Mini-grant applications are available three times during the 2023-2024 school year. You may apply one time during this cycle. Mini-grants must be used within a year after receiving the funding. 

Applications due by:

• November 30, 2023
• January 30, 2024
• March 30, 2024

If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for funding, please email us at [email protected] before submitting your application. We are unable to provide mini-grants to schools located outside of our 23-county service area or to folks who have received a grant from us within the past year. Learn more and apply here!

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Asheville’s longest running comedy open mic happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform can sign up starting at 7pm and will get four minutes on stage. Anyone skill level from professional to first-timers. So you’ll see great, not-so-great, and hilariously awful comedy all in the same night. Always fun though. Always free.

Mini-grant applications are available three times during the 2023-2024 school year. You may apply one time during this cycle. Mini-grants must be used within a year after receiving the funding. 

Applications due by:

• November 30, 2023
• January 30, 2024
• March 30, 2024

If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for funding, please email us at [email protected] before submitting your application. We are unable to provide mini-grants to schools located outside of our 23-county service area or to folks who have received a grant from us within the past year. Learn more and apply here!

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Mini-grant applications are available three times during the 2023-2024 school year. You may apply one time during this cycle. Mini-grants must be used within a year after receiving the funding. 

Applications due by:

• November 30, 2023
• January 30, 2024
• March 30, 2024

If you have questions about your eligibility to apply for funding, please email us at [email protected] before submitting your application. We are unable to provide mini-grants to schools located outside of our 23-county service area or to folks who have received a grant from us within the past year. Learn more and apply here!

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Living in Western North Carolina means there is always something to do in the garden, from preparing soil and pruning to fertilizing and transplanting. But when and how? You’ll find the answers in A Gardening Guide for Our Mountains.

Created by NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers of Buncombe County (BCEMG), the guide provides a complete month-by-month description of what to do (and not to do), along with tips on invasive species, mulching, composting, and creating bird- and pollinator-friendly habitats.

This quick reference makes the perfect holiday gift for the gardeners in your life, whether they are old hands, new to gardening, or new to gardening in the mountains. A Gardening Guide for Our Mountains will get them off to the right start and keep their gardens growing all year long. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that funds raised through this publication go to support the many educational and outreach programs provided by BCEMG volunteers.

How to order: Send $13 (checks payable to Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener) to N.C. Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, N.C. 28806, ATTN:  Buncombe County Master Gardeners. Include mailing address for shipping and a phone number, in case we have a question about your order.

Copies are available for pick up at the office for $10.  Please call in advance. 828-255-5522.

To learn more about the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program in Buncombe County, go to: https://www.buncombemastergardener.org/

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Every Friday Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country.

Blake Wexler started doing stand-up at the age of 15 as a high school student in Philadelphia, continued performing in Boston while attending Emerson College, and ultimately moved to Los Angeles in 2011.

In addition to writing for and appearing on Comedy Central & ABC, Blake also has been a featured performer in (too) many comedy festivals and can be regularly heard on The Cracked, Daily Zeitgeist & The Todd Glass Show podcasts.

All four of Blake’s critically acclaimed stand-up comedy records debuted at #1 on the iTunes & Amazon comedy charts, and his album 12 Years of Voicemails from Todd Glass to Blake Wexler charted on Billboard.

Blake’s debut hour stand-up special “Daddy Long Legs” is now streaming on YouTube.

Social Media: @blakewexler

featuring Zlata Cass

ages 18+

Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm

The nation’s largest comedy club network is back! After a popular run last season, this hilarious collective returns to bring top-notch comedians for four weekends of side-splitting laughter. Some of the hottest stand-up comedians of today — seen in specials on Comedy Central, HBO Comedy, Netflix, Hulu and more — deliver witty one-liners, preposterous punchlines and hysterical anecdotes that will keep you laughing all night long. Contains adult content.

