Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Sunday, February 13, 2022
Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank
Feb 13 all-day
online

Thanks for Supporting Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank

Asheville: We need your help! at the future Karen Cragnolin Park
Feb 13 all-day
future Karen Cragnolin Park

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

If you are interested in helping please fill out this survey (link below) so we can determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Karen Cragnolin Park Update: We are delighted to report that the remediation of Karen Cragnolin Park (KCP) – named in honor of our visionary founder – is complete, and that we are initiating the first phase of the project by constructing the park’s greenway and an accompanying landscaped corridor. This will activate and connect the park (to the two adjacent greenways) and continue the journey of bringing the park fully online. Our goal with this phase is to create a beautiful aesthetic corridor with carefully selected plantings and design elements accompanied by educational, cultural and historical signage for people to experience as they move through the park. This phase is projected to cost approximately $1 million and will be achieved through individual donors and institutional and grant funding. Construction will begin when funding commitments are secured. To learn more about supporting our efforts please contact me at [email protected].

KC Park Greenway
Current plans for phase one with the installation of the new greenway.

As background, the 5.3 acre site was formerly home to the EDACO junkyard for over 50 years. Located adjacent to the French Broad River and bounded by Amboy Road, the car crushing operation contaminated the land and water with oil, gas, grease and antifreeze. RiverLink worked with experts to implement an extensive soil remediation process to restore the land.

Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architecture’s vision for KCP is bold and transformative. Upon full completion, KCP will serve as one of the missing links in the larger open space and greenway system, connecting Carrier Park to French Broad River Park. KCP will offer a contemplative and rejuvenating space that honors the natural and cultural history of the site while providing access to the water’s edge. The park will also stabilize riparian edges, collect and slow stormwater, and promote a wide range of habitats. The completed project will embrace the concept of a “living laboratory” – an outdoor classroom that makes the dynamic riparian and ecological processes visible. An educational, stimulating, and enjoyable park experience will cultivate a community invested in the long-term stewardship of the river and the park system for generations to come. Please see our website for the Master Plan and complete vision.

Food Vendor Applications for 2022 Events Available Now
Feb 13 all-day
online

The Asheville Downtown Association is now accepting applications for food vending at our 2022 events. These include Downtown After 5, the Independence Day Celebration and Asheville Oktoberfest.

Applications are due Friday, February 25 at 5pm.

Go On A Blind Date With a Book at the Library This February
Feb 13 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries

Buncombe County Public Libraries is playing matchmaker in February as Blind Date with a Book returns. The blind date books are easy to spot; they’ll be the ones with the paper-wrapped book covers. Check one out and take it home. Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover, and you might fall in love with a new author, genre, or series you hadn’t tried before.

The Fairview, Swannanoa, Pack, Black Mountain, Leicester, and North Asheville Libraries will be happy to set you up on your blind date anytime in February.

Nantahala Outdoor Center 2022 Adventures are open to book
Feb 13 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Raft splashing into 2022

We are excited to announce that all of our 2022 adventures are open to book! Grab your calendar, find the perfect whitewater, zip line, or biking adventure, and book the trip before the perfect day slips by you.

Plan your next adventure with Nantahala Outdoor Center! NOC offers more than 100 itineraries that you can sort by Whitewater Rafting, Zip Lining, Mountain Biking, and more! Filter by location, experience level, or activity type. Mix and match your favorites or book one of our packages for a full-day of fun! Planning your next adventure has never been easier.

BOOK EARLY & WIN!

We love when you plan ahead!

Book by December 31st, 2021 and

be entered to win a sweet limited edition 50th MERCH PRIZE PACK including a t-shirt, insulated mugs, Nalgene, magnets, sticker pack and a $50 Gift Card to use at our stores, on a meal or on an adventure! A $120 Value!

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL RODEO: Battle of the Blue Ridge 2022
Feb 13 all-day
WNC Ag Center
Shades of Rosé Gin Cocktail Kit: Dozen Roses
Feb 13 all-day
online w/ Cultivated Cocktails
WNC Nature Center Running of the Goats 5K Race Volunteer
Feb 13 @ 6:00 am – 10:00 am
WNC Nature Center

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.


