Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Monday, August 28, 2023
Youth Theatre Classes w/ Asheville Community Theatre
Aug 28 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre
Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra “Level UP”
Aug 28 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Grace Lutheran Church

The 4SCO (the outgrowth of the Jubilee! Summer Orchestra) returns with a program of lush and evocative orchestral music of Japan. The concert features the magical music of Joe Hisaishi from the classic Studio Ghibli animated films Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivery Service, as well as iconic video game music from Super Mario Brothers, The Legend of Zelda, Halo, Civilization IV, Kingdom Hearts, and much more. Concert pianist Steven Graff, who has performed all over the world, including in eight appearances with the Chicago Symphony, will join the orchestra as guest artist.

This concert will be appreciated by young people who like anime and video games, but this beautiful, dynamic, cinematic music will be enjoyed by all ages.

The concert will also kick off the Stages for Stages campaign to support treatment and care for children affected by cancer.

Auditions: Elf: The Musical
Aug 28 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre
ELF: THE MUSICAL
Performance Dates: December 1-23, 2023
Auditions: August 28 & 29, 2023
Callbacks: August 31, 2023
Rehearsals: September 18-November 30, 2023
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Mark Jones
Music Director: Kristen Johnson Dominguez
Choreographer: Jessica Garland Lowe
ABOUT THE SHOW
Elf: The Musical is a heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of the beloved 2003 holiday film. This enchanting musical follows the journey of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. Through catchy, uplifting songs and zany comedic antics, Elf: The Musical serves a healthy dose of holiday cheer, laughter, and life lessons about identity, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a magical, festive spectacle guaranteed to light up the holiday season for all ages!
ABOUT AUDITIONS
All roles at ACT are open to anyone in the community! No experience is necessary to audition.
HOW TO PREPARE
An accompanist will not be provided for Elf: The Musical auditions. Please prepare a 16 bar vocal selection (approximately 30-45 seconds) and bring your chosen track with you. This can be a youtube karaoke track cued up to the correct time on your phone, an .mp3 file on a flash drive, etc. We will provide a speaker for playback and will have a laptop available to play your track if required.
WHAT TO WEAR
We encourage you to wear clothing and footwear that you feel comfortable in and can safely dance in. We wish you the very best of luck and are excited to see your performance!
AUDITION TIMES
Times are split by performers seeking ensemble roles and performers seeking principal roles. Please select your preferred time on the audition form.
AUDITION FORM
Fill out the audition form before you arrive and select the time slot that works best for you. Walk-ins will be required to fill out the form when they arrive and will have to wait for the next available time slot. Please be prepared with your calendar to list any conflict from auditions to the final performance.
BEER AND HYMNS Benefit
Aug 28 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

White Horse is excited to launch a new monthly concert series, BEER AND HYMNS.

Beer & Hymns brings people together to raise our glasses, raise our voices, 

and raise funds for organizations that change the world.

The Beer and Hymns concept is simple:

Come together as a community once a month to:

  • sing hymns 
  • drink beer (or other beverages)
  • raise money for various nonprofits ( in the Swannanoa Valley in our case)

Group singing is loved and appreciated by many. For some they sing hymns every Sunday with other members of their faith community. Others may not have been inside a church for decade, but they miss the hymns and the sounds of voices joined together in song.

This event is intended for everyone in the community.

The Musical Director for tonight is AARON PRICE of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church

and the beneficiary is

THE SWANNANOA VALLEY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

In addition to the joy of group singing, you’ll be raising money for various charitable organizations in Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley. Each month a different local nonprofit will be selected as the beneficiary of the monthly event.

Lift A Glass

Sing A Song

Help Others

Greg Koch ft. The Koch Marshall Trio
Aug 28 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
– ALLAGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEGREG KOCH FEATURING KOCH MARSHALL TRIO
Milwaukee native Greg Koch has forged a successful career as “a guitar player’s guitarist.” He is not only a fiercely creative player with a whole trick bag of impressive techniques, ranging from Albert Lee chicken-pickin’ to Albert King string-bending to all-out Hendrixian abandon, he is also is a clinician for Fishman Transducers and his wildly popular “guitar test drive” videos (4,000 to date) for Wildwood Guitars of Louisville, Colorado have generated 50 million views. Koch also has a signature axe which was released in 2019 by Reverend Guitars, named the Greg Koch Signature Gristlemaster. The guitar colors were given somewhat humorous names like: Kochwork Orange, and Blucifer. He is also a best-selling method book author and video instructor for music publisher Hal Leonard and a contributing columnist for a variety of guitar magazines including Guitar Player. Guitar great Steve Vai, who released Koch’s 2001 album The Grip on his own Favored Nations label, heaped praise on his fellow guitarist: “Greg Koch is one of those rare guitarists that can blend various styles with a light-hearted approach and a tremendous amount of technique. Hearing him play is inspiring to a guitar player to try to achieve greatness on the instrument.”

