Friday, February 3
Frances Greenberg, Elinor Bowman & Lee Entrekin
An opening reception for the Asheville Gallery of Art’s featured artists will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The public is cordially invited. The exhibition, “Love of Art”, will feature paintings in a variety of media by three of the gallery’s newest artist-members. On display through February 29, 2012 at 16 College Street in downtown Asheville. For more details call (828) 251-5796 or visit www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com.

Friday, February 3
Gayle Ray Exhibit
Whether she’s painting a mother with her child, trees dancing together, or lovers intertwined they all have a longing to connect with each other. Opening reception from 4-6 p.m. at Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood Street. Visit www.woolworthwalk.com.

Friday, February 3
Wellspring of All Life
Art Opening: A Show of Hearts by Ginna Diehl, 6-9 p.m. On display February 1-28, 2012 at City Lights Cafe Gallery, Jackson Street, downtown Sylva, NC. For more details please call (252) 955-7526.

Friday & Saturday, February 3 & 4
The Importance of Being Earnest
One of the most inventive and daring theatre companies in the country, Aquila Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, 8 p.m. Friday, February 3; and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, 8 p.m. Saturday, February 4. Mainstage Theatre Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. Tickets: Regular $35, Student $30, Children 12 & under $12; Student rush day-of-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com.

Saturday, February 4
Free Orchestra and Organ Concert
The Blue Ridge Orchestra will present a free concert at First Baptist Church of Asheville at 7:30 p.m. featuring Dr. David L. Foster performing Albinoni, Adagio in G Minor for strings and organ; selections from “The Creation” by Haydn, and Finale from Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78 by Saint–Saëns.

Saturday, February 4
Peace Troubadour Concert
Cecilia St. King performs at Blue Ridge Community College. Admission is a donation of any amount. King is a 9/11 survivor, and subsequent throat cancer survivor. Her music is non-denominational, expounding her message of peace.

Saturday, February 4
Flood Gallery Exhibit
Deception, a cover-up, and whatever else you make of it. Opening reception from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Phil Mechanic’s Flood Gallery, 109 Roberts Street, Asheville, NC. Visit www.ashevillecourtyard.com, (828) 273-3332.

Saturday, February 4
Work of heART
A collection of work created by more than forty artists with developmental, mental and emotional disabilities. Opening recption at the Satellite Gallery in downtown Asheville from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Work can be viewed at Woolworth Walk, Homegrown Restaurant, City Bakery, Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack and on Etsy.com. Exhibit runs through March 3, 2012. Satellite Gallery, 55 Broadway in Asheville. Call (828) 505-2225.

Sunday, February 5
Upper Gallery Exhibit
Opening Reception from 3-4 p.m. at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street for Robert Tynes, painter and Megan Wolfe, ceramist. The show will continue through February 27. For more information call (828) 669-0930 or visit www.blackmountainarts.org.

Thursday, February 9 from 7 to 9 pm
Passages, Transitions in Perception.
“These images are about vision.  My vision extends beyond the frame, revealing a dream-like impression of what could be.” ~ Rick Hills, artist. Roses are red, violets are blue we can’t have a party if we don’t see you! Please join us for our Valentines art reception and demonstration. Featuring new mixed media paintings by Rick Hills. Refreshments provided by Gourmet Chip Company. One-of-a-kind Valentine gift ideas. Artist demonstration. Gourmet Chip sampling. Event takes place at the Gourmet Chip Company, 43 1/2 Broadway, downtown Asheville, across from the Mellow Mushroom. Rick Hills’ Studio, 1235 Sulphur Springs Rd., Waynesville, NC 28786. Phone 828-452-0228 or email rickg8tor@yahoo.com.

Friday, February 10
Solas
Magically contemporary yet timeless, Irish-American super group Solas inspires and electrifies crowds of every musical taste. Mainstage Celtic Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, 8 p.m. Regular $30; Student $25; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com.

Friday, February 10
Book Signing
For children’s book, The Cow That Meowed, written by Hal Mahan. Through animals changing voices children learn to understand each other’s differences. Signing will be held at Grateful Steps Publishing House & Bookshop, 159 S. Lexington Ave., at 5:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday, February 10 & 11
The Vagina Monologues
Western Carolina University’s Department of Intercultural Affairs will host the series of 18 monologues written by Eve Ensler at 7 p.m. in the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom. Tickets are $7 at the door. Purchase tickets in advance in room 334 for $5. For more information, contact Sarah Carter at sacarter@wcu.edu or call (828) 227-2617.

Saturday & Sunday, February 11 & 12
Auditions for As You Like It
The Montford Park Players will hold auditions for Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It, directed by Jason Williams. Saturday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, February 12, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway St., Asheville. Free parking at Home Trust Bank, 10 Woodfin St. For more information visit www.montfordparkplayers.org or email info@montfordparkplayers.org.

Monday, February 13
La Pasion Flamenca
Presented by the Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana dance company, the program of Spanish dance and music features solos, duets and company dances. Performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Western Carolina University’s Bardo Arts Center. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students), and can be purchased by calling (828) 227-2479 or visiting bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.

