Huddle up for these watch parties

• The Big Game Watch Party at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with $6 margaritas and mules, $4 hard seltzers, and $1 off craft beer drafts all day. There will also be wings and rib specials for the game.
• DSSOLVR is breaking out its super 150-inch projector, plus a fleet of brand-new TVs, for this year’s game. Bonus: Master BBQ will also be there serving up Filipino eats (think: meat skewers and more) to pair with ice cold beer.
• Bring your favorite dip to share at Lookout Brewing’s watch party in Black Mountain.
• Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. is hosting a free watch party at its 675 Merrimon Ave. location — just be sure to stop by and snag a wrist band in advance.
• Head over to Highland Brewing Co. for pitcher specials and bingo from 6:30-10:30 p.m.

Photo provided.

Special food deals

• Buxton Hall Barbecue is taking orders for wings, baby back ribs, pulled pork, pimento cheese, buffalo chicken dip — and even a whole smoked turducken. Place your order today, Feb. 10 by 12 p.m. for a game-day pickup.
• Pie.Zaa is offering buy one pizza, get one half-off for in-person or online orders on the day of the game.
• Farm Burger has created two specialty burgers to represent each team: The “Spiendini” for Kansas City and “The Whiz” for Philadelphia. They’ll both be available on game day for $10 apiece.
• Okay, technically this is the day before the Super Bowl — but we still recommend stopping by S&W Market for a plate of Chef Santiago Vargas’ award-winning wings, available at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 until sold out.

• Bullets and Bandaids Volume 4, “The Next Step” Tour | Friday, Feb. 10 | 4-8 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10-$20 | Explore 47 works of art made by Veterans and civilians that center around the theme of healing.
• Harry’s House Party | Friday, Feb. 10 | 9 p.m. | The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $10 | DJ Molly Parti spins all of Harry Style’s hits at this spirited dance party.

• Cupid’s Cocktails - Blacklight Party for Valentine’s | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 4 p.m.-1 a.m. | Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St., Asheville | Free | Dance the night away to fresh mixes from DJ Fresh Rosé and enjoy special Valentine’s Day-themed cocktails, desserts, and a steak special.
• Hidden In Plain Sight | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 2 p.m. | Black Wall Street, 8 River Arts Pl., Asheville | Free | Community elders will share struggles and triumphs of Asheville’s Black community.
• Hibernation Celebration! | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15-$20 | Marlene Thompson hosts an evening of stand up comedy, improv from Family Dinner, and storytelling and music with Laura Boswell, Hannah Kaminer, and Kathryn O’Shea.

• Cupid is Stupid Car Smashing | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 1-4 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing-Biltmore, 2A Huntsman Pl., Asheville | $5-$10 | Take all of those feelings and smash a car with it — there’s also the added option to purchase a “hex” for your ex.
• Sunday Funday Tea Dance Party | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 4-7 p.m. | Banks Ave. Bar, 32 Banks Ave, Asheville | Free | DJ EZ Boogie will bring the tunes for this LGBTQ+ dance party.

• Mountain Madre Tequila Dinner | Monday, Feb. 13 | 6 p.m. | Mountain Madre, 13 W. Walnut St., Asheville | $170 | This four-course dinner pairs each bite with a special pour of tequila — ticket price includes a meal for two.
• Wine Tasting: Austria Is For Lovers | Monday, Feb. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Rowan Coffee, 66 Broadway St., Asheville | $60 | Ethan Risinger leads a tasting of three Austrian wines.
• Music Movie Mondays Series: WATTSTAX | Monday, Feb. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Asheville | $15 | Watch a screening of “WATTSTAX,” the 1973 film documenting the all-star concert held in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, followed by a discussion led by music journalist Bill Kopp.

• 52º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain
• There’s a chance snow may return to the area this weekend in WNC’s higher elevations. Meteorologist Christiaan Patterson expects less than an inch in the Asheville area, but higher-elevation areas could see about four inches. ❄️ (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• The Buncombe County Dog Park, located inside the Buncombe County Sports Park at 58 Apac Circle, has announced it will close starting Wednesday, Feb. 15 for grounds work maintenance and the installation of shade structures. The park expects to reopen in early spring. 🚧

• Two West Asheville restaurants, Gypsy Queen Cuisine and Simple Café and Juice Bar, are temporarily closed for renovations. Gypsy Queen should reopen on Valentine’s Day after renovations + a major deep cleaning and Simple expects to reopen Saturday, Feb. 11. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Chef Luis Martinez — the one with the epic pozole recipe — is putting on an “Oaxaca California"-themed pop-up dinner at Outsider Brewing on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The meal kicks off at 6 p.m. and features four courses, including Oaxacan beans, scallops aguachile, pollo en adobo, and a chocolate tamal. There’s also the option to pair your meal with a beer flight. Get a ticket. 🫔

• $1.1 million. That’s how much the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded Buncombe County Justice Services. This grant will support the county’s work to safely reduce Buncombe County’s jail population and address racial inequities in the justice system. 💰
• $48,400. That’s the average salary for entry-level HVAC techs in the US. MB HAYNES is currently hiring HVAC techs for both residential and commercial jobs. Interested? See details + apply. 💡 *

• Rosie Brow + Waxing Studio plans to open this March in the Montford neighborhood at 1 Zilicoa St. Owner Melissa Frei, who has a background in both the art and beauty sectors, will offer all sorts of eyebrow and waxing treatments.

• Asheville Ideas Fest has announced it will return for a second year Tuesday, June 13-Saturday, June 17. This year’s event will feature lectures from guests like Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman. Early-bird tickets are now on sale. 🎟️

• Sit back, relax + laugh your way through the weekend. The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting Comedy Classic Weekend March 3-4 featuring headliners Maryellen Hooper and Craig Shoemaker. Snag individual tickets or turn it into a staycation by booking a package.*

• Here’s an idea that’s shuck-ond to none: Get an oyster boat catered from The Lobster Trap’s raw bar for your next special event. Read: They’ll bring the boat while you impress the guests. See catering options. 🦪 *

• Here’s your reminder that Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday. Don’t forget to order that special someone a bouquet of flowers that will leave a lasting impression. Psst — check out Floom, an online marketplace that partners with florists that deliver locally. Shop Floom’s selection of special edition Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *

• 59% of our readers recently told us they plan on traveling to Europe in 2023. Babbel’s user-friendly app gets readers speaking one of 14 different languages in as little as three weeks. Want to try it out? Snag 55% off your subscription today. 🌏 *