Dylan Koch gravitated to the drums early on in his life using kitchen utensils to play along with music as soon as he could walk. After digesting an early diet of Ginger Baker, Keith Moon, Mitch Mitchell and John Bonham, Dylan was mentored by the legendary Tom Brechtlein (Chick Corea/Robben Ford). In high school, Dylan participated in the Jazz Institute at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and furthered his studies at the McNally Smith School of Music in the Twin Cities. While still in his teens he performed with young guitar guns Tallan Noble Latz and Jared James Nichols and has performed alongside his father with such artists as Robben Ford, Little Feat’s Paul Barrere, Jon Cleary, David Grissom, Roscoe Beck and Malford Milligan. Dylan was recently nominated for drummer of the year by the Wisconsin Area Music Awards (WAMI). Says proud papa Koch, “This is the third official recording with the kid. And what’s great about it is, you can’t teach the grease. And he gets it. He gets the filth. I guess he’s just got my filthy DNA.”

Hailing from the Twin Cities area, Toby Lee Marshall came from a musical family, playing piano for years until falling under the spell of the sound of the organ while at a baseball game at age seven. His fascination for the Hammond B3 took hold after his Dad took him to see Steve Cherewan playing with Dr. Mambo’s Combo during their legendary residency at Bunker’s in Minneapolis. Steve mentored Toby in the ways of the B3 and he hit the ground running, landing a gig with bluesman Lonnie Brooks while still a teen. He would go on to travel the world as a member of Bernard Allison’s band. Following a long hiatus from music, Toby has returned to the music scene with a vengeance in the smoking Koch Marshall Trio. “Toby had actually retired from music,” Koch explained. “He decided to stop touring for several years to help raise his two young kids. But now he’s so excited to be playing in this trio because it’s just such a perfect format for him to let his freak flag fly. It’s the perfect combination of this kind of churchy, bluesy, funky, jazzy, rock, chicken-pickin’ thing, and he fits right in.”

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Fall Semester Adult Acting Class at Asheville Community Theatre
Aug 29 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre

You asked and we delivered! ACT is proud to offer a wide range of classes for adults. We invite you to join us to explore, discover, nurture, and refine your theatrical abilities – your stage is waiting.

Flat Rock Playhouse: Fall Classes and Auditions for the World Premiere Musical
Aug 29 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

Announcing 8 weeks of Fall Musical Theatre/Theatre Camps for rising K-12th Graders and Adults!

With new content for every program,

returning students will always have the chance to dive into fresh material.

Share what you have learned with a performance at the end of the semester!

Youth Theatre Classes w/ Asheville Community Theatre
Aug 29 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre
PARENTS LOUNGE LEAF Global Experience
Aug 29 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Experience

LEAF isn’t just for kids! Join us in the Mezzanine while you wait for your youth to finish their class or just to hang out!

Auditions: Elf: The Musical
Aug 29 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre
ELF: THE MUSICAL
Performance Dates: December 1-23, 2023
Auditions: August 28 & 29, 2023
Callbacks: August 31, 2023
Rehearsals: September 18-November 30, 2023
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Mark Jones
Music Director: Kristen Johnson Dominguez
Choreographer: Jessica Garland Lowe
ABOUT THE SHOW
Elf: The Musical is a heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of the beloved 2003 holiday film. This enchanting musical follows the journey of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. Through catchy, uplifting songs and zany comedic antics, Elf: The Musical serves a healthy dose of holiday cheer, laughter, and life lessons about identity, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a magical, festive spectacle guaranteed to light up the holiday season for all ages!
ABOUT AUDITIONS
All roles at ACT are open to anyone in the community! No experience is necessary to audition.
HOW TO PREPARE
An accompanist will not be provided for Elf: The Musical auditions. Please prepare a 16 bar vocal selection (approximately 30-45 seconds) and bring your chosen track with you. This can be a youtube karaoke track cued up to the correct time on your phone, an .mp3 file on a flash drive, etc. We will provide a speaker for playback and will have a laptop available to play your track if required.
WHAT TO WEAR
We encourage you to wear clothing and footwear that you feel comfortable in and can safely dance in. We wish you the very best of luck and are excited to see your performance!
AUDITION TIMES
Times are split by performers seeking ensemble roles and performers seeking principal roles. Please select your preferred time on the audition form.
AUDITION FORM
Fill out the audition form before you arrive and select the time slot that works best for you. Walk-ins will be required to fill out the form when they arrive and will have to wait for the next available time slot. Please be prepared with your calendar to list any conflict from auditions to the final performance.
WHITE HORSE OPEN MIC
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

