MAIN FM opportunities in Asheville

Since 1996, MAIN has operated as an Internet Service provider serving a multi-county region of WNC.  This ISP operation provides broadband Internet access via wireless technologies, web-hosting services catering to local residents, small non-profits, and local govt. agencies.

MAIN also has a low - power FM radio station (103.5 FM) or on line stream (www.main-fm.org)  which offers news, syndicated commentaries, local host programs (music, arts & cultural programs and local discussions of  issues)  and emergency updates. MAIN is one of the oldest community networks, and is in the forefront of policy advocacy for broadband equity in rural and low-income communities.

Specific MAIN  Volunteer Opportunities:

Retired or Semi-retired  business executives to assess organization's business practices

Retired or Semi-retired professionals with experience in operation assessment and oversight  who would be able to spend time at the business office on Wall Street 

Retired or Semi-retired accountants advising in accounting and billing procedures

Past experience with broadcast engineering/operations for the radio station on Haywood St  & 

Program Producers - 30 and 60 minute radio show slots  - community issues, music, Eco/environmental topics, other ??? If any of this  strikes a chord with you . . . Call Carol Anders -  686-1380 / email  dec25carol@yahoo.com

Thanks to BlainesWorld for this information

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Asheville SCORE seminar series is underway

Advance planning department

A. North Carolina events:

* The 2011 seminar series for Asheville SCORE is underway. Upcoming seminars include the following:                   

Basic Internet Marketing
Thursday, January 27 from 6-9 p.m.  
          
Marketing
Saturday, January 29 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Accounting for Non-Accountants    
Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 6-9 p.m.
          
How to Develop a Website
Saturday, Feb. 5 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
                     
For more information and/or to register, please click:

http://www.ashevillescore.org/seminars.htm

Thanks to BlainesWorld for this information


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Beginners Salsa in Asheville NC

Friday, February 4th - "Beginner's Only" Salsa Class & Ballroom Dance Party

Beginning Salsa Class at 7 p.m.
"Beginner's Only" Dance Party: 8-10 p.m.
Class Taught and Party Hosted by: Ted and Kimberly Ross

Location: The Asheville Ballroom & Dance Centre (991-B Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville)

Learn to dance the sizzling Salsa and practice your ballroom dancing in a fun, safe and supportive atmosphere at this "Beginner's Only" Class and Dance Party! Refreshments and sodas will be provided and Professional Dance Instructors will be at the party to assist students with their dancing questions.  Line dances will also be taught and included in the party.  No partner is necessary for the class or party.  $10 for Class and Party (Special $7 Rate for ages 17 & under) 

For more information on this event, contact Ted & Kimberly Ross at (828) 333-8333 or email at ted.ross@charter.net


Thanks to BlainesWorld for this information

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Wink Hosts Special Event for Women with Curly Hair

Learn how to style and care for your locks at Curls Night Out on February 24

Asheville, NC- Wink is hosting Curls Night Out from 6-9p.m. Thursday February 24 to celebrate customer appreciation. Bring a friend and join us for this free event celebrating our love of curly hair.
During our most popular event of the year Wink’s trained stylists will show you how to love and care for your naturally curly hair.

“The heart of this event is loving the curly hair you were born with. We want to help women out there who have long hated their hair a chance to love it.”  Gilda Santiago- co-owner of Wink.

“The response to Curls Night Out has been over-whelming. Finally women with curly textured hair feel included, getting extra special attention for a hair type that can intimidate many hair stylists. The event is fun, and it’s so cool to see a room packed with women with beautiful naturally curly hair! We will work with the best products, diffusers and finger styling. Your hair will look and feel as amazing as we think you are.” Christine DiBenedetto- co- owner Wink Heads and Threads

Our evening will include special guest artist Cal Ellis, a top stylist at Devachan/ Deva Curl NYC working together with our 8 trained curlaborators. One client recently raved to Cal and said, “You don’t know what you have done for me! I have never felt beautiful, until now.” To this point, Cal exclaims, “This is what it’s all about!”

Curls night out will include training tips from stylists, hair cutting demonstrations, product samples, snacks and drinks, too.  Wink is an award winning salon featuring, jewelry, accessories and gift items, many of them locally or regionally made.

