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, July 18, 2020
Introducing Sarah Jones and friends* (who live in her head)…
Jul 18 @ 7:00 pm
Online

Called “a master of the genre” by The New York Times, Sarah Jones is a Tony® and Obie Award-winning performer and writer known for her multi-character, one-person shows (Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel, originally produced by Oscar® winner Meryl Streep, and her current, critically-acclaimed show Sell/Buy/Date). Renowned as “a one-woman global village,” she has given multiple mainstage TED Talks garnering millions of views, and performed at The White House for President and First Lady Obama.

This special preview is scheduled in conjunction with the planned appearance by Sarah Jones as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about Sarah Jones: @yesimsarahjones

Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org

Sunday, July 19, 2020
Girl Power: Virtual Dance Camp for Girls
Jul 19 all-day
Online

Image may contain: 1 person, text

Welcome to Zahiya Online’s LIVE dance classes! We are so excited to have you and big hugs and high fives for taking time for you and your wellbeing.
Our classes are for everyone and every body. All are welcome and all are celebrated, you belong in class.
Once you register for class, we will email you the Zoom link, get yourself set up and meet us online!
Here ‘s a little bit more about how it works:
Burlesque Brunch
Jul 19 @ 12:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Burlesque Brunch

Join us on the third Sunday of every month for Burlesque Brunch!
  • 18 +
  • SEATED SHOW
  • 11 AM DOORS/ 12 PM 

Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and belly dance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join us every month and relax and enjoy our dancing dames and dandies in an up close and intimate setting. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!

Pianist with the Hair: Live from Paris
Jul 19 @ 2:00 pm
Online

Steinway artist Julian G, commonly referred to as “Pianist with the Hair” because of his distinctive look, is a renowned classical pianist and composer, who performs all over the world, in prestigious venues from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Singapore’s Symphony Stage, and has been featured on radio and TV in North America, Europe, and Asia. A classically trained pianist, Julian captivates his audience not only with his technical precision but also with his Woody Allen-ish wit. Julian invites his audience to abandon all preconceived notions about classical concerts. On stage he presents a program that includes classical standards, Tango transcriptions, and his own compositions. In between pieces, he engages the audience by sharing his personal stories, anecdotes from the lives of composers, and his home remedies for jet-lag.

This special preview performance is scheduled in conjunction with the planned appearance by Julian Gargiulo as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about Julian Gargiulo: http://pianistwiththehair.com/home.html

Available via Facebook Live, appsummer.org

Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Fringe Digital Summer Vol. 2
Jul 22 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Online

It’s the Fringe Digital Summer Night, volume 2! Do you have your reservations yet? This show will happen on zoom and you NEED a link to find it. Get your tickets here (sliding scale $0 to $25)
https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=115442 

Join these Fringe favorites:

> Cooper Bates (spoken word/ storytelling, Los Angeles CA)
> Edwin Salas (puppetry/ dance, Asheville NC)
> Taproot CLT (dance, Charlotte, NC)
> Kathleen Leiner (Dance/ contemplative, Asheville NC)
> Cookie Tongue (music/ puppetry/ animation/ experimental, Brooklyn NY)
> Justin Evans (spoken word/ poetry/ experimental Asheville NC)
> Constance Humphries (Butoh, Asheville NC)

Hosted by Dylan Suter (Asheville NC)

Fringe Announcements, community connection!

Tickets are pay what you can, but you do need a ticket in order to receive the link to this Zoom based event.
Reserve your spot now: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=115442

Donate at http://www.ashevillefringe.org/donate

Thursday, July 23, 2020
City Dance
Jul 23 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, July 24, 2020
Girl Power: Virtual Dance Camp for Girls
Jul 24 all-day
Online

Image may contain: 1 person, text

Welcome to Zahiya Online’s LIVE dance classes! We are so excited to have you and big hugs and high fives for taking time for you and your wellbeing.
Our classes are for everyone and every body. All are welcome and all are celebrated, you belong in class.
Once you register for class, we will email you the Zoom link, get yourself set up and meet us online!
Here ‘s a little bit more about how it works:
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 24 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

National Players presents “As You Like It”
Jul 24 @ 7:00 pm
Online

Pre-registration required; event will expire at 6pm on Sunday, July 26.

