Conscious party: Lyric headlines Asheville GreenWorks’ Root Ball

NEVER TIRE: Local youths pull debris out of the Swannanoa River while volunteering for Asheville GreenWorks – a nonprofit that regularly attracts young helpers. “[We] try to foster a sense of love, respect and responsibility in the next generation of environmental stewards,” volunteer coordinator Kate Nelson says. Photo courtesy of Asheville GreenWorks

WHAT: A concert and barbecue benefiting Asheville GreenWorks

WHERE:  The Outdoor Adventure Center

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6:30-10 p.m.

WHY: “Our slogan is ‘Get dirty for a great cause,’ and [Asheville GreenWorks’ volunteers] are definitely out there getting dirty,” says the nonprofit’s executive director, Dawn Chavez.

In the past year, between 2,500 and 3,000 volunteers have pitched in to complete roughly 200 environmental projects — from planting trees to lugging more than 1,000 tires out of area rivers. “Some of them are big tractor tires, and they’ve been in the river for years,” Chavez says. “They’re full of silt and leaching toxins.”

GreenWorks also administers the city of Asheville’s Adopt-a-Street Program, providing supplies like safety vests, gloves and trash bags and coordinating waste pickups after individual volunteers and groups have tidied up their stretch of road. An upcoming dance party and fundraiser will celebrate this year’s improvements to the urban landscape.

“Lyric is going to be performing, and we’re going to have beer on tap, games for the kids, and hamburgers and hot dogs,” Chavez says. Hickory Nut Gap Farm will provide meat for the barbecue, and The Hop will handle dessert. Admission includes food, though drinks will cost extra.

Attendees can also purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes like handmade pottery, an ENO hammock and gift certificates to local businesses.

Visit ashevillegreenworks.org for tickets ($20/$25) or more information. Children younger than 18 can attend free with a paying adult. Ticket sales and a portion of beverage sales benefit Asheville GreenWorks.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “Conscious party: Lyric headlines Asheville GreenWorks’ Root Ball

  1. boatrocker

    Man, that Lyric band has been working out or something since the last time I saw them play.
    It’s almost like they haven’t aged since middle school!

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.