Calendar of Events

Ready to feel renewed and refreshed this Spring? Join me in relaxing your nervous system with a soothing Sound Bath!

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 12:45 PM, doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.
This service is being offered on a Love Offering basis. Donations allow us to continue to provide these immersive experiences.

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk walk-way from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

You’re invited to join CenterWell Senior Primary Care as we celebrate the opening of our new center in Asheville. Come see how CenterWell delivers primary care centered on seniors! Join us and meet the CenterWell physician and Care Team, tour our senior primary care center and enjoy free music, food, giveaways and more. Plus, meet Mister Moon, the mascot from the Asheville Tourists! We look forward to seeing you there!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden

Program: Growing Vegetables in Containers

Presenter: Barb Harrison, Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers

Program Description: So, you don’t have a lot of space to grow fresh vegetables. Growing vegetables in containers is an easy way to have fresh vegetables all through the summer. If you only have a small space to work with such as a patio, balcony, alleyway, sidewalk or even a rooftop, you can still grow a bountiful garden choosing the right variety of vegetable plants.

We will cover types of containers that work best for vegetables, sun requirements which impacts what vegetables you can grow, growing media, watering, the best vegetables to grow in containers, and the benefits of mulch and a fertilization plan.

After a brief presentation we will then visit the Vegetable Garden and plant some vegetables in containers while reviewing the basic principles.

Portions of this program may be held outside; please dress appropriately for the weather. The classroom size is limited so register to reserve your seat!

The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration using Eventbrite is required.

If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

iNaturalist: An Amazing Tool for Identification in Your Pocket with Lauren Lampley.

Thursday, April 24  |  2:30 – 4 pm

BRN + BREG – Elective

Learn how a smartphone app, iNaturalist, can both be a very useful identification tool and a way to participate in Community Science! Submitting observations to iNaturalist helps scientists learn more about species by crowd-sourcing information from users all over the world. During this class we will look at the different versions of the app and website as well as take some time outside to practice submitting your own using your own smartphone. The City Nature Challenge will take place from April 25-28 and is a great way to submit iNaturalist observations in a global effort as well as earn a Bioblitz patch from Science Across North Carolina! https://scienceacrossnc.org/

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

Join Reiki Master Teacher and Yoga Nidra Facilitator, Kate Wargo of Woven Light in a soothing Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) practice guiding you into the “in-between”; that space between being awake and asleep. Within this space, a dream will be induced taking you into a state of consciousness that can bring about immense healing in your conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.

The cave will transform into a “Nidra Nest” with comfy reclining loungers, blankets, and bolsters to fully support you, whether sitting or lying down, for the entire experience. During this session, Kate will also offer Reiki to those who desire it. Reiki feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. This divine energy treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind, and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well-being.

Release stuck emotions, rest, and rejuvenate!

In collaboration with Pardee Hospital Foundation and Hunter Subaru, we are thrilled to present the 2nd Annual She Slays 5K. This event is all about celebrating the strength, courage, and fierce determination of women fighting cancer. Whether you walk or run, you’re making a difference for those who are in the midst of this battle. This event aims to empower people to take charge of their health and well-being, while also raising funds for Hendersonville women who are fighting cancer.

While this event supports women with cancer, everyone is welcome to participate!

Mark your calendars for Bullington Gardens’ Annual Spring Plant Sale, a must-visit event for gardening enthusiasts! Discover a unique selection of perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, veggies, and tomatoes, all carefully curated to inspire your garden. This year, we’re also highlighting a variety of pollinator-friendly plants to support local ecosystems and bring life to your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our sale offers something for everyone, with expert advice on hand to help you make the most of your selections. Don’t miss this opportunity to cultivate beauty and sustainability in your garden!

This class covers a variety of topics like DIY garden structures like trellises and rainwater collection, bed-building techniques, and edible spring weeds with management tips. Discussions will also include pest control, soil testing, cover cropping, NPK basics, common garden challenges, and strategies to maximize growing space.

Native Azalea Day

April 26, 2025

Visit the gardens this spring for Native Azalea Day, an invitation to celebrate and experience azaleas through the eyes of plant enthusiasts, botanists, and artists. In partnership with the Mountain Science Exposition, Native Azalea Day plans to bring even more excitement in its third year! For one day only, visitors can observe as plein air artists capture the scene in paint and pen, learn about the garden and its collection on a walking tour, and participate in hands-on activities for children and adults.

A shuttle to the Collection will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., departing to and from the Baker Visitor Center throughout the event. Visitors are also welcome to walk to the Native Azalea Collection from the Gatehouse Parking Lot using Old Mill Road to Bent Creek Road, or can park at the Baker Visitor Center and walk down Running Cedar Road to Bent Creek Road. Walkers should be prepared to travel one mile over unpaved roads and paths.

