Because that’s where the CBD shop is, duh.
To get to the half-off granola special.
To see where the new proposed boutique hotel will be built.
Because the sidewalk was torn up for construction.
Weather ○ 39º | Partly Cloudy/Wind | 18% chance of rain ○ Cover your plants, gardeners.Temps in WNC are expected to dip into possibly freezing temps thanks to a Canadian cold front, bringing a hard freeze + thunderstorms along with it.🌡️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Civic ○ In response to community feedback, the City Council’s retreat will be streamed live online + on TV. Today’s discussion will take place from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Wanna check it out? Tune in through the City’s Virtual Engagement Hub or YouTube channel, which will offer the entire retreat for viewing by 5 p.m. on Fri., April 2. 💻
Health ○ Thanks to an extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Special Enrollment Period, the deadline to sign up for health insurance has been extended to Aug 15. Plus, many people’s monthly premiums may go down or be eliminated. Need help figuring it out? Make a free appointment with Pisgah Legal. 📋
Community ○ The 2021 Independent Monitor Meeting for HCA(Mission Health System) will be held Wednesday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m. The event is open to WNC communities + will allow questions.Register to attend the virtual event. 🏥
Coronavirus ○ Check out the latest COVID-19 stats for NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Wednesday afternoon, 16,432 cases and 302 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. See more Buncombe County-specific info, including waitlist numbers and vaccines distributed, here.
Number ○ 1,200. The number of artists’ works featured in thePeregrine Collection, a time capsule on the moon’s surface. One of them is Fairview nativeKimberly Dow, whose works “Minstrel” + “Beguiled,” will be included. Dow will be in the first group of women to have artworks featured on the moon. 🌙
Edu ○UNC Asheville has pledged to becarbon neutral by 2050. The university will have to conduct a yearly greenhouse gas inventory + develop a climate action plan. It joins five UNC System schools + over 400 colleges + universities by signing the Carbon Commitment. 🌎 (WLOS)
Featured ○ Asheville-based environmental nonprofit Dogwood Alliance was featured on the cover of Politico Magazine earlier this week. The org was highlighted for its work combatting the biomass industry in NC. Want to learn more? Dig into it here. 🗞️
Arts ○ Artisphere, presented by TD Bank, is happening May 7-9 in Greenville, SC. This year’s festival will feature 100+ artists and be safe, small, and socially distanced, spanning four blocks of S. Main Street. The festival is ticketed + gated this year in order tomanage crowd size — tickets are available now. 🎨 Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus.
Fresh from the Moog Sound Studios comes a new + original genre-bending compilation of electronica that features big musical talent like Bonobo, Jamila Woods, Peter CottonTale + more.
‘Explorations in Analog Synthesis’ is now available to stream for free on SoundCloud. Each track showcases the respective artist’s Moog instruments of choice and runs the gamut in its musical range, including everything from R&B-influenced pop to industrial tinged-electronic to an “evolving psychedelic excursion from Dan Deacon.”
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#MUSTDO
Show ○ Act Casual| Thurs., Apr. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd. | $5 Cover | Blues, funk, long instrumentals + catchy songs. 🎶
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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Answered: Y’all know how to come out swingin. We asked what number Nate Shaver occupies as the latest manager for the Asheville Tourists, and almost 45% of you guessed correctly: he’s number 65. Well done, team.
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