Blue Rags in Asheville

June 5, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville North Carolina. From playing Piedmont juke joints to open-mic nights at some of the area's most stalwart venues, the Blue Rags quickly took over the mid-'90s Asheville music scene. Their startling brand of roots-music-on-overdrive earned them packed houses across the country, and a two-record-deal with venerable indie label SubPop. It was their wild ride and Asheville went with them.For details or tickets: http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

2010 Summer at the Wortham Series Begins This Week

June 5, 7PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, Two South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Trombonist Rick Trolsen and his traditional jazz sextet, The New Orleans Po' Boys. The sextet features Trolsen's trombone blending with other front-line instruments, trumpet and clarinet, as they merge with piano, bass/tuba and drums to create contemporary heat in traditional jazz classics such as "Struttin' with Some Barbecue," "Mahogany Hall Stomp," and "The Royal Garden Blues."   Read more...

Gulf Restoration Network Benefit: In light of the current oil spill crisis affecting the Gulf State communities, the WNC Jazz Society is taking this opportunity to support the Gulf Restoration Network (GRN) in association with Sunday's performance and a portion of the proceeds.

Blue Ridge Parkway 75 Event: Swannanoa Shindig

June 4,  SWANNANOA North Carolina. Swannanoa Shindig This night's band will be the Flat Creek Boys. Live traditional Appalachian music and square dance caller; craft booths, children’s games, jamming sessions, and other activities honor the heritage of the original Old Farmers’ Ball near Warren Wilson College. Blue Ridge 75 Event, Milepost 377

Feasting with Brew in Asheville

June 4 - 5, 1847 Blake House Inn, 150 Royal Pines Drive, Asheville North Carolina. Affordable Fun for a Great Cause in Asheville! Angela McKeller is hosting a culinary event, "Feasting with Brew!" this June that is the biggest "Kooking, Jamming, Brewing" event this summer! Pisgah Brewing will be there & another great brewery to be disclosed. Best beer in town and Asheville is the best in the nation for microbrews! Both afternoons, beer pairings with delicious chocolate truffles on Friday & delicious desserts on Saturday (and yes, you get the recipes to take home!) Live music from Davin McCoy & the Coming Attractions.

WNC Chefs Challenge 2010 continues

 June 1, Asheville North Carolina.  WNC Chefs Challenge 2010  Every Tuesday evening local chefs compete and diners judge. The dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Flying Frog Café, which is downstairs from the Frog Bar & Deli, located on the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. Reservations required, only $39 per person. This week's competition: Pomodoros Greek and Italian Café   VS   The Admiral 

Wine and Beer Tasting at Appalachian Vintner

May 29, 3PM - 8PM, Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville North Carolina. Wine Tasting includes:
Domaine Claude Branger Le Fils des Gras Moutons Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie- 100% Melon de Bourgogne, from the far Northwestern portion of France, near the mouth of the Loire River.
Artadi Artazuri Rosé- 100% Garnacha. Faithful to Navarra’s tradition, this rosé is made by means of the accepted system of drawing juice from the must, based on the use of gravity after a short period of maceration saignée.
Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-Dessus Pinot Noir- 100% Pinot Noir. Jim Clendenen (owner ABC) is by far one of the most animated winemakers in California and in our estimation has one of the best hands in regards to Pinot Noir.
Rabbit Ridge Le Lapin Zinfandel- Paso Robles, California. Rabbit Ridge is one of California’s premier value wine producers. Unlike other “value” producers they almost always deliver flavor packed bottlings that seem unreal for the money.

All North Carolina breweries are 10% off on Saturday and enjoy a free pint of Pisgah Pale with every case of beer purchased. Cheers! http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Beer Tasting Tomorrow at Hops and Vines

May 28th. 5-7pm, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville North Carolina. Brews form Brooklyn Brewing Co.:

Brooklyn Summer Ale - Brooklyn Summer Ale is a refreshing rendition of the the "Light Dinner Ales" brewed in England throughout the 1800's right up until the 1940's Come taste this historic brew while it lasts through the early summer.

Brooklyn Lager - One of our best selling canned beers, this refreshing lager is brewed as pre-prohibition style Vienna lager with English Pale malts and European and American Hops. This is one of the few lagers that is actually "dry hopped" in American brewing.

Brooklyn Brown Ale - This award wining American Brown Ale was once a Brooklyn seasonal but is now a year-round brew. This brown is full of malt character and pairs perfectly with food, especially barbeque. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Asheville North Carolina takes the top honors in BeerCity USA 2010 poll.

The votes are in and counted and Asheville emerged as the clear winner with 7389, 38.8% of  the 19,040 votes cast. Last year's tie with rival Portland Oregon is now a thing of the past thanks to the spirit of local beer enthusiasts.  The BeerCity USA poll coincided with American Craft Beer Week and ended with an outpouring of votes for the relatively smaller city of Asheville North Carolina. Read more about the BeerCity USA Poll...

There are 9 breweries in Asheville, NC according to the Brewers Association’s directory of U.S. Breweries.

• Asheville Brewing Co, 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Microbrewery
• Asheville Pizza and Brewing, 675 Merrimon, Asheville, NC 28804, Brewpub
• Craggie Brewing Co., 197 Hilliard Avenue, Ashville, NC Microbrewery
• French Broad Brewing Co., 101-D Fairview Rd., Ashville, NC Microbrewery
• Green Man Brewing Co 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Microbrewery
• Highland Brewing Co 12 Old Charlotte Hwy, Ste H, Asheville, NC 28801 Regional brewery
• Lexington Avenue Brewing - The LAB PO Box 7303, Asheville, NC 28802 Brewpub
• Oyster House Brewing Co./Lobster Trap Restaurant, 35 Patton St., Asheville, NC 28801 Brewpub
• Wedge Brewing Co., 129-B Roberts St., Ashville, NC Microbrewery

Memorial Day Weekent Event: Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibit

May 29-30  ASHEVILLE  North Carolina.  Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibit: The annual Asheville-Blue Ridge Rose Society Exhibition features award-winning roses of every color and size.  Experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide resources about selection, care and history of these beautiful garden plants.

WNC Chefs Challenge 2010 in Asheville

May 25, Asheville North Carolina.  WNC Chefs Challenge 2010  Every Tuesday evening local chefs compete and diners judge. The dinners begin at 6:30 p.m. at The Flying Frog Café, which is downstairs from the Frog Bar & Deli, located on the corner of Battery Park Avenue and Haywood Street in downtown Asheville. This week's competition: Corner Kitchen VS. Sunset Terrace, Grove Park Inn

Asheville Weekend Events

May 20 - 23  Biltmore's Antler Hill Village Grand Opening
May 21         Downtown After Five
May 21         "Pickin' on the Parkway"
May 22         7th annual Montford Music and Arts festival
May 23-24   Grovewood Gallery’s 11th Annual Charity Sale
May 22-23   Kenilworth Artists Association Open Studio Tour

Alternative Summer Whites Wine Tasting

May 22, 3PM - 6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville North Carolina.
Free Wine tasting this Saturday:  Alternative Summer Whites. With spring in place and summer on the way, lighter eating and drinking calls for white wine. However, this does not mean that you have to resort to the same old Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio standbys. This week we’ll be exploring three alternative varietals that will be sure to excite both your palate and your friends at the next get together!

