Hendersonville Swing Band
Hendersonville

November 8

The Hendersonville Swing Band will perform big-band favorites of the ’30s and ’40s in a concert featuring guest vocalist Russ Wilson of the Nouveau Passé Orchestra. The proceeds will fund scholarships for graduating Hendersonville High School seniors, as well as provide financial support to local agencies such as Helping Hand, Vocational Solutions of Henderson County, and Civitan International Research Center, which studies birth defects and developmental disabilities.
Hendersonville High School auditorium, 311 8th Ave. W.; Saturday, 3 p.m.; $10; (828) 696-8031

Jazz for Justice
Asheville
November 15
This Roaring Twenties gala will celebrate more than 30 years of Pisgah Legal Services’ achievements bringing justice to disadvantaged children, senior citizens, families at risk of homelessness, and victims of domestic violence. Along with a live performance by The Firecracker Jazz Band, guests will enjoy a meal provided by the hotel, a full bar, dancing, and an awards presentation recognizing outstanding volunteers and community leaders. Proceeds will support Pisgah Legal Services’ programs.
Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St.; Saturday, 6 p.m.; $55; (828) 210-3444; www.pisgahlegal.org

Mobiles over Asheville
Asheville
November 21
Beginning with a reception, this fundraiser’s main event features an auction of mobiles by more than 20 local artists. Their creations, ranging in medium from textiles to colored glass and wood, will be sold to benefit Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. When open, the college offered a place of study that promoted community and creative expression, a legacy the museum continues to celebrate today.
Mobilia, 43 Haywood St.; Friday, 6:30 p.m.; $15; (828) 350-8484; www.blackmountaincollege.org

Carpenter’s Ball
Forest City
November 22
Come to the area’s inaugural ball for Habitat for Humanity in casual attire and enjoy live music by Rocky Yelton & The Hired Guns. Tickets include a home-style buffet provided by local vendors and two complimentary drinks. A silent auction will feature locally made furniture, vacation getaways, and more. Proceeds benefit the Forest City Habitat for Humanity’s Raise the Roof campaign, an effort to purchase the ReStore that the affordable housing organization now leases.
Habitat ReStore; 686 W. Main St.; Saturday,
8 p.m.; $50; (828) 245-0716

Fireside Tour
Valle Crucis
December 2
Tour this historic town, stopping in shops, galleries, restaurants, and beautiful churches. At each venue, hosts will provide refreshments. There will also be plenty of chances to warm up next to the cozy fires along the way. Participants may also win door prizes after the tour. Tickets must be purchased in advance and proceeds benefit Valle Crucis Community Park’s maintenance fund. Mast General Store, N.C. 194; Tuesday, 1-6 p.m.; $10; (828) 963-6571; www.vallecrucis.com/fireside

Santa Paws 2008
Valle Crucis
December 5 & 6
If you’re looking for a new family picture or holiday card idea, the Watauga Humane Society is offering family portraits with your pet and the opportunity for children (or young at heart) to pose with Santa and Mrs. Paws. All proceeds benefit the Watauga Humane Society.
The Little Red School House, 630 W. King St.; Friday, 4-8 p.m., Saturday, 1-4 p.m.; $10; (828) 264-7865; www.wataugahumanesociety.org

Jingle Bell Run
Brevard
December 6
The 5K Jingle Bell Run is a fundraiser for The Center for Women, which provides crisis pregnancy care. The awards ceremony will recognize winners in several age categories, plus overall male and female winners. This race is the kick-off event for the Brevard Twilight Festival featuring choir singers, a visit from Santa Claus, and the sidewalks aglow with 1,000 luminaries. Register at www.active.com before December 2 for discounted prices, or on race day inside the First Baptist Church on Gaston Street.
The Center for Women, 15 E. Jordan St.; Saturday, 9 a.m., 7:45 a.m. registration; $25; (828) 885-7885; www.brevardwomenscenter.com

Can–U–Ski Food & Coat Drive
Maggie Valley
December 7

Skiers and snowboarders will have a great excuse to spend a day on the slopes at this year’s food and coat drive at Cataloochee Ski Area. Participants can bring 10 cans of food or one gently used winter jacket and receive a free lift ticket, a value of $50. Donations go to Haywood Christian Ministry of Waynesville where they will be distributed to those in need.
Cataloochee Ski Area, 1080 Ski Lodge Rd.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; free with donation; (800) 768-0285; www.cataloochee.com

Richmond Hill Inn High Tea
Asheville
December 7

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with high tea at the Richmond Hill Inn. Guests will enjoy tea, sandwiches, savories, cakes, and cookies while watching a fashion show of women’s wear from Coldwater Creek. Proceeds from a silent auction will benefit RiverLink, a nonprofit group helping to restore and protect the French Broad River and its tributaries.
Richmond Hill Inn, 87 Richmond Hill Dr.; Sunday, 2-4 p.m.; $15, $12 children; (828) 252-7313; www.riverlink.org

Holiday Tour of Homes
Brevard
December 12 & 13
Tour homes in Transylvania County selected for their beauty, architecture, and decor. Determine the pace and order of your visits on this self-guided tour. Join the kick-off party and art auction with wine and hors d’oeuvres at one of the historic homes on Friday. Then, visit the Arts Center in the morning for directions and information, and peruse the gallery featuring works by local artists. This is an annual fundraiser for the Arts Council’s Arts-in-Schools program.
Transylvania Community Arts Center, 349 S. Caldwell St.; Friday, TBA, Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; $30, $50 kick-off party; (828) 884-2787; www.tcarts.org

A Christmas Concert of Handbell Music
Flat Rock
December 15
Get into the holiday spirit by listening to handbells ring out festive tunes. The concert is presented by The Blue Ridge Ringers, a community handbell group in Henderson County organized to promote the art of handbell ringing to those unfamiliar with the instrument. Proceeds benefit the YouTheatre Education Center.
Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy.; Monday, 7 p.m.; $10, $5 students; (828) 693-0731; http://blueridgeringers.tripod.com

Home For The Holidays
Tryon
December 18-20
It’s a holiday concert plus more, with volunteers singing carols, audience sing-alongs, and storytellers sharing holiday tales. This is the 22nd anniversary of the Home for the Holidays celebration, which attracts more than 400 people annually. The concert takes place in front of the large fireplace in the great room, and proceeds benefit Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, an organization that provides environmental education and therapeutic riding in addition to hosting horse shows and sporting events. Thursday’s dress rehearsal offers discounted tickets.
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, 3381 Hunting Country Rd.; Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m.; $5 Thursday, $10 Friday & Saturday; (828) 859-9021; http://www.fence.org