Asheville Saturday: Music, Hoops, and Community Voices Shape Our Recovery

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for February 28th. What a vibrant Saturday we're kicking off in the mountains, with music pulsing through the air, hoops heating up, and community voices shaping our recovery from Helene. Let's dive into the action that's making today unforgettable for locals and visitors alike. First, a quick heads-up from Asheville Police: they're searching for 23-year-old James Russell Morrow, charged in an attempted robbery last Sunday on Rumbough Place during a silver sale. This white man, about six feet tall with brown hair, blue eyes, a scar under his left eye, and a J tattoo on his left wrist, might be driving an older rusty blue GM Grand Prix or Grand National. He pepper-sprayed the victim before fleeing— if you spot him, call APD at 828-252-1110 or tip anonymously via text to 847411. Staying vigilant keeps our neighborhoods safe, folks. Music lovers, get ready to ramble just down in Henderson County with the inaugural Winter Ramble festival wrapping up its second day. This three-day celebration of Appalachian bluegrass, Americana, old-time strings, and storytelling is hopping at breweries, wineries, and small venues through tomorrow. Today, catch free sets like the 81 Drifters and Gumbo Ya Ya duo at Oklawaha and Trailside Brewings from 2pm, Apple County String Band at Southern Appalachian Brewing at 3pm, or Reedy River String Band at Blue Ridge Beer Garden starting 4pm. Ticketed highlights include Josh Goforth's storytelling at 1:30pm and Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters rocking Oklawaha at 8pm. It's a leisurely wander through our musical heritage, boosting local spots during this late-winter lull and connecting us to the roots that define these hills. Sports fans, tip off at Kimmel Arena for UNC Asheville men's basketball's regular-season finale against Charleston Southern at 2pm—it's Senior Day honoring Toyaz Solomon, Justin Wright, DJ Patrick, David Hermes, and Rasheed Baldwin with a 1:40pm ceremony. Fresh off a gritty road win, the Bulldogs at 14-15 could snag third seed in the Big South with a victory if Radford stumbles. Kids get in for just $1.50 with a fun zone, autographs, and halftime tricks by the Bouncing Blackhawks. Meanwhile, UNC Asheville men's tennis faces North Carolina Central at 1pm at Asheville School courts after a tough loss yesterday. Right here in town, head to A-B Tech's Ivy Building from 11am to 2pm for a crucial design workshop on rebuilding French Broad River parks like Carrier Park post-Helene. Share input on restoring paths, the velodrome, ballfields, and more green space—your voice directly impacts how we reclaim these community gems for families and cyclists. Tonight, laugh it up family-style at the Hit Reset clean comedy show at Coffee Art Music Type Place from 7pm, or groove to Dexter and The Moonrocks at the Orange Peel at 8pm for high-energy vibes. From recovery workshops to toe-tapping tunes and slam-dunk thrills, today's lineup reminds us Asheville's s This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.