Amina Figarova Sextet in Asheville

On Sunday March 7th, starting at 7:00 p.m., the Diana Wortham theatre in downtown Asheville will be hosting a fantastic jazz sextet that you won't want to miss. Netherlands-based pianist Amina Figarova will lead her stellar Sextet in the kickoff concert of the Western North Carolina Jazz Series 2010. Featuring a cohesive three-horn front line of trumpet, tenor saxophone, and flute, Amina's group tours the globe.

Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and now residing in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, pianist and composer Amina Figarova earns praise from every quarter as she tours with the Sextet which creates recordings featuring her imaginative compositions. Jazz bible JazzTimes magazine’s review of Amina’s Sextet’s 2008 recording, “Above the Clouds”, lauded her as “among the most important new composers to come into jazz in the new millennium. She makes a sextet sound like an orchestra.”

Many successful jazz pianists got their start, at early ages, studying classical music. Then jazz lures them away. A constant surprise is the verve and energy so many of these classically trained musicians bring to improvisation. Amina Figarova began as a child prodigy who was composing and playing piano at the age of three. She trained as a classical concert pianist at the Baku Conservatory in Azerbaijan, followed by studies in jazz performance at the Rotterdam Conservatory and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 1998 she was invited to study at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Colony in Aspen, Colorado.

To hear some samples of this artist visit the site for WNC Jazz Society. Tickets are $35. If you are traveling to Asheville we offer special packages through these great hotels.

Haiti Benefit Presented By The Orange Peel & Asheville Pizza

In conjunction with Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company, the Orange Peel announces a screening of world musician Bela Fleck’s award-winning documentary “Throw Down Your Heart,” on Thursday March 5th at the Merrimon Avenue location, at 7pm.

The film follows multiple Grammy Award-winning banjo player Bela Fleck as he travels through four African countries exploring their musical traditions and recording his new album, also entitled "Throw Down Your Heart," released in 2009. Along the way, Fleck searches for the banjo's early roots, which may have traveled along via the slave trade to America.

The album, released last year, just won 2 Grammy’s – for Best Pop Instrumental Performance and Best Contemporary World Music Album – at the 2010 Grammy Awards. The documentary won the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the SXSW Film Festival in 2008.

Tickets for this event are only $5, and all ticket sales, as well as 10% of the bar and food proceeds collected, will be donated to the American Red Cross to aid in their earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

“We are psyched to partner with the Orange Peel on this event,” says Mike Rangel, owner and manager of Asheville Pizza and Brewing, “Viewers are getting a chance to see a wonderful film, knowing that they’re also doing something to help the victims of the disaster in Haiti.”

The following week, the Orange Peel is bringing the star of the film, Bela Fleck, to Asheville on Friday March 12th for his Bela Fleck: The Africa Project tour, featuring African musicians Bassekouye Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, and Anania Ngoliga with Guitarist John Kitime.

Tickets for the film are available in advance through the Orange Peel box office on Biltmore Avenue or online. They will also be available beginning the day of show, March 4th, at the Merrimon Avenue location of the Asheville Pizza Company.

Tickets for Bela Fleck’s concert at the Orange Peel March 12th are still available and can be purchased at the Orange Peel box office, or online.

For more information about other upcoming Orange Peel events please visit here.

Dine to Be Kind in Asheville

On Tuesday, February 23, join Animal Compassion Network and for the 7th Annual Dine to Be Kind event. Dine in or take out from any of the participating restaurants and they will donate a percentage of the day's dining to ACN's Spay/Neuter Assistance and Foster Programs. Since 2000, ACN's Betty Fund has funded the spay/neuter surgery for 10,000 pets belonging to low-income families, and the demand on the program has never been higher.

Please click on the restaurants below to find menus, directions, or hours!