Wink is located in the Biltmore Courtyard building, suite 103. 18 Brook St, Biltmore Village.  Hours are Monday-Saturday 9-6 PM Call 828-277-4070 or visit ilovewink.com

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The Block Party in Asheville with mikeflo of Dead Prez

Here is a music event that is getting ready to happen at Hole N Da Wall on Saturday February 12, 2011. Doors open at 9pm. For more information, you can tweet @HoleNDaWall and @SocialLifeAVL

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Asheville Grown - Love Asheville, Buy Local

Asheville Grown is doing a benefit at The Hop Ice Cream Cafe. Here is a video intro by Greg, one of the owners of The Hop. Join the many folks in Asheville who support Asheville Grown Business Alliance Tuesday, January 25 from 5-8pm at The Hop.



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Dancing Flash Mob at the Asheville Mall

Lots of flash mobbing going around town lately. Here is the video of a group that took over a part of the Asheville Mall and danced for several minutes.



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Asheville Fashion at HATCH 2011 - #HATCHavl

Asheville is an artsy fashionable City with lots of great clothing designers. Sonia Hendrix has been on top of the AVL fashion scene for years and is involved with HATCH this year. Here are some of the clips from the HATCHbash at the 151 Boutique Bar in the Hotel Indigo. Video clips by none other than G Social Media.



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Local Asheville Poet teaching a class on New York School of Poetry

What: A class on New York School of Poetry taught by poet Eric Steineger. Where: Grateful Steps Publishing House and Bookshop at 159 South Lexington Avenue in Asheville. When: Feb. 2 - March 2 Wednesdays at 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: $75.00. To register: 828-277-0998 or email laura@gratefulsteps.com; visit website: www.gratefulsteps.com

Interested in Frank O’Hara?! How art infiltrated New York in the 50’s?

Local poet teaching a class on the New York School…

Asheville, North Carolina – January 2011 - Eric Steineger, MFA, local poet and recent transplant from California is teaching a five-week class on the New York School of Poets starting February 2. The venue is Grateful Steps Publishing House and Bookshop on Lexington just south of the Orange Peel. The class will take place Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. Abstract Expressionism, Black Mountain College, and the Beat movement also comprise the course. Cost is $75.00 for the five week session.  

“The spirit of collaboration of this era sets it apart,” says Steineger, who initially got into the Beats. “New York in the 50s was very much an artist’s world. Abstract expressionism was taking off, jazz was in its heyday, and poets rubbed elbows with painters at the Five Spot. "The goal of this class is to foster that same sense of collaboration. There will be group poems done with charcoal, in-depth looks at poems and handouts to take home. By the end of the five weeks, we’ll have some exciting new templates we can use in our own work.”

The first class will begin with an introduction to the movement and cover Frank O’Hara. The March 2^nd class will include refreshments and a short video, culminating with a tour of the Black Mountain College Museum.

Marketing director Laura Hope-Gill says, “Eric's class on the New York School is the perfect place to start Grateful Steps' Courses in Connection. Asheville artists share a collaborative spirit and openness to a whole range of media. There's also a playfulness to the experimental genius at work in the artists Eric is presenting, and that also resonates with what's happening here."

The class is the first of the Courses in Connection Program at Grateful Steps Publishing House and Bookshop. Grateful Steps is a six-year-old publishing house that now hosts a bookshop and meeting space in downtown Asheville. Announcements of weekly courses and discussions are available in the newsletter and the website. For more information, contact laura@gratefulsteps.com. 

Contact:

Laura Hope-Gill 

@ Grateful Steps Publishing House and Bookshop

159 S. Lexington, Asheville

S/W of Orange Peel

828-277-0998

laura@gratefulsteps.com

www.gratefulsteps.com

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DJ Kool clears his throat in Asheville NC

DJ Kool, best known for his part in the song "Let Me Clear My Throat" was recently in Asheville at Hole N Da Wall. Great times and lots of dancing. DJ Kool is what you call a sociable dj who interacts with the crowd while he spins the music, which is many times the key to a successful evening. Thanks to Timmy @SocialLifeAVL on Twitter for putting this event together. Video clips by GSocialMedia.