We view our Open Mic as a service to the community, providing performance opportunities for musicians who rarely get to play on a nice stage. We like to provide opportunities for community members to come enjoy live music for FREE at least once a week, and sometimes more than once a week.

You’ll hear a variety of wonderfully talented folks on their way up. You never know what you’ll hear… original songs, covers, guitar, piano….. and often something quite surprising.

Each performer gets 15 minutes or three songs.

Our Open Mic has been so popular that we typically have more folks wanting to perform than we’ve had room for. After consulting with some of our regular attendees and participants we want to make sure that everyone has a fair chance to perform on stage.

So we are trying out a new process and it seems to be very popular.

We’ve expanded the number of available performance slots to 10 per night.

  • Note: There are actually 12 spots on the list each night. . The host of Open Mic is spot 1, and the owner of White Horse (Bob Hinkle) is spot 3. That leaves 10 available spots to be drawn from the hat.

In place having folks lineup in advance for the signup list, we now pull names out of a hat.

We suggest that those desiring to perform on stage arrive prior to 6:30pm.

When you arrive, check in with the bartender and they will give you a piece of paper where you will write your name and drop it into “the hat”

Sometime between 6:30 and 6:45, the bartender will announce that the names are being drawn.  You must be present when the names are drawn to confirm your participation. Participants will be added to the nights performer list in the order in which they are drawn.

Any names left in the hat that do not make the performer list for the night , are automatically put first on the list for the following week. PLUS…. they get a free bottle of beer or soft drink “on the house” as a thank you for their patience and support of fellow musicians.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Asheville Community Theatre Youth Production Classes
Aug 30 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre

What is a Youth Production?

An ACT Youth Production is an immersive performance workshop that is specially tailored for young artists who aspire to learn and grow in the performing arts. This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity for students to undergo a comprehensive exploration of the theatrical process. Starting with auditions, they are taught how to prepare and present their best selves, and throughout the rehearsal process, students collaborate with the cast in a dynamic and supportive environment. A distinctive feature of this program is the inclusion of choreography and voice training sessions that enable students to discover and improve their vocal prowess and dancing abilities, thus turning them into well-rounded performers. Every aspect is designed to nurture creativity, foster teamwork, and instill a genuine love for theatre. All students are encouraged to participate, regardless of their previous experience or exposure to theatre.

Interested in Technical Theatre classes?

If you’re interested in getting hands-on experience with technical theatre, our Tech & Run Crew class is tailored just for you. Whether you’re a beginner with a budding interest or a seasoned tech enthusiast aiming to sharpen your skills, you will get the opportunity to work on real productions in an education environment.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy Programs 2023-2024 Season
Aug 30 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

2023-2024 Season

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy facilitates a life-long appreciation and advocacy of the arts by providing a loving community where students discover the tools needed to navigate life on and off the stage.

Mission

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy is a school based on unlimited opportunities for students to explore their interests in music, dance, and drama.  We foster a love and appreciation for the arts through student-teacher relationships, which encourage and help you to excel at your dream. We offer high quality instruction and educational experiences because we are committed to the art of teaching and the teaching of the arts.  It is our hope to build art and awareness in the community and provide a home for families to pursue their dreams.

With classes for students of all ages, the Asheville Performing Arts Academy is your place to discover the love of music, drama, and dance in your life.

Asheville Performing Arts Academy… where the arts come alive!

November 10-12, 2023

An APAA Cabaret (Company)

 

December 8-10, 2023

Oliver, Jr. (Prep)

 

December 15-17, 2023

Oliver, Jr. (Community)

February 2-4, 2024

Mean Girls, Jr.

(Middle School Community)

 

February 9-11, 2024

Mean Girls HS Version

(High School Community)

 

March/April 2024

A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Homeschool Academy)

April 25-28, 2024

Little Shop of Horros (Company)

 

May 10-12, 2024

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Prep)

 

May 17-19, 2024

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. (Community)

Fall Semester Adult Acting Class at Asheville Community Theatre
Aug 30 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre

You asked and we delivered! ACT is proud to offer a wide range of classes for adults. We invite you to join us to explore, discover, nurture, and refine your theatrical abilities – your stage is waiting.

