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.

Saturday, May 2, 2020
Million Dollar Quartet CANCELLED
May 2 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
VIRTUAL: Aaron Price’s Sessions from the Cocoon
May 2 @ 9:30 pm
facebook

Aaron price is a longtime fixture of the Asheville music community. Known as an indispensable sideman and record producer, Aaron is known for working in the studio and onstage with many iconic Asheville bands. He is opening his personal studio to the public eye for NIGHTLY 9:30 performances (you can even make requests!) on his Facebook page. Aaron plays originals and covers at the guitar and piano and features the occasional special guest.

Sunday, May 3, 2020
No Open Burning in Buncombe County Until Further Notice
May 3 all-day
Buncombe County

Attention Buncombe County residents:

Due to a high risk of forest fires no open burning is allowed in Buncombe County until further notice.

The NC Forest Service has called for a burning ban for 32 Western NC Counties including Buncombe. This ban is effective Friday April 3, 2020 at 5 p.m. The ban shall remain in effect until further notice.

With regards to camp fires, those are not allowed when a burn ban is in place. However, fires that are within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling are under the jurisdiction of the local fire marshal. At the present time, the City of Asheville has banned all recreational fires including open fire pits and camp fires within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling. Portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food and are exempt from the burn ban.

The Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s office is allowing recreational fires within 50 feet of a structure as long as it is contained inside a barbecue pit or fire pit to be used for warming or cooking. The fire must be maintained and no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

The 23rd Annual French Broad River Festival RESCHEDULED Oct 2-4
May 3 all-day
Hot Springs Resort And Spa
23rd FBRF rescheduled
Hello wonderful FBRFers,

With all the cancellations we want to share what we hope you will agree is good news! Our friends at the Hot Springs Campground & Resort have allowed us to move the 23rd annual river fest to the fall, Oct 2-4, 2020. As many of you know we hosted a fall fest or “French Broad Brew Fest” from 2011 to 2015 and it’s a spectacular time of the year to be in this special place down by the river, and we’re really excited to be able to do the full-on 23rd FBRF at that time. Expect lots of great music, kid’s village, whitewater raft race, river cleanup, pumpkins, great weather (usually), and politicians (just kidding we’ll need a break around that time right?).

So . . . if you purchased tickets already you can do nothing and plan on being there Oct. 2-4, 2020 with your purchased ticket . . . or you can go to your Eventbrite account and get a full refund (minus service charges) until April 15th (you will also receive this message with instructions from your Eventbrite account). If you made campground reservations for any nights prior to the spring festival, the campground will allow you to cancel them and/or reschedule (828-622-7676). However, please note, the Hot Springs Resort & Spa is closed for the next two weeks for quarantine. They are happy to get you taken care of as soon as they reopen. If you have questions about refund or anything else email us at [email protected] or message social media and we’ll try to respond as soon as we can.

More details to come about the 23rd French Broad River Festival Oct. 2-4, 2020 as we work to make it the best ever.  Meanwhile check out this short video from the 2012 French Broad Fall Fest.

Stay safe and healthy everyone.  With optimism that comes with the first day of spring, we look forward to seeing you in the fall!

 

The 23rd annual French Broad River Festival will be held May 1-3, 2020 at the beautiful Hot
Springs Campground on the banks of the French Broad River.
FBRF has a loyal following and if you’ve been there, you know. Participate in the river cleanup to kick it off, hike the AT, ride bikes, go fishing, soak in the hot springs, get a massage, go whitewater rafting, check out the vendors, and enjoy the music.
The music is diverse and always on point for such a “small” festival and the setting is incredible.
It’s for a good cause, with over $200,000 donated over 20 years to American Whitewater, Hot Springs Community Learning Center, Homeward Bound, Eliada Home, Mountain Area Child & Family Center, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of WNC, Manna Food bank and more.
Virtual LEAF Festival on the weekend of: May 15-17, 2020
May 3 all-day
LEAF Online
V-LEAF Brings Joy! Save the Date!
LEAF is in the process of creating a virtual LEAF Festival on the weekend of:

May 15-17, 2020

We didn’t know if we had the capacity to create a virtual festival with our core staff on reduced time, but then we really started missing our LEAF friends and said “Let’s give it a go!”. We’ve embraced that “V-LEAF” will be old school creative, authentic, and fun. The CONNECTION and #LEAFLove is the essential ingredient.