Featured Wines:
Peirano Viognier - Fast growing in popularity, Viognier is similar in body to Chardonnay, but offers more distinctive fruit characters such as ripe apricots and honeysuckle.
Sur Torrontes- Argentina's flagship white varietal has a very aromatic nose with scents of exotic flowers and orange blossom. On the palate, it delivers flavors of tropical fruit and spice. Pairs beautifully with Spicy Thai and Mexican cuisine.
Shooting Star Aligote- Second most planted white grape in Burgandy (to Chardonnay that is). It is usually lighter in weight than Chardonnay and has aromas of green apples and lemon peel.  http://www.hopsandvines.net

Vote for Asheville - "Favorite Beer City USA"

Now through the end of American Craft Beer Week on May 23 you can help make Asheville North Carolina the sole winner of the title, Favorite Beer City USA. Last year's vote ended in a statistical tie between Asheville and Portland Oregon. BeerCity USA 2010 is a chance for local beer communities to express their enthusiasm and support for their local breweries and local better beer bars, restaurants, stores and distributors. Most of us now understand the value of buying local for food. Shouldn't it be the same for beer?  VOTE NOW

Asheville currently offers 10 microbreweries,  a rocking beer tour, a world-renowned specialty beer store and five annual beer festivals. Need more? Check out the complete scoop on Asheville’s beer scene. 

Annual pops Concert Unforgetable

May 22, 8PM - 10PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. The Asheville Choral Society and Music Director Lenora Thom present the annual pops concert: "Unforgettable". For Lenora's farewell concert, the choir will perform a lively sampling of America’s best popular music, from the 1930s to today. Songs include: Duke Ellington, Harry Connick, Jr., Nat King Cole, Joe Cocker, Billy Joel, Jason Mraz, The Beach Boys, Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Kelly Clarkson, and more!

The Blue Ridge Orchestra: For the Love of Music

May 20, 7PM, Fine Arts Theater, 36 Biltmore Ave, AshevilleNorth Carolina.  For the Love of Music - a documentary film about the Blue Ridge Orchestra by local film maker Mark Fields. A behind the scenes look into Asheville's own community orchestra, the Blue Ride Orchestra, plus tenor William Martin. Join the director as he leads the orchestra and its musicians through rehearsals to the highlight of the year, a breathtaking symphonic tribute to the late and great tenor Luciano Pavarotti. This look at one of America’s few remaining community orchestras READ MORE...

Annual Charity Sale at the Grovewood Gallery

May 23-24   Grovewood Gallery, Asheville  North Carolina.  Grovewood Gallery’s 11th Annual Charity Sale   Save 10% off all regular priced crafts, including studio furniture and garden sculptures, and up to 75% off on sale items. A portion of all sales from this 3 day event will go towards the development of Mission’s new Cancer Center - a regional cancer center to bring together all Mission outpatient cancer services into one location.

It's a Cake Walk!

May 29, North Asheville Tailgate Market, Asheville North Carolina. $1 - Just like the good ol'days-win something yummy for a buck! Come to the Strawberry [short] Cake Walk, donate a dish or walk and win. Cost per walk is $1. Walk as many times as you like for a chance to win something delicious! All ages are welcome. Funds raised will go to the market and Slow Food Asheville's educational programs.

A note about the goodies for the walk -  Slow Food Asheville is taking food donations for the walk - If you would like to make something to contribute to the walk, please include strawberries as an ingredient. It is our way to celebrate strawberry season! You can bring cake, jam, pie, or anything you like, including strawberry shortcake! It is also your way to let people know about you, your blog, or your dish. Please include at least a note card about the dish and any additional information you wish to provide!

Asheville Restaurant needs your vote TODAY!

ONE DAY VOTING 5/15/10 - Help Asheville restaurant Sunny Point Café win the title of “America’s Best Breakfast” on Good Morning America - ONE DAY VOTING 5/15 - CLICK HERE

 Sunny Point Café offers breakfast, lunch or dinner, with local flavors that come through in creative and delecious dishes with their famous breakfast menu served all day. Enjoy  handmade desserts and al fresco dining on the patio.

Ballads and Banjos at Grey Eagle

May 20, 7:30 PM, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville North Carolina. Tim Eriksen & Riley Baugus perform. Jim Eriksen is "widely regarded as the best ballad singer of his generation" (BBC Radio). He combines hair-raising vocals with savvy arrangements for fiddle, banjo, guitar and banjo sexto. Riley Baugus represents the best of old time American banjo and song. His powerful singing voice and his expert musicianship place him squarely in the next generation of the quality American roots tradition. http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia

May 14, 5-7PM, Asheville Art Museum, 2 So. Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. This exhibit of 34 black and white images from the book (W.W. Norton, 2009) along with oral history text panels, continues through October 10th. There will also be events planned each month including films and a music concert at Diana Wortham Theatre.

Wine Tasting: Springtime Italian Wines

May 8,  3PM-6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, West Asheville North Carolina. You can see Spring, now come by and taste it!

Palazzone Dubini Bianco - This is a beautiful, lively white wine from Umbria. A blend of Procanico 50%, Verdello 20%, and Grechetto, Drupeggio and Malvasia to round out the remaining 30%. All fermentation is done in stainless steel tanks to create the fresh, fruity floral aromas. Green apple, lime and watermelon flavours with a zesty mid palate. Great on its own, with salads or fish. $9.99

Masciarelli Rosato d'Abruzzo - This 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo rose has a beautiful clarity, and is dark pink in color. The nose is a fairly intense combination of fruit and flowers. On the palate, delicious hints of red cherry & rose petals. $11.99

Feudi di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia - Deep ruby red color with violet reflections, intense aroma, fruity with notes of prunes and cherry, spicy with rosemary and vanilla scent. A full-bodied wine that is soft, balanced and easy to drink. Great for BBQs! $11.99

http://www.hopsandvines.net

Biltmore Mother's Day Getaway

The Inn on the Biltmore Estate  Asheville North Carolina. Mother's Day Weekend Special Web Rate: $249+ see site for details.

Biltmore   Asheville North Carolina. Moms Visit Free on May 9. We're honoring mothers with free admission on Mother's Day, May 9. Minimum purchase of one adult or youth ticket required. Pick up Mom's free ticket at Biltmore's Reservation and Ticket Center.

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Asheville Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar

May 7-9 ASHEVILLE Mother's Day Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar Downtown Market, 45 S. French Broad Ave. The Downtown Market will present its first Mother’s Day Juried Arts & Crafts Bazaar. Select artists and crafters from the southeast will present beautiful spring art, garden treasures and all things “Mother”.

Downtown After 5 Begins 22nd Season

May 21, Downtown Asheville North Carolina. Downtown After 5 Concert Series begins its 2010 season this Friday. The event is located on Lexington Avenue, between Hiawassee Street and I-240 and features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage, organic cotton staff and souvenir tee shirts and a complimentary bike parking corral. Proceeds from the Series are split with local charitable organizations who provide volunteers staff. Read more...

