AVL Biz Weekly: Week of Nov 26: The “Is Anyone Working?” Edition

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).

Hey friends,

Thanksgiving week is basically Asheville’s version of a snow day. Half the city is “working from home,” the other half is stress-brining a turkey, and everyone’s pretending the calendar still matters.

It’s not the best week to hustle. But it is a great moment to reach out, offer a little thanks, and reconnect with the people who’ve helped you this year: clients, collaborators, neighbors, the bartender who knows your order with just a slight head nod. A simple text goes a long way when everyone’s feeling a little softer around the edges.

We’re keeping this issue light (unlike the heavy burden you carry for not responding to Uncle Joe’s wacko conspiracy theories): a few local goings-on, some easy wins for your business before you check out, and a handful of things to make the week feel a little fuller.

Enjoy the calm, the chaos, and alllllllll the carbs.

📋 On Deck

• Business Connections: From a low-pressure social for coders to a festive FriendsGiving Networking event, we've rounded up 6 ways to meet new connections this week.

• Marketing Quickies: We dive into 5 simple but powerful steps, including how to "Fix Your Above the Fold" and why "behind-the-scenes" clips are marketing gold.

• Fun Around Town: Get festive with the Grove Arcade Tree Lighting, see stand-up titan Baron Vaughn, or stroll through a million lights at Winter Lights at The Arboretum.

• Bands & Shows: Your full weekend guide, featuring David Wilcox's Annual Homecoming Concert and a soulful Tribute to D’Angelo.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Coders League Low-Pressure Social Get-Together – Wed, Nov 26 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville)

  A casual, low-pressure hang for developers, tech pros, hobbyists, and anyone curious about the local coding scene — come swap ideas, meet people, or just enjoy some pizza with fellow geeks.

• 🗓️ Toastmasters Meeting – Fri, Nov 28 · 8–9 AM (900 Blythe St, Hendersonville — Trinity Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall)

  Sharpen your public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive, in-person environment with the Four Seasons Toastmasters crew — perfect for entrepreneurs, professionals, and anyone wanting to get better on the mic.

• 🗓️ Asheville Speechcrafters – Toastmasters Public Speaking Club – Mon, Dec 1 · 6:15–7:45 PM (19 Eagle St, Asheville)

  A energetic weekly meetup where everyone speaks, every time — a welcoming space to build public speaking confidence, learn by doing, and grow alongside a friendly crew of Asheville communicators.

• 🗓️ Introduction to AI: A Workshop of Basics for Beginners – Tue, Dec 2 · 9:30–11 AM (216 Asheland Ave, Asheville — AmeriHealth Caritas Wellness & Opportunity Center)

  A beginner-friendly crash course on AI best practices, common pitfalls, and practical tools for small businesses — hosted by two local pros committed to helping entrepreneurs adapt and thrive with emerging tech.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Fix Your “Above the Fold”

   Open your homepage on your phone. If a stranger can’t tell what you do, who it’s for, and what to do next within 3 seconds, rewrite that top section. Clarity prints money.

2. Post a “Behind-the-Scenes” Clip Today

   Doesn’t matter if it’s messy. People trust what they can see. A 15-second process clip often outperforms polished promo because it feels real.

3. Send a 3-Sentence Check-In to Past Customers

   Something like:

   “Hey! Just checking in, how’s everything holding up? Anything I can help with this month?”

   This tiny nudge revives quiet leads and keeps you top of mind.

4. Turn Your Best Testimonial Into a Graphic

   Use Canva’s “quote” template, drop in your customer’s words, add your brand colors, and boom, you’ve got evergreen social proof you can post everywhere.

5. Add a “Top 3 Most Popular Services” Section

   People love shortcuts. Highlighting your most-booked options reduces decision friction and increases conversions. Keep it simple and link each one to a booking or inquiry page.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum – Multiple Dates · Evenings (100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville)

  Stroll through more than a million twinkling lights in Asheville’s most magical holiday tradition — complete with glowing gardens, the returning Rocky Cove Railroad, and this year’s new “Trolls: A Field Study” installation.

• 🗓️ The Great Hall Feast – Wed, Nov 26 · 5–9 PM (Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St, Asheville — 6th Floor)

  A whimsical, Hogwarts-meets-holiday feast launching Rudolph’s Rooftop, complete with a festive buffet, live sax by Tom Tesser, and first tastings from the brand-new seasonal cocktail menu.

