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.

Keeper For A Day at Grandfather Mountain

Mar 28 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

Grandfather Mountain

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to interact with the animals, clean up, prepare food and provide enrichments. Observe various training sessions, animal behavior and the inner workings of the animal habitats.

Requirements:

Limited to two persons per day. No pets allowed in habitat area. Keepers for a Day must:

— be 12 years of age or older
— be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain
— sign a waiver of liability

Expected Daily Schedule:

Arrive at 8 a.m., meet the keepers, and go to work! Assist as we let out the animals, feed them and clean their habitats. You may be asked to lift and carry animal food, tools or other items. Learn about training and providing enrichments. End your exciting shift at 11 a.m.

What to Wear:

You will get dirty! Please wear appropriate, closed-toe hiking or work boots and no loose jewelry. Coats, jackets, gloves and hats are recommended for cooler weather. Please bring sunscreen.

Weather:

Keeper for a Day will continue on schedule regardless of weather conditions. In the event that weather conditions could affect the opening of the habitats, you will be contacted.

The weather on Grandfather Mountain can change at a moment’s notice. Temperatures are commonly 5 to 10 degrees colder than what they are at the bottom of the mountain in Linville. It is recommended that you dress in layers and be prepared for any weather condition.

2019 Keeper for a Day Dates

Month	Days	Time	Number
April	2, 9, 16, 23, 30	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
May	7, 14, 21, 28	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
June	4, 11, 18, 25	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
July	2, 9, 16, 23, 30	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
August	6, 13, 20, 27	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
September	3, 10, 17, 24	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day
October	1, 8, 15, 22, 29	8 a.m.-11 a.m.	limited to two people per day

Reservations:

Keeper for a Day must be booked at least one week in advance by calling (828) 733-8715. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Price:

The cost is $75 per participant ($60 each for Bridge Club members). Admission to the park is included.

Categories: Family Fun Outdoors

Workshop: Historic African American Cemeteries

Mar 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

St. John-A-Baptist Church

Participants of all ages and abilities are invited to join local and state experts from the South Asheville Cemetery Association and North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for a hands-on workshop to learn how to preserve, protect, record, and care for historic cemeteries.

This is a FREE workshop but RSVP required. Lunch provided.

RSVP: https://www.wnchistory.org/event/historic-african-american-cemetery-workshop/?utm_source=Western+North+Carolina+Historical+Association&utm_campaign=60caba1af3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_23_05_25_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7424f63c4d-60caba1af3-329482143

Categories: Community Education

The Botanical Gardens : Are You Bearwise?

Mar 28 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Botanical Gardens

BGA BUTLER ROOM

Ashley Hobbs, Assistant Furbearer and Black Bear Biologist for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will discuss the natural history of black bears in western North Carolina and how one can use that information to safely coexist with these North Carolina treasures. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Among the topics covered will be : * The new BearWise initiative which provides ways to prevent conflicts as well as resources to resolve problems and which encourages community initiatives to keep bears wild. * The next phase of the Urban-Suburban Bear Study in Asheville. For more information on how to coexist with bears, visit http://bearwise.org

Ashley Hobbs is the Assistant Black Bear and Furbearer Biologist for the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with A Bachelor’s in Forestry Resources with an emphasis in Wildlife Science. She has a background in human-wildlife conflict mitigation and has worked all over the southeastern US in addition to parts of southern Africa.

Participants must pre-register for classes: 828-252-5190.

This class is free, registration required.

Limit 30

Categories: Education Garden

NRC Slalom US Open Postponed

Mar 28 @ 3:00 pm

Nantahala Outdoor Center

NRC Slalom US Open

Date: March 27- 28, 2020

Age: All ages

Elite slalom paddlers strive for precision and speed on the legendary Nantahala Falls course at this classic southeastern race. Meanwhile, wildwater racers compete in sprint and classic components on the Nantahala River.

Spectators are invited to enjoy the show from the Forest Service walkway along the Nantahala Falls, which affords excellent views of both races. Bring a cup of fresh coffee or hot cocoa from River’s End Restaurant, located just downstream of the race course, and warm your hands as you enjoy US whitewater racing at its best!

Racers and their families will get 10% off at River’s End Restaurant for the weekend of the race! Just wear your US Open t-shirt in to the restaurant!*
*Excludes alcohol purchases.

