Small bites: Folkmoot celebrates polka music and Irish luck

CELEBRATING CULTURE: The Mountain Top Polka Band will perform at Folkmoot's latest Friendship Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, March 7. Photo courtesy of Folkmoot

Polka music and language lessons are just part of the latest Folkmoot Friendship Dinner, set to take place Thursday, March 7, at the nonprofit’s Waynesville location.

This month’s gathering, which spotlights German traditions, will also feature a meal prepared by German families from Haywood and Jackson counties.  The evening’s menu includes bratwurst, potato pancakes, red cabbage and Black Forest chocolate cake, along with German-style beer by BearWaters Brewing Co.

“Our purpose is always to help facilitate appreciation and understanding for our differences, but also for our common humanity,” says Angeline Schwab, the nonprofit’s executive director. “That being said, we work to make everything we present fun and educational. We keep our prices affordable, the food is good, and we hope the community will come see what we are doing. Attendees wearing lederhosen will be in good company at the German event.”

Later in the month, the organization’s focus will shift toward Ireland in time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. As in years past, Folkmoot is currently selling raffle tickets for its Saturday, March 16, event, which takes place this year at BearWaters Brewing Co. Each $20 entry earns participants the chance to win $1,000.

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Folkmoot’s year-round programming initiatives, which include the Southern Storytellers Series, Nashville Songwriters’ Nights, Friendship Dinners and communitywide events.

“Folkmoot is growing, and we appreciate everyone who is participating and buying tickets,” says Schwab. “It feels like our mission is more important than ever.”

The German Friendship Dinner runs 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Folkmoot Friendship Center, 112 Virginia Ave., Waynesville. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for students. Tickets for the Luck O’the Irish Raffle are now available. A winner will be selected at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at BearWaters Brewing Co., 101 Park St., Canton. For dinner or raffle tickets, visit Folkmoot.org or call 828-452-2997.

Acornucopia Project tasting event

The Acornucopia Project will host a four-course nut tasting event Tuesday, March 12. Tree crop farmer Bill Whipple will lead the class, and attendees will sample foods prepared by chef Jason Sellers of Plant, Susannah Gebhart of Old World Levain Bakery and Cathy Cleary, founder and former owner of West End Bakery.

The tasting runs 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Sow True Seed, 243 Haywood St. Tickets are $25. Ticket sales end Thursday, March 7. To purchase, visit avl.mx/5qi

Community cookout

On Saturday, March 9, Cooking with Comedy Catering founder Clarence Robinson and DJ Twan will co-host a community cookout. The free event will feature pulled barbecue beef, grilled chicken, green beans, potato salad, baked beans, honey rolls and cookies. “As our elders pass along, we’re losing our own love and values,” says Robinson. “It’s always a plus and a pleasure to be involved with trying to restore the values and visions that once kept our neighborhoods together.”

The cookout runs 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 9, at the Linwood Crump Shiloh Center, 121 Shiloh Road.

Asheville Wing War

All American Food Fights presents the eighth annual Asheville Wing War. Calypso, The Barrelhouse, Green Opportunities, Mojo Kitchen & Lounge and Blue Dream Curry House are among the 15 restaurants competing in this year’s event. VIP tickets are $50 and include wing samples and unlimited beer. General admission is $15 with $1 wings available for purchase.

Asheville Wing War runs 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Asheville, 1 Resort Drive. For details and tickets, visit avl.mx/5qh.

Women in Wine

The Market Place will host a wine pairing dinner Wednesday, March 13, with MetroWines and Mutual Distribution. The event will feature spring game paired with wines made by women winemakers from around the world. Menu highlights include pheasant galantine paired with grenache blanc, elk tartare paired with Ahurani pinot noir and wild boar pie paired with cabernet sauvignon.

Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at The Market Place, 20 Wall St. Tickets are $100, not including tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 828-252-4162 or email contact@marketplace-restaurant.com.

French wine dinner

On Thursday, March 14, La Guinguette will host a five-course French wine pairing dinner. Menu highlights include smoked trout gougere, duck a l’orange served with baked potatoes and beef carbonade served with wild rice. Wine pairings will include Domaine Antugnac chardonnay 2017, Chateau de Fontenille Bordeaux rouge 2016 and Caladroy muscat de rivesaltes 2017.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at La Guinguette, 105 Richardson Blvd., Black Mountain. Tickets are $60. For reservations, visit avl.mx/5qj or call 828-434-7810.

ASAP’s Community Supported Agriculture Fair

Interested in local produce and meats? If so, consider attending Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Community Supported Agriculture Fair. The free event offers opportunities for the public to subscribe to programs with area farms for receiving regular boxes of fresh, locally grown produce or meats throughout the growing season. Along with meeting local farmers, the event will also feature family-friendly activities and food tastings.

The fair runs 3-6 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at New Belgium Brewing Co., 21 Craven St. For more information, including a list of participating farms, visit avl.mx/5ql.

Sushi on the West Side

Sushi is now happening every Wednesday on Asheville’s west side at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall. The menu, designed by chef Jeffrey Porter, will rotate monthly and feature specialty rolls such as Porter’s signature kappa maki roll (beet-infused rice, asparagus and butternut squash). “There is really nowhere in West Asheville to eat sushi, so it’s a great way to connect with our community and give them something special every week,” says Porter in a press release.

Sushi on the West Side runs every Wednesday at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road. For reservations, call 828-575-2737.

Farm Burger’s catfish sandwich

Catfish is now available at Farm Burger. The sandwich will feature blue catfish topped with Farm Burger slaw and house-made pickled jalapeños. According to a press release, the restaurant sources its catfish from Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, where the fish is considered an invasive species.

Farm Burger’s Asheville locations are at 10 Patton Ave. and 1831 Hendersonville Road. For more, visit avl.mx/5qk.

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About Thomas Calder
Thomas Calder received his MFA in Fiction from the University of Houston's Creative Writing Program. His writing has appeared in Gulf Coast, the Miracle Monocle, Juked and elsewhere. His debut novel, The Wind Under the Door, is now available.

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