Tuesday, February 14
The “CLICK!” Project
14 Photographers : 14 Weeks. Every week a free mini-workshop will be offered. Meet the photographers reception from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Conn-Artist Studios & Art Gallery, 611 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC. Call (828) 329-2918 or visit www.clickphotoproject.com for more details.

Wednesday, February 15
PROJECT Trio
Classical training combined with an eclectic taste in musical styles. In UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the public, $7 for students, and $5 for UNC Asheville students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Highsmith University Union box office, or online at www.uncatickets.com. The series will continue on March 31 with a performance by Mavis Staples. For more information, go to cesap.unca.edu.

February 17-18
Neuse River Music Fest — www.lenoircc.edu, or (252) 233-6865.

Sunday, February 19
Asheville Classical Guitar Society
Martha Masters, Guitar Foundation of America president and GFA 2000 1st prize winner, will perform for the Asheville Classical Guitar Society at 7 p.m. in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, One Edwin Place. $20, $15 (Seniors, Students, and Members) cash/check. Info: www.ashevilleclassicalguitarsociety.com

Monday, February 20
Soul Food Junkies
Screening and discussion with filmmaker Byron Hurt, 7 p.m. in Highsmith University Union room 143. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by UNC Asheville’s Office of Multicultural Student Programs. Info: (828) 251-6585.

Thursday & Friday, February 23 & 24
Rennie Harris Puremovement
World-renowned hip-hop dance company Rennie Harris Puremovement is described by The Village Voice as: “Hip-hop dance to a higher power, in both the mathematical and the metaphysical senses.” Mainstage Dance Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, 8 p.m. Regular $40; Student $35; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show (with valid I.D.) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com.

Saturday, February 25
Craft and Music Show
Acoustic trio Red June performs. Crafts feature handmade String Rings, made from recycled mandolin and guitar strings, as well as hand collected and hand-cut lapidary jewelry. 7:30 p.m. at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street. $10 donation at the door. For more information, call (828) 669-0930 or visit www.blackmountainarts.org.

Saturday, February 25
Winter DRAG!
Scandals and WNCAP present a Drag Benefit Extravaganza, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Drag performances begin at 9 p.m. and go all night long! Two floors of dancing by DJ Stratus and DJ Zorro. Raffle prizes! A benefit for those in our community living with HIV/AIDS. Scandals Nightclub, 11 Grove St. in Asheville. Phone (828) 505-1612, or visit www.thegrovehouse.com/scandals.

Friday, March 2
Award-Winning Novelist Sandra Cisneros
Free book-signing, reception, 7 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium. Sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville and UNC Asheville. http://asheville.lr.edu

Friday, March 2
The Alexander String Quartet
Interpretations of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place at Charlotte Street at 8 pm. Tickets are $35. A free pre-concert talk will be given at the Reuter Center on the campus of UNCA on Thursday, March 1 at 4 p.m. To order tickets or for additional information please visit www.ashevillechambermusic.org or call Pam Miller at (828) 259-3626. Students may attend ACMS concerts free of charge.

Friday, March 2
Kirsten Stolle, Genetically Commodified
Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at the ARTERY, 346 Depot Street, Asheville. Through a series of drawings of fantastical morphing dolls, Stolle comments on the unintended consequences of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Visit www.ashevillearts.com.

March 9 & 10
Danny Ellis
Irish-born and now-Asheville resident Danny Ellis in two performances: 800 Voices, his musical memoir on stage, Friday, March 9; and An Irishman in America, selections from his latest release, on Saturday, March 10. Mainstage Special Attractions Series, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place.

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Every Tuesday – Irish Session at 6:30 p.m.
Come join us each and every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and listen to the sounds of fiddles, flutes, guitars, harps, bodhrans and more as regional musicians gather in a circle to share songs and tunes from Ireland and Scotland.
It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the music of the British Isles which directly influenced the development of the music of southern Appalachia. Bring a friend and enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer in the tradition of an Irish Pub. No cover charge.

Every Tuesday – Open Mic at 8:45 p.m.
You never know who is going to show up to perform on open mic night at the White Horse. We’ve had participants of all ages, and on many occasions we’ve had seasoned performers from other parts of the country drop by to share a song or two.

Come enjoy the sounds of rising stars, aspiring hopefuls and seasoned songsters in an encouraging and supportive environment where all are enouraged to share their talents and push themselves to new musical adventures. No cover charge.

White Horse Black Mountain, 105C Montreat Rd. (828) 669-0816,
www.whitehorseblackmountain.com

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Monday & Thursday Evenings
Open Drawing
Live Model for Figure Drawing, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. $7 (Adults) $5 (Students). The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas, a non-profit Art School, 362 Depot Street, Asheville, NC. For more information call (828) 252-5050 or visit www.FineArtsLeague.org.

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Creatures Café
Alcohol free music venue and café featuring live entertainment, amazing desserts, and an inspiring art gallery. Awesome desserts, delicious snacks, 23 bottled sodas, mocktails, an a full espresso bar.

Tuesdays: singer songwriter showcase.
Wednesdays:get your dance on at salsa night.
Thursdays:holy hip hop.
Fridays & Saturdays: live bands and entertainment.

Creaures Café, 81 Patton Ave, Downtown Asheville. Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Details at (828) 254-3636, or visit www.creaturescafe.com.