Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-Asheville entrepreneur Brett McCall is seeking crowdfunding to open VRooom, a place that allows people access to the new virtual reality technology that’s starting to catch on. Most of that technology is not accessible to most people, notes McCall, who has launched an indiegogo page for VRooom. He’s seeking $17,600 to buy equipment, including two HTC Vives, lease space and more.
-Tonight, (Tuesday May 2) at 6 p.m. at Odyssey School, there’s a program about how to teach children about racism and racial justice.
-Asheville City Schools has launched a new website to help students, parents and the public keep up with a $25 million repair and renovation project at Asheville High School. The first phase of the work includes: main building, ROTC and varsity gym exterior facade repairs, main building and ROTC roof replacement and structural repairs, varsity gym exterior cleaning and repairs, new roof and fire alarm.
-The YWCA of Asheville will celebrate its 110th anniversary from 6-8 p.m. on May 11 at UNC-Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The celebration will “honor those who have been a part of the YWCA of Asheville’s rich history, highlight those currently making a difference and share a vision for our future,” according to a press release. The event, which is open to the public, will include a reception and the program showcasing the YWCA’s partnership with UNC-Asheville’s History Department and Ramsey Library Special Collections.
-A new hydration therapy clinic is open in Asheville at 1378 Hendersonville Road.
-Members of the fiber community of the Southern Highland Craft Guild will gather to share their knowledge and skills on May 13-14 during Fiber Weekend at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
-Asheville GreenWorks will host Tire Amnesty Days—Free Tire Collection on May 13-14 in the Sears Parking lot on Tunnel Road. Here’s more from a press release:
At this free-to-the-public event, Buncombe County residents are invited to bring out any type of tire, on or off the rim, to be recycled for free. Collection runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Tire Amnesty Days are geared towards members of the public residing in Buncombe County. Area businesses that need to dispose of tires should contact Asheville GreenWorks at 828-254-1776 for more information. Buncombe County residents unable to attend Tire Amnesty Days can dispose of tires Monday through Saturday at the Buncombe County Landfill located at 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. Volunteers are also needed to help staff the Tire Amnesty Days May 13 and 14. Those interested in volunteering should email [email protected].
-Diana Wortham Theatre has an amazing line-up of entertainment for May. Here’s a look:
Diana Wortham Theatre’s Mainstage Series presents Free Planet Radio, Friday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. This performance features the winners of DWT’s 2017 Emerging Artists Fund Scholarship. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Diana Wortham Theatre’s Mainstage Series presents Susan Werner, Saturday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
The Amazing Acro-Cats, Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Sacred Music Concert with Snatam Kaur, Monday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Land of the Sky Chorus presents A Cappella Fest, Saturday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
The Muses of Terpsicorps, Sunday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra presents its Spring Concert, Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Diana Wortham Theatre’s Mainstage Series presents Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violinist, Friday, May 19 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Diana Wortham Theatre’s Mainstage Series presents the Tannahill Weavers, Saturday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
Asheville Ballet presents Spring Into Dance: A Movement Bouquet, Friday & Saturday, May 26 & 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
The Asheville Academy of Ballet 2017 Showcase, Saturday, May 27 at 1:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. Tickets/Info: 828-257-4530 or
www.dwtheatre.com.
-Also, Diana Wortham Theatre recently announced the winners of its 2017 Youth Education Scholarship Emerging Artists Fund student scholarship winners. They are: Gennie Basset (Owen High School) for dance; Devin Jones (SILSA) for spoken word poetry; Felisha McCurry (Erwin High School) for vocal performance; and Cameron Robinson (SILSA) for musical theatre. The four winners are each awarded a $1,000 scholarship to the school of their choice, and their talents will be showcased during a special concert on Friday, May 5, featuring Free Planet Radio at the Diana Wortham Theatre. The concert is also a fund raiser for DWT’s Y.E.S. Fund.
