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.

Monday, October 29, 2018
Ask the Gardener
Oct 29 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Do you have a gardening question? Looking to get that mystery plant identified? Need pruning advice? The North Carolina Arboretum is proud to introduce its newest educational series, “Ask the Gardener.” Every Monday from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, April through October, gardening experts will be on-site in the Arboretum’s Library, located upstairs in the Education Center, to help members and visitors address both common and unique gardening and landscape questions. The Arboretum’s extensive resource book collection will also be available for use by participants. The program is free, however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are welcomed.

Don’t get stumped! Let the Arboretum’s gardening experts help.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Rubblebucket
Oct 30 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Reclaimed Creations
Oct 30 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID USA: FOR ADULTS ASSISTING YOUNG PEOPLE
Oct 30 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
University Center

Who Should Attend?
Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. It is
designed to teach parents, family members, teachers, school staff, school nurses, coaches, church leaders,
health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is
experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
What is the Course Content?
 Introduction to common mental health challenges for youth
 Review of typical adolescent development
 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Topics discussed include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive
behavior disorders (including ADD/ADHD), and eating disorders.

$50 Registration includes Youth Mental Health First Aid Participant Manual.

 

Yoga @ Mills River- Tuesday Series
Oct 30 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Mills River Branch

Learn proper alignment, improve strength & flexibility, & enjoy deep, guided relaxation with Lynn Edgar, an experienced yoga therapist at the 500hr level.

Contact the Mills River Library at 890-1850 for more information.

Guided Trail Walk (Free)
Oct 30 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Each Tuesday and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., April through October, trained volunteer guides lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history, and the cultural and land use history of The North Carolina Arboretum. Guides may include areas such as the Natural Garden Trail and Bent Creek.

Programs are held rain or shine and participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Individuals should also wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and are approximately one to two miles in length. Due to length and content, this program is not recommended for children under 8 years of age.

Walks begin in the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of five or more are required to pre-register by calling 828-665-2492. Walks are FREE, however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Due to size limitations of the tours, groups of 10 or more are required to book a private guided trail tour.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Reclaimed Creations
Oct 31 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

Howl-O-Ween Festival
Oct 31 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Asheville Farmstead School

Our Howl-O-Ween event was a huge success last year so we are doing it again and even bigger! Join us for some day time, outdoor, fun in your costumes! We will have areas for learning about how other cultures around the globe celebrate this holiday. We will also have a photo booth, halloween themed games, crafts, halloween sensory bins. We will also have a table that features the Teal Pumpkin Project and how you and your house can help make halloween accessible to children with food borne allergies! We will share bits of what will be at the festival in this event to get everyone excited and engaged in this event!

https://www.facebook.com/events/465064387327282/

Thursday, November 1, 2018
Miss Nelson is Missing!
Nov 1 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown

Miss Nelson can’t control her crazy classroom because she’s just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp! With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything — including hiring a private eye — to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.

Showtimes are Thursdays at 3:00PM, Fridays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, Saturdays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00PM.

 

Playhouse Downtown 125 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Nov 1 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

This adaptation of the classic crime novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes is a fast paced, wild ride through the fog-shrouded moors of England.  Three actors portray over fifteen characters with lightning fast precision in this highly praised thriller.

Matinees: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM

Evenings: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30PM. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM

Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage
2661 Greenville Highway Flat Rock, NC 28731

Reclaimed Creations
Nov 1 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

Friday, November 2, 2018
Miss Nelson is Missing!
Nov 2 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown

Miss Nelson can’t control her crazy classroom because she’s just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp! With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything — including hiring a private eye — to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.

Showtimes are Thursdays at 3:00PM, Fridays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, Saturdays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00PM.

 

Playhouse Downtown 125 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Nov 2 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

This adaptation of the classic crime novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes is a fast paced, wild ride through the fog-shrouded moors of England.  Three actors portray over fifteen characters with lightning fast precision in this highly praised thriller.

Matinees: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM

Evenings: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30PM. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM

Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage
2661 Greenville Highway Flat Rock, NC 28731

Reclaimed Creations
Nov 2 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

AN EVENING OF 2 THRILLERS
Nov 2 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

THE LOVE TALKER 
By Deborah Pryor

The Love Talker is an eerie and sensual play set in an age when strange spirits walked the earth and magic was all around.

