An Enemy of the People in Asheville

Feb 5, Dianne Wortham Theatre, Asheville North Carolina. In the Henrik Ibsen's classic, An Enemy of the People, "the strongest man in the world is the man who stands most alone." This exciting drama explores the impact of severe eco-issues on a small town and the consequences to one man of uncovering the truth. Pre-performance discussions: Audience members can attend a free pre-performance discussion in The Forum at Pack Place at 7:00 p.m. prior to the performance. The February 5 An Enemy of the People pre-show discussion is hosted by a member of Aquila Theatre Company. Buy Tickets...

2010 Wine Classes begin

February  2, 6PM- 8PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Road, Asheville North Carolina. The first wine class of the new year, and the beginning of a series with Kimberlee, the "wine gal".  Kimberlee has spent close to two decades in the wine industry and is a certified sommelier. In this class, you'll learn the basics of wine tasting, From ordering wine off a menu to discovering your own personal taste, this class is perfect for wine beginners and wine lovers who want to hone their skills. Classes are $25 per person, and will include samples of six wines. Sign up soon; seating is limited.  http://www.hopsandvines.net 

New WNC Speaker Series

February 6, 10:30 AM, The Folk Art Center, Asheville North Carolina. New Winter Speaker Series on Native Animals Sponsored by the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. The Red Wolf Survives! Warren Parker, first national director, Red Wolf Species Survival program, and retired chief Endangered Species Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, describes the early challenges and methods of this successful program. Free to Friends members and suggested donation of $5 for others. RSVPs required by e-mailing friends@wildwnc.org.  or calling 298-5600 ext. 308 with the number and names of people attending.

Fiddling Around in Asheville

Feb 1-2, 8PM Dianne Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. Two of the world's most celebrated fiddlers are married. Known best for their individual careers and tours, this fiddling couple, winners of multiple Juno Awards (Canada's version of the Grammy award), is coming through Asheville during a rare three-month joint tour. Get details... 

Arboretum Offers Pilates Class

January 27 - March 10, Wednesdays, 5:30PM-6:30PM, Baker Exhibit Center at the North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville NC. Whether you are a senior just starting to exercise, an elite athlete, or somewhere in between, the foundations of Pilates movement apply to you. Building from core strength, focusing on proper posture alignment, and an integrative approach make Pilates accessible to most.

Certified Pilates instructor Gina Bokmiller teaches the fundamental principles of Joseph Pilates matwork series that includes breathing, centering, concentration, control, precision, and fluidity of movement that support a variety of fitness goals from building strength to increasing flexibility. Classes held in front of the fireplace at the Baker Exhibit Center. Participants should bring a foam mat; all other props provided

Asheville's 2010 Culinary AffAIR

Jan 28, 7PM-11PM, DoubleTree Biltmore, 115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville North Carolina. The black tie evening begins with a cocktail hour featuring several hors d’oeuvres stations, each paired with a signature cocktail. This hour of mingling and tasting will include delights from The Colorful Palate, The Lobster Trap, Frankie Bones Restaurant & Lounge, and Luella’s Bar-B-Que.

The Asheville Independent Restaurateurs and chefs will follow with a six-course dinner which begins with an appetizer course from Fiore’s Ristorante Toscana and a winter soup selection from The Corner Kitchen, complemented with select breads from City Bakery. The culinary delights continue with Savoy providing a seafood selection followed by the fowl dish prepared by Bouchon French Bistro. The Blue Ridge Dining Room at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa will serve guests the meat entree and finally a mouth-watering dessert from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. http://airasheville.org/

Don Pasquale in Asheville

Jan 27, 7:00 PM-10:00 PM, Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville North Carolina. The Asheville Lyric Opera presents "Don Pasquale", Donizetti’s comic tale of true love.  Diana Wortham Theatre Box office 828-257-4530 http://www. dwtheatre.com.  ALO season ticket office 828-236-0670 http://www.ashevillelyric.org

Weinhaus Events

January 27th, Weinhaus, 86 Patton, Avenue Asheville North Carolina - Cucina 24 will host a wine dinner with the theme of A Night in Northern Italy complete with wines from the Alto Adige area in Northern Italy. The time is 7:00 PM. The cost is $70.00 all inclusive. Call the 828-254-6453 for reservations.