Apollo Flame Bistro * Asheville Ale House * Battery Park Book Exchange * Blue Sky Cafe * Brixx Wood Fired Pizza * Bone-a-fide Bakery * Cafe Azalea * cafe ello * Cats & Dawgs * Charlotte Street Grill & Pub * Chorizo * Corner Kitchen * chai pani * Cucina 24 * Curras Dom * Dripolator Coffeehouse * Doc Chey's Noodle House * Filo Pastries * Frank's Roman Pizza * Green Sage Coffeehouse & Cafe * Grove Park Inn: Blue Ridge Dining Room, Horizons, Sunset Terrace Chophouse * Kilwin's Chocolate, Fudge & Ice Cream * Laughing Seed Cafe * Lenny's Sub Shop *  Madison's Black Mountain * The Market Place * Morning Glory Cafe * Mellow Mushroom * Mountain Brew Cafe & Bakery * Nine Mile Inc * Oakie Dokie Smokehouse * Pomodoros * Province 620 * Rise 'N Shine Cafe * Rosetta's Kitchen * Roux at The Hilton * Sazerac * Sante Wine Bar * Sunny Point Cafe * Sunnyside Cafe * 12 Bones Smokehouse * Thai Basil * The Hop Ice Cream * Tomato Jam * Urban Burrito * Usual Suspects * Waggers Dog Depot * Wayne's Restaurant * Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe * West End Bakery * Wine Studio of Asheville * Wild Wing Cafe

Help us spread the word! Download an event flier from here and post in your office, school, church, community center, grocery store and any place else you go. Interested in being a Dine to Be Kind Advocate? Email Kelly Stoner for details: kellystoneracn@gmail.com.

Also, through the entire month of February, Sensibilities Day Spa will match any donations to ACN (up to $1000). Just bring your ACN donation to 59 Haywood Street or Two Town Square Boulevard in Biltmore Park, and help twice as many cats and dogs in need. Thank you, Sensibilities Day Spa, for all of the support you have given ACN and our rescues over the years!

If you're traveling from out of town, check out the Hilton which will be participating in this year's event.

Destino comes to Asheville

On Friday February 12 at 8:00 pm, Diana Wortham Theatre will host Destino, a trio of tenors, that fuse pop and opera to create what they dub as "popera". The three tenors had their own solo careers when they decided to merge their talents to form one group. They have been becoming an international success story ever since. From their website:

Destino is fast becoming Canada`s classical crossover sensation following the recent Canadian release of their critically acclaimed CD FORTE. Classically trained, award winning professional tenors Paul Ouellette, Joey Niceforo and Hans Munoz form Destino. Before collaborating as a trio, the three Canadian vocalists were in established solo careers, performing pop, opera, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and musical theatre. Destino has received critical acclaim, selling out concert halls in Canada and the U.S. Their music is best described as 'popera' or 'pop with an opera flair,' that is sweeping musical charts thanks to internationally renowned recording artists like Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Mario Frangoulis, Russell Watson, and many others.



If you want to attend this show please visit the Diane Wortham Theatre website for more information. If you need a place to rest your head when the show is over check out one of these great Asheville hotels.

WNC Bridal Party

If you're planning an Asheville wedding then this is one bridal party you do not want to miss. Forget those tacky, stuffy, and old-fashioned wedding events! Grab a bottomless martini on your way in and meet the people who will plan your special day.

Join us at the Doubletree Biltmore Hotel in Asheville on Friday, February 5th at 7 p.m. for WNC magazine’s The Bridal Party, a can’t miss opportunity to consult with Western North Carolina’s top wedding professionals in our area’s most exclusive event for those planning the ultimate mountain ceremony.

A one-of-a-kind fashion show, industry expo, and fabulous party all in one, The Bridal Party is essential for those getting married as well as anyone looking to host a top-tier event.

Five unique boutiques at the event allow you to meet one-on-one with the region's most distinguished wedding professionals as you move from room to room sipping martinis. Each salon has its own theme and features a group of five to seven professionals from different areas of the industry.

Tickets are $20 each if purchased by February 4th. Tickets purchased after February 4th or at the door are $30 each. Unbeatable hotel packages are available through Doubletree Biltmore Hotel and include admission to The Bridal Party as well as other exciting amenities.

This is also a great event for friends, family, and even grooms. Lure them in with the promise of great food and drink and wow them with an event like no other!