Local Asheville Painting Contractor Launches Magazine

Michael Dale, vice president of Asheville-based Shiloh Painting, Inc., announces the launch ofWNC Home magazine, a digital publication available online.

The mission of WNC Home magazine is to link Western North Carolina homeowners with the wide array of services, resources and products available to them.  The magazine is looking to reach a large and diverse cross-section of W.N.C. homeowners, from the very affluent to first-time homebuyers, as well as newcomers to the W.N.C. area.  WNC Home magazine will have an editorial focus on the latest trends in home design, landscaping, remodeling, decorating, real estate, and home-related products and services, with a strong focus on eco-friendly products and services for any home that is situated here in the mountains.

This magazine project began as a newsletter for Shiloh Painting, Inc., as Michael was looking for a way to educate the public about decorating and design, with most topics focusing on painting and staining.  However, Michael was also looking to make the newsletter more diverse, and began to look for other contributors.

"I started to realize that there are a lot of other area professionals that write great articles for their own newsletters and blogs, but only a small portion of the general public ever see these writings," says Michael.  "So I started inviting these experts to submit articles to our newsletter, and the response was so positive that we decided to turn that newsletter into a full-blown magazine."

WNC Home is just like a conventional printed magazine including a cover and table of contents, with the articles and advertisements being laid out in a traditional style.

"I love to read print magazines, but I don't care for most online magazines.  WNC Home magazine has the characteristics of both worlds with the time-honored layout of a printed magazine, while offering the readers and writers (and advertisers) a true interactive experience.  Not only is every article perfectly reproduced digitally, so is every advertisement, with click-through opportunities built in," explains Michael.  "With the growing popularity of digital publications, the advantages of a digital version made available online seemed like a no-brainer."

WNC Home magazine is being published quarterly, with the Winter 2011 issue now available at: http://www.wnchomemagazine.com

About Michael Dale:  Michael spent his younger days learning from his grandfather, who was a house painter and woodworker.  After high school, Michael started working for an Ethan Allen furniture factory, where he learned what it took to create a spectacular finish using paints, stains and glazes.  In 2006, after the factory closed, Michael started his own painting company, Michael Dale Painting & Services.  In 2010, he partnered with Shiloh Painting, Inc., where he became the Vice President of Operations.

Contact:
Michael Dale, publisher/editor
828-208-2709
WNC Home Magazine
191 Lyman Street, Suite 314, Box 14, Asheville, NC  28801
michael@wnchomemagazine.com
Website:  www.wnchomemagazine.com

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Asheville Push-Up Contest on Facebook

Charlotte Street Computers

Contest running the next two weeks, ending Friday 4th at 5pm! The winner will receive a three month pass to the YWCA, a free personal training session of Tera Pruett and an iPod nano! Rules: you have to post a video on the Charlotte Street Computers page doing as many push ups as you can in 1 minute! No knees allowed and you cannot look like the letter "A"! See video of proper push-up! We look forward to your posts.

Basic Exercise Plans : How to Do a Proper Push-Up

For a proper push-up, the hands should be below the shoulders. Do proper push-ups with tips from a fitness director in this free video on exercise programs. Expert: Les Whitley Contact: www.velocitysp.com/coolsprings Bio: Les Whitley is director of Velocity Sports Performance in Franklin, Tennessee

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Should Asheville Continue Flouridation of Drinking Water?

The debate over the pro's & con's of flouridating drinking water is about to get some new life. The Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the US Department of Health and Human Services have announced a re-assessment of policy on this highly controversial subject.The agency's will recommend a new standard for recommended levels that will, in most cases be lower than the national average. The recommendation will be for a maximum level of 0.7 milligrams per liter vs the current acceptable "range" standard of 0.7-1.2 milligram.

Asheville's 2009 Water Quality Report shows fluoride levels of between 0.7 & 1.0 ppm depending on the source; I.E. Mills River Station or the North Fork station.It also indicates an acceptable level of as much as 4ppm which is well above levels that will cause negative health effects. Flourosis is known to occur at levels of 1.0 or greater.

