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.
Today’s public tour is led by Hank Bovee, touring docent.
Join docents for tours of the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. No reservations are required.
HIGHLIGHTS + FEATURES
Collectively, this specially curated lineup of experiences is a welcoming space for ALL, while centering the celebratory and gratitude-based culture that we know to be Kwanzaa. As a cultural tradition reflective of those from the African diaspora, Kwanzaa took root in the United States in 1966, and for many is more than simply a 7-day holiday, but also a reflection of the way we would like to build community year-round. Event features + highlights include ::
- Community event rooted in art, culture, and heritage co-organized by adé PROJECT, Southside Rising + friends!
- Celebration of the original Black Nativity: Liberation Holiday team + cast, along with an unveiling/viewing of a featured film on this community production.
- Special holiday meal prepared by The Ettison Group, available at the event and to residents of the Asheville public housing communities.
- Showcasing of Southside Stories, a short film about the changes, people and culture of Asheville, NC’s historic black Southside neighborhoodproduced, produced by youth from Word on the Street/La Voz de los Jovenes
- Cultivating support for the Stephanie Maeweather Clothes Closet by accepting gently used winter coats (and clothes) on site..and more!

Since 2010 master scientific glass blower, Jason Probstein has been presenting live glassblowing demonstrations here at our art gallery.
And once again we are proud to announce that Jason will be blowing his unique Christmas ornaments and glass artworks here at Mountain Made gallery from now to December 23rd, 2019.
Jason will be demonstrating Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. He will also be blowing glass every Sunday from Noon to 2:00 PM.
We invite you come by Mountain Made for a fun, family-friendly event


January 2 & 3
Asheville Art Museum
Join us for one or both afternoons of art-filled fun. Students in grades 1–4 spend their time creating art of all kinds. All supplies and a snack are provided. Students are encouraged to wear clothes that can get messy. Preregistration is required; register online now, or call 828.253.3227 x124 for more information or to register by phone.

John Baumann of Black Mountain will display his natural and native American spiritual artwork, petroglyphs, walking sticks, dream catchers, and nature art. This is a mixed media exhibition with primarily pastels on paper.
John Baumann was a professional rock climber for most of his adult life and has lived in the Black Mountain area for the past 9 years. Baumann traveled and climbed in over 37 states and on 3 continents, and has seen his fair share of ancient rock art. As an artist and creator for the past 25 years, Baumann draws on those encounters to create artwork from Chalk and Paper.
After moving to the Black Mountain area from the Triad in 2011, Baumann has been blessed by this area’s creative culture and energy. The result is evident in the pieces that make up this exhibit. Ancient styles from the Inuit, Pacific NW, the desert South West, and the Eastern North American tribal styles will be represented in the show.
For opening night on Jan. 4, 6-9pm, the gallery will be transformed into a cave & we will have drumming, music, storytelling, food & drink!
Through February 22. Gallery hours are 11am-5pm Mon-Sat; 1-5pm Sun. Call 828-273-3332 to confirm.


Bring your current needle project and work while socializing with other like-minded crafters

9:00 am – 10:30 am
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
G&LW Trade Shows are produced in many major trade centers across the United States for the convenience of wholesale buyers. For the past 43 years G&LW’s multiple show venues have been, and continue to be, a top gem & mineral buyer destination. G&LW exhibitors enjoy world class personal service and exposure to the best customers in the business. Our goal is to create an environment that helps exhibitors connect to the right buyers & build successful relationships.
For more information about this show, please check out www.glwshows.com.
Beginners can learn a basic pattern. Those with experience are welcome to work on a project and share your knowledge. Supplies will be available for beginners. Come “spin some yarn” at the library!
Artist Opportunities
The Asheville Area Arts Council is pleased to share the following opportunities for artists that have recently been submitted to us. If you have any questions about an opportunity, please contact the listed organization.
The Asheville Area Arts Council does not endorse or recommend any specific opportunities, but provides this list for information only. We encourage artists to research each opportunity thoroughly before applying.

