Calendar of Events

人の力 “Hito no Chikara” — The Power of Human Strength

Take a thrilling, high-energy ride through centuries of Japanese tradition, where heart-thumping rhythms explode from a dizzying display of more than 40 Taiko drums. The power of human strength, tenacity and sheer endurance lie at the heart of this new program, which challenges the influence of artificial intelligence on art. Back by popular demand, this troupe’s explosively percussive performances evoke “the pulse of the gods” (Neue Presse, Hanover, Germany) to prove there’s no substitute for the fire of the human spirit.

$65; Child (15 yrs. old and under) $22

Step Into the World of Pollinators at the 6th Annual Great Buzz Gathering!

Imagine a world without vibrant blooms, flourishing crops, or thriving wildlife. That’s the reality we face without pollinators—the tiny but mighty creatures essential to life on Earth. On Saturday, February 15, you’re invited to the The Mule at Devil’s Foot in Asheville to celebrate these unsung heroes and explore how we can all play a part in their conservation.

From the moment you step through the doors, you’ll be immersed in a community united by a passion for biodiversity, native plants, and protecting pollinators. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just beginning to appreciate the beauty of bees, butterflies, and beyond, this event offers something for everyone.

You’ll enjoy five captivating 10-minute talks from experts on topics like the effects of climate change on pollinators, the best trees to plant for recovery after Tropical Storm Helene, and exciting updates on the Asheville Butterfly Trail. Each presentation promises to leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action.

Come early to explore exhibitor tables filled with resources, tips, and tools to make your garden, neighborhood, or community a haven for pollinators. Grab a bite or a beverage, connect with like-minded attendees, and soak up the buzz of excitement.

Pollinators are more than just insects; they’re the foundation of ecosystems and essential to our survival. Yet, nearly half of them are at risk of extinction. That’s why Bee City USA, founded here in Asheville, has grown to a nationwide movement of 426 affiliates, all dedicated to safeguarding these vital creatures.

This isn’t just another event—it’s a call to action, a chance to learn, connect, and make a tangible impact on the future of our planet.

So, whether you’re passionate about gardening, fascinated by biodiversity, or simply curious about how to help, this is your opportunity to join the movement. Together, let’s create a world where pollinators—and all life—can thrive.

Doors open at 12 PM for lunch and networking. The program begins at 1 PM.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between his fierce Aunt Agatha, his plaintive cousin Egbert, a saucy jazz singer, and his future father-in-law. Another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

For over 32 years, the Frostbite Races have motivated runners and walkers to stay active throughout the colder winter months. Participants brave the chilly temperatures to compete in a series of races, including a challenging 10K, a scenic 5K, or 1-mile fun run. Flurry the Penguin is always encouraging runners and walkers with high fives. The Family Fun Day and Wellness Expo add to the excitement with local vendors, wellness services, live music, and kid’s activities. The Frostbite Races have become a beloved tradition in Fletcher, NC, bringing the community together for a day of fitness and fun.

This 75-minute production tells the story of a character who has lost her inner light, plunging into a wondrous and surreal world where memories come to life and the ordinary becomes ‘extra’ordinary. With over 8 breathtaking acrobatic acts, “Solstice” combines light design, costumes, enchanting music, surreal scenery, and the magic of falling snow to create this celebration of the human spirit. A blend of local and national artists comprise the cast of seven.

Join the Chamber for Midday Mingle at Rye Knot next Wednesday, February 19th, from 12 – 1:30 PM to connect and support the businesses that make Asheville strong! This lunch gathering is all about coming together to share stories, build our connections, and show our support for local restaurants and breweries.

Depending on location, heavy rains and flooding from Hurricane Helene impacted soils throughout WNC. Many gardeners have questions about how to address everything from sediment and rock deposition to potential contamination. Michael Rayburn, Urban Ag Extension Agent in Buncombe County will walk us through the process of determining how to move forward with addressing soil health post Helene.

The presentation is free, and registration with Eventbrite is required.

Check the Events Calendar on the website for information on how to register via Eventbrite. https://www.buncombemastergardener.org/upcoming-events/
If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

Western North Carolina, roses are usually ‘hard pruned’ in the late winter or early spring. Dead or damaged canes are removed, and the plant is shaped for optimal growth and blooms. Many rose growers are uncertain of how to correctly prune their roses. This program unravels the mystery of pruning and will help you have healthy and happy roses.

This will be an in-person program at the Extension office at the address above. Portions of this program may be held outside; please dress appropriately for the weather. The classroom size is limited so register to reserve your seat!

Registration: The talk is free but registration via Eventbrite is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

This is an in-person program, held at The
Learning Garden.
Time:
Session #1 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.*
Session #2 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.*
* New this year, Saturday Seminars are being offered twice on the same day. The content of both sessions will be the same. Select the session that best fits your schedule.

Program: Tool Sharpening Workshop
Presenters – EMG volunteers
Alan Wagner – Sharpening pruners and loppers
James Wade – Sharpening shovels
John Fieselman – Sharpening chainsaws

Description: Sharp gardening tools are key to successful pruning. This workshop will teach you how to clean and sharpen your tools.

Bring 1-2 tools that you will sharpen during the workshop. Pruners, loppers, or shovels, only. No handsaws, large shears, or pole pruners.

This workshop will also include a separate demonstration on sharpening chainsaws. This demonstration is intended for experienced chainsaw users. This is a demo only, so leave all chainsaws at home.