January 29th - Friday night flights at the Weinhaus will feature a Pinot Noirs from France and Oregon. The price is $10 for a tasting and light hors d’ouvres. Time is 5:00-7:00 PM. http://www.weinhaus.com/

Wine Tasting: Warming Winter Wines

Jan 23, 3PM-6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Road, Asheville North Carolina. Winter has definitely arrived -- and with it a chance to revel in the joys of hearty, rich wines that warm the body and cheer the spirit.
Tierra de Luna Syrah-Malbec-Tierra de Luna means "Land of the moon." The ruby-colored Syrah/Malbec bursts with blackberry and cherry aromas that are accompanied by a light to medium-bodied, supple-textured wine filled with licorice, blackberries, and raspberries. $7.99
Windmill Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 -  Today, Windmill is into their 6th generation of wine grape growers. The rich soil, warm Lodi sun and cool San Francisco Bay breezes, in combination with natural viticultural practices enable them to produce the rich bright wines that they have become synonymous with.  $12.99
Beronia Crianza Rioja 2006  - Spain is definitely moving up with this voluptuous crianza from Beronia. This 2006 is a blend of 84% tempranillo, 13% grenache, and 3% mazuelo. It's absolutely charming and delightful with a mouth that is well fleshed out with big fruit levels. $14.99
http://www.hopsandvines.net

Asheville Lyric Opera "Fun-Raiser"

Jan 21, 6-9PM, The Venue, downtown Asheville North Carolina   Special Winter Fundraiser for Asheville Lyric Opera   A special evening of Gilbert & Sullivan music review and a food feast of heavy hors d'oeuvres  Italian Tuscan food by Vincenzo's.  Call the opera office for reservations. 828-236-0670

It's a Crock!

Jan 23, 5:50PM-8:30 PM, West End Bakery, Asheville North Carolina. Start your new year off right by getting to know your Slow Food Community! This is a great opportunity to share your favorite soup and meet your Slow Food community of friends. Paper products will be available, but we ask that everyone bring a bowl and spoon. We will have our new bumper stickers for sale and would greatly appreciate donations to offs the cost of paper products and use of space. We would like to donate the unused soup to the shelter, so please bring a plastic container that we can pack up your wonderful soup with. http://www.slowfoodasheville.org/

New Merchant at the Grove Arcade

Makeup Offering Coupons for Free Brushes. The Grove Arcade's newest merchant, Makeup at the Grove Arcade, Suite 135-A, is downtown's newest destination for makeup, consultations, services, skincare, gooming & shaving supplies and fragrances for men and women. A new venture by Scott Thompson, Makeup carries Julie Hewitt cosmetics, Lila perfume, Geir Ness men's fragrances and more. Look for the coupons in Verve and Mountain Express offering a free brush with purchase.http://www.grovearcade.com/

Volunteers help Riverlink Rain Garden Project on MLK Day

Jan 18, 9am-4pm, Malvern Hills Park in West Asheville North Carolina. Volunteers will be helping RiverLink to install a rain garden along Buttermilk Creek to improve water quality of the French Broad River. The Rain Garden Project is one of the many good works by Riverlink which needs local volunteers. Read more...

Fringe Arts Festival in Asheville

Jan 21-24, BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St., Asheville , North Carolina. The annual multi-day and multiple venue performing extravaganza that ask artists of all types of genres and media to push their own boundaries and presents original and innovative performance art to a culturally adventurous audience. http://www.ashevillefringe.org

Asheville Art Museum Shop Artist of the Month

Joyce Cole is January's Museum Shop Artist of the Month.  Cole says: "Being born in New York City allowed me to be part of the 1960's art world. I was known for my paintings of large scale geometric shapes and grids. Over these forms, I employed a spray technique which created soft impressionistic overlays. At that time there were no other artists using my spray method with hard edge geometric grid forms. My paintings are shown in various galleries and Museums." Read more...

Tommyknocker Tasting

Jan 15, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Asheville North Carolina. Beer tasting 5PM-7PM:

Pix Axe Pale Ale - A classic American Pale Ale dominated by mildly hopped, sparkling flavors and pleasant aromas.

Cocoa Porter Winter Warmer - Porter Winter Warmer Ale has been specially brewed in celebration of the old world tradition of Porters and European Winter Warmers.

Butt Head Bock - This award winning, high gravity doppelbock lager is brewed with a generous supply of roasted malts producing caramel sweetness and rich mouthfeel.  8.2%

http://www.hopsandvines.net

They're baa-aack... and Volunteers are needed!

WNC Nature Center, Asheville North Carolina. Back by popular demand is Winter Work Day Wednesdays. During the months of January and February, the Nature Center will close to the public on Wednesdays 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, these are the available dates: Jan - 13, 20, 27 and Feb - 3, 10, 17, 24. To volunteer, contact Keith Mastin at 298-5600 ext. 305. We also need donations of lunches to feed our hungry volunteers. If you can help, please e-mail friends@wildwnc.org.  http://www.wildwnc.org/

SoliClassica Brings Metropolitan Opera Artists to Asheville

Jan 17, 3PM, Dianne Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Place, Asheville North Carolina. Come enjoy “A Musical Offering” featuring tenor Vinson Cole, and pianist George Darden, both Metropolitan Opera Artists, in a recital of music by Bellini, Debussy, Strauss, Chopin, Rachmaninov and more. The event is presented by SoliClassica, Asheville’s premier classical print and music store, continuing  its mission of offering world-class musicians at affordable prices. Read more...

