Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Come join us for Business After Hours at Union Transfer & Storage!
Union Transfer and Storage and GoMinis Portable Storage invite you to Business After Hours. As local, family-owned businesses operating in Western NC and Eastern TN for nearly 100 years, they are thrilled to host you on May 2nd. Please join them for an evening of games, live music, food and beer from Oskar Blues Brewery. They look forward to connecting with you and hearing how we can best serve you in our community.
Feel free to bring a gift to be raffled off as door prizes towards the end of the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and a chance to win prizes!
Printmaker Janette Hopper will be giving a digital presentation on her art of linocut printmaking this Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7pm. She will also demonstrate some of the tools and materials she uses in her process, and be available for Q&A. Afterwards, stay for the gallery’s True Home Open Mic, where performers of all skills and genres (poetry, storytelling, music, song, comedy, etc.) share their art. Janette herself will be getting up on stage again to share some of her poetry! Or stay to browse more of her print artwork: her current exhibit at Flood Gallery, “Agony and Ecstasy: Images of Conscience” which is comprised of more than 60 pieces, all for sale, and will show through June 2.
The National Small Business Week 2-day virtual summit is happening Tuesday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
This year’s event will include educational presentations by experts, exhibit booths, free business resources, multiple peer-to-peer networking rooms, and expert business advice from SCORE mentors.
The event is free to attend for both established and aspiring business owners. However, you must first register to gain entry.
See the schedule of events below, or download a PDF version of the schedule.
Tuesday, April 30
| Time (ET) | Session | Cosponsored by |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Virtual Doors Open! Explore the Environment | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Accelerate Business Growth with the Help of AI | Visa |
| 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Securing Your Small Business in a Work-From-Anywhere World | T-Mobile |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Learn About the No-Cost SBA T.H.R.I.V.E Educational Program | SBA |
| 2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Unlock AI’s Potential for Your Small Business | Grow with Google |
| 2:40 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. | Building a Foundation for Online Marketing Success: Review, Plan, and Execute | Constant Contact |
| 3:55 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. | Leveraging E-Commerce to Scale Your Business | Amazon |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | How to Start a Food Truck Business: A Step-by-Step Guide | SCORE |
Wednesday, May 1
| Time (ET) | Session | Cosponsored by |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Virtual Doors Open! Explore the Environment | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:40 p.m. | 8 Practical Skills to Run a Successful Business | Visa |
| 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Small Business Strategies for Collaboration and Productivity | T-Mobile |
| 12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. | Navigating Your Cash Flow | Chase for Business |
| 1:55 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. | How to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Business & Securing Your First Loan | NerdWallet |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Future of Commerce 2024 | Square |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | My SBA | SBA |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | How to Write a Grant Proposal for Your Business | SCORE |
Networking rooms
Between sessions, make sure you check out our other rooms:
- Exhibit hall: Chat with our cosponsors and pick up free resources for your business.
- Mentoring hall: Get answers to your business questions from one of our experienced mentors.
- Networking lounge: Make new connections with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- Inspiration hall: View small business success stories and get inspired to achieve greatness.
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At the Asheville Chamber, we’ll be celebrating Small Businesses during the week of May 13 – May 17 with events like the Sky High Growth Awards, Smart Series and a Surprise Patrol of local goodies to small businesses. We’ll also be celebrating small businesses throughout the month of May on social media and here in our newsletter! Support the Downtown Business Improvement District! The proposed Business Improvement District (BID) in Downtown Asheville aims to enhance the community’s vitality and functionality. With a focus on safe and clean services, such as a hospitality and safety ambassador program, the BID will address pressing issues while fostering a vibrant downtown environment. Learn more about the BID and sign the petition at downtownashevillebid.com.
Anyone can sign the bid whether you work, live or simply enjoy Downtown Asheville. By coming together to advocate for the BID’s establishment, we can ensure Downtown Asheville continues to thrive as a dynamic economic and cultural hub!
The Chamber Challenge is designed to promote community wellness through friendly competition between businesses in the Asheville area. Encourage your co-workers, family and friends to participate. Whether you walk every step or sprint to the finish, we know you’re up to the challenge!