The creation phase is happening and YOU are welcome to be apart of this new journey. Have time? We want to hear from you if you’d like to volunteer website or social media support, lead a workshop, zoom w/ LEAF friends or if you have LEAF stories and ideas. Dance, connect, pull out costumes, decorate, camp in the yard – let’s get LEAFy.

CONTEST ALERT! Looking for ways to share your art with the world? V-LEAF may be your moment! Show us how you express your #LEAFLove. Any age, any experience – we are looking for artwork to add to the digital experience. The artwork must embody the spirit of LEAF and feature the LEAF logo. Any “artists” whose graphic is used will win an awesome Vintage LEAF Style packet!

Reach out & share ASAP with [email protected]

Live Morning Didgeridoo Meditation
May 3 @ 7:30 am – 8:00 am
online

Tune in with me on Facebook Live each morning at 7:30am for a 20 minute live meditation with didgeridoo. I’ll be guiding you through simple and effective ways that will help you to:

  • Calm your nervous system
  • Become more resilient to stress
  • Get you ready for the day and evening

The intention is for you to learn this simple skillset quickly and use it right now to stay centered, balanced and show up for yourself, your family, and your community.

The more of us that can do that, the better! I hope to see you soon.  

Warmly, 

Corey Costanzo

ps If you miss the live meditation, check our website later in the day. We will be uploading all recordings. 

Animal Habitats VIP Tours
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.

Offered on weekends, April – October.

Carl Sandburg Home: “Movement” Youth Art Show
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Carl Sandburg Home



More than 700 students from across the country used canvases for an artistic expression inspired by Carl Sandburg’s poem “Night Movement,” and other poetry pieces in Sandburg’s collection “Smoke and Steel.” 71 canvases were submitted to the exhibit and each canvas reflects how the young artists chose to interpret what “movement” means to them. Visitors can see the installation in a building adjacent to the Sandburg Home when they visit. Young artists are represented from across the country and locally.

Sandburg Home: The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee: (credit card only)
$8.00 for Adults 16 and older
$5.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
Free for Children age 15 and under

  • Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.
  • Passes: The park sells the America the BeautifulNational Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
    *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
  • 30-minute house tours are offered every day. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
  • Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
  • Tours are limited to 12 persons.
  • Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.
Carolina Hemp Company Free Delivery + Curb-Side Pickup
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Carolina Hemp Company
Live Stream Yoga in the Park Asheville
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 10:15 am
live stream

Live Stream Yoga

Join me

for a 75 minute live yoga class:

Wednesday

April 29th @ 7:00 a.m.

Rise n’ Shine Mindful Wake-up Flow

(all-levels)

Friday

May 1st @ 12:00 p.m.

Vinyasa Pick-Me-Up Hour

(some experience recommended)

Sunday

May 3rd @ 9:00 a.m.

Mindful Wake-up Flow

(all-levels)

Monday

May 4th @ 7:30 p.m.

Vinyasa n’ Yin Yoga

(some experience recommended)

(More classes to be added, join my facebook page for current event listings: https://www.facebook.com/ceceyogini/ )

All live streams are suggested

$5

Send me an email to receive a free zoom link or connect with me on facebook to follow along with on-going class events. zoom links will be posted in class events on facebook.

Free Pet Food for Buncombe County Residents
May 3 @ 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
ASPCA

Distribution is BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, so please call the ASPCA hotline at 800-738-9437 between 8am and 8pm to request an appointment. Responding to this event page does not qualify as an appointment.❗️❗️

As part of the ASPCA’s Relief and Recovery Initiative, we’re offering free dog and cat food for Buncombe County residents impacted by COVID-19. Supplies are being provided by appointment, subject to eligibility and availability.

CLIENT INFORMATION:

– Open to residents of Buncombe County.
– Order pick up is drive-thru: You will stay in your car with the windows up while your food order is put into your trunk.
– However, if your vehicle’s trunk does not open, you’ll be asked to load the order into your car yourself.
– You’ll be required to provide your appointment time, name, and zip code at order pickup.
– Please bring a photo ID.
– No same-day appointments.
– Transport is not provided.
– Do not bring pets.
– Do not arrive early.
– Call the hotline if you are running late.
– Please do not come if you are symptomatic. You may send a different family member in your place.

Bluegrass Brunch
May 3 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

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Bluegrass Brunch
hosted by Aaron Woody Wood & The Sufi Brothers

Pickin’ on the Porch w/ Chicken Coop Willaye 1030AM
Bald Mountain Boys 11AM – 12:30PM
Sufi Brothers 12:45PM – 3PM

Be sure to check out our Bloody Mary Bar, the BEST selection of pickled products and other additions in Asheville. The MOJO Kitchen will be serving a special Brunch menu until 3PM as well.

