Asheville Local Frequency: March Madness, Makers, and The Hives Take Over

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for March 14th. Kick off your weekend with a burst of energy as the UNC Asheville Bulldogs baseball team heads to Clinton for game two against Presbyterian this afternoon at 3 p.m., fresh off their thrilling 6-5 comeback win last night that kicked off Big South play. Meanwhile, gearheads and future engineers can cheer on young innovators at the FIRST Robotics Competition district event right here at Kimmel Arena from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., all free with an RSVP, watching high school teams battle it out with custom bots in a spectacle that sparks the next generation of problem-solvers. Downtown pulses with creativity today during Makers March, starting with the Forever Hug workshop at 1 p.m. in the Harrah’s Cherokee Center ballroom, where for $44 you craft a custom hoodie with painted handprints to celebrate love and connection, perfect for gifting or cherishing memories. Head to the River Arts District for Local Cloth’s Second Saturday Make and Take from noon to 4 p.m., decoupaging eggs in a free hands-on session that lets your inner artist shine amid the district’s vibrant studios. Beer lovers, don’t miss the Oops All Green St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Market at The Whale from 1 to 4 p.m., a festive pop-up packed with emerald-hued crafts and sips that capture Asheville’s playful spirit ahead of the holiday. Families can cozy up at Buncombe County’s Winter Warm Up with s’mores, hot chocolate, and crafts, turning chilly March vibes into warm community fun. As the sun sets, rock out at The Orange Peel with Swedish garage rockers The Hives and openers The Chats at 8 p.m., delivering high-octane hits like Hate to Say I Told You So in that intimate venue where the energy feels electric up close. Catch Five Spice: A Talk Show at 7:30 p.m. at Story Parlor for $25, blending stories and flavors in a fresh spring edition, or unwind at Westival from 5 to 8 p.m. at Archetype Brewing for $50 of good times. Foodies, Xico launches wood-fired Mexican brunch today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with huevos rancheros and tres leches French toast that’ll make your taste buds dance. On the news front, Buncombe County property values have surged in fresh January assessments, doubling for some and sparking online buzz, but free appeal clinics start Tuesday at Sandy Mush Community Center to guide you through challenges and tax relief. Costco’s back in talks for an Enka site after pulling out briefly, promising those $1.50 hot dogs might hit our shelves soon, while City Council greenlit 269 new apartments, easing housing crunch with market-rate and affordable units. Twisted Crepe downtown closed but eyes a comeback, so stay tuned via Facebook. Looking ahead, the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival explodes tomorrow with 70-plus experimental shows, including banjo-saving tomatoes and Appalachian circus feats, perfect for fringe bingers at kickoff at One World West. It’s Pi Day, so pie up at Baked Pie Company or join UNC Asheville’s This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.