Ah, graduation season — a time for reflection, celebration, and (if we’re being honest) sheer terror about the next chapter of life. In honor of all our local college graduates, we’re placing the thinking cap on the other head (i.e., thosewho havebeen there and done that).
Here’s a collection of advice + well wishes for everyone who’s gone through the hassle for the tassel — congratulations, grads. 🎓
Congrats to Warren Wilson College’s grads, graduating this Sat., May 7. | Photo by Mary Bates
“You are doing better than you think. You are smarter, stronger, more courageous and funnier than you know. If the world makes you doubt it, call your mom. She thinks you are effin’ amazing!” — Kate Pett, Executive Director of Thrive Asheville
“Be ready to walk through the door that suddenly swings open for you when you thought you were traveling somewhere else. That doesn’t mean you should abandon your heart’s true dream, or that you can’t grieve its loss if you do have to move on, but just know that it might come back in another form you don’t recognize just yet.” — Ali McGhee, PhD and 6AM City Culture and Team Development Leader
UNC Asheville’s commencement takes place this Sat., May 7. | Photo via @unc_asheville
“Invest in your creativity. Even if your creative pursuits don’t earn you money, give them time and attention. It’s absolutely OK (and essential!) to treat your artistic endeavors with the same consideration — and value — you treat your for-profit job.” — Alli Marshall, Founder of AM/FM Broadcast and author of “How to Talk to Rockstars”
“Don’t feel locked into the path you’ve chosen straight out of college. Go out, enjoy as many experiences as you can, whether in work or play (or both if you can find a job that combines them), learn what makes you happy and then follow that path!” — Angie Robinson, VP of Darby Communications
Dana and Susan Robinson | Fri., May 6 | 7 p.m. | Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. | $20 | Rock with this Americana roots and folk duo.
Chamber Challenge 5K | Fri., May 6 | 4 p.m. | Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Montford Ave. + Virtual | $40+ | Local businesses compete in a 5K race to promote wellness. 👟
Saturday
East Fork x Gospel Ice Cream Pop-Up | Sat., May 7 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | East Fork Pottery, 15 W. Walnut St. | Free | Stop by the shop to sample the artisanal ice cream that’s been the talk of the town — and get a free pint if you’re one of the first ten customers.
Steep Canyon Rangers’ Free for All | Sat., May 7 | 5-9 p.m. | Pack Square | Free | Asheville Downtown Association presents a concert featuring this local Grammy Award-winning American bluegrass band, plus food + beer trucks on site.
Honey Badger Bakes Pop-Up Bagel Shop | Sat., May 7 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | cup of jomo, 110 Black Mountain Ave, Black Mountain | Various prices | Celebrate cup of jomo’s one-year anniversary with an array of bagels, including plain, everything + rye caraway, plus your choice of lox, bacon egg and cheese, or scallion cream cheese toppings.
Master Gardener Plant Sale | Sat., May 7 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Interchange Building, 59 Woodfin Pl. | Free | Consult with expert rosarians while shopping for own-root, fragrant, miniature, and old garden roses.
Sunday
Pisgah’s 17 Year Anniversary Party | Sun., May 8 | 6-11 p.m. | Pisgah Brewing Company, 2948 US Hwy 70, Black Mountain | $17+ | A night of funk and rock music with the Pimps of Joytime and Travers Brothership, featuring special guest Karl Denson.
Film: Southern Rites | Sun., May 8 | 2 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Sq. | $15 | Watch this film that visits a historic election campaign in Montgomery County, GA, one year after the town merged its racially segregated proms.
Farmers Market | Sun., May 8 | 12-5 p.m. | Historic Biltmore Village | Free | Catawba Brewing + Biltmore Village are partnering for their first-ever farmers market in the shopping district.
Mother’s Day Brunch at La Bodega | Sun., May 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | La Bodega by Curate, 32 S. Lexington Ave. | Free | Join La Bodega’s Mother’s Day brunch celebration, complete with tableside mimosas and Spanish pastries along with the full menu (walk-ins only, no reservations). 🥂*
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.
Popcorn lovers, meet Opopop’sFlavor Wrapped Popcorn Kernels: A completely new take on microwave popcorn where each kernel is individually coated in flavor.
