The free shows are staged at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre. Photo by AVLtoday More than a hundred years after the houses of Lancaster and York laid down their arms, William Shakespeare penned nine plays depicting their monarchical struggle. Over the years, several theaters have produced an eight-play Wars of the Roses cycle (leaving out “Edward III”) — but Montford Park Players aims to best all nine. “Our research indicated that the nine-play cycle had never before been performed in one season,” says Executive Director John Russell. “We decided to take this giant step and be the first comp ..read more

We’re dedicated to delivering you impactful, relevant, and positive local news. Graphic by 6AM City Hey there. It’s Grace and Molly, the local City Editors you know and love. Allow us to pass the mic to 126 of our coworkers. (Yes, that’s right — an entire team is behind each day’s newsletter, and we couldn’t do it without them.) We are 6AM City, the parent company of AVLtoday. We’re the people on a mission to engage communities by aggregating the most positive, impactful local news and events into a free, daily email newsletter. Maybe you caught the magic word in there — free. We’re prou ..read more

Keep up with more of Asheville’s happenings with these Instagram accounts. Photo by AVLtoday Recently, we put out a call on Instagram, asking you all to tell us which local accounts we should be following. More than 1,000 comments later, we rounded up a handful of users that you helped put on our radar. So, let’s spice up our feed together. Asheville Camera Club | @ashevillecameraclub This club celebrates the creativity of local amateur and professional photographers with monthly meetups meant for discussion, sharing, and shooting. Check out the zine they released in March, “Chromatic Ab ..read more

There are currently two bear cubs in the refuge’s care. Photo via Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is now the temporary home of an unintentionally famous bear cub. ICYMI, a video went viral in mid-April, showing a group of people at an Asheville apartment complex taking two black bear cubs out of a tree for photos. For the past couple of weeks, one of the cubs has been at the local nonprofit to receive care. After a little time to adjust, the cub was introduced to another orphaned cub already at the refuge, and both are thriving, eating well, and enjoying enrichmen ..read more

Which local businesses do you love? Photo by AVLtoday One of our favorite things about Asheville is how much it supports its small businesses. National Small Business Week takes place Sunday, April 28-Saturday, May 4, and we’re looking to you to help us celebrate the businesses you love most. How can you show your appreciation? It’s easy. Just fill out this three-question survey telling us your favorite small business and what makes it special. We’ll start: City Editor Molly loves stocking up on vintage duds + fabulous finds at rEvolve Mercantile. City Editor Grace loves enjoying a wee ..read more

See what’s in store for Different Wrld. Photo by AVLtoday What is Different Wrld? Well, some nights it’s a music venue. Others, it’s a mechanical bull riding bar or a market for artists to sell work. Since taking over the space at 701 Haywood Rd., it’s been a creative venue designed to support different mediums and break down the barrier of entry to the creative industry. In 2023, 701 Haywood Rd. was put up for sale. And in the following February, the building was sold, leaving Different Wrld without a renewed lease. Now, the creative venue is on the move, with eyes on a new space and is ..read more

The plump Eastern Phoebe gets its name from its song. Photo by Andrew Cannizzaro Hear that outside? With the nonstop chiming and chirping all over Asheville, this is the season to get into birdwatching. And lucky for us, NC is home to hundreds of year-round and migrating bird species, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this joyful (and free) hobby. In honor of our feathered friends, we’re sharing 20 of the birds you may be seeing or hearing in your backyard now — plus a few tips for perfecting your birdwatching approach. Black-throated Green Warbler While not typically ..read more

Mountain Circus Arts will host a workshop at the LEAF Retreat. Photo via LEAF Global Arts Summer’s almost here and Asheville is so ready. From live music and celebrations to hiking and festivals, summer is when the 828 comes alive. Get ready to get outside with this guide featuring 15+ summer events happening between May and August. Concerts and live music Downtown After 5 | Third Friday of the month, April-September | 5-9 p.m. | North Lexington Avenue, Downtown Asheville | Free | Filling downtown with music each summer, the series also includes food + drink vendors, a marketplace, and a ..read more

The 600 acres cover both agricultural land and undeveloped mountain terrain. Photo via Warren Wilson College On-campus conservation. The Warren Wilson College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to establish four conservation easements with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC). The easements would cover 600 acres of farm + forest land in the Swannanoa Valley. The 600-acre piece of land is the largest remaining privately held tract of farm and forest land in Buncombe County, and the college and SAHC have been discussing its conservation for decades. These easements would ..read more

Learn about Warren Wilson College’s history in the “The Valley Remembers: A People’s History of Warren Wilson College, 1100-1999" course at The Mountain Institute. Photo via Warren Wilson College Even if your school days are behind you, it’s never too late to learn something new. Class is in session, so today, we’re exploring where adults and seniors can go to continue their education. Whether you want to learn a new skill, study history, or become more engaged in your community, the Asheville area is a haven for lifelong learning. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) OLLI, which is ..read more