thru March 18 - The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft - The Asheville Art Museum presents The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft from November 18, 2011 – March 18, 2012. Curated and organized by Fuller Craft Art Museum in Brockton, MA, this exhibition tests the boundaries that currently exist between technology, art, and craft. The featured artists use new technologies as materials to be manipulated in tandem with traditional craft materials – clay, glass, wood, metal and fiber – to forge new artistic directions and means of expression. To book private group tours of The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft and other exhibitions at the Asheville Art Museum, please contact Adult Programs Manager, Nancy Sokolove at 828.253.3227 ext. 120 or email nsokolove@ashevilleart.org.

thru March 9 - 5th annual Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest - The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 to celebrate our Earth and the wonders it provides, as well as to recognize and address the problems facing it. The "Voices of the River Art and Poetry Contest" is held each year to honor Earth Day. This contest allows students to explore the French Broad Watershed through art and writing. This program can be combined with a Voices of the River poetry and Art lesson presented by RiverLink staff. All entries should be submitted to RiverLink with a completed submission form attached. Entries will be judged by local artists, RiverLink staff, and volunteers. Visit http://www.riverlink.org/earthdaycontest.asp.

thru February 28 - LUNCH-HOUR CLIMBING AT MONTFORD CLIMBING WALL ON TUESDAYS - Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural is offering open climbing at the Montford Climbing Wall on Tuesdays, from 10am-1pm, starting January 10 through February 28. Beginners through advanced climbers are encouraged to come inside to boulder and climb while the weather outside is cold. Fees: $2 per session for Asheville city residents; $5 for non-residents. Includes belaying (when available) and harness rental. If Asheville City Schools or Buncombe County Schools are closed for inclement weather, the climbing wall will be closed. For more information, contact Christen McNamara at 828-251-4029, or email outdoorprograms@ashevillenc.gov.

thru February 28 - “Caprice” – Exhibition by Russian Artist Vasily Polevoy at UNC Asheville - “Caprice,” an exhibit of paintings and mixed media by Russian artist Vasily Polevoy, is now on display in the Blowers Gallery at UNC Asheville’s Ramsey Library. Polevoy’s works have been shown throughout the former Soviet Union, many European nations, Israel and the U.S., but his paintings from the pre-Glasnost era were once “underground,” since they did not meet the ideological approval of Soviet authorities. Polevoy’s work combines the fantastic with the realistic, and sometimes involves humor and caricature. He is a graduate of the Higher University of Art and Science in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Polevoy has also created several mosaics for churches in Hendersonville, N.C. and Greenville, S.C., where he now lives. Blowers Gallery is free and open to the public. The gallery is open daily through February 28 with some evening viewing hours. For more information, visit unca.edu/library or call 828/251-6436.

thru March 31 - Winter at Biltmore - Enjoy even more of Biltmore in Asheville, NC with special seasonal events. From Christmas at Biltmore's awe-inspiring decorations to Festival of Flowers' amazing blooms, our events give you a new, fun way to experience the estate. Visit biltmore.com for more information.

thru February 26 - Western North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards - The Asheville Art Museum annually partners with the Asheville Area Section of the American Institute of Architects to sponsor the Western North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Middle and high school students from 20 Western North Carolina school districts are invited to submit work for this special juried competition. Award recipients’ art will be featured in a group exhibition showcasing the emerging artistic talent of the region. The exhibition opens in the Museum’s (first floor) Holden Community Gallery on January 21, 2012 and will remain on view through February 26, 2012.

thru May 27 - Pat Passlof: Selections 1948 - 2011 - The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, Pat Passlof: Selections 1948-2011 focusing on the work of painter Pat Passlof, an accomplished Black Mountain College alumna, member of the New York School and under-recognized figure in the development of Abstract Expressionism. The exhibition will open at the museum in downtown Asheville on January 27, 2012 with a reception from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. A companion show will open at Western Carolina University's Fine Art Museum the night before. This collaboration between the two museums will enable us to show a significant number of works by Passlof, from her early work made while a student of Willem de Kooning at BMC to her final paintings made in 2011. Ms. Passlof recently passed away at the age of 83.

