Asheville's Art Scene Shines: RADFest, Jazz Fundraiser, and Local Pottery Fun

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Sunday, November 9th, 2025. Wake up to blue skies and a cool mountain breeze, Asheville. If you’re looking to connect with the heart of our creative city, the River Arts District is the place to be today as RADFest 2.0 continues at Pink Dog Creative. This free, all-day celebration brings our vibrant arts scene to life with open studios, live music, and hands-on art. Take a stroll through the Big Room Studios on Depot Street, meet makers at work, and maybe pick up the perfect conversation piece for your living room. With nine studios to explore and bands bringing the rhythm all day, it’s the perfect way to meet Asheville’s artists and feel the pulse of our cultural community. The event runs until 5 p.m., and brings together locals and visitors alike for a real taste of creative collaboration right by the French Broad River. If music is your thing, this afternoon global-jazz duo Free Planet Radio takes over The Resonating Room at Asheville Rhythm Studio for an intimate studio concert, joined by stellar vocalists Jane Kramer and Lindsey Blount. The event is a heartfelt fundraiser for WNCW 88.7, our beloved local public radio station. Doors open at three, show starts at three thirty, and every note helps keep community voices on the air. You can tune in via livestream, or show your support in person and maybe pledge a little extra to keep Asheville’s airwaves alive. For hands-on fun, Fired Up! Creative Lounge is offering Try-It-Out Wheel pottery lessons downtown today. Whether you’re looking to spin your first clay bowl or just want to play with something a little messy, expert instructors guide you step by step. Sessions are designed for one or two folks, so grab a friend and see what you can create. Over at the North Carolina Glass Center on Roberts Street, there’s the Hot Shop 30 Minute Make Your Own experience. Channel your inner artisan and work with molten glass—walk-ins are welcome, but arriving early is smart, as these slots fill up fast when inspiration is literally in the air. Feeling hungry? Stop by New Belgium Brewing on Craven Street for a bite from Defiance Cafe’s food truck. Their soulful, grab-and-go menu of patties, savory sides, and sweet desserts pairs perfectly with a crisp river breeze and a cold brew. For a little local learning, check out the Asheville.com event calendar—The Polar Express Train Ride is underway in the nearby Smokies, and book lovers can meet local authors at More to Love Plus Bookstore, wrapping up their meet and greet today. In local news, the city is still feeling the effects of statewide changes after North Carolina paused full SNAP food stamp benefits due to a Supreme Court ruling. That’s left many families in Asheville and beyond working to adjust their budgets, and local food pantries are seeing an uptick in visits as communities rally to help neighbors make ends meet. On a lighter note, a quick nod to our region’s past—today’s Tombstone Tal This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.