Get ready to lace up and represent your business at the 2025 Chamber Challenge 5K! This fun, community-focused event encourages wellness and friendly competition among Asheville-area businesses. Whether you’re walking every step or racing to the finish, we know you’re up for the challenge!

Join us in person on May 2nd or participate virtually.

Important Deadlines & Details:

• Register by April 13th at midnight to receive a short-sleeve shirt with your registration!
• After April 13th, shirts will be available in limited quantities and sizes.
• Registering a large group (25+ participants)? Contact Judi Willard at [email protected] for assistance.

To stay updated—text cc5k to 828-827-5332 to receive event notifications (you can opt out anytime).

Inaugural Program of the Four-Part Series “What Can Become of Us?”
Co-presented by Stanford Institute for Advancing Just Societies, Zócalo Public Square, and Asheville Art Museum

Moderated by Tomás Jiménez, Founding Faculty Co-Director, Stanford Institute for Advancing Just Societies

As people move to and around the U.S., they transform communities, perhaps nowhere as strikingly as in fast-growing North Carolina. As the long-established Native, Black, and white citizens of the state welcome Latino and Asian newcomers into this “new Southern immigrant gateway,” once-separated groups are building new futures together—and understanding themselves anew through the eyes of their neighbors.

5:30 PM Check-in and Art Viewing

6:00 PM Artist Talk

6:30 PM Panel Conversation

7:30 PM Reception

Our 25th Anniversary Season Finale, part of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s bi-annual festival: “The Art of Storytelling” spans genres of jazz and classical in a highly collaborative program. Two exciting works by Leonard Bernstein – Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story – will bookend a beautiful, lyrical piece for jazz quartet and orchestra, Mom by Asheville-based composer Richard Shulman. The program concludes with the glorious Beethoven Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.”

BRO’s Season Finale is generously sponsored by Ingles Markets.

Friday, May 2nd, 2025, 7:00 pm

Sunday, May 4th, 2025, 3:00 pm

Tickets:

General Admission: $20

Friends of the Orchestra: $15

Students: $5

Children 6 and under: Free

Info:https://blueridgeorchestra.org/may-25th-anniversary-season-finale-25 or call 828-782-3354.

Much like the famous composer himself, the ensemble considers the string quartet as its “playground to impact the world we live in and inspire others through the art of collaboration and play” — and since its inception, the quartet has worked tirelessly to revisit, rediscover and reinvigorate the classical repertory.

PROGRAM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quartet in C major, K. 465, “Dissonance”

Erwin Schulhoff: Five Pieces for String Quartet

Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 106, B. 192

Date and Time: On Fri, 02 May 2025 19:30 – Fri, 02 May 2025 22:00

Category: Live Music | Classical

Prices:
General Admission: USD 48.00,
Students 25 and younger: USD 0.00

Artist: Isidore String Quartet

with Asheville Wellness Tours.

Celebrate the ephemeral beauty of flowers during this immersive morning nature retreat! In Japan, the birthplace of forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku), they celebrate the annual cherry blossom bloom (Sakura) with a practice known as Hanami, which translates to “contemplate the flowers.” This experience gently invites us to cultivate our attention and sensory awareness, while noticing the evanescent nature of flowering, both within and around us. Together, we will explore our relationships with native wildflowers, ourselves, each-other, and the more-than-human-world.

Your guide will lead you on a colorful journey through the blossoming spring forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours.

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.

Explore 22 beautiful greenhouses filled with mixed patio planters, hanging baskets, perennials, houseplants, shrubs, and plant starters. Enjoy live music, food from Smashville Food Truck and Mountain Man BBQ, a craft fair featuring jewelry and home goods, kids’ activities including a scavenger hunt and potting station, plus a mechanical bull! Appalachian Standard CBD products also available. With 600-900 attendees expected, carpooling is recommended. Free admission.