thru March 10 - The Randall Jarrell Poetry Competition - The North Carolina Writers' Network is now accepting submissions for the 2012 Randall Jarrell Poetry Competition. This contest honors the late poet Randall Jarrell and is administered by Terry L. Kennedy and the MFA Writing Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The nonprofit North Carolina Writers’ Network is the state’s oldest and largest literary arts services organization devoted to writers at all stages of development. For additional information, visit www.ncwriters.org.

thru February 5 - Celtic Adventure Weekend - Celebrate the Scots-Irish heritage of Western North Carolina with the finest in dance, literature, food, drink and music! Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC. GroveParkInn.com.

thru February 12 - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC. For tickets and information, visit http://www.peacecenter.org. SC Children's Theatre.

- Hunter Pace - FENCE, Tryon, NC. Visit FENCE.org for more info.

- Bingo for Seniors - Asheville Mall Chick-fil-A will be kicking off it’s 1st Monday Bingo for Seniors on February 6 at 9am in the Asheville Mall Food Court. This free monthly event will feature a lively bingo game with prizes, food specials, and service from the employees at Chick-fil-A Asheville Mall. Join us for food, fellowship, fun and BINGO!

- ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEY D.J. GERKEN - D.J. Gerken, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center in Asheville, will speak Feb. 6 at Warren Wilson College on "Using the Power of the Law to Protect the Environment." His talk, free and open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. in Canon Lounge of the Gladfelter Student Center.

- UNCA Women's Basketball - At Coastal Carolina 7PM. Www.uncabulldogs.com.

- Hobey Ford and Golden Rod Puppets' Animalia - The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC. For tickets and information, visit http://www.peacecenter.org. SC Children's Theatre.

- Poet and Zen Buddhist Priest Norman Fischer - Fischer will read from his forthcoming book-length poem, “Conflict,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 in Karpen Hall’s Laurel Forum on the campus. His talk, “God, Sin, Pain, Song and Jewish Meditation,” will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Sherrill Center, Mountain View Conference Room 417. Both events are free and open to the public. UNCA.edu.

February 8 - Building a Sustainable Community through Sharing w/ Author Janelle Orsi - Posana Cafe, Asheville.

February 8 - Cultural Conversations - The Asheville Art Museum invites visitors to enjoy a casual reception and evening of conversation with Asheville Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Musical Director, Daniel Meyer, and Asheville Art Museum Executive Director, Pamela Myers, on Wednesday, February 8 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Held at the Museum, this event is free to Symphony and Museum Members; tickets are $5 for non-Members.

February 10 thru June 29 - Torqued & Twisted: Bentwood Today - Torqued & Twisted, a new exhibition at UNC Asheville's Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, explores the work of nine furniture makers and sculptors from the United States who use the technique of bending wood in innovative, unusual and eloquent ways.

February 10 - Drag Queen Bingo - To benefit Brother Wolf, bwar.org.

February 10 - Firecracker Jazz Band - 9:30PM at MoDaddy's in downtown Asheville. Firecracker Jazz Band includes includes JE Widenhouse (trumpet and cornet), Earl Sachais (trombone), Andrew Fletcher (piano), Hank Bones (guitar), Russ Wilson (drums) and Rick Neiman (tuba).

February 10 - Friday Parties - $10 per person with DJ.

February 10 - Saturdays at ACT! - Tickets only $5 at the Door! Visit ashevilletheatre.org. 9:30 am: Aesop’s Fables (Best for ages 3-10). 11:30 am: Heroes of the Underground Railroad (Best for ages 7-adult)

February 10 - solas - This Irish-American super group is a lightning rod of talent and inspiration. Diana Wortham Theatre, dwtheatre.com.

February 11 thru February 12 - A Celebration of Genius - The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC. For tickets and information, visit http://www.peacecenter.org.

February 11 - 4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge - Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Meals On Wheels. The 4th Annual Polar Bear Plunge will be hosted at the South Asheville location of the Asheville Racquet Club (off Hwy. 25) on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 from 11-2PM and features a post-plunge hot chili lunch. All proceeds raised will benefit Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County. Visit mowabc.org.