Course Information

Slalom: Nantahala Falls Course (Class III)
Downriver Sprint: Patton’s Run Rapid (Class III)
Downriver Classic: Ferebbee Park to the Jumping Rock (Class II)

Categories: Outdoors Sports

The Merrell Adventure Dash CANCELLED

Mar 28 @ 4:00 pm

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Age: All Ages

The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Sports

Hendersonville Racquet Club adult beginner tennis classes

Mar 28 @ 7:00 pm

Hendersonville Racquet Club

Hendersonville Racquet Club is offering a six week series of classes for adult beginner tennis players. Try Tennis is a tennis instruction program for beginners. The Wednesday night classes are 7 pm. The cost is $40 for the six weeks and includes six hours of instruction, a tennis racquet and a Try Tennis t-shirt. April 8-May 20.

“Try Tennis is a great program we do in partnership with the NC USTA. Their help allows new players to get from couch to court in six weeks at half the price it would normally cost…plus they get a t-shirt and racquet! We will teach you the right way to play with certified tennis pros. This is a great program to get into tennis for adults.” stated HRC Owner Chris Bull.

All classes are taught by certified tennis professionals and will be held on HRC’s outdoor or indoor courts. To register or for more info go to www.hvillerc.com or contact 693-0040 or e-mail [email protected].

Hendersonville Racquet Club is a six acre complex that includes 7 outdoor tennis courts, 3 indoor tennis courts, four racquetball courts, three pickleball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, group fitness room and outdoor leisure area by Shaw’s Creek and pond.

Categories: Education Sports

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Asheville restaurants where you can feed your child for free while school is out

Mar 29 all-day

Asheville Restaurants

Old Europe downtown will offer a free breakfast pastry and juice to any school-aged child from 7 a.m.-noon.

The door will be open for walk-in or call for curbside pickup, said an employee at the store.

“We hope this can help our community and reduce any struggles of replacing a school meal,” said the owners on Facebook. 13 Broadway St., 828-255-5999.

White Duck Taco Shop: One free regular priced taco for school-age children per day, Monday-Friday for lunch or dinner.

Baked Pie Company: Brown bag lunches will be available for school-age children, Tuesday-Saturday. Available at the Arden location, 4 Long Shoals Road from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Call ahead for curbside pickup: 828-333-4366.

Biscuit Head Biltmore: This popular biscuit shop has shifted to take-out only at its Biltmore location, with the request that customers call in orders. The West and South Asheville locations are now closed. Call 828-505-3449. Pick up at 417 Biltmore Ave., suite 4F.

ConoSur: This Mills River restaurant will serve one free burger and fries to kids while schools are closed. Children have to be present. This restaurant has shifted to takeout only. 4195 Haywood Road, Mills River. www.conosurasheville.com. 828-513-1731.

Strada Italiano: Now through the end of March, this restaurant will offer a free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza to grade-school students during weekday lunch.

The offer is available for curbside service only. The restaurant opens at noon. Call 828-348-8448 to order. 27 Broadway St.

Copper River Grill: Through April 3, this restaurant offers a complimentary lunch for school-aged children from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Order anything from the kids’ menu, no purchase necessary. 1302 Hendersonville Road. Call ahead: 828-210-8999.

Sand Hill Kitchen: Call 828-633-6868 to request a free bagged lunch. Lunches include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, house-fried chips and pickles. Pick up in the drive thru at 491 Sardis Road.

Pescado’s Burritos: This Brevard restaurant offers free tacos for kids in need while schools are closed.

“If you or someone you know has children who may go hungry without a meal please come by and grab a taco, with chips and salsa,” they posted on social media. “No questions asked.”

The restaurant is asking diners to “pay it forward by and donating what you can spare. We can’t do this ourselves, the whole community needs to come together during this time of need.” 265 N Broad St., Brevard 828-884-5559.

Categories: Community Education

British Museum Virtual Tour Museum of the World

Mar 29 all-day

British Museum O-line

https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

THE MUSEUM OF THE WORLD interactive

Categories: Education Family Fun

National Museum of Natural History – Virtual Tours

Mar 29 all-day

National Museum of Natural History On-line

The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

Virtual Tour Tips

To navigate between adjoining rooms in the tours, click on the blue arrow links on the floor or use the navigation map in the upper right of the presentation screen.
Look for the camera icon which gives you a close-up view of a particular object or exhibit panel.
Try zooming in as some of the images are stitched together from individual pictures in order to create very high resolution giga-pixel images.

Available Tours

Hall of Fossils - Deep Time, Giant Sloth

Permanent Exhibits

Current Exhibits

Past Exhibits

Museum Support Center & Research Stations

The Burghers of Calais in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden

A Few Other Smithsonian Tours

Please note: This tour and these presentations have been tested and should work on all common devices, browsers, and operating systems (using a desktop computer with Windows, Mac, Linux or a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or Android). Functionality and appearance may vary as it will adjust automatically to accommodate the most visitors. Please let us know what you think of the tour and how the experience can be improved. Send your feedback to the NMNH Webmaster.