Headliner Maryellen Hooper

A veteran in the world of stand-up, Maryellen Hooper’s comedy has taken her from clubs and colleges to theaters and television. She’s appeared on many late-night talk shows including several appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Her half-hour special on Comedy Central, called “Lounge Lizards,” received rave reviews and was played on heavy rotation. In 1998, the comedy industry awarded Maryellen “Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic” at the American Comedy Awards. Recently, the Walt Disney Company has asked Maryellen to perform on all four of its beautiful cruise ships. making her one of the very few comics who have.

A physical storyteller, Maryellen’s act is an ever-evolving saga about her life as a woman, wife, and mother. Never crude or offensive, her accounts of life’s little annoyances leave audiences exhausted from laughter. From home repairs on her family’s “Fixer Upper” to raising two odoriferous boys, no story is too sacred to share with her audiences.

Feature Joel Byars

Joel Byars is an award winning comedian, podcaster, and Trophy Husband. His unique clean comedy style has helped him win both the Kenan Thompson Comedy Contest and Search for the One Competition. Both of these events seek out the top clean comedians in the country. Beyond the stage, Joel has been a writer for Comedy Central, The Weather Channel, and even the author of his own book, Finding Your Funny. His podcast, Hot Breath!, has been described by NPR as “discovering the desire to be a comedian, their craft and their unifying bond found within the world of stand up comedy.” Everyone of all ages is guaranteed to laugh and learn at a Joel Byars show.

A battle for your soul is being waged from an office in hell! Recommended for ages 13+. Children under age 4 are not admitted.

Don’t miss The Screwtape Letters, the provocative, faithful, and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.

The Screwtape Letters creates a topsy-turvy, morally inverted universe, set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the “Enemy,” and the devil is referred to as “Our Father Below.” The play follows His Abysmal Sublimity, Screwtape, as he strives to ruin the life and damn the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth.

Based on the book by the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wall Street Journal called it, “One hell of a good show!” Newsweek ranked it among the best productions of the year in New York City. The New York Times found it, “Clever and satirical,” and Christianity Today said it is a “Profound experience.”

The Screwtape Letters has played to capacity audiences in major cities across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Seattle, Dallas, and in London. Over 500,000 people have seen the production, which continues to attract a national following.

Starring Brent Harris as Screwtape (Scar in The Lion King national tour), it is directed by Fellowship for Performing Arts Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean.

The nation’s largest comedy club network is back! After a popular run last season, this hilarious collective returns to bring top-notch comedians for four weekends of side-splitting laughter. Some of the hottest stand-up comedians of today — seen in specials on Comedy Central, HBO Comedy, Netflix, Hulu and more — deliver witty one-liners, preposterous punchlines and hysterical anecdotes that will keep you laughing all night long. Contains adult content.

Headliner Maryellen Hooper

A veteran in the world of stand-up, Maryellen Hooper’s comedy has taken her from clubs and colleges to theaters and television. She’s appeared on many late-night talk shows including several appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Her half-hour special on Comedy Central, called “Lounge Lizards,” received rave reviews and was played on heavy rotation. In 1998, the comedy industry awarded Maryellen “Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic” at the American Comedy Awards. Recently, the Walt Disney Company has asked Maryellen to perform on all four of its beautiful cruise ships. making her one of the very few comics who have.

A physical storyteller, Maryellen’s act is an ever-evolving saga about her life as a woman, wife, and mother. Never crude or offensive, her accounts of life’s little annoyances leave audiences exhausted from laughter. From home repairs on her family’s “Fixer Upper” to raising two odoriferous boys, no story is too sacred to share with her audiences.

Feature Joel Byars

Joel Byars is an award winning comedian, podcaster, and Trophy Husband. His unique clean comedy style has helped him win both the Kenan Thompson Comedy Contest and Search for the One Competition. Both of these events seek out the top clean comedians in the country. Beyond the stage, Joel has been a writer for Comedy Central, The Weather Channel, and even the author of his own book, Finding Your Funny. His podcast, Hot Breath!, has been described by NPR as “discovering the desire to be a comedian, their craft and their unifying bond found within the world of stand up comedy.” Everyone of all ages is guaranteed to laugh and learn at a Joel Byars show.

