Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Here’s more of what’s going around, including the announcement of a new ping-pong pop-up event called Pong AVL. Read on:
-Pong AVL is the name of a new ping-pong pop-up event and ping-pong rental company by Asheville entrepreneur Jean-Michel Werk. Pong AVL will hold an event at The Grey Eagle from noon to 4 p.m. on April 29, where JOOLA tables (and paddles and balls) will be rented on the hour and half hour. Tables will be rented on a first-come, first-served basis. A 30-minute table reservation is $15 and 60-minute table reservation is $25. Reservation requests may be made in advance by emailing [email protected].
-Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams has declined to participate in an Asheville Citizen-Times voter forum ahead of the May 8 primary election, according to the newspaper. Williams, a Democrat seeking a second term, faces a primary challenge from Asheville attorney Ben Scales. With no Republican candidate in the November election, the primary will decide the winner of the race. Williams has faced criticism recently over his handling of allegations of excessive use of force against a former Asheville Police Department officer.
-Pete’s Pies has closed, the Asheville Citizen-Times reports.
-El Que Pasa is planning to expand its restaurant space on Patton Avenue, according to construction permits that have been pulled.
-Asheville author Charles Frazier’s new book Varina is out to mostly positive reviews. Frazier, the author of the lauded Cold Mountain, brings to life “the chaos and devastation of the Civil War through the story of Varina Howell, Jefferson Davis’s wife and widow,” according to a press release. Frazier will talk about his new book during a ticketed event held by Malaprop’s at 7 p.m. on Saturday at UNC Asheville.
-Just announced concerts in Asheville: Travis Tritt on June 14 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium; Kristen Chenoweth on Oct. 7 at the auditorium; The Cirque on May 2 at US Cellular Center arena.
–Static Age Records celebrated 14 years in business in Asheville, as well as a recent remodeling, this past weekend with tons of great music. Congratulations to Static Age Records!
-Asheville rock band the Stump Mutts has taken a stand against gun violence. The band, which includes Neal Ward, Derek Allen, John Lindsey and Patrick Wells, plans a fundraising event for gun control in May. More from the Stump Mutts:
We are all fathers. Three of us have middle school daughters. We have had enough. No more gun violence in our schools.We wrote a song the day after Parkland. It is called #SaveMe. The song debuted on all streaming platforms on April 3, 2018. We are hosting a fundraising event called “This is Not a Drill” on May 27 at the Salvage Station in Asheville with The Styrofoam Turtles and middle schoolers, Uncle Kurtis. 100% of proceeds from the song and the event will be donated to Everytown for Gun Safety – Everytown.org
Not Pete’s Pies!!! I was planning my next lamb sandwich!! Closed for good or hopefully, moving to a more visible storefront?