A VERY SPECIAL RAFFLE…

In addition to the great party and access to exclusive resources, a portion of the evening’s proceeds go toward The Health Adventure, which increases science literacy through participation, exploration, and fun. For more information on the raffle, please visit here.

Snow in Asheville - Be Prepared

The weather forecast is calling for more snow in the Asheville area. The last big storm that came through casued wide spread power outages and crippled the highways leaving motorists stranded for hours. This next event is not expected to be as bad due to lack of strong winds which bring down trees onto power lines. However, with predictions of snow accumulation nearing the 12" mark it would be wise to make sure you take the proper precautions.

AROUND THE HOUSE:
An ice storm will take down power lines knocking out electricity. Check battery powered equipment before the storm arrives. Have extra blankets on hand. Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots. Dress for the conditions when outdoors. Wear several layers of light-weight, warm clothing; layers can be removed to prevent perspiring and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, waterproof and hooded. For the hands, mittens, snug at the wrists, offer better protection than fingered gloves.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing: First Aid Kit and essential medications, Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries Canned food and nonelectric can opener. If there are infants at home, make sure you have enough infant formula or baby food. Include food that requires no cooking in case of power failure. Make sure pets and animals have shelter and a water supply, i.e bottled water. Check your supply of heating fuel. Fuel carriers may not be able to reach you due to ice or snow covered roads. Be careful when using fireplaces, stoves or space heaters. Proper ventilation is essential. Don't use charcoal; it gives off deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. Keep flammable material away from space heaters and do not overload electric circuits. Don't kill yourself shoveling snow. It is extremely hard work for anyone in less than prime physical condition. It can bring on a heart attack, a major cause of death during and after winter storms.

AUTOMOBILES:
Your automobile can be your best friend or worst enemy during winter storms. Have your car winterized by having the following items checked: ignition system, heater, brakes, wipers, cooling system, defroster, oil, exhaust, fuel system, battery, lights and tires. Don't forget your washer solvent. Keep moister out of your fuel tank, by using the appropriate additives to your fuel. If you travel often during the winter, carry a winter storm kit in your car with the following items: flashlight, compass, windshield scraper, maps, sand, paper towels, chains, blankets, warm sleeping bags, matches/candles, high calorie non-perishable foods, booster cables, extra warm clothing and rain gear. Never carry gasoline in containers other than the car's gas tank. Winter travel by car is serious business! If the storm exceeds or tests your driving ability, seek available shelter immediately! Plan your travel. Try not to travel alone and drive in convoy when possible. Drive carefully and defensively. Pump the brakes when trying to stop on snow or ice covered roads.

IF YOU DO GET STUCK, stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety. Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see. Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up into the car. Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen. Keep moving your arms and legs to maintain blood circulation and to stay warm. Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.

ON THE FARM
Move animals to sheltered areas. Shelter belts, properly laid out and oriented, are better protection for cattle than confining shelters, such as sheds. Haul extra feed to nearby feeding areas. Have a water supply available. Most animal deaths in winter storms are from dehydration.

Preparing for these weather events is essential. If you live or work in the Asheville area have to be at work no matter what or if your power goes out and you need a warm place to stay then ask for the inclement weather rate at one of our five hotels in the area.

Les Ballets Trockadero

Asheville will be getting a special treat this month as Les Ballets Trockadero, a world renowned ballet troupe, will be performing at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium on Friday January 22nd at 7:30 pm. Formed in 1974, Les Ballets Trockadero (the Trocks as they're affectionately called) is self described as "dancing the fine line between high art and high camp."

From their website: It is a Company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the ballet and modern dance repertoire, including classical and original works in faithful renditions of the manners and conceits of those dance styles. The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents, and underlying incongruities of serious dance. The fact that men dance all the parts--heavy bodies delicately balancing on toes as swans, sylphs, water sprites, romantic princesses, angst-ridden Victorian ladies--enhances rather than mocks the spirit of dance as an art form, delighting and amusing the most knowledgeable, as well as novices, in the audiences.

Tickets for this show are $20-55 and are available at the Civic Center Box Office or by calling 828.225.5887. More information can be found at Asheville Bravo Concerts.

Traveling from out of town? Check out these quality hotels.