Happy Thursday, Buncombe County!

💡 Buncombe Fact: The famous author Thomas Wolfe was born and raised in Asheville. His semi-autobiographical debut novel, Look Homeward, Angel, is famously set in a fictionalized version of his hometown and Buncombe County.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get to it.

— Sean Kolina

Joy, movement, and meaningful connection take center stage as Love Shine Play returns to Asheville for a four-day celebration of wellness, creativity, and community. The festival brings together an inspiring lineup of yoga classes, live music, dance, meditation, workshops, art experiences, and speakers, creating space for both personal growth and playful exploration. Whether you're looking to deepen your practice, meet like-minded people, or simply recharge, Love Shine Play offers something for every age and experience level.

Hosted in the heart of downtown, the festival welcomes nationally recognized teachers alongside local instructors, with events ranging from sunrise yoga and sound baths to community gatherings and family-friendly activities. It's one of Asheville's most uplifting weekends of the summer.

📍 Where: Across Asheville
📅 When: Thursday, July 23th – Sunday, July 26th
💲 Price: Ticketed (single events and weekend passes available)

Get Tickets

Step back into the Jazz Age as Asheville celebrates Zelda Fitzgerald's birthday with an evening of live music, vintage-inspired fun, dancing, cocktails, and Roaring Twenties flair at the historic Grove Park Inn. It's a fitting tribute to one of the city's most fascinating literary and cultural figures.

📍 Where: Zelda Dearest, 150 South Lexington Avenue
📅 When: Friday, July 24 | 6pm – 10pm
💲 Price: Ticketed

Event Details

One of downtown Asheville's favorite Indian restaurants is welcoming guests once again. Andaaz has officially reopened after closing for repairs following Hurricane Helene, bringing back its flavorful curries, tandoori specialties, handcrafted cocktails, and warm hospitality to the South Slope.

📍 Where: Andaaz, 15 Page Ave #100, Asheville
📅 When: Now open
💲 Price: Menu pricing

View Menu

Young imaginations can run wild during this whimsical summer camp where kids create fairy houses, knightly adventures, enchanted crafts, and magical stories inspired by castles, forests, and fantasy worlds. It's a week designed for creativity, exploration, and plenty of make-believe fun.

📍 Where: The Performing Arts Center of Asheville (PACA)
📅 When: Thursday, July 23rd - Friday, July 24th
💲 Price: Registration required

Learn More

You've probably seen Made In Cookware® by now. They're the cookware brand used in 4,000+ professional kitchens and adopted by millions of home cooks. 

Their 5-ply Stainless Clad line is what put them on the map, and now it comes in a limited-run Brushed Copper finish.

Shop Copper Collection

Explore one of the world's most influential spiritual texts during this welcoming book club discussion centered on the Bhagavad Gita. Participants are invited to reflect on its timeless teachings while connecting with others interested in yoga philosophy and mindful living.

📍 Where: Asheville Community Yoga, 8 Brookdale Rd., Asheville
📅 When: Tuesday, July 28th | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
💲 Price: Free

Learn More

Give your newest family member a head start with this positive, reward-based training class designed for puppies. Led by trainer Marz Barberio, the session covers early socialization, basic manners, and confidence-building skills to help puppies grow into happy, well-adjusted companions.

📍 Where: Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Ln., Asheville
📅 When: Saturday, July 25th | 9am – 10am
💲 Price: Registration required

Register Here

😋 Weekly Appalachian inspired recipe: Southern-Style Neck Bones - this is one of those meals that takes you back to your mother's kitchen.

🎵 Who we are listening to: Devagarinho — Gilsons, Mariana Volker - “Within three seconds of the music starting, I was already on the floor, completely melting.”

💛 Local Nonprofits. Hearts with Hands - is a Christian, nondenominational, humanitarian, non-profit 501 (c) 3, charitable organization.

🙏 Positive News Around the Globe: After 5-yo Diagnosed with Rare Disease, Little Sister Wanted to Be Her ‘Brave’ Bone Marrow Donor. Read Article

✨ Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.

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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