Summertime Fun in WNC

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2015

1

Summer is (almost) officially here, complete with our week of 90-degree days! A great way to make the most of this warm weather is to enjoy all of the outdoor activities, festivals and events that our area has to offer.

Here are some ideas:
  • Go on a hike! Visit the newly available www.wncviewhikes.com for more information about local hikes, how to access trail heads, difficulty ratings and more. This is a great resource for finding some beautiful hikes in WNC. 
  • Make it out to Black Mountain's Park Rhythms concert series every Thursday night from 7-9, beginning June 25 through August. Concerts are free and range from rock to bluegrass. Bring your appetite and support one of the local food vendors that will be on site too!
  • Mark the 38th annual Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain on your calendar for August 8th and 9th - there will be plenty of music, arts and craft vendors, and kid-friendly fun.
  • Asheville Parks and Rec. will be offering free Movies at Pack Square Park this summer - on July 10 Surf's Up will be shown. Despicable Me 2  will be featured on August 14.


Get more details about music festivals like Downtown after 5 (Asheville's Lexington ave. concert series, May-September which happens every 3rd Friday) at exploreasheville.com.

What are your favorite summertime activities in WNC?

Continue Reading

Red Radish, Foothills Butchery, La Guinguette: The Evolving Tastes of Black Mountain

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Monday, March 02, 2015

0

Asheville's rising popularity as a "foodie" destination has made its mark on neighboring Black Mountain. Black Mountain's food scene isn't lacking an identity of its own though - our front porch town with quaint cafes, diners, pubs and other delicious establishments are all complimented by mountain views from every angle.

Here are few favorite new and reinvented spots in Black Mountain.

La Guinguette

If you haven't had the opportunity to try La Guinguette, the new French fusion restaurant in town, give it a shot. From savory crepes to tamales, this new spot has a variety of tasteful options at an affordable price. A dish costs anywhere from $7-$15 depending on what you're craving- and you have plenty of options. They are open Wednesday - Saturday for lunch and dinner and for Sunday brunch from 10-3.

Foothills Deli and Butchery

 Grab one of their slaw slathered BBQ sandwiches. You'll keep coming back for more. Foothills offers a great selection of grass-fed, pasture-raised meat from local farms that you can pick up and cook at home, or stop by and devour during a lunch outing. Not only are they a one stop butcher shop, catering service and deli, but they also offer "The Butcher's Table" for a truly unique local experience. The Butcher's Table offers an exclusive taste of four large courses of local meats and cheeses two nights per month.

Red Radish

You've likely heard the news by now, but longstanding catering company, Red Radish, has claimed a new spot in downtown so that they can combine their 'to-go' and catering operations into one location on Sutton ave. The 7500 square foot "public market" will also offer additional retail space. Red Radish has great food, a reputation for high quality customer service and a loyal following in the Black Mountain community.

Continue Reading

Holiday Magic

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2014

0


In a few weeks, Black Mountain storefronts will be filling up with crowds from near and far for the town's annual celebration of the holidays - Holly Jolly. Get ready for refreshments provided by local business owners, festive sweaters, hot apple cider, live music and a general spirit of excitement and celebration with our great community. Holly Jolly happens from 5-8 on December 5th.

Just visiting the area for a couple of days? Sign up for a Black Mountain dessert tour before Holly Jolly, and then come back for Saturday's parade at 4 p.m. after you take the kids to see "Santa on Town Square" from 12-3 p.m.

Many friends and families will be gathering around the dinner table for a Thanksgiving meal in a couple of weeks. Looking to avoid burning the turkey or just to make the cooking process as painless as possible? Red Radish caters a great Thanksgiving meal! You could also pick up a delicious, locally-sourced Thanksgiving meal from Foothills Deli & Butchery.

If you plan to venture into Asheville to celebrate the holiday season, check out this list of events that are worthy of a visit. From the National Gingerbread Competition, to Biltmore's Candlelight Christmas Evenings, to watching Santa break-dance --  we have a lot of fun to go around. 

Continue Reading

Fall is Almost Upon Us

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2014

0

It's mid-August and already beginning to feel a little like fall in Black Mountain. Hard to believe that there is only a month more of summer! 

This summer has been full of fun activities, including the 37th annual Sourwood Festival, Park Rhythms Summer Concert series, and a couple more weeks of Shindig on the Green. We've had plenty of sunshine this summer, with families traveling from storefront to storefront, stopping for a quick ice cream cone and marching up the countless hiking trails of our wonderful mountains. Asheville, yet again, received quite a bit a praise for being a top travel destination. Check out a full list of accolades.


So, with all of the wonder of summer, what does fall in the Asheville area have in store? Leaf season, for one. It's very possible to just stop the list there, as the month of October is an explosion of fiery color sure to delight locals and visitors alike - start checking in for local leaf forecasts in September if you're trying to find the perfect time to visit.

Here are a few other great activities for the fall:

Continue Reading

Happy 4th!