The National Small Business Week 2-day virtual summit is happening Tuesday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
This year’s event will include educational presentations by experts, exhibit booths, free business resources, multiple peer-to-peer networking rooms, and expert business advice from SCORE mentors.
The event is free to attend for both established and aspiring business owners. However, you must first register to gain entry.
See the schedule of events below, or download a PDF version of the schedule.
Tuesday, April 30
| Time (ET) | Session | Cosponsored by |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Virtual Doors Open! Explore the Environment | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. | Accelerate Business Growth with the Help of AI | Visa |
| 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Securing Your Small Business in a Work-From-Anywhere World | T-Mobile |
| 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Learn About the No-Cost SBA T.H.R.I.V.E Educational Program | SBA |
| 2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Unlock AI’s Potential for Your Small Business | Grow with Google |
| 2:40 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. | Building a Foundation for Online Marketing Success: Review, Plan, and Execute | Constant Contact |
| 3:55 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. | Leveraging E-Commerce to Scale Your Business | Amazon |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | How to Start a Food Truck Business: A Step-by-Step Guide | SCORE |
Wednesday, May 1
| Time (ET) | Session | Cosponsored by |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Virtual Doors Open! Explore the Environment | |
| 11:00 a.m. – 11:40 p.m. | 8 Practical Skills to Run a Successful Business | Visa |
| 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Small Business Strategies for Collaboration and Productivity | T-Mobile |
| 12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. | Navigating Your Cash Flow | Chase for Business |
| 1:55 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. | How to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Business & Securing Your First Loan | NerdWallet |
| 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Future of Commerce 2024 | Square |
| 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | My SBA | SBA |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | How to Write a Grant Proposal for Your Business | SCORE |
Networking rooms
Between sessions, make sure you check out our other rooms:
- Exhibit hall: Chat with our cosponsors and pick up free resources for your business.
- Mentoring hall: Get answers to your business questions from one of our experienced mentors.
- Networking lounge: Make new connections with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- Inspiration hall: View small business success stories and get inspired to achieve greatness.
-
At the Asheville Chamber, we’ll be celebrating Small Businesses during the week of May 13 – May 17 with events like the Sky High Growth Awards, Smart Series and a Surprise Patrol of local goodies to small businesses. We’ll also be celebrating small businesses throughout the month of May on social media and here in our newsletter! Support the Downtown Business Improvement District! The proposed Business Improvement District (BID) in Downtown Asheville aims to enhance the community’s vitality and functionality. With a focus on safe and clean services, such as a hospitality and safety ambassador program, the BID will address pressing issues while fostering a vibrant downtown environment. Learn more about the BID and sign the petition at downtownashevillebid.com.
Anyone can sign the bid whether you work, live or simply enjoy Downtown Asheville. By coming together to advocate for the BID’s establishment, we can ensure Downtown Asheville continues to thrive as a dynamic economic and cultural hub!
Individuals, groups, and businesses are invited to honor a loved one or show your commitment to environmental stewardship by sponsoring a tree for the Sand Hill community orchard. This April, join others from the community in celebrating Arbor Day by helping GreenWorks plant additional native fruit trees in the space. Each year, the community orchard provides fresh fruit for local food pantries, and access to learning and volunteering opportunities.
If your family or business is interested in sponsoring a tree for our April 26th Arbor Day event, please call us at 828-254-1776 to learn more.
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
The MADE X MTNS (Made By Mountains) Partnership is working to expand the outdoor industry and economy across North Carolina’s Appalachian region and catalyze rural development by building vibrant outdoor communities, growing outdoor businesses, and amplifying outdoor culture. This work is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission, Dogwood Health Trust, and Mountain BizWorks. Join the Building Outdoor Communities Program Specialist, Bradley Spiegel to learn about the 7-month capacity building program that 19 WNC counties have completed to holistically and proactively plan for outdoor assets that balance conservation and community development. FREE virtual presentation.
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
Get ready to celebrate at our inaugural PROpel AVL Awards Celebration on May 7th! It’s a night to honor excellence and network with fellow professionals. With Carin Metzger (aka Cookie Carter of LaZoom) as our MC and DJ Molly Parti spinning tunes plus unveiling this year’s honorees, it’s sure to be something special.