Darko Butorac, conductor

TIME FOR THREE
Ranaan Meyer, double bass
Nick Kendall, violin
Charles Yang, violin

Music possesses an almost magical ability to tell stories. It can paint vivid images of far off lands, enchanted forests, fairy tale villages, the timeless battle between good and evil — all without a single spoken word. Step into the enchanted world of German legends, filled with tales of mysterious swan knights, magic bullets, and mischievous tricksters. Then, delve into the otherworldly Contact; inspired by the idea of interstellar communication, this jazzy, bluegrass-infused, and ethereal concerto for trio was collaboratively written with and for Time For Three.

Weber: Overture from Der Freischütz
Puts: Contact
Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel

Darko Butorac, conductor

TIME FOR THREE
Ranaan Meyer, double bass
Nick Kendall, violin
Charles Yang, violin

Music possesses an almost magical ability to tell stories. It can paint vivid images of far off lands, enchanted forests, fairy tale villages, the timeless battle between good and evil — all without a single spoken word. Step into the enchanted world of German legends, filled with tales of mysterious swan knights, magic bullets, and mischievous tricksters. Then, delve into the otherworldly Contact; inspired by the idea of interstellar communication, this jazzy, bluegrass-infused, and ethereal concerto for trio was collaboratively written with and for Time For Three.

Weber: Overture from Der Freischütz
Puts: Contact
Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Lohengrin
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel

Gratitude is more than a feeling, it is a frequency! Gratitude can help you shift your perspective and find the silver lining in challenging situations, further raising your vibrational frequency. When we vibrate at the frequency of gratitude, we align ourselves with the energy of abundance.

As we meditate on the theme of gratitude, we allow the frequencies of the instruments to raise our vibrations.

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 12:45 PM, doors close promptly at 1:00 PM.

This service is being offered on a Love Offering basis. Donations allow us to continue to provide these immersive experiences. (Retail Value $25)

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.

Our 25th Anniversary Season Finale, part of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s bi-annual festival: “The Art of Storytelling” spans genres of jazz and classical in a highly collaborative program. Two exciting works by Leonard Bernstein – Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story – will bookend a beautiful, lyrical piece for jazz quartet and orchestra, Mom by Asheville-based composer Richard Shulman. The program concludes with the glorious Beethoven Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.”

BRO’s Season Finale is generously sponsored by Ingles Markets.

Friday, May 2nd, 2025, 7:00 pm

Sunday, May 4th, 2025, 3:00 pm

Tickets:

General Admission: $20

Friends of the Orchestra: $15

Students: $5

Children 6 and under: Free

Info:https://blueridgeorchestra.org/may-25th-anniversary-season-finale-25 or call 828-782-3354.

Enjoy an outdoor concert at Olivette Farm featuring genre-bending artist Maya de Vitry and special guest David Wimbish. $25•KIDS ARE FREE•BYOB•BYOC (chair)

Maya de Vitry weaves country, folk, rock, and pop elements through her vibrant storytelling and her extraordinarily dynamic singing. Whether she is playing with her electric band in a bar or sharing a song on acoustic guitar at a folk festival, there is an emotional immediacy and a striking magnetism in Maya’s music. She’s joined by Joel Timmons on guitar and harmonies and Rhees Williams on bass.

David Wimbish delivers raw, emotion-driven performances that match the depth of his songwriting. After 10 years playing as a band, he’s been newly incarnated as a solo artist. “There’s a new life to this next chapter. I’m getting back to a more organic sonic footprint that’s more focused on serving the song. I returned to writing in a way that I hadn’t in a long time and stepping into a very honest space.”

Just in time for May flowers Arts Series of The Episcopal Church of St.
John in the Wilderness presents a piano concert from composer and church musician Thomas Keesecker. The
program features selections from Mr. Keesecker’s concert tour with performances taking place across the
country.
The free concert in Flat Rock is set for Sunday afternoon, May 4, 2025 at 4pm in the Parish Hall
located at 1905 Greenville Highway across from the church.