One thing is certain, the announcement will be fuel for both side of the health risks vs health benefits debate. Proponents will surely argue this as evidence for fluoridation while opponents will surely see it as an action taken to lower potential of known risks and thereby lend justification to there point of view.

Which side of the fence are you on?

AP

www.AskAquaPro.com
AquaPro@AskaquaPro.com 
www.AquaEnvi.org 
www.AshevilleGreenPlumbing.com
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ASHEVILLE ARTS CENTER ACADEMY TO PERFORM WINNING COMPETITION PIECES AT THE HOP!

Asheville Arts Center’s Academy students won big in the 2011 National Junior Theatre Festival again this year!  In celebration of their victories, THE HOP:  640 Merrimon Avenue #103, Asheville, NC 28804, has invited the national award-winning ACADEMY students to perform their pieces for the public, this coming THURSDAY, JANUARY 27^TH AT 6:00PM.

Asheville Art Center’s ACADEMY will perform three, 15-minute selections from PIRATES OF PENZANCE JR, INTO THE WOODS JR, and GUYS AND DOLLS Jr.  The shows are full of acting, singing, and dancing fun that is completely family-friendly.  In addition, our new dancer, Lindsey Kelley, will be doing dance demonstrations to mark the beginning of our new dance program!

Asheville Arts Center’s Academy is an after-school conservatory program for young artists ages 7 to 18.  Students take a dance class, a voice class, and an acting class weekly, in a prestigious curriculum, which touches on most major forms of acting, dance, and voice technique.  Students also rehearse 4 hours each week for the Academy theatrical productions. 

The ACADEMY is made up of 47 kids from ages 7 to 18, from Buncombe, Madison, and Haywood counties. 

On the heels of this competition, Music Theatre International has asked the Asheville Arts Center’s Academy students to perform the WORLD PREMIERE of FINIAN’S RAINBOW, Jr. They begin rehearsals for the production this week, and will perform it in May.  Representatives from Music Theatre International, who are working Broadway professionals, will fly down from New York City to work with the cast midway through the rehearsal process, and will attend the premiere. 

For questions or more information, please contact Ann Mahoney Kadar, Drama Department Director, at ann@ashevilleartscenter.com, 828-253-4000.

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Asheville Freelance Writing Community meets on February 10th

Put the next writers’ group meeting on your calendar! Mark and I thought you’d appreciate a longer lead time, so plan on joining us for an after-hours visit Thursday, February 10. We’ll gather in the table at Posana Restaurant in downtown Asheville at 5:30pm, where you can order drinks, coffee, or a bite to eat. We’ll stay until 7-ish or until the talk runs out.


It’s hard to believe, but we’ve been gathering for over four years now … connecting with fellow freelance, business, and professional writers. Sharing war stories. Trading leads. And sometimes giving good advice. We also continue our time-honored tradition neither demanding nor accepting dues, and strongly resist any formal attempts at organization. We hope you can make it and renew your acquaintance. If you’re planning to join us, please send me a note so we can keep an eye out for you.


Put down the pen and come join us! Bring your business cards!


Your Sometimes-Organizers,
Brenda Dammann and Mark Henry Bloom
--
Mark H. Bloom
video producer / writer / editor / blogger
markhenrybloom@gmail.com
828-280-1686
--
Producer, Reel Change Films
Changing the world ... one video at a time.mark@reelchangefilms.com
323-405-REEL (7335)
www.ReelChangeFilms.com
--
Visit my blog for a smile:
Don't Even Go There: A Travel Blog for the Rest of Us
www.dont-even-go-there.blogspot.com
"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll stay at home more often."

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America's Got Talent gives a call to Asheville North Carolina - Make Your Nomination

Asheville has some great acts. From Vaudeville, to Burlesque... the artists and entertainers seem to never end. And then the music scene is simply incredible. Asheville is awesome!

Just the other day, America's Got Talent contacted G Social Media about a video that was done for AskAsheville of Salome Burlesque when they were at the Orange Peel for the Americana Burlesque and Sideshow Festival last year. Gary and Jeff Fobes had a table up front and had a great time. Click HERE to see the video, it is the last scene, the Star Trek act.

