An evening of beauty and resilience through the art of dance, Terpsicorps’ world premiere of Appalachian Phoenix is more than a performance—it’s a testament to the strength, creativity, and unity of Western North Carolina. This powerful new work transforms real stories of kindness and perseverance in the wake of Hurricane Helene into breathtaking movement, music, and design. Terpsicorps, now in its 22nd season, features world-class dancers who will bring to life the true stories of local heroes, nominated by their communities. Their acts of kindness and courage shape the choreography, making Appalachian Phoenix a deeply personal and meaningful experience. Around 15,000 water bottles collected from the storm’s debris will be utilized to create a remarkable translucent backdrop that will frame the choreography and reflect abstracted images of WNC projected onto its surface. The original score was created by composer Jeff Schmitt, along with River Guerguerian and Chris Rosser, of Free Planet Radio. It blends the past and present into a dynamic, inspiring, and evocative composition. The score fuses old-time, bluegrass, Afro-Appalachian folk, hip-hop, funk, blues-rock, and Latin rhythms. Collectively, they’ve performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to MerleFest, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Queer Line Dancing + Lessons at 11:45 & 12:45. ALL GENRES, ALL LEVELS, ALL AGES. First hour is geared towards beginners; Last hour gets more advanced. Event is warm, inclusive, lively, engaging… great exercise, amazing community. Two-step & country swingers welcome!
Also on Aug 30, Sept 13, Oct 25, Nov 15, Dec 6

GRT TICKETS ON GREY EAGLE WEBSITE

Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy-Up Brunch

ALL AGES

EVENT: 11AM

Purchase Tickets:

Find the Event Date you want on calendar here: https://www.thegreyeagle.com/calendar/?view=month

Learn some of the hottest country hip hop line dances with the Blue Country Line Dancers and dance all afternoon! Country Swing Two-Steppers are welcome to join as they’ll be opportunities to strut your stuff. To top it all off, grab a mimosa or bloody and some delicious crunchy-lunchy dishes from the Taqueria. This is your weekend opportunity to dance your heart out with super-friendly dancers instructors. If you want to get a heads up on the dances beforehand, check instagram @bluecountrylinedance for Beginner Boot Camp classes at @UphoraDance and other opportunities to learn practice line dancing in WNC.

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance presents Appalachian Phoenix, a Celebration of Community, Resilience and Hope.

An evening of beauty and resilience through the art of dance, Terpsicorps’ world premiere of Appalachian Phoenix is more than a performance—it’s a testament to the strength, creativity, and unity of Western North Carolina. This powerful new work transforms real stories of kindness and perseverance in the wake of Hurricane Helene into breathtaking movement, music, and design. Terpsicorps, now in its 22nd season, features world-class dancers who will bring to life the true stories of local heroes, nominated by their communities. Their acts of kindness and courage shape the choreography, making Appalachian Phoenix a deeply personal and meaningful experience. Around 15,000 water bottles collected from the storm’s debris will be utilized to create a remarkable translucent backdrop that will frame the choreography and reflect abstracted images of WNC projected onto its surface. The original score was created by composer Jeff Schmitt, along with River Guerguerian and Chris Rosser, of Free Planet Radio. It blends the past and present into a dynamic, inspiring, and evocative composition. The score fuses old-time, bluegrass, Afro-Appalachian folk, hip-hop, funk, blues-rock, and Latin rhythms. Collectively, they’ve performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to MerleFest, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Join us for The HEAL Collective’s one-of-a-kind Summer Tour!

📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕔 5:00–7:30pm (doors open at 4:45)
📍 The Studio AVL — 34 Wall Street, Asheville, NC 28801

You’ve done the inner work.
You know how to name your patterns, ride the emotional waves, maybe even hold space for others.

But…
You still crave something deeper.
A place where your body can exhale.
Where healing doesn’t feel like a solo mission.
Where you can be held, celebrated, and activated alongside others who get it.

This is that space.

We’re Carissa & Eric—partners in love and in the wild vision of a more embodied, relational world.
We’ve walked through burnout, heartbreak, anxiety, and the kind of disconnection that healing work alone couldn’t quite touch.

This event is a call to come back into the body.
Into connection.
Into playful, powerful presence.

