Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around at the end of the week, including a fundraising push by the organizers of Asheville’s Moth StorySLAM, a popular monthly storytelling event.
–The Moth’s storytelling series in Asheville, known as Moth StorySLAM, is vying to win its own podcast by trying to be the city that raises the most cash for The Moth. Here are the details, from loyal reader Sara:
Asheville, one of the newest and smallest cities to have its own Moth StorySLAM, launched last September at West Asheville’s The Mothlight with support from WCQS and has celebrated a year of unprecedented success, with month after month of sold out events.
The Moth’s first-ever Battle of the SLAMs is a competition in which 20 SLAM cities will vie with each other to win a podcast episode about their city. Each city will have one week to play, and the city that raises the most money per capita wins! Your contribution will be matched by a generous sponsor, Sonos.
This week, you can help Asheville to win its own podcast, featuring all Asheville storytellers, by making a donation to the Moth anytime before Monday October 24th at noon. Here’s how:
Text SLAM to 71-777 and be sure to select Asheville on the donation form drop down menu or visit igfn.us/form/_ggXNA to give. Donors will also receive Moth promotional merchandise for contributions $10 and over
–Asheville, aka Beer City, has a cool wine scene, the Wall Street Journal reports.
-Have you seen the Disgruntled Bartender blog? It’s pretty funny, penned by Asheville photographer Sandlin Gaither, who also works as a bartender at the Grey Eagle. Check out his “Top Ten Things Overheard While Bartending a Shooter Jennings Show.”
-Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine spoke at UNC Asheville on Wednesday. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will speak at the WNC Ag Center on Friday.
–The ServSafe food safety class is being offered Nov. 1 at Comfort Suites/Outlet Center Mall. The cost is $124. Go here for more info.
–Jeff Arnal is the new Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center executive director. Learn more about him here.
–All nine of Asheville’s South Slope Breweries will brew a Devil’s Night beer and will offer it for sale on Oct. 30 from 3 p.m. until closing, according to a press release. Each special Devil’s Night beer will be released simultaneously at 3 p.m. at each brewery. There will be other surprises and events, but each brewery decides individually how they will celebrate the night, says the press release.
–Aloft Asheville Downtown plans to host two events to benefit local partner Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue. The first event, Paws & Pumpkins, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. at The Millroom in downtown Asheville. The second will be the hotel’s Live@Aloft event, which will be held on Aloft’s rooftop Air Level on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 5 until 8 p.m. More:
The Paws & Pumpkins event, which is made possible in part by Starwood Specialty & Select Brands, will include a Howl-o-ween theme and invites guests to attend in costume. Tickets are available for $20, and the event will include a Family Feud gameshow competition with teams sponsored by local businesses and organizations and a silent auction complete with an array of local items and packages including a package with two tickets to the Bob Dylan concert and a night at the Aloft Hotel. The event will also include live music from The Juan Benavides Group and BBQ and wings. Drinks will be available for purchase through The Millroom. Charlie’s Angels will have two dogs available for adoption at the event.
The Sundays Live@Aloft event will feature live entertainment from Goldie and the Screamers, an Asheville-based soul and neo soul band. The event is open to the public and a suggested $5 donation will benefit Charlie’s Angels. Guests can enjoy local craft brews, cocktails, light snacks and spectacular mountain views surrounding downtown Asheville. The event will feature a dog costume contest, and the winning dog and their owner will be awarded a one-night stay at Aloft Asheville Downtown.