Calendar of Events

The 16th ABSFest: Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival opens at the Crow & Quill, with our ABSFest Speakeasy. Local live music sweethearts Drayton & the Dreamboats play jazz all night with bellydancers, sword- swallowing and more. Hosted by international Jester, Paolo Garbanzo. Tickets at the Door.

AdventHealth, in collaboration with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC), is hosting
an event to support the local veteran community at Asheville-Buncombe Community
Christian Ministry (ABCCM). LEGACY MC Co-Owner Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR Cup
Series driver Erik Jones, and the LEGACY MC pit crew will visit ABCCM in Asheville to
pack backpacks and lunches for Veterans of the Armed Forces who are still being
impacted by Hurricane Helene. AdventHealth is proud to be the host of this effort,
demonstrating its commitment to the well-being of veterans and the local community.
LEGACY MC will also have the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE show car at
the appearance.

 Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MC Co-Owner & Driver of the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry
XSE
 Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MC

If you are interested in attending and/or participating, contact AdventHealth NC
Communications Director, Victoria Dunkle at [email protected] or 828-209-
8570.

The 16th ABSFest: Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival at the Grey Eagle sees the return of our FanDom Nerdlesque Show, hosted by Atlanta’s Lola LeSoleil. Your favorite fandoms brought to the stage! From sexy Star Wars to sassy Super Mario, this sexy, silly and surprising show has something for everybody. VIPs enjoy early seating, a pre-show, and themed goody bags.

FOUR Workshops held at the Orange Peel! $40 in advance, $50 day of unless FREE.
12:30-2pm
Burlesque, with Jo’Rie Tigerlily.
Drag, with Qing Blaze.
2-3:30
Bellydance, with Naimah.
Resilience and Ethics for Artists in Uncertain Times, with Nadira & Mavi, a free facilitated discussion for the variety arts community. Email us at [email protected] to inquire about the Resilience class. Otherwise, visit absfest.com to register and get MORE INFORMATION about workshop offerings and the instructors.

The 16th annual ABSFest: Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival at The Orange Peel offers up the The Saturday Spectacular. Don’t Miss This Show; the most glamorous showgirls, astonishing aerials, and delicious vendors, as well as vibrant acts of rebellion, comedy and dexterity. Hosted by festival founder Madame Onça! VIPs enjoy early expedited seating, shopping and a live music pre-show.

The 16th annual ABSFest: Asheville Burlesque & Sideshow Festival Sunday at The Grey Eagle brings the brunch show – the Church of Decadence, hosted by pin-up priestess Phoebe Nyx. Come feel the holy spirit of burlesque moving through you. Dress for church – be that church hats, mumus, or pjs. Tickets at www.thegreyeagle.com 12-2pm

This annual run/walk timed event raises funds to support Open Arms Pregnancy Center. Open Arms supports women facing unplanned pregnancies by providing free, confidential ultrasounds and maternity supplies. Mothers receive monthly diapers, clothing and other items once their babies are born up to the child’s 18th month.
The 5k and Fun Run will be held at Bill Moore Community Park, 85 Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, NC at 8:30AM.
Runners should register now (by May 9) at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fletcher/Run4for5k for early bird pricing and to be guaranteed a T-shirt.
Businesses/Individuals interested in being a race sponsor can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 828.676.4510.

Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow
A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
May 29, 2025 | 5–9 PM
Treska’s on Highland Lake, Flat Rock, NC

Join us for Asheville Waldorf School’s Annual Spring Bloom Gala—an evening devoted to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing.

In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and Heidi Zellie of Appalachian Watershed Alliance, this year’s gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, feeding communities, and healing the land. Together, we honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food sovereignty, resilience, and hope.

Offerings:
Farm-to-table dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients
Musical performances
Curated silent auction with local art, experiences, and handmade goods
Inspiring keynote speakers: Andrea DuVall, CEO & Founder of Mother Earth Food, Ines Kinchen, Founder, Emerald Ark School & Sanctuary, Grandmaster Tony Morris, Founder, Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts

All proceeds support Asheville Waldorf School, furthering our mission to nurture head, heart, and hands through holistic education.

Join us for the 16th annual Authors for Literacy Fundraiser featuring New York Times bestselling author, David Baldacci. The evening will feature testimonials from the students and staff at Literacy Together, as well as a keynote address from David Baldacci. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for mixing and mingling and heavy hors d’oeuvres. You’ll have an opportunity to hear from our team about the work we do to support more than 7,200 individuals throughout Buncombe County. Our seated program begins promptly at 6:30 p.m., and we’ll close the evening with a book signing managed by Malaprop’s Bookstore.
Tickets are on sale now!

