AVL Biz Weekly | Aug 27: AI Hacks, Labor Day Hikes & Symphony Nights

Welcome to AVL BIZ Weekly—your local cheat sheet for what’s happening in Asheville’s small business + creative scenes.

Each week: hand-picked events, marketing ideas that actually work, and a little local flavor to keep things fun.

My name's Jason and I'm writing this (connect with me here).

📋 On Deck

• 🧠 Workshops & Socials for Local Entrepreneurs

• ⛰️ Labor Day Hikes, Trivia & Symphony Nights

• 🎸 Live Music Radar: AVL Sounds Worth Catching

• 📍 Quick SEO Wins for Small Biz

🙋 Want your biz featured in front of a few really smart AVL business owners? Email me for details

📅 Business Events

• 📅 Asheville AI Safety: Build & Create with AI – Wed, Aug 27 · 7:00–8:30 PM EDT (Co-working Space TBA, 179 Hilliard Ave, Asheville)

  A recurring meetup for creators using AI whether in software, art, writing, games, or tools. Collaborate, share projects, and explore how AI can help humanity flourish.

• 📅 Mutual Momentum Fridays w/ AVLmeetup – Fri, Aug 29 · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM EDT (Thrive Co-Working, 1 Page Ave, Asheville)

  My friend Rodrigo Afanador will host a weekly focus group for entrepreneurs and investors to share wins, set goals, and stay accountable.

• 📅 Regenerative Revenue Workshop: Doing More with Less – Tue, Sep 2 · 12:00–1:30 PM EDT (Hatch Coworking, 45 S French Broad Ave, Suite 170, Asheville)

  An interactive lunch workshop with Emi Kubota on regenerative revenue. It’s all about growing through networks, complementers, and force multipliers. Includes lunch + coworking day pass.

• 📅 AI for Entrepreneurs: AI Hacks & Hops Panel – Wed, Sep 3 · 5:30–7:30 PM EDT (One World West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Special AVL Entrepreneur Week panel featuring Sumaya Owens, Jeff Ganim, Deonna Hodges, and Ric Pratte. Explore AI hacks, real-world use cases, and strategies. Enjoy with a drink in hand.

• 📅 Coders League: Low-Pressure Social Get-Together – Wed, Sep 3 · 6:30–8:30 PM EDT (Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co, 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville)

  A casual, low-pressure meetup for coders to connect, share ideas, and hang out over pizza and drinks.

Hosting something cool?

📬 Hit reply and tell me what you think. Or share an event!

💡 Marketing Quickies

• Service + City in Your Descriptions

  Instead of just listing “Roof repair” or “Tax prep,” write “Roof repair in Hendersonville” or “Tax prep for small businesses in Asheville.” Those small tweaks give Google stronger signals to match you with local “near me” searches.

• Weekly Posts Keep You Visible

  Treat your Google Business Profile like a mini social feed. Post a quick update each week, job highlights, seasonal tips, or an offer. Google favors active listings, and those posts show up right on your business panel when people search.

• Review Requests with Location Cues

  When you ask for reviews, make it easy for customers: “It helps if you mention the service and your neighborhood!” A review like “Fixed our AC in Weaverville” is worth gold for local search rankings.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 📅 Crafting and Coffee at Cooperative – Sat, Aug 30 · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM EDT (Cooperative Coffee Roasters, 210 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Bring your art project, grab a coffee, and enjoy a relaxed crafting session with fellow introverts. Indoor and outdoor seating available, drop in anytime.

• 📅 Symphony in the Park 2025 – Sun, Aug 31 · 6:30–8:30 PM EDT (Pack Square Park, One West Pack Square, Asheville)

  A free outdoor community concert with the Asheville Symphony. Enjoy opera, Broadway classics, and a family-friendly set with Grammy-winner Secret Agent 23 Skidoo under the stars.

• 📅 Labor Day Weekend Hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Sun, Aug 31 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM EDT (Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville)

  A 4.8-mile hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail with 803 ft elevation gain. Dog-friendly, moderate terrain. Don’t forget to bring water, snacks, and sturdy shoes. Meet at the Folk Art Center entrance at 9:15.

• 📅 Trivia Tuesday @ Archetype West – Tue, Sep 2 · 5:45–7:45 PM EDT (Archetype Brewing – West, 265 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Free weekly pub quiz covering history, science, art, pop culture, and more. Win prizes, enjoy craft drinks, and order food from Pizza Mind or Gan Shan straight to your table.

• 📅 Beginner Ballroom Basics Group Class – Tue, Sep 2 · 6:00–7:00 PM EDT (Homewood Event Center, 19 Zillicoa St, Asheville)

  A 5-week beginner ballroom dance series with Missy Lindsey. Learn basic steps and easy patterns. No partner required

• 📅 Odditorium Comedy Freakshow – Tue, Sep 2 · 9:00–11:00 PM EDT (The Odd, 1045 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  A weekly comedy showcase at The Odd. It’s raw, weird, and always hilarious.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Lurky Skunk – Aug 27 @ Pulp (punk/funk fusion)

• Gramatik / SuperNicer / Cobrayama – Aug 29 @ The Orange Peel (Downtown Fest late-night lineup)

• Reid Haughton – Aug 30 @ The Orange Peel (Boomtown Fest late-night)

• Caamp – Aug 28 @ Asheville Yards (folk-rock favorites

• Ethel Cain – Aug 30 @ Asheville Yards (indie/electronic standout)

• Dave Matthews Tribute Band – Sun’s Embrace – Aug 28 @ The Grey Eagle (tribute concert)

• Scout Speer – Aug 29 (Patio) @ The Grey Eagle (acoustic singer-songwriter)

• Drivin N Cryin with Laid Back Country Picker – Aug 29 @ The Grey Eagle (roots rock)

• Chris Wilhelm – Aug 30 (Patio) @ The Grey Eagle (folk/blues)

• MaMuse – Aug 31 @ The Grey Eagle (singer-songwriter

• Symphony in the Park – Aug 31 @ Pack Square Park (community orchestral evening)

• Pixies (w/ Spoon & Fazerdaze) – Sep 10 @ Asheville Yards (alternative rock legends)

• Michael Franti & Spearhead – Sep 13 @ Asheville Yards (hip-hop/soul fusion)

• Sierra Ferrell – Sep 14 @ Asheville Yards (folk/country brilliance)

• Lucero: Celebrating 20 years of “Nobody’s Darlings” – Sep 3 @ The Grey Eagle

• Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights – Sep 4 @ The Grey Eagle (country dance night)

• GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR – Sep 6 @ Hatch Amphitheater (outdoor post-rock experience)

Want your biz in front of smart AVL owners & creators? Reply with what you’re up to and we’ll see if it’s a fit.

Until next week,

Jason De Los Santos
Pixelated Stories Digital Marketing
(828) 585-4293

P.S. Update your Google Business Profile with a fresh photo today. It takes 60 seconds and helps a ton.