Calendar of Events

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the poignant story of the witty and courageous Cyrano, a man with a large nose and a big heart. In love with Roxane, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while hiding his own feelings and sacrificing his love for her. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

35Below:

35below is a 40-seat black box theatre located at 35 East Walnut, Asheville, NC. The entrance is located on the opposite side of the building as the main entrance – right next to the Thomas Wolfe House & Museum.

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind

August 15 – 24, 2025

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM

Title & Authors:
Created by Greg Allen
Performed by The Neo-Futurists

Prepare for a whirlwind of theatrical creativity in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind! This fast-paced and unpredictable show presents 30 plays in 60 minutes, each ranging from hilarious to deeply poignant. Known for its unique blend of performance art, satire, and audience interaction, Too Much Light guarantees a different experience every night. Audience participation and improvisation are at the core of this ever-evolving production.

Expect the unexpected as The Neo-Futurists deliver a rollercoaster of emotions, commentary, and absurdity. No two performances are alike—so roll the dice and get ready for a theatrical experiment like no other!

Run Time: 60 minutes

Content Awareness: This show contains strong language, mature themes, and occasional moments of audience participation. Some scenes may include references to violence, sexuality, religion, and other adult topics.

Join us for an enchanting evening at the
Flat Rock Playhouse Annual Gala,

“Vagabonds In The Vineyard!”
This year, we’re bringing the vibrant spirit of the Mediterranean to the beautiful

Monday, August 18th

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Marked Tree Vineyards,

623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC

Call the DEVO office at 828-693-0403 ext. 205 
Premier Table Seating
$250 per person
– Guaranteed seat at one of our limited reserved tables
– perfect for sitting with friends.

– Two complimentary drink tickets.
– Prime location close to the evening’s entertainment
– featuring various artists and performers from the Flat Rock Playhouse.

General Admission
$125 per person

– Seating on the scenic terrace of Marked Tree Vineyards
– One complimentary drink ticket.
– Enjoy the entertainment and ambiance of the evening.

Reserved seating is limited for the Premier Table option, so book early!
Dinner:

Indulge in a delectable array of dishes from

the curated food stations provided by

Evening Schedule:
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Check-in and Happy Hour
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Dinner served from food stations

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Silent Auction open for bidding
7:30 PM: Entertainment featuring Flat Rock Playhouse artists and performers
8:30 PM: Final Encore

Dress Code:
Embrace the spirit of the Mediterranean!

We encourage you to wear light, flowing attire suitable for strolling

the charming streets of Mykonos or Santorini. Think chic and comfortable.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Presenters: Drake Fowler, Executive Director, North Carolina Arboretum

Program Description: We often see Asheville, North Carolina, as a “climate haven,” and we were all shaken by the impacts of Hurricane Helene last September.

In this thought-provoking talk, Drake Fowler, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Arboretum, discusses our first-hand experience living through this major geological event and what it reveals about the vulnerability—and potential—of our landscapes.

Learn how local professionals and other specialists are charting a path toward long-term recovery, and explore strategies for building more resilient gardens and communities in a changing climate.

The presentation is free, and registration with Eventbrite is required.

If you have questions, contact the Buncombe County Extension office at 828-255-5522.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

The Grey Eagle and Worthwhile Sounds Present: THE MOTH /Asheville StorySLAM – “CHILDISH”

All Ages

Thursday, August 21

Doors: 6:30pm // Show: 7:30pm

Grey Eagle Music Hall

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night’s theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…

CHILDISH: Prepare a five-minute story about feeling young. Ditching second period or calling out “sick” from work. Middle school crushes or puppy love that had you feeling 16 again. Chasing ice cream trucks, building pillow forts, and losing stuffed animals. Whether it’s temper tantrums, tattle tales, or tumultuous inner-toddlers…it’s time to grow up. Tag! (no take backs times infinity)

Doors Open: 6:30 PM

Show Starts: 7:30 PM

Tickets for Asheville StorySLAMs go on sale 3 weeks prior to the show date at 3 PM ET.

Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. Admission is not guaranteed for late arrivals. All sales final. As many as 10 tickets may be available at the door for all of our StorySLAMs on a first-come, first-served basis.

We have another standup comedy contest, coming up on Thursday August 21! Come out for the fun as you pick your favorite comic of the night!! Audiences love these shows and tickets go fast!
___________________________________
The Slice of Life Comedy Asheville Fall/Winter Standup Contest Series: ROUND 1
Thursday August 21, 7:30p-9:30p, doors at 6:30p
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge
103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $17 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
These shows sellout!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!
How it Works:
Comics on the show will do approximately 3-1/2m of comedy. This show’s 3 top comics will be brought back with other show winners to compete in our pageant finale, date TBD. Audience votes through paper ballots to be picked up and counted at end of show, winner will be announced.
Want to compete?
These spots go fast! There is no cost to performing comics. Comics should have 3-5m of material and be prepared for additional material in the event of a tie-breaker performance. Winners will be compensated for the night and move on to the finale.

Go to SliceofLifeComedy.com for more information. Contact Michele with any questions, or to sign up at [email protected]

Support your local pollinators in The Learning Garden and participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Join us and learn how to identify and count common pollinators and what plants they favor. After a brief presentation we will go out into the garden and count pollinators.

Two (15 minute) counting sessions will be held back to back. Come for the first one or stay for both. Extension Master Gardener volunteers will provide instruction and assist. Your count matters!

Please bring a hat, water bottle and a chair if needed.

The program is free, but participation is limited and registration is required. Details of the program, along with registration instructions are found on the Buncombe County Extension website.

If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Photo by Donna Sapp, Extension Master Gardener volunteer

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the poignant story of the witty and courageous Cyrano, a man with a large nose and a big heart. In love with Roxane, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while hiding his own feelings and sacrificing his love for her. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

35Below:

35below is a 40-seat black box theatre located at 35 East Walnut, Asheville, NC. The entrance is located on the opposite side of the building as the main entrance – right next to the Thomas Wolfe House & Museum.

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind

August 15 – 24, 2025

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM

Title & Authors:
Created by Greg Allen
Performed by The Neo-Futurists

Prepare for a whirlwind of theatrical creativity in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind! This fast-paced and unpredictable show presents 30 plays in 60 minutes, each ranging from hilarious to deeply poignant. Known for its unique blend of performance art, satire, and audience interaction, Too Much Light guarantees a different experience every night. Audience participation and improvisation are at the core of this ever-evolving production.

Expect the unexpected as The Neo-Futurists deliver a rollercoaster of emotions, commentary, and absurdity. No two performances are alike—so roll the dice and get ready for a theatrical experiment like no other!

Run Time: 60 minutes

Content Awareness: This show contains strong language, mature themes, and occasional moments of audience participation. Some scenes may include references to violence, sexuality, religion, and other adult topics.

Join us for our monthly market, where you’ll discover local vendors offering a variety of houseplants, garden plants, and planty-related items, including crafts and jewelry. Show your support by visiting our social table, where we will have branded merchandise for sale to help fund the event, as well as tags for social media pages to follow your favorite vendors. Enjoy live music and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
🅿️Free parking is available! Please park at the front of the building and enter through the hydroponics shop. Vendors will be set up inside the shop as well as outside the back of the shop.

Join the fun, French inspired dance party that is the rage in Europe and gaining ground here in the US. Guest teacher Catherine Rudin joins us from Omaha, Nebraska where she leads a local IFD group and is a frequent teacher at Midwestern workshops. Live music will be by Geraud Barralon who was born in France to a musical family then relocated with marriage to Brasstown, NC. There he is a musician with the John C. Campbell Folk School and an instructor with the Junior Appalachian Musicians when not touring with Balfolk events in France. Dances will be led but not taught. https://www.mountainplayshop.org/balfolk-concert-details

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the poignant story of the witty and courageous Cyrano, a man with a large nose and a big heart. In love with Roxane, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while hiding his own feelings and sacrificing his love for her. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

35Below:

35below is a 40-seat black box theatre located at 35 East Walnut, Asheville, NC. The entrance is located on the opposite side of the building as the main entrance – right next to the Thomas Wolfe House & Museum.