Call for Artists: NRCC Art Society
The North Ridge Country Club Art Society wishes to promote art and area artists, while also developing increased art appreciation within its membership. The NRCC Art Society continues to expand the permanent art collection in the clubhouse for members …
January 3, 2020 – January 19, 2020

Call for Musicians: Chamber Music Raleigh
ANNOUNCING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NC-BASED MUSICIANS Performance Venue: North Carolina Museum of Art, SECU Auditorium Dates: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 2pm or Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2pm Artists Fee: up to $2500 Submission Instructions: …
January 2, 2020 – January 24, 2020

Call for Artists: Shenandoah National Park
The Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists focused time to creatively explore the natural and cultural resources of this astounding landscape. It also allows artists the opportunity to share their work through …
November 25, 2019 – January 31, 2020

Call for Artists: Zapow Juried Show
ZaPow Gallery, the premier Illustration and Narrative Art Gallery in the Southeast, will be hosting its Second Annual Juried Open Show March 2020. If you are an Illustrator or Narrative artist living in the WNC area this is your chance to show your wor …
December 9, 2019 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Magnetic Theater
SPECIAL EVENT – ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL Script Submission Guidelines: – The submission deadline is Saturday, February 1st at 11:59pm. – Plays should be between 10 and 30 minutes long, though there is a bit of wiggle room. – No more than 10 roles (prefe …
January 3, 2020 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Chilkoot Trail Residency
The Yukon Arts Centre, the US National Park Service, Parks Canada and the Skagway Arts Council are calling for submissions for the 2021 Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program. Participants will combine their artistic abilities with a love of the outdo …
December 9, 2019 – February 11, 2020

Call for Artists: International Artist Residency
Open Call for 2020-21 International Artist Residencies at Farm Studio in Rajasthan, India The deadline for applications is 20th February, 2020. Residencies will take place October, November, December 2020 and January, February 2021. All residency infor …
G&LW Trade Shows are produced in many major trade centers across the United States for the convenience of wholesale buyers. For the past 43 years G&LW’s multiple show venues have been, and continue to be, a top gem & mineral buyer destination. G&LW exhibitors enjoy world class personal service and exposure to the best customers in the business. Our goal is to create an environment that helps exhibitors connect to the right buyers & build successful relationships.
For more information about this show, please check out www.glwshows.com.
| Asheville Mardi Gras Parade February 23 |
The 13th annual Asheville Mardi Gras parade will take place on February 23 in South Slope and we’re looking for parade day volunteers. The Asheville Mardi Gras parade is an all-inclusive, family friendly, full-color spectacle that is fun, entertaining, full of music, floats, dancing and celebrating. Spectators receive beads and candy and the photo opportunities are always amazing.
Details include: * About 20-25 volunteers needed for this rain or shine event. There will be 2 shifts, estimated to be from approx. 11a to 2/3p, and 2p to 5/6p.
*Setting up, manning and breaking down street barricades
*Assisting with krewe and float line up and timing as the parade begins
*Identifying parked cars that might need to be towed and checking for obstacles to smooth crowd control along the parade route.
*Coordinating with the Parade Logistics manager and city police
*Carrying 1 or 2 parade banners (Costumes optional but always encouraged!)
*Assisting with end of parade float disbursement
*Trash pick up following the parade set up and marching route. This is mostly paper trash and beads. It’s rarely more than a few bags total.
Returning barricades, cones, etc. to the post-parade collection point
Confirmed Volunteer perks include $10 gift card to Vortex Donuts & Coffee and a free beer at Catawba. Possibly more perks to come!
Email Dane if you’re interested in helping out, [email protected]
AMG is also seeking a Parade Day Logistics Manager as a PAID POSITION for Sunday, Feb. 23. Ideal person should have outdoor event coordination experience, flexibility and a good sense of humor. Duties include coordinating volunteers, ensuring cones and barricades are in place at all check points, answering any traffic/parked car/pedestrian concerns, acting as parade day primary contact for police and security and Mardi Gras leadership, coordinating compliance with City parade permit requirements, and helping ensure a timely start and finish to the parade. Candidate could plan to cover the parade route via bicycle or scooter or use walkie talkies to accomplish oversight of the .5 mile parade route. This position pays $125 for the day. More details available to any interested candidate. Email Dane if you’re interested in the position, [email protected]
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9:00 am – 10:30 am
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Would you like to learn more about how literacy changes our students’ lives?
Please join us for coffee and a one-hour tour of the Literacy Council.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES for 2020
Friday, January 10 – 9am | Monday, February 10 – 4pm | Friday, March 13 – 9am
Monday, April 13 – 4pm | Friday, May 8 – 9am | Monday, June 8 – 4pm
Join the MA in Critical Craft Studies for public conversations about research and projects connected to craft studies.
Craft Conversations is a five-part series organized by the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, and hosted at the Center for Craft in the heart of downtown Asheville.
These are not formal lectures. Instead, we invite you into the evening classroom of the MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, where you can hear how people conduct, analyze, share, and discuss their work on craft history and theory. Each presenter shares their work for 30 minutes each, followed by a discussion between presenters, MA students, and the audience for 60 minutes.
Programs begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public; reservations requested.
Monday, January 6 – Yasmeen Siddiqui and Shannon Stratton
Friday, January 10 – Student Pecha Kucha
Saturday, January 11 – Jen Delos Reyes and Namita Wiggers
Artist Opportunities
The Asheville Area Arts Council is pleased to share the following opportunities for artists that have recently been submitted to us. If you have any questions about an opportunity, please contact the listed organization.
The Asheville Area Arts Council does not endorse or recommend any specific opportunities, but provides this list for information only. We encourage artists to research each opportunity thoroughly before applying.

