Ashvegas weekend July 20-22: French Broad Cycling Classic, Downtown After 5, Craft Fair & more

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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It’s the warm-up weekend to Bele Chere. Let’s get it started!

ONGOING

Asheville Tourists home games all weekend

THE MAGNETIC FIELD: No She Didn’t

THE “NO SHE DIDN’T! COMEDY DANCE SHOW” WILL BE AT THE MAGNETIC FIELD, IN ASHEVILLE – ON JULY 20, 21, 27 & 28, AT 10:00P.  THE SHOW FEATURES LISA ZAHIYA & KATHLEEN HAHN.   THE MAGNETIC FIELD IS LOCATED IN THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT.
828.242.7595     www.lisazahiya.com      7/20-21,   7/27-28

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC
Thursday – Saturday: 10am to 6pm; Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Admission: $8; Children under 12 free
Info: 828-298-7928
Over 200 Exhibitors
For four days each July and October, the US Cellular center in Asheville, NC comes alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts. Over 200 craftspeople fill the two levels of the center selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry.

HARD TRAVELIN’ WITH WOODY

  • July 18, 2012 – July 22, 2012
  • Location: North Carolina Stage Company
  • Address: 15 Stage Lane, Asheville, NC 28801-2835
  • Venue:  North Carolina Stage Company
North Carolina Stage Company’s Catalyst Series presents a special one-weekend run of Hard Travelin’ with Woody, a one-man show written and performed by Randy Noojin.  Based on the musicy words and wordy music of Woody Guthrie.  Noojin’s Hard Travelin’ with Woody was produced in the 2011 New York Fringe Festival.WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY RANDY NOOJIN. IT RUNS JULY 18TH THROUGH 22ND, WITH EVENING PERFORMANCES AT 7:30 WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, AND A MATINEE PERFORMANCE AT 2:00 ON SUNDAY.
828-239-0263   www.ncstage.org  7/19 – 7/22

Brief Encounters: NEW MAGNETIC VOICES 2012

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS: NEW MAGNETIC VOICES 2012, THE MAGNETIC THEATRE’S SECOND ANNUAL EVENING OF ORIGINAL SHORT PLAYS, WILL OPEN ON JUNE 30TH.  THE PROGRAM FEATURES NEW PLAYS, SOME BY WRITERS WHOSE WORK IS BEING STAGED FOR THE FIRST TIME.  PERFORMANCES ARE THURSDAYS THROUGH SATURDAYS, JULY 5TH THROUGH THE 21ST.  ALL PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 7:30.

828-674-2036      http://www.themagneticfield.com/events      7/19 – 7/21


THE FRENCH BROAD CYCLING CLASSIC (FBCC)
Location: Various Locations Around WNC
Address: See website for locations
Times: See website for full schedule
Admission: Each Event is $35.00, see website); Free to public. Best viewing will be during the Sunday Criterium.

The French Broad Cycling Classic (FBCC) is a 3-day bicycle stage race (Omnium), directed at promoting amateur racing in the U.S.A., and traditionally occurs on the 3rd weekend of July. The FBCC is presented under the direction of the Asheville Bicycle Racing Club (ABRC), one of the oldest and most established amateur race clubs in the Southeast (founded in 1984). ABRC operates under sanction and license by USA Cycling, the official American cycling organization, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Cycling Union (UCI). Free to public. Best viewing will be during the Sunday Criterium. 8:00am-6:30pm. See web site for Category Race start times.

The FBCC offers racers a 3-day Omnium (stage race) across 3 specific race disciplines (time trial, road race and criterium), attracting well over 600 racers from across an 8 state radius (NC, SC, VA, TN, KY, GA, AL, FL) with scores of others from across the U.S.A. With professionals, national champions, rising junior and women’s racers in attendance, crowds are privileged to see some of the most competitive bicycling racing in the United States.