February 11 - Caring for your Fruit Trees - 1:00 – 2:30 pm Caring for your Fruit Trees: a 90 minute class on starting from a small tree to producing fruit in the backyard. I’ll cover things like plant nutrition/soil testing, organic sprays to ward off disease and insects, proper pruning of the trees, various diseases and insects the home gardener can expect to deal with......Presented by Anthony Owens from Windy Ridge Organics, $13 Owners, $15 non-owners Classes held at the Hendersonville Community Co-op, 715 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC To registeror for more information, contact Gretchen Schott-Cummins at 828-693-8557or gretchen@hendersonville.coop

February 11 - Contra Dance at the Old Cove Creek School Gym - Dale Adams Rd in Sugar Grove, approximately 8 miles from downtown Boone. Music by Contra Cowboys with Noah Grunweig calling. Admission $7, $5 high school students, 12 and under free. New dancers lesson at 7:30, dance from 8:00 - 11:00. Everyone is welcome. Hosted by Boone Country Dancers. Visit http://www.boonecountrydancers.org/.

February 11 - Make your own Sauerkraut - 9:30 am – 11:30 am Make your own Sauerkraut: Making sauerkraut is not only easy, it’s fun! Get creative with this simple way of preserving food that’s been in use for hundreds of years. Sauerkraut is a great winter food, contributing to body alkalinity and increased immunity. Materials included. Participants should bring a sharp knife and a cutting board. Question can be directed to workshop facilitator, Beth Beasley: eabeasley@gmail.com (828) 329-7991. $15 owners/ $18 for non-owners. Classes held at the Hendersonville Community Co-op, 715 S. Grove St., Hendersonville, NC To registeror for more information, contact Gretchen Schott-Cummins at 828-693-8557or gretchen@hendersonville.coop

February 11 - UNCA Men's Basketball - Vs. Radford, 4:30 p.m. Www.uncabulldogs.com.

February 11 - UNCA Women's Basketball - Vs. PC, 2PM. Www.uncabulldogs.com.

February 13 - How to Tell Your Story - Telling stories is how we identify, learn, and share our history. If your goal is to educate, persuade, or simply connect in a meaningful way with a particular audience, storytelling is the single most powerful communication tool available to you and can be your best selling tool. Come learn how to tell your story as a craft maker. Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod will teach you the importance of learning how to tell your unique story and hone your skills at story telling. Gwynne will talk about the three steps in a good story and group exercises will lead you throw each step of YOUR story. Handmade in America. Beginning in March, Craft Labs will return to the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6-8pm. For more information or to RSVP, call 828-252-0121.

February 13 - UNCA Women's Basketball - Vs. Winthrop, 7PM. Www.uncabulldogs.com.

February 14 - The St. Valentine's Day Massacre at The Vault - Life Productions, a local publicity and event promotions company is hosting Asheville's first St. Valentine's Day Massacre Party at the Rankin Vault and Cocktail Lounge in Downtown Asheville. The party is loosely themed on the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929 Chicago, a prohibLushition-era conflict between two powerful gangs including Al Capone.

February 14 - UNCA Men's Basketball - At Coastal Carolina, 7 p.m. Www.uncabulldogs.com.

February 15 - Board of Directors Recruitment Reception - 6-8pm, Bountiful Cities, Asheville’s urban agriculture and food security organization, will host a Board of Directors Recruitment Reception for members of the community who are interested in joining in on the exciting movement for food justice in Asheville. The reception will include the opportunity to meet the current Board and staff, a brief presentation on the history and work of Bountiful Cities, and an overview of the organization’s goals for 2012. Attendees can then choose whether to apply to become a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Interested candidates can RSVP to Lindsay Majer at majerla@hotmail.com for more information and directions.

February 15 - Bruce Hornsby - The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC. For tickets and information, visit http://www.peacecenter.org.

February 15 - Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010 Beginner Class - :00–5:00 pm at 1200 Ridgefield Blvd, Suite 271, Asheville, NC. Cost is $125 per student. Task Mania is the company to help your staff achieve competency with Microsoft Office 2010 software. Learn it today, apply it tomorrow! Contact Task Mania today for details www.taskmania.biz or at 828-633-0170

February 15 - PROJECT Trio - For more information, visit cesap.unca.edu or call 828/251-6674. Brooklyn, N.Y.-based trio of beatbox flute, cello and bass, blending rock, classical, jazz and other genres