Weekly Fertilization: One of the Beautiful Things about Asheville: Music
I’m sitting in my little pollination office at my house listening to the sounds of a single saxophone being played by my musician neighbor on his back deck. The depth of the music community here in Asheville is a wonderful thing! Neighbors with talent they are willing to share, morning or evening, out their backdoor, under the stars or after sunrise. I’m grateful to have music all around me. Thank you lovely musicians for sharing yourselves through your music!
This neighbor is a member of the dirty-tonk band, The Trainwrecks.
Graphic by: Matt Friesen
UPDATE: This workshop was so needed that it’s already booked solid! But, they are offering the same workshop on Feb. 23, same time, same place. Make your reservations quickly!
Social Media Jams, a monthly workshop series offering education in how businesses and people can use blogs, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn for fun and profit, launches Feb. 9 at Tomato Jam Cafe.
Co-sponsored by the Mountain Xpress, Tomato Jam Cafe and Skyrunner, the Jams offer homegrown social media expertise in everything from how small businesses can use Twitter to how to use Google Analytics to drive more traffic to your website.
“We want to harness local talent and expertise from people already using social media effectively right here in Asheville,” said Social Media Jams organizer Jennifer Saylor, who leads community initiatives for Mountain Xpress. “These workshops are presented by local experts, for local users of all levels.”
Leading the first workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 9 is Wendy Lou Gillespie of Creative Imp Works, whose social media clients include Monkeywhale.com, TEDxAsheville and Asheville Vaudeville. Her kickoff workshop will teach small business owners how to use online tools like Twitter and Facebook to grow their business in new ways.
“It’s a beginner-friendly introduction for all levels, for anyone looking for new avenues to grow their network and reach new clients,” Gillespie said. “Twitter and Facebook aren’t difficult, they’re for all ages, and they’re easy to master when you have a little help with the nuts and bolts.”
Tomato Jam Cafe offers a limited food menu for the kickoff Jam, complete with dessert.
“We want to create an easygoing atmosphere for the Jams,” Saylor said. “There’ll be learning and networking, but there’s also good food. Come out, have dinner, and learn something you need to know.”
Cost per person to attend is $15 (dinner not included). An RSVP is required as there is limited seating at the cafe, and space in the workshops is first come, first served. Participants should RSVP via e-mail to jsaylor@mountainx.com.
As well as RSVP-ing, participants should bring a laptop or web-enabled device that allows them to access the Internet.
Social Media Jams
Tuesday, Feb. 9 (going forward, the second Tuesday of the month)
Tomato Jam Cafe, 379 Biltmore Ave. (in the Doctor’s Park)
6:30-8:30 p.m.
$15 per person; bring a laptop or web-enabled device
RSVP requested: jsaylor@mountainx.com
Facebook: search Social Media Jams
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SocialMediaJams, @socialmediajams
Convergance
On Friday at about noon, I went to Greenlife for a client meeting. Have you been to Greenlife at lunch time? Whew!
As I walked to the door, I noticed a friend of mine talking with the gentleman who sells roasted chestnuts. I stopped to hear a story (he has great stories, by the way) and within 30 seconds had said hello to three other friends whom I hadn’t seen in at least six months from all different areas of my life.
For a brief moment, I was overwhelmed with the way that life can bring convergence, overlap, and a feeling of stability, as if everything that is happening is happening together and in sync with everything and everyone else. Rarely does that manifest for me in a physical space like it did on Friday. In that moment, I felt reassured in the path in which I was standing. Grounded in love from old friends and new work, both professional and personal, on the horizon…along with the in coming snow.
Artists, Educators, Arts Organizations, Community Members, Parents, Siblings, your input is needed!
Photo: A New Kind of Listening
Arts Access NC is conducting a statewide survey of needs and excellence
related to arts for people with disabilities. Please take the survey and
help support the arts for people with disabilities in North Carolina. There
are two versions of the survey, one for people with disabilities and family
members and one for art teachers and provider agency staff.
Survey for People with Disabilities and Their Families:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Z7DW5LZ
Survey for Arts Educators and Agency Staff:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZVNS3YN
You may also request a hard copy to be mailed to you or we can also give
you the survey over the phone. Call 919-271-3001.
More about the Survey
In partnership with VSA Arts and the NC Arts Council, Arts Access seeks to
develop a statewide arts and disability network to promote opportunities for
people with disabilities to experience quality arts education, community
cultural activities and nurture individual artistic talent. Information from
the survey will be used to develop programming, educator training, and
future grant opportunities. VSA Arts (formerly Very Special Arts) partnered
with North Carolina during the 1980’s and 1990’s as an official
affiliate but has been dormant since that time. This assessment will
determine the interest in reviving that partnership.
The project coordinator is Betsy Jones Ludwig. There will be a written
survey, interviews and focus groups around the state. Please contact Betsy
if you would like to participate. Phone: 919-271-3001, email:
Betsy@artsaccessinc.org
Arts Access NC
Arts Access is a volunteer group founded in Raleigh in 1982 that began
offering services state wide in 2008. Arts Access provides:
· Workshops, technical assistance, and consultations on how to develop ADA
accessibility plans for programs and facilities.
· Disability awareness training for arts organizations
· Audio Describers to Triangle theaters at select performances so that
patrons who are blind or have low vision can “see” a play
Our Partners
VSA Arts is an international non profit organization founded by Jean
Kennedy Smith, to create a society where people with disabilities learn
through participation and enjoyment in the arts. North Carolina Arts Council
was created to strengthen North Carolina’s creativity, invention, and
prosperity. It operates today as an agency of the North Carolina Department
of Cultural Resources, the nation’s first cabinet level state agency for the
arts, history, and libraries.
Andrea Clark’s images are on display again at UNC-A. They were last exhibited at Pack Library. Here’s more information from that exhibition.
Asheville’s East End Circa 1968,” a historical photography exhibition by Asheville artist Andrea Clark, is on view through February 26 in UNC Asheville’s Blowers Gallery. The exhibition includes 26 framed black-and-white photographs and a large historical map of Asheville. A reception will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in the gallery, with a talk by the artist at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Thanks for posting this Ashevegas. More here.
More information on Urban Renewal:
From Encyclopedia.com: “ Arising from more than a half-century of slum clearance and urban housing reform campaigns, “Urban Renewal” was a federally sponsored and largely federally financed program that altered the physical landscapes of many American cities between the mid-1950s and the early 1970s. Proponents promised to provide cities with funds and legal powers to tear down slums, sell the land to private developers at reduced cost, relocate slum-dwellers in decent, safe housing, stimulate large-scale private construction of new housing, revitalize decaying urban downtowns by eliminating “blight” (economically unprofitable districts), and add new property-tax revenues to shrinking city budgets. Urban renewal, proponents argued, would also slow the departure of middle- and upper-income whites for the suburbs.”
Gratitude
POP Asheville 07 was one of Heypenny’s first introductions to Asheville and since then, Heypenny has brought it every time I’ve seen them. Nashville-based Heypenny is playing at the Rocket Club in West Asheville tonight! These guys are great on and off the stage.
If you’re into having fun, shakin’ it to some great music on a Thursday night, go. If you can’t hang, stay home. Seriously, these guys are nasty!
Photo credit: Earth First
“One of the environmental leaders of the century.” -Newsweek
Dr. Robert Bullard speaks at UNC-A tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Lipinsky Auditorium.
Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the man Grist magazine called “the father of environmental justice.” Ware Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Director of the Environmental Justice Resource Center at Clark Atlanta University, Robert Bullard challenges government and industry policies that place people of color and the poor at special risk. He is the author of more than 15 books that address issues of sustainable development, environmental racism, smart urban growth, community reinvestment, and housing and transportation equity.
