Monday, April 30, 2012

Upcoming events in the Asheville area this week


UPCOMING EVENTS

04/30/12 “RACE AND THE BALLOT BOX” FORUM
The Martin Luther King Jr. Assoc. of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a forum on “Race & the Ballot Box” as part of the YWCA’s annual Stand Against Racism. The event will be at Westwood Baptist Church, 150 Westwood Place in West Asheville, beginning at 7 PM on Monday, Apr. 30, 2012. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

04/30/12 MAY DAY SHOWS - SONGS OF LAND AND LABOR
The May Day Shows will feature Michael Luketan, radical folk band Red Wind, the May Day Chorus and the Saro/Brian/Asher Trio! We will be performing music and songs in 3-part harmonies from independence movements in the last 200 years- from the Chartist Movement of the 1840s, the Easter Rebellion in Ireland 1917 to the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912.  And of course, we will have several songs about spring and land, honoring May Day's origins in the celebration of Beltaine!   Monday, April 30th, Goodstuff, Marshal, 7 PM.

05/01/12 OCCUPY WALL STREET CALLS FOR MAY DAY GENERAL STRIKE
This event will be held from 4 to 7 PM in Asheville at Pack Square.  From 4 to 5 PM is speechifying, in English and Spanish, general fun and hanging out, milling about.  Starting at 5 PM on the dot, a picket will form at the uphill end of the park and begin to move through downtown.  We'll be back in the park around 6 PM and people are welcome to hang out and picnic in the park (bring something for yourself or to share).  There will be Beltane ritual, songs, etc.  Much fun and interesting conversations to be had.

05/01/12 OCCUPY CHICAGO
Adbusters has issued a Call to Action to Occupy Chicago for the NATO summit this coming May.

05/01/12 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE PLANNING MEETING
Planning meeting for International Day of Peace event Tuesday at 6 PM, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak St., Asheville. Jonah Bolt will be our leader. Please join us May 1.

05/02/12 SIERRA CLUB MEETING
Sierra Club will take a look at issues in the North Carolina state legislature that concern Western North Carolina: Asheville's water system, clear cutting around billboards, steep slopes, and stream reclassification that allows for development close to banks. Will Morgan, Sierra Club's state lobbyist, will present a summary of laws that passed in 2011, a preview of 2012 legislation, and an analysis of upcoming elections on Wednesday, May 2, at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, corner of Charlotte & Edwin.   Contact: judymattox@sbcglobal.net, 828-683-2176

05/03/12 VETERANS FOR PEACE MEETING
Time is 6:30 PM and location is VFP HQ at the Phil Mechanic Studios: 109 Roberts Street (the corner of Haywood and Roberts), Asheville. VFP CHAPTER 099: http://vfpchapter099wnc.blogspot.com/

05/03/12 to 05/06/12 DIFFERENT STROKES!  PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE
On May 4th as a featured part of the YWCA of Asheville’s annual Stand Against Racism Campaign we will open “A Lesson Before Dying” by Rommulus Linney.  On May 5th, an alternate cast, of the opposite racial make-up, will open the same story.  This is the story of Jefferson, an innocent young man, who has been condemned to death in backwoods Louisiana in 1948.  One script, two casts, two perspectives… and two plays?  The Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective presents A Lesson Before Dying. www.differentstrokesavl.com.  Location is Asheville High School.

05/04/12 SPRING HERB FESTIVAL AT FARMERS MARKET
More information at www.ashevilleherbfestival.com.

05/05/12 EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The organization 350.org will hold a day of action to "Connect the Dots" between extreme weather events and climate change via distributed actions.  http://www.350.org

05/05/12 GREEN PARTY MEETING
The Buncombe County GREEN Party's business meeting is free & open to the public. It will be held from 10 AM to noon, upstairs in the Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., West Asheville. Contact Ronald @ 828-LUCK-180 or Larry @ 828-225-4347 for more information.

05/07/12 MALAPROP’S EVENT
Monday, May 7, at 7 pm at Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, Zach Wahls, the young man whose You-Tube film defending his two moms lit up the internet, will present and sign his timely new book, My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family. Come learn about Zach Wahls and his family -- and remember to vote in the North Carolina Primary Election the following day, Tuesday, May 8!

05/08/12 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY

05/09/12 BUS TO CHARLOTTE TO PROTEST BANK OF AMERICA
The Bus from Asheville May 9, Leaving 5:20 AM from Earth Fare (Westgate).  BREAK UP Bank of America Action at Shareholders Meeting at 8 AM - March to Share Holders Meeting for ACTION.  Late morning:   March to Bank of America Stadium for more Action & Speeches.  Mid afternoon:   March to Old City Hall for Demonstrator Action PARTY.  At 6 PM leave Charlotte bound for Asheville, arrival at 8 PM.  Cost $25 round trip. Call Jim at 828-777-4433 for more information or to reserve a ticket.  A few 1/2 scholarships are available. WHO wants to come & bring a friend??? Fun Fun Fun!  This protest is being organized by Meet, Talk, Act Non-violently Affinity Group.