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Grove Park's Restaurants Treat Mom

Grand Ballroom and Blue Ridge Dining Room at Grove Park Inn Asheville North Carolina. Huge Mother's Day buffet with incredible selection. Adults $36.95+, children 6-12 $11.95+, under 5 free.
Season's Restaurant, Highland Lake Inn Flat Rock North Carolina. Mother's Day Brunch May 9 - Soups, salads, fresh vegatables, breakfast items, entrees, deserts. $34.95 Adults / $16.95 Children under 12

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Asheville Lodging Package will Rub You the Right Way!

CAROLINA MORNINGS  Asheville North Carolina. Mother's Day Celebrated For The Entire Month of May Special: Massage Package @ your Vacation Rental. You choose your vacation getaway and we will have our certified massage therapists come out to your private cabin. Includes 1.5 hours Massage, 0.5 hr. facial, flowers and chocolates for $125! Valid through May!

Luxury Mountain Vacation Rentals and Asheville Cabins (80)  offer an exceptional selection of the finest vacation home rentals in the Asheville NC area.  These vacation rentals offer spectacular mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, WIFI (wireless Internet), pool tables, pet friendly rentals and more.

Ah....Horse Feathers!

May 8, 8PM, Grey  Eagle Music Hall, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville North Carolina. Horse Feathers w/ Barton Carroll perform at Grey Eagle. Horse Feathers' first album, Words Are Dead, received a Plug Awards nomination for Americana Album of the Year in 2007, and their second, House With No Home, sold over 12,000 copies, making it one of Kill Rock Stars' best-selling debut records ever. Read more or get tickets: http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

Mother's Day in the Mountains: Brunch at the Grove Park Inn

May 9, Sunset Terrace at the Grove Park Inn Asheville North Carolina. “Three for Thirty” prix fix Mother’s Day Brunch includes Appetizer, entrée and dessert. Hours: 10AM – 3PM Cost: $30+

Wine AND Beer Tasting tomorrow in Asheville

May 1, Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville North Carolina. The grapevines are in bloom, the trade shows were done and there will be loads of new products hitting the shelves in the next few weeks at Appalachian Vintner. Stop by on Saturday and check out:

De Bortoli St Kilda Chardonnay- South Eastern Australia. St Kilda wines are produced by De Bortoli Wines, based in Bilbul in the Riverina region of New South Wales.
Vecchia Torre Leverano Rosato- Leverano Italy. 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera.Hill of Content Pinot Noir- Adelaide Hills, Australia. Hill of Content was born out of a desire to create interesting Region specific wines at a price that allows for “liberal” consumption.
De Bortoli St Kilda Shiraz- From its humble beginnings more than 75 years ago, the De Bortoli Bilbul Winery is today a substantial operation being one of the Riverina’s largest, employing approximately 200 staff.
Stoudts Brewing Company- We will be sampling their Pilsner as well as the American Pale.
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye- Sonoma County California. Hop Rod Rye is a high performance, turbo charged, alcohol burnin’ monster ale with dual overhead hop injection, made with 18% rye.

Please note beers are samples only and will be very limited for the 4PM-8PM tasters. If you would like to sample beer please come early. http://www.appalachianvintner.com/

Hops and Vines Celebrates National Homebrew Day with Sale

May 1-2, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd., Ste 100, West Asheville North Carolina. Hops and Vines celebrates National Homebrew Day  by having their first ever homebrew sale. Saturday and Sunday, all homebrew equipment, beer kits and ingredient purchases (in stock items) will be 10% off! This is a great opportunity to stock up on bulk supplies or get a new gadget. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Film Screening: Portrait of Jennie

May 1 - 2, 2PM, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. This classic 1948 romantic fantasy by David O. Selznick is about a struggling artist, named Eben (Joseph Cotton), who is looking for inspiration and meets a schoolgirl in Central Park named Jennie (Jennifer Jones). There is a mystical, other-worldliness about Jennie. Eben paints her portrait, but the story doesn't end there. The all-star cast includes Lillian Gish and Ethel Barrymore. Free with Membership or Museum Admission

Interstate 40 in Western North Carolina Opened Sunday, April 25

The stretch of Interstate 40 in Western North Carolina that has been closed by a rockslide since October opened Sunday, April 25, at 6 p.m.

Work will continue in the area through the summer as crews complete stabilization efforts – including the installation of rock bolts and anchor mesh – at five additional sites. Both eastbound lanes are open; however, one westbound lane will be closed for about three miles  READ MORE...

How does your Garden Grow?

April 30 - May 2, Western North Carolina Farmers Market, Asheville North Carolina.  21st Annual Asheville Herb Festival    The Southeast's largest selection of herb plants. Over 20,000 herb lovers come to the WNC Farmers Market each spring to enjoy this popular event. Increase your knowledge and love of herbs and herbal product. Read more about the Festival...

HART performs Hamlet at Diana Wortham Theatre

April 28-29, 7PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square,  Asheville North Carolina. Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART), one of the area’s most celebrated theatre companies brings its acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s greatest play to the Diana Wortham for two final performances. Adam Kampouris, staring in the lead, commands the stage and brings passion, humor, and athletic skill to one of  theatre’s most demanding roles.

11th Annual Charity Sale at Grovewood Gallery

April 23-25, Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Road, Asheville North Carolina. Save 10% off all regular priced crafts, including studio furniture and garden sculptures, and up to 75% off on sale items. A portion of all sales from this 3 day event will go towards the development of Mission’s new Cancer Center - a regional cancer center to bring together all Mission outpatient cancer services into one location.

Hail to the Chief

This weekend Asheville North Carolina welcomes President and Mrs. Obama for a quick weekend getaway. Their specific agenda is, of course, undisclosed though  we do "know" (some sources still say this is a rumor) they will be staying at the Grove Park Inn and that everyone who who visits Asheville wants to see Biltmore (Mrs. Obama might particularly like the gardens). We also know that there will be traffic problems and a few inconveniences like the cancellation of the free hot air balloon rides at RiverLink's Earth Day Celebration. But there has already been national publicity about the visit on ABC News, local media and dozens of Blogs. After a challenging winter, record cold and snow and a still struggling economy the high-profile boost to mountain tourist industries is welcomed. We hope they will enjoy  western North Carolina, even in such a short period of time, and absorb some of the peace and spiritual renewal our beautiful mountains bestow upon the rest of us every day.

Free Earth Day Screening of "NO IMPACT MAN" Today

April 22, 5:30 PM, Volvo Construction Equipment, Biltmore Park, Asheville north Carolina. The No Impact Project, Slow Food USA and 1Sky are bringing people together to watch, discuss and act at the. The theme of this event is the impact of food production on climate change and what your community can do to take action. This film is about a man and his family trying to eliminate their carbon footprint in the middle of New York City, and highlights the impact of food production on climate change.

