Happy Thursday, Buncombe County!
💡 Buncombe Fact: In 2004, Asheville local Adam Masters invented the Bellyak—the world's first prone kayak.
In today’s edition:
A new mural, live music, and 16 vendors take over downtown
Brush in hand, drink nearby, no talent required
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony winner closes out its run this week
Stock up on summer reads and support Asheville City Schools
Thirty years of work, one new Asheville address
Good books, good coffee, good people in West Asheville
A Weaverville warehouse just got a very different second act
Let’s get to it.
— Sean Kolina
🦙 The Fight Against Boring
Sponsored by Baja Llama
Summer is officially here, and boring apparel has no place in Buncombe County. Baja Llama makes bold, colorful clothing built for people who take their adventures seriously and their style even more so. Whether you're hiking the trails above Black Mountain, catching a show at The Orange Peel, or just making the most of a long Saturday in the RAD, Baja Llama has the gear to match the energy. Designed for adventurous stories and made to stand out, their collection of button ups, swimsuits, and t-shirts are the antidote to the plain and forgettable. Buncombe County Digest readers get 20% off sitewide this week. Use code BCD20 at checkout.
🎨 Wall Street Steps Block Party & Gingko Market
Downtown Asheville's Wall Street will come alive on Saturday, June 27 for a block party marking the completion of a new large-scale mural by local artist Dayna Walton. The mural, installed on the Wall Street steps, depicts local ecosystems and mountain landscapes. The event features live music, 16 vendors and artists in partnership with the Gingko Marketplace, a guided tree walk of downtown, a community barn quilt painting session inspired by Asheville's tree canopy, and activations from Wall Street businesses. The barn quilt workshops are already sold out, so come for everything else and make a morning of it.
📍 Where: Wall Street Courtyard, 45 Wall Street, Downtown Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, June 27th | 10am – 3pm
💲 Price: Free
🪴 Paint & Sip: Herb Garden
Cork & Craft Asheville brings one of their popular guided paint and sip evenings back this week, with an herb garden as the featured subject. All skill levels are welcome, supplies are included, and you leave with a finished piece. A fun, low-key way to spend a weeknight with friends.
📍 Where: Wicked Weed Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave
📅 When: Thursday, June 25th | 7pm - 9:30pm
💲 Price: $35
🎭 In The Heights at Asheville Community Theatre
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tony Award-winning musical continues its run this week at Asheville Community Theatre. The show blends hip-hop, salsa, and merengue into a story about community, identity, and belonging in New York's Washington Heights.
📍 Where: Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville
📅 When: Through Sunday, June 28th | Thu–Sat 7:30pm, Sat–Sun 2:30pm
💲 Price: Ticketed. $18-$36
📚 Scholastic Book Fair at The Mule
Devil's Foot Beverage Company is kicking off their Summer Reading Program with a four-day Scholastic Book Fair running Thursday June 25th through Sunday June 28th at The Mule, with proceeds directly supporting the Asheville City Schools Foundation. Friday runs noon to 4pm, Saturday noon to 8pm, and Sunday noon to 6pm. Thursday opening night features food from El Bogedon, live music from After Ours starting at 6pm, and a family movie in the yard at 8pm.
📍 Where: The Mule, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville
📅 When: Thursday, June 25th – Sunday, June 28th
💲 Price: Free to browse | Books for purchase
🙏 Zen Mountain Studio & Gallery Opens in the RAD
Artist Roderick MacIver has brought his Zen Mountain Studio to Asheville's River Arts District, tucked above the Baby Bull Restaurant on Roberts Street. The gallery features original watercolors and abstract Zen-inspired paintings drawn from 30 years of full-time work as an artist and book author. It's a contemplative space that feels a little different from the typical RAD gallery stop. A nature art print liquidation sale is also running, with framed prints at $100 and unframed starting at $10.
📍 Where: 1 Roberts Street, Suite 201, River Arts District
📅 When: Open now | Check website for hours
💲 Price: Free to visit
📖 Summer Book Club: A Rebellion of Care
West Asheville Yoga's Summer Book Club meets at Cooperative Coffee this week for a discussion of A Rebellion of Care by David Gate. The club is facilitated by Faye D'Avanza and studio owner Kim Drye, and is open to all. Light snacks provided. Bring your own mug!
📍 Where: Cooperative Coffee, 210 Haywood Rd., West Asheville
📅 When: Sunday, June 28th | 11am
💲 Price: Free
🏓 Pickleball is Coming to Buncombe County in a Big Way
An adaptive reuse project is transforming a former Weaverville automotive warehouse into a home for America's fastest-growing sport. Ballcrank Pickleball Club plans to open later this summer at 115 Reems Creek Rd., bringing 12 professional-grade indoor courts to more than 30,000 sqft of the former Balcrank Corporation headquarters. The club will serve as the anchor tenant of the Ballcrank Arcade & Fairgrounds, a broader redevelopment turning the 132,000 sqft building into a hub for recreation, food and beverage, art, and retail.
📍 Where: 115 Reems Creek Rd., Weaverville
📅 When: Opening later this summer
🎵 Live Music This Week | June 25 – July 1
Asheville
Pulp | Thursday, June 25 | The Orange Peel | 8pm
Robyn Hitchcock | Thursday, June 25 | The Grey Eagle | 6pm
Monster Wave | Friday, June 26 | The Orange Peel | 8pm (Fully Seated Show)
Pritchard Park Drum Circle | Friday, June 26 | Pritchard Park | 6pm | Free
Free Summer Concert | Saturday, June 27 | Asheville Yards | 2pm – 8pm | Free
Swannanoa Gathering Opening Week | Sunday, June 28 – July 1 | Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa | Various times | Registration-based
Black Mountain
Hiding Places | Thursday, June 25 | Lake Tomahawk, Park Rhythms ⭐ | 6pm – 8pm | Free
Weaverville
Monster Wave | Friday, June 26 | Eda's Hide-a-Way | 8pm – 11pm | $10
Old Chevrolette Set | Saturday, June 27 | Eda's Hide-a-Way | 8pm – 11pm | $10
Eda's Bluegrass Jam | Tuesday, June 30 | Eda's Hide-a-Way | 6:30pm – 9pm | Free
Country Line Dance & Two-Step with Kristey | Wednesday, July 1 | Eda's Hide-a-Way | 6pm – 9pm | $5
Other fun notes…
😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Mama’s Cathead Biscuits - these old-fashioned biscuits are only four simple ingredients; you don’t even have to use a biscuit cutter if you don’t want to.
🎵 Who we are listening to: Rhye – Feel Your Weight (Poolside Remix). “This is such a groovy and seductive tune. It's so lovely”
💛 Local Nonprofits. Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation - is dedicated to empowering women and girls to develop their potential, achieve their personal goals, and enjoy a fulfilling, healthy life.
🙏 Positive News Around the Globe: A doctor promised a 14-year-old cancer patient she'd attend his graduation if he made it through chemotherapy—and four years later, she kept her word. Read Article
✨ A little patience with yourself goes a long way.
As always, we read every reply and truly appreciate hearing from you. If there’s something you’d like to see more of locally, let us know. Thanks for being part of the Buncombe County Digest community.
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