It’s the first day of August and our calendars are already brimming with fantastic local events. Because we’re hoping to run into y’all one of these days, we’re sharing a taste of the exciting festivities that await us this month in the 828. See you there?
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival | Thurs., Aug. 4-Sat., Aug. 6 | UNC Asheville, Lipinsky Hall | $20+ for adults | Celebrate the traditions of Southern Appalachian music, dance, and storytelling.
Chow Chow | Thurs., Aug. 4-Sun., Aug. 7; | Various locations + prices | This month’s lineup of culinary events includes afree screening of Ratatouille, a “Cooking with Scraps” seminar, and a campfire-themed tasting event.
Asheville Comedy Festival | Wed., Aug. 10-Sat., Aug. 13 | Various locations + prices | The14th iteration of this laugh-a-thon features shows, workshops + other professional development opportunities.
Sourwood Festival | Sat., Aug. 13-Sun., Aug. 14 | 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Downtown Black Mountain | Free | Celebrate themagic of bees + local sourwood honey with live music, hundreds of vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Land of the Sky Burlesque Festival | Fri., Aug. 19-Sun., Aug. 21 | The Grey Eagle | Various times + prices | This three-day festival welcomes cabaret, variety + other performers from across the country.
LEAF Down By The River| Sat., Aug. 20 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | The Outpost, 521 Amboy Rd. | Free | This celebration of Asheville’s rich local music tradition — which has relocated to a new riverside location — features soul, old time, folk, hip hop, Americana, blues, and Appalachian roots.
Night in the Country | Thurs., Aug. 25-Sat., Aug. 27 | Tryon International Equestrian Center | $160+ | See superstars likeDarius Rucker, Jon Pardi, and Dierks Bentley at this three-day country music festival.
Zilicoah Session Fest | Sat., Aug. 27 | 2-8 p.m. | 870 Riverside Dr. | $45 | Spend the day celebrating the art of full-flavored yet easily sippable beers.
Peruvian Food Pop-Up | Mon., Aug. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Ayni 51 will serve a vegan menu of Peruvian food that includes mushroom anticuchos, tamales, and causa.
Tuesday
National Night Out | Tues., Aug. 2 | 5:30-8 p.m. | 339 New Leicester Hwy. | Free | The Sheriff’s Office is partnering with The Partnership for Substance Free Youth to collect unneeded or expired medications for safe disposal at this event.
Buncombe 2043 Comprehensive Plan | Tues., Aug. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library | Free | The public is invited to drop in and share input, ideas, opinions, and concerns that will help shape Buncombe’s 20-year plan.
Wednesday
ZZ Top | Wed., Aug. 3 | 8 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $52+ | This classic American rock band plays in Asheville as part of its Raw Whisky Tour.
Music to Your Ears | Wed., Aug. 3 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr. | $10 at door | This music discussion series, led by local author Bill Kopp, focuses on the career history of Grammy-winning bass player and special guest Jim Fielder.
Andrew Duhon | Wed., Aug. 3 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $15+ | This singer-songwriter, who has been likened to John Prine and Jim Croce, plays as part of his Emerald Blue Record Release Tour.
Thursday
Business After Hours | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit | Free | Make new business connections while enjoying tunes from local DJ Molly + beer, wine, and pizza from Asheville Brewing Company.
Friday
Cruel Summer | Fri., Aug. 5 | 9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $20 | This all-ages dance party celebrates the music of Taylor Swift.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Fresh squeezed lemon + cold water oysters. Name a better duo. | Photo provided by The Lobster Trap
Whether you’re hosting a big event, planning a wedding, or looking to raise the (sand)bar at your next neighborhood cookout, it may be time to look to the sea for some inspiration.
The Lobster Trap — AVL’s favorite local seafood restaurant — is now offering oyster catering, giving Ashevillians the chance to serve the ultimatecrowd-pleaser.
Dive deep into the refreshing flavors of the ocean without the stress or hassle of self-sourcing and shucking. A private oyster shucker is included in every package (read: the only thing your guests have to worry about is how many oysters they can fit on their plate).
Want to take it to the next level? The Lobster Trap also offers fresh, coastal shrimp that can be added to any oyster catering package.
With acommitment to sustainable seafood practices + earned recognition for providing high-quality seafood, every bite from their catering menu is sure to win you the Best Host Ever award. 🦐 *
79º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain
Biz
Forza X1, an electric boat company, has announced it will invest $10.5 million to relocate its manufacturing + product development operation to Marion. The company says this move will bring 170 new jobs to McDowell County, with an average salary of $51,047. 🛥️
Eat
Now this sounds cool. The Blind Pig Supper Club will celebrate its 11th anniversary with the Strange Magic masquerade — a special, six-course culinary event that will be filmed live by Bon Appétit Magazine. The event takes place Fri., Aug. 12 and features chefs from Jargon, Zambra, and beyond.
Looking for some grub, hold the gluten? We get it — that’s why we made our guide to gluten-free food in Asheville, with over 30 restaurants for you to try. There’s gluten-free bread, pancakes, burgers, and pizza all over this city — plus, grain-free folk, there are options for you, too. 🍔
Arts
Snaps for The Dark City Poets Society. The group celebrates the first anniversary of Poetry Night on Tues., Aug. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. at Mellie Mac’s Garden Shack (204 Black Mountain Ave.). Follow the group on Instagram to stay updated on events — writers of all skills + ages are welcome.
Ashevillians
Can you name nine NC Music Hall of Fame musicians who hail from Asheville? Check out these icons in our hall of famers guide, where you’ll find household pop, bluegrass, and hip-hop names to drop at parties. 🎵
Cause
The Blood Connection is partnering with the Asheville Tourists to host a blood drive at McCormick Field this Thurs., Aug. 4 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All donors will receive two free tickets to a future game and a Dug Out mug. ⚾ *
Job
Are you a healthcare professional who can get behind Range Urgent Care’s mission to disrupt the status quo in healthcare by providing a simplified, transparent + respectful healthcare experience? Check out current job openings to apply to be Range’s next mover + shaker.*
Featured Home
Beautiful home in Fairview on a private 1+ acre lot | 3 BD, 3 BA | $475,000 | Located 20 minutes from AVL, this move-in ready home offers a large wrap-around porch, hardwood flooring + three bedrooms (each with its own en suite bathroom). 🏡 *
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HISTORY
From the archives: Zealandia Castle
Photos courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections and Elena Wofford
Did you know there’s a hidden castle tucked away up on Beaucatcher Mountain?
This pebbledash, Tudor Revival-style property is said to be modeled after Haddon Hall in England — but its original owner John Evans Brown actually named the estate after New Zealand, the place where he made his fortune.
Over the decades, the 130+ year-old building has been remodeled, expanded, disassembled, and partially abolished (the latter due to the construction of I-240). Today, it’s owned by a vacation resort business — and while it’s not currently open for viewing, you can always take a virtual tour.
REWARDS
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Editor’s pick: I’m particularly excited for the Chow Chow events happening this weekend. I’m planning to attend the Tamale workshop + the Around the Campfire tasting event. Hope to see you there.
Missed Friday’s newsletter? You don’t wanna miss the epic back story of the Cherry Bounce, NC’s unofficial state drink.
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