Ignite your interest with a new hobby

You know the scene. You’re at a party, making small talk, and someone hits you with the dreaded, “So what do you do for fun?” Well no longer will you have to fumble around for an answer — because we’ve gathered just a few of Asheville’s classes, clubs, leagues, and groups to help you immerse yourself in a new hobby.

Get cooking

Host a dinner party to impress your friends, shake up your weeknight dinner routine, try a healthy new diet, or explore a different culinary world.

• The Asheville Kitchen, 384 Merrimon Ave. | Hone individual cooking and baking skills, learn to create full dinner menus, or attend a perfect-for-date-night dinner for two class.
• Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr. | The full culinary calendar covers everything from Indian, Italian, or Moroccan cuisines to the principles of clean eating.
• Cook With K., Candler | Perfect the pie basics or master Mexican street food thanks to the expertise of Chef Marcella Kirakossian.
• Cottage Cooking, 40 Barnard Ave. | In classes all about collaboration, you’ll meet new friends while you cook great meals together.
• The Crunchy Baker, various locations | Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a brand new baker, you’ll find a class for your skill level.
• Dogwood Cottage Baking, 175 Weaverville Rd., Ste. V | Perfect your pies and your pastas with classes in savory and sweet baking.
• Homemade Pasta Noodles, 719 Maple St., Hendersonville | Classes in gnocchi and tortellini, fettuccine and cannelloni will expand your palate and your prowess.
• Sweet and Southern Bakery, various locations | This expert in all things cookies and cakes will take your decorating skills to the next level.

Photo by AVLtoday

Be creative

Hidden artistic talents might be just below the surface, waiting for you to try your hand at glassblowing, pottery, painting, and more.

• 310 Art, 191 Lyman St., Ste. 310 | The art gallery + educational space will introduce you to the world of fine art — like oils, wax, and watercolor.
• ArtPlay, 372 Depot St., Ste. 44 | Let the RAD spirit fuel your creativity with classes in watercolor, mixed media, and more.
• Fired Up! Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St. | Learn to throw on the pottery wheel or put paintbrush to clay to add a little flair.
• Flatiron Writers Room, 5 Covington St. | Hear expertise in everything from reinvigorating your craft to the power of place, literary agents to perfect pitches.
• Local Cloth, 408 Depot St., Ste. 100 | Get acquainted with the fiber arts — fabric dying, stitched collages, even paper making.
• Majik Studios, 348 Depot St., Ste. 140 | Learn the centuries-old art of marbling, and see your patterns come to life.
• Monet & Chardonnay, various locations | This mobile paint and sip company will be stopping by your favorite brewery to teach you some artistic skills while you enjoy a cold drink — check out the schedule to see where it’ll be.
• NC Glass Center, 140 Roberts St., Ste. C | Dip your toes into the glassblowing world with a one-day class or dive headfirst with an eight-week course.
• Odyssey Clayworks, 236 Clingman Ave. | Time to break the mold (figuratively, of course) and give the pottery wheel a whirl.
• Penland School of Craft, 67 Doras Trl. | Here you’ll find every crafting discipline under the sun and no shortage of creativity — sign up for a workshop in painting or photography, letterpress or textiles.
• Purple Crayon, 50 N. Merrimon Ave., Ste. 111 | Try your hand at collages, macrame, pastels, and more in this creative space for women.
• Sew AVL, 56 S. Lexington Ave. | Get your creative juices flowing during an upcycling class, where you can stitch new life into your old clothes
• The Writer’s Workshop of Asheville, mostly online | This group has been serving writers since 1985 (and just recently expanded to Austin, TX) and offers workshops for writers of all skill levels.

Photo by Studio Misha Photography, via Asheville Community Theatre

Step on stage

Test out that stand-up routine you’re pretty sure will get you on Comedy Central, unleash your Oscar-worthy monologue, or sing your way to the Grammys. The spotlight is calling your name.

• Misfit Improv & Acting School, 573 Fairview Rd., Unit 21A | It’s time to “yes, and” your new hobby. Let loose and learn the skills of improv or acting during a basic course.
• Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. | No experience is necessary to get involved + audition for everything from upbeat musicals to classic stage shows.
• Montford Park Players, 92 Gay St. | They’re the talented players behind Shakespeare in the Park, but even if you’re not up for the Bard, you can find auditions for plays throughout the year.
• Open mics, various locations | Whether music or storytelling or comedy, Asheville plays hosts to dozens of open mics every week — check out our calendar of events to find your stage.

Start sweating

There are plenty of ways to get your heart rate up, look after your health, and have a little fun with a new skill or forgotten favorite.

• Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, 20 Commerce St. | Get on your feet for ballet, tap, acrobatics, jazz, composition, or even fencing.
• Asheville Parks and Recreation Adult Leagues, various locations | Leagues in all kinds of sports are offered throughout the year by the Parks and Rec Department.
• Asheville Sport and Social Club, various locations | Athletes of any skill who are over 21 can team up for bowling, dodgeball, kickball, cornhole, soccer, softball, and more.
• Cultivate Climbing, 73 Amboy Rd. | If you’re not quite ready for the face of a mountain (or just like the air conditioning), strap in for some indoor rock climbing.
• Danceclub Asheville, 9 Old Burnsville Hill Rd. Ste. 3 | Step into your heels for classes in pole dancing, chair, hip hop, aerobics, belly dance, heels choreography, and floorwork.
• Empyrean Arts, 32 Banks Ave. Ste. 107 + 108 | It’s fitness in an unconventional way — through pole dancing, trapeze, and aerial silks.
• Riveter, 701 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River | Build your strength, master the basics, or take it to the next level with climbing instruction (and then stop by the taproom).

Photo via @wildabundance

Explore the outdoors

There’s no shortage of outdoor activities in Asheville, but if you want more direction than just to take a hike, these clubs and classes can introduce you to the world outside.

• Asheville Astronomy Club, various locations | Become a regular at the public stargazes or stop by a club meeting to get some astronomical education.
• Asheville Mushroom Club, various locations | Foray for fungi around WNC through day trips and camping excursions or attend monthly presentations at East Asheville Library to hear all about mushrooms.
• Blue Ridge Audubon, various locations | Serving Buncombe and Henderson counties, this Audubon Society chapter offers talks, special events, and bird outings to both members and nonmembers.
• Carolina Mountain Club, various locations | Join the club for weekly hikes all around the area — whether you’re up for a half-day jaunt or a full-day adventure.
• Wild Abundance, 65 Sanford Way, Weaverville | Work with your hands and understand a little more about the ecosystem with classes in foraging, carpentry, holistic gardening, and permaculture and even an online gardening class.

Did we miss your favorite hobby? Let us know.