January flew by – can you believe it’s the second week of February? There’s a lot going on around Asheville this month – especially for Black History Month + Mardi Gras (forget Valentines Day, who's ready for the parade??)

1️⃣ Love Asheville, Go Local Week

Feb. 10 –17 | Treat yo'self + explore the city this week with dozens of deals at local businesses in celebration of #LoveLocalAVL. Plus, some shops are staying open late on Saturday and the Asheville Downtown Association is giving out parking vouchers. 🙌 See all the deals + events here.

2️⃣ Asheville Mardi Gras

Sun. Feb. 11 | 3:05 p.m. start | Federal Alley + Hilliard Ave. | This year's theme? Ashevillage People. Catch the after party at Banks Ave Bar and grab a special day-of brew at Burial + Catawba (and $3 beer at Ben's Tune-Up and Wicked Weed). FYI: For the first time, the parade will travel through the South Slope (map here.)

3️⃣ We Heart Helpmate: A Valentine’s Day Benefit Celebration

Wed. Feb. 14 | The Orange Peel | 8 p.m. | $12 | All Ages | Music by Alex Krug combo + Ten Cent Poetry, as well as free food + drink by Roots Hummus, Whole Foods + French Broad Chocolates. Sounds like a perfect Valentine's Day date. Bonus: Proceeds benefit Helpmate, which provides services to victims of domestic violence in Buncombe County.

4️⃣ Bike Love presented by New Belgium Brewing

Sat. Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | Salvage Station | 468 Riverside Dr.| $22 GA ($65 reception) | Get down with live music from Siamese Sound Club + DJ Marley Carroll, a silent auction, and a bike raffle. Proceeds benefit Asheville On Bikes, a non-profit advocating for better biking + walking infrastructure in Asheville. Tickets here.

5️⃣ Nikole Hannah-Jones: Ending Racial Inequity in Our Schools

Wed. Feb. 28 | 7 p.m. | UNC Asheville | $25 | Nikole Hannah-Jones covers racial segregation for New York Times Magazine, including how it affects housing + schools. She was named a MacArthur Genius Fellow in 2017.👏🏾 See her work here + get tickets here. Bonus: Free live-stream viewing at the UNCA Humanities Lecture Hall.