In the course of the conversation, they asked if we knew of any other talent in the area that they could possibly check out. They said

"use your judgement on who actually brings and begs a reaction or not. We aren't all about what would be considered 'talent'. That's easy to identify and book. We love folks that are simply entertaining, fresh and unique." 

We told them that we would ask our social network. So here we are asking you, our readers... do you know of any local talent that could compete on a nationwide scale? If so, please post comments below and let us know & ALSO contact us through the AskAsheville Contact form and let us know who you nominate.

Thank you

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Free Classes at Charlotte Street Computers in Asheville

Education: Charlotte Street Computers in Asheville North Carolina is now offering free classes. Check them out below and email classes@charlottestreetcomputers.com to register. Thank you.


Mondays - Mac OS Basics12:15pm to 1:15pm
Tuesdays - iPhoto Basics12:15pm to 1:15pm
Wednesdays - iPad Basics 12:15pm to 1:15pm
Thursdays - iPad Basics12:15pm to 1:15pm
Fridays - Google Docs 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Fridays - Windows 7 Basics 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Fridays - Facebook / Youtube Basics 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Saturdays - Protecting your PC12:00pm to 1:00pm
Sundays - Garage Band 12:15pm to 1:15pm

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Asheville: 2nd Annual Home & Garden Expo Coming in April 2011

The Asheville Home Builders Association, in partnership with First Restoration Services, is proud to present the only homebuilding specific Expo offered to the public in western North Carolina. The 2nd Annual Home & Garden Expo will be held on April 16 & 17 at the WNC Ag Center.  Over 100 exhibitors will display their products and services.  Attendees should expect to see new trends in building products, meet builders and consultants, and learn tricks of the trade from industry experts. New this year will be an outdoor gardening section with landscaping products, tools and vehicles for outdoor use, and various plants for sale. Celebrity guest- Jason Cameron from the DIY Network’s TV shows Man Caves and Desperate Landscapes- will be making a special appearance. Educational seminars will also be offered at various times during the Expo. We are also excited to have two live remotes with The Eddie Foxx Show from KISS Country and Matt Mittan with 570am’s Take A Stand.

The Asheville Home Builders Association is an advocate for the homebuilding industry. Our mission is to educate and support our members, contribute to the community, and represent the legislative interests of the local building industry. We are the homebuilding experts of western North Carolina and have been a resource for the community since 1966. Affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders and the North Carolina Home Builders Association, the Asheville HBA (www.ashevillehba.com) represents more than 650 companies in the community.

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Asheville MMA Cage Fight this Friday, with men and women bouts

The fights were out of control a couple of months ago when Blackeye Entertainment and Promotions threw the cage fighting matches. Here we go again with many bouts in the lineup and even a women mixed martial arts cage fight. Lots of action coming to Western North Carolina.

Go to the BlackEye Website for tickets and more info

See videos on the BlackEye YouTube Channel

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The Asheville Daily Deal War - Groupon, Daily Insider, Living Social, Phroogles, UCoups

Everyone loves a great deal. Lots of businesses are coming into town and offering many great local pitches. Going out is fun. Going out for half price is even more fun! One company popped up and the rest of them quickly followed. Check all of them out and leave a comment below telling us what you think.

1. Daily Insider Deals of Asheville - This company has been in the area for many years and they are the local homegrown choice of many in the community.

2. Groupon - Google was about to purchase Groupon, but the deal never went through. They have a strong base of fans and customers. They actually branded the idea allowing others to use a similar business model.

3. Living Social - Living Social follows Groupon wherever they go and sometimes offer better percentages for the businesses. Expecting them in AVL any day.

4. Phroogles - Just recently launched in Asheville by an out of town group.

5. UCoups - Launched the site months ago but have not offered any deals to date. Word is that they are still on track to start their daily deals soon.

Can all of these companies survive in the same Asheville market? Who will win this war?