The Friends of the WNC Nature Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Asheville, North Carolina.  The Friends of the WNC Nature Center create awareness and provide financial resources in support of the Nature Center- Asheville’s Wildlife Park. The Friends are dedicated to providing the resources to support high quality growth of the WNC Nature Center and its efforts to educate the public about the natural history and ecology of the Southern Appalachians Mountains.

We are looking for volunteers to support the Nature Center’s first in person fundraiser event of the year, Running of the Goats 5K and Nature Walk! 

Volunteer Responsibilities:
  • Assist with guiding runners
  • Checking in runners
  • Passing out snacks

Health & Safety

  • Strict COVID guidelines are in place to protect volunteers and runners.
Why does this matter? We have to limit the number of people attending each project. This helps everyone stay safe by following COVID-19 specific safety measures. Please understand that if you show up on-site without registering first, you may be turned away so that the agency can maintain safety procedures.  Safety is our top priority and we want to be sure needs are met while also being safe. Click HERE for current NC safety guidelines.

Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is not responsible for opportunities managed by partner agencies. If you are onsite at a volunteer opportunity and don’t feel safety guidelines are being followed, please connect with onsite project organizers and if not addressed, please let us know by completing our Volunteer Experience Form.

Additional Details

16 and older
Register by Apr 23, 2022
Is Outdoors
Inclement Weather Plan: Be prepared for all types of weather conditions
Is Wheelchair Accessible
Snacks provided
covid19 safety precautions in place
Join us for an Ice Hike on Roan Mountain this Sunday!
Feb 13 @ 11:00 am
Carvers Gap on Roan Mountain

Where: Carvers Gap on Roan Mountain
Distance: 2.6 miles total. ~600 ft elevation gain.
Difficulty: Moderate (5). Trail conditions will be icy.
Cost: FREE for all participants
Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on February 13 for a hike from Carver’s Gap to Jane Bald in the Highlands of Roan. Participants will travel 2.6 miles atop the highest elevation balds in the Highlands of Roan, widely considered the most spectacular scenery along the Appalachian Trail. At the peak of Jane Bald, we will enjoy a natural, unobstructed 360-degree view.
We hope to come across hoar frost and rime ice on our hike. Hoar frost and rime ice are beautiful ice formations that appear after a cold night. However, they form in different ways. Rime ice forms on nights when a cold fog or cloud cover is present. When supercooled water droplets in the fog come in contact with a surface below freezing, the water droplets freeze on contact. On the other hand, hoar frost forms on clear nights when gaseous water vapor freezes onto a below-freezing surface, bypassing the liquid phase. While hiking, our goal will be to find these ice formations.
Note: There are many stretches of the trail covered with thick ice. Trekking poles are highly recommended. The weather for Sunday has highs in the mid-20s with a slight chance of snow. Please plan and dress accordingly.
Puppy Bowl – Mountain Pet Rescue Fundraiser
Feb 13 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Down Dog Yoga Studio and Dog Bar

Puppy Bowl - Mountain Pet Rescue Fundraiser

Touch down at Down Dog to experience Asheville’s very own Puppy Bowl! Much like the real thing on Animal Planet, adoptable puppies will take the field to not only score touchdowns, but also score the hearts of their forever families.

We are suggesting a $5 donation to attend and hope you will join us for lots of fun and fumbles to benefit Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville.

Winter Photo Contest – “Winter Trees”
Feb 13 @ 12:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Image result for Chimney Rock Park

It’s the Year of the Tree in North Carolina State Parks, and we are encouraging guests to celebrate trees all year long! Start off in the winter months while branches are bare and capture some unique tree shapes or the beauty of frosty evergreens. You may win a prize for your efforts!

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park, two boat tour tickets from Lake Lure Tours, and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

CONTEST RULES:

  1. There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between January 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022.
    The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
  2. Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
    • Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
    • E-mail: If you don’t have access to social media, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
  3. Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
  4. Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
  5. For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
  6. Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
  7. Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
  8. Finalists will be chosen by Chimney Rock staff and the winner will be voted on by the public. Decisions regarding winners are final.

Winners will be notified personally and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media. For more information, call 1-828-625-9611, ext. 1812 or email us at [email protected].