  •  July 20th, 2012 (Friday)-20 km Time Trial-near Marshall, NC along River Road. Starts at 5pm-Ends around 8:00pm.
  • July 21st, 2012 (Saturday)-42 mile Road Race from Marshall to the top of Walnut Mountain (4059′ of climbing). Starts at 8:00am-Ends around 2:00pm.
  • July 22nd, 2012 (Sunday)-Criterium in River Arts District-10 categories of racers; varying race lengths. Starts at 8:00am-Ends around 6:30pm.

FRIDAY

DOWNTOWN AFTER 5

THE ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION PRESENTS “THE 2012 DOWNTOWN AFTER 5” CONCERT SERIES.  ALL OF THIS YEAR’S CONCERTS WILL BE AT NORTH LEXINGTON AVENUE NEAR I-240.  THE JULY 20TH CONCERT FEATURES “SOL DRIVEN TRAIN” WITH OPENER “COMMON FOUNDATION.”  THE CONCERT RUNS FROM 5:00 TO 9:00.

soldriventrain.com facebook.com/commonfoundation 

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY HIKE OF THE WEEK

  • July 20, 2012 – July 20, 2012
  • Location: Blue Ridge Parkway
  • Address: Fryingpan Trail pullout at MP 409.6, , NC
  • Times: 10:00 am
  • Admission: Free
  • Contact: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center
  • Phone: 828-298-5330 ext 304
  • Visit Website
Join Parkway Rangers at 10 am on Friday, July 20th for an easy to moderate, 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to the Fryingpan Tower. We’ll look for summer wildflowers on the way up and learn more about the history of the tower and the life of a fire lookout at the top. Climb the stairs for stunning 360° views! Meet at the Fryingpan Trail pullout at MP 409.6, 1 mile south of the Pisgah Inn. Park at the gravel Forest Service Road, but don’t block the gate. Bring water, wear good walking shoes, and be prepared for changeable weather.

Phuncle Sam
Pisgah Brewing
9 p.m.
Free show

Since their formation in October of 2004, Asheville NC based, Phuncle Sam has been firmly rooted in musical exploration. Phuncle Sam is Asheville’s own Improv~ Americana, Dead~Centric “jam band” Over three years of intense jamming and rehearsing finds Phuncle Sam with an ever-expanding body of original music. The band will also serve up quintessential interpretations of Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead and many others.

Watermelon Day at the WNC Farmer’s Market

Asheville, NC
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Free watermelon slices for all and drawings for free watermelons and prizes.

The Whiskey Grins with Bear Down Easy at the One Stop
Genre: local Bluegrass/Folk/Americana
Cover: $5
Ages: 21+
Event Listing: www.ashevillemusichall.com/music-schedule/event/whiskey-grins/

THE WHISKEY GRINS
The Whiskey Grins are an upbeat Appalachian country rock quintet featuring guitarist and vocalist Kelly Hannah, mandolin/guitar player and vocalist Richard Barrett, bass player Sean McFee, drummer Patrick Stacey and violinist Ellie Schwarz.

Ellie and Kelly began jamming together several years ago on back porches and in the living rooms of friends. Sometimes Ellie would sit in with Kelly & Sean’s rock band, Kung Fu Dynamite. Eventually the duo was hired to perform a wedding ceremony that was to consist of all Widespread Panic cover tunes. A motivation to get together and rehearse turned into a weekly event, and Kelly and Ellie started to jam more and more.

In the fall of 2009 Luella’s BBQ in Asheville, NC invited Ellie and Kelly to play a casual set once a month, and because their food is so good, the pair took the job. They began to notice that most of their rehearsals and the Luella’s gigs happened to fall on Thursday nights. And the name of their first band was born…Little Friday.

When Richard Barrett and Ellie reconnected an old friendship from their high school days in Georgia, Ellie knew he would be a great addition to the duo, and so he came on board. Richard comes from a musical family, specializing in bluegrass, gospel and jam band music, Richard rips on the mandolin!