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Living in Western North Carolina means there is always something to do in the garden, from preparing soil and pruning to fertilizing and transplanting. But when and how? You’ll find the answers in A Gardening Guide for Our Mountains.

Created by NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteers of Buncombe County (BCEMG), the guide provides a complete month-by-month description of what to do (and not to do), along with tips on invasive species, mulching, composting, and creating bird- and pollinator-friendly habitats.

This quick reference makes the perfect holiday gift for the gardeners in your life, whether they are old hands, new to gardening, or new to gardening in the mountains. A Gardening Guide for Our Mountains will get them off to the right start and keep their gardens growing all year long. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that funds raised through this publication go to support the many educational and outreach programs provided by BCEMG volunteers.

How to order: Send $13 (checks payable to Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener) to N.C. Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, N.C. 28806, ATTN:  Buncombe County Master Gardeners. Include mailing address for shipping and a phone number, in case we have a question about your order.

Copies are available for pick up at the office for $10.  Please call in advance. 828-255-5522.

To learn more about the NC State Extension Master Gardener Program in Buncombe County, go to: https://www.buncombemastergardener.org/

Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.

• Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
• 90-Minutes – tours run daily
• 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
• $39 per person (ages 13+ only)

Kids’ Comedy Tour: Wildly funny, this educational and entertaining tour features the perfect blend of Asheville’s history and kid-centric comedy. Geared specifically toward the 5–12 year old crowd, you’ll explore the town with our famously outlandish tour guides leading the way.

• Perfect for birthday parties
• Makes for memorable school field trips
• Tickets are $27 per person
• Beverages available for purchase at the LaZoom Room
• Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue

A battle for your soul is being waged from an office in hell! Recommended for ages 13+. Children under age 4 are not admitted.

Don’t miss The Screwtape Letters, the provocative, faithful, and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.

The Screwtape Letters creates a topsy-turvy, morally inverted universe, set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the “Enemy,” and the devil is referred to as “Our Father Below.” The play follows His Abysmal Sublimity, Screwtape, as he strives to ruin the life and damn the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth.

Based on the book by the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wall Street Journal called it, “One hell of a good show!” Newsweek ranked it among the best productions of the year in New York City. The New York Times found it, “Clever and satirical,” and Christianity Today said it is a “Profound experience.”

The Screwtape Letters has played to capacity audiences in major cities across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Seattle, Dallas, and in London. Over 500,000 people have seen the production, which continues to attract a national following.

Starring Brent Harris as Screwtape (Scar in The Lion King national tour), it is directed by Fellowship for Performing Arts Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean.

You better not pout, you better not cry, you better watch out we’re telling you why – the Reasonably Priced Babies are coming to town! You’ll be sure to laugh with your belly like a bowl full of jelly at this improv comedy show. Audience participation helps the babies make a list and check it twice so no two shows are the same. Ring in December in style with this show full of holiday hootenanny!

The nation’s largest comedy club network is back! After a popular run last season, this hilarious collective returns to bring top-notch comedians for four weekends of side-splitting laughter. Some of the hottest stand-up comedians of today — seen in specials on Comedy Central, HBO Comedy, Netflix, Hulu and more — deliver witty one-liners, preposterous punchlines and hysterical anecdotes that will keep you laughing all night long. Contains adult content.

A veteran in the world of stand-up, Maryellen Hooper’s comedy has taken her from clubs and colleges to theaters and television. She’s appeared on many late-night talk shows including several appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Her half-hour special on Comedy Central, called “Lounge Lizards,” received rave reviews and was played on heavy rotation. In 1998, the comedy industry awarded Maryellen “Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic” at the American Comedy Awards. Recently, the Walt Disney Company has asked Maryellen to perform on all four of its beautiful cruise ships. making her one of the very few comics who have.

