Get the party started

Make a game plan for grub

• An Evening with Empire Strikes Brass | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $20-$25 | Celebrate Mardi Gras with the thunderous beats and infectious rhythms of the local brass funk rock ensemble.
• New Moon Circle | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | West Asheville Yoga Studio, 602 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $25-$35 | Return to nature with a conscious, intentional flow led by Sierra Hollister.

• Filling in the Blanks: Poetry Reading & Book Signing | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 4-6 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | Free with admission | First Poet Laureate of Greenville, SC and 2023 Poet Laureate Fellow of the American Academy of Poets Glenis Redmond will share some of her award-winning works and sign books.
• Silly Love Songs: A Valentine’s Cabaret with the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 5-7 p.m. | Hilltop Event Center, 21 Restaurant Ct., Asheville | $50-$250 | Chorus soloists and small ensembles will have you feeling the love as you enjoy festive beverages and chocolates included in your ticket.

• Dear Valentine: A Love Letter Writing Workshop | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 2-4:15 p.m. | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $35 | Learn to capture meaningful sentiments, whether you’re writing to your lover, your pet, or yourself — and leave with a wax-sealed envelope and letter.
• Asheville Mardi Gras Parade and Queen’s Ball | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 3:05 p.m. | South Slope, Begins at Southside and Coxe Avenues, Asheville | Free | The theme for the 17th annual parade is “Secret Garden” — head to The Funkatorium after the parade to keep the party going with live music, awards, a photo booth, and food + drinks available for purchase.

• Financial Starters | Monday, Feb. 12 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | This workshop aims to bridge the racial divide in personal finance for teens and young adults, providing education on securing your financial future.

• It’s official. The Master BBQ food truck is open for business at Zillicoah Beer Co. You can enjoy its traditional Filipino flavors Mondays-Thursdays, 2-8 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 12-9 p.m., and Sundays, 12-8 p.m.

• Asheville Sandwich Company announced via social media that it will close its storefront at 794 Haywood Rd. The location’s last day of service will be Saturday, Feb. 24, but it will continue to offer catering and Group Trailboxes. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Get your game face on. Registration is open through Friday, March 1 for the Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and SilverArts. The games include six weeks of competitions + demonstrations in sports ranging from bowling to badminton. Silver Arts competitions include everything from weaving to watercolor.

• Things are heating up at Sauna House. The local business announced that it will soon expand with six new locations across the country, including spots in Charleston, Raleigh, Greenville, and Denver.

• So you have your grocery list, but where can you find the best bargains? Comparing prices of 18 staple items across nine local grocery stores, Aldi took the crown with the lowest overall prices. See how the supermarkets stack up. (Asheville Watchdog)

• Two projects were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission — London Road apartments, with 208 units at 21 London Rd., and a Kessler Collection hotel, with 99 rooms, a restaurant, and retail space at 10 Kitchin Pl. Both projects will go before City Council for final approval on Wednesday, Feb. 27. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Need a Valentine’s Day gift for the dog lover in your life? Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is delivering Puppygram packages that include a mini succulent from B.B. Barns, a cupcake, a personalized card, and 20 minutes of snuggles with one of its rescue pups. Place orders by Monday, Feb. 12.

• Do you have a local love story? Submit your memories to our local love map by the end of today, Friday, Feb. 9, for a chance to be featured in the newsletter. Psst — putting your love on the map makes a nice surprise for your sweetheart.

• President’s Day sales are right around the corner, and Enza Home Furnishings is offering a full 30% off store-wide. Custom design your perfect furniture piece with newly arrived upholstery frames in leather and fabric, or finally find a mattress that feels just right.*

• Looking to take your trade skills to the next level? MB HAYNES has an immediate need for two Sheet Metal Mechanics in the Asheville area. The employee-owned business has been in operation for 100+ years and offers opportunities to learn while you earn with in-house apprenticeship programs. See openings + apply.*

• Private + spacious 4BR, 3 BA home in the heart of Black Mountain | 1,149 sqft. | $459,000 | This charming single-level residence includes stylish updated interiors, an enormous fenced-in backyard with a porch and hot tub, and a garage with all the storage space in the world.*

• Planning to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday? Stream it with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription — get 30 days free with code GOAT.*

• We’re excited to share that 6AM City, our parent company, closed its Series A funding round led by the media company, TEGNA. This partnership means continuing to deliver the same hyper-local news and events while expanding our reach to new readers and communities. Learn more.