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EVENTS

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Monday 

• Peruvian Food Pop-Up | Mon., Aug. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Down Dog, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Ayni 51 will serve a vegan menu of Peruvian food that includes mushroom anticuchos, tamales, and causa. 

Tuesday

• National Night Out | Tues., Aug. 2 | 5:30-8 p.m. | 339 New Leicester Hwy. | Free | The Sheriff’s Office is partnering with The Partnership for Substance Free Youth to collect unneeded or expired medications for safe disposal at this event.
• Buncombe 2043 Comprehensive Plan | Tues., Aug. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library | Free | The public is invited to drop in and share input, ideas, opinions, and concerns that will help shape Buncombe’s 20-year plan.

Wednesday

• ZZ Top | Wed., Aug. 3 | 8 p.m. | Thomas Wolfe Auditorium | $52+ | This classic American rock band plays in Asheville as part of its Raw Whisky Tour.
• Music to Your Ears | Wed., Aug. 3 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr. | $10 at door | This music discussion series, led by local author Bill Kopp, focuses on the career history of Grammy-winning bass player and special guest Jim Fielder.
• Andrew Duhon | Wed., Aug. 3 | 8 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $15+ | This singer-songwriter, who has been likened to John Prine and Jim Croce, plays as part of his Emerald Blue Record Release Tour.

Thursday

• Business After Hours | Thurs., Aug. 4 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit | Free | Make new business connections while enjoying tunes from local DJ Molly + beer, wine, and pizza from Asheville Brewing Company.

Friday 

• Cruel Summer | Fri., Aug. 5 | 9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $20 | This all-ages dance party celebrates the music of Taylor Swift. 

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.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

EAT

Shellebrate good times with a catered oyster bar 🦪

Fresh squeezed lemon + cold water oysters. Name a better duo. | Photo provided by The Lobster Trap

Whether you're hosting a big event, planning a wedding, or looking to raise the (sand)bar at your next neighborhood cookout, it may be time to look to the sea for some inspiration. 

The Lobster Trap — AVL’s favorite local seafood restaurant — is now offering oyster catering, giving Ashevillians the chance to serve the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Dive deep into the refreshing flavors of the ocean without the stress or hassle of self-sourcing and shucking. A private oyster shucker is included in every package (read: the only thing your guests have to worry about is how many oysters they can fit on their plate).  

Want to take it to the next level? The Lobster Trap also offers fresh, coastal shrimp that can be added to any oyster catering package.

With a commitment to sustainable seafood practices + earned recognition for providing high-quality seafood, every bite from their catering menu is sure to win you the Best Host Ever award. 🦐 *

NEWS NOTES

Weather

• 79º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain

Biz

• Forza X1, an electric boat company, has announced it will invest $10.5 million to relocate its manufacturing + product development operation to Marion. The company says this move will bring 170 new jobs to McDowell County, with an average salary of $51,047. 🛥️

Eat 

• Now this sounds cool. The Blind Pig Supper Club will celebrate its 11th anniversary with the Strange Magic masquerade — a special, six-course culinary event that will be filmed live by Bon Appétit Magazine. The event takes place Fri., Aug. 12 and features chefs from Jargon, Zambra, and beyond. 
• Looking for some grub, hold the gluten? We get it — that’s why we made our guide to gluten-free food in Asheville, with over 30 restaurants for you to try. There’s gluten-free bread, pancakes, burgers, and pizza all over this city — plus, grain-free folk, there are options for you, too. 🍔

Arts

• Snaps for The Dark City Poets Society. The group celebrates the first anniversary of Poetry Night on Tues., Aug. 16, 6-7:30 p.m. at Mellie Mac’s Garden Shack (204 Black Mountain Ave.). Follow the group on Instagram to stay updated on events — writers of all skills + ages are welcome.

Ashevillians

• Can you name nine NC Music Hall of Fame musicians who hail from Asheville? Check out these icons in our hall of famers guide, where you’ll find household pop, bluegrass, and hip-hop names to drop at parties. 🎵

Cause

• The Blood Connection is partnering with the Asheville Tourists to host a blood drive at McCormick Field this Thurs., Aug. 4 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. All donors will receive two free tickets to a future game and a Dug Out mug. ⚾ *

Job

• Are you a healthcare professional who can get behind Range Urgent Care’s mission to disrupt the status quo in healthcare by providing a simplified, transparent + respectful healthcare experience? Check out current job openings to apply to be Range’s next mover + shaker.*

Featured Home

• Beautiful home in Fairview on a private 1+ acre lot | 3 BD, 3 BA | $475,000 | Located 20 minutes from AVL, this move-in ready home offers a large wrap-around porch, hardwood flooring + three bedrooms (each with its own en suite bathroom). 🏡 *

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HISTORY

From the archives: Zealandia Castle

Photos courtesy of Buncombe County Special Collections and Elena Wofford

Did you know there’s a hidden castle tucked away up on Beaucatcher Mountain? 

This pebbledash, Tudor Revival-style property is said to be modeled after Haddon Hall in England — but its original owner John Evans Brown actually named the estate after New Zealand, the place where he made his fortune. 

Over the decades, the 130+ year-old building has been remodeled, expanded, disassembled, and partially abolished (the latter due to the construction of I-240). Today, it’s owned by a vacation resort business — and while it’s not currently open for viewing, you can always take a virtual tour.

REWARDS

THE WRAP

Editor's pick: I'm particularly excited for the Chow Chow events happening this weekend. I'm planning to attend the Tamale workshop + the Around the Campfire tasting event. Hope to see you there. 

Missed Friday's newsletter? You don't wanna miss the epic back story of the Cherry Bounce, NC's unofficial state drink. 

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