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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.

Monday, January 13, 2020
Craft Conversation Series Warren Wilson College
Jan 13 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Center for Craft

Join the MA in Critical Craft Studies for public conversations about research and projects connected to craft studies.

Craft Conversations is a five-part series organized by the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, and hosted at the Center for Craft in the heart of downtown Asheville.

These are not formal lectures. Instead, we invite you into the evening classroom of the MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, where you can hear how people conduct, analyze, share, and discuss their work on craft history and theory. Each presenter shares their work for 30 minutes each, followed by a discussion between presenters, MA students, and the audience for 60 minutes.

Programs begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public; reservations requested.

Monday, January 6 – Yasmeen Siddiqui and Shannon Stratton

Friday, January 10 – Student Pecha Kucha

Saturday, January 11 – Jen Delos Reyes and Namita Wiggers

Monday, January 13 – Sarah Khan and Ben Lignel

Friday, January 17 – Marilyn Zapf and Alicia Ory DeNicola

Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Disclaimer Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Jan 15 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, January 16, 2020
LaZoom Comedy: Mo Alexander
Jan 16 @ 8:00 pm
LaZoom Room

When Mo Alexander hits the stage, it’s clear that you’re in the hands of a man who knows what he’s doing. With comedy influences such as Bill Hicks, Paul Mooney, and Richard Pryor, Mo combines intelligence and debauchery into a product that is just as funny as it is important. With an ability to access both the smartest and the stupidest parts of your brain, there’s a reason this comedy phenom has been headlining comedy clubs nationwide for over 20 years.

Mo began his professional full-time comedy career in July 1996 featuring in clubs throughout the United States and by 1999 he was headlining.

After impressing Keenan Ivory Wayans with a good natured roast, Mo was invited to be the opening act on tour with Keenan in 1999.

In 2003 he was given his own Las Vegas show, “The Mo Funny Show” at the Casino Royale.

In the past few years Mo has been on several syndicated radio shows in major markets, such as Bob & Tom (Indianapolis), and Mancow (Chicago). He made his way through the ranks to become a semi-finalist in both the San Francisco Comedy Competition (2012) and the Seattle Comedy Competition (2013) and has been a headliner at a number of comedy festivals such as: Asheville Comedy Fest (2015), Altercation Comedy Festival (2016 & 2018), Hopkins Comedy Festival (2017), Memphis Comedy Festival (2017), North Carolina Comedy Festival (2018), The Lookout Comedy Festival (2019), Eastside Comedy Festival (2019).

On December 15, 2017 Mo’s first national stand-up appearance aired on Comedy Central where he appeared in Kevin Hart’s “Hart of the City: Memphis”

Mo is excited to announce his signing with record label Stand Up! Records owned by Grammy Award Winner producer, Dan Schlissel. In Septemeber of 2019, Mo made history by becoming the first comedian ever to record an album at world famous Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. The album is as yet unnamed and it’s release is to be announced soon.

A BBQ connoisseur, Mo is also currently working on a new web series he co-created called Mo Alexander’s BBQ Beatdown. He plans to determine once and for all just who has the best BBQ and episodes are coming soon.

To say that Mo is funny is like saying that Michelangelo was a good painter. Taking all of life’s absurdities and creating a night of hysterical laughter is why Mo Alexander is one of this industries greats. Mo takes a lifetime of experience and insight and transforms them into some of the most ingenious laugh riots you will ever experience in your life. Not for the faint of heart or mind, intelligent and hard-hitting are two terms that best describe what everyone that has ever been to a Mo Alexander Show will experience. Nothing compares to the energy of a room when Mo is through with it. Watching Mo Alexander is a night of hilarity and mischief that one won’t soon forget. He usually tries to leave you with the underlying message,”I’m trying to save the world, one comedy show at a time.” After a night with Mo you realize that not only were you entertained, you’re changed. You have a mission: “Slap the stupid!”

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mo-alexander-tickets-85816466361

Friday, January 17, 2020
A Wild Food Stroll at The Grove Park Inn
Jan 17 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Grove Park Inn

Ready to go WILD? Join us for a trip “off the eaten path.” You’ll learn how to safely gather edible wild plants, mushrooms, and other “extreme cuisine.” Stay for a stunning view of the sunset and enjoy dinner at Vue 1913 featuring a free appetizer with the edibles you met on your tour. Suitable for all ages and abilities. To register or for more info, see here. Three-hour foraging tours also available, year-round, by arrangement.

