Wortham Center Student Series TheaterWorksUSA presents Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!

Beginning Botany with Alexandra Holland

Friday, April 4  |  1 – 4pm

It’s a tough life for a plant: make dinner, create and nurture offspring, fight off predators, deal with the neighbors. In Beginning Botany we’ll explore how plants handle these daily challenges using and modifying only leaves, stems, and roots. We’ll cover the basics of plant structure and function.

This visionary trio is back in Asheville by popular demand to deliver another round of virtuosic performance with its signature humor and insight. Be sure to get your tickets early for this audience favorite, consistently praised for their masterful sensitivity and nuance, ultra-refined musicianship, tight ensemble work and musical intelligence.

PROGRAM

Richard Strauss: Variations on a Bavarian Folksong “Dirndl is haub auf mi,” TrV 109

Gideon Klein: String Trio (1944)

Ludwig van Beethoven: Trio for Violin, Viola and Cello, No. 3 in G major, Op. 9, No. 1

Mieczysław Weinberg: String Trio, Op. 48

Ernö Dohnányi: Serenade for String Trio in C major, Op. 10

Southern Appalachian Birds Through the Seasons with Carlton Burke

Saturday, April 5  |  12 – 4 pm

Since birds are capable of long distance flights and many engage in annual migration rituals, their presence in our area often changes in relation to the seasons of the year.  In this class we will discuss the seasonal patterns of southern Appalachian birds and focus on some of the major species and their annual life cycles. As part of this program, there will be a “lab” portion where students will be able to meet some live birds and participate in other hands-on components to deepen the learning.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are coming to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville on April 5, 2025. This event was rescheduled from 10/19/24

Peace Concert Hall
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 pm

PROGRAM
Max Bruch: The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major
Amy Beach: Symphony in E minor, “Gaelic”

Journey to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland with Max Bruch’s enchanting Scottish Fantasy, where the winsome melodies and evocative themes of the Highlands come to life. Then, wrap yourself in the rich tapestry of Amy Beach’s “Gaelic”’ Symphony as she captures the essence of Celtic folklore and tradition in a symphonic masterpiece. Join us for an evening of musical exploration and cultural immersion, as we celebrate the timeless beauty and heritage of Scotland and beyond.

GUEST
Jacqueline Tso, violin
Leila Cunningham Roe Concertmaster Chair

Edible Wild Weeds with Abby Artemisia

Sunday, April 6  |  10 am – 1 pm

Appalachia is a hotbed of biodiversity and our weeds are no different! Except weeds are the most sustainable to harvest! Abby will give you some basic introductory botany tips for identification, along with sustainable harvest and processing tips. This will demystify the often but unnecessary complications of learning Botany and even make it fun! Bring your field guides!

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

EcoHopeful with Liza Wolff-Francis

Sunday, April 6  |  2 – 4 pm

In a climate disaster like a hurricane, there is chaos and moment to moment survival and often fear. Immediately afterwards, there is often a gathering of self, an assessing of the situation. Then comes grief, loss, and uncertainty. Much later, the outer world expects things will all get back to normal, though we may not feel we are quite “back” to what we were. In fact, we may feel deeply changed. In all of these stages of a disaster, we assess what is happening and how we are doing and what we need to do going forward.

In this quick 2-hour workshop, we will come together in our resiliency to normalize how we have responded to the disaster and to learn and practice tools to calm our nervous systems in order to feel stronger in our current assessment of what’s next for us. Join us for a gathering in community, strength building, and resiliency boosting, as we continue to weave Helene into one of the stories we carry with us, not one that carries us.

Peace Concert Hall
Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, April 6 at 3:00 pm

PROGRAM
Max Bruch: The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major
Amy Beach: Symphony in E minor, “Gaelic”

Journey to the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland with Max Bruch’s enchanting Scottish Fantasy, where the winsome melodies and evocative themes of the Highlands come to life. Then, wrap yourself in the rich tapestry of Amy Beach’s “Gaelic”’ Symphony as she captures the essence of Celtic folklore and tradition in a symphonic masterpiece. Join us for an evening of musical exploration and cultural immersion, as we celebrate the timeless beauty and heritage of Scotland and beyond.

GUEST
Jacqueline Tso, violin
Leila Cunningham Roe Concertmaster Chair

Natural History Interpretation (3 sessions) with Brad Daniel

Tuesdays, March 25, April 1 + 8  |  12 – 4 pm

Natural history interpreters provoke interest and curiosity in our natural and cultural heritage. This course will introduce the basic principles of environmental interpretation and is designed for Blue Ridge Naturalists who will be leading nature walks, teaching natural history to adults or children, and delivering talks to community groups. Participants will learn how to create nature education talks or walks that are purposeful, enjoyable, informative and organized. Students will be given an opportunity to develop their own programs and practice their presentation and communication skills. This class fulfills a Capstone Core requirement for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate and should be completed near the end of a student’s studies in the program.

