AVL LIFE

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It's the weekend again and you know what that means? We've rounded up just a few of the best events in town for you to check out. So get out and have some fun.

Luzius Stone's Album Release Show @ The Mothlight > Friday March 20
Self-described “mountain boy” and “electronic art rock”-er Luzius Stone is finally unleashing his long-awaited album at his album release party this Friday at the Mothlight.

Sarah Merrell > Changing Asheville's Fashion Game
Sarah Merrell is an Asheville based marketer and event planner, has a strong passion for fashion – and Asheville – and over the last few years has combined her skills to work towards elevating and growing the local fashion community and industry.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It might be a little rainy and gloomy, but it's finally starting to feel like Spring is peeking its head out, so pack the puffy coats away and get outside. We've rounded up some of this weekend's picks.

Into the Fire with Chef Mark Rosenstein - An Asheville Food Pioneer
Chef Mark Rosenstein is widely seen as sort of one of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement in Western North Carolina and is at his best when he is creating and cooking, with fire. We find out what he's up to now and even get him to share one of his delicious recipes.

The NEW Wedding Industry > Why Change is Good
Asheville is well known as a desirable wedding destination. But how has our community embraced and invested in the new wedding industry? What local vendors and resources are available for same-sex couples looking to marry in Asheville?

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
Looks like Asheville is finally starting to shake off the worst of the winter (hopefully?!) and it's time to get out and enjoy the first weekend in March. Here is a small list of suggestions of what to do in and around town.

My First Bikram Hot Yoga Class
The class began and as I looked around I was shocked. Everyone was half dressed. Tiny shorts and even tinnier sport bras. Grown men and women with stretch marks and beer guts, completely baring their bodies with no shame. It was incredible and empowering. I was already liking this.

Asheville Bars Invited to Enter Bar Wars AVL 2015
It's time to enter! Ten Asheville bars will get to pick a nonprofit to represent while they compete for best Bar Wars AVL cocktail 2015.

Tickets On Sale for the 6th Annual {Re}HAPPENING
The 6th annual {Re}HAPPENING takes place on Saturday, April 4th from 3pm to 10pm on the grounds of the former Black Mountain College at Lake Eden and tickets are now on sale. This unique, multimedia, truly experiential event is a must for any art lover.

Let the Kids Run Wild at Mountain Play Lodge
With snow and more cold (and snow) headed for our area, we escaped our cabin fever by visiting Mountain Play Lodge where you can get out of the house and let kids be kids

North Buncombe High Wrestlers Winning Big
Last weekend my son Aydan Arroyo won 2nd place in the NC High School State Wrestling Championships and is the only wrestler from North Buncombe High's history to make it to the State Championship as a sophomore.

3rd Annual Soumu at New Mountain > Friday March 20
Lush Life and Zansa present Asheville's 3rd Annual Soumu at New Mountain Friday, March 20, 2015 at New Mountain. It will be a celebration of African Music, Dance, Food, and Culture. A party for all ages.

Why I Celebrate Black History Month
You don’t have to be Black to celebrate, and you don’t have to be Black to learn. What you do need is an open mind, and the courage to check your privilege and engage in conversation.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It's the weekend of love. Or so some say. If you've got a special someone or if you're happily single, there's lots to get into.

Hazel Twenty > Fabulous Fashion on Wheels
Asheville has a plethora of delicious food trucks but did you know that it also has a fashion truck? Introducing Hazel Twenty, a mobile boutique! It is fabulous female fashion on wheels and you must check it out.

Beloved Local Restaurant Keeping Up the Passion
Zambra's Mark Reiford knows romance. At least, he knows how to ensure a restaurant keeps its title as the Top Romantic Spot to Dine in Asheville five years and counting, according to the Mountain Xpress’s annual Best of WNC community contest.

Up Close + Personal with Asheville's Posh Hammer
Photographer and blogger Abi Fields sat down with probably the youngest retro band in Asheville for an in depth discussion on what it's like being Posh Hammer.

Help Asheville Filmmakers Win National Competition
A few guys who have been participants (and winners) in the Asheville 48 Hour Film Project were asked to participate in a national competition where the goal is to highlight your town.

Interconnecting Cities with Maggie Ullman
Asheville's Maggie Ullman talks about her work with 200 cities to create a more collaborative United States that can adapt to Climate Change and face big problems together.

Asheville Musicians Band Together To Help African Family
Asheville musicians have banded together and launched an Indiegogo campaign to help rebuild the home and the Djembeso Drum & Dance Education Center.

The View from the Blade: Answers in Winter
As the cold, largely basically snowless January has lingered on, I'm sure many of you have had plenty of questions. What are our elected officials up to?

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
It's the definition of blustery out but we suggest you bundle up and take on some of the fun things going on around town this weekend starting tonight.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
Sure it might be rainy and cold out. We may even get a little snow (gasp!). But there is still a ton to do around town no matter what and we've listed just a few.