Food & music start at 10:30am
ADULT beverages at Noon.

How to Take Care of our Minds in Difficult Times: Livestream Series
May 3 @ 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Livestream

Click on Link Below to Register.
https://www.meditationinasheville.org/product/how-to-care-for-our-minds-in-difficult-times/

Sundays April 12 – May 10 10:30am – 11:45am
Register online and the link and instructions on livestreaming will be emailed to you. $10 per weekly class.

Having woken up to our world looking quite different, what can we do now? Buddhist meditation teachings and practices help us to develop more space in ourself giving us flexibility of mind, from which we can make better choices about how to respond in these challenging times.

By helping us develop a different perspective we will begin to notice special opportunities that we might not have noticed before, for becoming kinder, developing ourselves spiritually, and transforming difficulties into greater peace and meaning in our life. Each Livestream class will included guided meditations and practical teachings.

These Livestream classes are available to those who live in Western North Carolina, and the Vicinity of Greenville, SC and Tennessee.

Storytimes Online with Buncombe Librarians
May 3 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Buncombe Librarians Online

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Every day we’ll be featuring a video recording or a live Zoom storytime or song by your favorite Buncombe County librarians!

Information to access the storytime on Zoom will be posted in the discussion section of this page. To get notifications for Zoom codes and to know when new videos are posted, follow this event page!

If you’d like to stream multiple videos in a row, visit the Buncombe County Government YouTube page and find “At Home with the Library.” All of our recorded videos are available at:
https://www.youtube.com/user/bcgovtv/search?query=at+home+with+the+library

We miss you at the libraries! We hope you’re well.

Asheville Hemp Farms Free Shipping and Free Delivery Local Community
May 3 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Hemp Farms
Brunch of Jokers Comdey Show
May 3 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Brunch Of Jokers Comedy Show

Meals for Non-Contact Pick Up or Delivery #AVLTakeout #Ashevilletakeout
May 3 @ 11:00 am – 9:30 pm
Strada
Strada will be closed for dine-in service until further notice. For curbside carryout please call the restaurant at
(828) 348-8448. For delivery, please visit takeoutcentral.com
Pack Memorial Library: ‎Daily Activities Log for the whole family
May 3 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library Online

Image may contain: possible text that says '#YourStoryMatters Remember to Read, Write, or Create Something Every Day Log of AM & PM activities to do daily! Created and tested by *yours truly *Buncombe County librarians, some of ftheir family, and maybe even some of their friends'

If you’re looking for a fun project to do with materials you already have at home, check out what we have planned!

Every day, Monday through Friday, we’ll post an AM and a PM activity to our Facebook page, followed with examples of what we’ve made for the activity. All of the activities are kid, adult, and family friendly.

We know how creative and talented all of you are, we want to see what you made as well, so send images of your creations back to us in the comments. When the libraries are open again, we’ll make a chapter book with all of the images we’ve gathered throughout this pandemic. The book will be on display at each of our Buncombe County Public Libraries. Creativity and community will get us through this and we’ll have a book to prove it!

Be a part of it! Remember to read, write, and create something every day! #yourstorymatters

Hopefully, social distancing and self quarantine just got a little easier. We’re in this together friends. Be safe.

Margaret & Maxwell retail wine store is open
May 3 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Margaret & Maxwell

Scoop: Open For Business

Venardos Circus LIVE Online
May 3 @ 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
online

VENARDOS CIRCUS IS LIVE ONLINE! We are so grateful for your past support when we visited Asheville. Our live shows are currently on hiatus due to social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we miss our audience terribly!

Once we determined we needed to pause the tour, we immediately started planning how we could continue our mission to bring joy, positivity and light, as well as some comfort and distraction, to our circus family during this uncertain time via social media.

FIRST VIDEO IS LIVE! We hope you enjoy and we’d LOVE your feedback on our social channels.

Please SHARE!

New videos will be posted weekly on Thursdays at 10:00am Pacific/1:00pm Eastern.

Content is meant to entertain the whole family, as do our shows, but a great resource for the kids to enjoy some high quality, trustworthy entertainment. Storyboard images from this week’s story which you can print at home as coloring sheets after watching the video. Content will change each week. These will be available on our Facebook page. Here is the Facebook event you can RSVP to as well for each week. We hope you will enjoy it and subscribe to our page for future content. We’d LOVE your ideas for future content – please share your feedback on email, the video comments or DM us on Facebook or Instagram.

