What: Throw a stone in any direction and you’ll hit traditional Appalachian music. Western North Carolina has more than its share of musicians, but it’s rare to see four legendary fiddlers in one place, on one screen. The premier of Four Master Fiddlers, a documentary about Paul Crouch, Arvil Freeman, Bobby Hicks and Roger Howell, […]
Grab a team and get ready to dance from noon to midnight to benefit the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center.
With only hours to spare, here are a handful of last-minute options for ringing in 2012.
What: Lunch breaks bring to mind soggy sandwiches and communal silverware, but they can also be a great time to get out of the office and get some exercise. Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department will offer low-cost lunchtime “rock” climbing at the Montford Climbing Wall. Participants will push themselves to scale this indoor […]
What: Conditions aren't the best this early in the season, but after after so many months of going without, schussing down the slopes is a blast. And there's no need to wait for natural snow: Local resorts are equipped with massive snow-making operations that are allowing them to open earlier than ever. So get the […]
At $3.26 a gallon, the average price of gasoline in Asheville this week is 28 cents higher than it was during the Christmas Holiday period last year, according to a new report by the AAA Carolinas.
What: Conditions aren't the best this early in the season, but after after so many months of going without, schussing down the slopes is a blast. And there's no need to wait for natural snow: Local resorts are equipped with massive snow-making operations that are allowing them to open earlier than ever. So get the […]
What: Whether a festive Christmas tree is scraping your living room ceiling, or you’d rather enjoy evergreens outside the home, take a break from the holiday stress and let someone else decorate the tree. Earlier this season, Black Mountain’s Deck the Trees initiative challenges local businesses and nonprofits to embellish a tree for all of […]
What: Pick up a guide and follow the little red line through the mountains of Mitchell and Yancey counties for a weekend of studio strolling. The Toe River Arts Council invites the public to see some topnotch artists in their elements. Learn how mugs, jugs, blown glass and basketry are made, and meet artists of […]
With the Thanksgiving crowds far away, it was a clear and cool day on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville on Nov 24. This scene: the Cowee Mountains Overlook, with its southward view not far from Waynesville. (photo by Margaret Williams)
What: Let’s face it — you probably won’t be first in line at any big box store this Friday. Rather than wait all morning for a big screen TV, skip the shopping and glide through the air instead. Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours will offer a special day of zip line excursions to benefit several […]
What: A morning jog with a dog can be a refreshing start to the day, but throw in several dozen canines and runners, and you’ve got yourself a pack of do-gooders. The Trails and Tails 5K will benefit the Asheville Humane Society and the Buncombe County Sports Park. Serious runners are encouraged to race (without […]
What: A morning jog with a dog can be a refreshing start to the day, but throw in several dozen canines and runners, and you’ve got yourself a pack of do-gooders. The Trails and Tails 5K will benefit the Asheville Humane Society and the Buncombe County Sports Park. Serious runners are encouraged to race (without […]
What: Grab your bicycle and join the Western North Carolina Alliance for a mountain-biking trek through the 15-mile Jack Rabbit Trail System in the Nantahala National Forest. The trip will be guided, so there’s no need for a map and compass (although proper outdoor gear is always encouraged). If you don’t have a bike, or […]
What: Western North Carolina is covered in swaths of bright autumn hues, and leaf peepers from Asheville and beyond are heading to the mountains. Not sure which one to pick? Head southeast to Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills. There are plenty of ways to get there. A drive through Hickory Nut Gorge, with […]
What: Romania is quite a trek for vampire lovers, so why not bring Count Dracula’s castle closer to home? Join Transylvania County’s Halloweenfest in downtown Brevard for its 29th annual celebration of all things ghoulish. The festival goes beyond costume contests and a candy bonanza. The afternoon will feature pumpkin bowling, a scary hay maze […]
What: Grab a pair of binoculars and take a bird-watching stroll through the beautiful fall foliage of James Lake State Park. With more than 100 species of birds migrating through Western North Carolina, this month is the perfect time to spy an eastern kingbird, a Cooper's hawk, a green-winged teal, a Tennessee warbler and many […]
This weekend brings literature, music, street festivals and wild animals. So put that wallet away and let the good times roll because these events all come for less than the price of a fast food value meal. While you’re here, share more budget-friendly happenings in the comments section below.
What: As the first crisp nights of autumn take hold, leaf peeping is on everyone’s minds. Sure, you can drive through any part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but Grandfather Mountain offers something unique. From the earliest yellows to the richest maroons, Grandfather Mountain’s wide range in elevation gives visitors a chance to see both […]
What: Pull on a pair of lederhosen or grab your dirndl for Sugar Mountain Resort’s Oktoberfest. This two-day event will feature Bavarian food (think bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels), along with hay rides and a chance to view the North Carolina High Country’s fall foliage from the resort’s ski lift. Of course there will be […]
What: The Little Cataloochee Church is just a tiny white cabin with a steeple, but it’s been worth a visit since 1889. The Friends of the Smokies will offer a moderately difficult, 6.5-mile hike to the church, and if the weather is good and time allows, hikers can watch an elk herd travel through the […]
