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