While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented National Players from traveling the U.S. and completing Tour 71, that didn’t stop America’s longest-running theatre company from bringing theatre to their fans. Through this recorded preview performance of Shakespeare’s female-driven comedy As You Like It, which combines classic elements of romance and hidden identities, NP continues its mission of making theatre more accessible. In this classic romantic comedy about gender roles, losing oneself, and discovering oneself anew, Rosalind, banished from the only home she’s ever known, assumes the identity of a man and escapes to the Forest of Arden with her cousin Celia and their fool Touchstone. While there, they run into other exiled folks from the old court, including the dashing and brave Orlando, who won Rosalind’s heart prior to her banishment, but he was too tongue tied to express his love in return. Determined to woo him, Rosalind persuades Orlando in her male disguise to win her heart. For only if Orlando loves her as a man will Rosalind know he truly loves her. National Players meld classic language with contemporary staging of Shakespeare’s imaginative tale about city folk venturing into the woods.

To learn more about National Players: https://www.olneytheatre.org/national-players/about-national-players

Available exclusively via Eventbrite; register at appsummer.org

Saturday, July 25, 2020
Girl Power: Virtual Dance Camp for Girls
Jul 25 all-day
Online

Image may contain: 1 person, text

Welcome to Zahiya Online’s LIVE dance classes! We are so excited to have you and big hugs and high fives for taking time for you and your wellbeing.
Our classes are for everyone and every body. All are welcome and all are celebrated, you belong in class.
Once you register for class, we will email you the Zoom link, get yourself set up and meet us online!
Here ‘s a little bit more about how it works:
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 25 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Sunday, July 26, 2020
Girl Power: Virtual Dance Camp for Girls
Jul 26 all-day
Online

Image may contain: 1 person, text

Welcome to Zahiya Online’s LIVE dance classes! We are so excited to have you and big hugs and high fives for taking time for you and your wellbeing.
Our classes are for everyone and every body. All are welcome and all are celebrated, you belong in class.
Once you register for class, we will email you the Zoom link, get yourself set up and meet us online!
Here ‘s a little bit more about how it works:
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 26 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Emerson String Quartet
Jul 26 @ 2:00 pm
Online

The Emerson String Quartet has maintained its status as one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles for more than four decades. “With musicians like this,” wrote a reviewer for The Times (London), “there must be some hope for humanity.” The quartet has made more than 30 acclaimed recordings, and has been honored with nine Grammys® (including two for Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s “Ensemble of the Year” award. The quartet collaborates with some of today’s most esteemed composers to premiere new works, keeping the string quartet form alive and relevant. The group has partnered in performance with such stellar soloists as Reneé Fleming, Barbara Hannigan, Evgeny Kissin, Emanuel Ax, and Yefim Bronfman.

This special preview is scheduled in conjunction with the planned appearance by the Emerson String Quartet as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about Emerson String Quartet: http://www.emersonquartet.com/

Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org

Monday, July 27, 2020
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 27 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

History Cafe Webinar: Solo Percussive Dance Traditions of Southern Appalachia
Jul 27 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Online

Western North Carolina and east Tennessee have rich social and performative dance traditions. From small square dances held at local homes to the modern incarnation of Warren Wilson’s Old Farmers Ball, from groups of flat-foot dancers cutting a rug at a front porch string band jam to cloggers performing on stage at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, WNC residents have long enjoyed dancing together. Local dancer and dance caller Jesse Edgerton will present a program of southern Appalachian solo percussive dancing along with musings on the history of social and performative dance in Western North Carolina.

This event will take place as a Zoom webinar in order to make this event accessible to all. Registrants will receive a Zoom link before the event begins. 

Jesse Edgerton was born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, and raised in Asheville. He began dancing and calling square and contra dances while a student at Warren Wilson College. He has studied with, and stolen licks from, such masterful dancers as Rodney Sutton, Phil Jamison, and Thomas Maupin, among others.

About History Cafe
Ever wonder how Asheville came to get its drinking water from Black Mountain? What slavery looked like in western North Carolina (Yes, there were enslaved people here.)? How wagons, stagecoaches, and trains made it up the steep grade from Old Fort into Ridgecrest? Come to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center one monday a month at 10:30am for a discussion about local history. Come start off your morning getting to know our region a little better!

Designed for adults and modeled after the popular Science Cafes taking place across the nation, Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center’s monthly History Cafe offers lectures and workshops led by local experts and researchers on regional history topics. These hour-long meet-ups engage the many stories that have shaped our southern Appalachian community as a place — from geological changes to native histories, musical innovations, pioneer experiences, and labor struggles — and will end with informal discussion bringing our shared history into context with contemporary issues.

