North Carolina Has One Of The Most Vegan-Friendly Cities In The Country

Maintaining a vegan diet can be tough for those who seek to lead that sort of plant-based, meat-free lifestyle. Luckily there are a few cities throughout the US that stand out as a safe harbor for vegans. A new study from StudyFinds has listed the seven most vegan-friendly cities in the country, one of which is right here in North Carolina.

According to the list (seen here), Asheville in North Carolina is one of the best cities in the entire country for vegans and vegetarians, ranking number four overall.

According to an article from Thrillist - one of the sources StudyFinds used in their research -  Asheville is home to many vegan-centric events and meetups, making it easy for visiting vegans to immerse themselves into the community.

One of the Asheville-based vegan eateries highlighted in the study was Plant, which has been a staple of the mountain town for almost 13 years. With a variety of delicious, organic, locally sourced dishes on their ever-evolving menu, the staff at Plant works hard to change people's preconceptions of what vegan food can be.

With such a rich culture revolving around alternative and sustainable living, it's easy to see why Asheville was named one of the best cities for vegans to live in.

Here is the full list of vegan-friendly cities mentioned in the study:

So if you're a seasoned vegan, or if you're interested in giving the lifestyle a try, these are the best cities for you to move to!

The Temple Theatre in Sanford recently announced its lineup of shows for its Centennial Mainstage season. The Temple staff is pulling out all the stops to honor the the momentous milestone, promising the return of some of the most memorable and successful shows of the venue's 100-year history.

In my recent interview with Temple Theatre's Producing Artistic Director Peggy Taphorn, she noted how the upcoming Centennial lineup is their "...most ambitious season, one big show after another." Although the Centennial season consists of past productions at the Temple, Peggy promised enough twists and turns to keep the shows fresh and entertaining. "We always try to add at least one new element - something really splashy that the audience hasn't seen before."

Before the Mainstage season kicks off, however, the Temple Theatre in Sanford will be holding its Summer Conservatory for children in the community. The Conservatory offers a head start for aspiring young actors to hone their craft and perform in fun, lighthearted family-friendly productions. All of the Conservatory shows this summer will reflect this year's theme "WISHES COME TRUE!" These shows include:

The Temple will also hold Rising Stars sessions throughout the summer as well, where kids age 4 to 7 can participate in live performances and craft projects based on different weekly themes. For more information on the Summer Conservatory and Rising Stars program, click here.

The Summer Conservatory will serve as a delightful prelude to the historic 100th anniversary celebration at the Temple Theatre. Let's take a look at all of the shows you can see at the Temple Theatre for its fast-approaching Centennial Season!

The Centennial lineup at the Temple will kick off in extravagant fashion with the return of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! This legendary musical is a vibrant and flashy take on the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Featuring music from Andrew Lloyd Weber, this lively production is the perfect can't-miss spectacle to begin the Temple's 100th season.

Throughout the past century the Temple Theatre has prominently featured a slew of highly entertaining jukebox musicals, paying homage to music legends like The Beatles, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash.

This fall, the Temple is once again paying homage to the Man in Black with the return of Ring of Fire. Fans of Cash's music and legacy can take a trip back to the country outlaw's heyday and enjoy his music in an unforgettable live theatre experience.

You can't celebrate 100 years of the Temple Theatre without including one of its most beloved and timeless productions, A Christmas Carol. This will be the venue's 10th production of the classic holiday tale, and Peggy Taphorn is devoted to add an uplifting spin to the story.

"I have gone out and seen a lot of different productions of Christmas Carol, and there wasn’t one that I thought captured the joy of the story," said Taphorn, "I really wanted it to be a celebration."

I can personally attest that A Christmas Carol at the Temple is every bit as lavish and atmospheric as it would be on Broadway. The production value for this show is always a sight to behold firsthand. If you see no other show throughout the Centennial season, make a point to see this one.

Based on a story by two North Carolina authors, The Sweet Delilah Swim Club tells the story of five vivacious women growing up in the Outer Banks of NC.

Sweet Delilah became one of the Temple's most successful shows ever when the production first hit the stage in the 2013-2014 season. With its sharp wit, a cast of larger-than-life personalities, and its local tie-in, it's certainly not hard to see why this show garnered such acclaim. If you missed this unforgettable show the first time, now is your chance at redemption!

March of 2025 will be completely devoted to celebrating the Temple's 100th year. The month will feature three fun-filled events, each one focusing on different aspects of the Temple Theatre's long-lasting legacy.

First is the 100 Years Gala on March 1. This catered black tie event will feature live music and a recap of the theatre's illustrious history.

The Roaring 20's-20's Revue will take place March 6-9. This event will cover the music from the 1920s-2020s. There is so much excitement about this particular event that two extra days had to be added to accommodate the hype.

Rounding out the Centennial Celebration month will be the Temple Teens reunion, in which alums of the Temple Teens program will reconvene at the Temple and speak on their experiences in live theatre and the impact that the program had on their personal and professional lives. This will take place March 15-16.

What better way to wrap up the Temple's monumental Centennial season than with "a tale as old as time?" The Disney classic Beauty and the Beast returns to the Temple stage for the first time in seven years, with several former cast members returning to reprise their roles.

Peggy was extremely intentional in choosing this specific show to wrap up the historic 100th season. "I like doing transformation stories," she said, "we all need hope, we all need to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and that your past mistakes don’t follow you into the future. This show tells all that, but in such a joyful Disney way."

Beauty and the Beast will run at the Temple April 24 - May 18 in 2025.

If you are interested in auditioning for the Temple Theatre's 2024-2025 Centennial Mainstage Season, click here to sign up for a time slot on May 4th. Venue staff asks that you come prepared with an updated resume and headshots. You will also need to perform a one-minute monologue and 32 bars of a song, both of your choosing.

Break a leg!