✨ What You’ll Experience:

❤️‍🔥 Grounding breathwork + guided meditation
❤️‍🔥 Somatic practices for regulation and joy
❤️‍🔥 Authentic relating & vulnerable connection
❤️‍🔥 Dance, movement, and community magic

🌟 You’ll Leave With:

💫 Practices to anchor yourself when the world feels chaotic
💫 Soul-nourishing connections with conscious humans
💫 A felt sense of possibility—in your body, your life, and your relationships

We believe healing is a path we must each walk ourselves, but we don’t need to walk it alone.
Healing can be embodied. It can be communal. It can be alive.

This isn’t just an event.
It’s the revolution.
A gathering of people who are ready to feel more free—together.

🎟️ Tickets
$44 – Individual
$77 – Bring a friend, partner, or fellow seeker and receive a discount

🍇 Light refreshments provided.
🌸 Space is intimate—reserve your spot early.

Come as you are. Leave more fully expressed.
We can’t wait to heal with you.

In a world of noise, give yourself the gift of stillness. Realign your nervous system and rest in the sanctuary of peace.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 1:00 PM, doors close promptly at 1:15 PM.

This Sound Bath is offered on a sliding scale of $10-20

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

The North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails present
JENNIFER McGAHA as next in their series “In the Company of Writers”
The program offers a series of personal and conversational dialogues featuring guest writers/poets, followed by an open-mic forum. These inspirational gatherings will both enlighten and entertain those in attendance. The guest author speaks from 7-8 PM with an open mic from 8 -9 PM. The original music of John Longbottom welcomes you, continues during intermission, and closes the evening. Sign-up for the open mic sheet is posted at the entry.
Jennifer McGaha is the author of three works of creative nonfiction, including The Joy Document, a collection of fifty essays celebrating midlife, Flat Broke with Two Goats, a 2018 OverDrive Big Library Read, and Bushwhacking: How to Get Lost in the Woods and Write Your Way Out, a Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award finalist. Her work has also appeared in many magazines and literary journals including Image, The Huffington Post, The New Pioneer, Lumina, PANK, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Brevity, Bitter Southerner, Crab Creek Review, River Teeth, and others. An Appalachian native, Jennifer lives in a wooded North Carolina hollow with her husband, two cats, four unruly dogs, eight relatively tame dairy goats, and an ever-changing number of chickens

Co-sponsored by the North Carolina Writers Network and The Brandy Bar + Cocktails, the program, “In the Company of Writers” is featured the 2nd Wednesday of each month. https://www.facebook.com/events/581466841671943

Thursday – August 21 – 7-9pm – WNC Songwriter Sessions returns with Karen Cohen, Just Rick, and Todd Hoke. An evening of original songs in the natural acoustics and listening room atmosphere of the beautiful and historic Brandy Bar + Cocktails.
Hidyho Neighbors! Another solid trio of swellegant songwriters will be sharing their lyrical and musical offerings for our August session at the coolest bar in all Hendo. Karen Cohen, Just Rick, and Todd Hoke will entertain you with their tales and tunes. Delicious cocktails + handcrafted songs + friendly folks = time well spent. Join us!
Karen Cohen has honed her own unique finger-style guitar for over 5 decades. Her current passion is writing songs that combine authenticity, emotion, and imagery with beautiful melody. Karen just arrived on the WNC and Upstate SC scene 6 months ago and is generating a lot of excitement at local open mics and songwriter showcases.
Just Rick (aka Rick Reles) is a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. A lifelong musician and singer-songwriter inspired by the roots of American rock music. He draws from country, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, and classic rock to craft his growing catalog of original songs. From early bands like Green Steam and Full House to Identity Crisis and IC3, Rick has been a gigging musician. Today he plays solo as well as in Two Step Too and The Right Fit.
Todd Hoke tried therapy but that didn’t work out so he took up the guitar instead and, as of this printing, has remained mostly unincarcerated (a fact his mother loudly boasts about every time her bowling league gathers at the pool hall to play poker and whittle).
With hosts Annie Wenz and Todd Hoke. For more info visit: [email protected]

Join us for a welcoming and inclusive New Moon Circle, where all bodies and all genders are invited to participate in this sacred gathering. This event is a beautiful opportunity to pause, reflect, and align with the energies of the New Moon—a powerful time for setting intentions and manifesting our desires for the month ahead.

