WNC’s April Dancecard

This isn’t really one of those blog posts with a beginning, middle, end, and a pithy little story to carry you through. Instead, I’m supplanting those things with nothing but shameless plugs for WNC-related events. Here’s a list of places you’ll be see able to see the WNC staff out having a drink this month (other than the usual bars, bowling alleys, and karaoke clubs):

HATCHfest party
April 16; 9 pm; invitation only; Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, Asheville
We’ve been hearing great things about HATCH coming to Asheville for well over a year now, and WNC is honored to have been asked to host an invitation-only party with 98.1fm The River. We’re going to take over Blue Spiral 1 gallery on Biltmore Avenue for one evening to celebrate the festival’s arrival in town. Expect a retro theme, maybe some cigar girls, and plenty to drink. To give you an idea of who’s providing what, let me drop a few names: Food by Pineapple Jack’s and the Admiral; beer from the Wedge Brewery; wine from Mutual Distributors; costumes by Honeypot; and music will be DJed by Greg Cartwright (you know him from Reigning Sound). Anyway, it’s going to be a good time, just make sure you have your invitation in-hand if you want in.

Sweet
April 17; 10 pm; $40 tickets; Crippens, Blowing Rock
If you’re going to be in Blowing Rock for the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival (www.blueridgewinefestival.com), you’re not going to want to miss this party. Crippen's Country Inn & Restaurant (so yummy…) is having us over for a late-night dessert and wine party. If that isn’t enough, they’ve invited the lovable and oh-so memorable Chef Carla from this season’s Top Chef. You remember her, she was the “it’s all good” contestant who came damn-near to winning the whole thing. If you can’t remember her, here’s a link to help you fall in love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnwGzfM2h6c
More info on the event: http://www.crippens.com/dnn/SWEETApr17th/tabid/145/Default.aspx

G magazine’s Giving Back Awards
April 23; 6:30 pm; $25 tickets; Zen Events; Greenville, South Carolina
Technically, this isn’t our party. But our sister magazine down the mountain in Greenville, titled "G" (what can I say, our company likes to name its publications with mostly consonants), is throwing a fete to celebrate the recipients of their Giving Back Awards. The G staff definitely knows how to throw a good party, so if you’re down that way, definitely check it out. You can read more about the recipients at their site, www.gvillemag.com. And complete details of the event are at: http://www.gvillemag.com/events/g_magazine_giving_back_awards

On the Verge Preview Party
April 30; 7 pm; invitation only; Windows on the Park and Asheville Area Arts Council gallery; Biltmore Ave, Asheville
We’re throwing soirée for our friends and the winners of the On the Verge emerging artists competition. It all happens downtown the night before the gallery exhibit opens to the public. Over the past many months we saw more than 150 very talented local artists from submit their work for a juried competition. Of those, nine were chosen to be featured in a month-long exhibit at the AAAC. It’s an extraordinary mix of medias, styles, and backgrounds that you’ll only be able to find in western North Carolina. Since space at the gallery is tight for a large crowd, we’re going to have the party at Windows on the Park (if you can call Pack Square a park these days), and we’re going to run shuttle service down to the gallery courtesy of… well, that part’s a surprise.

On the Verge Gallery Opening
May 1; 5:30 pm; free admission; Asheville Area Arts Council gallery; Biltmore Ave, Asheville
This is everyone’s chance to see the work of our On the Verge artists in person. You’ll be able to see the sculptures and paintings of the area’s finest upcoming artists. All works will be available for sale, and a portion of the money raised will go to support the Asheville Area Arts Council. Come by to enjoy some music, food from local restaurants, drinks, and a sense that you’re supporting the local arts scene. And if you can’t make it that night, the exhibit will be in the gallery for the entire month of May. Check back to WNCmagazine.com to see samples of all the winners’ work. We’ll be posting it in a week or so.
http://www.wncmagazine.com/ontheverge/