Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around:
-The Asheville Regional Airport announced today that Allegiant would begin offering a nonstop flight between Asheville and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport beginning in May. Here’s the press release:
Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announces service between Asheville and our nation’s capital via Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). The company, known for its exceptional travel deals, is offering one-way fares to Baltimore for as low as $39.*
“We’re thrilled to offer this new, low-cost nonstop opportunity to visit the Washington, D.C. area,” said Jude Bricker, Allegiant senior vice president of planning. “We’re sure Asheville area travelers will take advantage of this exciting new service to enjoy all that the capital has to offer, and we look forward to bringing more visitors and economic growth to the D.C. area.”
The seasonal flights will operate twice weekly and will fly nonstop between Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and Baltimore / Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) beginning May 19, 2016 through Aug. 16, 2016. The flights provide the only nonstop option for Asheville area travelers to visit the Washington, D.C. area. Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com.
“Allegiant has grown significantly in their four years at Asheville Regional Airport, and has been embraced by the western North Carolina region,” said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., executive director. “It is exciting to welcome additional growth, especially to the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area—one of the top requested destinations by air travelers in our area. We anticipate excellent utilization of this service, and we also look forward to welcoming visitors from Maryland to Asheville.”
As a gateway to Washington D.C. and the entire Mid-Atlantic region, Baltimore offers travelers easy access to experience all that our nation’s capital has to offer. From its celebrated museums and monuments to world-class shopping and dining, Washington D.C. has become one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in the U.S. Asheville travelers can book their entire Baltimore / Washington vacation for less at Allegiant.com.
Allegiant offers a unique travel option to Asheville travelers. Focusing on low-cost leisure travel, the company provides customers with low base fares averaging nearly half of the cost of the average domestic round-trip fare. Allegiant’s innovative business model has allowed the company to grow from one aircraft and one route just over a decade ago, to providing convenient, affordable service in over 100 communities nationwide.
*About the introductory one-way fares:
Seats are limited. Price includes taxes and fees. Fares are one way and not available on all flights. Must be purchased by Jan. 13, 2016 for travel by Aug. 16, 2016. Price displayed reflects purchase by debit card; purchase by credit card subject to surcharge not to exceed $8 each way per passenger. See Allegiant.com for details. For optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com. Additional restrictions may apply.
-There’s a great art opening on Friday at the Asheville Area Arts Council gallery in the Grove Arcade. It’s called The Asheville Stockyards: From Brownfield to Brewery and it features works by Ken Abbott, Zen Sutherland, Lisa Smith, Elaine Bleakney and Rob Murphy. The exhibition is free.
-There are some new acting classes being offered at NYS3 in Asheville. Here’s the info:
In advance of the 2016 Spring school semester, NYS3 – The Meisner Acting Conservatory for the Southeast, is hosting their Free Winter Workshop Series from Jan. 25-28. The workshops are open to the public and available to anyone –for the serious acting veteran looking to hone their craft, to the inexperienced novice, to the simply curious.
People who wish to participate may take as many of NYS3’s eleven free introductory workshops as they like. Available workshops include: Meisner Acting Technique, Improv, Filmmaking, Movement for Actors, Alexander Technique, Acting as a Business, Voiceover, Script Analysis, Voice & Speech, Auditioning, and The Artist’s Way for Actors. Class sizes can be limited so early registration is strongly encouraged.
NYS3 is the premier destination in the southern United States for Sandford Meisner acting technique training and development. NYS3 offers a complete, two-year Meisner program for the serious, aspiring actor as well as a la carte classes for those who are looking to polish their acting skills or for anyone wishing to simply try something new that will enrich their lives.
Visit nys3.com for details and registration! http://bit.ly/1kf5JzL
–The Grove Park Inn is hiring a new public relations and special events coordinator.
-The Real Food Truck in Asheville is trying to raise $5,000 from the public to stay afloat.
-Downtown Books and News on Lexington Avenue is hosting a night of great experimental music at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. From Asheville Grit:
Downtown Books and News, Asheville’s coolest used bookstore, hosts an evening of world-class experimental music, books, and art on Wednesday, January 13th at 7:30 pm. DBN is quickly becoming a venue to watch for cutting-edge music and art, and this show is a further entry in their already impressive list of events. Asheville-based Oggetto (Frank Meadows, Michael Flannery, and Carmelo), electronic music and installation artist Jake Meginsky, and Bill Nace and Ed Yazijian will perform.
Organizer Patrick Kukucka is particularly excited about this show. “The touring acts are really world class experimental musicians that have collaborated with a number of other big name composers and musicians, like Kim Gordon, Alvin Lucier, and Joe McPhee.” The line-up is, indeed, luminous.
-UNC Asheville and The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design have partnered to launch the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship:
The new center will create an all-in-one ecosystem to coalesce business resources and training programs to support student and community innovations and craft products. This initiative is supported by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, with an initial grant of $716,500.
The three-year investment includes funding for pilot programming, operational support, and facility improvements toward the renovation of The Hive AVL, a shared regional resource center for academic institutions and the location of the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship. The project constitutes the second phase of CCCD’s redevelopment project at 67 Broadway in Asheville known as The Hive AVL.
“The Center for Creative Entrepreneurship will be the Asheville area’s hub for product incubation, design thinking and creative sector entrepreneurship,” said CCCD Director Stephanie Moore. “It’s the first product incubator program for makers in the area and will serve as a cornerstone for makers in the region, particularly the students and early-stage makers who will benefit from professional connections, entrepreneurial resources, and the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty and visiting artists.”
-Asheville Brewing Company announces the release of two British band-inspired beers. From the press release:
