It just so happens there’s a brand spanking new resource not only for folks in Asheville, but throughout WNC: nonprofit Blue Ridge Pride’s Virtual Pride Center. This searchable database is a one-stop shop for community services, businesses, churches + social and professional groups and programs. What’s more, the Center is a community-based effort, meaning visitors can register with the site and have the license to add groups and businesses, announcements, events + more.

Why a virtual spot, rather than a brick and mortar? Physical locations can be hard for some folks (like those without public transportation or a vehicle of their own) to access. This is especially true for folks in rural areas, who are more likely to be poor and lack access to services. Residents of rural areas may also be less comfortable visiting a physical location, particularly in small communities where there is less anonymity.

ProTip: if the new virtual program is up your alley, Blue Ridge Pride is also creating the Blue Ridge Pride Business Alliance Initiative. Created to foster equity + inclusion for the LGBTQ community, it will not only act as a safe space for folks to network, but boost economic development and ally partnerships. Want more info? Contact the org here.

#MUSTDO

Show

Patio Show: Derek Frye | Wed., June 9 | 6 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $10 | Mountain songs with historical tales of heartbreak, trouble, and strife. 🪕
Lawn Concert with Jesse Barry & The Jam | Wed., June 9 | 6 p.m. | Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. | $15 | Blues, funk, & soul party brought to you by a highly energetic band.🎸
Well Crafted Wednesdays | Wed., June 9 | 6–8 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. Taproom, 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Ste. 200 | Free | Enjoy a brew + listen to local artists curated by Highland’s own Matt Smith. 🎶

TryThis

Open Mic Night With Riyen Roots | Wed., June 9 | 7–11 p.m. | Silverados, 2898 U.S. 70 | Free | Bring your instrument and enjoy the fun. 🎤
Queer Comedy Party featuring Ian Aber | Wed., June 9 | 8:30–11:30 p.m. | Asheville Beauty Academy, 28 Broadway St. | $10-12 | Celebrate pride with a laugh. 🌈
Robert's Totally Rad Trivia | Wed., June 9 | 7–9 p.m. | 12 Bones Brewing, 2350 Hendersonville Rd. | Beer + BBQ + brain-stumping trivia. 🍻

TheBuy

River Arts District Farmers Market | Wed., June 9 | 3–6 p.m. | 289 Lyman St. | Free | Support local farmers, cheese makers, bakers + more 🌽
Weaverville Tailgate Market | Wed., June 9 | 2–5 p.m. | 60 Monticello Rd. | Free | Get local produce, flowers, dairy, artisan goods + more 💐

FeaturedEvent

Grove Park Neighborhood Outdoor Living Garden Tour | Sun., Jun 13 | 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.| Grove Park Neighborhood 324 Charlotte Street | $20, tickets available day of | Enjoy a self directed tour of the private gardens in the Grove Park Neighborhood filled with history, local legends, architectural information and more. Ⓟ
Brevard Music Center Summer Festival | Thurs., July 9 - Mon., Aug. 9 | 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Lane, Brevard, NC 28712 | Tickets Starting at $20 | The 2021 BMC Summer Music Festival Opening Night will be Friday, July 9. The festival will include 29 performances featuring symphony, chamber, jazz, opera, singer-songwriter & bluegrass artists.Ⓟ

Find more of the week’s local events in our June PlanAhead.

MORE OF THIS WEEK'S EVENTS HERE

📸 @avlhistory

In advance of Juneteenth — which takes place Sat., June 19 — Pack Memorial Library’s Buncombe County Special Collections is rolling out a series of events to celebrate the historic day. From storytelling + community art to the creation of a time capsule, the library will showcase local historic materials that will help enrich our community.

Folks can also celebrate the grand opening of artist Honey Simone’s Carolina Record Shop, an installation of images, stories, oral histories + more, including the Black Asheville History Collection. Talk about history in the making.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #AVLtoday on social media.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

83º | P.M. thunderstorms | 74% chance of rain

Announced

Widespread Panic is coming to town. The rock band will launch its 3-day run at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino - Asheville Fri., Aug. 6 through Sun., Aug. 8. Tickets go on sale Fri., June 11 at 10 a.m. 🎸

ComingSoon

Wedge Brewing Co. will open a third location at Grove Arcade’s Restaurant Row in the former Sante Wine Bar location. The new taproom will feature roughly a dozen taps serving Wedge suds, in addition to ciders + wine. As for the menu, there’s no word yet, but we’ll keep you posted. 🍻 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
The wait is almost over. Asheville’s event venue + first food hall, The S&W Market, will open its doors to the public Wed., June 16. Check it out from 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Community

Fireworks are returning to town for this year’s Fourth of July celebration. There won’t be any food or drink vendors, but folks can bring their own eats. Portable bathrooms, water bottle filling stations + first aid will be on hand around Pack Square Park, and a DJ will spin tunes from 6:30–9:30 p.m. before fireworks begin. 💥
Community members + preservationists are taking a page out of Asheville’s history books with “The Wrap II,” a plan to tie cloth around the perimeter of the proposed Charlotte St. development. Citizens did the same thing, dubbed The Wrap, 41 years ago to protest a development in downtown. 🧶 (Blue Ridge Public Radio)

Arts

There’s still time for artists + designers to submit their Asheville-focused works in our Rep Your City Design Contest. The winning design (chosen by our readers) will be featured on products sold in The AVLtoday Shop, and the designer will take home up to $1,500. See details + submit your design. 🎨

TryThis

On July 9 and August 13 from 5:30-8:00 p.m., Brews and Bears will return to the WNC Nature Center. Enjoy food, drinks, and bear enrichment activities at this event, which raises funds for Friends of the WNC Nature Center and our local black bears. 🐻

Ashevillian

UNC Asheville Assistant Professor of Biology Rebecca Helms is working to raise awareness for high seas protections. As part of her campaign, she wrote a letter to the United Nations advocating for the establishment of a high seas treaty to protect oceans + marine life, which was published in Science Magazine. 🌊
Sally House to Home's Sally Spiegel has been awarded a Griffin Award for her work restoring a Victorian home at 242 Montford Ave. She worked with the Historic Resources Commission of Asheville & Buncombe County to preserve + restore much of the original house while incorporating modern elements. Congrats to Sally. 🏆

DYK

The racial justice work of former Asheville Councilman Keith Young helped inspire new legislation in Tulsa. Since late January, Young — who helped develop Asheville’s historic reparations initiative — has worked with Tulsa leadership to create plans for "tangible amends" for its 1921 Black Wall Street massacre. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Coronavirus

Check out the latest COVID-19 stats for NC from the Department of Health and Human Services here. As of Tuesday afternoon, 18,006 cases and 323 deaths have been reported in Buncombe County. See more Buncombe County-specific info here.

WaterCooler

Great news, baseball fans. Bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to the McCormick Field box office (30 Buchanan Pl.) today between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and get a free ticket to the game on Tues., June 15, when the Tourists face off against the Aberdeen IronBirds. ⚾

FeaturedJob

Center for Craft is looking to hire a Visitor Services Associate to work in coordination with the Operations Team. Learn more about the position and how to apply here. Ⓟ