Street Dances features Appalachian Fire
Jul 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Henderson County Visitor Center Stage

The Street Dances celebrates its 102nd anniversary!  The Dance features Appalachian Fire playing mountain heritage bluegrass music, square dancing and clogging on Monday July 27, August 10, 24 & September 14. The evening starts at 6:30pm, when the caller, teaches audience members some basic square dancing moves so that everyone can join in on the fun led by the evening’s clogging group.

In addition to you dancing shoes, bring a chair to enjoy an evening filled with live music, dancing and entertainment from 7 – 9pm. The audience seating area opens after 5:30pm, and early admission is prohibited. Please leave your pets comfortably at home. Admission is free. No alcoholic beverages, backpacks or coolers allowed.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will be postponed until 8pm. If the weather does not improve by 8pm the performance will be cancelled.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020
OFB Spread the Joy Fundraiser
Jul 28 all-day
Online

Old Farmer's Ball

What:  Local musicians, singers, callers, and technicians have given us joy as they shared their love of music and dance with us.  We now ask our community to return that joy as they struggle financially during this difficult time by donating to our “Spread the Joy” fundraiser.

Who:  All donations will be paid directly and equally to local talent.  Your contributions will support local callers, musicians, and technicians who participated, a minimum of 4 times, either in the past year (March 2019 – March 2020) or were scheduled in the near future (March – June 2020) for OFB events and who indicated a financial need to the OFB Board.

When:  The OFB will distribute donations on a regular basis while dances continue to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so please give early and often. Consider donating the price you would have paid for admission to the dances for you, maybe several friends, and remembering that the dances were cancelled back in early March.

How:  Click the link below to donate via Paypal and please add the note: “Spread the Joy fundraiser”. Donate conveniently via your credit card, debit card or your Paypal account.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PYS3WHNV76CWA&source=url

Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 28 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020
OFB Spread the Joy Fundraiser
Jul 29 all-day
Online

Old Farmer's Ball

What:  Local musicians, singers, callers, and technicians have given us joy as they shared their love of music and dance with us.  We now ask our community to return that joy as they struggle financially during this difficult time by donating to our “Spread the Joy” fundraiser.

Who:  All donations will be paid directly and equally to local talent.  Your contributions will support local callers, musicians, and technicians who participated, a minimum of 4 times, either in the past year (March 2019 – March 2020) or were scheduled in the near future (March – June 2020) for OFB events and who indicated a financial need to the OFB Board.

When:  The OFB will distribute donations on a regular basis while dances continue to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so please give early and often. Consider donating the price you would have paid for admission to the dances for you, maybe several friends, and remembering that the dances were cancelled back in early March.

How:  Click the link below to donate via Paypal and please add the note: “Spread the Joy fundraiser”. Donate conveniently via your credit card, debit card or your Paypal account.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PYS3WHNV76CWA&source=url

Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 29 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Thursday, July 30, 2020
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 30 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Friday, July 31, 2020
Staff Picks of the Week BMC: Tap-Dancing Noses At The Royal Opera House
Jul 31 all-day
Online

Tap-Dancing Noses At
The Royal Opera House

Don’t miss this scene from Shostakovich’s surreal and vibrant first opera, featuring tap-dancing noses.

Drive-Up Dance Performance at the Asheville Outlets- Stewart/Owen Dance
Jul 31 @ 7:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Experience an immersive dance performance from the comfort of your car at the Asheville Outlets. Drive-In passes are sold per car and include a parking space to enjoy the performance from inside your vehicle. Wearing of face-masks is required at any Wortham Center performance and event. All guests will be required to wear masks except when in personal vehicle.

Stewart Owen Dance

Stewart/Owen Dance: What Remains


Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart are the co-founders of the WNC based Stewart/Owen Dance, where they co-produce original dance, film and music. Their careers span many genres of concert dance, and most notably took them across the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington DC-based Company E. Their work abroad influences them to share dance as a universal language that can connect people across different cultures and beliefs and they use this as a driving force in their collaborations. They won the Audience Choice Award at the Dance Gallery Festival 2018 in New York City and were commissioned to create new work as Level UP Artists for Dance Gallery 2019. Vanessa and Gavin are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by Asheville Fringe Arts Festival.

Greetings from Wilkesboro with The Kruger Brothers
Jul 31 @ 7:00 pm
Online

Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music. The honesty of their writing has since become a hallmark of the Wilkesboro, NC-based trio’s work. In their ever-expanding body of work — Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) — The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition.

To learn more about The Kruger Brothers: https://www.krugerbrothers.com/

Available via Facebook Live, appsummer.org

Saturday, August 1, 2020
Menage-A-Freak: A Celebration of Hops
Aug 1 all-day
The Funkatorium

Join us at the Funkatorium for Wicked Weed Brewing’s annual Menage-A-Freak release party! Expect live music, acrobatic performances, freak-show characters, hoppy beers and more!

OFB Spread the Joy Fundraiser
Aug 1 all-day
Online

Old Farmer's Ball

What:  Local musicians, singers, callers, and technicians have given us joy as they shared their love of music and dance with us.  We now ask our community to return that joy as they struggle financially during this difficult time by donating to our “Spread the Joy” fundraiser.

Who:  All donations will be paid directly and equally to local talent.  Your contributions will support local callers, musicians, and technicians who participated, a minimum of 4 times, either in the past year (March 2019 – March 2020) or were scheduled in the near future (March – June 2020) for OFB events and who indicated a financial need to the OFB Board.

When:  The OFB will distribute donations on a regular basis while dances continue to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so please give early and often. Consider donating the price you would have paid for admission to the dances for you, maybe several friends, and remembering that the dances were cancelled back in early March.

How:  Click the link below to donate via Paypal and please add the note: “Spread the Joy fundraiser”. Donate conveniently via your credit card, debit card or your Paypal account.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=PYS3WHNV76CWA&source=url

Drive-Up Dance Performance at the Asheville Outlets- Stewart/Owen Dance
Aug 1 @ 7:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Experience an immersive dance performance from the comfort of your car at the Asheville Outlets. Drive-In passes are sold per car and include a parking space to enjoy the performance from inside your vehicle. Wearing of face-masks is required at any Wortham Center performance and event. All guests will be required to wear masks except when in personal vehicle.

Stewart Owen Dance

Stewart/Owen Dance: What Remains

Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart are the co-founders of the WNC based Stewart/Owen Dance, where they co-produce original dance, film and music. Their careers span many genres of concert dance, and most notably took them across the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington DC-based Company E. Their work abroad influences them to share dance as a universal language that can connect people across different cultures and beliefs and they use this as a driving force in their collaborations. They won the Audience Choice Award at the Dance Gallery Festival 2018 in New York City and were commissioned to create new work as Level UP Artists for Dance Gallery 2019. Vanessa and Gavin are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by Asheville Fringe Arts Festival.

Drive-Up Dance Performance at the Asheville Outlets- Stewart/Owen Dance
Aug 1 @ 9:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Experience an immersive dance performance from the comfort of your car at the Asheville Outlets. Drive-In passes are sold per car and include a parking space to enjoy the performance from inside your vehicle. Wearing of face-masks is required at any Wortham Center performance and event. All guests will be required to wear masks except when in personal vehicle.

Stewart Owen Dance

Stewart/Owen Dance: What Remains

Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart are the co-founders of the WNC based Stewart/Owen Dance, where they co-produce original dance, film and music. Their careers span many genres of concert dance, and most notably took them across the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington DC-based Company E. Their work abroad influences them to share dance as a universal language that can connect people across different cultures and beliefs and they use this as a driving force in their collaborations. They won the Audience Choice Award at the Dance Gallery Festival 2018 in New York City and were commissioned to create new work as Level UP Artists for Dance Gallery 2019. Vanessa and Gavin are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by Asheville Fringe Arts Festiva

Sunday, August 2, 2020
NC Mineral and Gem Festival
Aug 2 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Spruce Pine Commons

Since the early 1950’s Spruce Pine, North Carolina has been the host of the Festival and welcomed visitors to shop for beautiful jewelry, gemstones, minerals, beads, crystals, fossils and more! Even celebrities have been spotted at the Festival selecting their jewelry, gemstones and gifts! The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget. Whether you are shopping for an engagement ring, a special stone for your own setting, a custom designed piece of jewelry or a special crystal display for your home, you can’t miss the NC Mineral and Gem Festival. Mine tours to area mines will be held July 30-31. Reservations are required.