As the sound progressed, so did the style of music the band was writing and performing. With many original songs by Barrett and Hannah the band felt the need to kick things up a notch and so they brought in their buddies Sean McFee on electric bass and Patrick Stacey on drums. The addition of these rockers helped fill out the sound and turn this once bluegrass acoustic duo into a powerhouse alternative Country band with a bluegrass feel, a rockin’ soul and a lot of smiles!

Get out your shot glasses, put on your dancing shoes and fill up your heart with The Whiskey Grins!

Website: www.facebook.com/pages/The-Whiskey-Grins/185555314880328

BEAR DOWN EASY:

Bear Down Easy was forged in October of 2006 by five ambitious musicians eager to explore the realms of acoustic music, combining original tunes with traditional bluegrass, folk, gospel, and blues. Bear Down Easy lives and performs in Asheville, NC putting smiles on faces everywhere they play. Members include:

Andy Burke – mandolin, guitar, vocals
Chris Weller – bass fiddle
Bryan Foster – banjo
Richard Barrett – mandolin, guitar, vocals
Paul Stroebel – fiddle, vocals
And friends…
Christian Ferri, Jackson Dulaney

Website: www.myspace.com/beardowneasy

check out a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnO7VRDlT5g

Downtown Asheville Drum Circle
Bring your hand drum, pick up the vibe and let go with spirit at one of Asheville’s major outdoor events with more than 50 drummers and dancers.
Pritchard Park, Downtown Asheville

Comedian Stewart Huff at Elaine’s Piano Bar, July 20, 2012 at 8 p.m.

Disclaimer Comedy is proud to present comedian Stewart Huff at Elaine’s Piano Bar inside the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, at 8 p.m. on Fri., July 20, 2012. There is no cover for this weekly comedy event which is followed by a dueling piano show at 9:30 p.m.

“Stewart is one of the best comics working today. [He] may be one of the best comedy writers America has seen since Woody Allen. He is able to pull comedy from subjects that shouldn’t be able to illicit anymore jokes. In his current act, he has a 15 minute joke about a kid taking a penguin from the zoo. Can any of the readers out there make even one joke about that?” — Darrin Hensley ,the Examiner

Currently touring theatres, comedy clubs and special events across the country, Stewart Huff reaches past the norm for his genuine — and genuinely unexpected — comedy. His knack for embracing the foibles of humanity and his refreshing originality make him as likeable as he is hilarious. A storyteller at heart, Huff continues to amaze with his clever material and personal wit.

Huff has performed in comedy clubs nationally and internationally, including the Improv in Los Angeles and New York, the Punchline in Atlanta and the Funny Bone in Omaha, as well as countless others. A finalist in the 2006 Boston Comedy Festival, Huff was also invited to perform in the HBO Las Vegas Festival, where his act can be viewed on pay-per-view.

He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his girlfriend. There he drops off the various items he collects while on the road, including an antique barber chair, countless vintage photographs, and an extensive collection of LP’s. She likes this.

To learn more about the man who young children call “Mister Huff,” please visit http://stewarthuff.com/

Asheville Humane Society Kitty Adoption/Fundraiser at The Hop West
July 20, 2012 5:00 pm
50% of sales will be donated to the Asheville Humane Societyduring the event, plus there will be several kitties looking for a forever home on The Hop West’s back patio.

DJ Pauly D at Harrah’s Cherokee
SHOWTIME: 10:00PM
Harrahs Event Center at Harrah’s Cherokee

Known best as a television personality as a housemate on MTV’s highest-rated reality Jersey Shore, DJ Pauly D is now making his mark on the music world. DJ Pauly D released his first single “Beat Dat Beat” back in 2010. Since then, DJ Pauly D has been a busy guy, opening on select dates for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour in 2011. He has been recognized by many publications for his music skills, including VIBE Magazine’s “Top 6 DJs Who Rocked 2011.” DJ Pauly D also announced a new three-album deal with 50 Cent’s labels G-Unit Records & G-Note Records.

