Serious science in a seriously un-serious setting.
When & Where
- First Wednesday of every month at The Mule (Devil’s Foot Beverage): 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville.
- Doors at 5 p.m. Have a drink, explore interactive science models, and hang out with curious folks.
- Presentation at 6:45 p.m., followed by Q&A, discussion, and more socializing from 8–9 p.m.
- Pay-What-You-Will – Everyone is welcome. If you’ve got $10 to drop, please do. If you drop more, you’ll be kicking in for someone who may not have it to spare. All funds go to bringing more scientists and better presentation tech to the Salon!
What to Expect
- Expert Talks – Each month, a researcher gives a dynamic, accessible, 50-minute presentation on their work. From primate behavior to astrophysics, expect cutting-edge science, insights, and all the “aha” moments you can handle.
- Q&A + Mingling – Dive into questions, discussion, and conversation. Grab a beer or soda and talk about how cool science is (or your favorite color – it’s totally up to you) with other curious minds.
- Community – The Big Asheville Science Salon is where people come together to be curious, confused, inquisitive, collaborative, and, most of all, groovy. Attendees include scientists, educators, and lots of folks still traumatized by high school science classes.
- Venue & Vibe – The Mule is a full-service bar and event space and an amazing place for big ideas. It’s casual, friendly, welcoming, and raucous in all the right ways. All ages are welcome.
Our Founders
Dr. James Fuller reckons that curiosity is key to most things that matter, that questions are vastly more interesting than answers, and that he knows a lot less than he lets on. An evolutionary biologist, James has spent nearly three decades working in wildlife research and conservation across East and Central Africa and Southeast Asia. He is a member of the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Mars Hill University, and gets weirdly excited about making scientific exploration accessible and engaging for everyone.
Gordon Smith is a serial community organizer who’s been keen on bringing people together for decades. From epic parties to political campaigns to Salons, Gordon has been living his values of service and joy through community building and truth telling. A graduate of Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University, Gordon has been a practicing Clinical Mental Health Counselor for 25 years. More about him and his work can be found at Gifted and Growing.