Try the Discovery Kit to sample seven different flavors, including Maui Heat, Cinnalicious, Salted Umami, and Vanilla Cake Pop. Bonus: Kits include a reusable microwave popper (and we know Ashevillians love sustainability).
Use code 6AMCITYfor20% off. You may never go back to regular popcorn again.*
Thundercat, an LA-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known for his Grammy Award-winning album “It Is What It Is,” will perform at Rabbit Rabbit on Sat., Aug. 27. If you’re trying to groove, we recommend setting an alarm for today at 10 a.m. when ticket sales go live.
Open
Recline & Unwind Social Spa is officially open for business. In an effort to make spa services more accessible, the Social Spa offers shorter, lower-priced sessionsof massage + mineral salt soaks, along with more robust packages. Bonus: there’s also foot soak, scalp massage, and hand + arm massage offerings for kids. 🛀
Development
A proposal for a new Ingles grocery store on Patton Avenue will soon go before Asheville City Council for final approval. The development plan, which totals more than 100,000 sqft in retail space + several additional retail spaces, requires conditional rezoning to move forward. Share your input. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Eat
Prep those stretchy pants. Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive now offers Saturday and Sunday brunch, with items like brisket potato hash, grits n’ greens (read: pimento cheese, collard greens, fried egg + bacon), bananas foster french toast, plus mimosas, bellinis, and a bloody mary bar. See the full menu. 🍳
Arts
Local author Robert Turner will celebrate the debut of his book“Lewis Mumford and the Food Fighters” at a virtual launch event on Thurs., May 19, 7-8:30 p.m. The event, hosted by Firestorm Books & Coffee, will feature Robert in conversation with food systems researcher + writer Laura Lengnick. Register to attend. 🌽
We’re all fired up about this exhibit. The WNC Woodfire Ceramics Invitational arrives at The Madison County Arts Council Thurs., May 19-Wed., June 8. The event brings together established + emerging makers who use wood-fired kilns to make ceramic pots, bowls, vases, pitchers, sculptures, and other clay art. 🔥 (The Laurel of Asheville)
Cause
Are you the type to help? The Blood Connection has an urgent need for O negative blood donations in the Asheville area. Find a donor center or mobile unit — or call 864-751-1154 to set up a donation.
Holiday
In need of a last-minute gift for Mom? Check out our Mother’s Day gift guide to see local gift ideas recommended by you — our readers — for all of the mother figures in our lives before the holiday this Sun., May 8.(Hint: what Mom wouldn’t want a professionally cleaned house?)
Award
Western Carolina University’s Robotics Team recently placed third in the IEEE SoutheastCon Open Hardware Competition. Take a behind-the-scenes look at what went down during the competition. 🤖*
Outdoors
DYK? During the iconic sequence of Forrest Gump’s cross-country run, there’s a portion where he’s actually running up Asheville’s Grandfather Mountain. Pro tip: Watch for when a crowd of followers starts pursuing Gump as he runs up what is known today as Forrest Gump Curve (on the main road to the summit). 👟*
Pro tip: Sign up for the North Carolina Arboretum’s
Learn and Grown newsletter to learn about Adult Education Classes(think: botany, meteor viewing, tai chi + more) andget regular updates on all things Arboretum via the Arboretum Explorer. 🌳*
Content marked with a * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Comb through your calendar and make sure you’re free — because this party sounds like the bee’s knees. On Sun., June 5, the Salvage Station is partnering with the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs to host the inaugural AVL Honey Fest.
What you can expect: gobs of honey (including the judging of the 11th Annual International Honey Tasting Contest), live music from Queen Bee and the Honeylovers and Chikomo Marimba, family-friendly + bee-centric activities, plenty of vendors, and an opportunity todress up as a pollinator.
Bonus: All proceeds support the Center for Honeybee Research’s mission to protect bees, the environment, and the world’s food supply.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick: It’s hard to believe my own graduation from Florida Southern College was seven years ago (Go Mocs).
My advice for local graduates? Enjoy the ride. There will always be uncertainties and things to stress about, but there’s also plenty of joy to be found around every corner. Hold your friends close and give yourself credit for all the wonderful things you’ve already accomplished.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Pedal back this way for a flower guide that’s pollinated with local flower sales, workshops, and farms.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