BREWS, BLUES + BRUNCH EVERY SUNDAY
Feb 13 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The S&W Market

The S&W Market is hosting a weekly Brews & Blues series featuring Mr. Jimmy & Friends. From 1pm-4pm every Sunday, there will be beer and mimosa specials in Highland Brewing’s Downtown taproom and great live blues in the building. Also enjoy delicious brunch specials from all vendors!

Nonna’s New World Gnocchi Dinner Theater at Franny’s Farmacy South Slope
Feb 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Franny's Farmacy South Slope

Nonna's New World Gnocchi Dinner Theater at Franny's Farmacy South Slope

Do you love Gnocchi? Traditional neo-gnocchi no more! Come be a part of Nonna’s New World, where the ingredients are characters and the evening is multi-sensory.

Join us for a 4-course, interactive dinner theater, “Valentine’s Day Eve”, event on Sunday, February 13th, at the newest Franny’s Farmacy dispensary, Corporate headquarters, Canna Cafe, and special event venue in the South Slope District of Asheville.

This one-of-a-kind dining experience is from 6:00-8:00pm and will showcase selections of the newly released Franny’s Farm Foods line including Pasta & Prana’s gluten-free gnocchi along with other creative dishes featuring local ingredients such as Asheville Microgreens – all to be enjoyed during a performance of “Nonna’s New World Gnocchi”, a comedic yet informative storytelling journey of transformation and Italian tradition.

It stars performer and writer Summer Minerva as “Nonna”, producer Vinny Bonanno, Sound Artist Joel, and more, along with chef, wordsmith, Yogi and creator of Pasta & Prana, Mike Ptaszek, creating the dishes (vegetarian options available!). Delicious mocktails, new Chakra Teas, and CannaCafe coffees are included, but diners are also welcome to BYOB.

 

Tickets are $85 each or 2 for $150

(not including tax + gratuity)

A portion of proceeds will go to Utopian Seed Project, a hands in the earth non-profit committed to trialing crops and varieties in the Southeast to support diversity in food and farming. This visionary organization strives to create food security in the face of climate change through diverse and regenerative agriculture.

 

The health and wellness of Franny’s Farmacy’s staff, its customers, and community remains the company’s top priority. Franny’s Farmacy dispensaries will continue to follow CDC guidance along with State and County mandates currently requiring that all employees and customers wear face coverings while at the stores.

——————————

Writer: Summer Minerva

Producer: Vinny “Vignette” Bonanno

Actors: Cecil Baldwin, Erika Charbeneau, Summer Minerva, Vinny “Vignette” Bonanno

Musical Artist: Joel Karabo Elliott

 

Vignette Visions Productions is led by Vinny ‘Vignette’ Bonanno. Vinny sees the collaboration in our daily interactions as opportunities to lift each other up…”together we shine brighter”. From busking in New York City to curating sensory-stimulating experiences, Vinny organizes groups and teams to activate spaces and shift perspectives!

Vinny is also an internationally trained yoga teacher with 200-hour Vinyasa and 200-hour Katonah yoga certifications, guiding his clients to greater mobility and pain reduction by customizing ancient yoga techniques and inspiring personal daily practice with gentle accountability. “Be available to explore!”

IG: @stretchinginpublic

website: stretchinginpublic.com

 

Summer Minerva (she/they) is a researcher, performer, public speaker, and educator, as well as multilingual (Ital/Span/Port).

Summer currently has a book under contract with SUNY Academic: Italian Trans Geographies- an anthology of trans narratives from Italy and the Italian diaspora. Her feature documentary, Summer Within, is an autobiographical account of her quest for belonging via the femminielli of Napoli. Both groundbreaking works are to be released in 2022.

Summer is a trained actor and has appeared in several off-broadway plays and award-winning independent films. She is the resident emcee at The Generations Project, her intergenerational LGBTQ+ storytelling organization

IG: @iamsummerminerva

Website: summerminerva.com

 

Contact us for more information!

[email protected]

Russ Wilson and his Famous Orchestra present Music For Lovers Only!
Feb 13 @ 7:30 pm
Isis Music Hall

Screen Shot 2022-02-10 at 8.55.36 AM.png

In the “old days” people used to dress up and go out to some place that had great music, great cocktails and great food. It was not just another night out. It was an EVENT! A time to put on your finest threads and spend an evening with the one you love (or meet the one you love!) in some classy joint. You dined and enjoyed the music. It was a night of style, class and (most importantly) romance!

