Lurphy DePalma Larry Halstead is a tech nerd with an affinity for arts & sports. Reppin' the hard streets of South Asheville for almost 15 years. He's made this city home and has vowed to never stop fighting to keep it as weird & unique as possible.







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As always, we have carefully curated some of the goings-on that we’re particularly excited about. AND we have some very special guests joining us from the Asheville Humane Society, where there’s a cat adoption special running all month long! More details below about these special furry friends.

The GritVegas Pets of the Month!

We were so excited to be joined on set by Grover and Éclair! All this month at Humane Society, cats six months and older are $10 to adopt! Go meet someone sweet and fluffy today, and check out the bios for our guests, below:

Grover is a four-year-old tuxedo cat who came to Asheville Humane Society with a bad wound. He needed some extra TLC while he healed, so staff members Conor and Evie took Grover under their wing in our Foster Program office. He enjoys keeping them company and perches on their shoulders to help with computer work. Conor also said, “Grover is great at holding papers down, knocking stuff off the top shelf for me when I can’t reach something and greeting people at the door. He also enjoys using the intercom and is a great alarm clock when it’s time to eat. He really likes my beard too.” Grover has become a cherished companion for our staff, but now he is ready to retire from the office and find a loving, forever home! Come adopt him during Adopt-a-Cat month! All cats age 6 months and up have $10 adoption fees through the end of June!

Éclair is a two-month-old Chinese Crested puppy. She gets along well with children and other pets, and even played well with her much-larger doggie friends while in foster care. She will sit sweetly in your arms, but once you put her down, she will show off her playful side! Éclair has no hair on her body, so she will need sun protection whenever she is outside. Sunscreen lotion and doggie sweaters are highly recommended to keep this girl safe and healthy!

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…and now to the weekend!

Thursday

Gospel Night @ the Double Crown

10 pm

Ok, so it’s technically not the weekend, but we’re psyched about this one. Detroit Gospel Legends the Evereadys are taking the stage at West Asheville’s Double Crown for Gospel Night! Gospel Night has become a tradition at the Double Crown and Asheville has been blessed with the sweet sounds of gospel greats since its inception. Entry to see this legendary group is $10.

Friday

The Fifth Annual Asheville Percussion Festival @ Odyssey Community School

All weekend; starts Friday @ 2 pm

Bringing together talent from around the world to Asheville, the Percussion Festival celebrates vibrant rhythms and deep beats through performances, workshops, installations, and more! This year, teachers and performers include NYC’s Allison Miller, who has performed with Ani DiFranco, Brazilian percussionist Negah Santos, Portuguese handpan artist Kabe ção, and more. There are also several wellness workshops being offered, including Conscious Drumming and Music Therapy. Tickets are on sale now!

5 pm

Futurebirds and Raising Caine are taking the stage at this weekend’s Downtown After 5. As always, the music is free, and there will be food and sips to keep you cool and refreshed. Downtown After 5 is one of Asheville’s favorite and most beloved traditions–it’s been going for 28 years strong! Get a taste of the talent this city offers while you spend celebrate the first evening of your weekend downtown.

9:30-12 midnight

Magnetic Midnight encourages the creative side of life by guaranteeing that the first 10 acts to walk through the door will be performed. Co-hosts Steven Samuels and Jim Julien invite you to bring your best performance piece out, whether it’s a song, a monologue, a juggling act, or a rant. Pieces must be five minutes or under. Entry is $5.

6-9 pm

The Hop in West Asheville is making dreams come true with their doughnut ice cream sandwich night on Friday . We don’t really need to say more, do we? Doughnuts are from Hole (swoon). Dairy and vegan options. Good lord.

Saturday

10 am-1 pm

This clean up will focus on the west side of Haywood Rd, beginning at Westville Pub! Enjoy breakfast from Westville Pub and Biscuithead and then head out to help with efforts to clear storm grates, pick up trash, and recycle. Join forces with your fellow community members to keep West Asheville looking beautiful.

11 am-7 pm

West Asheville popup shops are really taking off, and East West is one of our favorites. Shop for handmade and homemade crafts, clothes, goodies, and more. Featuring wares local and regional artists, it’s a unique shopping experience that will fulfill all of your retail needs for months to come (until the winter popup shop!). Check out their website for a full vendor lineup and artist spotlights!

7:30-9:30 pm

This family-friendly event will have you feeling the magic of fireflies in the forest! You’ll learn all about fireflies while exploring the natural area around you. Bring a flashlight and get ready to experience wonder! Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-15.

Sunday

Happy Father’s Day! Spend some time with dad (or any fatherly figure in your life!) at one of these events and celebrate them!

Father’s Day French Broad River Clean-up @ Hominy Creek River Park

10 am – 2 pm

Saturday is a recycling event on Monticello Rd in Weaverville. Bring your old electronics and batteries! Kids can recycle old books at the On Sunday , head to the French Broad for a river clean-up. Volunteers get a seasonal assortment of chocolates from French Broad Chocolate Lounge and a raffle ticket for the after-party at Catawba Brewing, which begins after the clean-up. For more information, contact Asheville GreenWorks at This is part of a weekend-long series of events put on by Asheville GreenWorks Mount ain True , and the French Broad Chocolate Lounge is a recycling event on Monticello Rd in Weaverville. Bring your old electronics and batteries! Kids can recycle old books at the Snake Rabbit and Snail Bookmobile and old pet items can be recycled with Asheville Humane Society., head to the French Broad for a river clean-up. Volunteers get a seasonal assortment of chocolates from French Broad Chocolate Lounge and a raffle ticket for the after-party at Catawba Brewing, which begins after the clean-up. For more information, contact Asheville GreenWorks at 828- 254-1776

12 noon

Celebrate Burial’s third year by enjoying some delicious beer! This year’s bottle releases include the Anno Domini MMXVI and the Garden of Earthly Delights, a delightful saison brewed with white peppercorn and aged on cucumber, turmeric, and tangerine peel. And, lucky for us, Salt & Smoke is now dishing up food at Burial six days a week!

7 pm