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The American Advertising Federation of Asheville NC

Who are we? We’re advertising, marketing, and interactive agencies, writers, printers, photographers, graphic designers, web designers, paper companies, webdevelopers, corporate marketing and communications pros, advertising media companies and reps, PR specialists, marketing consultants, and others in the business of communication. We hail from Asheville and Hendersonville and Brevard and Black Mountain and other WNC areas. Our club includes more than 70 professionals and is growing quickly.

 See AAF Asheville

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The Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina & Asheville NC

PRAWNC is an organization dedicated to the professional development of Public Relations and Communications professionals. PRAWNC members meet monthly at luncheons or after-hours events in the Asheville and surrounding areas for informative presentations on current topics in the public relations profession.

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Volunteering in Asheville is a good way to accomplish new year resolutions

ASHEVILLE – As 2011 is here, many of us are making resolutions to improve our lives in one way or another: get fit and healthy, get out of debt, get a new job, make new friends, learn something new, spend more time with my family, and help strengthen the community. Somehow the clean slate of a new year is inspiring; anything seems possible. And with a plan, it is.

Volunteering can help people meet many of these New Year’s Resolutions

• Volunteering can help improve your health. Studies have shown volunteers have greater longevity, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease than those who don’t volunteer. And depending on your volunteer activity, you might just find yourself moving around more which is sure to help you get more fit.

• Volunteering is wonderful way to get to know people better. Volunteer with your family or friends or go on your own and meet new ones. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with the people around you and elevates your relationship over time. Do you have kids? Hands On even has age-appropriate projects for kids and their families.

• Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and test out possible career paths. Interested in teaching but not sure if you want to return to school? Help out in a classroom and learn the ropes. Want to know more about your environment? Help clean a stream and learn about local aquatic life.

• And naturally, volunteering helps our community. The needs of our neighbors and community are growing by the day, and many local nonprofits are struggling to serve everyone. You can help address those needs by volunteering.

United Way’s Hands On Asheville-Buncombe makes it easy to lend a hand and help others in our community by volunteering with Asheville and Buncombe County nonprofits throughout the year.

Visit www.handsonasheville.org and choose the volunteer opportunity that works for you: your passions, your skills, your schedule. Volunteer on your own or with your family, business or faith community. With more than 200 short-term and ongoing volunteer opportunities listed in the online database, you are bound to find one that works for you.

For more information, contact:

Sarah Wohlmuth, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Director or Charlie Lee, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Manager at 255-0696

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Meet the great folks at Top Floor Studio in Asheville NC

Ty Hallock and his team of professionals have been doing web design in the Asheville area for many years. Here is a quick picture they sent out over the holidays. Also see TopFloorStudio.com

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A few January music dates at Craggie Brewing in downtown Asheville

Lots of great music going around town. Simone from Craggie Brewing sent us this info. Stop by, check out some tunes, and drink some local craft beer.

Thurs., Jan 20:  Andrew Wakefield & Friends, Singer/Songwriter

Fri., Jan 21:  Angela Easterling, Americana/Folk

Fri., Jan 28:  Andy Burke, Alt Country

Sat., Jan 29:  Hello Hugo, Instrumental/Progressive

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Mix & Mingle : Asheville Social Networking Live 1/20/11

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ASHEVILLE ARTS CENTER’S ACADEMY VICTORIOUS IN NATIONAL JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL

Asheville Arts Center’s Academy students won big in the 2011 National Junior Theatre Festival again this year!  Their production of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Jr took BEST OVERALL ACTING, and 14 year-old Connor Dalton took the BEST OVERALL ACTOR award!  Their production of INTO THE WOODS, Jr, took BEST OVERALL MUSIC DIRECTION, and 13 year-old Lincoln Belford took the best OVERALL ACTOR award!  It was a remarkable weekend, as the students competed against two thousand other students from around the United States and Canada.

PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Jr Director/Choreographer Ann Mahoney Kadar said, “The greatest compliment we received throughout the weekend was actually unrelated to our kids’ talent.  The festival’s team remarked on numerous occasions that the humility, and team spirit the Asheville Arts Center’s Academy display is exemplary.  So, they have the talent, but also the heart.  I could not be more proud of them!”