Wild food is the ultimate natural food: ultra-local, fresher, more flavorful, 10 to 100 times more nutritious than its garden-variety descendants, AND it’s free! With over 300 wild edibles, Western North Carolina is the richest temperate ecosystem on Earth. For a taste of the wild life, forage ahead and experience the life of a modern hunter-gather firsthand. It’s a unique experience in self-catering, a memorable lesson in high-class survival.

Craft Conversation Series Warren Wilson College
Jan 17 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Center for Craft

Join the MA in Critical Craft Studies for public conversations about research and projects connected to craft studies.

Craft Conversations is a five-part series organized by the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, and hosted at the Center for Craft in the heart of downtown Asheville.

These are not formal lectures. Instead, we invite you into the evening classroom of the MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, where you can hear how people conduct, analyze, share, and discuss their work on craft history and theory. Each presenter shares their work for 30 minutes each, followed by a discussion between presenters, MA students, and the audience for 60 minutes.

Programs begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public; reservations requested.

Monday, January 6 – Yasmeen Siddiqui and Shannon Stratton

Friday, January 10 – Student Pecha Kucha

Saturday, January 11 – Jen Delos Reyes and Namita Wiggers

Monday, January 13 – Sarah Khan and Ben Lignel

Friday, January 17 – Marilyn Zapf and Alicia Ory DeNicola

LaZoom Comedy: Scott Eason
Jan 17 @ 8:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Being from Huntsville, Alabama, Scott Eason knows what you’re thinking…and he’s here to shatter the Southern stereotype. Not your typical good ol’ boy, he brings a new sensibility to Southern comedy. He’s been featured on SiriusXM and the Comedy Central Roast Battle Podcast. He performs regularly at clubs across the southeast. Scott’s performed in clubs, bars, basements and comedy festivals all over the country, such as the Altercation Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Flyover Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival and Limestone Comedy Festival. In Spring 2020 you can catch him on Amazon’s new comedy series, Punching Below The Bible Belt.

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-scott-eason-tickets-86080813029

Doors at 8:30, show at 9pm

Saturday, January 18, 2020
Artist Opportunities: Asheville Area Arts Council
Jan 18 all-day
Asheville NC

Artist Opportunities

The Asheville Area Arts Council is pleased to share the following opportunities for artists that have recently been submitted to us. If you have any questions about an opportunity, please contact the listed organization.

The Asheville Area Arts Council does not endorse or recommend any specific opportunities, but provides this list for information only. We encourage artists to research each opportunity thoroughly before applying.

Call for Artists: NRCC Art Society

The North Ridge Country Club Art Society wishes to promote art and area artists, while also developing increased art appreciation within its membership. The NRCC Art Society continues to expand the permanent art collection in the clubhouse for members …

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January 3, 2020 – January 19, 2020

Call for Musicians: Chamber Music Raleigh

ANNOUNCING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NC-BASED MUSICIANS   Performance Venue: North Carolina Museum of Art, SECU Auditorium Dates: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 2pm or Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2pm Artists Fee: up to $2500   Submission Instructions:  …

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January 2, 2020 – January 24, 2020

Call for Artists: Shenandoah National Park

The Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists focused time to creatively explore the natural and cultural resources of this astounding landscape. It also allows artists the opportunity to share their work through …

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November 25, 2019 – January 31, 2020

Call for Artists: Zapow Juried Show

ZaPow Gallery, the premier Illustration and Narrative Art Gallery in the Southeast, will be hosting its Second Annual Juried Open Show March 2020. If you are an Illustrator or Narrative artist living in the WNC area this is your chance to show your wor …

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December 9, 2019 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Magnetic Theater

SPECIAL EVENT – ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL Script Submission Guidelines:   – The submission deadline is Saturday, February 1st at 11:59pm. – Plays should be between 10 and 30 minutes long, though there is a bit of wiggle room. – No more than 10 roles (prefe …

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January 3, 2020 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Chilkoot Trail Residency

The Yukon Arts Centre, the US National Park Service, Parks Canada and the Skagway Arts Council are calling for submissions for the 2021 Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program. Participants will combine their artistic abilities with a love of the outdo …

December 9, 2019 – February 11, 2020

Call for Artists: International Artist Residency

Open Call for 2020-21 International Artist Residencies at Farm Studio in Rajasthan, India The deadline for applications is 20th February, 2020. Residencies will take place October, November, December 2020 and January, February 2021. All residency infor …

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RiverLink’s Art & Poetry Contest Grades PreK-12
Jan 18 all-day
online
Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 18 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Pop-Up Brunch Black Bear BBQ
Jan 18 @ 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Black Bear BBQ

Join Black Bear Jan. 18 for a pop-up brunch featuring Candied Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Tasso & Grits, Smoked Trout Toast and more. This will be an open seating even and quantities are limited.