Curious George: The Golden Meatball CANCELLED
May 3 @ 1:30 pm
South Carolina Children's Theatre

curious-660.jpg

Curious George is back and ready to cook as he helps Chef Pisghetti get ready for his once-a-year All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day! But a new, corner-cutting meatball maker intercepts Pisghetti’s crowd and ruins the day.

Admitting defeat, Pisghetti announces he will hang up his apron for good. But George believes his friend is the best meatball chef, and decides to enter him in the Golden Meatball Contest to prove it.

When Pisghetti gets lost on his way to the contest, George must stand in for him, and cook the meatballs on his own. The determined little monkey tries his very hardest, but can he help win the contest without the Pisghetti’s super-secret ingredient?

This musical story of encouragement, determination and selfless love will warm hearts and tummies alike!


Music by John Kavanaugh; Book and Lyrics by Jeremy Desmon; Based on the Books by Margret and H.A. Rey and the Play Owned by Universal Stage Productions; Theatre for Young Audiences; Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.


Most enjoyed by children, ages 3 and up.
Visit scchildrenstheatre.org for further details.

5th Annual North Toe River clean-up
May 3 @ 2:00 pm
NC Outdoor Adventures 1173 Whitson Branch Rd, Bakersville, North Carolina 28705

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5/3/20 2pm start (LATER START TIME FOR A WARMER START AND CHURCH FOLKS)

PLEASE BE HERE BY 1 OR 130 SO WE CAN HAVE A TRIP TALK AND SET A PLAN THAT FOLLOWS SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES, LOAD BOATS ETC

Adventures will be providing boats but personal boats are highly encouraged. We have 18 boats for folks who do not have their own.

The sections we will clean will be for folks on foot the red hill swim hole area. Then we will split the group to clean the section from red hill to the suspension bridge and the other group will clean from the swinging bridge to take out 3.

We will start the day off by floating and cleaning the river, and
end with a cookout. Please RSVP to reserve lunch and a
boat by email or phone:

Million Dollar Quartet CANCELLED
May 3 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
The Lifespan of a FACT
May 3 @ 2:00 pm
NC Stage Company

A determined young fact checker is about to stir up trouble. The demanding editor has given him a big assignment: apply his skill to a groundbreaking piece by the unorthodox author. Together, they take on the high-stakes world of publishing in this new comedy of conflict. The ultimate showdown between fact and fiction is about to begin—with undeniably delicious consequences.

“stinging relevance to so much of what’s been happening for years now in American social, cultural and political discourse” – The Hollywood Reporter

Discretionary Warning: Adult themes and language

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
May 3 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

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

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday – Sunday from 4 -7 p.m.
May 3 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville

Grassroots Aid Partnership (GAP) plans to serve free, plant-based food every Friday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1022 Haywood Road.

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New Adult Studio Class: Asheville Art Museum  Cultivating Digital Photography Skills: Light
May 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online with Asheville Art Museum 

This four-part class led by Learning & Engagement Assistant Paige Taylor explores natural and artificial lighting approaches using digital photography. Through a series of weekly assignments, hone your observation skills, and capture landscapes, portraits, and more in a variety of lighting situations. Use images from the Museum’s Collection and other sources for inspiration. Class time includes instruction, group shares, and discussions; individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts, short readings, and journaling. This virtual class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind.

MAY 6, 13, 20, & 27—Wednesdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: May 5

Iamavl Restreams on FB
May 3 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
facebook

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Avl and WNC Go Outside and Howl at 8 Support essential front-line workers
May 3 @ 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Online

“Go Outside and Howl at 8” is a national call for communities to recognize all essential front-line workers! Let’s join this call, Asheville! Show people in this community who are putting their lives at risk that we see them, and we love them! Let’s hear y’all howl at 8pm every night!!

Feel free to add pictures and/or videos to the Discussion in this event!

Much love, y’all!

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VIRTUAL: Aaron Price’s Sessions from the Cocoon
May 3 @ 9:30 pm
facebook

Aaron price is a longtime fixture of the Asheville music community. Known as an indispensable sideman and record producer, Aaron is known for working in the studio and onstage with many iconic Asheville bands. He is opening his personal studio to the public eye for NIGHTLY 9:30 performances (you can even make requests!) on his Facebook page. Aaron plays originals and covers at the guitar and piano and features the occasional special guest.