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind

August 15 – 24, 2025

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM

Title & Authors:
Created by Greg Allen
Performed by The Neo-Futurists

Prepare for a whirlwind of theatrical creativity in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind! This fast-paced and unpredictable show presents 30 plays in 60 minutes, each ranging from hilarious to deeply poignant. Known for its unique blend of performance art, satire, and audience interaction, Too Much Light guarantees a different experience every night. Audience participation and improvisation are at the core of this ever-evolving production.

Expect the unexpected as The Neo-Futurists deliver a rollercoaster of emotions, commentary, and absurdity. No two performances are alike—so roll the dice and get ready for a theatrical experiment like no other!

Run Time: 60 minutes

Content Awareness: This show contains strong language, mature themes, and occasional moments of audience participation. Some scenes may include references to violence, sexuality, religion, and other adult topics.

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the poignant story of the witty and courageous Cyrano, a man with a large nose and a big heart. In love with Roxane, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while hiding his own feelings and sacrificing his love for her. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.

35Below:

35below is a 40-seat black box theatre located at 35 East Walnut, Asheville, NC. The entrance is located on the opposite side of the building as the main entrance – right next to the Thomas Wolfe House & Museum.

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind

August 15 – 24, 2025

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays at 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM

Title & Authors:
Created by Greg Allen
Performed by The Neo-Futurists

Prepare for a whirlwind of theatrical creativity in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind! This fast-paced and unpredictable show presents 30 plays in 60 minutes, each ranging from hilarious to deeply poignant. Known for its unique blend of performance art, satire, and audience interaction, Too Much Light guarantees a different experience every night. Audience participation and improvisation are at the core of this ever-evolving production.

Expect the unexpected as The Neo-Futurists deliver a rollercoaster of emotions, commentary, and absurdity. No two performances are alike—so roll the dice and get ready for a theatrical experiment like no other!

Run Time: 60 minutes

Content Awareness: This show contains strong language, mature themes, and occasional moments of audience participation. Some scenes may include references to violence, sexuality, religion, and other adult topics.

Tours on the last Wednesday of the month, May through October: May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, October 29
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This is an in-person program, held at The Learning Garden. Visit and Learn!

Visit informally Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (no docents or tours)

Docents and Presenters: Extension Master Gardener volunteers working in the garden.
Program Description: On the last Wednesday of the month from May to October you can join a more formal tour and be led through the gardens by a master gardener docent as you watch the other gardeners caring for the plants. See beautiful and interesting plants, delicious vegetables, native plants for beauty and pollinator interest.
The tours start at 10:00 a.m. and should last approximately an hour. The tours will begin outside the front door of the Buncombe County Extension Office.

Wear appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses and sturdy shoes and bring some water) as this event will be held outside. In the event of steady rain in West Asheville, the workday and the tour will be canceled.

The tour is free and registration is not necessary.
If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

NOTE: The Learning Garden is open for informal visits Monday through Friday throughout the year, but if you visit on a Wednesday, during the growing season, you can meet the Master Gardeners working in the gardens and ask questions about the plants and their care. We invite you to visit often, observe the gardens, and ask questions as the Master Gardeners tend the gardens through the growing season. If you have questions, call 828-255-5522.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

**Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.**

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Garden and Adventure Photography Basics

with Cami Calnan

Friday, August 29  |  10 am – 1 pm

Elevate your photography from the level you are currently working from. In this immersive workshop, we will explore the technical aspects of the camera you photograph with. Bring your phone, your slr or point and shoot digital or film camera, and we will explore the concepts behind taking the kinds of photos you are hoping to capture.

This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.

Cyrano de Bergerac tells the poignant story of the witty and courageous Cyrano, a man with a large nose and a big heart. In love with Roxane, he helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian win her affection, all while hiding his own feelings and sacrificing his love for her. Shows are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 each night. And always FREE! No Sunday performances for the last weekend of each show.