Russ Wilson And His Famous Orchestra present A Vintage Valentine. An Evening of Style, Class and Romance.
Russ and his All Star Orchestra will play the beautiful love songs of 20’s, 30’s & 40’s.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall. Reservations are highly recommended.

Reserved Seat Tickets are available with Dinner reservations – You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 to make dinner reservations and secure those tickets.

General Admission Tickets are available for the main stage balcony only. Seating in the balcony is first come, first serve. Dinner service is NOT currently being offered for general admission tickets.; drink service is available at the downstairs bar on the main floor.

Currently, Only General Admission Tickets are available on line

You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 for Reserve Seat Tickets and to make dinner reservations.

Monday, February 14, 2022
Adopt a Cute Critter
Feb 14 all-day
online

Screen Shot 2022-02-08 at 2.56.49 PM.png

Looking for an unusual Valentine gift for the foxy animal lover in your life? You still have time to adopt a river otter, red panda, red fox or skunk for that special someone on Valentine’s Day! Now through February 15, your $50 or $100 adoption of one of these four animals comes with some French Broad Chocolate and supports our beloved WNC Nature Center.

Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank
Feb 14 all-day
online

Thanks for Supporting Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank

Asheville: We need your help! at the future Karen Cragnolin Park
Feb 14 all-day
future Karen Cragnolin Park

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

If you are interested in helping please fill out this survey (link below) so we can determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Karen Cragnolin Park Update: We are delighted to report that the remediation of Karen Cragnolin Park (KCP) – named in honor of our visionary founder – is complete, and that we are initiating the first phase of the project by constructing the park’s greenway and an accompanying landscaped corridor. This will activate and connect the park (to the two adjacent greenways) and continue the journey of bringing the park fully online. Our goal with this phase is to create a beautiful aesthetic corridor with carefully selected plantings and design elements accompanied by educational, cultural and historical signage for people to experience as they move through the park. This phase is projected to cost approximately $1 million and will be achieved through individual donors and institutional and grant funding. Construction will begin when funding commitments are secured. To learn more about supporting our efforts please contact me at [email protected].

KC Park Greenway
Current plans for phase one with the installation of the new greenway.

As background, the 5.3 acre site was formerly home to the EDACO junkyard for over 50 years. Located adjacent to the French Broad River and bounded by Amboy Road, the car crushing operation contaminated the land and water with oil, gas, grease and antifreeze. RiverLink worked with experts to implement an extensive soil remediation process to restore the land.

Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architecture’s vision for KCP is bold and transformative. Upon full completion, KCP will serve as one of the missing links in the larger open space and greenway system, connecting Carrier Park to French Broad River Park. KCP will offer a contemplative and rejuvenating space that honors the natural and cultural history of the site while providing access to the water’s edge. The park will also stabilize riparian edges, collect and slow stormwater, and promote a wide range of habitats. The completed project will embrace the concept of a “living laboratory” – an outdoor classroom that makes the dynamic riparian and ecological processes visible. An educational, stimulating, and enjoyable park experience will cultivate a community invested in the long-term stewardship of the river and the park system for generations to come. Please see our website for the Master Plan and complete vision.

Food Vendor Applications for 2022 Events Available Now
Feb 14 all-day
online

The Asheville Downtown Association is now accepting applications for food vending at our 2022 events. These include Downtown After 5, the Independence Day Celebration and Asheville Oktoberfest.

Applications are due Friday, February 25 at 5pm.

Go On A Blind Date With a Book at the Library This February
Feb 14 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries

Buncombe County Public Libraries is playing matchmaker in February as Blind Date with a Book returns. The blind date books are easy to spot; they’ll be the ones with the paper-wrapped book covers. Check one out and take it home. Remember, don’t judge a book by its cover, and you might fall in love with a new author, genre, or series you hadn’t tried before.

The Fairview, Swannanoa, Pack, Black Mountain, Leicester, and North Asheville Libraries will be happy to set you up on your blind date anytime in February.

