WNC Parent March 2023 Calendar: Things to do for kids and parents

Find weekly updates and highlights online at wncparent.com. Send your organization’s family events to chris@worthyplace.com.

The Asheville Art Museum hosts the 2023 WNC Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition through March 6. For details, visit ashevilleart.org.

Wednesday, March 1

Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

Four O’Clock Club: Let’s Build It for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Thursday, March 2

Teen Advisory Board for grades 9 – 12 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Make a difference in teen programming at the library and earn volunteer hours. Find the application online at hendersoncountync.gov/library or stop by any branch.

Educator's Night Out is 5 – 9 p.m. at Asheville Art Museum. Admission is free for K-12 and college educators. Registration is encouraged. Teachers of all grade levels and subject areas are invited to view the museum’s current exhibitions, attend gallery talks, enjoy live music, create art in the studio, and learn more about resources for teachers. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. For details and registration, visit ashevilleart.org.

Friday, March 3

The World Premiere of Italian Renaissance Alive is March 3 at Biltmore Estate. The multi-sensory experience immerses guests in the beauty and brilliance of the greatest artistic period in history as it comes to life all around you. Large-scale projections with 360-degree views set to a powerful operatic score tell the story of artists and the time periods within which they lived. Italian Renaissance Alive features Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, Caravaggio and more. It continues through Jan. 7, 2024. For details and ticket information, visit biltmore.com/things-to-do/events/italian-renaissance-alive.

Saturday, March 4

The SoCon Downtown Dribble & Kids Fest is at 9:30 a.m. at Pack Square Park. For details, visit bit.ly/3IPiGz9.

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at UNC Asheville. For details, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com.

Sunday, March 5

Billy Jonas – Purim Concert is at 3 p.m. at the Asheville Jewish Community Center. Celebrate Purim with a family concert. Tickets are $18 and include family admission, hot chocolate and hamentaschen. Visit jcc-asheville.org.

Tuesday, March 7

Teen Creative Writing Club for grades 6 – 12 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Join other teens interested in creative writing, storytelling, connecting with other teen writers, and getting feedback on your work. For details, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Wednesday, March 8

Four O’Clock Club: Board Games for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Thursday, March 9

Taste of Asheville is 6 – 9 p.m. at the Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center. For tickets and details, visit airasheville.org/taste-of-asheville.

TheaterWorksUSA presents “The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System" at 10 a.m. noon at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.Blast off into outer space on the Magic School Bus for an interplanetary field trip with Ms. Frizzle. Recommended for Grades K – 5. Tickets are $12 for individuals and $11 for groups of 11 or more. Call 828-257-4530 or visit worthamarts.org/events/theaterworksusa-magic-school-bus-student.

Friday, March 10

A CSA Fair is 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the YWCA of Asheville. The event highlights farms with a CSA pickup location in Buncombe County. Chat with farmers about their products, growing practices, payment structure, and more. The fair will also feature local food tastings and activities for kids, as well as produce and food products available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public. Visit asapconnections.org.

Now and Then: Solo viola da gamba through the ages with Gail Schroeder is at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Asheville. This Pan Harmonia performance is a donation-based, pay-as-you-can community concert. All are welcome. For reservations, visit panharmonia.org/product/march-10.

Saturday, March 11

Second Saturday arts events are in the River Arts District. Events include artist demos, exhibits and more. For details and locations, visit riverartsdistrict.com.

Family Discovery Day - Greening Up the Cove is 10 a.m. – noon at Asheville Farmstead School. Explore the farmstead in this free family event. See details at facebook.com/events/418857250444328 and learn more at ashevillefarmstead.org.

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at UNC Asheville. For details, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com.

PAWS for Reading is at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Sign-up to read to a therapy dog. To register, visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Makerspace: Second Saturday is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Asheville Art Museum. Free for members or included with museum admission. Registration is not required. All ages and abilities are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult). To ensure all participants have time and space to create, participants may be asked to limit time. For details, visit ashevilleart.org.

Creative Collage is 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library.

Families can join in an afternoon of creative collage. The library will provide plenty of old books and magazines, as well as glue and paper. Feel free to bring your own materials, but please be prepared to share them. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/library.

Saturday Board Game Afternoon is 2 – 4:45 p.m. at Swannanoa Library. Play a selection of board and card games for ages 7 and older. Space is limited. Register at buncombecounty.org/library.

