Latest news with #GoombayFestival
Time Out
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Goombay Festival
Founded in 1977, the Goombay Festival returns to Coconut Grove from Friday, June 6th through Sunday, June 8th, celebrating the neighborhood's Bahamian roots with a weekend of music, culture and family-friendly programming. This year's headliners include powerhouse vocalist Keke Wyatt and Miami rapper Ball Greezy, with performances by DJ TJ, Papa Smurf, Mama D and more. The Local Love Stage showcases homegrown talent on June 7th and 8th, and a mix of vendors will line Grand Avenue throughout the weekend, selling everything from spicy conch salad to Southern-style BBQ and more. Be sure to stick around long enough to take in the sounds of Junkanoo, a centuries-old Bahamian tradition featuring rhythmic drumming, elaborate costumes and lively street processions. Grand Avenue from SW 37th Avenue to Elizabeth Street; Free
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Asheville ranks among top 10 cities in the Southeast for livability: Here's why
In a study on 2025's best places to live, ranks Asheville among the top 10 for towns in the Southeast. uses data on thousands of U.S. cities, then sorts through the data and partners with Applied Geographic Solutions to curate a list of Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. yearly. These places are chosen based on nearly 100 data points, according to the website. Only mid-size cities with populations between 75,000-500,000 are considered for the list. According to "that's the sweet spot in size for getting plugged in, finding your people and feeling at home fast." Similarly, only cities with median home values of $500,000 or less are considered. In this year's analysis, Asheville ranks No. 8 throughout all Southeastern towns considered. Here's why, plus more information on the lists and what makes a city livable. More: Biltmore garden ranks top 5 most colorful in North America, top 50 in the world: See why Asheville places among the top 10 best cities for livability in the Southeast according to ranking at No. 8 with a 699 out of 1,000 possible points - and there was plenty of data to back up this ranking. "Nestled in a beautiful setting, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city is a picture-perfect paradise," writers said of Asheville. "Plus, there's a fun and funky vibe here, with eclectic shops and galleries (in a walkable downtown!), trend-setting independent restaurants, a top-notch craft beer scene, art deco architecture and festivals that celebrate anything and everything." also includes the following data in their study of Asheville: Average Commute - 18 minutes Median Home Value - $407,100 Median Household Income - $103,704 Total Population - 97,470 Median Property Tax - $2,503 Median Monthly Rent - $1,146 Though Asheville is still recovering from the effects of Tropical Storm Helene, called the city a "resilient place," with a tight-knit community that has "only grown closer" in the aftermath of the storm. With this in mind, the website reminds the public that, as one of the town's biggest industries is tourism, planning a trip is one way to help the community recover. Here's what writers suggest for a visit to Asheville: Classic favorites such as the Biltmore Estate and Folk Art Center. Cultural celebrations such as Hola, a festival highlighting Latin culture, and the annual Goombay Festival to celebrate the African diaspora and Asheville's African American community. Small theater shows and larger events at venues such as the Wortham Center. Historical spots such as Thomas Wolfe's childhood home. Quirky stops like the Pinball Museum, Lexington Glassworks and plenty more. Outdoor enthusiasts can "find tranquility" through forest bathing tours, NC Arboretum, WNC Nature Center and other ample outdoor opportunities. "Shop until you drop" at local boutiques and vintage stores on Lexington Avenue and throughout downtown Asheville. To see more of the many suggestions from visit their page on Asheville at The top 10 cities chosen for livability in the Southeast: Roswell, Georgia Hoover, Alabama Raleigh, North Carolina Charleston, South Carolina Coral Springs, Florida Durham, North Carolina Greenville, South Carolina Asheville, North Carolina Fayetteville, Arkansas Louisville, Kentucky The overall top 10 best cities for livability in the U.S.: Flower Mound, Texas Carmel, Indiana Sugar Land, Texas Naperville, Illinois Roswell, Georgia Overland Park, Kansas Troy, Michigan Columbia, Maryland Olathe, Kansas Round Rock, Texas calculates livability scores as a number out of 1,000 possible points using the following factors: Economy, including data points like unemployment rate, employment stability and opportunity and industrial diversity. Housing and cost of living, including data points like tax rates, home and rental affordability measures and discretionary income. Amenities, including data points like cultural amenities (museums, arts, dining variety, etc.) and leisure amenities (parks, golf, sports venues, nightlife, etc.). Transportation, including data points like walkability, median commute time and average vehicles per household. Environment, including data points like population density, air quality and various natural disaster risks. Safety, including data points like various crime rates. Education, including data points like school quality and educational attainment. Health, including data points like life expectancy, doctor and hospital access and prevalence of health concerns like diabetes, asthma and cancer. Top categories in which Asheville shines, according to findings from include environment, amenities and education. More: 3 Western NC wineries among Southern Living's 10 in NC that have European vibes Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Things to do in Asheville, why livability ranks top 10 in Southeast