Our circle will begin with a grounding meditation, creating a space for relaxation and inner connection. Together, we will share our personal intentions, holding space for one another in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. We will also dive into the astrological influences of the New Moon and other energetic currents, discussed in an accessible way that resonates with both beginners and seasoned practitioners.

By the end of the circle, you will leave with greater clarity and purpose, feeling empowered to take inspired action as you move forward into the new lunar cycle. Whether you’re new to moon rituals or a longtime participant, this circle will offer insight, connection, and a sense of renewal.

Come as you are—everyone is welcome. Let’s harness the magic of the New Moon together!

Bring your friends and remember to carpool!

This is a free event.

All donations are welcome to help support the use of the event venue.

What to Bring:

A journal and pen
Please bring any comfort items you may desire: blankets, pillows, bolsters, eye mask, etc. We do not yet have enough community items for everyone.
An altar item – this can be a photo, crystal, something you found in nature that you desire to help hold the imprint of our time together.
Your sober self. This is a sober event, meaning no substances other than your own sacred being.
Curiosity and an open mind and heart

Starseed Sound Bath with Levi Reynolds

Calling all Starseeds, lightworkers, and cosmic travelers—this is your invitation to a high-frequency sound healing experience designed to awaken your celestial essence and realign your energy with the cosmic flow.

Levi Reynolds will guide you through a multidimensional sound journey using upgraded gongs, sound bowls, and celestial vibrational instruments infused with meteorites and tektites from Mercury, Mars, the Moon, and asteroid Vesta (Tatahouine). These high-vibration frequencies resonate with starseed DNA, activating deep inner wisdom, light codes, and cosmic remembrance.

This experience is designed to help you:
✨ Connect with the cosmic origins of your soul
✨ Activate starseed light codes and higher consciousness
✨ Release stagnant energies and realign with your soul’s mission
✨ Journey through celestial frequencies in a deeply immersive soundscape

Our space is small and cozy, creating an intimate setting for this powerful experience. Arrive early to claim a spot lying down—otherwise, chairs will be available for seating.
Please bring any comfort items you may desire: blankets, pillows, bolsters, eye mask, etc. We also have some community items available for use.

🔹 Tickets: $33 per person
🔹 Purchase upon arrival

Come and bathe in the frequencies of the stars—your soul will remember the way home. 🌌✨

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

Immerse yourself in the healing power of sound. This restorative Sound Bath is designed to clear energetic blocks, uplift your spirit, and elevate your vibration. Let the soothing frequencies of crystal bowls and sacred tones guide you into deep relaxation, alignment, and renewal. Step into your highest frequency—peace, clarity, and inner radiance await.

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.

This service is on a sliding scale of $10-20

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

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.

Eager to reset your inner being to peace and tranquility? It’s time for Humpday Harmony with a soothing Sound Bath!

Join your host Kristin Hillegas, for a one-hour Serenity Sound Bath and experience a deeply immersive, full-body sound and vibrational experience. A sound bath can cleanse your soul, restore your balance, surround you with peace and tranquility and stimulate healing.

Note: Please bring a yoga mat/pillow/blanket since you will be lying on the floor. Wear warm, comfortable, and flexible clothing.

The Sound Bath will take place upstairs in the Education Building. Choose your space starting at 6:15 PM, doors close promptly at 6:30 PM.

This service is being offered on a sliding scale of $10-20.

Accessible parking is available in the Center for Spiritual Living Asheville upper parking lot. The entrance to the upper parking lot is off of S. Bear Creek Rd between Science of Mind Way and Sand Hill Rd.
There is a boardwalk from the upper parking lot to the building entrance.

Fancy & The Gentlemen- self described as ‘Gothy-Tonk’ and we think that fits! These guys are a lyrical story-telling band with beautiful, haunting and sometimes humorous vocals, songs that stick in your head, and melodies that feel like home. Sit back and soak up the picture they paint, or bop out onto the floor in your good boots- lets git to it!