Beer Tasting Tomorrow at Hops and Vines

April23, 5PM - 7PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, Asheville North Carolina. Beer tasting  - Come in a see why our canned beers have become some of our best selling and tasting beers:
Oskar Blues Mama's YELLA Pils This pilsner is a clear golden color. Four additions of Saaz hops lend a spicy-floral hop component. A delicious summer beer.
Brooklyn Lager - the Brewery's flagship label, is New York's "hometown" beer, brewed to a pre-Prohibition recipe that dates back to the days when Brooklyn was the brewing capital of the East Coast. Brooklyn Lager has won numerous awards.
Ska Modus Hoperandi - Our best selling IPA these days... bitter, full of citrusy and piney hops with a solid malt backbone.  http://www.hopsandvines.net

A Dog Gone Good Time

April 23 - 25   WNC Agricultural Center, Asheville North Carolina.   United States Dog Agility Association Trial   The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host a United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) agility trial. Spectators are welcomed to attend and admission is free. Over 150 purebred and mixed bred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty.

Celebrate Earth Day with Riverlink

April 24, 9AM - 2PM, Carrier Park, Asheville North Carolina.  Grab your picnic blanket, and get ready for a day of healthy snacks, fun in the sun, and awesome activities for everyone in the family to enjoy at Riverlink's Picnic at Carrier Park.  Earth Fare will be joining the joining the party, providing healthy snacks and information on the importance of a healthy eating and snacking. Get details...

Blue Ridge Horticulture Plant Sale in Asheville

April 23 - 24  WNC Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Road, Asheville North Carolina.   Growing in the Mountains   Over the past fifteen years the last weekend in April has become synonymous with the Blue Ridge Horticulture Association's Growing in the Mountains plant sale. This will be the fourth year Growing in the Mountains has been held at the Asheville Farmers Market. There will be a wonderful display of hostas, herbs, annual flowers, heathers, iris, conifers, Japanese maples and much, much more. All vendors are Carolina nursery men and women who operate state certified nurseries.

Asheville Botanical Gardens 50th Anniversary

April 18, 2PM-5PM, Botanical Gardens at Asheville, 151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville North Carolina. Asheville's urban native plant preserve hosts a 50th anniversary celebration with tours of the Gardens, food, beverages, music and a silent auction. The Public is invited ($10 per person; free to Gardens' members).

Asheville City Market Opens tomorrow

April 17, Public Works Building lot, S. Charlotte St., Asheville North Carolina. Asheville City Market is a producer-only market featuring food from local farmers – eggs, produce, meats and fish, brick-oven breads and pastries, handmade pasta, gourmet cheeses, hot sauces, fruit butters and preserves. Mountain herbs, cut flowers and nursery plants are also available. Every Saturday from 8AM until 1PM in the heart of downtown Asheville.

WIne Tasting Tomorrow

April 17, 3PM - 6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West, Asheville North Carolina. Wine Tasting with slightly sparkling wines:

New Age White- 50% Sauvignon Blanc 50% Malvasia, The fruit is hand picked followed by crushing, cooling of crushed grapes, and pressing. Fermentation begins by inoculating with selected yeasts. Halfway through the fermentation process, the wine is centrifuged (spun) to halt fermentation, creating a slightly sweet, semi-sparkling wine.$10.99
New Age Rose- 50% Malbec 50% Merlot, The fruit is hand picked followed by crushing, cooling of crushed grapes, 12 hour cold maceration  and pressing. Fermentation begins by inoculating with selected yeasts. Half way through the fermentation process, the wine is centrifuged (spun) to halt fermentation, creating a slightly sweet, semi-sparkling wine. $10.99
Lo Duca Lambrusco - A soft, light, semi-sweet red wine, naturally carbonated the way the original Lo Duca family blend has always been. $10.99    http://www.hopsandvines.net

Appalachian Vintner offers Wine Tastings

Check out the Free Wine Tastings Wednesday 4PM-8PM and Saturday 1PM-3PM & 4PM-8PM  at Appalachian Vintner. "Asheville’s Wine, Beer & Local Artisan Products Super Store "offers a 4,000 sq. ft. show room, making wine tasting and buying wine in  fun and accessible.  The knowledgeable staff is happy to make recommendations and help enhance your wine knowledge. Local artwork is displayed throughout the show room. Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville North Carolina. http://www.appalachianvintner.com

Close-up Wildlife Photography Opportunity

April 16   WNC Nature Center, 75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville North Carolina.   Wildlife Photography Tour   Just for photography buffs, this is your chance to get a close up view of our wildlife accompanied by our animal keepers and naturalists. We ask that you donate one framed photograph from this tour to exhibit at the Center. Limited to 25 participants - reserve now:  kmastin@ashevillenc.gov  Contact Phone (828) 298-5600 ext. 305

Funny Business with Dave Landau

April 10-11, Funny Business Comedy Club, 56 Patton Ave (S&W Building), downtown Asheville North Carolina. Dave Landau brings his keen eye for humor to Asheville  with shows at 8PM and 10:30 PM. Smart, edgy and sarcastic Landau has a laid-back clean style. From Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham" and Last Comic Standing, Dave Landau's  humor is both original and very funny! http://www.ashevillecomedy.com/

RiverLink Needs Volunteers

Join RiverLink's Communication & OutReach Coordinator, Kyle Wolff, plan RiverLink's first official Earth Day Party on Saturday, April 24th. The event is a picnic at  Carrier Park, open to the public and filled with activities for everyone in the family to enjoy. Asheville Hot Air Balloons will be providing FREE hot air balloon rides from 9-11 a.m (weather permitting) RiverLink is partnering with Earth Fare for this event, whose focus is eliminating childhood obesity and promoting healthy snacking. RiverLink links with this message by connecting their communities by greenways along the French Broad River. There will be many other fun activities as well!  For more info contact Kyle Wolff, at kyle@riverlink.org or 828.252.8474 * 119

Benefit Performance for The Diana Wortham Theatre

April 17, Diana Wortham Theatre , 2 South Pack Square,  Asheville North Carolina. The Special Benefit Performance features Christine Ebersole, singer/actor four times nominated for Tony Awards and two-time winner of the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (in 2001 for 42nd Street and in 2007 for Grey Gardens). Proceeds benefit the ongoing programs of the Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets for this Benefit Performance are $75 for Orchestra Seating and a pre-performance Wine Reception at 7:00 p.m.; or $50 for Balcony Seating, performance only. $35 of the $75 ticket, and $20 of the $50 ticket, may be considered a tax deductible contribution.

Preview of Carmen in Asheville

April 7, 7PM-10PM, Asheville Lyric Opera, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Guest Conductor - Robert Franz from Houston Symphony and Mansfield Symphony Guest Director - David Carl Toulson from Washington Opera and L.A. Opera
Assistant Conductor - Michael Porter. Buy Tickets...

Ponce de Leon Day at the Arcade

April 10, The Groove Arcade, One Page Avenue, Downtown Asheville North Carolina. "Fountain of Youth" extravaganza. The Arcade will offer activities to help keep you youthful both inside and out. Yoga, Nia, exercise and dance demonstrations will take place with audience members invited to participate ... or not. Would you like to participate in "Before and After" beauty makeovers? If you are interested, stop in Jazzy Giraffe or email to inquire. Three lucky ladies will be chosen to participate and will receive free products, gift certificates for services, store gift certificates and more. This event features great shopping deals, drawings, demonstrations and more. A detailed schedule can be found on the Arcade's calendar.