Runt of the Litter in Asheville

Jan 15-16, 8PM, Dianne Wortham Theatre, Asheville North Carolina. Runt of the Litter, written and performed by former Houston Oilers safety Bo Eason, is a one-man play that looks at what happens to two brothers in a family of over-achievers. Newsday raves, “Raw power rarely seen on stage,” and The New York Times calls it, “One of the most powerful plays about sports in the last decade.” http://www.dwtheatre.com/

Shoji Spa Announces Winter TREATment

Shoji Retreat, Asheville North Carolina - Asheville's only Hot Tub Day Spa. Did you know that sugar is the base or source of natural Alpha hydroxy? Alpha hydroxy is a familiar name to those seeking softer skin. We use it combined with the spirit of the holidays to soften the toes and feet as soft as the new fallen snow. Add the richness of the ocean's purest sea plants, deeply hydrating the facial skin and you will arise from this treatment sparkling and ready for the new season's offerings, from head to toe.

The Winter TREATment package includes:
Sugar Plum Foot Scrub, Lavender-Mint Massage, Marine Enzyme Facial, Massage, Private Hot Tub, Cedar Sauna, Cold Plunge
All Amenities including Robes, Towels, Slippers, & Herbal Tea

Learn About Origami

Jan13,  4:00 PM-5:00 PM, The Health Adventure, Pack Square, Asheville NC. From simple designs to complex creations, learn about the Japanese art of paper-folding! Folding Frenzies occur on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 and are included with museum admission. For more information,  visit http://www.thehealthadventure.org.

Homebrew Tasting at Hops and Vines

Jan 8, 3PM-6PM, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Asheville NC. Back by popular demand, Hops and VInes will be hosting another homebrew tasting. Homebrewers bring in your beer to share, non-brewers seize the opportunity! This is an educational tasting to encourage those not familiar with homebrew to come in and taste what you can make at home!  http://www.hopsandvines.net

La Catrina Quartet Performs

Jan 8. 8PM-10PM, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville  NC. Asheville Chamber Music Series now in its 57th year and considered by many one of the world's finest chamber ensembles performing the world's finest music in an intimate setting at a great price! http://www.wcchambermusic.org

Asheville's Dance for Babies

Jan 17, 1:00 PM-03:30 PM, The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville  NC. Let your little ones go wild at Asheville's Dance for babies, toddlers, and children. Great family fun for a cold winter afternoon! Swannanoa Valley Montessori School was founded seven years ago by parents who sought a creative active learning environment for their young children.  As a non-profit, board-run organization, Swannanoa Valley Montessori School depends solely on tuition and donations for all its operating expenses. http://www.swanmont.org

Special Art Break - Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space

Jan 15, 12PM-1PM, Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Square, Asheville NC. Join artist Kenn Kotara, known for his kinetic installations, on a guided tour of the exciting exhibition Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space. This exhibition celebrates the unique career of Ruth Asawa (1926 - ), an artist whose looped-wire sculptures and richly detailed drawings defied traditional conventions. This is Asawa's first solo exhibition in North Carolina and celebrates the gift of her work from artist Lorna Halper. Ruth Asawa: Drawing in Space begins with her earliest sculptures, drawings and paintings created while at Black Mountain College and highlights several signature sculptures that formed her later visual vocabulary of looped and tied open forms. http://www.ashevilleart.org

California Wine Tasting to Welcome the New Year

Jan 2, Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Asheville NC. A tasting of three delicious California Cabernets that are great value wines - see why you don't need to spend a lot for a great bottle of Cab!
2008 Haley's Mill - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas and flavors of red berries, currants, and bell pepper,finishes with toasty oak. $9.99/btl

2007 Firestone Vineyard - Deep ruby in color this Cab has classic aromas of black plum, cassis and espresso. Flavors of black licorice, smoked meat, ripe plum and mocha are complimented by soft tannins and a plush mouthfeel. The finish lingers with notes of sweet spice and smoke. $10.99/btl

2006 Gnarly Head Cab - aromas of black peppercorn, cranberries and blackberries lead in this dark, bold Cab. Juicy currants breaks on the palate followed by hints of violets, earth, cloves and bay leaf supported by solid tannins. A great food wine. $10.99/btl