Meet Hollie Stephenson > New Head Brewer at Highland Brewing
Asheville Ale Trail sits down with Hollie Stephenson, new head brewer at Highlands, who you can also meet at their very first Scouting Party on Thursday, January 29th.

5 Reasons to go to the Fringe Fest + See Something NEW
Why should you go to a true Asheville Oddity of a festival showcasing performances from artists from all over the world and that has been going on in our little town for 13 years? We will tell you.

Vote for Asheville's Climate Collider in NC Spaces for Innovation Challenge
You may have heard about the new Climate Collider coming this fall to downtown Asheville – it is a finalist in the Institute for Emerging Issues “North Carolina Spaces for Innovation” Challenge.

A Winter Weekend Detox Doesn’t Have to be Boring in Asheville
A winter detox in Asheville. Groupies, animal parades, sex art, and sudsy pasta.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks
What are you doing this weekend, Asheville? Plenty happening and plenty of listings. We just wanted to throw a few more your way.

Local Musician Adama Dembele's African Home Demolished By Government
The Ivory Coast government demolished the family home of local musician Adama Dembele and those of the entire area displacing hundreds with one week's notice.

5 Questions with Chef Mike Moore
You would think Stu Helm the Food Critic would sit down with Mike to just talk about food, food, and more food. But this time, he is asking one of Asheville's most renowned Chefs about the family friendly nature of his restaurant.

Why You Should Go to Asheville Fringe Fest
Do you know that the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival has been going on for over a decade and showcases local and international artists in all sorts of mediums? We didn't either.

View from the Blade: The Rest of the Story
A lot's happened and if you haven't read the Asheville Blade before or wonder what we're about, this is an excellent place to start.

My Wishes for 2015
The freezing temperatures may be a sign, or the sudden explosion of people hogging the treadmills at the gym. Or maybe it’s the sense of excitement and ambition you feel. Because it’s here. A New Year.

Designing Our Future -- Promiscuous Hybrids
I'm kicking off a new series of posts inspired by the new construction in Asheville. Being both a designer and realtor I'm hyper-conscious of the changes occurring with our built environment...

Being Sober in Beer City USA
People, perhaps accountants or carpenters or acupuncturists by day, reveal oceans of beer esoterica as they trade shop talk that makes my head swim...Then, an astute someone notices something. “Where’s your beer?”

Asheville's 2014 in My Nutshell
I have crawled out of my cave that holds all my artisanal jams I have been making over the past few months in solitude to give you a run down of the best, worst, and funnier moments of Asheville history/herstory of 2014. Let's go bitches!

Ringing in the New: A New Year’s Eve Walking Tour of Downtown Asheville
Dear readers, I have compiled a New Year’s Eve Downtown Walking Tour just for you giving options to wander between spots or find your perfect venue and stay put.

Last Minute #AVL Holiday Gift Guide
So, I've compiled a list of some great gift ideas, all local, all purchasable before the big day to be sure to wow anyone. GET GOIN'!

Dispatches From the B.A.D.
Last week I posed a question to a number of local arts professionals both inside the B.A.D. and within the surrounding community.

3 Things To Do with Kids Over Holiday Break
There are three things I absolutely must do while we’re out of work/daycare the next two weeks. (I highly recommend these activities to all of my parent-friends!)

View From the Asheville Blade: Watch Out For the Little Things
A number of recent Asheville Blade stories illustrate how often big consequences can often come from seemingly small or overlooked matters that can have major impacts on our lives, our city and our futures.

Scenes from the 2014 Fashion Victims' Ball
About 900 attendees took over the Highland Brewing Company's tasting room as comic book and Saturday morning cartoon characters, celebrities, lovers of Ugly Holiday sweaters and more for the annual Keller Williams Fashion Victims' Ball.

Make Your Own Ugly Christmas Sweater
Hosting or attending an ugly Christmas sweater party is probably going to be on your holiday calendar, so have a fabulously tacky sweater in your arsenal to pull on at a moment's notice to make a memorable appearance.

Wild South Collaborates With Breweries to Release New India Brown Ale
Raise a glass for the wild as we unveil Wild South IBA (India Brown Ale) – a special collaboration brew with Asheville Brewing Company and French Broad Brewing Company!

5 Questions with Dano Holcomb of Root Down Food Cart
I caught up with Dano Holcomb, Chef & Co-Owner of the Root Down Food Cart, at the Wedge Brewery where he parks his truck every Wednesday night to ask him a few questions. He also let me inside the truck! Yeah, Man.

Home Sweet Home
A change of scenery over the holidays is usually something to look forward to, with the promise of family and good food waiting for your arrival, but coming home back to Asheville never gets old.

Who Wants to Win Tickets to the XMAS JAM?
Are you a veteran Jammer? Never been but always wanted to go? Just straight up curious as to what all the fuss is about?

Holding Vigil
Last week, as the holidays and winter started to sink their teeth into our city, hundreds showed up on short notice, gathering around the Vance Monument.

Thanksgiving Weekend ThankFULLness
Some of our bloggers + friends agreed to get crafty(?) and send in some lists of things they are most thankful for. Enjoy.