One of the many reasons people visit Wildberry Lodge and the Asheville area is to check out our wonderfully divergent, eclectic, and happening music scene. Due to COVID-19, music venues large and small were forced to close, not just in Asheville, but throughout America. Larger venues, often owned by entertainment conglomerates, have the resources to withstand an extended shut-down until they can safely reopen. But the small independently-owned venues in Asheville and the US are facing a crisis. Independent venues are often “mom & pop” ventures: locally owned, with neither the access to corporate financial support nor the ability to weather a prolonged shut-down. However, there is hope for live music in Asheville NC during COVID-19.

Proposed bi-partisan legislation in Congress called The Restart Act, if passed, could provide funding to help save independent music venues. But relying on proposed legislation in the current highly partisan climate is tenuous at best. Western North Carolina and Asheville’s music community aren’t waiting for Washington to step up.

Wildberry Lodge would like to spotlight several local venues that have shifted their creativity into overdrive to keep music local and alive in our community:

• Isis Music Hall: Isis is now open for dinner and lawn concerts on a limited basis. Social distancing is in force and safety precautions ramped up to create as safe and comfortable an environment as possible. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner and the scheduled entertainment.
  743 Haywood Rd Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 575-2737
• The Grey Eagle: Grey Eagle is hosting limited live events outside on their patio combined with Facebook Live streaming shows from the music hall.
  185 Clingman Ave. Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 232-5800
• The Orange Peel: This hallowed music hall has been closed but will begin hosting live music in late August. While closed, Orange Peel has been hosting livestreams on their own “channe,l” OPTV Streaming Series, and via Independent Arts & Music Asheville at www.IamAVL.org.
  101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 398-1837
• Southern Appalachian Brewery: SAB has been presenting a combination of live shows outside in their courtyard and livestreaming, which includes Jazz Wednesday.
  822 Locust St., Ste 100, Hendersonville. 828-684-1235
• One World Brewing: Their downtown location does not have live music currently, however, they are hosting livestreams including Jazz Monday.
  10 Patton Avenue, Asheville.  828.785.5580.
  One World’s West Asheville location features live music on the rear patio and parking area.
  520 Haywood Road, Asheville.  828.575.9992
• Asheville Guitar Bar: The bar is still closed due to state COVID regulations, but they have free live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday outside on their loading dock. Drive in, walk up or bike in! Bring a chair and a friend and come get your socially distant groove on! The shows are livestreamed on the Asheville Guitar Bar Facebook page and via CashOrTrade Streams.
  122 Riverside Drive, Suite D, Asheville. 407-616-4917.

Located just minutes from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and downtown Asheville, our bed and breakfast offers all the comforts of traditional hotels with the welcoming feel of a private home. Spacious, well-appointed guest rooms with plush, comfy chairs and beds and luxurious private baths await. All rooms enjoy tranquil views of lush greenery and our spectacular mountains. Check out our specials, book online or call us at 828-683-2525.