SATURDAY


NOC’S CANOE CLUB CHALLENGE

  • Location: Nantahala Outdoor Center
  • Address: 13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City, NC 28713
  • Times: Registration 10:00-10:50am; Competitors Meeting 11:00am
  • Admission: FREE
  • Contact: Zuzana Vanha
  • Phone: 828-488-7285
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Visit Website | View Venue
Whitewater slalom is about precision paddling and pushing your skills to the next level. Looking to mix up your regular paddling routine? We have just the thing: a challenging course set on un-intimidating whitewater and a fun, social atmosphere. Come by yourself, with your club, or with a couple of friends. The Canoe Club Challenge is open to everyone, and you’ll have so much fun, you won’t even notice all the new skills you’re learning. There are three components involved with this event, a new downriver race, canoe slalom race, and a kayak slalom race. Race registration is FREE and will be held at NOC’s Slow Joe’s Café from 10:00 to 10:50am. All competitors must complete a waiver and registration form, and are limited to participation in two classes. Classes are subject to a minimum of three athletes. Registration will be followed by a mandatory pre-race competitor’s meeting. Walk-ons and late-registrants will not be scored. Please check out our website www.noc.com/events for a full schedule of the event. Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have further questions/comments. We hope to see you there!


SANCTUM SULLY w/ MOUNTAIN FEIST: Jack of the Wood

9pm $7

Traditionally untraditional is how Sanctum Sully has described themselves since the release of their first album. With a new studio effort in hand, Trade Winds, these Asheville stringers are ready to show audiences just what that means. By creating their own niche in the acoustic world, Sanctum Sully has gone from raw bluegrass jammers to a polished, five piece outfit that not only churns out rich, original mountain sounds during their energetic live performances, but has also been recognized as one of Western North Carolina’s best bluegrass bands. (Mountain Xpress, 2010 & 2011)

sanctumsully.com/
reverbnation.com/mountainfeist/

A Moveable Feast: Biltmore Estate

Join us on July 21 for an evening of al fresco dining and wine brought to you by Estate Executive Chef Damien Cavicchi. The “Southern French Countryside” menu will be served at our feasting table located at a secluded vista in the Biltmore vineyards.

Tickets are $185 per person and include tax and gratuity. In the event of rain, dinner will be held on July 22, 2012. For reservations, please call (828) 257-5995.
View Menu

Fosterpalooza:

SA (7/21), 1pm – The Asheville Humane Society will host Fosterpalooza, featuring information from current foster families and animal toy-making crafts for children. Held at the Asheville Humane Society adoption center, 14 Forever Friend Lane. Free. Info: [email protected][comment / share]

Stories on Asheville’s Front Porch:

10:30am – Storytellers Michael Reno Harrell and Wallace Shealy will perform at Stories on Asheville’s Front Porch in Pack Place’s Rhino Courtyard. Enter through the corridor off Biltmore Ave., near Marble Slab Creamery. Held rain or shine. Free. Info: www.packplace.org. [comment / share]

Kovacs and the Polar Bear w/ Baby Rattlesnakes & Can’t Kids
9 p.m.
Emerald Lounge

It’s time for a summertime Friday night celebration! Come whoop it up with us, Baby Rattlesnakes and Can’t Kids, ’til the break of dawn (assuming break of dawn is 2am). We want to bring the jams to you and yours, so get you and yours to the Emerald Lounge.
This is a 21+ (age, not IQ) show. Sorry, young’ns

Hop Harvest Tour And Sampling

The Hop’n Blueberry Farm in Black Mountain NC is announcing its 2nd annual Hop Harvest Tour and Sampling. This event will be held at the farm on July 21, 2012 and will feature the farm’s hop operation where participants can see hops and how they are grown. Then you will be able to sample how their hops actually taste in a newly released beer from Pisgah Brewing Company brewed from hops produced from their farm.