Comedy Club Customer Appreciation this weekend

April 2 & 3, Funny Business Comedy Club, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville North Carolina.  $5 Friday and $10 Saturday for this weekend only! Ward Anderson performs at 8PM and 10:30PM (21+ show). Best-selling humor author, Anderson, is a high-energy comedian, sure to please audiences everywhere. Seeing him live is always a spectacular event!  Ward has been featured on several local, national and syndicated t.v. programs. 828-318-8909   http://www.ashevillecomedy.com/

Easter Event: Biltmore Annual Easter Egg Hunt

April 4, Biltmore, Asheville North Carolina.   Biltmore Annual Easter Egg Hunt  The Easter Rabbit makes his annual appearance on Biltmore’s Front Lawn on Easter Sunday, along with special children’s entertainment including magic shows, music, storytelling, crafts and photos with the Easter Rabbit. Highlighting the day are the grand Easter Egg Hunts at 11AM., 1PM and 3PM.

Downtown Asheville Bed and Breakfast

ABERDEEN INN  Asheville North Carolina Bed and breakfast with a view the mountains surrounding Asheville from a large wraparound porch! Full gourmet breakfast included. All home baked breads and complimentary beverages including wine, beer and soft drinks. WIFI. Pay for 6 nights get the 7th night FREE. $120-$195 night

Easter Event: Easter Dining at Three Grove Park Inn Restaurants

April 4 Grove Park Inn Easter Dining  Asheville North Carolina. Easter dining at one of our award-winning restaurants. Each of our restaurants will be preparing a special Easter meal. Blue Ridge Dining Room - enjoy our award-winning Sunday Brunch Buffet. Sunset Terrace - our special “Three for Thirty” prix fix . Horizons Dining Room New - this year, Horizons will be open for a special prix fix Easter brunch.

Downtown Galleries Walk this Friday

April 2, Downtown Asheville North Carolina.  Asheville Downtown Galleries Art Walk  Take a self-guided tour and explore the diversity of art in downtown Asheville. There are 24 downtown galleries for you to visit that are listed on the Asheville Downtown Galleries Association Gallery Guide Map. Pick up a map at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Godspell Performed at the Orange Peel

April 1, The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville North Carolina. The Highland Acting Company performs Godspell delivering powerful vocals, innovative theatre, and a strong production- all with a humorous edge. The new, culturally relevant version of the Broadway classic is a great way to spend Easter weekend. Tickets are $15, available at http://www.godspellasheville.com

Malaprop's Bookstore Hosts David Shields Reading

April 1, &PM-8:30PM, Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., Asheville North Carolina. David Shield reading from his new book, Reality Hunger: A Manifesto. Shields is the author of eight other books including The Thing About Life Is That One Day You’ll Be Dead, a New York Times bestseller. http://www.malaprops.com

Winter Hoop House Production "Short" Workshop Tomorrow

March 27, 1:00PM-3:00PM, Winter Green, Asheville North Carolina. Co-sponsored by Slow Food Asheville. The focus will be on winter hoop house production. Winter Green has quite a number of things growing right now, and they'd like to show and encourage others how they themselves can do it. If you have questions or would like to attend this workshop please RSVP to: amagreen@gmail.com or 304-669-2179.

Bobcat Goldwait at Funny Business this Weekend

March 26-27,  8PM, 10:30 PM. Funny Business Comedy Club, (S&W) 56 patton Ave, Asheville North Carolina. COMEDY LEGEND, Bobcat Goldthwait is commonly known for his energetic, rabid stage personality, his dark, acerbic black comedy, and his gruff but high-pitched voice. Goldthwait was ranked as the 61st greatest comedian of all time by Comedy Central. 828-318-8909   http://www.ashevillecomedy.com/

Work of the Week at the Asheville Art Museum

March 22-28, Asheville Art Museum, 2  South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Living Room on the Tracks, (Lithia, Virginia) by O. Winston Link, 1955 (printed by the artist in 1997), Photograph, black and white silver gelatin print, 15.38 x 19.38 inches. The photograph is considered to be among Link's strongest images and provides multiple avenues for interpretation. It is currently on display in the Museum's exhibition Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum, which celebrates the Asheville Art Museum's permanent collection.

Summer Art Camp Registration

Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Summer Art Camp Registration Is Open! The Asheville Art Museum offers its renowned Summer Art Camp to rising kindergarten through 12th grade students. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration includes admission to the Museum and all materials necessary for each class. Classes are held in the bright and spacious studio of the Museum's WNC Art Resource Center. Each class will visit the Museum's galleries to inspire creativity. Students may sign up for morning, afternoon or all-day sessions. . For information, call 828.253.3227, ext. 122 or e-mail smcrorie@ashevilleart.org.

Home Brew Class in "Beer City"

April 4, 12PM-5PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, West Asheville North Carolina.  An advanced/ all-grain class, with a follow up bottling class April 18th. This class is intended for those who are currently brewing extract based beer and looking to make the switch to all-grain or learn more about the techniques. We brew on premises, bottle the beer two weeks later and split the batch. $45 per person includes everything. Sign up in advance, this class has a 7 person cap.  828-252-5275   http://www.hopsandvines.net

Guy Davis Wine Dinner at the Grove Park

March 26, 5:30PM - 8:30PM, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville NOrth Carolina.  The Horizons Dining Room welcomes Guy Davis, founder and winemaker at Guy Davis Family Vineyards.The wine dinners offer the unique opportunity to meet and interact with the winemakers, and experience the impeccable food specially paired with these California wines. The evening begins with a reception in Magnolia Lounge, followed by dinner in Horizons’ private dining room. Reservations: 800-438-5800   

Hot Club of Cowtown in Asheville this Weekend

March 21, 7PM, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville North Carolina. The Hot Club of Cowtown has grown to be the most globe-trotting, hard-swinging Western Swing trio on the planet. The Group has been featured on All Things Considered, The Grand Ol' Opry, $40 Dollars a Day with Rachel Ray, Mountain Stage, A Prairie Home Companion, and numerous other radio and television programs. http://www.thegreyeagle.com/

Lunchtime Art Breaks at the Asheville Art Museum

March 26, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. This week's Art Break: Lorna Blaine Halper: The Space Between.  The gallery talks and presentations are to inform and engage participants in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests. Join an informative member of the Asheville Art Museum's Curatorial Staff on a guided tour of this exciting exhibition. Click for more information... 

Beer Tasting Tomorrow at Hops and Vines

March 19th 5PM-7PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville, North Carolina. This Friday evening you can explore the world of homebrew. The informal homebrew tasting is open to the public and you are not required to bring homebrew to attend. However, if you are a homebrewer, bring a sampling of your beer to share with others. Hops and Vines homebrews Munich Dunkel and Pale Ale will be available. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Asheville Airport gets Nonstop Service from Dallas

Beginning April 6 American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will offer nonstop jet service between Asheville Regional Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Scheduled flights from Asheville to Dallas/Forth Worth will depart at 9:40 a.m. and arrive in Dallas 11:15 a.m. Flights from Dallas/Forth Worth to Asheville will depart at 5:35 p.m. and arrive at 8:45 p.m. The new service will continue through October 31. http://www.flyavl.com/

Want local? Grow Your Own!

