If you are near Asheville, you are about one or two steps near heaven. The town has music, art, theater and lectures going on bout any day of the week. Stop by the UNC to see the delightful Botanical Gardens, walk by Pack Square and drop in to the cafes and bars where late night music abounds and stop at Malaprops (bookstore) to get the weekly newsletter MountainXpress- lets you know what's going on in the area.

Google The John Campbell School - an hour or so west of Asheville, this is the school that inspired the movie "Songcatcher" and has an amazingly accepting atmosphere for musicians and artist- they have classes in all kinds of arts and crafts (woodworking to watercolor) and weekly concerts, lectures and events.

Or just walk out and savor the long and luxurious spring in North Carolina! Nothing could be finer.