05/09/12 NC COALITION AGAINST CORPORATE POWER
For all those who have looked wistfully back at the sixties as a time when people in the streets made a difference, and been jealous of the opportunities for protest, fun and power which existed then:  The NC Coalition against Corporate Power is organizing people who would be interested in planning and participating in nonviolent CD in Charlotte at BofA Shareholders meeting on May 9. I know you have all been organizing for this event. Please let me know if you or others are interested in potentially arrestable actions there.  Please also spread the word to your friends and allies. Time if short so these plans need to come together soon.  Thanks. Contact Steven at earthsun2@gmail.com.

05/09/12 AVL GREEN DRINKS MEETING
Asheville Green Drinks: Community Resilience & Emergency Preparedness forum.  In the spirit of responsibility and prudence, and building on the rich heritage of the Appalachian traditions of self-sufficiency and interdependence with our neighbors, you are invited to come join our solutions building session on community building through preparedness.  This will be on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, at 6 PM at Posana Cafe, 1 Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville.  A very special event organized and sponsored by: Transition Asheville & the Food Security Cluster of the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council.  A panel of our city and county’s emergency response team and community leaders to discuss -  Food Security in times of Crisis, Transition, and Emergency: A Community Forum On Resilience and Emergency Preparedness.  Confirmed Panelists:  Martha Salyers, Public Health Preparedness Consultant Chris Pelly, Asheville City Council Scott Bernette, Asheville City Fire Chief Jerry Vehaun, Buncombe County Emergency Services Alphie Rodriguez, YWCA Preventive Health Director Red Cross Representative, TBD J. Clarkson, Director of Resource Development, Manna Food Bank

05/10/12 - 05/11/12 PROTEST ALEC SPRING MEETING
Spring Task Force Summit Meeting in Charlotte NC.  More info:  http://www.alec.org/meetings/

05/10/12 IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR EVENT
Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW)’s Right to Heal tour will be coming through Asheville on May 10 at the Firestorm Cafe.  The tour includes speakers who will highlight IVAW's Operation Recovery work at Fort Hood and how folks can get involved.  So mark your calendars. Here is a link to more info about the Asheville tour stop: http://www.ivaw.org/right-heal-tour-asheville.

05/11/12 SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM AT UU CHURCH ASHEVILLE
The Social Justice program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of AVL (corner of Charlotte St. & Edwin Pl.) will be: "Peru: Organic Agriculture & Water Protection in the Sacred Valley", a journey via colorful slides, with Cathy Holt telling of her 8 months in Peru - from initiating a Listening Project - to teaching a hands-on organic agriculture class at a local school.  Woven throughout is native culture, beautiful ceremonies honoring Mother Earth, and the water - how to purify the now polluted Sacred River.  Cathy has partnered with an organization aiming to provide permaculture classes this August. Permaculture is a system of designing with nature that helps to heal the land while improving productivity and sustainability, thus promoting community self-reliance.  Discussion to follow; No admission; donations will help support upcoming Permaculture classes.  For more: Lew Patrie 299-1242 or Cathy Holt 545-9681.  Time is 7 PM.

05/12/12 ASHEVILLE HOMELESS NETWORK BENEFIT
This will be an open mic at Firestorm Cafe and Books, and it starts at 7 PM.  Come one, come all - houseless, musicians, poets, comedians, street people, punks, occupiers, tent campers - all are invited.

05/17/12 CHILD & FAMILY ADVOCACY DAY IN NC
Action for Children NC will host a day of advocacy at the NC General Assembly, training on key issues, special guest speakers. More information to follow.

05/17/12 SAFE ALTERNATIVES FOR FUTURE ENERGY CAROLINAS MEETING
SAFE Carolinas will hold a meeting (place to be announced) in Asheville at 6:30 PM.  We are concerned citizens from WNC collaborating to STOP the WS Lee Nuclear Plant in Gaffney, SC, just 60 miles from Asheville.  ALL ARE WELCOME.  For more info contact:  Laura at Lsredoak@gmail.com or Kris at krissysjake@gmail.com.

05/18/12 WNC PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY MEETING
The next WNC PSR monthly meeting will be at a private home near the VA Hospital.  Brown Bag lunch at noon with meeting from 12:30 to 2 PM.  Everyone is welcome.  Please go to www.wncpsr.org  for more information, which includes how to get there and other details.

05/19/12 - 05/21/12 NATO IN CHICAGO
“Won’t you please come to Chicago, for the help that we can bring?  We can change the world, rearrange the world, it is dying - to get better.”  G-8 SUMMIT MOVED TO CAMP DAVID.

05/20/12 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN MEETING
More information to come.

05/20/12 ETHICAL SOCIETY OF ASHEVILLE MEETING
Our next platform meeting will celebrate the founding of the Ethical Culture movement (May 15, 1876) with "Ethical Heroes – From Jacob Riis to Eleanor Roosevelt" presented in reader theater style Sunday, May 20th, 2:00-3:30 PM, at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road in North Asheville.  The play written by Ethical Society of Boston member, Stanley Wayne, features seven ethical heroes and will be performed by members of the Ethical Society of Asheville.  There will be a discussion period following the presentation. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal conversation. All are welcome!

05/20/12 HOMEWARD BOUND FUNDRAISER
Paul Robeson Through His Words & Music will be performed by Derrick McQueen at NC Stage Company 15 Stage Lane (off Walnut St., across from Zambra) in Asheville.  Tickets $50.  Time is 5:15 for refreshments and 6 PM for the preformance.  Go to www.hbofa.org or 828 258-1695 x254 for more information.  Indicate “Tickets” in the purpose line if you donate online.

No comments: