Asheville Art Museum Shop Sale Extended

Dec 31, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville NC. The end-of-the-year sale has now been extended through the first week of January! For one week only select holiday merchandise is 50% off! Stock up on MOMA holiday greeting cards for next year or glass Eva Zeisel ornaments that are beautifully unique enough to be hung anywhere, any time of the year! Anyone on your list you missed? Now is the time to get them that special something- 50% OFF! As always, Museum Members receive a 10% discount on everything in the shop every time they visit!

Funny Business on New Year's Eve

Dec 31, Funny Business Comedy Club, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville NC. (21+ Show) Come celebrate New Year's Eve with hilarious Michael Kosta at Funny Business Comedy Club. Michael has appeared on Comedy Central, Fox Sports, TBS and Showtime to name a few. Midnight Champagne Toast and party favors! Celebrate the New Year with Laughs!! With purchase of comedy tix- Pay $15 after the 10:30pm show for  "Mac Arnold and Plate full of Blues" show upstairs! http://www.ashevillecomedy.com/

Save with Asheville Vacation Rental Packages

ASHEVILLE  Vacation Rental Packages include: Biltmore Bed and Breakfast, All Girl Getaway, Honeymoon Package, Babyboomers Package, Spa Packages and 75th Anniversary Blueridge Parkway Package. Over 80 Asheville Luxury Vacation Rentals and Asheville Cabins available - ALL include  a FREE Mountain Discovery Pass for the length of your stay. CAROLINA MORNINGS

Asheville Art Museum Acquires Leaf Hands

The Asheville Art Museum Collectors' Circle held their sixth annual selection dinner on December 14, 2009. The Collectors' Circle is dedicated to increasing their own knowledge about art and collecting, while also growing the Museum's permanent collection through annual purchases.

The Circle voted to acquire Leaf Hands by Susan Weil, a five panel blueprint and collage. The work, from 2007, recalls Weil's earlier experiments with blueprint paper created during her time at Black Mountain College with her former husband Robert Rauschenberg. Individual Circle members also gifted several of the works up for selection to the Museum.

The Museum thanks the Circle for their continued commitment and dedication. For more information on joining the Collectors' Circle, contact Rebecca Lynch-Maass at 828.253.3227, ext. 114 or rlynchmaass@ashevilleart.org.   http://www.ashevilleart.org/

Swing Dance Workshops in Asheville

Dec 27 to Jan 01, 8:00 PM-12:30 AM, Crowne Plaza Resort, One Resort Drive, Asheville NC. Jitterbugs from around the globe converge yearly on Asheville for a five day swing dance party culminating in a New Year's Eve extravaganza. All week long international champion swing dancers teach workshops in the original American social dance-- The Lindy Hop -- to hundreds of would-be swingers from every walk of life. The workshops and the event celebrate under the moniker Lindy Focus and every year, the top artists in the swing dance field spend one week focusing on what many consider to be the true golden age of American pop culture: the Swing Era. The entire event is open to the public and come New Year's Eve, you will find the happiest feet in town tearing up the dance floor in Asheville's Crowne Plaza Resort, host of the event. http://www.lindyfocus.com/

Become a Friend

In this season of giving, give the community and yourself a gift by becoming a FRIEND of the Diana Wortham Theatre. As a Diana Wortham Theatre patron, you have an insider's view of the magic on this stage. You know firsthand the unique intimacy of the theatre, the wide array of performing arts presented and the leading role the Diana Wortham Theatre plays in the community. You can help keep that magic alive in this time of giving by providing valuable support and joining the FRIENDS.
Learn more...

Great Deals on Last Minute Asheville Getaways!

Valid for new RESERVATIONS arriving December 18, 2009-December 26, 2009   Carolina Mornings  is offering unbelievable  last minute deals. Choose 1 of the 3 options below and as a bonus, get FREE early check-in and a late check-out. This package has up to $160 in savings! You choose:

$100 Dinner Gift Certificate at Zambra  OR $50 off your reservation  OR a Free Candle Light Tour tix at Biltmore Estate   -  The choice is yours!  Reservations made online will not show the discounts-We will adjust the reservation the following business day! Our Promise!
Choose ANY of our available vacation rentals - find your getaway now!  

The Grinch Steals the Visitor Center!

December 16, 2009 - Breaking news from Asheville North Carolina. In an apparent attempt to take over control of all Asheville tourism, the Grinch Who Stole Christmas has successfully invaded the city's visitor center at 36 Monford Avenue. Accompanied his two nefarious henchman the Grinch set up a bulwark in the main lobby where he remains holed up. All visitors in the city are asked to report to the center immediately. Authorities believe the smirking hoodlum  is actually a clone, the result of a fiendish plot by the gang known only as "Gingerbread Men". The gang is said to have a hideout somewhere in the Asheville hills easily identified by an odd orange roof. The public is asked to be on the look out and report any suspicious activities. More news when it occurs...

Green Man and Lusty Monk

Dec 18, 5PM-7PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Hatwood Road, Asheville NC. Beer and pretzels - life is good!  This week's tasting includes three brews from Green Man Brewing, we now proudly carry their line of flagship beers in growlers. At the tasting this Friday, when you buy any Green Man growler you'll get a free Green Man Brewing pint glass! We will also be serving Lusty Monk mustard and pretzels with the beer. Hops and Vines will be carrying Lusty Monk Mustard for retail sale, come taste what all the buzz is about!
India Pale Ale - English in style, this beer is “monster-hopped,” with English malts plus a special honey malt from Canada, Target and Kent Goldings hops added five times during the brewing process.
E.S.B (Extra Special Bitter) - This richly flavored, full-bodied bitter is copper colored, with a slight fruity aroma and a balanced malt/hop character.
Porter - English style brown porter. A dark brown beer with a red tint, it offers mocha, carob, and chocolate flavors and coffee aromas with a slightly smoky and warming alcohol finish.

Christmas at Biltmore a Family Tradition

Start a new tradition this year with a family visit to Christmas at Biltmore. Buy tickets online and save up to $8 off regular adult daytime admission for Sunday-Friday visits now through December 25. December 20-24, daytime admission is free for youth 10-16. For kids 9 and under, admission is free daily. Children love the thousands of ornaments and twinkling lights throughout Biltmore House, and the majestic, exquisitely trimmed 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall. And on weekends, Santa makes appearances at River Bend Farm —a fun place for kids to visit any time of year to learn about life on the estate in the 1890s through demonstrations, craft activities, farmyard tours, and more.

Christmas at the Grove Park

December 23 - 27  ASHEVILLE  NC. A Grove Park Christmas  Christmas buffets, live holiday music, festive decorations, the National Gingerbread House Competition display and our historic ambiance (think roaring fires and carols) combine to make a wonderful family Christmas. Activities include visits from Major Bear and Santa Claus, history tours, a scavenger hunt, caroling around the fireplace, a yule log lighting ceremony and much more! http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/

Downtown Sizzle Ends with a Bang

Dec 19, Downtown Asheville NC. The 19 days of Asheville Seasonal Sizzle conclude this Saturday. Attending Merrymakers will enjoy free fireworks, live entertainment, Seasonal Sizzle specials at local restaurants and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville’s eclectic boutiques and craft galleries. Saturday's schedule includes:
Asheville City Market Holiday Bash              10am-2pm    Pack Square
North Asheville Tailgate Market                     8am-12pm   UNCA
French Broad Food Coop Holiday Bazaar     11am 4pm     FB Food Coop
Seasonal Sizzle at Seven Fireworks FREE    7pm-8pm      Downtown Asheville
Seasonal Sizzle After Party FREE (21+)       8pm-1am      Elaine's Piano Bar

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents The Nutcracker

Dec 18, 4:30 and 8PMPM, Dianne Wortham Theatre, Asheville NC. Asheville’s new Conservatory makes it’s debut performance with a beautiful rendition of the timeless holiday classic, The Nutcracker. The 8PM performance is already sold out, but the 4:30 show still have tickets available. For more information about the Conservancy visit: http://www.balletconservatoryofasheville.com/