The Other Side of Learning – Movies made by Asheville youth will be screened at 7 p.m. at Asheville Community Theatre. Admission is free. See movies made by area youth in both an Academic Learning POD and in the after-school program at the Burton Street Community Center. Movie makers will be honored with awards and prizes. The event also includes a trailer for the feature-length film, “The Other Side of Learning: A Deeper Conversation about Education in the US,” and information how to support the project. For details, visit lisasmithteaches.com and  kickstarter.com/projects/oslmovie/the-other-side-of-learning.

Dollywood’s I Will Always Love You Celebration is March 11 – April 8 at Dollywood. Events include a concert series and more. For details, visit dollywood.com.

Sunday, March 12

Coffee Craze, The Caffeinated Side of Baroque is at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville. This Pan Harmonia performance is a donation-based, pay-as-you-can community concert. All are welcome. For reservations, visit panharmonia.org/product/mar12-bach.

Monday, March 13

Garden Club is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Help plant and take care of the library’s sensory garden. All ages are welcome but children younger than age 6 require a caregiver's supervision. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Tuesday, March 14

Book Bandits Book Club for grades 3 – 6 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Do you love to read? Do you enjoy talking about books? Join the Book Bandits to meet new friends and share recommendations. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Wednesday, March 15

Tiny Tots Yoga is at 11 a.m. at the Swannanoa Library. Call 828-250-6486 or email swannanoa.library@buncombecounty.org.

Four O’Clock Club: Kitchen Chemistry with Zaniac (registration required) for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Thursday, March 16

Story Explorers for grades K – 5 is 4 – 5 p.m. at Pack Memorial Library. Explore a new topic each month through stories and hands-on S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) activities. Register at buncombecounty.org/library.

Afterschool Art Studio for ages 6 – 11 is 4 – 5 p.m. at the East Asheville Library. Experiment with various art mediums and techniques while learning about famous artists and their creations. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/library.

Makerspace: Third Thursday is 5 – 8 p.m. at Asheville Art Museum. Free for members or included with museum admission. Registration is not required. All ages and abilities are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult). To ensure all participants have time and space to create, participants may be asked to limit time. For details, visit ashevilleart.org.

Saturday, March 18

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at UNC Asheville. For details, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com.

Tuesday, March 21

Warren Wilson Women's Lacrosse Kids’ Night is at 5 p.m. at the Warren Wilson College Hank Steinbrecher Sports Complex in Swannanoa. Admission is free. The event includes halftime activities, concessions, Hootie the Owl, and a post-game autograph session with the team. Visit warrenwilsonowls.com.

Wednesday, March 22

Four O’Clock Club: Fairy Houses for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Friday, March 24

Galaxy Night is at PARI – Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute. Overnight options are offered. Learn about what fuels galaxy formation and what these amazing objects can reveal about the universe around us. For details, visit pari.edu/events/winter-wonderland-evening-viewing.

Saturday, March 25

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at UNC Asheville. For details, visit northashevilletailgatemarket.com.

WNC Charity Fire Truck Pull is at the WNC Agriculture Center Expo Building. Doors open at 10 a.m. This is a family friendly event. For details, visit wnccharityfiretruckpull.com.

Wednesday, March 29

Four O’Clock Club: Sand Art for grades K – 5 is at 4 p.m. at the Henderson County Main Library. Visit hendersoncountync.gov/library.

Friday, March 31

Fri-Yay! with Bounty & Soul Kids: Foods to Eat When You Aren't Feeling Well is 10 – 11 a.m. at the Black Mountain Library. The event is for families. Get practical information to support your child's health and development. Classes are free, but registration is required. Register at bountyandsoul.org/events. For details, visit buncombecounty.org/library.

A Disco Party Fundraiser to benefit Tryon International Film Festival is at Upstairs Artspace in downtown Tryon. Tickets are available for purchase with check or cash in Tryon on Trade Street at The Nest and Carri Bass Photography Studio or find details and tickets online at tryoninternationalfilmfestival.com.

GET READY FOR BABY

Mission Health offers prenatal classes, including a childbirth and hospital orientation class and a breastfeeding class. For details and registration, visit missionhealth.org/services-treatments/maternity-care/labor-delivery-mission.

