Introducing "Biltmore Weekends"—You Could Win a Twelve-Month Pass!

In honor of the upcoming long weekend—the one that will always mark the beginning of summer in our book—and because we didn't think our current contest was quite exciting enough, we now have a new way to win a part of the Asheville experience.

Starting today, every weekend during the 30 Days of Asheville is now a Biltmore Weekend, meaning that every contest entry made on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be automatically eligible to win a pair of Twelve-Month Passes to the Biltmore!

A Twelve-Month Pass gives you access to America's Largest Home every day, 365 days a year, to explore the House, hike or bike the grounds, take in the sights and smells of the gardens, taste the field-to-table cuisine, learn the historic trades of Estate artisans, sip chardonnay at America's Most-Visited Winery, and so much more.

Plus, each of our winners will enjoy the benefits of being a Biltmore Passholder, including shopping and dining discounts, discounted tickets to special events, exclusive invitations to Estate celebrations, and free admission for kids under 16.

We will give away one pair of passes each weekend, and of course all contest entries are also eligible to win the daily prizes as well as our wonderful vacation!

So don't forget to enter today, tomorrow and Sunday for a chance at winning big this Biltmore Weekend!

The Countdown is on to Moogfest

Prepare yourself for a big announcement. The people behind Moogfest have placed a countdown on their website counting down to... well, we don't know yet. Last year's inaugural festival held on Halloween weekend was an amazing experience for everyone who attended. Multiple venues across the city of Asheville hosted artists such as Big Boi, Girl Talk, Pretty Lights, Massive Attack and MGMT. The festival also included panels and a hands on Moog lab where people could experiment with Moog theremins, guitars and more.

The festival is a celebration of Bob Moog (rhymes with Vogue), creator of the synthesizer and a pioneer in the music industry. In the words of Rob Garza from Thievery Corporation, "the name itself, Moog, everywhere around the world resonates with musicians." Bob lived in Asheville and the Bob Moog Foundation is constructing with a new headquarters, a Moogseum of sorts, being constructed near downtown.

Watch the Moogfest site (and this blog) for more details!

Asheville's Surprising New Dining Destination

 
This Foodtopian update was just sent out by the folks over at the River Arts District:

Within the past couple of weeks, new restaurants have been popping up all around the River Arts District, making it more happening than ever. Come stroll through the working artist studios, have some good eats & finish off your day enjoying the sunset & a local brew at the Wedge Brewing Co.

The Newbies:

- Roots Cafe [located inside the Grey Eagle; 185 Clingman Ave] Eclectic menu of traditional favorites with a fresh twist featuring locally sourced meats & cheeses. Get Rooted!

- The Junction [located in the Pink Dog Creative Buildings at 348 Depot Street] Featuring house-made soups, salads & sandwiches from regional farms & a full bar with fresh squeezed cocktails. X marks the spot!

- White Duck Taco Shop [the Hatchery, 1 Roberts Street] Affordable, creative & quick tacos, soups & snacks. It's taco time!

- The Magnetic Field [372 Depot Street] It's a cafe, it's a bar, it's a theatre! Enjoy a delectable meal & a wonderful performance. Date night anyone?

- Nourish & Flourish Organic Juice Bar [347 Depot] Fresh squeezed juices with ingredients from local farms & award winning rashi teas. Fill yourself with goodness!


The Classics:

- 12 Bones [5 Riverside Drive] Best BBQ in town, nuff said.

- Clingman Cafe [242 Clingman Ave.] Organic coffee, breakfast, lunch & now dinner (Thursday & Friday!) Where the locals hang out!

- The Wedge Brewing Co. [125 B Roberts Street] Sunset views & amazing brews. Check out one of the reasons Asheville was recently voted Beer City USA (3rd year in a row!)

So there you have it; the rundown. More reasons to visit the River Arts District; a district of creation, passion & dedication. Where 160 artists make up an eclectic community in 19 historical rehabilitated buildings along a 1 1/2 mile stretch of the French Broad River. Come visit the district & see creation at its best!

Asheville Ranked Top Small City For Art

American Style Magazine recently featured Asheville as the number one small city for art. The ranking is a result of the magazine's annual poll. Asheville has received numerous mentions in this contest for a number of years and has risen up from the number five spot in 2007 to hold the top spot for two years running. With a growing River Arts District and a strong bohemian culture the Asheville art scene has exploded with creative energy across a number of disciplines.

Here's the full story from American Style Magazine.

Top 25 Small Cities by Caitlin Fultz

1. Asheville, N.C.

Photo by Asheville Art Museum

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville offers the best of both worlds: breathtaking scenic beauty and a population that values creativity and work made by hand. “Asheville is funky, eclectic and rooted in generations of homespun crafts inspired by the surrounding mountain beauty,” says reader Dan Ward, of Weaverville, N.C. “The mountains make us whimsical, and whimsy fuels creativity.”