Tickets required. Free for the UNC Asheville campus community. Limit one per OneCard. Limited seating.
Please get your ticket in advance at the Highsmith Union Box Office.
$5 all others, at the door ONLY starting at 6 pm. Cash or check ONLY.
Environmental Justice: Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socio-economic groups should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies. Over the last decade or so, grassroots activists have attempted to change the way society views community health. Grassroots groups have also organized, educated, and empowered themselves to improve the way health and environmental policies are administered.
Mountain Housing Opportunities is launching the Glen Rock Depot website with a Call to Artists. They are in search of handmade architectural elements for the new, LEED certified multi-use building–372 Depot–in the Glen Rock Depot development in the River Arts District. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. The three projects are:
372 DEPOT TILES: Apartment Numbers and Apartment Directional Signage tiles (75-80 tiles) (Budget: $4,000 including installation)
BENCHES: Outdoor Park Benches (2) (Budget: $2,000 each, including installation)
SIGNATURE WALL of GRATITUDE: Handmade 10”x10” Signature Pieces for “Thank You/Donor Wall” (40) (Budget: $7,000 including installation)
They will likely have future opportunities for artist involvement in the community as well. Submission details at www.GlenRockDepot.com or stop by the MHO offices at 64 Clingman Ave. Suite 101, and ask for paper copies of the submission guidelines and project details.
DO YOU NEED A HAIRCUT? WHY NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ON FEBRUARY 1ST WITH ONE OF THE SALONS DONATING 100% OF PROCEEDS ON THAT DAY TO RELIEF EFFORTS TO HAITI?
SLOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST. CALL SOON.
As we watch the devastation unfold in Haiti, feelings of helplessness along with tremendous sadness are overwhelming. As we celebrate justice and honor Dr. King this weekend and early next week, area citizens and business are finding ways to contribute to the relief efforts. By getting your haircut in a participating salon on Feb. 1, you can participate as well.
Haircuts for Haiti is one way Asheville citizens and businesses are coming together to support relief efforts in Haiti. Five Asheville salons are holding a cut-a-thon and donating 100% of haircut proceeds on Monday, February 1, 2010 to relief efforts for the earthquake that devastated Haiti.
The salons welcome other businesses to match what is raised or become part of Haircuts for Haiti in whatever way is feasible for them. Participating businesses will be listed on the Wildflower Studio website, www.wildflowerstudioasheville.com. Businesses interested in participating in this effort should call Amanda at 505-9490.
Individuals who would like to make an appointment or support businesses offering 100% proceeds to relief efforts in Haiti can find the names of participating businesses on the Wildflower Studio website or by calling 505.9490. Each salon will have a different price for cuts and a different schedule. Please call the salon of your choice directly to make the appointment.
“Our hearts go out to the people in Haiti,” said Amanda Lawton, owner of Wildflower Studio. “Our hope is that for those who don’t know how they can help, this provides an opportunity to come together as a community to support Haiti’s relief efforts, even if just a little bit.”
Currently participating salons include: Wildflower Studio, L’Eau De Vie, Salon Dragonfly, Water Lily, Evolutions Salon, with graphic support from Cheesy Graphics and outreach support through Pollinate Consulting and Mountain Xpress.
Wildflower Studio is donating to Doctors Without Borders emergency fund. www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Call 505.9490 for an appointment.
Salon Dragonfly 253.3977 www.salondragonfly.net is donating to www.howcantheyhear.org, an Asheville family living in Haiti and assisting in humanitarian efforts.
Water Lily Salon 505.3288 www.waterlilysalon.com is donating to Hearts with Hands www.heartswithhands.org, and Doctors Without Borders, www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Evolutions Salon 274.7662 www.evolutionssalonofasheville.com
Adorn Salon and Boutique 225.8828 www.adornsalonandboutique.com is offering manicures and massage, too!
Natural Impressions Salon 651.9898 www.naturalimpressionssalon.com is donating to Hearts with Hands. Their donation date will be February 8th
