Why labyrinths?

Walk (or don’t) on World Labyrinth Day

• Pop-up a temporary labyrinth with tape, thread, pebbles, sidewalk chalk, or whatever you have lying around.
• Grab a pencil, paper, or tablet and draw a finger labyrinth to trace — or just print one.
• Teachers can celebrate World Labyrinth Day in Education Settings on Friday, May 5.
• Join The Labyrinth Society Global Group and ask how to build a permanent labyrinth.
• Register to collect data for The Big Connection, an ongoing labyrinth research study.

• Queer & Trans Yoga | Tuesday, May 2 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Down Dog Yoga, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Unwind with this inclusive + affirming yoga class led by Heart.
• Honey Badger Bakes Pizza Party | Tuesday, May 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Haywood Country Club, 662 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Eat a pizza bagel, grab a drink, and play some trivia at this nostalgic pizza party.

• Well-Crafted Wednesdays Songwriter Series | Wednesday, May 3 | 6-8 p.m. | Taproom At Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Ste. 200, Asheville | Free | Listen to local artists perform original songs and crowd favorites, curated by Highland Brewing’s Matt Smith.

• Beer Flight | Thursday, May 4-Friday, May 5 | Times vary | S&W Market - Highland Brewing Downtown, 56 Patton Ave., Asheville | $45-$55 | Enjoy the fine brews from multiple downtown breweries and the company of a hilarious drag queen wannabe flight attendant on this two-hour first-class “beer flight.”

• Asheville Herb Festival | Friday, May 5 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | WNC Ag Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd., Fletcher | Free | Known as the largest herb festival in the Southeast, this event showcases plants, books, soaps, herbal crafts, medicinal herbs, dried flowers + baked goods.

• Did the news about two new cat cafes get you as excited as a cat hopped up on catnip? Turns out, there’s a third cafe in the works for West Asheville. House of Black Cat Magic plans to open this spring in West Asheville at 841 Haywood Rd.

• Roots + Wings School of Art and Design is closing its doors after 14 years serving Asheville’s creative community. Founder Ginger Huebner will continue working from the Roots + Wings Creative Campus to support community art and outreach.

• The Genos Center, a $30 million art and educational center, may come to Asheville. California-based photographer and architectural designer Doug Busch will visit to assess support for the proposed multicultural art gallery, nondenominational chapel, and garden. See the renderings. (Ashevegas Hot Sheet)

• A new film by Patagonia centers the experiences of Warren Wilson College student Monte Cosby. “Monte: Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop” follows Monte’s journey from the public housing projects of Richmond to a nationally ranked cycling team.

• Strap in for the 2023 Get In Gear Festival at The Outpost, 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The event offers activities for all ages, including demo bike and e-bike rides, a pop-up bike park, riverboarding, and paddleboarding. Try clothing and equipment (and food) from local vendors.

• The Montford Park Players will open their 51st season with the premiere of “Wendy and Peter,” a Peter Pan story that follows Wendy Darling on the frontlines of World War I. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater and continue through June 17.

• The Seasonal School of Culinary arts will host its inaugural Wine in the Woods event on Sunday, May 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. Walk through the woodland around the Appalachian Trail with occasional stops to taste North Carolina wines and paired appetizer, joined by “Mountain Man” Eustace Conway.

• The Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Orchard is now open at 573 E. Main St., Franklin. Nikwasi Initiative Executive Director Elaine Eisenbraun explains, the orchard is “likely established on land that had once been farmed by Cherokee women,” and hopes to provide an educational experience on local agronomic history. (Mountain Xpress)

• The Great Smoky Mountains Association published a Junior Ranger Activity Guide on Saturday, coinciding with National Junior Ranger Day. After completing five activities in the 38-page interactive booklet, kids can be sworn in as Junior Rangers at any park visitor center.

• There’s no better way to savor the season than to savor the season’s bounty. Read: It’s strawberry season in NC. See the best places to shop (or pick) local strawberries courtesy of the N.C. Department of Agriculture’s searchable list of local farms, markets + more.*

• Passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion? East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is calling on educators, students, researchers + more to submit proposals for the Equity and Inclusion Conference in September. Proposals should cover topics and relevant issues that advance equitable and inclusive environments at ETSU and beyond. Submit before the May 15 deadline.*

• 14 days. That’s how long you have until Mother’s Day. The good news? That gives you just enough time to order a gift from Quince — a brand offering high-end and sustainable products at affordable prices. Think: European linen shorts, silk slip dresses, cashmere crewnecks + Italian leather totes. Shop now.

• The Grand Canyon (~5-6 million)
• Dinosaurs (~230 million)
• Trees (~385 million years)
• The Atlantic Ocean ~(150 million years)
• Pangea, the original supercontinent (~299 million years)
• Teeth (~370 million years)
• Saturn’s rings (~100 million years)