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Concert Calendar 7/29-8/6

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Monday 7/29
– Mashup Mondays @ One World Brewing West 8pm
– Open Mic Night @ One World Brewing Downtown 7:30pm
– The Hot Seat @ Static Age Loft 7pm
– Michael Rabinowitz @ Little Jumbo

Tuesday 7/30
– Fiddlehead @ The Grey Eagle 8pm
– Grateful Family Band Tuesdays @ One World Brewing West 7pm
– Touchdown: Starship Nighthawk @ Static Age Records 8:30pm
– Chevelle, TigerCub, Return to Dust @ Rabbit Rabbit 6:30pm
– Musica Universalis @ Little Jumbo
Wednesday 7/31
– Outpost Bluegrass Jam @ The Grey Eagle 6pm
– River & Rail @ The Grey Eagle 8pm
– Latin Night Wednesday @ One World Brewing West 8pm
– Team Awesome @ The One Stop 10pm
– Elixir Magic Burlesque @ The Odd 8pm
– Meter & Melody @ Static Age Loft 7pm
– Druid Stone/Divorce Papers vs Cultleader.global/An Invitation/Curbside Loveseat @
Static Age Records 9pm
– Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic @ The Orange Peel (Pulp) 6:30pm
– Old-Time Jam @ Jack of the Wood 5pm
– Western Wednesdays @ The Double Crown 8pm
– Well Crafted Music Series w/ Ed Jurdi & Matt Smith @ Highland Brewing 6pm

Thursday 8/1
– AVLFest @ The Grey Eagle 6pm
– Bluegrass Jam @ Jack of the Wood 7pm
– Little Friday @ Archetype Brewing
– Chilled Monkey Brains w/ Deep Rest and Space Grandma @ Sly Grog 8pm
– The Sawtooth Troubadours @ Crow and Quill 8pm
– All Arts Open Mic @ Story Parlor 6:30pm
Friday 8/2
– AVLFest
– Whip Appeal @ Static Age Records 9pm
– Mr. Jimmy’s Blues w/ Howie Johnson & Pete Falbo @ Asheville Guitar Bar 8pm
– DJ Dr. Filth @ Crow and Quill 9pm
– Rooster @ Eda’s Hide-a-Way

Saturday 8/3
– AVLFest
– GABBER RAVE @ Static Age Records 9pm
– Nobody’s Darling String Band @ Jack of the Wood 4pm
– Drag Show Night @ O’Henry’s 11:30pm
– WNC Country Music Fest ft. Ryan Perry @ Silverado’s 4pm
– The Traveling Pilsburys @ Asheville Guitar Bar 8pm
– Elixir Magic Burlesque @ Crow and Quill 8pm
– Botticelli Babes @ Story Parlor 7pm
– Adrian Bundy & His Honky Tonk Hearts @ Eda’s Hide-a-Way
Sunday 8/4
– AVLFest
– Traditional Irish Music Session 3:30pm
– Jazz Sundays @ Ginger’s Revenge 2pm
– Open Mic w/ Mike Andersen @ Sly Grog 6:30pm
Monday 8/5
– Open Mic Night @ Shaky’s 6pm
Tuesday 8/6
– The E.Normous Trio @ Little Jumbo
– Booty Tuesday w/ DJ Lil Meow Meow & Drag show @ Shaky’s 9pm

In Theatres
– Henry V @ Montford Park Players

Mission Nurses’ Strike on the Horizon

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By Malachi Mena

Mission nurses are talking of a potential strike due to staffing issues. Activists in the area are attempting to help these nurses by raising money in case of a strike.

On Open Air’s series, People’s Radio Hour, Rosemary Lord joined Jennifer Hampton to discuss the strike and how they’re working to support the Mission nurses union. Lord explained that as a longtime socialist, supporting workers is one of her key values. After Lord moved to Asheville, they heard about how Mission Hospital had changed after being purchased by the Hospital Corporation of America, which they described as a major issue for the community. It was really important to Lord to be a part of the effort that would help the nurses organize for a new contract.