Shades of Rosé Gin Cocktail Kit: Dozen Roses
Feb 14 all-day
online w/ Cultivated Cocktails
Swannanoa’s Charles D. Owen Park: New children’s playground!
Feb 14 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Charles D. Owen

Over a period of several weeks in January, the old playground — which was very small and suitable only for young children — was removed and replaced with a large, state-of-the-art playground, complete with climbing walls, multiple slides, a 4-person seesaw, and much more. The colorful new playground equipment is designed for children ages 5-12, and makes quite a visual splash as you drive into Owen Park.
The upgraded playground is part of a series of improvements the county has made at Owen Park over the last couple of years, including the addition of a GaGa ball pit, outdoor exercise equipment, a musical “garden,” a wheelchair-accessible swing, and a TRACK Adventure Trail that teaches kids about the flora and fauna that can be found in the park.
Owen Park is located at 875 Warren Wilson Road (behind National Wiper Alliance). In addition to the amenities listed above, the park boasts several reservable picnic pavilions, a fishing pier, basketball courts, baseball fields, and a level, 1-mile walking path around the ponds. Owen Park is truly a gem in our community, and it keeps getting better all the time!
Valentine’s at The Grove Arcade
Feb 14 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Grove Arcade

grove .jpg

Spend Valentine’s Day with your loved one at the Grove ArcadeFlora Diva will be selling handpicked flowers and arrangements all day! Marc Keller will be playing a variety of guitar instrumentals and vocal music all day. They will also have their very own Catalina Rose doing hand-written couple’s poetry for free. This is a multi-day event taking place Feb 12-14th so take your Valentine to one of the most architecturally romantic places in town. No cover.

Winter Photo Contest – “Winter Trees”
Feb 14 @ 12:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Image result for Chimney Rock Park

It’s the Year of the Tree in North Carolina State Parks, and we are encouraging guests to celebrate trees all year long! Start off in the winter months while branches are bare and capture some unique tree shapes or the beauty of frosty evergreens. You may win a prize for your efforts!

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park, two boat tour tickets from Lake Lure Tours, and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

CONTEST RULES:

  1. There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between January 1, 2022 – February 28, 2022.
    The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
  2. Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
    • Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
    • E-mail: If you don’t have access to social media, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
  3. Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
  4. Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
  5. For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
  6. Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
  7. Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
  8. Finalists will be chosen by Chimney Rock staff and the winner will be voted on by the public. Decisions regarding winners are final.

Winners will be notified personally and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media. For more information, call 1-828-625-9611, ext. 1812 or email us at [email protected].

Valentine Dessert Art at Posana
Feb 14 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Posana

image0-2.jpg

pecial V-day dessert alert: Our friends at Posana have outdone themselves with this Lavender Honey Cake with pomegranate mousse, orange curd, chocolate almond meringue kisses, Earl Grey honey gel, and fresh pomegranate arils.

Music Bingo Mondays
Feb 14 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog Yoga Studio and Dog Bar

Music Bingo Mondays

Join us every Monday night for Singo (Musical Bingo)!

Singo will run from 7-8:15 pm.

No reservations needed, just get ready for a good time and a chance to win some Down Dog prizes!

Sun June
Feb 14 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

The five members of Sun June spent their early years spread out across the United States, from the boonies of the Hudson Valley to the sprawling outskirts of LA. Having spent their college years within the gloomy, cold winters of the North East, Laura Colwell and Stephen Salisbury found themselves in the vibrant melting-pot of inspiration that is Austin, Texas. Meeting each other while working on Terrence Malick’s ‘Song to Song’, the pair were immediately taken by the city’s bustling small clubs and honky-tonk scene, and the fact that there was always an instrument within reach, always someone to play alongside.

Coming alive in this newly discovered landscape, Colwell and Salisbury formed Sun June alongside Michael Bain on lead guitar, Sarah Schultz on drums, and Justin Harris on bass and recorded their debut album live to tape, releasing it via the city’s esteemed Keeled Scales label in 2018. The band coined the term ‘regret pop’ to describe the music they made on the ‘Years’ LP. Though somewhat tongue in cheek, it made perfect sense ~ the gentle sway of their country leaning pop songs seeped in melancholy, as if each subtle turn of phrase was always grasping for something just out of reach.