• 🗓️ Modelface Comedy Presents Baron Vaughn – Fri, Nov 28 · 7–9 PM (The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville)

  A powerhouse night of stand-up featuring Baron Vaughn — actor, writer, and seasoned comic known from Grace & Frankie, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and The New Negroes — brought to Asheville by the always-on-point Modelface Comedy crew.

• 🗓️ Right Relationship – AMC Friday Evening Ecstatic Dance – Fri, Nov 28 · 7–9 PM (Evergreen Community Charter School, 50 Bell Rd, Asheville)

  A soulful, high-energy ecstatic dance wave with guest DJ Karen Smith — a warm, welcoming, judgment-free space to move, sweat, ground, and reconnect with community through music and embodied intention.

• 🗓️ The LoCol Market – Sat, Nov 29 · 10 AM–3 PM (The Local Collective, 52 S Main St, Weaverville)

  A Small Business Saturday pop-up packed with vintage finds, local art, live music, and indie book browsing — a perfect way to support local makers and explore Weaverville’s creative scene.

• 🗓️ Josh Daniel & Friends – The Last Waltz Experience – Sat, Nov 29 · 8–11:30 PM (One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  A soulful, all-star tribute to The Last Waltz featuring Josh Daniel & Friends, special guests from The New Familiars and Songs From The Road Band, and a whole lot of rock ’n’ roll nostalgia — plus Philly Marc’s food truck fueling the night.

• 🗓️ Mental Health Walk in Hendersonville – Sat, Nov 29 · 11:30 AM–1 PM (Southern Streams Coffeehouse, 1628 5th Ave W, Hendersonville)

  A relaxed, community-minded walk on the Ecusta Trail designed to boost mood, reduce stress, and get folks outdoors — stroll at your own pace, then stick around for coffee and conversation if you feel like it.

• 🗓️ Grove Arcade Holiday Tree Lighting Block Party – Sat, Nov 29 · 6–10 PM (Grove Arcade, 1 Page Ave, Asheville)

  A festive downtown block party packed with holiday music, DJ sets, jazz, Santa photo ops, ballet performances, merchant pop-ups, and the big tree-lighting moment — all free and buzzing with Asheville holiday energy.

• 🗓️ Dinner with Santa at The Farm – Wed, Dec 3 · 5–8 PM (The Farm, A Gathering Place — 215 Justice Ridge Rd, Candler)

  A cozy community evening with a hearty dinner, festive drinks, and a special visit from Santa — bring the kids, grab some photos, and soak up the holiday cheer at The Farm’s final gathering of the year.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Early Tuesday Jam — Tue, Nov 25 · 7–10 PM @ The One Stop

• Uncle Lenny’s Krazy Karaoke — Tue, Nov 25 · 9 PM–1 AM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Coyote Rodeo — Wed, Nov 26 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• All Aboard AVL: The Last Waltz — Wed, Nov 26 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Gill Francs — Fri, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• David Wilcox — Annual Thanksgiving Homecoming Concert — Fri, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Frute with Buddahgraph Spaceship — Fri, Nov 28 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• Allegheny Mountain Boys — Fri, Nov 28 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Julianah Jade — Sat, Nov 29 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• The Inaugural Asheville Juke Joint Homecoming Party — Sat, Nov 29 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• A Tribute to D’Angelo (Feat. Asheville’s Finest) — Sat, Nov 29 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• Allegheny Mountain Boys — Sat, Nov 29 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Amythyst Kiah — Sun, Nov 30 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Hannah Juanita w/ Resonant Rogues — Tue, Dec 02 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Strictly Liquid — Wed, Dec 03 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Bonnie “Prince” Billy (w/ Matt Kivel) — Wed, Dec 03 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Ben McLaughlin & The Mystic Marauders — Thu, Dec 04 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Make the Yuletide Gay — Thu, Dec 04 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Melissa Joiner — Fri, Dec 05 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Tophouse with Crowe Boys — Fri, Dec 05 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Airshow — Fri, Dec 05 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• Southern Culture on the Skids — Fri, Dec 05 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• 10th Annual Asheville Music Hall Holiday Craft Bazaar (Feat. Music by Ten Mile Ride) — Sat, Dec 06 · 12–5 PM @ Asheville Music Hall + The One Stop

• Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy-Up Brunch — Sat, Dec 06 · 11:00 AM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Ryan Roots — Sat, Dec 06 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Susto Stringband with Very Special Guests Oliver Hazard — Sat, Dec 06 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• East Coast Dirt — Sat, Dec 06 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• JD McPherson – Socks: A Rock ’n’ Roll Christmas Tour — Sat, Dec 06 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

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

What did you think of today's email?
Great! 👏 | Meh 🫤 | Terrible 👎