Hi, Asheville. It’s Brook coming at you, and I am shocked that it’s already February. Less surprising are all the opportunities for fun taking place here during its first weekend. Whether you want to commemorate Black History Month, take in live music, indulge your creative side, or shake a tail feather, you’ve got plenty of chances to live it up and have a blast.
Here are 12 fabulous events happening this weekend, Fri.,Feb. 3-Feb. 6:
Friday, Feb. 3
First Fridays on The Block | Fri., Feb. 3 | 5-8 p.m. | Noir Collective AVL, 39 S. Market St. | Free | Kickoff Black History Month and celebrate the 130th birthday of the historic YMI Cultural Center with an art reception and spoken word.
Squirrel Nut Zippers & Dirty Dozen Brass Band | Fri., Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. | $30-$33 | Enjoy an evening of rousing swing and jazz-infused original tunes from this NC band.
Silver Stacking Rings | Fri., Feb. 3 | 2-4 p.m. | Ignite Jewelry Studios, 191 Lyman St., Ste. 262 | $80 | Learn the techniques you need to fuse the silver, hammer, and polish a set of three textured stacking rings.
19th Annual Miniatures Show Reception | Fri., Feb. 3 | 5-8 p.m. | American Folk Art & Framing, 64 Biltmore Ave. | Free | Admire small but mighty American Folk art works.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Funk’n Disco Fever Dance Party | Sat., Feb. 4 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. | $12-$15 | Wear your dancing shoes to this all-ages dance party featuring funk and disco classics from DJ Oso Rey and DJ Solstice.
Moroccan Tagine Cooking Class | Sat., Feb. 4 | 4-7 p.m. | Asheville Mountain Kitchen, 332 E. Sondley Dr. | $85-$170 | Learn to make lamb tagine with dried fruit and preserved lemons, couscous, vegetable sides, and mint tea and Moroccan doughnuts for dessert.
North Asheville Tailgate Market Winter Market | Sat., Feb. 4 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | UNC Asheville, 3300 University Heights | Free entry | Shop from an array of locally grown, produced, and prepared foods at the North Asheville Tailgate first winter market of 2023.
Prayer Flag Marbling | Sat., Feb. 4 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Magik Studios | $35-$50 | Learn to decorate your own Tibetan cotton prayer flag.
Sunday, Feb. 5
Community Clothing Swap | Sun., Feb. 6 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Retro Coffee, 2619 Sweeten Creek Rd. | Free | Browse gently used clothing pieces while enjoying coffee and treats.
Folk Medicine: Make your own Fire Cider | Sun., Feb. 5 | 1 p.m. | Faery Glen Nature Retreat, 99 Tree House Ln., Burnsville | $25 | Register in advance for this class that includes all the supplies you need to create your own immune-boosting fire cider.
Winter Flow Yoga Class | Sun., Feb. 5 | 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. | One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd. | $15 | Bring your own mat to this all-levels yoga class from Burning Sage Yoga.
Standup Comedy Hosted by Morgan Bost | Sun., Feb. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Ave. | $14 | Skip dinner and a movie in favor of pizza, drinks, and a live comedy show.
500,000. That’s how many meals the Food Connection has delivered to folks throughout WNC since launching in 2015. The nonprofit’s mission is to redistribute food from restaurants, caterers, universities, and retirement homes that would normally get thrown away. Learn more.
Outdoors
DYK winter is an ideal time to see two of WNC’s native orchid species? The common puttyroot’s lovely gray-green oval leaves and the cranefly orchis’ bumpy, dark green and purple leaves are standouts in the winter. Learn how to identify and locate them.
Eat
Looking for a luscious meal pastability? Chef Katie Button has shared her take on the classic spaghetti carbonara. Made with spinach, lemon, and bacon, it’s an easily customizable dish suitable with nearly any leftover cooked vegetables you have on hand. Dig in.
Take a drive over the St. John’s on the Dames Point Bridge. | Photo by 6AM City
Planning a getaway? Spend some time getting to know Jacksonville, FL.
The River City has so much to explore as the largest city by landmass in the US. Whether you are looking for family-fun with a day at the Jacksonville Zoo, a pro football game at TIAA Bank Field, or a relaxing beach day — here’s your guide to a few days in Jacksonville that will have you screaming DUUUVAL.
Why go?
The River City earns it’s name from the St. John’s River that empties into the Atlantic Ocean + Jacksonville has the most shoreline of any Florida city. It’s also the hometown of the rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Yellowcard.
Run, don’t walk to register for the Gate River Run, which is the largest 15K in the US. Listen to the music at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival — one of the largest free Jazz Festivals. Take a swing at seeing some of the best golfers at THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
Bonus message from our partner: If you’re looking to book this trip, Going offers all the affordable flight hacks from your home airport. Sign up here.*
What we’re buying for our cars:Dash cams. The REDTIGER Dual Dash Camera captures both the front and rear of your car and can be a lifesaver when it comes to contesting traffic violations and recording evidence of collisions. Plus, it connects to your mobile device. 🚦*
Travel
Dreaming of a tropical summer vacation? Us too. We’re eyeing this romantic villa with pristine views in Costa Rica and this charming beachfront cottage in St. Kitts. Or maybe we’ll splurge on a trip to Tahiti and stay in this beach house with a private pool. 🏝️ *
Wellness
Level up your sleep hygiene and wake up feeling well-rested with a little help from two top-rated products: this blackout sleep mask with ~9,000 five-star reviews and this sleek white noise machine complete with 31 different soothing sounds. 💤 *
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