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.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Dark City Poet’s Society
Mar 19 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024
UNC Asheville Spring 2024 Visiting Writers Series: Natalie Baszile presents “Queen Sugar” and “We Are Each Other’s Harvest”
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm
UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union

 

Natalie Baszile’s debut novel, “Queen Sugar,” is a mother-daughter story of reinvention — about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana. “Queen Sugar” was adapted into a critically acclaimed television series directed by Ava Duvernay. Baszile’s most recent book, “We Are Each Other’s Harvest,” is an exploration and celebration of black farming in America.

Visiting Writers: Natalie Baszile
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Highsmith Student Union, Blue Ridge Room (202/203)

On March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Room of UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union, Natalie Baszile will present readings from her recent work. The event is free and open to the public.

Baszile’s debut novel, “Queen Sugar,” is a mother-daughter story of reinvention — about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana. “Queen Sugar” was adapted into a critically acclaimed television series directed by Ava Duvernay. Baszile’s most recent book, “We Are Each Other’s Harvest,” is an exploration and celebration of black farming in America.

Visiting Writers: Natalie Baszile
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
UNCA--Blue Ridge Room of UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union

Free

On March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Room of UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Union, Natalie Baszile will present readings from her recent work. The event is free and open to the public.

Baszile’s debut novel, “Queen Sugar,” is a mother-daughter story of reinvention — about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana. “Queen Sugar” was adapted into a critically acclaimed television series directed by Ava Duvernay. Baszile’s most recent book, “We Are Each Other’s Harvest,” is an exploration and celebration of black farming in America.


Accessibility

UNC Asheville is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you have any questions about access or to request reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event, please contact the Event Organizer (see below). Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.

Visitor Parking

Visitors may park in faculty/staff and All Permit lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.
Prior to 5pm, any visitor (regardless of their reason for visit) need to adhere to the current practices listed on the parking website. Get your visitor parking permit here

Thursday, March 21, 2024
Gardening in the Mountains presents: Building Better Monarch Garden
Mar 21 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
NC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener

Presenter Dr. Daniel Potter, Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky will discuss
why Monarch butterflies are in peril, why their conservation matters, and the important partnerships between the Horticulture Industry and the gardening public can help to restore this beloved native butterfly to a sustainable status.

The fascinating natural history of the monarch, its spectacular long-distance migrations, and its special relationship with milkweed, as well as the best milkweed species for attracting and sustaining monarchs and native bees in gardens will be discussed in this program. Dr Daniel Potter, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Kentucky will also discuss research showing the importance of garden design, and plant placement and that cultivars of native milkweeds (“nativars”) have conservation value for gardens. Attend and learn how to prevent a garden from becoming an “ecological trap” for monarchs due to predation by invasive wasps or planting the wrong type of milkweed.

Presentation is free, and registration with Eventbrite is required.

Saturday, March 23, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Mar 23 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Wortham Center Student Series PILOBOLUS
Mar 24 @ 10:00 am
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for grades 3-12
Production duration: 60 min.

One of the world’s most exciting dance companies, Pilobolus celebrates movement and creativity in a lively, interactive performance created for student audiences. Humor, happiness and hope abound in this rejuvenating program featuring fresh works.

Connect with the artists in a post-show Q&A.

Reservations for individuals (10 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, or email [email protected].

Reservations for groups (11 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.





Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Dark City Poet’s Society
Mar 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Sewing 101 (Tuesdays)
Mar 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Teacher: Allison Starling

Class Cost: $150

Min Students: 3

Max Students: 5

Class Dates: Tuesdays, February 6 – March 26 (8 weeks)

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Hendersonville Theatre’s Costume Shop

Must be 14+ to attend. Parents are encouraged, though not required, to participate with minor students.

Refund Policy: The last day to receive a full refund* is January 9, 2024. After January 9, 2024, no refund will be issued.

*Be advised: Refunds are for tuition only and are at the discretion of the Class Teacher and Education Director. All taxes and fees are final and cannot be refunded.

Class Description:
Sewing 101 is an eight-week class for beginners with little sewing experience. Whether that means you have never even SEEN a sewing machine or have explored a little and are ready to learn what all the switches and buttons do! Allison will help you master the basics, from threading your machine and blowing a bobbin to making projects using zippers! Join this exciting new class and impress your friends with your new sewing prowess.

For more information and to register, visit https://hendersonvilletheatre….