Call for Artists: NRCC Art Society
The North Ridge Country Club Art Society wishes to promote art and area artists, while also developing increased art appreciation within its membership. The NRCC Art Society continues to expand the permanent art collection in the clubhouse for members …
January 3, 2020 – January 19, 2020

Call for Musicians: Chamber Music Raleigh
ANNOUNCING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NC-BASED MUSICIANS Performance Venue: North Carolina Museum of Art, SECU Auditorium Dates: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 2pm or Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2pm Artists Fee: up to $2500 Submission Instructions: …
January 2, 2020 – January 24, 2020

Call for Artists: Shenandoah National Park
The Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists focused time to creatively explore the natural and cultural resources of this astounding landscape. It also allows artists the opportunity to share their work through …
November 25, 2019 – January 31, 2020

Call for Artists: Zapow Juried Show
ZaPow Gallery, the premier Illustration and Narrative Art Gallery in the Southeast, will be hosting its Second Annual Juried Open Show March 2020. If you are an Illustrator or Narrative artist living in the WNC area this is your chance to show your wor …
December 9, 2019 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Magnetic Theater
SPECIAL EVENT – ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL Script Submission Guidelines: – The submission deadline is Saturday, February 1st at 11:59pm. – Plays should be between 10 and 30 minutes long, though there is a bit of wiggle room. – No more than 10 roles (prefe …
January 3, 2020 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Chilkoot Trail Residency
The Yukon Arts Centre, the US National Park Service, Parks Canada and the Skagway Arts Council are calling for submissions for the 2021 Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program. Participants will combine their artistic abilities with a love of the outdo …
December 9, 2019 – February 11, 2020