Spring Bloom Gala: Gather & Grow – A Benefit for Asheville Waldorf School
Flat Rock, NC – May 29, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Treska’s on Highland Lake
Asheville, NC — Asheville Waldorf School is excited to announce its annual Spring Bloom Gala,
a special evening dedicated to connection, nourishment, and collective flourishing. This year’s
event will take place on May 29, 2025, at Treska’s on Highland Lake in Flat Rock, NC, from 5:00
PM to 9:00 PM.

In collaboration with Mother Earth Food and the Appalachian Watershed Alliance, the Spring
Bloom Gala celebrates the sacred work of raising children, nourishing communities, and healing
the land. This event will honor the sanctity of childhood and cultivate a future rooted in food
sovereignty, resilience, and hope. Attendees will be invited to reflect on these vital themes while
enjoying an evening of music, fine dining, and thought-provoking conversation.

The highly anticipated Community Concert is returning to Pack Square Park in Downtown Asheville on Thursday, May 29, 2025, and this year’s lineup promises to deliver another unforgettable evening of live music, local food, and community spirit. The event will feature Steep Canyon Rangers, one of the most renowned names in bluegrass and Americana music, along with the incredible opening act, Sam Burchfield and the Scoundrels. The Community Concert is presented by Oskar Blues Brewery, Dale’s, and Fred Anderson Subaru.

This celebration of community is FREE to attend, with General Admission available to all. For those seeking an enhanced experience, Preferred Access Tickets powered by Skyla Credit Union are on sale now, providing attendees with a premium concert experience in the heart of Asheville’s iconic Downtown.

In addition to the music, the Community Concert will also feature a variety of local food vendors, a marketplace with unique handmade goods, and a gear swap presented by Second Gear, giving attendees the chance to exchange gently used outdoor gear. The event is designed to bring together people of all ages for an evening of celebration, while supporting local businesses and artists.

Time: 6pm – 10pm

Location: Pack Square Park, Downtown Asheville, NC

Admission: General Admission is FREE; Preferred Access Tickets available for purchase.

Dad Jokes Standup Comedy Picture Show
Everyone loves dads doing jokes! Lucky for you these are professional comedians giving you more laughs than groans. Comics on the show do standup with pictures to illustrate their sets!!
Wednesday June 11, 7:30-9p in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$17 tickets available at door or The Orange Peel’s website
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Celebrate community, legacy, and the power of mentorship at this special event honoring the life and impact of Coach Bennie Lee Lake. Hosted by KL Training Solutions — home of My Daddy Taught Me That and My Sister Taught Me That — the day will feature youth voices, food, music, and a self-guided Legacy Trail showcasing the journey from humble beginnings to a thriving center for education, leadership, and peace.

Come meet the young people, mentors, and families building a brighter future in Asheville.

Free and open to all. Family-friendly!

Join us as we partner with the Martin Luther King Jr. Association and Black Wall Street to celebrate Juneteenth! Featuring headliner Southern Avenue and opener DJ Phantom Pantone.

Downtown After 5 is more than just a concert series—it’s a community staple that celebrates the diversity and creativity of Asheville. Each event is free to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of between 5,000 to 6,000 attendees. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site alongside a marketplace component where attendees can explore and shop handmade crafts from local makers. Join us at Pack Square Park for these unforgettable evenings of music, community, and celebration.

Asheville is invited to RAD Brewing on Saturday, June 21st, for RAD Solstice! This is a celebration of the Summer Solstice and the ongoing renewal of Asheville’s River Arts District.

Here’s how you can be involved in RAD Solstice:

• Be there! Come in costume, don your finest hat, or…just come as you are!

• Join the RAD Solstice Drum Krewe! Drummers should plan to attend 2-4 practice sessions to perform with the group on RAD Solstice afternoon. We will have 4 drumming meetups on Thursday evenings – May 29, June 5, 12, & 19 – at RAD Brewing. Participation is free and everyone is welcome (ages 14-adult)! Sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/251356455371054

• Support Local Artists – We will have a selection of art vendors on site with an amazing array of art available! (See below for artist details.) Additionally, Odyssey Clayworks just down the street will be running live demos and lessons in their studios at 236 Clingman Ave. Odyssey Gallery of Ceramic Arts will have their doors open for business, and RADA will be hosting their Saturday art market for displaced artists just down the block at Pinegate Renewables. The galleries and studios of the upper RAD will be open and ready for your visit. It will be a perfect day to browse and support Asheville’s art community!

• Have a Beer or Two – RAD Brewing is a cozy, community brewery that makes fantastic beers onsite – featuring 16 unique brews on tap. They are generously opening their space to host RAD Solstice. Three cheers for RAD Brewing!!!

• Volunteer – Help us run bubble machines, do face-painting, create good vibes for the day, etc…Email [email protected] with your interest.

• Dance Party! Les Amis will bring the dance party to Solstice, with hot Ivory Coast rhythms and songs, featuring special guests – The Screamin’ Stevens! Music from 5:00-7:00pm, inside. Bring your dancing shoes and your dancing moves!

