Calendar of Events
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.
Considered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears musical gifts have astounded audiences around the world and rewritten what was thought humanly impossible on this exotic musical instrument.
Spears’ blinding skill and musical creativity are often compared to innovative legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix and Les Paul among others and his uncanny ability to play multiple musical and percussive ideas simultaneously in a live setting is iconic, pure and simple…
Spears music is an acoustic electronic mix of funk, afro-beat, latin, trance with a dash of rock that will move your feet and stir your soul.
In addition to making his own instruments, KalimbaMan (as his friends call him) performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Eric Benet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Wudasse, POS (of De La Soul), Arrested Development, Bill Summers (of Herbie Hancock band), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Divinity (bassist for Beyonce).
Born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his country singing, hunky good looks and mullet hairstyle, has enjoyed a mulit-layed performance career as a multi-platinum selling recording artist. He has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the Billboard Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is his debut Some Gave All, which has been certified 9 Multi-Platinum in the United States and is the longest time spent by a debut artist at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the breakout hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” From 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. From 2006 to 2011, he co-starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter, Miley Cyrus. Soon after, Cyrus enjoyed an eight-week run on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. In years since, Cyrus has been alternating between making music and acting. In an industry where excesses are the order of the day, Cyrus has retained his humility and morals and continues to be an inspiration and mentor to aspiring musicians all over the world.
Join us for this energetic duo from Black Mountain, featuring Randy Sarton (Guitar & Vocals) and Bill Hattori (Cajon Drum, Splash Cymbal, Various Percussion). $5/person suggested donation. Be dangerous!
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
A musical, pictorial and live stage presentation of Jesus’ last days based on a cantata by Dallas Holmes. The choir and cast of the Tallulah Falls, GA outdoor passion drama bring a glimpse of “His Last Days” from their 35 years of summer enactments of Jesus’ life. Not just an Easter story- but a continual timeless narrative of faith.
Kaizen live at The Kava Bar
Mike Barnes -Guitar, Mark McDaniel-Bass, Jeff Sipe on Drums:
Friday, April 12th at 9 PM
Live at The Kava Bar:
Kaizen (改善) is the Japanese word for “improvement”. In business, kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers… In the Music World, with these Top-Tier Musicians, it hard to believe there is little to any room for improvement and yet they strive for excellence and more growth with every performance. If not for themselves, then for the listeners.
When Plywood Cowboy made its debut three years ago, the band was quickly called “one of the best new bands on the Americana scene” by New York Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Chris Bergson. Twelve states of touring, sell-out shows, and many accolades later, Plywood Cowboy makes their Asheville debut on April 13 at Isis Music Hall. Their latest album, “Blue Skies”, earned a spot on the 2018 Grammy ballot in the Best Americana Album and best Americana Song categories. Listen at www.plywoodcowboy.com
AIA South Atlantic’s new ASPIRE EXPERIENCE is a one-of-a-kind conference using Asheville’s art scene, historical architecture, craft breweries, popular parks, and local businesses to create and present a program of education, inspiration, and engagement for the design and construction community. The ASPIRE EXPERIENCE offers designers the opportunity to impact change and make a difference to their community. This is a time for transformation.
Attend this dynamic EXPERIENCE and create new relationships and ideas that can be into your work and daily lives throughout the year. Meet, network, and experience the industry’s leading experts all in one place.
Transform your thinking and ideas with demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions and new, innovative methods. EXPERIENCE how you can help change your community and profession with the leading though innovators in the area.
Look beyond the event as you get inspired to make a difference in your community. Engage with visionaries and walk away with solutions and the understanding of the power you hold to create meaningful change.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Do you ever think about something you did or said from your awkward pre-pubescence that is SO EMBARRASSING it sends a shiver of shame down your spine? You may not realize it, but the rest of the world is dying to hear it! We’re taking the format of the international art movement – Mortified!
Dust off that diary! Unearth those letters! Share your awkward and embarrassing childhood journals, artwork, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, and plays. We are always looking for you like you to join our community. Never been on stage? We love that!
Sign up is at 7:30pm, we’ll start at 8:00pm!
Here is a trailer for the film version of the movement, Mortified Nation, currently on Netflix if you want to take a peek and get some inspiration!
Tips for People who Want to Perform!
DO. Earmark 5-8 excerpts that you’re embarrassed to admit you wrote. That way you have a variety to pull from when onstage
DO. If possible, try to find a theme connecting your excerpts (i.e. being boy/girl crazy, hating your parents, trying to look a certain way, etc.) but if it doesn’t, no sweat, this is about having fun.
DO. Look for entries where your writing was very dramatic– whether you were ultra angry or ultra happy. These tend to be funny.
DO. Bring a photo of yourself from that age if you have one! If you can print it out, even better, so we can pass them around for everyone to see how cute your little awkward face looked ;)
DO. Look for entries where your writing was oblivious to an obvious-to-anyone-else reality. (For instance, a closeted teen writing about their love of Broadway musicals.)
DO. Look for entries that make you react, “I can’t believe I actually thought like that.”
DON’T make stuff up. The fun of our show is that people sharing actual mementos from childhood. If you want to write an essay about your childhood, there are plenty of great projects (like the Moth) that are better forums for that.
DON’T censor yourself, we want to hear it raw.
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B
Weekly Open Mic with Caleb Beissert! Sign up at 7:30 pm, Mic starts at 8 pm! All forms of entertainment welcome!! Come get a kava and enjoy the local talent
BULA!!
FREE EVENT supporting veterans, active military and military families on April 19 at 7:30 pm. Don’t miss Letters From Home performing its signature USO-style entertainment, with nostalgic music, singing, and tap-dancing. One of the fastest growing musical acts in the country, Letters From Home seeks to revive patriotism – not politics! – through music!
Come celebrate 4/20 and get Sparkled with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!! The MOST MAGICAL Fairy Hair in the World! Not tinsel.
You can wash it,
brush it,
comb it,
curl it,
flat iron, (up to 450°!)
color it,
straighten it,
perm it,
blow it dry, get your haircut, etc.
Do whatever you normally do to your hair, but most of all; ENJOY IT!
?Saturday, April 20th 4:30pm-9:30pm
at
Weaver House Hemp Fest-FREE EVENT!
56 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787
Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/hempfest4202019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B
Corey Smith, the fan-made man, has sold over 1 million concert tickets, 1.5 million digital singles and over 220,000 albums. Smith has amassed an unfailingly devout fan base, not only in his native Southeast region, but all around the nation, simply by telling it the way it is. He has released 10 albums—including 2011’s Top 20 release The Broken Record. Corey has written every word on every album himself and he produced 9 out of 10 of the records. In Summer 2015, Corey teamed up with producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) for his album, “While the Gettin’ Is Good,” which was released on Sugar Hill Records. Smith’s concerts, which were documented on his last live record, Live in Chattanooga, regularly sell out, with audiences singing along to such fan favorites as the coming-of-age anthem “Twenty-One,” the nostalgic time warp “If I Could Do It Again” and the group hug “I Love Everyone.” Corey consistently tours, hitting around 120 dates per year and has begun releasing singles from his upcoming project, the Great Wide Underground.
Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, S. 1007
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (arr. for string quintet)
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D. 956
The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its second decade as a quartet, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in its tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the premiere cellists in the world, is a Grammy Award winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, artistic director, and teacher.