Schedule

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Shuttles running continuously between Baker and Azalea Collection for public

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Pre-registered bird netting activity with Wild Bird Research Group meets

10:00 a.m.: Event begins with ongoing walk-up features: tabling, activity booklet, scavenger hunt, and cyanotype activity

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with curator (45 minute)

11:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Cyanotype demonstration with Calissa Lawn

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent (30 minute)

3:00 p.m.: Event ends, last shuttle

Grove Arcade In Bloom: A Celebration of Growth

Spring is arriving in full bloom at one of Asheville’s most iconic landmarks! Grove Arcade In Bloom will transform the historic place into an immersive floral wonderland this Spring 2025. Come celebrate with us on Saturday, April 26, from 12 PM to 5 PM!

This event will feature:
🎻 Live Symphony Quartet from Asheville Symphony
🌷 Immersive Floral Installations by Studio Flora Diva, including a flower wall
🛍 Botanical Market by BB Barns and other local vendors with plants and garden treasures.
🎭 Performances & Art Installations
🍹 Aperol Spritz Pop-Up Bar

With support from B.B. Barns, Aperol Spritz, Stewart Owen Dance, Asheville Symphony, Studio Flora Diva, and On the Wing, Grove Arcade In Bloom is set to be a must-visit celebration of springtime, music, and community.

Follow @grovearcade on social media for updates.

For media inquiries, interviews, or questions please contact: [email protected]

Come visit The Blood Connection for a blood drive on Thursday, May 1, from 10 am to 3 pm. Look for The Blood Connection mobile unit in front of the hospital at 100 Hospital Drive. Look for The Blood Connection Mobile Donor Unit near the Valet parking lot.
All donors will receive a standard $20 e-gift card, and an additional $20 e-gift card – $40
in rewards! To make an appointment, visit thebloodconnection.org and search for the Sponsor Code
23AC.

Wortham Center Student Series Gaspard&Dancers

How far can your imagination take you? This renowned company, known for its works of haunting beauty and emotional force, dares to find out in one of many pieces planned for its Asheville program. The company’s founder, Haitian-born former Pilobolus dancer Gaspard Louis, has earned international acclaim for his versatile and inventive choreography, drawing inspiration from — among many other sources — the idea of believing in magic, the search for self-acceptance and the spiritual practices of his home country.

Connect with the art and artists in a dance master class and pre-show discussions.

“The depth and breadth of Gaspard Louis’ choreography, the number of accomplished dancers and collaborations with artists in other fields reaches a new level.” – The Herald-Sun

The performances by Gaspard&Dancers are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council.

Explore 22 beautiful greenhouses filled with mixed patio planters, hanging baskets, perennials, houseplants, shrubs, and plant starters. Enjoy live music, food from Smashville Food Truck and Mountain Man BBQ, a craft fair featuring jewelry and home goods, kids’ activities including a scavenger hunt and potting station, plus a mechanical bull! Appalachian Standard CBD products also available. With 600-900 attendees expected, carpooling is recommended. Free admission.

How far can your imagination take you? This renowned company, known for its works of haunting beauty and emotional force, dares to find out in one of many pieces planned for its Asheville program. The company’s founder, Haitian-born former Pilobolus dancer Gaspard Louis, has earned international acclaim for his versatile and inventive choreography, drawing inspiration from — among many other sources — the idea of believing in magic, the search for self-acceptance and the spiritual practices of his home country.

Connect with the art and artists in a dance master class and pre-show discussions.

“The depth and breadth of Gaspard Louis’ choreography, the number of accomplished dancers and collaborations with artists in other fields reaches a new level.” – The Herald-Sun

The performances by Gaspard&Dancers are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council.

Gratitude is more than a feeling, it is a frequency! Gratitude can help you shift your perspective and find the silver lining in challenging situations, further raising your vibrational frequency. When we vibrate at the frequency of gratitude, we align ourselves with the energy of abundance.

As we meditate on the theme of gratitude, we allow the frequencies of the instruments to raise our vibrations.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 12:45 PM, doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.

This service is being offered on a Love Offering basis. Donations allow us to continue to provide these immersive experiences. (Retail Value $25)

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

This class offers a creative, hands-on experience perfect for all skill levels!  Participants will decorate terracotta pots using vibrant paints to transform each one into a heartfelt gift just in time for Mother’s Day.  Feel free to get creative with your design!  Everyone will get seeds to take home with them to plant in the pot once the paint is dry, creating a thoughtful and lasting token of appreciation for Mother’s Day.

Tuesday May 6th, 2:00 – 4:00. $20/$15 for Friends of Bullington Gardens.

The Weaverville Tailgate Market located at 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787 will again host Extension Master Gardener plant clinics on the first Wednesday of the month for the 2025 season!

At each Plant Clinic, Master Gardener volunteers will be available to answers all of your gardening questions and address your related concerns. Feel free to bring plant or insect samples for identification and/or problem resolution.

You can pick-up soil test kits and receive information about in-person programs and activities at The Learning Garden and the Gardening in the Mountains seminars. Please stop by to learn more!