Dig into this perfect pie from Baked Pie Company. | Photo via Provisions Mercantile
Today is Pi Day, aka the day we use an infinite number as an excuse (not that you need one) to dish on the dessert. So grab a plate, we’re rounding up spots to celebrate.
The Rhu
Pastry Chef Mallory Foster is offering a stellar selection of treats, including chocolate cream pie, Atlantic beach pie, strawberry hand pies, and last but certainly not least, pimiento cheese + candied bacon hand pies. The cafe is going all out with wine pairings for each pie and pie-flavored coffee creamers on special.
Mattie Lou’s Cafe and Bakery
The new bakery is ringing in its first Pi Day with a stacked menu of sweets. Try out unique spins on the classics, like miso caramel apple pie and yuzu cheesecake. Bonus: There will also be plenty of St. Patrick’s Day treats.
If you need to crush your sugar rush, bust a move at Shakey’s with 3.14 hours of music.
Really Lucked Up | Friday, March 14-Sunday, March 16 | Times vary | DSSOLVR | Free | Get your greens in liquid form and fill your belly with Boy Howdy so you can enjoy a full weekend of live music, trivia, and coffee pop-ups.
Saturday, March 15
Artist ReLEAF Series | 4-6 p.m. | LEAF Global Arts | Free | Catch a pre-dinner show from the folk and reggae fusion duo Marisa and Josh Blake.
Asheville Community Talent Showcase | 7:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre | $10 | Asheville’s got talent — watch as people show off their skills on stage and get a sneak peek of the theatre’s production of “Into the Woods.”
Sunday, March 16
Honky Tonk Flea | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Eda’s Hide-a-Way, Weaverville | Free | Every third Sunday, the bar is filled with antique gems and handcrafted goods — browse with a beverage in hand and country music on the record player.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival Kickoff Party | 6 p.m. | LaZoom Room | Free | Now in its 23rd year, the festival returns to delight audiences with experimental, out-of-the-box performances celebrating the oddities of our arts scene.
Monday, March 17
Baking Class: Scones and Soda Bread | 9-11:30 a.m. | Conjure Craft Chocolate, Arden | $107 | Celebrate the holiday by whipping up a loaf of Irish soda bread.
Tuesday, March 18
State of Downtown | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Battery Park Hall | $33+ | Engage with city leaders as the Asheville Downtown Association offers insights into the present and future of downtown.
Oscar Wong and Matthew Bacoate Jr. | 6-8:30 p.m. | East Asheville Public Library | Free | The two esteemed community leaders will swap stories during a discussion with Asheville Watchdog’s John Boyle.
Cultivate Climbing announced it will rebuild its Amboy Road and Foundy Street locations, which were both significantly damaged by Helene. The Amboy location will reopen with a focus on ropes and a dedicated kids space, while the Foundy space will be for bouldering. The team hopes to open both by this fall.
Civic
Asheville City Council voted to approve three zoning changes for housing along transit-supported corridors. The amendments allow certain developments to forego a council vote, reduce the number of parking spots, and increase project size. The change is intended to reduce barriers to building affordable housing. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Biz
General Electric Aerospace shared plans to make a $20 million investment in its Asheville facility to scale the production of parts used in jets, helicopters, and ships. The company is hiring here in Asheville — see open roles.
Featured
The Radical Hotel earned a spot on TIME’s World’s Greatest Places list. While its velvet and fringe-adorned lobby alone makes it worth a visit, the hotel is being recognized for its community service — housing first responders and serving free meals in Helene’s aftermath. That sounds pretty great to us.
Traffic
On Monday, March 17, the NCDOT will begin drilling work between Bowen and Pearson Road Bridges as part of the design phase for the I-26 Connector project. Crews will build two platforms in the French Broad River to assess the condition and elevation of the rock around the proposed bridge foundations.
Cause
Local high school students have another chance to say yes to the dress. The Prom Dress Exchange is helping high schoolers feel fabulous for free, offering dresses, tuxedos, and accessories from Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30. Make prom dreams come true by donating or volunteering.
Trending
Running influencer and Asheville native Erin Bailey is making her way back to the 828 — and bringing eight more running influencers with her — to run the Asheville Marathon tomorrow. The crew has partnered with national brands like New Balance and REI to raise money for United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Today Is
Holi. Celebrate the Hindu Festival of Colors with Chai Pani tonight, March 14 for its Holi Hai! celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Banks Avenue will be filled with street food stalls, vibrant Holi colors, bhangra dancing, and a photo booth for this celebration of the arrival of spring.
Fun Fact
The Lobster Trap partners with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, which promotes responsible fisheries + aquaculture, to bring fresh, sustainable seafood to us, even in WNC. Make a reservation to sea for yourself.*
Home
Rebuild. Remodel. Reimagine. Presented by Cason Builders Supply, the WNC Build and Remodel Expo returns Saturday, March 22 for two days of home project inspiration + resources. Connect with top builders, explore the makers market, and learn how you can support homeowners and businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene. Details + tix.*
Active
Put down the messy powders.HONA Athlete Gummies deliver clean, fast-absorbing performance support to help you go further. Get 50% off for a limited time.*
Category
Environment
Be our pest
The red-eyed bugs are expected to be spotted across the Southeast this spring + summer. | Photo by Martin LaBar
Are you ready for swarms of cicadas to take over a 13-state area?
While it won’t be the “super brood” we had last year, a concentrated emergence of Magicicada cicadas is expected here in WNC.
Brood XIV cicadas could begin to surface in our neck of the woods as early as late April when the soil temperature warms to about 64 degrees. They are periodical cicadas, emerging every 17 years.
When you spot the beady-eyed bugs, record their location on Cicada Safari — tracking them helps experts understand when broods may emerge.
We’ll know when they’ve arrived — their sounds can hit up to 100 decibelsthat can be heard from up to a mile away — but while we wait, test your knowledge of the critters with this quiz.
The Buy
The Buy
These best-selling no-show socks. A staple for any sock drawer, this no-show variety pairs well with sneakers, Oxfords, and business shoes.
It’s not easy being green. But it sure is fun. St. Patrick’s Day events are in full swing, and it’s shaping up to be a big weekend — find holiday festivities from emo parties to trivia to a chili cookoff.