• HNG will be running a bar with local beers and NA beverage and snack cart.
• Barn Door Ciderworks will provide some sweet and snappy sips of their legendary cider brewed right here in Fairview.
• Root Down Farm food truck brings their signature farm-to-table eats featuring HNG meats and local fresh farmed seasonal veg, often from their home farm! Root Down tastes like hard work paying off, savor it.
• Pro tip: we have picnic tables, benches & patio sets, but always bring a backup folding chair or picnic blanket JUST in case. It can get packed!

Celebrate the autumnal equinox in an evening of yoga, spirituality and healing, Thursday, Sept. 22 at Kanuga. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with check-in at the Labyrinth and nature crafting, followed by slow-flow yoga at 6:30 p.m., and concludes with a healing sound bath at 7:45 p.m. To close the evening, attendees are invited to linger over a cup of tea and reflect on the coming fall season. Bring your own mat, blanket and camp chair. Cost: $18 (plus tax and fees). 130 Kanuga Chapel Dr in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

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.

Join the Asheville Dr. Joe Dispenza meditation group for a powerful community healing experience as we come together for a local Walk for the World event. This meaningful gathering honors the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene while focusing on our collective healing and transformation.

🚶‍♀️ THE WALK We’ll be walking in moving meditation along the beautiful French Broad River, using Dr. Joe’s free guided Walking Meditation (available at www.walkforthe.world). This 50-minute practice helps us “walk as it” – embodying the energy of positive change while connecting with a global consciousness.

💫 WHO’S INVITED? EVERYONE is welcome! Whether you’re a longtime Dr. Joe student or completely new to this work, join us in community. Bring your friends, family, neighbors – anyone who feels called to be part of healing and positive change.

🍽️ POTLUCK CELEBRATION After our walk, we’ll gather in the reserved event room at Wrong Way River Lodge for a community potluck. Even if you can’t stay for the full meal, please join us for a bit! Wrong Way has an amazing coffee and drink bar with hot and cold beverages – let’s support this wonderful local business while we connect.

📍 LOCATION: Wrong Way River Lodge, 9 Midnight Dr, Asheville ⏰ TIME: 9:30am – 11:00am meditation, Potluck and Community time 11am – 1pm💻 MEDITATION: Free download at www.walkforthe.world

This is our chance to come together as a community – to heal, to connect, and to raise our collective consciousness. When we change, the world changes. Let’s walk in love, unity, and hope for our beautiful Asheville and our world.

Please share this post and invite others who might be interested in joining. Together, we walk toward a brighter future. 🌟

Experience Appalachian music and dancing at this lively community gathering! Enjoy a live old-time string band as a caller leads fun, easy-to-follow dances—no partner or experience needed. Start the evening with a short flatfoot lesson and try your luck in the cake raffle. All ages are welcome!

Plenty of free parking is available at Haw Creek Elementary School (10 Bethesda Rd), just a short walk from the hall. Accessible spots are also available next to the dance hall at Haw Creek Commons.

Admission: $10 per person, $5 for children 12 and under. Pay at the door via cash, Venmo, or Zelle.

Sign up for email updates below!

https://mailchi.mp/39798f75c04a/signup_asheville-community-square-dance

Dark City LIT! A Literary Festival at the Black Mountain Public Library
105 N. Dougherty St. Black Mountain NC 28711

Saturday, November 8

Join us for the inaugural Dark City LIT! Literary Festival!

Write Local, Read Local Author Fair is back for its fourth year! 20 local authors will be handselling books from 9-11 a.m. and reading from their works from Noon to 1 p.m.

Free Workshops Follow:
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
The Fun, Fascinating, and Fabulous World of Research with Dr. Susan Eischeid
In this engaging workshop, you’ll learn practical strategies for harnessing research—whether historical, personal, or primary sources—to elevate your fiction and non-fiction writing with vivid detail and universal resonance.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Publishing as Collective Practice with Andrew Mack of Loblolly Press
Discover how vibrant communities and collaborative efforts—from writers’ groups to small presses—are reviving literature today and leave with your own personalized “community map” to sustain your creative journey.

Followed by An Evening with Tessa Fontaine!
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Author of The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts and The Red Grove, longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Tessa will be reading from her work and signing copies of her books.