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Sewing 101
Mar 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Teacher: Allison Starling

Class Cost: $150

Min Students: 3

Max Students: 5

Class Dates: Wednesdays, February 7 – March 27 (8 weeks)

Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Hendersonville Theatre’s Costume Shop

Must be 14+ to attend. Parents are encouraged, though not required, to participate with minor students.

Refund Policy: The last day to receive a full refund* is January 9, 2024. After January 9, 2024, no refund will be issued.

*Be advised: Refunds are for tuition only and are at the discretion of the Class Teacher and Education Director. All taxes and fees are final and cannot be refunded.

Class Description:
Sewing 101 is an eight-week class for beginners with little sewing experience. Whether that means you have never even SEEN a sewing machine or have explored a little and are ready to learn what all the switches and buttons do! Allison will help you master the basics, from threading your machine and blowing a bobbin to making projects using zippers! Join this exciting new class and impress your friends with your new sewing prowess.

For more information and to register, visit https://hendersonvilletheatre….

Hip Hop Adult Beginning Dance
Mar 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Teacher: Tawny Watson

Class Cost: $150

Min Students: 3

Max Students: 12

Class Dates: Wednesdays, February 7 – March 27 (8 weeks)

Time: 7 pm to 8 pm

Location: Whitmire Activity Center, 310 Lily Pond Dr, Hendersonville, NC 28739

Must be 18+ to attend

Refund Policy: The last day to receive a full refund* is January 7, 2024. After this date, no refund will be issued.

*Be advised: Refunds are for tuition only and are at the discretion of the Class Teacher and Education Director. All taxes and fees are final and cannot be refunded.

Class Description:
Beginner Adult Hip Hop is a high-energy class that introduces the many styles of Hip Hop. Hip-hop dancing is dynamic and helps the dancer improve creativity, rhythm, and musicality, and develop the body balance and coordination.

For more information and to register, visit https://hendersonvilletheatre….

Saturday, March 30, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Mar 30 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Dropping Into Delight: Yoga (optional) + Immersive Poetry Workshop
Mar 30 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Story Parlor

Led by a certified Inward & Artward Creative Facilitator, Tikva Kingrea (RYT-200 ), this workshop will explore how spring is showing up in our lives—specifically deliberating on *delight.* Think ripe strawberries. Purple phlox spreading across a moss-rich garden wall. Your favorite sneakers, worn in and warm, piled by the front door, waiting for a neighborhood stroll. The spring season offers each of us a chance to step into our artistic practice with verve, sweetness, and a shaking off of winter hibernation. This workshop is designed to do just that.

We will deep-dive into understanding various poetic techniques, personal themes and voice, as well as have guided group and individual support. This is a “YES, I’LL TAKE TEN BOUQUETS OF TULIPS TO GO WITH MY WRITING” class. We will move gently while playing with creative ways to buoy confidence and craft.

This is a beginner friendly class for writers and yogis alike. Students taking the yoga portion are asked to bring their own mats and props.

Monday, April 1, 2024
Evolving Tales: Transforming Narratives in Conflict
Apr 1 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Story Parlor

Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm at Story Parlor
3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, and 4/1

Evolving Tales
Sale Price:$235.00 Original Price:$265.00
Early Bird pricing through February 18
Regular price effective February 19

Space is LIMITED to ensure an intimate experience. We recommend signing up EARLY!

Refund and Covid policies can be found here.

Quantity:
1
REGISTER
In this workshop, participants will delve into the art of leveraging conflict as a powerful tool for narrative evolution. The sessions will guide individuals in unpacking and understanding their unique conflict styles, providing them with the tools to give these conflicts characters and allow them to tell their own stories. Exploring conflict through various art mediums will give participants insights into reshaping inner and outer narratives and turning adversarial energies into creative forces.

What Participants Will Learn/Gain/Takeaway:

Techniques to leverage conflict as a catalyst for narrative transformation.

Understanding and unpacking individual conflict styles.

The ability to personify conflicts and let them express their unique stories.

Creative skills in utilizing diverse art mediums for conflict resolution and expression.

Open to participants of all artistic backgrounds.

Thursday, April 4, 2024
Seed Starting
Apr 4 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Seed starting is an affordable way to start gardens for different seasons. Isaac Wyatt, Agricultural Program Assistant with Henderson County Extension, will teach the basics of seed starting.

Friday, April 5, 2024
Intro to Memoir Writing: a 3-session series with Cornelia Dolian
Apr 5 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
East Asheville Library

Free. Space limited. Registration required. Call 828-250-4738 or stop by the library to register.

