Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Your guide to weekend fun in Asheville.
All weekend
Asheville Percussion Festival
“Tradition to Innovation”: There will be concerts & workshops with master teachers- Jamey Haddad (Paul Simons percussionist), David Cossin (tours with Sting) and other local and regional teachers. Topics include performing, improvising and composing.
Info: ashevillepercussionfestival.com
Friday
FR (6/8), 8-midnight – A live letterpress party will feature Jessica White and Heroes and Criminal’s Press, along with music by Banjo Shawn Galbaith and the Alex Krug Combo. Steampunk attire encouraged. Held at Lexington Ave Brewery, 39 N. Lexington Ave. $7. Info: http://avl.mx/gh. [comment / share]
(6/8), 7pm – Tales and Ales, a storytelling open mic, will be held at Anam Cara Collective, 203 Haywood Road. Free. Beer and wine available for suggested donation. Info: www.anamcaracollective.com. [comment / share]
- June 8, 2012
- Location: Craggy Dome Overlook (MP 364.1)
Join Parkway rangers for an easy to moderate, 1.5 mile roundtrip hike on the Craggy Pinnacle Trail to learn more about the plants that make Craggy Gardens special. Meet at the Craggy Dome Overlook (MP 364.1), just north of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Bring water and a snack, wear good walking shoes, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.
Saturday
- June 9, 2012
- Location: Highland Brewing Company
- Address: 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, NC 28803
- Venue: Highland Brewing Company
A day of bluegrass and beer in Highland Brewing Company’s meadow. Kruger Brothers, Sons of Ralph, Buncombe Turnpike, Sanctum Sully, Southern Crescent will perform.
10am-6pm – Hip Thrift, 201 Haywood Road, and Anam Cara, 203 Haywood Road, will host festivities in their parking lots as part of the RAD Studio Stroll and West Asheville Open Studios tour. Event will feature an art opening, body painting demos, hula hooping and more. Free. Info: www.hipthrift.org or www.anamcaratheatre.blogspot.com. [comment / share]
June 9, 11am – 3pm
Greenilfe, 70 Merrimon Ave, Asheville (
map)
DescriptionThis will be an adoption event with BWAR and other fun things happening! From 11am-3pm there will be BWAR dogs for adoption, a vendor fair, doggie day wash area, dog food samples, and treats! Also from 11am-1pm Sparky the firedog from the Asheville Fire Dept will be there! Then at 1pm there will be a costume contest on the patio for your furry friends to participate in!! Mark your calendars for a fun Saturday adopting a new best friend!
- June 9, 2012
- Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center
- Address: 13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Venue: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Calling all families, friends, raft guides and river-rats! Teams of four will test their mettle in a five-mile down-river race from Ferebee Park to NOC. Teams will also negotiate a series of giant-slalom gates through Nantahala Falls and perform other feats of raft guide acrobatics to vie for the title, “Fastest on the Nantahala.” All gear and equipment will be provided by NOC. Competitors must be at least 7 years of age and weigh at least 60lbs, as per Forest Service regulations.
- June 9, 2012
- Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center
- Address: 13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713
- Venue: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Join us for a day of family fun as we celebrate 40 years on the water with Nantahala Outdoor Center. The day’s festivities will include kid’s activities, games and contests with the Nantahala Racing Club, reptile show, courtesy of Balsam Mountain Trust,the inaugural Nantahala River Raft Race, special screening of Kent Ford’s historic “Call of the River,” speeches by NOC’s founders and live music by the river. And don’t forget the cake!
The Taste of Opera
This fifth main stage event explores the greatest repertoire of opera. Food, wine, and music will compose your evening as you experience the grand feast of the world. Your ticket includes delectable tastes from an array of fine restaurants from the Asheville area and an exclusive venue experience at the Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center. This year we feature musical selections which highlight our upcoming season. The Taste, a one-of-a-kind event continues to draw appeal and delight from a variety of audience members throughout Western North Carolina
- June 2, 2012 – September 1, 2012
- Location: Prichard Park
- Address: Downtown Asheville, Asheville, NC 28801
- Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Saturday
Ooh La La Curiosity Market is a new artist’s market to take place in Pritchard Park, located in the center of beautiful downtown Asheville and will showcase the work of more than a dozen local artists. Ooh La La will feature works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas.
Sunday
- June 10, 2012
- Location: Thirsty Monk
- Address: 92 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
- Venue: Thirsty Monk
Get on board for Baby Gramps! – One night only! Baby Gramps is a high energy humorously entertaining performer with an endless repertoire. He plays acoustic antique resonator National Steel guitars, and sings his own unique arrangements of rags, jazz, & blues songs from the 20’s & 30’s, folksongs, and many originals with wordplay, humor, and throat singing. He appeals to a wide range of audiences from folk to jamband to punk to old timey traditional and to kids of all ages.
Sat & Sun
- June 9, 2012 – June 10, 2012
- Location: River Arts District
- Address: Clingman Ave. at Lyman St., Asheville, NC 28801
- Venue: River Arts District
At the Studio Stroll in Asheville’s River Arts District, all of the gifts are locally handmade and one-of-a-kind. Visit the artists’ studios and find special gifts for family, friends, and yourself. The first, largest, and most walkable tour of working artists’ studios in the region, the River Arts District Studio Stroll takes place in 19 historic buildings along the French Broad River. There will be artists’ demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the weekend.
- June 9, 2012 – June 10, 2012
- Location: West Asheville
- Address: Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the vibrant arts community in West Asheville. The area is quickly becoming one of the city’s most vibrant arts centers. The tour begins at the east end of Haywood Road (just up the hill from the River Arts District) and continues along the street to the interstate bridge.
Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association Spring INN Asheville Tour of B&Bs
Members of the Asheville Bed and Breakfast Association will hold a spring tour of 15 inns.The tour is also celebrating the local food scene in the Asheville area by partnering each B&B with a restaurant using local products.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), an organization that supports local farmers and creates links between growers and consumers.
- June 9, 2012 – June 10, 2012
- Location: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
- Address: 240 Clingman Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
- Venue: Jonas Gerard Fine Art
- Recurrence: Recurring daily
Come join us during the bi-annual Studio Stroll on Saturday and Sunday, June 9th and 10th, at 2:00pm, as artist Jonas Gerard paints live! This improvisational painting performance to lively music is an enlightening and educational experience for art lovers of all ages and a phenomenon not to be missed! After the show, meander through the gallery, view new and past works, large and small pieces, ceramic art tiles, sculptures, mugs and more. There is something for the whole family to enjoy!
You can also come out on Sunday at 2pm to watch the Asheville Tourists and support LIVESTRONG at the YMCA at McCormick Field! Help ‘paint the park yellow’ in support of cancer survivors all over and enjoy some family fun!
I’m exhausted just reading about all of it … let the fiesta season begin!