Joining the ranks

Other notable features

• Raclette Dinner Party with Gourmand | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Asheville | $5-$50 | Nosh on small bites, wine, and the melty goodness of raclette.
• Trolley La La La | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 5:30 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $5-$15 | Hop on a trolley to the Omni Grove Park Inn, dine at the oyster roast (oysters purchased separately), and enjoy tunes from Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights.
• Ugly Sweater Speed Dating | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Pillar Rooftop Bar, 309 College St., 6th floor, Asheville | $20 | Meet other singles in their 30s + 40s — you’ll know it’s the real deal if sparks fly while you’re wearing your tacky holiday threads.

• Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour 2023 | Friday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St., Asheville | $35-$65 | The ensemble will play festive songs, surrounded by over 2,000 candles.
• GRRL x Made of Oak with DJ Lil Meow Meow | Friday, Dec. 22 | 8 p.m. | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave., Asheville | Free | James Mapley-Brittle of GRRL and Nick Sanborn of Made of Oak (who’s also half of Sylvan Esso) will be playing club and dance beats for you to party along to.

• Krampus & Santa in the Cat Lounge | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | House of Black Cat Magic, 841 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $15+ | Bring your little ones to the holiday set to get photos with Santa or Krampus (or both) — plus 12 friendly kitties.
• Downtown Asheville Treasure Hunt | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 2-3 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | $12-$20 | The treasure map will guide you all around downtown as you follow clues and solve puzzles to find the grand prize.

• Public Tour: Romare Bearden | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 2-3 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | Join one of the Museum’s educators for a guided tour of the Romare Bearden “Ways of Working” exhibit, highlighting the artist’s works on paper.
• Sunday Jazz Jam | Sunday, Dec. 24 | 2-5 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Grab a seat to enjoy modern jazz music at this longtime weekly jam hosted by Jason DeCristofaro and Connor Law.

• The sun may set at 5:20 p.m. today, but good news is on the horizon... literally. Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the North Pole is tilted the furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year — which means the days will start getting longer.

• Former UNC Asheville women’s basketball player Sheila Ford Duncan will be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame this spring. During her career, Duncan was named the 1984 NAIA National Player of the Year and became the first player in women’s collegiate history to score more than 2,000 points and snag more than 2,000 rebounds.

• The US Department of Agriculture has released a proposal to alter forest management plans to conserve 128 old-growth forests — including the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests. The proposal’s review process is ongoing, but you can submit comments on the plan through Friday, Feb. 2. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Bounty of Bethlehem is gearing up to serve its 40th Annual Community Christmas Dinner in Hendersonville, offering a hot meal and a sense of belonging to anyone who needs it. The group is accepting donations of turkey, ham, and dessert through Monday, Dec. 25 and still has volunteer spots available to help out on the big day. (WLOS)

• See what’s in the stars for 2024. Join the Astronomy Club of Asheville on Friday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. for its first public star gaze of the year at Grassland Mountain Observatory. A temporary gate code will be posted on the club’s website on the day of the event.

• Beginning Friday, Jan. 26, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center will debut the “Vera B. Williams / STORIES” exhibit. Williams is widely known for writing and illustrating children’s books, but the exhibit will showcase the artist’s wider range of work, as well as her time at Black Mountain College and her activism.

• Do you have a real Christmas tree? Or maybe a wreath or two? Residents within City of Asheville limits can place these items at the curb for your regular brush pickup — but don’t forget to remove everything. See details + other disposal options.*

• Three. That’s the number of architecture awards Spruce Ridge Cabin, designed by Altura Architects, earned this year alone. Take a virtual tour of the nearly 6,000 ft elevation minimal modern cabin + learn how the team minimized its impact on the fragile ecosystem while shaping the inviting, harmonious space.*

• ICYMI, Ambiente Modern Furniture is offering couch-sized discounts on a huge selection of high-quality modern furniture pieces. This treasure trove for the design-savvy shopper includes luxe sofas, sleek dining sets, recliners, dressers, and more. See what you can upgrade.*