Homegrown Families offers a variety of childbirth and prenatal classes. Learn more and register at ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

Prenatal Classes and a mom group are offered by Haywood Regional Medical Center. Call 828-552-8440 or visit myhaywoodregional.com/events.

ENJOY STORY TIME, FAMILY FUN AND MORE

Roots + Wings offers weekly Art + Design classes for grades K – 5 and Teen Portfolio Development classes. For details and registration, visit rootsandwingsarts.com.

Custom Art Experiences for all ages are offered by Roots + Wings. For details, visit rootsandwingsarts.com/custom-experiences.

Kaleidoscope Play & Learn is offered in-person for children 0 – 5 and their parents/caregivers in Buncombe County. KPL in-person is a once-a-week, 90-minute, adult-child group that features a mix of free play, outdoor play (where available), and group activities/circle time. It is free and open to ages 0 – 5 who reside in Buncombe County and are not enrolled in licensed child care. There are currently spaces in three preschool groups for ages 3 – 5: 9 – 10:30 a.m. Mondays at Hominy Valley Elementary School, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Burton Street Community Center (West Asheville) and 9 – 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at Johnston Elementary. Registration is required before attendance and registration is ongoing, either by emailing marna.holland@acsgmail.net or calling 828-350-2904. In-person infant and toddler classes are currently full.

Hands On! Children’s Museum offers free admission to families who present their adult WIC card. Zoom passes from the Hendersonville Library have limited day passes as well. For details, visit handsonwnc.org.

Registration is now open for the 4th Annual Black Bear Half Marathon and 8K Oct. 8 in Hendersonville. For details, visit blackbearhalfmarathon.com.

Story Times are offered at Henderson County Public Libraries. Get full details at hendersoncountync.gov/library.

• Mills River and Edneyville (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Mondays

• Etowah (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Tuesdays

• Preschool story time at Main (ages 3 – 5) – 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays

• Fletcher (families welcome) and Toddler Time at Main (ages 18 months – 3) – 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays

• Green River (families welcome) – 10 a.m. Thursdays

• Music and Movement at Main (families welcome) – 10:30 a.m. Thursdays

• Bouncing Babies at Main (ages birth – 18 months with a caregiver) – 11:15 a.m. Thursdays

Story times are offered at Buncombe County Libraries. Get full details at buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/services/story-times.aspx.

Baby Story Time – ages 4 – 18 months:

• Oakley/South Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Leicester Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

• Weaverville Library – Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

Toddler Story Time – ages 18 months – 3 years:

• North Asheville Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Fairview Library and Leicester Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Enka-Candler Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time – ages 3 – 5 years:

• East Asheville Library and West Asheville Library – Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

• Swannanoa Library – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

• Fairview Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

• Black Mountain Library and Weaverville Library – Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

• Pack Memorial Library – Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

Hora Del Cuento/Story Time

• Skyland/South Buncombe Library – Friday at 10:30 a.m.

• Oakley/South Asheville Library – Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn 5 years old, creating a home library of up to 60 books and instilling a love of books and reading. For details and registration, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Kolo Bike Park – $10 Sunday Fundays are Sundays through March 26. Rentals are available for an extra charge. Call 828-225-2921for conditions. Visit ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park.

Zoom D&D with Raj for teens is 3 – 6 p.m. Saturdays through the Buncombe County Library. Sign-up is required. Email Raj at raj.bowers-racine@buncombecounty.org to request attendance.

Kindermusik for ages birth – 5 is offered at We Rock the Spectrum. For details, visit kindermusik.com/studio/58207.

Nantahala Outdoor Center is now booking for 2023 adventure trips. For details, visit noc.com.

FOR THE GROWNUPS 

Comedy Classic Weekend is March 3 – 4 at the Omni Grove Park Inn. For details and individual tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/comedy-classic-weekend-tickets-466333936357. For hotel package information, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/specials/comedy-weekend.

SUPPORT AND CONNECTION

Perinatal Loss Support Group – Homegrown Families Perinatal Bereavement Parent Support Group is for families who have experienced the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death. For details, visit ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com.

The Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) is an evidence-based program that gives parents confidence and in turn, helps them raise confident children. Local parents and caregivers have access to this free, positive parenting course online. Access Triple P resources at triplepwnc.com or triplep-parenting.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC Parent February 2023 Calendar: Things to do for kids and parents