🍻 Na Zdrowie! Join us May 2-4, 2025 for our 3rd Annual Polish Fest: polka, piwo (beer) and pierogi, need we share more? 😛 Festivities will include live performances from local favorites Wasted Wine and Foothills Oompah Band, as well as Atlanta Polish folk dance group Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble. Remember to keep your pets at home, yet definitely bring your ID, dancing shoes — and your appetite!

Entertainment Schedule:

🍺 Friday, May 2 (5-10 p.m.)

🎶 Wasted Wine 6-9 p.m.

🍺 Saturday, May 3 (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.):

🎶 Foothills Oompah Band (12:30-3:30 p.m.)

🎶 Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble (4-4:30 p.m. & 5:30-6 p.m.)

🍺 Sunday, May 4 (11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)

🎶 Wasted Wine 2-5 p.m.

🌭 Fireforge’s festy food and beverage menu will include house-brewed “Polka Party” Lager and “Cendrowski” Grodziskie Wheat Ale; pork kielbasa from Asheville’s Chop Shop Butchery made with Fireforge beer and served on a bun with sauerkraut and horseradish beer mustard; potato and cheese pierogies from Polish American sister-owned Jaju Pierogi served with housemade sour cream, caramelized onions and chives; kabanos snacking sausage from Upstate Polish Market, house-made borscht (chilled beet soup) as well as other Polish cuisine-inspired sides and sweets!

Join us for an unforgettable night of epic music and cinematic magic as The Greenville Symphony Orchestra presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in concert. The concert will be led by conductor Thiago Tiberio on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Tickets are available at the GSP International Airport Box Office located at the arena from the on sale through show day while supplies last. Box Office hours vary but we are generally open M-F 10AM-2PM.

This class offers a creative, hands-on experience perfect for all skill levels!  Participants will decorate terracotta pots using vibrant paints to transform each one into a heartfelt gift just in time for Mother’s Day.  Feel free to get creative with your design!  Everyone will get seeds to take home with them to plant in the pot once the paint is dry, creating a thoughtful and lasting token of appreciation for Mother’s Day.

Tuesday May 6th, 2:00 – 4:00. $20/$15 for Friends of Bullington Gardens.

Join the Asheville Symphony Chorus for a very regal evening as part of Asheville’s Amadeus Festival. Director Kyle Ritter and ASC will present an evening of choral masterworks written for coronations and royal weddings. Featuring works by composers Sir William McKie, William Mathias, Will Todd, and others, the concert’s twin crowning glories will be W.A. Mozart’s Coronation Mass and G. F. Handel’s Zadok the Priest. Special guest appearance by the Asheville Youth Choir.

Date and Time: On Tue, 06 May 2025 at 19:00 – Tue, 06 May 2025 at 20:30

Venue details: Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States

Category: Live Music | Choral

Prices:
Adult: USD 29.00,
Youth: USD 16.00

Artist: The Asheville Symphony Chorus

Get swept up in the timeless allure of cabaret with singer Anaïs Reno and the Asheville Symphony. This ALT ASO program, which will also be part of Asheville Amadeus: The Art of Storytelling, will seamlessly blend classical masterpieces and timeless French standards.

Tickets are general admission and the show will be seated.

Insect Pollinators of the Blue Ridge

with Shane Myers

Friday, May 9  |  1 – 3 pm

BRN – Elective |  BREG – Core

Our plants in the Blue Ridge are pollinated by more insects than just Honey Bees. In this course, we will look at common and some less obvious pollinators of the region and discuss their life cycles, the benefits they provide the world, and how to attract them. We will also go outside to look for pollinators doing their work around the Arboretum grounds.

This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide
phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The
beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and
Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written,
including “Tomorrow.”

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s
hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to
find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City
Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the
other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure
after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations… and even
befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in
billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable
mutt named Sandy.