March 20, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM, Ferguson Auditorium, AB-TECH, Asheville Campus, Asheville North Carolina. Classes will cover: How to locate and plan your garden space to maximize yields
Container vegetable gardening basics - Organic growing options and integrated pest management (IPM) for the home garden - When and how to plant vegetables in this region – special focus on growing tomatoes - Unusual edibles to include in your garden – Malabar spinach, ramps, mushrooms, more! Questions? Contact us at (828) 255-5522

Hands On Workshop at the Asheville Art Museum

March 16 - 18, 1:00 - 5:00PM, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. HANDS-ON WORKSHOP Creating Mosaics with Artist Jessica Levine. West Virginia resident Jessica Levine learned her craft by working for a number of years with Isaiah Zagar (subject of the movie, In A Dream). Levine has produced over 40 mosaics throughout the United States working with community groups and organizations. Levine leads participants through the step-by-step process as a mural is created over three days. Participants will also create an item to take home. No experience necessary - this is a fun, albeit slightly messy, group activity. Materials will be provided; pre-registration is required. Please contact Adult Programs Manager for reservations at 828.253.3227, ext. 120 or nsokolove@ashevilleart.org.

Wine Class: Wine & Food Pairing Made Simple

March 16, 6PM-8PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100,  West Asheville North Carolina. This class takes a cause and effect look at how food interacts with and changes the flavor of wine.You will sample elements which represent the five basic food tastes: sweet, sour, salt, bitter and umami followed by a taste of wine. After learning some basic food and wine pairing principles, you will be able to predict how the wine will change when tasting it with food. It's an exciting and enlightening class that you won't believe until you try it for yourself!  Classes are $25 per person, and include samples of six wine varietals. To register all Kimberlee at 828-252-5275. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Asheville Jewish Film Festival

March 13 - 18, The Fine Arts Theatre, downtown Asheville North Carolina. Presented by The Fine Arts Theatre and Center for Jewish Studies at UNC-Asheville and The Asheville Art Museum. The Asheville Jewish Film Festival promotes the diversity of Jewish identity to it's community through film, exploring the dynamic environment of history and culture on the modern Jewish experience to a rich and varied community. Festival activities are meant to create a space for dialogue about what it means to be Jewish, creating awareness and pride in various and differing aspects of identity. The festival strives to link newcomers with the vibrant Jewish community formed over Asheville's history, bringing attention to a constantly evolving Jewish culture. Get a schedule or Read more...

Hands of Hope Benefit Concert

March 21, The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville North Carolina. In a special Hands of Hope benefit that will help RiverLink and others, Billy Jonas and his barely-contained wackiness bring smiles to faces aged 2 to 80. A Billy Jonas performance combines singalongs, bangalongs and whisperalongs with improvised songs featuring audience participation are a mainstay. Doors will open at 2:30PM. Cost is $10 for kids age 2 and up, and $15 for adults. (828) 225-5851 http://theorangepeel.net/

Wine Dinner with Wine from Rodney Strong Vineyards

March 11, 06:30 PM-09:30 PM, Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café (South), 75 Long Shoals Rd, Asheville North Carolina. Pomodoros invites you to enjoy Rodney Strong's finest wines artfully paired with a five-course dinner created by our chefs. Jennifer Sage of Rodney Strong Vineyards will present the Vineyards' world class wines whichcapture the essence of Sonoma County. $65+ per person.  828-687-3884   http://www.pomodoroscafe.com/wine.php

Town Hall Meeting for WNC Nature Center

March 17, 6:30PM - 8:30PM, City of Asheville Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street, Asheville North Carolina. Attend the meeting and help plan the WNC Nature Center's future! No RSVPs required, just come on down. The Western North Carolina Nature Center is currently working with a well know strategic planning firm to chart a course for our future development and we want to hear from you! This special Town Hall Meeting is for all interested citizens to come and share ideas and suggestions to help grow our wonderful Nature Center. For more information, contact Chris Gentile at the Nature Center at 828 -298-5600

Z-Day 2010 in Asheville

March 12, 5PM-9PM, Firestom Cafe and Books, 48 Commerce Street, Asheville North Carolina. ZDay is an annual day of global action, occurring annually in the month of March, designed to explore the root causes of the unfolding world financial, environmental, and labor collapses. The event will consist of a screening of the film Zeitgeist Addendum, & a Zeitgeist Orientation guide video followed by a short Question and Answer session. This year, over 500 simultaneous ZDay events are expected to take place in 70+ countries worldwide. Ths event is free and open to the public. http://www.ZDay2010.org

Asheville's 15th Annual Bluegrass First Class Festival

March 12 - 14 Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville, North Carolina. 15th Annual Bluegrass First Class Festival Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort. The lineup of performers for the 2010 Bluegrass First Class Festival is unbeatable! Many artists will be set up all around the hotel for your listening pleasures as well as performing in the Ballroom. Purchase tickets online.

Lo Duca Wine Dinner

March 10, 6:30PM-9:30PM, Fiore's Ristorante Toscana, Asheville North Carolina. Fiore's Ristorante in cooperation with Hops and Vines present Lo Duca Winer Dinner. Savor the creations of Chef Anthony Cerrato in a five course meal paired with five spectacular Italian wines.Tickets are $45 each, tax and gratuity not included. Reserve your space at Hops & Vines or at Fiore's Ristorante.http://www.fioresasheville.com/   http://www.hopsandvines.net

Chuck Prophet Performs at Grey Eagle

March 9, Grey Eagle Music Hall,  Asheville North Carolina. Chuck Prophet has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) and Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC). He has collaborated with Warren Zevon, Dan Penn and Alejandro Escovedo among many others, and his songs have been recorded by everyone from Solomon Burke to Heart. http://greyeagle.musictoday.com

Dublin Orphanage Inspires Songwriter-Muscian for "800 Voices"

March 17, 7PM, Dianna Wortham Theatre, Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Out of Ireland's troubled 50s and 60s the story of Danny Ellis and his early life in Dublin's most infamous orphanage. Ellis, now an internationally acclaimed musician and songwriter, presents uplifting and poignant songs and stories accompanied by Jack Devereux and Jamie Laval on fiddle, mandolin, whistles, and uillean pipes. "800 Voices" is a journey of the spirit not to be missed. Proceeds from patron tickets will go to support Leaf International, a non-profit program that empowers youth globally through music and performance arts. This show is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Pre-Event Party for Patron ticket holders! Patron ticket holders are invited to the 6:00 p.m. pre-event party hosted by LEAF International and sponsored by Pisgah Brewing Company. These special ticket holders will have reserved seating at the show and receive a LEAF International CD.

Monthly Book Discussion at the Art Museum

March 9, 3PM - 4:45 PM, Museum Library, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. This month's selection: "Seven Days in the Art World" by Sarah Thornton. Moderated by a member of the Museum's staff or a volunteer, we look forward to exchanging ideas and learning about books, art and each other! We meet in the Museum's Library and venture out into the galleries as well. Bring your copy of the book; each book will be available for purchase through the Museum Shop as well as area bookstores. Suggestions for future books are most welcome!

