AVL Digital Nomads

Classy Cocktails: Nine Floors Up 🍸✨

Okay, Classy Cocktailers, we’re taking the word classy rather seriously this month.

For October, we’re heading nine floors above downtown Asheville to Capella on 9, the gorgeous rooftop bar at the AC Hotel, for cocktails, conversation and one seriously good view.

And yes, it is every bit as fabulous as it looks.

Wednesday, October 29

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Capella on 9

10 Broadway, 9th Floor, Downtown Asheville

Capella is one of those places that makes you want to sit down, order something pretty in a glass and stay awhile.

The rooftop overlooks downtown and the Blue Ridge Mountains, with fire features, sophisticated lounge spaces and that magical Asheville-at-dusk backdrop that should be showing off nicely right around the time we arrive. Inside, the space is sleek, modern and seriously elevated. Literally and otherwise. 😏

The cocktail menu goes well beyond your basic gin and tonic, with house-crafted drinks, barrel-select cocktails and creations like their Smoked Bourbon Old Fashioned. If cocktails aren’t your thing, there’s wine, bubbles, local beer and non-alcoholic options too.

And nobody needs to drink dinner. Capella also serves tapas and small plates made for sharing, including charcuterie and cheese boards, patatas bravas, seafood, vegetables and more substantial options if you arrive hungry.

This one feels like the perfect October Classy Cocktails night. Crisp fall air, rooftop fire, mountain views, beautiful surroundings, good drinks and a couple of hours hanging out with interesting people.

Come dressed however makes you feel fabulous. Capella may technically lean casual, but I’m just saying... this place can handle a little effort. 😉

Grab a cocktail. Order a few tapas. Pull up a chair by the fire.

We’ll see you nine floors up. 🍸🔥🌆

Hey Nomads!
Let's face it, we’ve all got something. A recurring frustration, an exhausting pattern, an issue we’ve tried to resolve a dozen different ways that somehow keeps showing up.

This is a fresh approach to them—a way to quit working on the same old problems and start outgrowing them.

If you could wave a magic wand, what pattern or obstacle in your life would you make disappear? Bring it here.

“The greatest and most important problems of life are all in a certain sense insoluble. … They can never be solved, but only outgrown.”
— Carl Jung

Join fellow ADN member Rachel Bulkley, founder of The WellBeing Project, for an interactive workshop on a different approach to the problems that keep us stuck.

Together, we’ll look under the hood of what makes life suck right now. Or, if you prefer, the specific sources of annoying friction in your otherwise perfectly delightful existence.

We’ll look at the difference between repeatedly trying to solve our problems and tending the conditions underneath them.

Who it's for

• You’ve tried all the stuff: books, practices, therapy, new routines—and still feel like something isn’t clicking.
• You’re turned off by elite coaching claims and trendy self-help programs, but you’re interested in understanding yourself and growing healthier.
• You’re curious about human behavior, the conditions that help us thrive, and why knowing what to do doesn’t always translate into doing it.
• You enjoy thoughtful conversations with interesting people. Especially when you leave seeing something differently.

What we'll do
We’ll kick off with 15 minutes to mingle, then get to work. This is an active workshop, so come with one persistent problem, pattern, or source of frustration in mind.

We’ll start with a brief grounding exercise, then take an honest look at how you’ve approached your obstacle so far.

From there, we’ll step back and look at:

• Some common beliefs about success, effort, and care that may be making life unnecessarily difficult.
• The fundamental needs all humans share, and what happens when those needs go unmet.
• How The Ten Areas of Human Needs can help us understand what’s underneath our recurring struggles.
• What becomes possible when we start tending the conditions that support our growth.

Then we’ll return to the obstacle you brought with you and see what looks different. We’ll leave time at the end for questions, and you’re welcome to stick around and socialize after.

What you'll leave with

• A fresh perspective on a familiar challenge.
• A clearer understanding of what might be underneath it.
• A practical approach to creating healthier conditions in your life.
• A way of thinking you can apply to other recurring struggles.

A few things...
Your privacy is yours. Most of the reflection happens in your own notebook. You’re welcome to contribute to the discussion, but nobody will be asked to disclose personal details.

Bring: A notebook, a pen, an open mind, and one frustrating thing you’d happily wave goodbye to.

Getting there: We’ll meet in Room 5 at Hatch Coworking, 45 South French Broad Ave, Asheville. Free parking is available behind the building. Before the event, you’ll get a note with parking and entry details.

Come as you are. Bring your obstacle. Let’s see what we can unkink.

# AVL UX Event 3: Portfolio Review & Networking Night

Show your work. Share your process. Get better together!

Portfolio Review signups open!

Please complete our Portfolio Review Signup Form: https://tally.so/r/EqqR94

This helps us understand what feedback you're looking for and organize the 15-minute review sessions.

Attending just to network or observe? No additional form needed!

Join Asheville's UX and product community for an evening focused on portfolio feedback, professional development, and networking.

## Portfolio Review

Bring your portfolio, case study, or work in progress on your laptop, tablet, or phone.

Experienced professionals from UX, design, research, and product will be available to provide feedback on:

• Portfolio storytelling and case studies
• UX process and design decisions
• Visual presentation and structure
• Problem framing and communication

Reviewers will circulate throughout the event, offering individual feedback and opportunities for discussion. Attendees can also exchange ideas, share their work, and learn from one another.

### Portfolio Reviewers

Reviewer lineup coming soon!

## What to Expect

• Portfolio reviews with experienced professionals.
• Peer-to-peer feedback and knowledge sharing.
• Professional networking with Asheville's design and product community.

## Who's Welcome?

Everyone!
Designers, researchers, product managers, developers, founders, students, career-switchers, and anyone interested in UX and product design.
No portfolio? No problem! Join us to learn from others, exchange ideas, and build connections within Asheville's growing UX community.

## Event Details

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Venue: 7 Acres Coworking
Address: 105 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Cost: Free
Hosted by: AVL UX + Asheville Digital Nomads
Sponsored by: Aktiga
See you there! 👋