Categories: Art & Craft Community Education Family Fun

Tech after Five: PODCAST How to Work from Home Successfully

Mar 29 all-day

The world has changed. It’s probably changed for you. For many people, working from home is a new experience. How do you make that work? Even if you’ve been working remotely for awhile, you may be facing new conditions. You may have people or pets wandering in and out of your workspace when that’s not happened before. How do you make working away from others work for you? We’ve got some help for you, today.

We’ve got Carol Hamilton, a global communications expert to share with us some of her thoughts as she has worked with people and teams from around the world. How do you get your head right? How do you get your space right? How do you stay focused? How do you come to agreement with those around you on how you will create boundaries and work and life?

We’ve got some answers in this episode of the Tech After Five podcast.

Follow these steps:
1. Get Buy In From Your Household
2. Setting Your Environment for Success
3. Managing the potential for interruptions
4. Creating the Opportunity for Quality Contact with Colleagues
5. Keeping Yourself working with loops that preserve the self

Looking to connect with Carol Hamilton? Look for her on LinkedIn.

Categories: Community Education

The Journal of Black Mountain College Studies On-line Access and Submissions

Mar 29 all-day

Black Mountain College Studies On-line

A peer-reviewed open-access digital publication of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center (BMCM+AC). The Journal seeks to host diverse works by writers and artists of varied backgrounds. We welcome academic articles, essays, reviews, poetry, images and forms of artistic expression.

The latest issue of the Journal of Black Mountain College Studies is now online! Volume 10: Chance I Dance is an exploration of dance and performance at Black Mountain College featuring artists and interpreters of work both past and contemporary. The issue is replete with fascinating videos and photographs, as well as articles and poetry.

We welcome you to submit proposals and submissions for upcoming issues. At the moment, submissions we have already received are leading us to focus the next issue on pedagogies and practices of writing at BMC, and we can accept more contributions related to that theme.

Poetry, images, reviews, academic articles, essays, memoirs, archival material, and media are most welcome. We strongly suggest sending us an abstract or a proposal before you proceed to develop a finished submission. The only criteria are submissions of substance and integrity, and an evident connection with the history and heritage of Black Mountain College in all its diverse educational and artistic practices. Email us at [email protected]

Tom Frank
Julie J. Thomson
Co-Editors

Categories: Art & Craft Community Education

Verner Early Education: How to Keep Kids Engaged at Home

Mar 29 all-day

online

Early Education Home-Days: Socially Distanced But Still Connected

Even during social distancing, families and their early learners benefit from high-quality early education.

Like so many families in our community that are practicing social distancing and are fortunate to have the ability to do so, I am working from home. As early educators, we know very well the struggles of working from home while having little ones at your side. Verner staff are working remotely and supporting Verner families that are now practicing “home-days” while center-based care is suspended.

Some observations about home-days:

Early educators speak frequently about the importance of trusting connections and relationships and their importance for the development of children’s social-emotional intelligence and foundations for life-long learning. This is true for both children and adults! During these days of increased isolation, Verner’s early educators have all been asking what can we do to support families so home-days feel good for everyone and our community remains connected even if we cannot all be together at school right now.

Our staff are making these home-day suggestions available to the community:

https://www.vernerearlylearning.org/covid-19.html

We have also created a YouTube site so that our children can share videos that their teachers have recorded of themselves reading stories, going on an exploratory hike, etc.:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4dZ7hot37TIK8EYzgdnBcA

Buncombe Partnership for Children has also compiled a great list of supports for families:

https://buncombepfc.org/covid19/

Our community is coming together in amazing ways to support families through this transitional period.

We hope to back serving families in center-based care soon!

Verner Center for Early Learning fosters holistic learning environments where young children and families thrive.

Verner supports over 250 families with center-based and home-based services at four locations throughout Buncombe County. For more information please visit www.vernerearlylearning.org

Categories: Community Education Family Fun

CANCELLED: Haywood Road Cleanup with the West Asheville Business Association

Mar 29 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Haywood Rd

Haywood Road Cleanup with

the West Asheville Business Association

Saturday, March 29th

10am-noon

Categories: Community Outdoors Volunteers

The Merrell Adventure Dash CANCELLED

Mar 29 @ 4:00 pm

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Age: All Ages

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Sports

Hendersonville Racquet Club adult beginner tennis classes

Mar 29 @ 7:00 pm

Hendersonville Racquet Club

Categories: Education Sports

Monday, March 30, 2020

Asheville restaurants where you can feed your child for free while school is out

Mar 30 all-day