A GHOST STORY 
By John Pielmeier

Two hikers seek shelter from a winter blizzard in an isolated Maine cabin. They meet a mysterious girl and soon the three share ghost stories, at first fanciful and then suddenly disquieting as the imagined becomes the real.

Saturday, November 3, 2018
Miss Nelson is Missing!
Nov 3 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown

Miss Nelson can’t control her crazy classroom because she’s just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp! With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything — including hiring a private eye — to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.

Showtimes are Thursdays at 3:00PM, Fridays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, Saturdays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00PM.

 

Playhouse Downtown 125 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Nov 3 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

This adaptation of the classic crime novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes is a fast paced, wild ride through the fog-shrouded moors of England.  Three actors portray over fifteen characters with lightning fast precision in this highly praised thriller.

Matinees: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM

Evenings: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30PM. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM

Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage
2661 Greenville Highway Flat Rock, NC 28731

Tryon Beer Fest presented by New View Realty
Nov 3 all-day
Tryon Depot

Enjoy local and regional craft beer, oysters, authentic Bavarian food, and live music at the 7th Annual Tryon Beer Fest presented by New View Realty. Come “Tap Into Tryon” from 12pm until 6pm on Saturday, November 3, 2018, and see all the beauty, culture and shopping this mountain town has to offer.

Riverbanks Run
Nov 3 @ 7:30 am
Riverbanks Zoo
Early Bird Pre-registration: (September 1–November 1)
$30 Riverbanks members and $40 general public.Regular Pre-registration: (November 2–November 13)
$45 for all registrants; T-shirts are not guaranteed.

Pre-registration will be closed November 14–16 and will re-open onsite on November 17.

Help kick off the 31st anniversary of Lights Before Christmas by making tracks to Riverbanks’ third annual 5k race. The wild run will wind through the park’s scenic back roads, cross the Saluda River and pass some of the most popular exhibits in the Zoo! Proceeds support ongoing conservation and education efforts at Riverbanks.Entry fees include a commemorative Riverbanks Run T-Shirt, admission into the Zoo on race day, plus complimentary snacks at the finish line. Zoo admission is required for non-race participants, and T-shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.

November 15 and 16: Packet Pick-Up from 9:00am–6:00pm inside the Guest Relations at main Zoo entrance.

November 17: Late/Day-of Registration; Race Begins at 7:30am.

Reclaimed Creations
Nov 3 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

TC Roberson Holiday Market
Nov 3 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
T.C. Roberson High School

This is my second year selling at TCR Holiday Market, it will be an opportunity for my South Asheville fans to shop for their favorite photos for themselves or as gifts for their loved ones, including matted prints and gallery wrapped canvases.

**I am not the promoter of this show, if you want to be an artist/vendor at this event go to TC Roberson High Schools website for the application. **

The 12th annual TCR Holiday Market is the official start to Holiday shopping in Western North Carolina. It is held at TC Roberson High School and will feature artists and crafters with great Christmas Decorations and gift ideas. Come out and support small businesses and your local community.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1059821467504283/

Methods of Teaching Environmental Education
Nov 3 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain
COST: FREE
The focus of this 10-hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a variety of teaching techniques, methods and instructional strategies, and the workshop will include multiple interactive components. The program will be presented by Amy Renfranz, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. This is a required workshop for all N.C. Environmental Education Certification candidates who enrolled in the program after Jan. 1, 2009 as Criteria I credit. This workshop may also count for Continuing Education for those educators who are already certified.For more information, or to register, email [email protected], or call (828) 733-2013.

This course is offered as part of the N.C. Office of Environmental Education’s Environmental Educator Certification Programs. These adult programs are free of charge, and admission to the park is complimentary for those that are attending the course. The workshops will be at high elevation (> 4500 ft) and will include some walking, so please bring appropriate footwear and be prepared for inclement weather. Participants are asked to provide their own lunch, but there is a restaurant on site (Mildred’s Grill) in the Nature Museum.

SOAR’s Eagle Run 5K
Nov 3 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Carrier Park

Register today at www.soarnc.org/5k

On Saturday November 3rd at Carrier Park in Asheville, SOAR and the western North Carolina community will join together to help bring awareness to ADHD at SOAR’s Eagle Run 5k. All proceeds from the event will go to SOAR’s scholarship fund and directly to the youth and young adults that we serve. Each year SOAR provides meaningful outdoor experiences to students through scholarship assistance. This would not be possible without the support of our community, alumni, and families.