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2014

0

It’s almost here! Mountain views, good food, and a pervading sense of community, make celebrating the 4th of July in the Asheville area a great choice.  How are you celebrating Independence Day?

If you are in Black Mountain, you may consider joining in for the Downtown Street Dance and Fireworks.  The 96.5 WOXL House Band will perform and food vendors such as Avery’s Hot Dogs, Hey HeyCupcake, MacDaddy’s Lemonade, and Norman’s Ice Cream will be on site. Not to mention games and activities for the kids! All of this will take place from 5-9 p.m., and will close with a flurry of fireworks. Pull out those lawn chairs and enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family. See what Black Mountain has to offer this 4th.

If you’re heading to Asheville for the evening of the 4th, make a straight shot for Pack Square Park. Musicians ranging from the indie rock genre to blues will take the stage beginning at 4 p.m. And did I mention FOOD? No short supply on site. The fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Come back to the same place at 7:30 on July 5 for a free concert and long-time favorite, Shindig on the Green.

You may also be dreaming of an unconventional 4th of July celebration. No problem. Everything from firework hikes to art walks are available. Take a look at Asheville's event calendar, and make this 4th of July a memorable one. 

Continue Reading

Summer is Here!

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Monday, June 02, 2014

0

After a little vacation, Black Mountain Birdie is back in action in "the little town that rocks." It's good to be back!


It's early June right now, and if you're visiting town for the week or just looking for some fun in town... there's something for everyone during the summers in Black Mountain! Here's some of what you have to look forward to in June:

Black Mountain Center for the Arts will be hosting the 8th annual Art in Bloom. This is a great event that will feature art work on loan from area galleries, floral designers' displays, plein air painters and more. June 12-14. Get more details here. 

Park Rhythms is a town favorite and best of all, it's free. Concerts take place at Lake Tomahawk every Thursday evening, beginning June 26 from 7-9 p.m., and continue until August 14. Bring your picnic blanket and chairs. And by the way - there's food! Check out the full schedule and see which food vendors will be available each week. 

If you're looking for anything from a quick bite to some fresh flowers, the Black Mountain Tailgate Market started back up in May and will go until October from 9 a.m. to noon. Get more info about the vendors here.

Continue Reading

Call for Artists from AnTHM/ Monte Vista

Posted by Black Mountain Birdie | | Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2011

11

Guests Discover Artful Lodging at The Monte Vista Hotel
Art Director Seeks Local Artwork for Black Mountain’s Historic Hotel
Black Mountain, NC (July 2011) – The recently renovated Monte Vista Hotel now features work by local artists- showcasing the area’s rich culture and heritage.  Owners Sue Conlon and Barney Fitzpatrick named Cappi Macsherry, owner of AnTHM Gallery in Black Mountain, as their art director.  Macsherry has used her talents and eye for vibrant art to adorn the walls of Black Mountain’s historic hotel with works of local and regional artists.  Macsherry is currently seeking additional paintings, photography and mixed media from local and regional artists. 
“Cappi has created a fresh and innovative look for the hotel, and the walls now reflect the talent of our region,” says Conlon.  “Our goal is to maintain the flavor of the past when the hotel was at the heart of what was happening in Black Mountain, while supporting today’s local artist community and enhancing our guests’ experience.”
Macsherry says the art design will change frequently and she’ll seek new artists on an ongoing basis.  Currently featured are the works of Ellen Langford, Keith Spencer, Alicia Chatham and Susan Hanning. 
“There are so many amazing artists in our region and many are relatively unknown,” comments Cappi.  “It’s an honor to bring recognition to this creative region, and I look forward to discovering new works.”
The Monte Vista Hotel has partnered with the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League in offering “First Fridays” – monthly receptions focused around new artists’ debuts.  Each event is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and features “Artini” drink specials, appetizers and live music.  The dates for the rest of the year are August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4 and December 2.
Those who have been to AnTHM know that Macsherry has a unique gift of transforming a space.  AnTHM is a contemporary meets folk-rock art gallery with a mix of paintings, folk-art handcrafts, rough-hewn clothing and hand-crafted jewelry pieces --- all entwined together to make the gallery a showpiece of itself.
Conlon and Fitzpatrick recently renovated the Monte Vista Hotel, originally built in 1919 and a jumping off point for those wanting to explore the Swannanoa Valley.  The hotel offers comfortable modern accommodations, dining and a wide variety of thirst-quenchers --- boasting the title of Black Mountain’s only restaurant serving liquor by the glass.  Throughout its history, the hotel has had a special place in the social and civic life of Black Mountain, and Conlon and Fitzpatrick believe that incorporating local and regional artwork will keep true to the hotel’s spirit. 
Artists interested in displaying work at the Monte Vista should contact Cappi Macsherry at 828-419-0049 or info@AnTHMgallery.com.  AnTHM Gallery is located at 100.5 West State Street; the Monte Vista Hotel is located at 308 W. State Street.  For more information, visit www.AnTHMgallery.com or www.themontevistahotel.net.


Continue Reading

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)