Hampton went on to describe Lord as a “powerhouse of an organizer,” mentioning all their work with Asheville Food & Beverage United, the Asheville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, and the canvassing efforts for the tourism taxes for affordable housing. Lord responded, claiming that the affordable housing issue and the Mission nurses issue seemed connected. They said, “It’s all about the fact that Asheville could easily be a place that works for working people. There’s enough money coming in here. There’s enough resources for everybody, but the problem is it’s not distributed in an equitable way.”

The two then went on to discuss why the nurses need a strike fund and Mission’s policies and regulations. For more on the topic, listen to the second half of this week’s episode of Open Air.

Check the Asheville for Nurses Linktree for information about how to donate to the strike fund, volunteer to canvass, and more.

Family-friendly fundraiser for the Mission Nurses Strike Fund at One World Brewing West.
Sunday, July 28, noon–4 p.m.
Featuring performances by Monster Wave and the Rich Nelson Band, speeches by nurses, and a raffle.

Community Picket at Mission Hospital.
Tuesday, August 6, gathering at 5:30, starting at 6
All community members (and their pets!) are welcome to join and show support for Mission nurses. Signs provided or make your own!

AFBU General Membership meeting
July 30, 7 p.m.
12 Baskets
Open to members, and new membership can be established at the meeting.

Private Housing Caucus Group Meeting
July 30 at 6 p.m.
Email Jen to find out more.

WNC Workers Assembly Organizing 101
August 1, 5:30 p.m.
West Asheville Park, 198 Vermont Ave.
Email Jen to register and learn more.

Contact Jen: [email protected]


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Elizabeth Alvandi – a victim with a dutiful desire to speak up

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Written by Jordan Lenoir

Please note descriptions of physical and sexual violence may be triggering for some listeners/readers.

In this fresh new episode of People’s Radio Hour on Open Air, host Jennifer Hampton is joined by Elizabeth Alvandi to discuss her recent feature in a Citizen Times article (published last Sunday) in which she discussed the violence in public housing communities and the lack of response from the Housing Authority or the Asheville Police Department.   

Alvandi herself is a public housing resident, whom Hampton says has faced “some pretty harrowing instances of violence and assault, and if not for her incredible talent for documentation, there would likely have been no consequences for her attacker.” Alvandi asserts that “one of the reasons I am speaking up about my story is not necessarily because it’s so unique. I think what’s unique is that I am maybe a bit better positioned to speak out. I have experienced a bit of retaliation.” She goes on to say, “[The] Housing [Authority] should do more.” It is not only women who have experienced this violence, but men as well. Alvandi “believes this is something a lot of people have experienced.” 

In this episode of Open Air, Alvandi also shares a traumatic event she experienced on September 20th, 2022, when she was violently assaulted outside her home in Deaverview. She shares that she had had a number of run-ins with her attacker, Jeremiah Jenkins, and instantly recognized him. 

Alvandi then goes on to share that even though Jenkins was banned from the community, she and other residents still spotted him occasionally. She states, “I told my site manager that I had been threatened by this man… And instead of informing me that he’s on the ban list [and] he shouldn’t be here, she said, ‘Oh, that doesn’t sound like him,’ indicating she knew of him and thought he was better than that.” 

Thank you, Elizabeth Alvandi, for sharing your story and spreading awareness about public housing violence. 

For more on this topic, listen to the rest of this week’s Open Air episode.