Harmony is the blending of various notes and elements that, when they come together just right, create one impacting sound. Add to that a genetic connection and a heartfelt commitment to convey the love of Christ, and you have the astounding and soaring harmonies of SISTERS. Raised in a loving home by parents committed to teaching them to serve the Lord and to make Jesus the motivation for sharing their talents with the world, Kim Ruppe Sheffield, Heather Ruppe Bennett, and Valerie Ruppe Medkiff, all sisters, have embarked on a new endeavor that is taking the music world by storm. Their worldwide tour is reaching people of all ages and musical tastes. Years of ministry brought changes for The Ruppes as the girls went their separate ways at various times. Through it all, they continued to minister and they remained very close as a family. Now God has opened the door for them to come full circle and sing together as Sisters and they are loving every minute of it. Sisters has been a dream of ours for a long time. We can’t really pinpoint a “time” when God put the dream in our hearts. It seems to have always been there, but the timing wasn’t quite right. We just always agreed that when God opened the door of opportunity, we would take the step of faith and walk through it. We are so excited to have the chance to minister to people with our music. Somehow, it’s different when Sisters are on stage together. We have such kindred spirits and, musically speaking, we think so much alike. It’s like God touches us with a special anointing when we sing about Him. We don’t ever want to take the platform we’ve been given for granted. We know that in any given situation, the audience that we are in front of is full of hurting, broken people. We know, because we’ve been “the audience” many times before. We all have the same needs and wants, the same questions and struggles. We are ALL living this life and sometimes it gets hard. But if we have a few minutes to share our music and our hearts just to let people know how good and gracious God is even when life gets tough….what an opportunity that is and may we ever be mindful of that! We are so thankful that finally, the three of us have been given the chance to sing as Sisters. And today, Sisters are traveling all over the country sharing their dynamic harmonies and deep love for Christ. Their magic on stage in combination with incredible songs and amazing vocals is absolutely unstoppable. For this group of inseparable sisters, dreams really DO come true as can be seen by the honor of their awards: Gospel Music 5 time Female Group Of The Year, Progressive Album Of the Year, Female Vocalist Of The Year. Fan Award, Dove Award and multiple Grammy nominees.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. Bula!
A Nashville icon for more than two decades, Trace Adkins has made his mark on the country-music industry. 11 million albums sold. Time-honored hit singles. Momentous, fiery and always memorable live performances. Grammy nominations. Even a slew of movie and TV roles have come the Grand Ole Opry member’s way. Ask Adkins what’s left to prove in his career and the small-town Louisiana native says it’s simple: To continually feel the excitement that comes after whipping up a new song out of thin air and laying it down to tape. “It’s an adrenaline rush and I love it,” says Adkins. In his 2007 autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, the towering baritone recounts his rise to fame, brushes with death, and battles with personal demons. Adkins says he’s profoundly touched that he now serves as an inspiration to a younger generation of country artists, much in the way he revered icons like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard when first moving to Nashville. Adkins has won three Academy of Country Music Awards, including the 2009 Single of the Year Award for You’re Gonna Miss This and Vocal Event of the Year with Blake Shelton for Hillbilly Bone in 2010. He is also an accomplished actor with roles in several films and television shows, most notably playing a tough-as-nails biker in The Lincoln Lawyer, a desperate father in Deepwater Horizon, and a wise oracle of a tattoo artist in the family friendly film Moms’ Night Out. But he is perhaps most proud of his work supporting U.S. troops and veterans, serving as a spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and participating in an astounding 12 USO tours to date. Ask Adkins where he goes from here and he’ll say it’s simple: keep doing what he knows and love. Performing. Creating. Inspiring. He adores it, and he knows so many of his lifelong fans, and new ones to boot, do too. I’m gonna go out there and find those people, he says with a laugh of the coming months. “I’m gonna bring a band and turn it up real loud! And we’re gonna have a good time!”
Mayfest is the one of the longest running festivals in N.C., drawing visitors from across the region for a full day of springtime, family fun. Annual entertainment and traditions will be enjoyed including live music from Rutherford County Line and the Houston Bernard Band, a Car, Truck and Bike Show, and a variety of artisans and crafters showcasing their one-of-a-kind items. Youngsters will have a ball in the Kids Playland featuring inflatables and rock climbing walls, plus obstacle courses, face painting, and the Pinewood Derby Race. Local dancers, gymnasts and cheerleaders will perform, a Doggie Kissing booth will be open, and friendly fur babies will take the spotlight during the 4 Paws Kingdom Pet Contest. No festival is complete without fabulous food vendors. Indulge yourself with delicious BBQ, turkey legs, roasted corn, stir-fry, funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, and much more.