April 5: Session 1 – Memoir Basics & Beginnings
What’s a memoir, how does it work, and where do I begin mine?
Learn the key elements of the genre, understand what a memoir is (and isn’t). Get suggestions & tips for writing a rich, compelling, standout memoir, and where to begin collecting, compiling, and nurturing what will become the foundations of your memoir.

April 12: Session 2 – Memoir Structure and Outline
How do you structure and outline a memoir that will hook, connect with, and impact your readers?
Understand how to use narrative/story structure to help your memoir “read almost like a novel”.

April 19: Session 3 –  Memoir Writing Marathon First Miles
Turning your memoir outline into a full manuscript first draft (and what even is that?) – one milestone, chapter, and day at a time.
Know what to aim for with your memoir’s first draft, what to ignore, and how to keep your inner critic from disrupting you. Consider and commit to a consistent writing schedule for your memoir.

Saturday, April 6, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 6 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Weaverville WORDPLAY Poetry Workshop
Apr 11 @ 1:17 pm – 2:17 pm
Weaverville Library

Calling all Poets!  The Weaverville Library is collaborating with Weaverville WORDPLAY to host poetry workshops at the Weaverville Library. We will be working on crafting our poetry and offering feedback to writers.

Bring a poem or two that you are working on and join us!

POETRY WORKSHOP WITH GLENIS REDMOND
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm
Ramsaur Studio

This National Poetry Month, turn your sparks of inspiration into beautiful poetry in an all-new poetry workshop led by Greenville Poet Laureate Glenis Redmond. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of poetry or you’ve been penning verses for a while, this workshop is tailor-made for you. From brainstorming ideas to crafting captivating lines, Glenis will guide you every step of the way. Unleash your inner wordsmith and explore the magic of poetry with a true master.

The $125 registration fee is for admission to the three-part workshop taking place at 6:00 PM on April 11, 18 and 25. Please bring paper and your preferred writing tool with you. The workshop culminates in a reading during the final session where participants can invite a guest to enjoy their poetry progress.

Saturday, April 13, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 13 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
Monday, April 15, 2024
Letters to the Editor + Opinion Editorials Creative Workshop
Apr 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Buncombe County Democratic Party HQ

Democrats need to be more actively messaging and to overcome the makers of fake news with the truth! Join this ongoing group of writers working together on Letters to the Editor and Opinion Editorials. We’ll discuss the issues we care about most deeply and craft a plan to respond to events as they occur in real time.

The group meets the first and third Monday of each month for writing, responding to one another’s work, scheduling submissions, and exploring media outlets across the state.

“Rant with purpose. Support with facts. Propel action.” – Myra Schoen

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Great Smokies Writing Program | Utilizing the Visual Arts in Writing and Revising Personal Narrative
Apr 17 all-day
Story Parlor

Wednesdays, starting March 20 | Offered through the Great Smokies Writing Program, this five-week class will investigate the ways in which paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculpture inspire, collaborate with, and complement our writing process.

Saturday, April 20, 2024
Artists + Writers Coffee
Apr 20 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
How it Feels to be a Mother – FREE Mother’s Day Photos! – Pre-launch Party
Apr 20 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Mojo Coworking Asheville

The “How it Feels to be a Mother” Movement is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to embracing the emotional complexity of motherhood. We provide a supportive platform for mothers to share their authentic experiences, free from judgment. Join us for insightful conversations and connections with mothers of all ages and stages of parenting.

Main Sponsors: Foxy Media and Marketing, Mojo Coworking, Asheville Video Marketing

Supporters: Flaming Lily Studios, Hone Creative Studio

Experience an array of vendors and interactive stations, including:
Temple Chiropractic
The Babywearing OT
Everyday Orthodontics
Hornsby Creative Group
AND MORE!!

Doors open at 1PM to sign up for photos.
Photos will start after a brief presentation.
Photos are first come first serve by signing up at the event.
flaminglilystudios.com

For more information, visit howitfeelstobeamother.com.
Join the conversation.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Youth Spoken Word performance w/ Dasan Ahanu
Apr 23 @ 5:30 pm
Atelier Maison & Co.

Congratulations to our Youth Spoken Word Contest winners:

✨ Eva S. — 11th grade at Carolina Day

✨ Tesslyn H. — 8th grade at IC Imagine Public Charter School

✨ Gabriella B. — 11th grade at School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA)

✨ Lily A. — 9th grade at Madison Early College High School

Come experience these talented students perform with artist Dasan AhanuTuesday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Atelier Maison’s showroom. Admission is free; RSVP required. Drinks and light appetizers will be provided.

RSVP to [email protected].