What’s New?

The renowned Asheville Art Museum has plans to double its size, with a groundbreaking anticipated for 2012. The expansion will hold its ever increasing collection—with the permanent collection exhibition space growing by 70 percent and a special changing exhibition space that will double.

Up and Coming

This summer three venues are individually hosting wood art exhibits, creating a “woodturning trifecta” for collectors. Blue Spiral 1 Gallery will feature a group exhibition with more than a dozen Southern woodworkers July 1 through Sept. 30. Grovewood Gallery will feature 19 woodturning artists from all over the U.S. July 1 through Oct. 2. And the North Carolina Arboretum is hosting an international exhibit of 45 of the world’s most outstanding wood artists until Sept. 5.

The Bele Chere Festival, one of the Southeast’s largest free outdoor festivals and a local favorite, stages its 33rd annual event in downtown Asheville July 29-31, with nearly 200,000 people expected to attend.

Escape Your Every Day Routine & Win a Trip!

Looking to escape your every day routine and experience life a little less ordinary? Now you have that opportunity with the 30 Days of Asheville free vacation giveaway. Experience the sights, tastes and relaxation that can only be found in our vibrant mountain town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

From now until June 21 you can enter daily for an opportunity to win a grand vacation to Asheville that includes a two night stay at the Grove Park Inn, Biltmore tickets, multiple attraction passes and a gas card.

In addition to the grand prize vacation, we will award daily prizes to travel contest winners throughout the months of May and June.  

Winning is as easy as 1, 2, 3…

1.     Visit us at 30DaysofAsheville.com
2.     Order a Free Asheville Visitor’s Guide
3.     Return each day to increase your chances at winning

Daily winners will be announced every Friday and each prize awarded will be contingent upon ordering an Asheville Visitor’s Guide. You only have to order one guide, but you have the chance to enter every day. Follow contest updates on Twitter at @ashevilledeals or on Facebook.com/Asheville.

Only 30 days stand between you and a Grand Vacation Giveaway to Asheville, NC

Find Solace When Dining in Asheville

Photo courtesy of Mark File

A new restaurant has opened its doors in downtown Asheville. Restaurant Solace, located within the Haywood Park Hotel at One Battery Park Avenue, brings an exciting new menu to town that, in true Foodtopia fashion, incorporates local farm fresh bounty from Western North Carolina farms to create comfort food with a European flare.

The upstairs café and patio offer “small plates” and a full bar. The atmosphere is that of an authentic European cafe experience that encourages locals and visitors to mingle and socialize, much like the French café society in the 1930’s. The Dining Room (accessed via the Haywood Park Hotel's lobby elevator), offers a different menu and an atmosphere of refined elegance.

The café’s small plates include such items as savory cheesecakes, lime and ale braised local rabbit, duck and pheasant confit and basil fed snails. The Dining Room menu includes entrees such as Black Buck Antelope, chilled Black Sea Bass with Sunburst trout caviar and roasted beet oil, coffee and spice roasted rib veal chop, spring cassoulet of Venison Osso Bucco and braised rabbit and a Solace seasonal vegetarian dish.

Aside from the amazing menu, there is a unique local artisan market being added that will sell a variety of farm fresh veggies; the same used for the restaurant's menu items. This market will be open to the public and will be stocked continuously with vegetables, fresh baked bread and other seasonal offerings.

Hours of the café are 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM Sunday seven days a week. The dining room will be open from 5:30 PM - 10 PM Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. For reservations and information call 828-505-8333 or visit their website.

Channel Your Inner Superhero at Fanaticon2

Admittedly,  Asheville has some rather quirky characters walking the streets on any given day, but this weekend you can expect that to be ten-fold as Fanaticon2 takes over the town. Multiple events are planned for this year's event including dance parties, comic sales and special presentations by leaders of the comic, sci-fi and fantasty industry.

There will be many costumed characters so if you feel so inclined dress up and be a part of the fun. The dance parties start at 8:00 PM on Friday night and the convention starts at 9:30 AM on Saturday. The first 100 kids through the door get a free swag bag.

Hotels are still available if you have not yet booked a room. Check the Fanticon2 website for a full schedule of events.

LaZoom your way through Asheville’s Art Scene

A special one-of-a-kind tour begins this month and promises to be the most entertaining way to experience Asheville’s unique art scene.  This is your chance to explore the neighborhoods and studios of working artists, including Downtown, the River Arts District and West Asheville.  

The Lazoom Asheville Art Tour, hosted by Gabriel Shaffer, will explore Asheville through an artists eyes, to encourage awareness and commerce, between tourists, art enthusiasts and the creative community. Participants will walk away from the tour with a sense of enjoyment and a better understanding of the Asheville art scene.

The tour runs every Saturday morning through July.