Asheville Arts Center’s Academy is an after-school conservatory program for young artists ages 7 to 18.  Students take a dance class, a voice class, and an acting class weekly, in a prestigious curriculum, which touches on most major forms of acting, dance, and voice technique.  Students also rehearse 4 hours each week for the Academy theatrical productions. 

In addition, cast members Ruby Neu (age 10) ,Tim Bates (age 12), Julia Williams (age 12), and Kevin Foster (age 12) were nominated for the ALL-STARS, an exclusive group of outstanding performers from the weekend’s festival!  Lincoln Belford is also a finalist in the competition to be a featured dancer on the next Choreography DVD to be filmed in New York City.

On the heels of this competition, Music Theatre International has asked the Asheville Arts Center’s Academy students to perform the WORLD PREMIERE of FINIAN’S RAINBOW, Jr.  They begin rehearsals for the production this week, and will perform it in May.  Representatives from Music Theatre International, who are working Broadway professionals, will fly down from New York City to work with the cast midway through the rehearsal process, and will attend the premiere. 

For questions or more information, please contact Ann Mahoney Kadar, Drama Department Director, at ann@ashevilleartscenter.com, 828-253-4000.

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Asheville Green Drinks - Forest Majesty: A Presentation by the American Chestnut Foundation 1/19/11

Forest Majesty: A Presentation by the American Chestnut Foundation
Wednesday, January 19 2011,
Socializing: 6:30 pm Presentation: 7:00 pm
Posana, 1 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC


Early in the 20th century, the chestnut blight disease virtually eliminated the American chestnut tree from its natural range in the eastern US. Its loss was a huge blow to the Southern Appalachian forest ecosystem. Now, after more than a decade of work, the American Chestnut Foundation is close to producing a tree that is almost genetically identical to the former American chestnut, but which carries the genes that provide resistance to the chestnut blight. Sarah Spooner of the American Chestnut Foundation will speak at Posana Restaurant on Pack Place about what the American chestnut tree once was, what it can be once again, and how we can help. Come hear the grand story of the American chestnut tree and learn how we might play an important role in the next chapter. The return of the chestnut tree would have a huge positive impact on the mountain forest and all the beings, including ourselves, who inhabit it. But, even though the technical scientific work may be nearly completed, it will still require a massive effort on our part to bring the tree back to the wild. This presentation is brought to you by Asheville Green Drinks and Transition Asheville.

Also see Asheville Green Drinks' Website

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Asheville Youth Mission: Many Voices Gives Debut Drama Performance - The Strength In Me

Asheville Youth Mission, the non-profit that co-sponsored the recent Hearts With Haiti dance tour now brings a debut performance by their new youth drama team.  

Many Voices is a drama troupe made up entirely of youth from the greater Asheville area and directed by Aimee and Bill Buchanan.  Every Many Voices production is an original work, with subject matter determined and developed by the cast members.  

The debut production of Many Voices is named The Strength In Me and is focused on the life, challenges, and triumphs of today’s teenage girl.  Using a main cast of girls ages 13-18, and a supporting cast of boys ages 13-16, Many Voices will amaze and inspire audiences with a mixture of drama, music, and rhythm.  

This performance will be enjoyed by many ages, but is particularly suited for youth and their parents.  Topics in this one act performance include family relationships, peer relationships, and teen pressures such as achievement, appearance, sexuality, and conformity.  At the conclusion of each performance the cast will engage in a conversation with the audience, answering questions both as characters and as actors.  

Many Voices recently had a sneak peek performance of The Strength In Me, receiving the following praise:

“Amazing performance!  These young people come across like professional actors.  I don’t know how they do what they do on stage.”

“I wish my daughter had been here to see this.  I think every teenage girl needs to experience this production.”  

“I hope this show will come to my city.  I know a lot of youth who need to see this.”

The Strength In Me will be performed at The Garage at Biltmore Village 

(101 Fairview Rd.) on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7pm and Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2pm

Tickets are $8.  

For advance tickets and group sales, contact 

Bill Buchanan

billbaym@gmail.com

828-231-4634

For more information about Many Voices:

www.ashevilleyouthmission.org/many-voices

For more information about Asheville Youth Mission:

www.ashevilleyouthmission.org

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