Event location:

Atelier Maison Showroom

121 Sweeten Creek Road, Ste. 50

Asheville, NC 28803

About Dasan Ahanu: Christopher Massenburg, better known as Dasan Ahanu, is a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, songwriter, emcee, and loyal hip-hop head born and raised in Raleigh, NC.

Sponsored by Atelier Maison.

Dark City Poets Society Publishing Workshop
Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Join the Dark City Poets Society for a free publishing workshop from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Black Mountain Library,105 N. Dougherty Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711. This workshop will be led by John Himmelheber, editor of Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine, along with Ivy Rosen, editor of Black Mountain Press. Learn tips and tricks on how to get published and what the best practices are for submitting your work for consideration. This workshop is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Publishing Workshop with Black Mountain Press + Smoky Blue Literary + Arts Magazine
Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

oin the Dark City Poets Society for a free publishing workshop at the Black Mountain Library!
This workshop will be led by John Himmelheber, editor of Smoky Blue Literary And Arts Magazine, along with Ivy Rosen, editor of Black Mountain Press. Learn tips and tricks on how to get published.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Building Bridges Community Talkback
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Franklin School of Innovation

Building Bridges of Asheville invites you to a screening and talkback session of the film, “13th”.

In this thought-provoking documentary scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.

The film will be followed by a guided conversation facilitated by Building Bridges board members and Niconda Garcia & Nex Millen.

Building Bridges fosters antiracism by educating people on how to intentionally engage in dialogues on racism. BBAVL.org

You have a part to play in this work, and this event is a great point of entry.

Thomas Wolfe Literary Awards Ceremony
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ferguson Building Auditorium, A-B Tech Campus

The Asheville Museum of History (Formerly the Western North Carolina Historical Association) announces David Joy’s Those We Thought We Knew as the winner of the 2023 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award

The Asheville Museum of History announces the selection of the winner David Joy for Those We Thought We Knew for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Finalists Erica Abrams Locklear, Elizabeth Giddens, Jennifer McGaha and Terry Roberts will also be honored at an awards ceremony Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium (19 Tech Drive). A reception will follow at the Asheville Museum of History at the Smith-McDowell House, 283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC.

Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family, the Award has been presented annually by the organization since 1955 for printed works that focus special attention on Western North Carolina. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:

  1. It must be a first edition work; revised editions of published works will not be considered.
  2. The publication date must have been no later than August 1, 2023.
  3. The author must be a native of Western North Carolina or a resident of Western North Carolina for at least twelve months prior to the closing date for the Award.
  4. An author may also qualify if the work submitted has a focus on or setting in Western North Carolina.

 The Western North Carolina Historical Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. Brent Martin won the 2022 award for George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina. Other authors who have received the award include Robert Brunk, Wayne Caldwell, Wiley Cash, Charles Frazier, John Ehle, Gail Godwin, Michael McFee, Doug Orr, Ron Rash, Fiona Ritchie, Terry Roberts, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle and Lee Smith.

A prize of $1,000 accompanies the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and will be awarded to David Joy, winner of this year’s award, at a ceremony at AB Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium (Fernihurst Drive, Asheville) on Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. Each of the finalists will read a short passage from their work. There will be a reception at 7 p.m. at the Asheville Museum of History at the Smith-McDowell House.

This year’s finalists were chosen from an original group of more than 35 nominations.  The finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, encompass a broad range of genres and forms.

  • Erica Abrams Locklear Appalachia on the Table: Representing Mountain Food and People
  • Elizabeth Giddens Oconaluftee: The History of a Smoky Mountain Valley
  • David Joy Those We Thought We Knew (Winner of the 2023 Thomas Wolfe Literary Award)
  • Jennifer McGaha Bushwhacking: How to Get Lost in the Woods and Writer Your Way Out
  • Terry Roberts The Sky Club

The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Wayne Caldwell, author and former Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award winner; Dee James, professor emeritus, UNC-Asheville; and Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.

For more information visit https://www.ashevillehistory.org/literaryaward/ and https://www.simpletix.com/e/thomas-wolfe-literary-award-tickets-167349#location

Friday, April 26, 2024
Free Healthy Workplace Culture Workshop
Apr 26 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Continuum Art

A healthy workplace culture can be the difference between hitting your goals and missing the mark. It can be a determining benefit that supports strong retention rates and serves as a competitive advantage.

But what is culture and how do you build it? We’ll cover this and much more!

Join us on April 26, 2024, for an interactive workshop at Continuum in downtown Hendersonville, NC from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Sign up now to reserve your seat and receive the full event details.