View full menu here!

The 19th Annual Fletcher Chili Cook-Off
Jan 18 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Veritas Christian Academy

The 19th Annual Fletcher Chili Cook-Off is free to enter, all types of chili will be accepted and awards given out, donations will be accepted to make improvements at Bill Moore Community Park, Veritas Christian Academy, 

Mountain Murders: A True Crime Podcast Live Show
Jan 18 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Meetup members pay just $10 at the door! Join the Western North Carolina based podcasters from Mountain Murders for an afternoon of true crime, comedy, booze and live audience participation!

Exploring Expressive Painting with Soft Pastel
Jan 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

FEBRUARY 3, 10, 17, & 24 (make-up, if needed: MARCH 2)—Mondays, 6–8 pm
Registration deadline: January 27

Soft pastel is the purest medium for painting vibrant colors. In this four-part class, explore color, texture, and design to create beautiful finished artworks. Practice blending, layering, and a variety of strokes and techniques, in addition to color theory, design, and individual expression.

Instructor Terrilynn Dubreuil has over 30 years’ experience encouraging people of all ages and abilities to realize they can be creative with helpful techniques and energy. With an undergraduate degree and graduate studies in fine art, she teaches most media through approaches that help newbies to more experienced artists, and everyone in between.

Student supply list

Adult Studio

The Museum’s studio program for adults offers a core curriculum in drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional media, and also explores the intersections between them. Local and visiting artists help students of all levels and abilities develop skills in media that reflect techniques and themes featured in the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. Classes meet for 3–12 weeks, and are designed for anyone interested in exploring specific media in depth; daylong workshops introduce new media or processes. To add your name to our Adult Studio mailing list, email Kristi McMillan, adult programs manager, or call 828.253.3227 x122.

LaZoom Comedy: Carter Deems
Jan 18 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Carter Deems is a stand up comedian, writer and friendly battle rapper originally from the town of Cartersville, Georgia (for real). He is a cast member on the upcoming Season 14 of the MTV show Wild ‘n Out and his YouTube videos have gained millions of views. Carter was a member of the writing staff for the TV show Drop The Mic on TBS and he is currently a writer on the Emmy nominated series Epic Rap Battles of History. He has made appearances on Funny Or Die, Snoop Dogg’s Gladiator School, Animation Sandwich and he voiced a character for the viral animated short ‘The Rap Off’. His Twitter account was featured in the 50 Funniest Tweets of 2016 on The Daily Dot and he was named the Funniest Battle Rapper of 2015 by Hip Hop DX’s Battlerap.com. Carter is a co-writer and producer for the scripted radio show Live: On Air Comedy on WXRW 104.1 Milwaukee. Carter does standup and battle rap across the country and has performed at the Comedy Store, UCB Franklin, Zanies Chicago, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, and the Asheville Comedy Festival.

Featuring Ryan Cox

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-carter-deems-tickets-86164695925

Sunday, January 19, 2020
RiverLink’s Art & Poetry Contest Grades PreK-12
Jan 19 all-day
online
Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 19 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Modelface Comedy Presents: Michael Palascak
Jan 19 @ 7:00 pm
The Mothlight

Comedian Michael Palascak
Live at The Mothlight
Sunday, January 19th
Doors 7pm
Tickets: $15

Michael Palascak was named the 2018 Stand-up of the Year by the Late Nite Last Week podcast for his performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. He’s also done stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Letterman, Comedy Central’s HALF HOUR, was a top 5 Finalist on LAST COMIC STANDING, and this past summer he performed at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival where he taped a set for Kevin Hart’s LOL network. Norm Macdonald said Michael reminds him, “…of a guy that’s just as funny offstage as on, which is like magic.” Michael’s short film You’re Alive was accepted into numerous festivals including the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Festival and was the winner of the Audience Award at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival.

http://www.michaelpalascak.com/

Featuring James Harrod and Kelly Morgan

Monday, January 20, 2020
Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 20 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Itch to Stitch Weaverville Library CANCELLED
Jan 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Weaverville Library

Itch to Stitch

Bring your current needle project and work while socializing with other like-minded crafters

Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Asheville Restaurant Week: Jan. 21 – 26
Jan 21 all-day
City of Asheville

 

Enjoy the tastiest cuisine of the city during Asheville Restaurant Week, presented by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, January 21-26, 2020! Participating restaurants will provide special menus or pricing. Click here for a full list of special pricing and participating restaurant menus. During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to more than 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Their commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States. This is one week not to miss!