"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HIVE" tonight

Dec 12, 5PM - 8PM, A Slow Food Event hosted by The West End Bakery on West Asheville Day  - A benefit for the bees. Enjoy an evening of art work, food, and drink celebrating the important role of bees in the production of our food. Please bring a finger food potluck item made with local honey to share. If you are a Mead Maker please bring a bottle (or two!) of your Mead for us to taste! The successful production of food crops relies on pollination by bees, but worldwide bee populations have disappeared due to an unknown cause referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder. If you can't make it to this event please consider donating - by clicking the donate button Click & Pledge    http://www.slowfoodasheville.org/

Give the Gift of Knowledge and a Healthy Environment

What better gift to give students than FREE RiverLink lessons this Winter? One of the best gifts that we can give our future generations is a clean, healthy environment, and RiverLink offers tons of interactive lessons focusing on the French Broad River watershed, delivered straight to your school by experienced environmental educators. Your students will build their own watershed, create river-inspired artwork, learn about the water cycle or create their own rainsticks! We have lessons for all ages! Don't hesitate, sign up today! Help us empower the next generation of watershed stewards!

RiverLink's Watershed Education program aims to educate and empower the citizens to protect their watershed. We offer FREE K-12 in-class and field trip programs! Visit our website to learn more

Holiday Season Shopping in West Asheville

Dec 12, noon - 8PM, Downtown West Asheville NC. Over 50 West Asheville businesses will be participating in great deals for holiday shoppers. The event includes sales and specials, music, demonstrations, craft booths, artists' market, gift basket raffle, carrolling and more. Website: http://www.shopwestasheville.com

Art Museum Announces Expansion Plans

The Asheville Art Museum,  located at 2 South Pack Sqaure in Asheville North Carolina, has announced expansion plans. The  Museum will keep its location in Pack Place while expanding the current facility and absorbing the space currently occupied by Health Adventure, scheduled to relocate in 2011.

The capital campaign, with an estimated cost of $24 million, would double the size of the museum to nearly 51,000 square feet  allowing more of the permanent collection to be shown and larger and more diverse traveling exhibits. The already extensive education programs will also benefit. The project is predicted to begin construction in 2011 and have a tentative completion in 2013. Photo courtesy of The Citizen Times.com.

Wouldn't this be a great time to support the Museum? Until December 31, 2009, people age 70 ½ and older, may transfer up to $100,000 directly from a traditional or Roth IRA to the Asheville Art Museum - some restrictions apply contact Scott Bunn or Rebecca Lynch-Maass at (828) 253-3227 for details.

Website: http://www.ashevilleart.org

North Carolina Symphony Holiday Concert

Dec 10, 8PM-9:30PM, UNC Asheville - Lipinsky Auditorium, One University Heights, Asheville NC. Make your season bright with this festive Holiday Pops concert! The North Carolina Symphony ushers in a joyful time of year with favorite carols and a sing-along. Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony is a vital and honored component of our state’s cultural life, presenting 175 concerts annually. This  Holiday Pops Concert  features soprano Rozlyn Sorrell. For details and tickets:  http://www.unca.edu/culturalarts/NCSymphony/index.htm

14th Annual Christmas Guitar Concert

Dec 11, 8PM-10:30PM, Jubliee! 46 Wall Street, Asheville NC. Guitarists Ed Gerhard and Bill Mize join together for their Fourteenth Annual Christmas Guitar Concert.  Tickets are $18.00 and are available at Malaprops and Jubilee!  Ed Gerhard's music has touched concert audiences all over the world, from sold out tours of Japan to festivals in Italy, and venues across the US. Acoustic Guitar Magazine writes "...his recordings and live performances have established him as one of the most exciting of the guitarist-composers." Call (828) 252-5335 for info or visit: http://www.jubileecommunity.org/