Headliner Maryellen Hooper

A physical storyteller, Maryellen’s act is an ever-evolving saga about her life as a woman, wife, and mother. Never crude or offensive, her accounts of life’s little annoyances leave audiences exhausted from laughter. From home repairs on her family’s “Fixer Upper” to raising two odoriferous boys, no story is too sacred to share with her audiences.

Feature Joel Byars

Joel Byars is an award winning comedian, podcaster, and Trophy Husband. His unique clean comedy style has helped him win both the Kenan Thompson Comedy Contest and Search for the One Competition. Both of these events seek out the top clean comedians in the country. Beyond the stage, Joel has been a writer for Comedy Central, The Weather Channel, and even the author of his own book, Finding Your Funny. His podcast, Hot Breath!, has been described by NPR as “discovering the desire to be a comedian, their craft and their unifying bond found within the world of stand up comedy.” Everyone of all ages is guaranteed to laugh and learn at a Joel Byars show.

A battle for your soul is being waged from an office in hell! Recommended for ages 13+. Children under age 4 are not admitted.

Don’t miss The Screwtape Letters, the provocative, faithful, and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view.

The Screwtape Letters creates a topsy-turvy, morally inverted universe, set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the “Enemy,” and the devil is referred to as “Our Father Below.” The play follows His Abysmal Sublimity, Screwtape, as he strives to ruin the life and damn the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth.

Based on the book by the creator of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wall Street Journal called it, “One hell of a good show!” Newsweek ranked it among the best productions of the year in New York City. The New York Times found it, “Clever and satirical,” and Christianity Today said it is a “Profound experience.”

The Screwtape Letters has played to capacity audiences in major cities across the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Salt Lake City, Orlando, Seattle, Dallas, and in London. Over 500,000 people have seen the production, which continues to attract a national following.

Starring Brent Harris as Screwtape (Scar in The Lion King national tour), it is directed by Fellowship for Performing Arts Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean.

The nation’s largest comedy club network is back! After a popular run last season, this hilarious collective returns to bring top-notch comedians for four weekends of side-splitting laughter. Some of the hottest stand-up comedians of today — seen in specials on Comedy Central, HBO Comedy, Netflix, Hulu and more — deliver witty one-liners, preposterous punchlines and hysterical anecdotes that will keep you laughing all night long. Contains adult content.

Headliner Maryellen Hooper

A veteran in the world of stand-up, Maryellen Hooper’s comedy has taken her from clubs and colleges to theaters and television. She’s appeared on many late-night talk shows including several appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. Her half-hour special on Comedy Central, called “Lounge Lizards,” received rave reviews and was played on heavy rotation. In 1998, the comedy industry awarded Maryellen “Funniest Female Stand-Up Comic” at the American Comedy Awards. Recently, the Walt Disney Company has asked Maryellen to perform on all four of its beautiful cruise ships. making her one of the very few comics who have.

A physical storyteller, Maryellen’s act is an ever-evolving saga about her life as a woman, wife, and mother. Never crude or offensive, her accounts of life’s little annoyances leave audiences exhausted from laughter. From home repairs on her family’s “Fixer Upper” to raising two odoriferous boys, no story is too sacred to share with her audiences.

Feature Joel Byars

Joel Byars is an award winning comedian, podcaster, and Trophy Husband. His unique clean comedy style has helped him win both the Kenan Thompson Comedy Contest and Search for the One Competition. Both of these events seek out the top clean comedians in the country. Beyond the stage, Joel has been a writer for Comedy Central, The Weather Channel, and even the author of his own book, Finding Your Funny. His podcast, Hot Breath!, has been described by NPR as “discovering the desire to be a comedian, their craft and their unifying bond found within the world of stand up comedy.” Everyone of all ages is guaranteed to laugh and learn at a Joel Byars show.