Celebrating our Culinary Community

During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to nearly 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Our commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States.

 

Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 21 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Asheville Restaurant Week: Jan. 21 – 26
Jan 22 all-day
City of Asheville

 

Enjoy the tastiest cuisine of the city during Asheville Restaurant Week, presented by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, January 21-26, 2020! Participating restaurants will provide special menus or pricing. Click here for a full list of special pricing and participating restaurant menus. During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to more than 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Their commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States. This is one week not to miss!

Celebrating our Culinary Community

During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to nearly 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Our commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States.

 

Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 22 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Reception: Glass Center Artists at The Mars Hill University Weizenblatt Gallery
Jan 22 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Mars Hill University Weizenblatt Gallery

The Mars Hill University Weizenblatt Gallery is showing a collection of works created by North Carolina Glass Center artists. The reception will be held on Wednesday, January 22. You’ll have an opportunity to see the works and to meet and talk with the artists. The exhibition runs daily through February 6.

Weizenblatt Gallery is in the Moore Fine Arts Building on the Mars Hill University campus.  As always, the reception and the gallery are free.

Thursday, January 23, 2020
Asheville Restaurant Week: Jan. 21 – 26
Jan 23 all-day
City of Asheville

 

Enjoy the tastiest cuisine of the city during Asheville Restaurant Week, presented by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, January 21-26, 2020! Participating restaurants will provide special menus or pricing. Click here for a full list of special pricing and participating restaurant menus. During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to more than 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Their commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States. This is one week not to miss!

Celebrating our Culinary Community

During Asheville Restaurant Week, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that doesn’t embrace the key tenets of farm-to-table dining. Asheville is home to nearly 250 independent restaurants, 20 regional tailgate markets and a growing number of craft breweries. Our commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, has earned Asheville the designation as one of the top ten food and wine destinations in the United States.

 

Into the Blue: Artist Invitational 2020 at Blue Spiral
Jan 23 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Blue Spiral

Blue Spiral 1’s most diverse annual exhibition presents artists who have never previously shown in the gallery. This year’s show features nine artists working in a range of media, including painting, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, photography, and wood.

Artists: Anna Buckner, Mark Flowers, David Knox, Hiromi Moneyhun, Kris Rehring, Ben Strear, Gregor Turk

Into the Blue_ Artist Invitational 2020

Thirsty Thursday
Jan 23 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Margaret and Maxwell

Every Thursday through March, enjoy a 5oz glass of wine for half-price.

A great way to discover a new wine for the new year.

Cheers and hope to see you soon!

Le Vine Nior/Le Beir Noir (Tasting in the DARK!)
Jan 23 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Conundrum

WHAT IT IS… An experience unlike anything you have ever dreamed imaginable. Your host will engage your mind with charm and wit, and immerse your heightened senses of taste, smell, hearing and touch, while you sip five types of wine in complete darkness. Wine pours are paired with tasteful snacks, one liners, and hilarious hijinks. OR our beer tasting experience will take you on a journey of humor, tasting of five local beers, fun beer-friendly pairing, sight deprivation and enhancement of all remaining senses. The lights will be off, and this is not considered a meal. Designed for adults only, 21 and up. 50-60 minutes.

IMPACT!
Jan 23 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Pink Dog Creative

IMPACT!

IMPACT! is about humans’ affect on the environment. It embraces our negative impact on the environment, as well as solutions for the problems we have created, success stories and the hope for a better tomorrow. Come join us as we creatively explore this topic. The show encompasses a variety of artists who all have studio spaces in Pink Dog Creative. Each artist takes to this show, a unique way to express and interpret the theme. From oil paintings, to stained glass, to jewelry and much more, each artist uses their own unique styles and creative talents to show how humans have affected the environment in which we live. Exhibiting artists include Joseph Pearson, Karen Brown, Pat Phillips, Patti Anastasi, Lucy Cobos, May Rhea, Sandi McAllen, Ralph Burns, Noel Yovovich, Stephanie Grimes, Leene Hermann, Andrea Kulish and more.

Fermented Pairings Series AVL: The Secrets of Homemade Pizza II
Jan 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
White Labs Kitchen & Tap