Homebrewers Night

March 6, 6PM-8PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 West Asheville North Carolina. Brewer's Alert! Come check out our new Homebrewer's Night! This in an informal club for homebrewers of all levels who want to share their creations, talk homebrewing, and get feedback on their beer. Just show up and bring in a sample of your homebrewed beer to share with others! This week we will pick a name for the club; if you idea gets chosen, you'll get 30% off any ingredient kit and bragging rights. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Special Sunday Show at the Comedy Club

March 7, 8PM, Funny Business Comedy Club, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville North Carolina. In addition to the Friday and Saturday shows with Brian McKim and Traci Skene, there will also be a Sunday Show featuring "The Erotic Hypnotic" Anthony Potmesil! This R-Rated Comedy Hypnotist presents an interactive, high energy, hilarious show that will be a blast! Ticket's are only $7 and are going fast so get yours quick! http://www.ashevillecomedy.com/

Volunteers Needed for Flow 5K this Weekend!

RiverLink is calling for Volunteers: This Saturday, March 6th the eighth graders at Asheville Middle School are putting on the second annual FLOW 5K as well as a one mile fun run/walk at Carrier Park. Registration begins at 7 A.M, the 5K starts at 9 A.M and the one mile fun run begins after the 5K. FLOW, For the Love of Water, is an integrated unit of study that was designed for the eighth grade students that focuses on water. The eighth grade has planned and implemented the whole event and the money raised is going to RiverLink.  This weather has caused numerous delays and altered the planning for the 5K. The 5K will go on as planned, however some additional volunteers are needed to help out with odds and ends. If interested in volunteering, please e-mail Asheville Middle Schools, Jo Gibbs at Jo.Gibbs@asheville.k12.nc.us ASAP!

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

March 5,  8PM-10PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville North Carolina. Hailed as two of the most gorgeous virtuosos ever to emerge from Ailey Land (New York Magazine), founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson and their New York City company of dance thoroughbreds have awakened audiences to a new, exciting genre that combines the best of athleticism, lyricism, technical training and experience.

Western North Carolina Model Train Show

March 5-6, WNC Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher (Asheville) North Carolina. 20th Annual Model Train Show with 4 working layouts, over 100 vendor tables,great raffle and door prizes, kids under 13 free with adult Admission $5.00  FREE parking  http://www.asheville-trainshow.com/

Work of the Week at the Asheville Art Museum

Asheville Art Museum, 2 Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Pierre Daura, Chickens, circa 1963, watercolor and tempera painting on paper, 15.25 x 12.13 inches. Asheville Art Museum Collection, Gift of Martha R. Daura, 1998.17.08.22   Daura's Chickens was painted around 1963, near the end of his life, while living in Virginia. It is painted in the American Scene-Rural style, where artists depicted scenes of typical American life and landscapes, reflecting the country's nationalism and isolationism in the face of the social changes between the wars. Daura's overall style can be characterized as "romantic realism, combined with a gentle expressionism and imaginative abstraction."

This watercolor is on display in the Museum's exhibition Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum , in the Urban and Rural Gallery. Daura's daughter Martha donated this work to the Museum. Come into the Museum to see this vibrant work in person to welcome the Spring and say farewell to Winter!

Cornbread and Butterbeans Tomorrow Night

Feb 25th, 6:30pm, Ransom Fellowship Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa North Carolina. Join Gary Paul Nabhan, founder of Slow Food's Renewing America's Food Traditions (RAFT), for an Appalachian supper! There is a rich history of food in Western North Carolina. Pork dishes, hearty bean soups, greens cooked to silky perfection, and corn pone are perfect winter food. Bring a down home dish to share and some wine or hard cider to share if you like. For detailed directions http://www.warren-wilson.edu/info/campus_map.php. Space is limited to 60 for this event so register at http://www.slowfoodasheville.org/Forms/attend_aft.htm to RSVP. http://www.slowfoodasheville.org

The Fungus Among Us at the 2nd Annual Truffle Fest

February 25-27, Grand Bohemian Hotel, 11 Boston Way, Biltmore Village, Asheville North Carolina. The National Truffle Fest (NTF) is a 3 day tribute to the tasty fungus. NTF is dedicated to celebrate and promote the growing truffle industry in the United States with a focus on the black, French "Perigord" truffle that is now produced domestically. All proceeds generated from the 2010 National Truffle Fest will be given to the Frankie Lemmon Foundation which assists children with developmental disabilities.

Events include wine reception, truffle seminars, culinary and wine education, truffle and wine dinner, an exciting risotto competition with celebrity chefs, and the crowning event - The Chef's & Vintner's Gala. The Gala features truffle laden creations prepared by our visiting celebrity chefs, fabulous wines, and dancing the night away. http://www.nationaltrufflefest.com/

Work Day Wednesday at the Nature Center

February 24, WNC Nature Center, Asheville North Carolina. Winter Work Day Wednesday - the Nature Center will CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC  in order to work on large scale projects. If you are interested in volunteering some muscle and want to help spruce up your favorite Nature Center for exhibit improvements and outdoor landscaping contact friends@wildwnc.org.  Also needed are donations of lunches to feed the hungry volunteers. 298-5600 ext. 305 

Land of the Symphony Performance

February 28, 7PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Place, Asheville North Carolina. Land of the Sky Symphonic Band presents music in the tradition of a community-style band. Members include professional and amateur musicians of all ages and walks of life who live in Buncombe County and its surrounding counties.

The Red Wolf Survives! (even bad weather and rescheduling)

Feb 21, 2PM, The Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Parkway, Asheville North Carolina. Rescheduled because of bad weather - The Red Wolf Survives! Sponsored by the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Warren Parker,first national director of the Red Wolf Species Survival program and retired chief Endangered Species Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, describes the early challenges and methods of this successful program. Parker is an entertaining speaker, a wolf expert and a resident of Asheville! Free to Friends members and suggested donation of $5 for others.  RSVPs recommended by e-mail or calling 298-5600 ext. 308 with the number and names of people attending.

nicholas leichter dance in Asheville

Feb 26-17, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. nicholas leichter dance performances are pure celebrations, shouting at us all to live life, and live it large.  The New Yorker says about "Killa" -- one of two works the company is performing in Asheville: " 'Killa' is an apt title for leichter’s new dance. Killing it, working it, bringing attitude and invention to bear on every beat is the piece’s aim and its pleasure‐giving achievement. African movements, samba hips, the stylings of various Jacksons, and the funky chicken all find a place."  Completing the evening performances is "Free the Angels" -- a joyous, offertory dance to music by Stevie Wonder which showcases choreographer Leichter's signature style: soulful, kinetic, beautiful. For more information or tickets...

