30 Days Out, October 2024 #2: Help with Helene

For this edition of what is customarily my twice-monthly roundup of live music in Asheville and Western NC, I’m taking a different approach. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene is incalculable, and here in WNC we are still coming to terms with the scope of the disaster. Losses of life, livelihood and more are beyond measure. It’s fine, well and good to say “We’ll make it through this,” because (a) we will and (b) our mental and emotional well-being depends on us keeping that in mind.

If you’re reading this from somewhere outside Western NC, please know that the stories of FEMA and other governmental agencies not doing their job are FALSE. Here on the ground their work is real, visible, and deeply appreciated. Stories to the contrary are political propaganda.

Countless not-for-profit and/or volunteer groups are here, too, doing what they can. It’s amazing to see. The old saw about tragedy and disaster bringing out the best in people is demonstrably true right here in town. And it offsets the worst that’s brought out in others.

I and my loved ones are fine. But some dear and treasured friends have sustained major setbacks. If you care about the music, arts and cultural scene of the regions – or hell, if you care about your fellow humans in general – and you’re in a position to kick in some change (or more). There are other worthy opportunities, of course, but the following are especially near and dear to my heart.

Asheville Guitar Bar
My monthly Music to Your Ears discussion series has called AGB home for more than two years now. I use the word home advisedly: My dear friends Mark and Julia Goldthwaite created Asheville Guitar Bar as a community hub. Theirs is so much more than a business; it’s a calling, a mission in secular terms. They have given so much to our community, and had of late been putting even more hours of sweat equity into making Asheville Guitar Bar even more special that it already was. Several feet of rising, muddy water inside their place has put a stop to all that, for now at least. A benefit concert – featuring a proud roster of artists who call AGB home – is being put together. It’s being held in Burnsville because, well, the River Arts District is currently destroyed.

• Where: Blue Note country Inn, 144 Bald Creek Rd., Burnsville 29714
• When: Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12 noon
• Details: All donations will support Mark and Julia as they recover and look to the future. Donations will be accepted via cash, check, and digital payment methods. This is a BYOB, Pot-Luck event. Please RSVP (FB Event) or to shawn@bluenotecountryinn.com to provide us with an accurate head count.

Grail Moviehouse
My friends at Grail have hosted my monthly Music Movie Monday series for two years now. Their wonderful space took on massive amounts of muddy river water. Their plans going forward are as yet unknown, but rather than ask for financial help themselves, owners Steve White and Davida Hurwitz have instead established a fund to help two Grail team members, Michael and Cody. Deeply good people all. Gofundme – Employee Assistance Fund: https://gofund.me/d28ec6c1

AshevilleFM
Our local volunteer, grassroots community radio station has been doing yeoman work supporting the community and providing critical news and information. They’re a nonprofit, and this disaster hits them hard as many financial resources are understandably directed elsewhere. https://ashevillefm.org/

Other worthy initiatives include:

• World Central Kitchen North Carolina
• BeLoved Asheville

Thanks.