Valentine’s Day Weekend Comedy Show
Feb 14 @ 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Legends Club at TIEC

Valentine's Day Weekend at Tryon Resort

Celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend at Tryon Resort and treat yourself (and your significant other!) to a full roster of can’t-miss events. Join us Friday, February 11 for Comedy Night presented by Comedy Zone, one of TWO shows you can catch while celebrating Valentine’s Day Weekend with us.

Comedian Bios:

Johnny Millwater: 

Johnny Millwater has devoted his life to making people laugh. Johnny’s extraordinary use of language, rapid-fire delivery and old-school showmanship make his shows fun, hilarious and unforgettable!

Jason Allen King:

Jason Allen King is a comedian, writer, actor, filmmaker, and bird watcher from Charlotte, NC. Exploiting his own peculiar personal experiences, family, and relationships (or lack thereof), King’s comedy offers a unique perspective on familiar situations. A northerner who’s been living in the south too long, he has endeared himself to audiences across the country pushing boundaries through a positive and sharp spin on observations and self-deprecation.

Fresh off the taping of his Dry Comedy Special and a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, King is back touring the country. He has opened for renowned comedians like Preacher Lawson, Fortune Feimster, Rob Schneider, Christopher Titus, Colin Quinn, and Dave Attell. He was voted Charlotte’s Favorite Comedian by Elevate Lifestyle Magazine, featured in It’s A Southern Thing’s One of 15 Southern Comics to Watch and Best of the Fest at the Burbank Comedy Festival. King is the host of The Comedy Zone Podcast. He also writes and stars in the popular video series “George & Monty,” which was invited to screen at the L.A. Comedy Shorts Festival.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Adopt a Cute Critter
Feb 15 all-day
online

Screen Shot 2022-02-08 at 2.56.49 PM.png

Looking for an unusual Valentine gift for the foxy animal lover in your life? You still have time to adopt a river otter, red panda, red fox or skunk for that special someone on Valentine’s Day! Now through February 15, your $50 or $100 adoption of one of these four animals comes with some French Broad Chocolate and supports our beloved WNC Nature Center.

Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank
Feb 15 all-day
online

Thanks for Supporting Asheville Outlets’ Virtual Food Drive for MANNA FoodBank

Asheville: We need your help! at the future Karen Cragnolin Park
Feb 15 all-day
future Karen Cragnolin Park

We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

If you are interested in helping please fill out this survey (link below) so we can determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.

Karen Cragnolin Park Update: We are delighted to report that the remediation of Karen Cragnolin Park (KCP) – named in honor of our visionary founder – is complete, and that we are initiating the first phase of the project by constructing the park’s greenway and an accompanying landscaped corridor. This will activate and connect the park (to the two adjacent greenways) and continue the journey of bringing the park fully online. Our goal with this phase is to create a beautiful aesthetic corridor with carefully selected plantings and design elements accompanied by educational, cultural and historical signage for people to experience as they move through the park. This phase is projected to cost approximately $1 million and will be achieved through individual donors and institutional and grant funding. Construction will begin when funding commitments are secured. To learn more about supporting our efforts please contact me at [email protected].

KC Park Greenway
Current plans for phase one with the installation of the new greenway.

As background, the 5.3 acre site was formerly home to the EDACO junkyard for over 50 years. Located adjacent to the French Broad River and bounded by Amboy Road, the car crushing operation contaminated the land and water with oil, gas, grease and antifreeze. RiverLink worked with experts to implement an extensive soil remediation process to restore the land.

Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architecture’s vision for KCP is bold and transformative. Upon full completion, KCP will serve as one of the missing links in the larger open space and greenway system, connecting Carrier Park to French Broad River Park. KCP will offer a contemplative and rejuvenating space that honors the natural and cultural history of the site while providing access to the water’s edge. The park will also stabilize riparian edges, collect and slow stormwater, and promote a wide range of habitats. The completed project will embrace the concept of a “living laboratory” – an outdoor classroom that makes the dynamic riparian and ecological processes visible. An educational, stimulating, and enjoyable park experience will cultivate a community invested in the long-term stewardship of the river and the park system for generations to come. Please see our website for the Master Plan and complete vision.