Registration: The workshop is free but registration using Eventbrite is required.
Check the Events Calendar on the website for information on how to register via Eventbrite. https://www.buncombemastergardener.org/upcoming-events/
If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden.
Time:
Session #1 – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.*
Session #2 – 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.*
* New this year, Saturday Seminars are being offered twice on the same day. The content of both sessions will be the same. Select the session that best fits your schedule.

Program: Tool Sharpening Workshop
Presenters – EMG volunteers
Alan Wagner – Sharpening pruners and loppers
James Wade – Sharpening shovels
John Fieselman – Sharpening chainsaws

Description: Sharp gardening tools are key to successful pruning. This workshop will teach you how to clean and sharpen your tools.

Bring 1-2 tools that you will sharpen during the workshop. Pruners, loppers, or shovels, only. No handsaws, large shears, or pole pruners.

This workshop will also include a separate demonstration on sharpening chainsaws. This demonstration is intended for experienced chainsaw users. This is a demo only, so leave all chainsaws at home.

Registration: The workshop is free but registration using Eventbrite is required.
Check the Events Calendar on the website for information on how to register via Eventbrite. https://www.buncombemastergardener.org/upcoming-events/
If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

Thursday, February 27 from 9am-3pm

Food Connection and Loving Food Resources are collaborating to bring you a one-of-a-kind fundraiser! Brunk Auction House will be offering their appraisal services for $15/item or $40 for 3 items!

Choose the hour time slot that works best for you and bring in family heirlooms, high-valued finds, and other antiques to be appraised by the professionals! All proceeds from tickets sales go to Food Connection and Loving Food Resources and participants may have the option to consign their items through the auction house and make some money themselves!

BRUNK AUCTIONS – 117 Tunnel Rd, Asheville

Brunk is a private auction house specializing in the sale of fine art, jewelry, Asian art, antique furniture, coins, and countless other areas of collecting – ranging from Contemporary Art to Antiquities. Excellence in connoisseurship is the hallmark of our specialist staff. Consistent and thoughtful client service is the foundation of our 40 years in business.

Ross Gay is interested in joy.
Ross Gay wants to understand joy.
Ross Gay is curious about joy.
Ross Gay studies joy.
Something like that.

Ross Gay — Poet, Essayist, & National Book Critics Circle Award Winner — will visit ACS with a profound mission: to explore and understand joy.

Ross Gay is the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding, winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. In addition to his poetry, Ross has released three collections of essays— The Book of Delights was released in 2019 and was a New York Times bestseller; Inciting Joy was released in 2022, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights was released in September of 2023.

The 2025 McDowell County Republican Convention will take place on Saturday, March 1,
2025, at the historic Marion Train Depot (45 Depot Street, Marion, NC).
This event is your chance to actively engage in the political process here at home, across the
state, and even nationally. Gather with like-minded conservatives and join the movement to
make a tangible impact on elections. Mark your calendar and join us!

Join us in a volunteer shift with Appalachian Community Relief. We will assist people in shopping for goods in their free store that opened in response to Hurricane Helene. This volunteer event is family friendly, so feel free to bring spouses, children, etc.

As people all over the country start to grow their own gardens, plant prices continue to rise. These price increases quickly add up when growing your own garden. Starting your own seeds is a much more economical way to grow a large number of plants. Believe it or not many plants also do better when you grow them from a seed. Starting seeds can seem like a very scary task but it doesn’t have to be. Join our education coordinator, Isaac Wyatt, for a course all about starting your own seeds. From what you need to get started to how to get your seedlings in the garden.

*We will also have a selection of seeds to trade. Please feel free to bring any seeds you may be interested in trading!

March 4th, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $20.00.

As people all over the country start to grow their own gardens, plant prices continue to rise. These price increases quickly add up when growing your own garden. Starting your own seeds is a much more economical way to grow a large number of plants. Believe it or not many plants also do better when you grow them from a seed. Starting seeds can seem like a very scary task but it doesn’t have to be. Join our education coordinator, Isaac Wyatt, for a course all about starting your own seeds. From what you need to get started to how to get your seedlings in the garden.

*We will also have a selection of seeds to trade. Please feel free to bring any seeds you may be interested in trading!

March 4th, 2025, 1:00-3:00 pm. Fee: $20.00.

Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.

March 6, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.

Maintaining the Biodiversity of the Mountains – planting native, removing invasives, restoring habitat and using environmentally friendly landscape management practices.

Western North Carolina is one of the most biodiverse regions of the world. Unfortunately, development and increasing population are threatening the delicate ecosystems of the area. Many of the landscape methods that we utilize have negative environmental repercussions. We can do better.

Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast to learn how we can do things better! In this series of classes Steve will discuss how to manage your landscape in the most environmentally friendly way possible using sustainable gardening practices. Also learn about tree health care and maintenance.

By making simple changes, such as choosing native over exotic plants and removing invasive plants, we can begin to restore habitat at home, at our businesses and throughout the region.

By cultivating and protecting healthy diverse habitats for pollinators, for wildlife, for healthy flora and fauna, we benefit the individuals who live in and enjoy these spaces and for our community, as a whole. By creating natural areas in your yard and leaving the leaves each fall you can benefit many kinds of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals which depend on the native plants and their fallen leaves and seeds for shelter, food and habitat.

March 6, 2025, 1:00-3:00pm.