Dig Local Asheville, NC

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Weekly Scoop (August 26-September 1) - Rekindling Romance with Date Night Ride 💘 Plus lots to do this week!


A Night Out on the Town with
Date Night Ride

 

“Leave your thinking cap and wallet at home, and just enjoy yourselves.”

Imagine cruising at sunset on the Parkway in the back of a vintage ‘65 Lincoln Continental Convertible, sipping Prosecco with your honey while someone else does the driving. Then you pull up curbside to one of Asheville’s best restaurants where drinks and a three course dinner awaits. And there are beautiful fresh flowers, too. 

This exciting concept came to fruition when Lara Vernon of Rare Exotic Vehicles met with Jenn Gordon of Asheville Date Night Guide, and Gary Jackson, a date science expert. They all agreed that Lara's fine selection of classic cars could up the game for an awesome pre-planned date night experience which would showcase authentic Asheville. In January 2019, Date Night Ride was born, hatched from the idea that romance shouldn't be stressful or hard to coordinate and should feel special. Partnering with local restaurants and entertainment businesses, the goal is to provide a unique all-inclusive experience that will bring folks together in an exciting new way. 

“When it comes to relationships, new and old alike, finding the time to plan and enjoy a truly special romantic outing can be tedious and overwhelming,” says Vernon. “We wanted to bring couples and friends together for an adventure they'll never forget so they can take a mini-vacation from their daily grind and find time for each other! We offer a wide array of unique activities through connections with local businesses and artists that we have developed in order to make Date Night Ride a truly magical experience.”

The only romantic date night adventure concierge in the USA that utilizes classic cars for transportation, Date Night Ride is a thoughtfully curated, unique romantic experience. For one all-inclusive price, guests can enjoy the magic of riding in a vintage car from the 50's or 60's with their own private chauffeur, dine at some of Asheville's best restaurants, and bring home a hand-selected bouquet of seasonal, local flowers from Blooms on Tap. Pick-up and drop-off service is included within a 30 mile radius of downtown Asheville where you can choose from going directly from point A to point B, or opt for a more scenic route while taking in the landscapes.

Photo by Stephan Pruitt Photography

Whether you want to go out with a group of friends, a double-date, or relish in a romantic evening with just you and your love, Date Night Ride is sure to be a memorable adventure. From door-to-door they handle everything, including logistics, costs, atmosphere, and vendors. Guests will never have to pull out their credit cards or worry about things like reservations or (gasp) finding a parking spot downtown. Everything is included in their "one magical price." This one-of-a-kind service focuses on partnering exclusively with local businesses. Their vintage cars are registered as limousines; therefore, this allows guests to consume beer or wine within the vehicles. Feel free to bring some drinks along for the ride!

“The network of support in Asheville's local business community is outstanding!” Vernon states. “Business owners here are always so happy to collaborate, assist, and elevate one another's projects. There are so many opportunities for networking events and shared group activities. Additionally, there is an incredible focus here on locally sourced products and services; more than I've seen in any other city. We are just so honored to be a part of it!”

When asked about Date Night Ride’s plans for the future, Vernon mentioned that they were looking forward to arranging a tiny concert this fall up in the mountains that showcases the change in foliage. The event will be catered by one of their partner restaurants, and tickets will be sold individually. Capacity will be limited to 8 guests per event. Stay tuned to Dig Local as we get closer to fall for new information, and keep an eye out for an official announcement!

Date Night Ride offers a 10% discount to Asheville locals. They can also plan special events such as proposals, surprise birthdays, and more. There are some really neat add-on packages such as a Sunset Musical Serenade up on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a local musician, a photographer to capture the occasion, or a Staycation at one of their beautiful local accommodation partners to cap-off your magical evening. Learn more about Date Night Ride and how you can plan your special evening today by checking out their Dig Local profile.

Below you will find one locally curated Scoop chosen for each day this week — but make sure to check out all the Scoops this week on our Dig Local Scoop Calendar.

Monday, August 26

Lobster Bake Fundraiser feat. Wicked Weed Brewing
at The Grey Eagle
Live music with lobster, potatoes, corn, sausage, and a flight of Wicked Weed beer! Proceeds go to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
Tickets and more details.
More to do Monday
Tuesday, August 27
Paws on the Patio with The Urban Gastronome
at Daphne at Twisted Laurel
Join The Urban Gastronome and Piper for this free social gathering of people and pooches! Featuring a pet-friendly menu, Billy Presnell on the banjo, and the fine folks at Cultivated Cocktails!
Registration and more details.
More to do Tuesday

Wednesday, August 28

Ceremonial Tea Circle Under the Stars
at We Yoga Warehouse
Experience the ancient art of healing through tea medicine shared under the evening sky in a sacred circle of meditation and ceremonial tea serving.
More details.

More to do Wednesday

Thursday, August 29

The Wolf Dinner at Social Lounge
at Strada Italiano and Social Lounge

Each of the 5 courses in this special dinner will be paired with a specially crafted cocktail. 100% of proceeds will benefit Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Sanctuary. Yes, there will be a wolfdog in attendance!
Tickets and more details.

More to do Thursday

Friday, August 30

Miss Tess and The Talkbacks
at Pisgah Brewing
Join Miss Tess and The Talkbacks for a free concert consisting of vintage blues/country/jazz music, and The Purple People Feeder food truck!
More details.
More to do Friday

Saturday, August 31

2019 Grape Stomp
at Burntshirt Vineyards

Come join the 7th Annual Grape Stomp! Food trucks, live music, winery tours, and even a Lucille Ball look-a-like contest!
More details.
More to do Saturday

Sunday, September 1

2019 Beer City Cup
with Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
Beer City Cup is the largest adult soccer tournament in the U.S. and it's right here in Asheville! Head to Memorial Stadium and witness the finals as teams compete to win up to 12k in cash prizes. Admission is FREE and $3 craft brews are available. We hope to see you there!
More details.
More to do Sunday
For all of this week’s Scoops and more, visit DigLocal.com or download the Dig Local App. Keep digging local!