Call for Artists: International Artist Residency
Open Call for 2020-21 International Artist Residencies at Farm Studio in Rajasthan, India The deadline for applications is 20th February, 2020. Residencies will take place October, November, December 2020 and January, February 2021. All residency infor …
| Asheville Mardi Gras Parade February 23 |
The 13th annual Asheville Mardi Gras parade will take place on February 23 in South Slope and we’re looking for parade day volunteers. The Asheville Mardi Gras parade is an all-inclusive, family friendly, full-color spectacle that is fun, entertaining, full of music, floats, dancing and celebrating. Spectators receive beads and candy and the photo opportunities are always amazing.
Details include: * About 20-25 volunteers needed for this rain or shine event. There will be 2 shifts, estimated to be from approx. 11a to 2/3p, and 2p to 5/6p.
*Setting up, manning and breaking down street barricades
*Assisting with krewe and float line up and timing as the parade begins
*Identifying parked cars that might need to be towed and checking for obstacles to smooth crowd control along the parade route.
*Coordinating with the Parade Logistics manager and city police
*Carrying 1 or 2 parade banners (Costumes optional but always encouraged!)
*Assisting with end of parade float disbursement
*Trash pick up following the parade set up and marching route. This is mostly paper trash and beads. It’s rarely more than a few bags total.
Returning barricades, cones, etc. to the post-parade collection point
Confirmed Volunteer perks include $10 gift card to Vortex Donuts & Coffee and a free beer at Catawba. Possibly more perks to come!
Email Dane if you’re interested in helping out, [email protected]
AMG is also seeking a Parade Day Logistics Manager as a PAID POSITION for Sunday, Feb. 23. Ideal person should have outdoor event coordination experience, flexibility and a good sense of humor. Duties include coordinating volunteers, ensuring cones and barricades are in place at all check points, answering any traffic/parked car/pedestrian concerns, acting as parade day primary contact for police and security and Mardi Gras leadership, coordinating compliance with City parade permit requirements, and helping ensure a timely start and finish to the parade. Candidate could plan to cover the parade route via bicycle or scooter or use walkie talkies to accomplish oversight of the .5 mile parade route. This position pays $125 for the day. More details available to any interested candidate. Email Dane if you’re interested in the position, [email protected]
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On the Second Saturday of each month, the River Arts District holds gallery walks with demonstrations, workshops, live music, wine tastings, delicious food, and more! Meander the mile-long district or hop on and off the free trolley and discover all that the “RAD” has to offer. There are more than 200 artists in the 23 buildings throughout the district. Most of them will be on hand to describe or show you their techniques and share their inspirations.
*There will be no free trolley for the June and July Second Saturdays. Ample free parking is available in the district.*
*Both in person and virtual events are happening for Second Saturday. Many are listed here and you may also check our EVENTS listings for more details.”
Events with an *asterisk are available in person AND online, Events which are solely virtual listed separately.
Special day & evening events will be listed for each date – so please come back and plan your day as we get closer to the date!
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Join the MA in Critical Craft Studies for public conversations about research and projects connected to craft studies.
Craft Conversations is a five-part series organized by the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, and hosted at the Center for Craft in the heart of downtown Asheville.
These are not formal lectures. Instead, we invite you into the evening classroom of the MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, where you can hear how people conduct, analyze, share, and discuss their work on craft history and theory. Each presenter shares their work for 30 minutes each, followed by a discussion between presenters, MA students, and the audience for 60 minutes.
Programs begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public; reservations requested.
Monday, January 6 – Yasmeen Siddiqui and Shannon Stratton
Friday, January 10 – Student Pecha Kucha
Saturday, January 11 – Jen Delos Reyes and Namita Wiggers
| Asheville Mardi Gras Parade February 23 |
The 13th annual Asheville Mardi Gras parade will take place on February 23 in South Slope and we’re looking for parade day volunteers. The Asheville Mardi Gras parade is an all-inclusive, family friendly, full-color spectacle that is fun, entertaining, full of music, floats, dancing and celebrating. Spectators receive beads and candy and the photo opportunities are always amazing.
Details include: * About 20-25 volunteers needed for this rain or shine event. There will be 2 shifts, estimated to be from approx. 11a to 2/3p, and 2p to 5/6p.
*Setting up, manning and breaking down street barricades
*Assisting with krewe and float line up and timing as the parade begins
*Identifying parked cars that might need to be towed and checking for obstacles to smooth crowd control along the parade route.