New Belgium Seasonal Beer Tasting

Feb 19, 5PM-7PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100, West Asheville North Carolina. T.J. Burke from Skyland Distributing will be joining the tasting of some new seasonal releases from New Belgium Brewing. The pouring will be ample so come in, get warm, relax and enjoy:
Ranger IPA - This clear amber beauty bursts at the starting gate with an abundance of hops: Cascade (citrus), Chinook (floral/citrus), and Simcoe (fruity) lead off the beer, with Cascade added again for an intense dry hop flavor.
Mighty Arrow Pale Ale provides lots of pleasurable sniffs from Amarillo and Cascade hops with a fetching honey malt base. This is our brewed tribute to Arrow, Kim's Aussie/Border Collie mix who ran (literally) New Belgium for 12 years.
1554 Enlightened Black Ale uses a light lager yeast strain and dark chocolatey malts to redefine what dark beer can be. In 1997, a Fort Collins flood destroyed the original recipe our researcher, Phil Benstein, found in the library. So Phil and brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert, traveled to Belgium to retrieve this unique style lost to the ages. http://www.hopsandvines.net

Native Plant Symposium in Asheville

Feb 20, 9AM-3PM, The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville North Carolina. The NC Native Plant Society, Asheville Chapter presents a free native plant symposium at the NC Arboretum Education Center. Gary Walker, Appalachian State University professor, will speak on plant communities of cliff faces including Linville Gorge.  Ed Schwartzman, NCDENR, conducts a session on the flora of Macon County including the Nantahala River eco-region. Tom Baugh, biologist and former editor of Rapid River Art Magazine, will use narration and poetry to discuss the status of life on Earth and our human connection to other life.  Scott Dean, WNC Naturally, will share some of his favorite hikes in the Appalachians including Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Alan Mizeras, Henderson County Master Gardener and Coordinator of Henderson County Native Plant Rescue Group, will discuss native plant rescues. Must RSVP to attend. mitch@ncwildflower.org   828.505.2476

True West Performance at North Carolina Stage Company

Feb 17, 7:30PM-9:30PM, North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane, Asheville, North Carolina. "Pay What You Can Night" st the North Carolina Stage Company presents True West, the play which established Sam Shepard as a master of American theatre and launched the careers of John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.The play centers around a pair of estranged brothers who converge on their mother’s suburban home one sweltering summer weekend. One is an upstanding screenwriter, the other a petty thug – but which is which? $6 minimum, cash only, exact change only. Reservations highly recommended, (828) 239-0263, http://www.ncstage.org/

Jazzy Big Band in Asheville

Feb 21, 4PM, UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium, Asheville North Carolina. The University Big Band, directed by David Wilken, and the Studio 18 vocal jazz ensemble, directed by Melodie Galloway, present a joint concert.. The Big Band will perform works by Woody Herman, Jerome Kern and Wilken. The vocal group will present a variety of solo and group numbers by composers Duke Ellington, Paul Simon and Deke Sharon. http://www.unca.edu/

Meet the Artist, Kim Dills

February 19 - 21, 11Am-4PM, Grovewood Gallery, 111 Grovewood Rd Asheville north Carolina. Meet Kim Dills, an Asheville artist who creates unique mixed media paintings on wood, influenced by Asian art and culture, animals and birds, and natural elements from the earth. Her newest work incorporates her background in illustration, fiber arts and mixed media. Kim enjoys creating works which explore texture and layering

Lindeman's Lambics FreeTasting

Feb 12, 5PM-7PM, Hops and Vines, Asheville North Carolina. Limdeman's Lambics are a perfect balance between fruity sweetness and acidity. Lambics are spontaneously fermented with native wild yeasts giving them their special character. These beers go great with chocolate, ice cream, and most any dessert. Come in and try them with a piece of chocolate and you'll know what we mean!
Framboise - Lindeman's most popular brand is brewed with raspberries, the acidity from the lambic blends perfectly with the raspberries.
Kreik - Shows off a bouquet of freshly harvest cherries, sparkling, smooth and refreshing. Finishes dry and tart.
Peche Peach Lambic Style - golden in color; with a nose that fills the room with fresh peaches. Sparkling, crisp and refreshing balance of fruit and acid.   http://www.hopsandvines.net

Wine Lovers' Sale

Feb 12-14, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100,  West Asheville North Carolina. Hops & Vines Valentine’s weekend  wine lover’s sale! Get 10% off any purchase of two or more bottles of wine or choose from a large selection of wines and sakes on sale for 20-40% off! There are bargains on top shelf wines too, so this is a great opportunity to get that special bottle this weekend! And don’t miss the special Wine and Chocolate tasting on Saturday from 3-6pm!  http://www.hopsandvines.net

Woo Your Valentine in a Luxury Asheville Vacation Rental

Carolina Mornings, Asheville North Carolina.  Our Romantic Candle Light Dinner Package's theme is to relax and let us cater to you! Go ahead and cuddle up in front of your crackling fireplace and don't worry about the need to turn on your GPS, driving through the mountain roads trying to find a restaurant or parking space.  Appalachian Spa offers Carolina Mornings' guests a romantic Dinner & Couples Massage in the privacy of your log cabin!

Valentine Dinner at The Grove Park Inn Horizons Dining Room

February 14, Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville North Carolina. Spark your romance on Valentine's Day at The Grove Park Inn's Horizon's Dining Room. Horizon's will be opening at 5 PM and offering 20% off dining for the 5:00, 5:15, 5:30 & 5:45 PM reservation times. For a reservation, please call 800-438-5800.

Big Valentine's Weekend at the Grove Arcade

Feb 12-13 The Grove Arcade, downtown Asheville North Carolina. Big Valentine's Weekend  - the Arcade will be bursting with sales, specials, gift ideas and more to help you show your sweetie just how much you care. Put your lips into it and participate in “Kissing to the Chimes”? Pucker up with other romantically inclined couples on the stroke of 5 p.m. on Friday, February 12, or Saturday, February 13, just as more than a hundred clocks chime at Tic-n-Time in the North Arcade. Put your kisser to good use and enjoy the free champagne toast that will be the Arcade’s gift to you for joining in this fun way to start your Valentine’s celebration.

To show their appreciation for your patronage, the merchants are sponsoring prize drawing during the weekend. Any visitor spending $25 or more in any shop or restaurant on Friday will be entered into a drawing for a beautiful Arcade gift basket. Visitors spending $25 or more in any shop or restaurant on Saturday will be entered into a drawing for a $250 Grove Arcade gift certificate. Shop to your heart’s content and you could be a winner. For more details on activities, visit the Arcade Calendar

Asheville has Fiery Furnaces

February 4, 8PM, Grey Eagle Music Hall, Asheville North Carolina. I'm Going Away is the Fiery Furnaces' Eighth album. It was recorded by and mixed with Jason Loewenstein at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 in New York City. Jason also played bass and Robert D'Amico played drums. All songs were written together by Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger, except for the title track, which is "trad. Arranged by." Eleanor wrote most of the lyrics; Matt wrote most of the music and also produced the album.  http://greyeagle.musictoday.com

Celtic Heritage Weekend

Feb 5-7, Grove Park Inn, Asheville North Carolina. Celtic Adventure at The Grove Park Inn -  Passion and artistry collide during this dream weekend for lovers of all things Celtic. Join us as we celebrate the Scots-Irish heritage of Western North Carolina with the finest in dance, literature, food, drink and music! Weekend concerts showcase some of the best and brightest talents in Celtic music including Gaelic Storm. Package prices starts at $699. http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Happenings