Discover the delicate and fleeting world of ephemeral flowers, mosses, and ferns that grace our landscapes with their beauty. Join Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show and Podcast and learn to identify these early spring wonders, understand their unique lifecycles, and explore their roles in the ecosystem.

Embark on an enchanting evening with pianist Zlata Chochieva, celebrated for her poetic touch and technical expertise. Known for her profound expression and musical insight, Zlata has enraptured audiences the world over. Lose yourself in a night of exquisite piano music that promises to inspire and captivate.

Using a Key to ID Wildflowers with Scott Dean

Thursday, April 10  |  10 am – 1 pm

Identifying wildflowers can both be an art and a technical field of study. Most popular field guides include some kind of key to help users identify flowers that they see out in nature but learning how to use one can be a challenge. Join Scott Dean on this brand new class on how to use the non-technical keys found in two wildflower field guides: Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and Wildflowers of the Atlantic Southeast. Also bring your hand lens/jeweler’s loupe to inspect plants up close and we recommend using a 7 – 10x power lens for this class.

We will have a few copies of each guide and some hand lenses to borrow but please bring your own if you have them.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

GRAMMY®-nominated band MercyMe has announced their spring 2025 MERCYME LIVE TOUR with Zach Williams and special guest Sam Wesley.

To note, their No. 1 track”Say I Won’t,” (inhale (exhale)) was recently certified Gold by the RIAA, bringing the band’s certification tally to a total of 16 gold, platinum and multi-platinum singles and albums.MercyMe is currently in the studio working on a new album that is scheduled to be released in 2025.

Arboretum Excursions: Highlands Biological Station with Patrick Brannon

Saturday, April 12  |  1 – 4 pm

Since 1927, the mission of WCU’s Highlands Biological Station has been to foster education and research focused on the rich biodiversity of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Through its Nature Center exhibits, hands-on educational STEM programs, and immersive biological field experiences, HBS seeks to instill a greater awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our region and the natural world. Participants in this workshop will have opportunities to tour the Station’s facilities such as the Nature Center exhibits, research laboratories, and Botanical Garden Trails – which feature more than 500 species of native plants including old-growth hemlock trees.

Although scientists working at Highlands Biological Station have conducted research on a wide variety of species over the years, no group of animals has been studied more thoroughly than salamanders. After the tour, participants will learn about the region’s high biodiversity including salamanders, and then be given an opportunity to collect and identify species in an onsite stream. Please bring shoes that can potentially get wet (these need not be “water shoes”; old sneakers are fine).

Please visit www.highlandsbiological.org for additional information.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Forest Bathing Retreat: Celebrating Mother Earth with Asheville Wellness Tours

Saturday, April 12  |  2 – 5pm

April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother Earth, yourself, and others, during this rejuvenating afternoon nature immersion retreat.

Your guide will lead you on a gentle journey through the spring forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku) and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

This program takes place outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on uneven terrain and dress appropriately for the weather.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay & Imagine Dragons at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.

General Info
Venue: Asheville Masonic Temple
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: please contact us for more information on accessibility
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone

Wortham Presents Quartetto Gelato

From passionate tango to jubilant klezmer melodies, virtuosic showpieces to blazing Romani tunes, this unique and delightful classical quartet spans the globe through its repertoire, serving musical mastery and artistic passion with a side of sizzling energy and a dash of endearing humor. Each of the ensemble’s performances are a celebration of musical diversity — simultaneously showcasing classical elegance, folk tradition and contemporary flair.

Unleash your creativity at Bullington Gardens by learning to craft your very own hypertufa open roof planter! This hands-on class will guide you through the process of mixing and molding hypertufa—a lightweight, durable material perfect for garden containers. All materials are provided, so just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to create a unique piece for your garden. Whether you’re looking to add a rustic touch to your outdoor space or simply enjoy a fun afternoon of crafting, this class is perfect for all skill levels. Join us for a memorable experience and take home a beautiful, handcrafted container! April 18th, 2025, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. $ 45.00. Class limit 10.

The purpose of the Hendo Earth Fest is to promote community education for all ages on environmental and sustainable practices, inspire action, and renew and expand commitments to protect our planet. Local and regional environmental allies focus on participation/hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to educate, renew and expand action to protect our Western North Carolina environment and natural resources. In our first inaugural 2023 festival, we saw approximately 2,000+ participants!

Klezmer Cine Concert

Bonnie Raitt is extending the ‘Just Like That…’ tour adding another 30+ dates in the U.S. to the already-robust schedule planned for the first half of 2024. Raitt and her longtime touring band will headline concerts starting in Arizona and Southern California, traveling up the West Coast and finishing up in the Pacific Northwest throughout September and October before heading to the Southeast and Florida in November to wind up the year. These dates will be supported by Special Guest James Hunter.

Wortham Presents The Tannahill Weavers