Imagine a space where community members can gather for business, attend cultural events like concerts and cookouts, and even soak in a neighborhood spa. That’s the vision of Blue Note Junction, a revolutionary, multi-phase project launched by Urban Peace Gardens founders DeWayne Burton and Safi Martin.
DeWayne Burton + Safi Martin, founders of the Urban Peace Gardens. I Photo by Catherine Siravantha
Named in honor ofEW Pearson — (aka the “Black Mayor of West Asheville”) and his store, night club, and community center that served as a building block of the Burton Street Community, Blue Note Junction aims to promote health, wellness, and economic security for the Affrilachian community in Asheville and beyond.
Safi Martin speaks about the Blue Note Junction plans. I Photo by Camille Nevarez-Hernandez
Currently in its first phase, the organizers have launched a capital campaign to raise $460,000 to secure the land through a mix of grant funding, investments + individual contributions. As of publishing time, the campaign has raised ~$130,000 and the crowdfunding will run through Fri., June 10.
The project is partly a response to an I-26 expansion plan. | Photo by Camille Nevarez-Hernandez
Here’s all that’s planned for the space:
A buy-local retail market that would feature BIPOC artists + community makers.
A commercial kitchen to support the culinary arts by way of healthy cooking classes and space rental for local chefs + aspiring food entrepreneurs.
A neighborhood spa that will includehot tubs, an outdoor sauna, and massage therapy.
A greenhouse and gardens that will serve as a teaching space + food source.
A community co-working space with various incubation + mentorship programs.
A black-box and multi-use theater space, plus classrooms and meeting rooms.
An outdoor venue with a stage + performance area.
What to expect next:
Once fundraising is complete, phase two will include construction, extensive community engagement, securing partnerships withlocal businesses + other key partners, and finally, a soft opening. Phase three will include a grand opening, plus the development of a long-term strategic plan.
Overall, the project is estimated at ~$5 million dollars and is aiming for completion at the end of 2026.
Annual Spring Fling | Wed., May 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy. | $35 | Help raise money for The Arc’s specialized summer camp scholarship fund.
Thursday
GRATEFUL SHRED | Thurs., May 12 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr. | $25 | Love the Grateful Dead? Check out this cover band. 🎵
Friday
2022 WNC Bigfoot Festival | Fri., May 13-Sat., May 14 | Various times | Downtown Marion | Skeptical about Bigfoot? Attend this festival and get all your questions answered.
Psychic Distance & The Unrealistic Narrator | Fri., May 13 | 1-4 p.m. | Virtual | $75 | Beginning + experienced fiction writers are invited to learn with bestselling author Lauren B. Davis. 📖
Saturday
The Tray Wellington Band | Sat., May 14 | 8:30 p.m. | Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. | $15 | Catch the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2019 Momentum Instrumentalist of the year. 🎵
Fiber Day | Sat., May 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy. | Free | Learn the process of making fiber art with an interactive demonstration. 🧶
Pasta and Croissants | Sat., May 14 |11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr. | $85 | Get ready to carb load and learn to make ravioli, fettuccini, and croissants. 🥐
Monday
Boys Middle School Open House at French Broad River Academy | Mon., May 16 | 9-10 a.m. | 1990 Riverside Dr. | Free | Learn more about the independent middle school, meet the School Director, visit with current parents + tour the riverside campus.*
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.
Forbes recently called Magic Mind “Silicon Valley’s new morning elixir.”| Photo provided by Magic Mind
Magic Mind offers an alternative for the 21st century. Its founder, James, wrote a best-selling book on nootropics (read: supplements that may help improve cognitive function) after a visit to the E.R. made him realize that caffeine was counterproductive for his health + productivity.
Ten years and 70+ formulations later (all backed by a star-studded scientific advisory board), Magic Mind was born. Try it risk-free with code 6AM for 15% off and a 100% money-back guarantee on your order.*
Pedestrian walkways are poised to come to Charlotte Street. The NC Department of Transportation is funding, designing, and buildingthe project, which will include crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and a right-turn lane along the eastbound off-ramp. The project was approved on the consent agenda at the council’s Tues., May 10 meeting. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Cause
After a two-year hiatus, The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive — the largest one-day food drive in the country — will take place Sat., May 14. Wanna help out? Just leave non-perishable food items next to your mailbox to be collected + distributed by local mail carriers. Get more info. 🥫
Community
Mark your calendars. Buncombe County Recreation Serviceswill open its five public swimming pools on Sat., May 28. Pools are open Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. The cost to swim is $3 per day. 🏊♂️
Asheville GreenWorkswill host its Hard 2 Recycle event in Weaverville on Sat., May 14 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring your old computers, broken appliances, and more to North Buncombe High School. You can also bring along old denim to be used for insulation for a Habitat for Humanity home. 🖥️
Try This
Shake off your stress and have some fun with Azul Community Dance from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Fri., May 13. Taking place at Jubilee! Community Church (46 Wall St.), this dance event invites folks to be present in their bodies while moving to help foster healing and build community + connection.
Twin Leaf Brewerywill host a Dog’s Night Out on Tues., May 17 from 5-9 p.m. On the agenda? Animal trivia, Mama Mel Mel’s Dog food, and a dog beer + human beer pairing. Best of all? A portion of the day’s proceeds will go to the Asheville Humane Society. 🐾
Plan Ahead
Want to be part of a talk show’s live taping? The Asheville Viewwill be taped at the Asheville Community Theatre at 11 a.m. on Sat., May 28, where you can catch hosts Aisha Adams, Kirby Winner, Myriam Weber, Tina White + Kahlani Jackson discussing equity and diversityin WNC. Get tix. 🎟️
Eat
Obsessed with RAD bakery Mother’s fluffy sourdough focaccia? Great news: owner Heidi is sharingstep-by-step instructions on how to make your own loaves at home. And this focaccia is extra flavorful: it’s made with truffle + artichoke sauce. Dig in, and remember, we’re always available for taste testing. 🍞
Listen
The second season of Venture Asheville’s podcast, Talking ’Ship, is now available. Hosted by Venture Asheville’s director, Jeff Kaplan, the podcast explores entrepreneurship in WNC via discussions with local movers + shakers. Up first? Clark Harris of LoLo Gifts. New episodes drop every Monday morning. 🎧
Asked
Reader Ali E. has asked which local spots accept donations of professional clothing? She’s not been able to find a local Dress for Success chapter and wonders where else she might donate work wear. Got ideas? Please let us know. 👔
Health
Stroke is a common concern when someone has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (or AFib). Cardiologist and electrophysiologist Chad Ward, MD, explains why and what you can do to lower your risk of stroke if you have AFib.*
Learn
In case you missed it, UNC Asheville recently announced its inaugural Asheville Ideas Fest is happening from Tues.,June 14-Sat., June 18. The fest will feature discussions by global thought leaders such as Fareed Zakaria of CNN Worldwide, environmentalist author Bill McKibben + more. Grab tickets here.*
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…if the juice don’t look like this. (Thanks, Lizzo).
We found ourselves positively parched upon seeing this vibrant seasonal beverage from the West Asheville coffee shop Odd’s Cafe. This thirst trap in a glass — the Matcha Sunrise — features orange juice, mango purée, and matcha blended with sparkling water for a sip that’s as lovely as it is refreshing.
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Editor’s pick: Did you enjoy today’s conversation about Blue Note Junction? If so, credit goes to our incredible intern, Camille Nevarez-Hernandez. Wanna shout her out? Holler at us and we’ll pass it along.
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