• Support RAD Solstice – Buy a Cool T-Shirt or Hat! All proceeds will go towards paying our bands:
RAD Solstice

Join us as we celebrate the Summer Solstice and the ongoing rebirth of the RAD! Let’s infuse some positive energy into our beloved River Arts District that has been through so much in the past year.

Join us for our spring festival at Pack Square Park on June 22.

Join us to shop and eat and support the local community.

Come out and come to Asheville for the day or for the weekend. The community needs you so let’s do this!

You don’t want to miss this fun event. Mark your calendars and get your tickets, swag bags, VIP, and/or merch ahead of the festival.

$10 Suggested donation ahead of the event or at the festival is requested.

$15 Swag Bag option will be available! Compostable bag filled with $50+ worth of samples and coupons.

$25 – VIP tickets – enter the event 30 minutes early. Get a cool upgraded goody bag that is reusable with items different from the swag bags. Limited to 50. $100+ worth of samples and coupons.

Wednesday June 25, 2025.
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’s 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)!
Winners from 3/27 & 5/14 Contestants: Cayla Clark, Darren Harper, Sarah Love, Mackenzie Manent, Foster & Jordan Ballard

Elderflower Community, a local non-profit, is thrilled to announce its grand re-opening on June 26, 2025. The celebration marks a significant milestone for the Elderflower property, which has been rebuilt and enhanced after being forced to close its doors due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene last fall.
The grand re-opening event will take place from 4-7pm at the newly renovated building located at 1611 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview. All community members are invited to attend and celebrate the remarkable confirmation of our community’s resilience and strength. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the property, food, and music.

Learn how to decorate four patriotic cookies to kick off your Independence Day celebrations. Kids of all ages are welcome; those under 10 must have an adult with them.

Experience reggae revolutionaries Steel Pulse, LIVE on their 50th Anniversary Tour! July 2nd @ French Broad River Brewery – OUTDOOR stage! Presented by Asheville Music Hall. ALL AGES welcome! Get Your Tickets NOW: https://buff.ly/YFzDUo6

Bearing witness to the accelerating negativity of global affairs, Steel Pulse emerges with musical vengeance to halt the disarray of humanity. The bands twelfth studio production, titled Mass Manipulation, reflects four decades committed to bettering mankind through music. Steel Pulse continues to be revolutionary in engaging controversial topics of racial injustice and human rights on a global scale. Their musical stance and conceptualizations are as potent and relevant today as they were at the beginning of their career. The album’s uniquely thematic approach provokes thought as it presses forward, toward humanities unification. A manipulation of our minds has been influenced by a New World Order currently dominating humankind. Steel Pulse reappears at a fated moment, armed with compassion, encouraging all people to reject false ideals, set higher goals, and demand more from themselves to further this unification.

This free festival promises fun for the whole family, featuring the incredible Amazing Air Dogs and a host of other family-friendly activities throughout the day.

As the sun sets, get ready for an evening of free live music featuring headliner The Pink Stones, accompanied by delicious food and beverage vendors serving up tasty treats. And of course, no Independence Day would be complete without a spectacular fireworks extravaganza lighting up the night sky, bringing our festivities to a memorable close. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of freedom and community!

Beach Babes Standup Comedy Show
The Orange Peel
July 11, 8p-9:30pm
$18
Beach vibes in the mountain! Standup Comedy of Roman Fraden, featuring Cayla Clark, Zandra Johnson & Makenzie Manent. Guest spot by the Leah Garth. Hosted by Hilliary Begley

Beach Babes Standup Comedy Show brings the vibes to the mountains in the heart of downtown Asheville! Roman Fraden his not for the faint of heart. 18+
Roman is a Los Angeles-based comedian and a regular performer at classic Hollywood venues including The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and The Hollywood Improv. He has trained with Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre, performed in various ensemble casts in film and on stage, and has opened for Mark Normand, Margaret Cho, and Patton Oswald. His one man show ‘Back In The Closet’ made it’s world premiere at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018. He currently is living in Asheville while still performing everywhere.
Host Hilliary Begley from NETFLIX & AMAZON PRIME, this beach babe will keep you laughing.
Featuring Cayla Clark from BLIND DATELIVE, who is very pregnant on this show but still one of the funniest people around (check out her famous instagram).
Also featuring comedy favorites Zandra Johnson & Makenzie Manent, with a guest spot by the always zany Leah Garth.

Get ready for a summer evening full of music, food, and community spirit—right in the heart of downtown Weaverville!

Music on Main is our one-night, open-air concert event featuring three incredible bands, local food trucks, craft beer, family activities, and Main Street lined with awesome local sponsors. It’s fun, free, and open to everyone.

Bring your lawn chairs, your friends, your kiddos, and your appetite—we’ll bring the good vibes.

Rain or shine, it’s always a good time.