Blue Ridge Ball
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Join us for the Blue Ridge Ball, a spectacular evening of bluegrass music, open-fire cooking, local art and community impact supporting the Path Forward Foundation!
On this unforgettable night, we come together to celebrate and raise vital funds for our mission to provide post-Helene support for WNC artists, musicians, makers and small businesses. Get ready to kick up your heels to the incredible live sounds of the Darren Nicholson Band, delivering their signature high-energy bluegrass and Americana music.
Your ticket includes an exceptional, locally-inspired culinary experience featuring exquisite food from the renowned Chef Michelle Bailey as well as two (2) drink tickets including offerings from local Asheville breweries. Bid on exclusive WNC art items in our charity auction and enjoy a beautiful night out in the mountains for a great cause. Hosted on the grounds of West Asheville-based Blue Star Gallery, which will also have special items to support The Path Forward Foundation.
Event Highlights
Live Music: A full performance by the award-winning Darren Nicholson Band.
Inspired Dining: Open-fire prepared menu designed by celebrated Chef Michelle Bailey.
WNC Artist Silent Auction: Auction of local artists’ paintings, pottery, glass and jewelry.
Impact: 100% of proceeds directly benefit the Path Forward Foundation’s community programs.
Attire: Bluegrass Chic (Think elevated cocktail wear with Appalachian flare. Block heels or boots are recommended for the tent lawn!)"
Timeline:
5:45 PM: Check-in Opens
6:00 PM: Bar & Silent Auction Opens
6:15 PM: Welcome Remarks & Dinner by Chef Michelle Bailey
6:30 - 9:30 PM: Live Performance by Darren Nicholson Band
10:00 PM: Event Concludes
Tickets are limited to 200 and will sell out quickly. Secure your spot today and help us continue on the path forward for our community!
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets and for more information.
The Path forward foundation: supporting western north carolina recovery
The path forward merchandise
One of the special features in Blue Star Gallery is a small section promoting the sale of The Path Forward Foundation merchandise. We have original prints, framed and unframed, in addition to hats, t-shirts, water bottles and handbags. Fifty percent of the proceeds from these goes to our foundation's charity.
The prints are special because they represent the beginning of the foundation. Let me explain. Babette and I were at a Steep Canyon Rangers charity concert in Charlotte N.C. shortly after Hurricane Helen devastated WNC in late September of 2024. We both were touched by the message of Graham Sharp, the lead song-writer and banjo player for the band, on how folks could help support Helene recovery beyond donations. The next day I emailed Graham and discussed how we could help their cause.
This immediately turned into Babette painting three beautiful landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains to be sold at another SCR charity concert in Graham's hometown, Greensboro, N.C. Babette also managed to get hats and t-shirts ready in just over two weeks. She's amazing. We sold the paintings at the silent auction with proceeds from all merchandise sales going to SCR's cause.
That led to the formation of our Foundation of which Graham now is a board member and we continue to sell items to benefit the cause of helping artists and musicians impacted by Helene.
I love telling this story because it all happened like it was meant to be, and it continues to be a big part of our lives now that we are living in West Asheville.
So take a look at the merch. We also have a new logo designed by our associate, Sumner Elysia. We'll have new merch with that logo in time for our Oct. 10 fundraiser that you'll be reading more about in the near future.
Sincerely,
David Newton
The mission of The Path Forward Foundation is to foster a vibrant and resilient Western North Carolina creative community by providing resources and support to artists, makers and small businesses, with a focus on overcoming hardship and building for the future. Learn more
Our mission
Rebuilding a community is not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about rebuilding hope, trust, and togetherness.
*Distribution of Foundation funds is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of The Path Forward Foundation for purposes consistent with the foundation's exempt purposes.