Mountain Heart Band
Nov 3 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
Mountain Heart Band @ Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts |  |  |

Mountain Heart is the band that has been fearlessly revolutionizing the way acoustic music can be presented and played. The band’s name has been synonymous with cutting-edge excellence in acoustic music circles since the group’s creation. Widely known throughout the music industry for continually redefining the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has gained legions of loyal fans both as a result of their superlative musicianship and just as notably, their incendiary live performances. Mountain Heart or members have been nominated for Grammy’s, ACM, CMA awards. The band has also been nominated for and won multiple IBMA’s. They have appeared on the revered stage of the Grand Ole Opry in excess of 130 times. Throughout the band’s storied history, members past and present have dedicated their time, talent, and creativity to the group, leading to their hard-earned reputation as one of the most exciting and unforgettable live shows anywhere in the world. With a new team in place, Mountain Heart is beyond excited for this new beginning and journey ahead.

AN EVENING OF 2 THRILLERS
Nov 3 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

THE LOVE TALKER 
By Deborah Pryor

The Love Talker is an eerie and sensual play set in an age when strange spirits walked the earth and magic was all around.

A GHOST STORY 
By John Pielmeier

Two hikers seek shelter from a winter blizzard in an isolated Maine cabin. They meet a mysterious girl and soon the three share ghost stories, at first fanciful and then suddenly disquieting as the imagined becomes the real.

Sunday, November 4, 2018
Miss Nelson is Missing!
Nov 4 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown

Miss Nelson can’t control her crazy classroom because she’s just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher Viola Swamp! With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson and they’ll do anything — including hiring a private eye — to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.

Showtimes are Thursdays at 3:00PM, Fridays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, Saturdays at 1:00PM and 4:00PM, and Sundays at 3:00PM.

 

Playhouse Downtown 125 S. Main St. Hendersonville, NC 28792

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Nov 4 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

This adaptation of the classic crime novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes is a fast paced, wild ride through the fog-shrouded moors of England.  Three actors portray over fifteen characters with lightning fast precision in this highly praised thriller.

Matinees: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM

Evenings: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30PM. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM

Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage
2661 Greenville Highway Flat Rock, NC 28731

Reclaimed Creations
Nov 4 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Reclaimed Creations is a unique sculpture exhibit created by renowned artist Sayaka Ganz. Utilizing reclaimed plastic objects, such as discarded utensils, Ganz creates amazing sculptures that visually appear unified at a distance, but are in fact separated when examined up close. Described as using a “3D impressionistic” style, Ganz’s exhibit includes installations of animals in motion, which are in rich in color and energy, to create an illusion of form.

About the Artist

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sayaka Ganz grew up living in Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A lecturer and teacher, Ganz’s work has been displayed at various institutions around the globe, including the Hermann Geiger Foundation in Cecina, Italy, the Isle Gallery in Isle of Man, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.

My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

Methods of Teaching Environmental Education
Nov 4 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain
COST: FREE
The focus of this 10-hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a variety of teaching techniques, methods and instructional strategies, and the workshop will include multiple interactive components. The program will be presented by Amy Renfranz, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. This is a required workshop for all N.C. Environmental Education Certification candidates who enrolled in the program after Jan. 1, 2009 as Criteria I credit. This workshop may also count for Continuing Education for those educators who are already certified.For more information, or to register, email [email protected], or call (828) 733-2013.

This course is offered as part of the N.C. Office of Environmental Education’s Environmental Educator Certification Programs. These adult programs are free of charge, and admission to the park is complimentary for those that are attending the course. The workshops will be at high elevation (> 4500 ft) and will include some walking, so please bring appropriate footwear and be prepared for inclement weather. Participants are asked to provide their own lunch, but there is a restaurant on site (Mildred’s Grill) in the Nature Museum.

AN EVENING OF 2 THRILLERS
Nov 4 @ 2:00 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

THE LOVE TALKER 
By Deborah Pryor

The Love Talker is an eerie and sensual play set in an age when strange spirits walked the earth and magic was all around.

A GHOST STORY 
By John Pielmeier

Two hikers seek shelter from a winter blizzard in an isolated Maine cabin. They meet a mysterious girl and soon the three share ghost stories, at first fanciful and then suddenly disquieting as the imagined becomes the real.