The Hop’n Blueberry Farm is one of the first farms in North Carolina to produce hops commercially and has become well known for their participation in providing hops to the local and thriving craft beer industry in the Asheville, NC area. They have been featured in many publications both locally and nationally including the Wall Street Journal. They have also been featured on television and soon at the Sundance Film Festival as part of a documentary on the craft beer industry.

Four years ago, they partnered with Pisgah Brewing Company for their production of the truly unique “wet” or “fresh hop” beer. A fresh hop beer is made from hops picked fresh off the vines at Van Burnette’s farm and are added to the boil within minutes after the pick. His farm is only 5 miles from Pisgah Brewing Company, so it is as fresh and local as it gets.

This differs from traditional beers where hops picked and dried months before they are distributed to breweries coming all the way from the Northwest coast of the US.

The event will feature a sampling of “Burnette’s Fresh Hop” beer after the tour of the hop yard. The beer will not last long, so this is a unique opportunity to see and smell hops on the vine, and then taste a very aromatic fresh hop beer in the glass. This year OB Joyful Hop Farm in Arden, NC has added their tasty Chinook hops to the brew as well. After the tour, participants can travel a short distance to Pisgah Brewing Company where they can visit and taste more of this beer or any of their other great products.

Tickets are only $8 and can be purchased at the farm on the day of the event. Cash only. The tour starts at 1 p.m. and will last until 2:30 p.m. when folks are invited to Pisgah Brewing Company to buy more of their other tasty taps.

SUNDAY

Folkmoot Festival 2012
Folkmoot USA Website
July 22, 2012
1:30 PM

Folkmoot USA presents an exclusive all-group cultural dance and music event in downtown Asheville featuring performers from New Zealand, Belgium, France, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, Ukraine, Serbia and Hawaii, USA. As North Carolina’s Official International Festival, Folkmoot is celebrating 29 years of bringing the world’s cultures to audiences in Western North Carolina July 18 – 29, 2012.

Celebrating 30 years in 2013, the Folkmoot Festival is a two-week celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features over 70 performances, a parade and workshops by up to 300 performers from about ten countries.

Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and traditional music. During its 28-year history, over 300 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at the Folkmoot Festival.

Tickets: Adults $30 (20% off groups with 20 or people), Children $15

NO TASTE LIKE HOME WILD FOODS ADVENTURE: EARTHAVEN ECOVILLAGE

  • July 21, 2012
  • Location: Earthaven Ecovillage

Ready to go wild? Join Alan Muskat, Asheville’s “epicure of the obscure,” as he takes you out to eat — outside, that is. Discover nature’s supermarket as you learn how to safely find, identify, appreciate, and maybe even eat morels, chanterelles, ramps, paw paws, persimmons, and other “exotic” native delights. It’s a unique experience in find dining, a memorable lesson in high-class survival.

The day begins with your outdoor shopping spree. On this wild gooseberry chase, you’ll learn about wild edibles, medicinals, dyeing with mushrooms (that’s D-Y-E) and more, all with The Mushroom Man’s unique blend of stories, poetry, wit and wisdom. That night, enjoy your catch of the day at Asheville’s award-winning Zambra Tapas Restaurant. Wood nettle ravioli, sassafras root beer, tiger lily tamales, mushroom “mocha” ice cream… it all depends on what you find. It’s Survivor meets Iron Chef Appalachia, and you get to be the judge.

This summer and fall, go off the eaten path and experience the life of a modern hunter-gather firsthand. You’ll discover how easy it is to take in the landscape. Walks are short and easy; all forages are for all ages. Alan’s introductory e-book is included so there’s no need to take notes.  Beyond organic, closer than local, WILD is the final food frontier. Forage ahead!

Once you register, you will receive an email detailing location and directions.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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