• Skate Jams Clinic | Friday, Jan. 12 | 5-6 p.m. | Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd., Asheville | $0-$3 | Get in a workout and a little fun while instructors spread the love of rollerskating.
• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | Friday, Jan. 12 | Times vary | AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $38-$62 | The Listeso String Quartet will play music from the famed composer in the glow of hundreds of candles.
• Emma Langford | Friday, Jan. 12 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $22-$42 | The Irish singer-songwriter will showcase her vibrant storytelling talents with a live performance — arrive at the Tina McGuire Theatre at 7 p.m. for an intimate pre-show discussion with the artist.

• Bluegrass Brunch | Saturday, Jan. 13-Sunday, Jan. 14 | 10 a.m. | Bold Rock Asheville, 39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Toe tap along to country tunes while sipping on cocktails and dining on Southern-inspired fare.
• When Doves Cry | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 6-9 p.m. | DSSOLVR, 63 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville | Free | Celebrate DSSOLVR’s fourth anniversary with a Prince-themed party, including special brews, merch, music, and a free pancake bar.
• Gluten Free Comedy | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr., Ste. 100, Asheville | $18 | Sip on a ginger beer while laughing with local and traveling comedians — this event is 18+.

• Alexis Drag Race | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 12-1 p.m. | Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $25-$60 | Alexis Black will host the competition as drag performers vie for the trophy — plus, the show is raising funds for Black Wall Street AVL.
• Sunday Salsa | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 5-8 p.m. | Event Center at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 200, Asheville | $5 | Learn the basics with lessons from 5 to 6 p.m., then dance the night away with DJ Mtn Vibez supplying the music.
• Coverfest III | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 5 p.m. | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville | $10 | Local bands will perform mini-sets of covers during this benefit event to raise money for Asheville Middle School’s annual 8th grade capstone trip to Washington DC.
• Hoveykraft Live Ambient Set | Sunday, Jan. 14 | 7-10 p.m. | The Well at Mountain Magic, 3 Louisiana Ave., Asheville | $10-$30 | Hear the electronic producer create a calm and textured atmosphere through ambient music.

• The inaugural Asheville Asian Culture Festival kicks off this Friday, Jan. 12 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 21. Over ten days, WNC AAPI will present more than a dozen events — from storytelling to film, cooking to conversation — at venues throughout the city (and selling out quickly). Find out more about the festival’s inception + a look at the lineup.

• It’s easy eating green. If you’re participating in Veganuary or just want to enjoy a plant-based meal, we’ve added to our guide to Asheville’s vegan and vegetarian restaurants. From food trucks to coffee shops, explore the offerings and give in to the tempeh-tion.

• At Bountiful Cities’ next Community Garden Network Workshop, Lauren “LB” Bacchus of Kudzu Culture will teach you all about how Kuzu, a kudzu root starch, is made. The free class will be held at George Washington Carver Edible Park on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. — spots are limited, so register to attend.

Why go?

• Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or a sucker for vintage shopping — Marietta, its town square, and its past offers something for everyone.
• Check out this guide on what to do, see, eat + drink in Marietta and this guide on Marietta’s museums.

Act like a local:

• Coffee: Tuck into Cool Beans Coffee Roasters for a flavored latte and a bag of in-house roasted beans to take home.
• Watch: Catch a play, musical, or concert at the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, which got its start as a major motion picture house in 1935.

Where to stay:

• Vrbo: Cheery Cottage with Farm, just four blocks away from the Marietta Square. (~$162/night)*