North Asheville Tailgate Market - Holiday Edition

Dec 12, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM,  UNC Asheville, One University Heights, Asheville NC. Get your Christmas Tree and Wreathes at Tailgate, the area's oldest farmers' market in it's 29th year of operation with over 40 vendors selling locally produced goods. Gift baskets with Tailgate Goodies Available:  vegetables, fruits, greens, baked goods, local meats, herbs, honey, relishes, crafts and more. http://www.northashevilletailgatemarket.org/

21st Christmas Jam By Day

Dec 11 - 12, Downtown Asheville and the Asheville Civic Center, 87 Haywood Street, Asheville NC.  Performances, film screenings, and an art show are going on during the day on Friday 12/11 & Saturday 12/12 in downtown Asheville all within walking distance to the Civic Center. In addition to Friday & Saturday day activities, those of you in town Thursday night should head to The Funny Business Comedy Club on Patton Avenue, as that evenings performance of Pat Godwin & Special Guests will be part of the Christmas Jam By Day line-up with all door receipts going to Habitat For Humanity.  For the Saturday night Jam there will be some incredible pairings and ensemble. For tickets or info: http://www.xmasjam.com/2009/

Ring in the Holidays

Dec 13, 4PM-6PM, Central United Methodist Church, Church Street, Asheville NC. The powerful voices and remarkable music of The Asheville Choral Society presents "Ring in the Holidays!" at Central United Methodist Church, led by music director Lenora Thom. The choir will be accompanied by an orchestra, with songs to include all the beloved carols of the season with a candlelight procession.For more info ro tickets: http://www.ashevillechoralsociety.org/

Last Save the French Broad River Raffle

Win up to $1200 -  an ENO DoubleNest Hammock, MSR Elbow Room 2 Tent, Osprey Kestrel Technical Backpack, pair of Ahnu Tilden Sandals, Watershed ZipDry Largo Tote, pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running Shoes and more! Save the French Broad River raffle tickets make great holiday gifts - one size fits all! Last drawing will be on January 15th.  For information and tickets...

The Trainwreks in Asheville

Dec 12, 8PM, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville NC. The Trainwreks are a five piece "Dirty-Tonk" band that formed in 2004 in Asheville, NC. Going through many personnel changes over the following years, the strongest collective to date came together in the winter of 2007 consisting of some of the most versatile musicians in Asheville's burgeoning music scene. Dirty-Tonk consists of many of the members collective influences, ranging from gypsy jazz, outlaw country, western swing, reggae, to blues, funk, and rock. We have something for the whole family! For tickets or additional information: http://greyeagle.musictoday.com

Free beer tasting at Hops and Vines

Dec 4, 5-7PM, Hops adn Vines, Asheville NC. This week we will feature three mega IPAs from three different breweries, some of the best examples of American IPA. These beers are fresh and just hit the shelves in the last week:
Hopsecutioner - Here ye, here ye…All hopheads shall herewith rejoice! Terrapin has recruited ye old HOPSECUTIONER to execute the exact hop profile for this killer IPA! 7.2%
Ska Modus Hoperandi - A mix of citrus and pine that will remind you of the time you went on a vision quest with your native american cousin and woke up in a pine-grove full of grapefruit trees.
Pisgah Vortex I - The hoppiest beer in Buncombe County is back and hoppier than ever. Brewed with over 3.5 grams of four distinct varieties of super high alpha hops per glass, lupulin lovers rejoice. Treat Tourself while it’s fresh!  Website: http://www.hopsandvines.net

"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HIVE"

Dec 12, from 5-8PM,  West End Bakery, 757 Haywood Road, West Asheville NC will host an evening of art work, food, and drink celebrating the important role of bees in the production of our food. Please bring a finger food potluck item made with local honey to share. If you are a Mead Maker please bring a bottle (or two!) of your Mead for us to taste! The successful production of food crops relies on pollination by bees, but worldwide bee populations have disappeared due to an unknown cause referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder. If you can't make it to this event please consider donating - by clicking the donate button Click & Pledge