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Concert Calendar 7/22-7/29

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Monday, July 22nd

Mashup Mondays w/JLloyd @ One World Brewing West

Brijean w/Colloboh @ The Grey Eagle

The Hot Seat @ Static Age Loft

John Coltrane Retrospective hosted by Lawson Gardner @ Little Jumbo

Tuesday, July 23rd

Grateful Family Band Tuesdays @ One World Brewing West

Tuesday Night Funk Jam @ Asheville Music Hall 

Mates of State w/Al Menne @ The Grey Eagle

Dale Neal & Sheila Kay Adams @ Citizen Vinyl

Bill’s Garage, Uh Erik & Chilltonic @ Sly Grog

Jesse Sendejas w/Ghostdaughter, Yawni & Roachspliff @ 27 Club

Jay Sanders, Will Boyd, Zack Page & Alan Hall @ Little Jumbo

Peter the Poet @ Eulogy

Wednesday, July 24th

Old-Time Jam @ Jack of The Wood 

Sam Wharton @ The Outpost

Vincent Neil Emerson @ The Grey Eagle

Freshlocals Organ Trio @ The One Stop

Iration & Pepper w/Denm & Artikal Sound System @ Salvage Station

Vanishing Kids, Insomniac, The Jesus Casino @ The Odd

Tennis Courts, Yesterday’s Clothes & Elijah Johnson @ Fleetwood’s

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic @ Pulp

Gold Rose @ The Double Crown

Bonedozer, Boozewa & Killiad @ Sly Grog

Well Crafted Music @ Highland Brewing

Friendship w/Colin Miller & Natalie Jane Hill @ Eulogy

Afton Wolfe & KM Fuller @ Eda’s Hide-A-Way

 

Thursday, July 25th

Sari Jordan & Julie Odell @ The Outpost

The Last Revel w/Elias Hix @ The Grey Eagle

Brushfire Stankgrass @ The One Stop

Airshow @ Asheville Music Hall

81 Drifters @ One World Brewing

Big Lonesome, Polly Panic & Crooked Ghost @ Fleetwood’s

Yasu Cub, Feeling Format, Trust Blinks & Dish @ Static Age Records

Drew Matulich @ Jack of the Wood

Listen to This: Stories and More on Stage @ Citizen Vinyl

Butts & Boots (line dancing) @ Banks Ave

The Tallboys @ Asheville Guitar Bar

Naomie April & The Moments @ The Crow & Quill

Pictures of Vernon w/Big Girl, Aunt Vicki & Mary Metal @ Eulogy

 

Friday, July 26th 

Kyshona @ The Grey Eagle Patio

Fruit Bats w/Torres @ The Outpost

Bloodkin @ Asheville Music Hall

CJ Brewer @ One World Brewing

Clouds of Delusion @ One World Brewing West

Doom Flamingo @ Salvage Station

Night Movies w/Brandon Manitoba @ Static Age Loft

DirtBike, Secret Guest, Lawndry & Lion County Ferrari @ Static Age Records

Steve Hofstetter @ The Orange Peel

Touch Samadhi @ Sly Grog

Spinach @ Highland Brewing downtown

Truphonic @ Highland Brewing

Mr. Jimmy’s Blues @ Asheville Guitar Bar

Las Montañitas @ The Crow & Quill

Fancy & the Friends in Low Places @ Eda’s Hide-A-Way

Saturday, July 27th 

Julianna Jade w/Washer Dryer & Kassidy Blount @ The Outpost

Bloodkin @ Asheville Music Hall

Frute @ The One Stop

Spaceman Jones & the Motherships, SK the Novelist & Colston @ One World Brewing West

Steel Pulse w/Jesse Royal @ Salvage Station

Zillicoah, Oberlin & East Ritual @ Fleetwood’s

Pipsqueak, Warmones & Formless @ Static Age Records

Gavin Adcock @ The Orange Peel

Jackson Grimm & the Bull Moose Party @ Jack of the Wood

Rational Soul, Sought, Enki & ADH Bass @ Sly Grog

Dan Clare @ Highland Brewing downtown

Muskrat Flats @ Highland Brewing

Mindex & 5AM @ The Getaway River Bar

DJ Lil Meow Meow @ LIttle Jumbo

The Vince Junior Band @ Asheville Guitar Bar

Meschiva Lake & the Moodswingers @ The Crow & Quill

Asheville Mindreading Show @ Story Parlor

Hearts Gone South @ Eda’s Hide-A-Way

 