Madison MayFest: A Night at ReClaim
A Unique and Unexpected Fundraiser Event!
Join the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County at “ReClaim
Madison Salvage & Hardware,” formerly the Coal, Feed and Lumber Store
where you’ll find yourself in an early 20th century social club – with live
music to match!
Emcee Joel Friedman, of Zuma Coffee fame, will lead us through an
evening of:
* Live music – a soundscape straight out of the past! Musicians Steve Davidowski and Melody King will serve up originals and the classics
* Scrumptious food and libations!
* Community brick-making and other creative activities!
* Fun photo opps with your friends!
* Dazzling raffle prizes – worth $500 each!
* And much, much more!
PLUS, the Preferred Pairings Salon!
Local wines, gourmet chocolates, artisan roasted coffees – curated and
paired, for this mini-event limited to 60 guests.
Proceeds go to CHC’s Mission, which aims to find solutions to the nationwide affordable housing crisis right here in WNC by promoting and facilitating healthy, safe, and affordable housing through advocacy, education, and resource development.
Madison MayFest: A Night at ReClaim
A Unique and Unexpected Fundraiser Event!
Join the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County at “ReClaim
Madison Salvage & Hardware,” formerly the Coal, Feed and Lumber Store
where you’ll find yourself in an early 20th century social club – with live
music to match!
Emcee Joel Friedman, of Zuma Coffee fame, will lead us through an
evening of:
* Live music – a soundscape straight out of the past! Musicians Steve Davidowski and Melody King will serve up originals and the classics
* Scrumptious food and libations!
* Community brick-making and other creative activities!
* Fun photo opps with your friends!
* Dazzling raffle prizes – worth $500 each!
* And much, much more!
PLUS, the Preferred Pairings Salon!
Local wines, gourmet chocolates, artisan roasted coffees – curated and
paired, for this mini-event limited to 60 guests.
Proceeds go to CHC’s mission, which aims to find solutions to the national affordable housing crisis right here in WNC by promoting and facilitating healthy, safe, and affordable housing through advocacy, education, and resource development.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Andy Cohen, Master Blues Musician, with Ash Devine in Concert at Flood Gallery
Andy Cohen rolls through Asheville, NC on a rare occasion. Join us for a special concert of piedmont blues, road worthy fingerstyle folk blues, and other heartfelt original tunes! Andy is a connoisseur of Rev. Gary David repertoire on guitar, and a general life long student of all blues style. Cohen has been on the road for almost 50 years, and at 72, still wanders the countryside with a car load of character and instruments. Ash Devine, friend, surrogate niece, and student of Andy Cohen, will accompany for a few originals, traditional songs from WNC, Carter Family repertoire, and more.
The concert is based on a sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Fingerstyle country blues guitar pickin workshop available the night before the concert! Limited spaces are available for this rare opportunity to study with Andy! For more info and to register, email Ash at [email protected].
Franz Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, D. 898
Franz Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, D. 929
The first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmoniker. A Grammy nominated cellist. A world-famous pianist. Join Asheville-native Noah Bendix-Balgley, Peter Wiley, and Robert Levin for a singular special event celebrating one of chamber music’s most legendary composers — Franz Schubert. This performance is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these three chamber music masters perform the Austrian composers only two piano trios, both composed late in life.
We invite you to bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy our first of many musical evenings in Biltmore Park Town Square. Grab a blanket and join us in Cecil Park, the green space near Hickory Tavern and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. Tuxedo Junction, WNC’s Premier Dance Band, will be joining us to play all of your favorite tunes! Come enjoy two full hours of live music, dancing and fun – free for everyone!
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445