*Coordinating with the Parade Logistics manager and city police
*Carrying 1 or 2 parade banners (Costumes optional but always encouraged!)
*Assisting with end of parade float disbursement
*Trash pick up following the parade set up and marching route. This is mostly paper trash and beads. It’s rarely more than a few bags total.
Returning barricades, cones, etc. to the post-parade collection point
Confirmed Volunteer perks include $10 gift card to Vortex Donuts & Coffee and a free beer at Catawba. Possibly more perks to come!
Email Dane if you’re interested in helping out, [email protected]
AMG is also seeking a Parade Day Logistics Manager as a PAID POSITION for Sunday, Feb. 23. Ideal person should have outdoor event coordination experience, flexibility and a good sense of humor. Duties include coordinating volunteers, ensuring cones and barricades are in place at all check points, answering any traffic/parked car/pedestrian concerns, acting as parade day primary contact for police and security and Mardi Gras leadership, coordinating compliance with City parade permit requirements, and helping ensure a timely start and finish to the parade. Candidate could plan to cover the parade route via bicycle or scooter or use walkie talkies to accomplish oversight of the .5 mile parade route. This position pays $125 for the day. More details available to any interested candidate. Email Dane if you’re interested in the position, [email protected]
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On Sunday, January 12th, 2020 1 PM – 5 PM we will gather at Penny Cup Coffee (River Arts District) for a Townsend & Roney Canvass Blitz. With a short primary season before the March 3rd primary, we need your help knocking on doors. At this canvas blitz, we will hold a canvass training followed by boots on the ground door knocking. For more information and to RSVP, use the following link: https://actionnetwork.org/events/townsend-roney-canvass-blitz
In order to get the Asheville we all deserve, we must work together. We hope you and your neighbors will join us in 2020.
JESUS IN THE TRAILER: POEMS
Launch Details:
Where: Malaprop’s, Asheville.
When: January 12th, 4 p.m.
Other Details:
· Emcee: Lockie Hunter.
· Readers: Benjamin Cutler, Meagan Smith Lucas, Eric Nelson, Andrew K. Clark.
Description of JESUS IN THE TRAILER: above all else the poetry in Jesus in the Trailer evokes a cogent sense of place. Whether addressing police violence on the cobblestone streets of Savannah, the loss of a loved one to dementia, or coming of age in a trailer park in Appalachia, these poems address matters of faith, death, love, and beauty while not masking the pain of Southern history.
About the author: Andrew K. Clark is a writer whose work has appeared in UCLA’s Out of Anonymity, fall/lines, Good Juju, The Rappahannock Review, Scribes Valley, and other journals. His full-length collection of poetry, Jesus in the Trailer, was published by Main Street Rag Press in November, 2019. He was awarded the Georgia Southern University Roy F. Powell Award for Creative Writing and is an MFA candidate at Converse College. He is from the rural town of Alexander, NC outside of Asheville, and the people, history, and geography of this part of Southern Appalachia inform his work. He is searching for a home for his first novel, The Day Thief. Connect with him at andrewkclark.com.
Asheville’s monthly all Queer stand up comedy showcase!
Our Jan. headliner is Dwayne Duke
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Dwayne Duke has honed his craft at venues across the nation. Dwayne’s act is not a leap into debauchery, more a gentle nudge into the profane. He’s been part of multiple comedy festivals including Cleveland Comedy, Broken Record, Burning Bridges, and Whiskey Bear. His second album “Shame Flashbacks” (2018) is available now. Dwayne is also the founder/ executive Producer of the Midwest Queer Comedy Festival.
Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-dwayne-duke-tickets-84686516651
Join the MA in Critical Craft Studies for public conversations about research and projects connected to craft studies.
Craft Conversations is a five-part series organized by the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, and hosted at the Center for Craft in the heart of downtown Asheville.
These are not formal lectures. Instead, we invite you into the evening classroom of the MA in Critical and Historical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, where you can hear how people conduct, analyze, share, and discuss their work on craft history and theory. Each presenter shares their work for 30 minutes each, followed by a discussion between presenters, MA students, and the audience for 60 minutes.
Programs begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Programs are free and open to the public; reservations requested.
Monday, January 6 – Yasmeen Siddiqui and Shannon Stratton
Friday, January 10 – Student Pecha Kucha
Saturday, January 11 – Jen Delos Reyes and Namita Wiggers



The 13th annual Asheville Mardi Gras parade will take place on February 23 in South Slope and we’re looking for parade day volunteers. The Asheville Mardi Gras parade is an all-inclusive, family friendly, full-color spectacle that is fun, entertaining, full of music, floats, dancing and celebrating. Spectators receive beads and candy and the photo opportunities are always amazing.
