#MUSTDO

Today 

• Reclaiming Our Spaces: Black Existence in the Public Sphere | Wed., Sept, 22 | 4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join Warren Wilson College’s Dr. Daleah Goodwin as she overviews how Black people navigate their presence in public spaces. 💻
• Good Vibes Summer Tour 2021 | Wed., Sept. 22 | 5-10 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr. | $36+ | Rebelution and special guests Kabaka Pyramid, Keznamdi, and DJ Mackle will be performing reggae tunes live. 🎸
• Preservation Through Art | Wed., Sept. 22 | 6-8 p.m. |  Wedge at Foundation, 5 Foundy St. | Free | A Q & A with artists participating in the exhibition to raise funds to help preserve the French Broad River. 🖼️

Thursday 

• Expand Your Circle | Thurs., Sept. 23 | 5:30 p.m. | Focal Point, 125 S. Lexington Ave. | $10 | Connect with other entrepreneurial women. 🤝
• The Tempest | Thurs., Sept. 23 - Sun., Sept 26 | 7 p.m. | Rogers Park, 55 W Howard St., Tryon | $10+ | A classic Shakespearean play that explores themes of magic, betrayal, love, and forgiveness. 🎭

Friday 

• 2021 Asheville Greek Festival |  Fri., Sept. 24-Sat., Sept. 25 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave. | Various prices | Enjoy classic Greek dishes through a drive-thru system. 🇬🇷
• Have the Time of Your Life | Fri., Sept. 24-Sat., Sept. 25 | Various times | Mountain Brook Vineyards, 731 Phillips Dairy Rd., Tryon | $35+ | Raise awareness and funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce.
• The Connells | Fri., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. | $22 | NC-based indie rockers take the Grey Eagle stage for the first time.
• Creative Mornings: J Chong | Fri., Sept. 24 | 9-10 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn about J Chong’s experiences bringing authentic Cantonese cuisine to WNC. 🥟

Plan Ahead

• Breach of Peace, written and performed by Mike Wiley | Oct. 6-17 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | NC Stage, 15 Stage Lan. | $25 | Written, performed, and produced by Mike Wiley Productions, this solo play about the 1961 Freedom Rides is a living monument to those who rose to face the dangers of fighting for justice and equality for all. Tickets on sale now. Ⓟ

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 71º | Scattered showers | 90% chance of rain

Eat 

• Cultura’s new Cultivated Community Dinner Series provides a platform for up-and-coming area chefs. The ticketed series kicks off Thurs., Sept. 23 with an “OaxaCalifornia” meal from Chef Luis Martinez, and will continue throughout the year. The proceeds from each event will also benefit a nonprofit important to the chef. 🥑

DYK

• Buncombe County offers free energy-efficient upgrades and repairs for select residents. To qualify, you must rent or own a mobile or single-family home in Buncombe and have a household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Learn more. 💡

Film

• Great news for those who love pairing films with delicious local pizza + brews. Come October, Asheville Pizza and Brewing - North will be a first run theater, while keeping its ticket prices low (think: $7 matinees and $10 evening showings). Its first premiere? The James Bond movie “No Time to Die,” on Oct. 7. 🎞️

Coronavirus 

• Thousands of local employees will be required to either get vaccinated or get tested weekly for COVID-19 as part of the new federal mandate. The start date of this new mandate is pending based on actions from OSHA. 💉 (Asheville Citizen-Times)
• As of Tuesday afternoon, 161,282 people (up 393 from Monday) in Buncombe County are fully vaccinated for a total of 62% of the population. There have been 678 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days (down 39 from Monday), and 379 total deaths. Book a vaccine appointment here, and see more Buncombe County-specific info here. 

Today Is

• Falls Prevention Awareness Day takes place Wed., Sept. 22. To recognize the occasion, the NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville is co-hosting various events (virtual and in-person) around the state. Check them out.

Cause

• Local nonprofit Babies Need Bottoms is honoring Diaper Need Awareness Week, which takes place Sept. 27- Oct. 3, with a goal of obtaining 15,000 diapers for parents in need. If you’d like to support this mission, bring diapers to its dropbox location at the Asheville Outlets Food Court (800 Brevard Rd.) or make a donation online. 🍼

Ranked

• Hendersonville was ranked the No.1 best place to retire in North Carolina, and Black Mountain. No. 10, according to a new study conducted by SmartAsset. To create the list, the study took into account tax burdens, recreational activities, access to medical care, and social opportunities. (WRAL) 

Outdoors

• The Foothills Conservancy of NC has purchased 130 acres along NC Highway 70 and Buck Creek in McDowell County. Referred to as Sunnyvale Slopes, the area was once home to a logging community. It will now remain undeveloped and as a sanctuary for local wildlife, streams, and plant species. 🌳

Ashevillian

• The Buncombe County TDA presented Bhagwanji “Bob” Patel with the William A.V. Cecil Tourism Leadership Award at its annual meeting on Sept. 15. Patel, the president emeritus of Virtelle Hospitality, joins 21 other award recipients.

Wellness 

• Typical children’s vitamins are basically candy in disguise, with added sugar and gummy junk. Hiya is made with a blend of 12 organic fruits and veggies, 15 essential vitamins, and zero sugar. They’re also vegan and dairy-free. Bonus: Get 50% off your first purchase. Ⓟ 

#AVLTODAY

THE WRAP

Yesterday, we asked y'all which public transit option you wish Asheville had. Here's how you answered: 

• 59% Trains
• 20 % Expanded bus service
• 12% Bike share program
• 9% Electric scooter share program

💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?

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