Calendar of Events

Explore regions such as Chile and Greece that produce vibrant, cool, and invigorating white wines that are perfect for summer. Advanced Sommelier Cara De Lavallade will explain how to identify grape varieties and discuss how the influence of acidity, alcohol, body, and sweetness play into the final product. Participants will receive six 2-ounce wine pours accompanied by cured meats and cheeses.

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.

Sponsored by Miriam & Vernon Skiles and Mary Todd & Jimmy Davis.

Birds use acoustic, visual, and even olfactory signals in social contexts that are important for successful reproduction and survival. Signaling works because it offers advantages to both the sender and receiver. Understanding how signals are used by birds to communicate provides insight into the amazing lives of birds.

Jackson Park Bird Outing, 8am-10am, Join the Blue Ridge Audubon Society for their monthly
bird walk at Jackson Park, meet at the Administration Building parking lot, located on Glover Street, and join the group to see the
many wonderful birds found at Hendersonville’s largest park

Join Mattie Decker, a certified forest therapy guide, for a relaxing two to 2.5 hour stroll through the forest at our stunning Grandfather Mountain. Through a series of invitations, you will have an opportunity to focus on being present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer.

“Forest bathing” is a walk in nature during which your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes as well as the world around you. Inspired by shinrin-yoku, (literally ‘forest bath’) the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, forest bathing walks invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for us, as well as our fraught ecosystems, and our community. Dr. Mattie Decker, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT).

Mattie is also a mindfulness teacher, a Zen practitioner, an Episcopal oblate, and a retired professor of education. She is also certified in wilderness medicine and first aid. Mattie’s says, “The forest is the therapist. The guide opens the doors.” As a guide she assists us in opening the doors of the senses, to deepen our relationship with nature, which is our own true nature.

Program Itinerary (10 a.m. until 1 p.m.)
10:00:  Meet at the Woods Walk Picnic Area
Located about a third of a mile from the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate along the park road. We begin with an Introduction to Forest Bathing, the watershed and history of the ancestral lands of the walk.

10:15: Experience the forest and trails along the loop, with a variety of “invitations” to explore our relationship with the forest and “more than human world” of nature, and we will end with a tea ceremony with tea made from plants of Grandfather Mountain.

Registration
This Adult Field Course costs $40 for general admission and $34 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club, plus tax. Attendance is limited to 20 participants. Registration opens on this page on May 22 at 9 a.m.

Your program cost includes admission into the park, field instruction, and transportation during your program (you may drive your own vehicle to visit sites on the mountain if you would prefer). It does not include meals or lodging. Bringing a bagged lunch is recommended for most field courses, although Mildred’s Grill will be open to attendees. Tips are not accepted for field courses. However, donations to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are accepted if you would like to recognize a program.

General Clothing List
Much of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain, snow or shine. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment, and footwear are very important.

Equipment

• Daypack with enough room to carry extra clothing, water, lunch, camera, etc.
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hiking boots
• Binoculars

Equipment Specific to this Course

• Sturdy hiking boots or closed-toed shoes are required
• Long pants and preferably long sleeved shirts are strongly encouraged
• Any snacks or items needed for personal care (there is a public restroom at the Woods Walk Picnic Area)
• A sit-pad will be provided

Refunds/Cancellations
Adult Field Courses generally sell out and have a waiting list associated with the event. If you cannot attend the field course that you are registered for, a full refund will be granted within a 5-day notice of the day of the field course. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. We ask that individuals who are sick with any illness to stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants, our staff, and the field course instructors – refunds will be granted to these individuals.

More about Field Courses
We at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are excited to share the unique wonders of the mountain with you. Since 2008, GMSF has aimed at creating educational programming that deepens understanding through in-depth study and field research. Our goal is to provide you with a rich experience in a particular field of study, and to also provide a safe and memorable trip to Grandfather Mountain. Read more about Field Courses.

Join scenic designer Erinn Hartley to pick up some basic set painting know-how, then dive into more detailed painting skills. The morning session will encompass surface prep, paint selection, tools, and standard techniques. The afternoon session will delve into special texture skills such as highlights & shadows, stone or brick painting, and other wall texture creation. Walk away from this multi-part session feeling confident that you can volunteer or join a production team with scenic painting fundamentals in hand.

About the instructor: Erinn is the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of Anam Cara Theatre Company, the Artistic Director of the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, and the Education Director at LEAF Global Arts. Additionally, since moving to Asheville in 2008, Erinn has worked as a freelance designer, director, scenic artist, actor, and educator in companies that include NC Stage, Attic Salt Theatre Company, Asheville Community Theatre, and Brightstar Touring Theatre.

We are excited to share that XP League Asheville will have its Open House activities over the next few Saturdays where early sign-ups will receive a Founding Member discount for life. Are you thinking “What is XP League?” 🙂 A few years ago the founders of this NC based franchise recognized that online video game environments could be extremely toxic, so they created a league where kids ages 7-17 could join a team and play in person against other youth teams across the country while enjoying a safe environment, PCA certified coach-led sessions, and receive training on how to play with a positive mindset. Please scroll down to the calendar on this website to book the session that you want to attend:
https://asheville.xpl.gg/home

Join Us This Sunday for a Traditional Game Day. Sunday Funday the Old-Fashioned Way!

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang!  Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Cafe will be offering special snacks and cocktails including $6 local beers and ciders, and freshly popped old-fashioned popcorn to enjoy while you play and enjoy a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.

The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.