Join us to celebrate the outstanding individuals nominated for PROpel AVL Awards. From remarkable innovators and mentors to dedicated volunteers and trailblazers, these young professionals are making waves in Asheville’s community, and they’re nothing short of inspiring! Read about the nominees
About the Awards:
The new PROpel AVL Awards honor young professionals who have distinguished themselves in their profession or as leaders along with individuals who serve as mentors to young professionals in our community.
- Community/Public Service: This award honors an individual for their involvement in the community or for public service.
- Trailblazer: This award honors an individual for outstanding leadership in their organization, industry, profession or the young professional community.
- Innovation: This award honors an individual for creativity and innovation in business.
- Mentor: This award honors an individual who serves as a mentor to young professionals in our community.
- PROpel Award: This award honors an individual who embodies the spirit of PROpel AVL – whether that’s making great strides in their profession or propelling our community.
About our MC: Carin Metzger has been performing professionally on stages large, small, and mobile for over a decade. A graduate of Elon University’s BFA Acting Program and the Asheville Improv Collective, she has worked for such companies as the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, National Theatre For Children, Immediate Theatre Project, Magnetic Theatre, Attic Salt and NC Stage. Most recently she was seen hosting Enter the Garden, a pole dance ballet, at Diana Wortham and the Tour de Fat at New Belgium Asheville and directed the Double Dip production Quality Service at the Masonic Temple. She currently performs full time with LaZoom Comedy Tours.
About PROpel AVL: At PROpel AVL, we go beyond the ordinary. Imagine having exclusive access to top-notch workshops, rockstar mentors, local employers seeking talent, and a community of fearless young professionals like yourself. We don’t just offer resources; we serve up opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re fresh out of school or making your mark, PROpel AVL has your back.
You can sign up for text alerts by texting #propel to 828-827-5332. Learn more about upcoming programs at www.ashevillechamber.org/propel
This monthly event is co-sponsored with Blue Ridge Community College’s Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street program, and the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association features several speakers on timely community events and issues affecting our business community.
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
Elevate & Connect
Gear up for our monthly socials, where networking takes center stage. Join other Young Professionals under 40, for connections, exchange of ideas, and occasional guest speakers. Enjoy a complimentary beverage on us, as you mingle in style. Bring your energy, business cards and elevate your professional circle!
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
This evening of community impact celebrates and recognizes the individuals, organizations, and companies making significant contributions to ensure that we ALL get to live in a united and resilient community where everyone belongs, and everyone thrives. We look forward to having you join us as we shine a light on those who lend their voice, support, influence, and passion to make an extraordinary impact.
Doors open at 6pm for performer signups, followed by our regular True Home Open Mic from 6:30-7:30. Then a pop-up concert 7:30-9pm featuring true folk troubadour Ash Devine with special guest and 40-time award-winning FL-based songwriter Jane Fallon! A blend of originals with old country, traditional Appalachian, Carter family songs, old timey country blues, and folk revival tunes.
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
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FEAST classes focus on:
- Problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
- Increasing fresh, locally grown produce in everyday living.
- Gaining confidence by exploring different ways to grow and prepare fresh produce.
- Creating and changing recipes and substituting ingredients.
- Learning how food and the environment affects the brain and body.
- Connecting to Core Curriculum and Essential Standards in math, reading, writing, science, health, and nutrition.
Celebrate the incredible women in your life by joining us for a distinctive and casual networking experience. Athena of Henderson County proudly presents this exclusive opportunity crafted to inspire and foster connections among women. There’s no entrance fee – simply bring your business cards and relish the chance to expand your network!
This quarter, let’s gather at Stuller Power Solutions, a local electric generator and Generac Authorized Dealer. Cheryl Stuller, a valued member of our EMPOWER Her Committee, and the Presenting Sponsor of our Empower Hours, will be hosting us. Join us for a delightful hour of connection, delicious food, and a celebration of our collective achievements!
Make a difference in the lives of local children! Join Pisgah Legal Services at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville for an evening of live music, featuring Jane Kramer and the band Rooster. Take part in family-friendly fun, a silent auction and more at this outdoor event for all ages. By participating, you contribute to our Children’s Law Program which provides crucial support to kids in our communities.
Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit providing free civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy, and access to health care to people with low incomes in Western North Carolina. Kids Deserve Justice supports our Children’s Law Program, which helps disadvantaged children avoid unsafe housing conditions and homelessness, access essential services such as medical care, and escape abuse. Legal intervention can stop an immediate crisis and improve local children’s long-term futures.
In 2023, we served over 23,000 people—more than 7,000 of them children—across the WNC mountain region.
Tickets are $25/person in advance, $30 at the door. Kids age 12 and under get in FREE. Tickets include event admission and 1 complimentary drink ticket.
For the past 10 years, the Western Women’s Business Center has been a beacon of support, empowerment, and success for women entrepreneurs in our community. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we invite you to join us in commemorating the achievements, growth, and incredible journey of the past decade.
Join us as we celebrate members Capstone Lifestyles, Inc. and their 5 year anniversary with a Ribbon Cutting!
At Capstone Lifestyles Inc. you can find unique approaches to your kitchen and bath cabinet designs and process. They prioritize client satisfaction and project success. Their services include designing cabinet spaces for various areas like kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and more, offering a range of cabinetry brands and countertop products, as well as delivery and installation.
Come and celebrate during just the ribbon cutting and hors d’oeuvres, or celebrate with them throughout the day from 10 AM – 6:00 PM!
Coffee: 10am – 11:30am
Hors D’oeuvres: 1:30pm – 3pm
Wine tasting: 5pm – 6pm
Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the seventh
year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area.
Advance tickets are recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-
6:00pm. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl donated by area potters, a soup-based
meal, with soups and breads donated by local restaurants and bakers, plus homemade cookies
baked by church members. For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available
option.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. Tickets
are available for purchase online at www.stjohnflatrock.org/empty-bowls.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year. The Flat Rock Backpack Program has 501c-3 status. 100% of the money collected goes
to feeding at least 150 children in eight schools every weekend.
“The Backpack Team is so very appreciative of the support from the potters, the food
providers, and the community, who make this such a successful event,” said Debby Staton,
Flat Rock Backpack Program Coordinator.
The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church at 1905 Greenville Highway. For
more information write to [email protected] or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
7th Annual Empty Bowls
Supporting the Flat Rock Backpack Program
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Two Seating Windows: 12:00-2:00pm | 4:00-6:00pm
Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the 7th year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area. On Sunday, May 19, Empty Bowls, a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place inside the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.
Advanced tickets are strongly recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm. Attendees of the event may come any time
during their seating window. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal (a variety of soups, breads, and homemade cookies). For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available option.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. Limited tickets may be available at the door on the day of the event.
The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church building, at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information, write to [email protected].
A taste of the Low Country comes to the foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented musicians and creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. Baxter will be joined by the multi-talented poet and musician Marcus Amaker. Baxter is Co-Principal of Charleston Jazz Initiative and drummer for the band Ranky Tanky. Amaker is the first Poet Laureate of Charleston. In addition to poetry, Amaker is an opera librettist. His debut opera, The Weight of Light, will premiere in 2024 for the Chicago Opera Theater. In 2019, Amaker won a Governor’s Arts Award in South Carolina, and was named the artist-in-residence of the Gaillard Center, Charleston’s world-renowned performance and education venue. The collaboration of these two incredibly creative individuals will delight foothills jazz aficionados to close out the series.
A taste of the Low Country comes to the Foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. He’ll be joined by the multi-talented poet, musician and first Poet Laureate of Charleston Marcus Amaker.
Make a difference in the lives of local children! Join Pisgah Legal Services at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville for an evening of live music, featuring Jane Kramer and the band Rooster. Take part in family-friendly fun, a silent auction and more at this outdoor event for all ages. By participating, you contribute to our Children’s Law Program which provides crucial support to kids in our communities.
Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit providing free civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy, and access to health care to people with low incomes in Western North Carolina. Kids Deserve Justice supports our Children’s Law Program, which helps disadvantaged children avoid unsafe housing conditions and homelessness, access essential services such as medical care, and escape abuse. Legal intervention can stop an immediate crisis and improve local children’s long-term futures.
In 2023, we served over 23,000 people—more than 7,000 of them children—across the WNC mountain region.
Tickets are $25/person in advance, $30 at the door. Kids age 12 and under get in FREE. Tickets include event admission and 1 complimentary drink ticket.
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Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.
The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.
gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!