Sunday, July 28th 

Fee Fi Phaux Fish @ The Outpost

Sons of the East w/Ben Goldsmith @ The Grey Eagle

Ghost in the Graveyard @ The One Stop

Nurses Benefit Bash @ One World Brewing West

Chaos Theory Neon Nightmare (drag show) @ The Odd

Boys Like Girls w/Grayscale @ The Orange Peel

Jazz Sundays @ Ginger’s Revenge

Wildstreet, Night Beers & Beard Cult @ Sly Grog

Fo Daniels @ Highland Brewing

Brad Walker @ LIttle Jumbo

Mary Timony w/Speedy Ortiz @ Eulogy

Monday, July 29th 

Mashup Mondays w/JLloyd @ One World Brewing West

The Hot Seat @ Static Age Loft

Michael Rabinowitz @ Little Jumbo

Tuesday, July 30th 

Fiddlehead w/GEL, MILLY and Gumm @ The Grey Eagle

Grateful Family Band Tuesdays @ One World Brewing West

Chevelle, Tigerclub & Return to Dust @ Rabbit Rabbit

Will Boyd, Tim Fischer, Zach Page & Alan Hall @ Little Jumbo

In Theatres: 

Wortham Center for the Performing Arts presents:  Before the Scream, July 25th – 27th, Daddy Long Legs, July 25th – 28th

Montford Park Players Presents: Henry V, July 26th – August 25th

The ADA – A deep dive

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Written by Malachi Mena

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was passed in 1990. Local disability educator and activist Priya Ray of DIYabled notes that many non-disabled individuals aren’t aware of the ADA and its policies, and makes an effort to raise awareness this Disability Pride month!

On Open Air’s series, This Crip Life, Priya Ray was joined by Vicki Young, a disabled law student to discuss and deep dive into the ADA. Ray began by defining it. She stated “the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government programs and services.”

Young went on to explain that there are 4 titles within the ADA. Title one is employment, title two is State and Local Governments, title three is Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities, and title four is Telecommunication. Young stated that according to title one, employers cannot discriminate against a qualified disabled individual. She emphasized the word qualified, making it understood that if one lacks the merit or qualifications needed for a position, they are not guaranteed or entitled to such a position. Ray chimed in to point out that the ADA is in place to give disabled people equal rights, not an advantage.

Young mentioned that the ADA gives small businesses and religious institutions a pass on upholding these policies whilst encouraging these groups to do their best at providing equal treatment to disabled individuals. The two went on to discuss accessible housing, religious facilities and more regarding the policies of the ADA.

For more on this ADA conversation, check out this week’s episode of Open Air.

Additionally, local community sponsors are helping Asheville celebrate Disability Pride this July. Checkout diyabled.com for more on the events taking place throughout Asheville.


More Posts for Show: Open Air

Braver Angels, an optimistic alternative to toxic politics

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Written by Jordan Lenoir

Braver Angels invites anyone and everyone to join them to help depolarize politics in America by bringing any political view to the table! This national cross-partisan, non-profit organization invites members red, blue and others to converse through shared and separated values and concerns to build more trust in politics. 

On the Asheville FM Newshour, KP Whaley interviewed Tod Lester about his organization that is dedicated to bringing the citizens of America together from all political views. 

Braver Angels recently conducted a survey regarding elections and how they can become more trustworthy for voters. Last year, Braver Angels held a convention that gathered 700 people where they collectively questioned, “what’s an issue that congress needs some help with or what are they not doing that we can do?” Lester revealed that following this questioning was “a series of 26 workshops, 194 evenly balanced red leaning and blue leaning participants, 747 points of unanimous agreements, they came up with 23 solutions on how to ensure that our elections are more trustworthy.” Lester shares that Braver Angels is holding an event on July 25th at Skyland United Methodist church in south Asheville at 6:30 to go through this report with all opposing political viewpoints and discuss the 23 solutions of trustworthy elections. 

Braver Angels, which was established in 2016, is working hard to rebuild trust in American politics and they do this through workshops, skill building, surveys, parliamentary style debates, and inviting politicians to town halls. Lester shares that “we are focused on this toxic political polarization thinking there has to be a better way.” 

Braver Angels’ main goal of their mission is to be able to bring all different political standing citizens together to come to reasonable compromises and agreements on what they collectively want to see change in politics. Lester speaks lightly on how politics tends to divide people/communities and how more recent divisions of sides have been difficult in America. Lester expresses that it is harder to build trust when people are discorded and reacting anonymously. He explains, “as long as people stay separate, they are going to think separately.” 

For more about Braver Angels, visit https://braverangels.org/