Flat Rock Playhouse: Fall Classes and Auditions for the World Premiere Musical
Aug 30 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

Announcing 8 weeks of Fall Musical Theatre/Theatre Camps for rising K-12th Graders and Adults!

With new content for every program,

returning students will always have the chance to dive into fresh material.

Share what you have learned with a performance at the end of the semester!

Youth Theatre Classes w/ Asheville Community Theatre
Aug 30 all-day
Asheville Community Theatre
The Girl on the Train
Aug 30 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

Asheville Community Theatre 2023 Annual Meeting
Aug 30 @ 4:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

You’re invited!

Please join us for the Asheville Community Theatre 2023 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm in the ACT Lobby as we thank retiring Board members, welcome new Board members, present highlights from our 22-23 Season and look forward to the work we’ll be doing in the year ahead! Everyone is welcome to attend!
DARK CITY SONG SWAP
Aug 30 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

White Horse is excited to launch a new concert series, DARK CITY SONG SWAP.

This exciting new series focuses on talented local, regional, and national songwriters who both write and sing their original compositions. Many of the participants are award winners in their field and we’re thrilled to present them on our stage.

The series is hosted and curated by Black Mountain songwriter, BETH LEE.

Her writing is heavily influenced by bluegrass and traditional country music. She is passionate about writing lyrically diverse songs – songs that are sometimes sweet, sometimes tough, sometimes swampy, but always speak truth. She seeks to present the song so it invites the listener to go on a journey, taken away by the story, reminding us of who we are, who we want to be, or who we have been. Her goal is to make a genuine connection with listeners by telling relatable stories with memorable melodies.

Beth placed first in the 2018 MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest in the Gospel Category and won first place in three categories in the 2020 Walnut Valley Festival Newsong Showcase. She has performed songwriter showcases at the Cactus Cafe in Austin, the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and at the IBMA Songwriter Showcase in Raleigh.

Sample’s of Beth’s artistry can be found at :

This month Beth welcomes to the stage two fine songwriters:

Todd Hoke and Hannah Kaminer

——

Todd Hoke’s first public performance was at Miss Bonnie’s Elvis Shrine and Literary Salon in Baltimore, Maryland, way back in the early 90s. It was precisely as fancy as it sounds. Todd recorded his first album way back in the year 2000, with Ray Wylie Hubbard as producer. In the years since, Todd has written many songs and played many more shows – he and his wife moved to Western North Carolina in 2005 and he jumped right into the local music scene. Todd’s latest project is as ½ of “Possum Royale” – a duo with his longtime friend and side guy Richard Brock.

“My Baby”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el0ksvoH0sI

——

Hannah Kaminer is a folk/Americana artist based in Asheville, NC. Raised in small towns in western North Carolina, she fuses echoes of Appalachian traditions with wistful, Americana-style songwriting. Kaminer’s songs have been recognized in the finals of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (MerleFest 2019), with a Regional Artist Project Grant by a coalition of North Carolina arts councils, and by Asheville’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition. Kaminer has released two studio albums, Acre by Acre (2015) and Heavy Magnolias (2018), the latter of which she co-produced with award-winning engineer Julian Dreyer. In 2020, she pivoted to produce Music for Quarantine, connecting musicians to virtual gigs performed for loved ones in isolation.

Performance highlights over the last few years include opening for the Steep Canyon Rangers, serving as opener and tour nanny for Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, and playing Warren Haynes’ annual Christmas Jam by Day event. Kaminer is currently working with her band Hannah and The Wistfuls on a third studio album, to be released in 2023.

“Heavy Magnolias”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOF0PfSHGiM

The Girl on the Train
Aug 30 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

JP Harris
Aug 30 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

JP HARRIS
In today’s musical culture, the word “authenticity” has pretty much lost all meaning. What used to represent something bona fide and true is now just watered-down marketing speak, stamped onto press releases without a second thought.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1983, JP Harris doesn’t fancy himself so much a musician as he does a carpenter who writes country songs. After finishing the eight grade, he boarded a Greyhound in the middle of an early summer night, and scarcely looked back.

He traveled the country, often alone, hitchhiking and hopping freight trains while making his living as a farm laborer, shepherd, woodsman, and carpenter, among many other titles.

Still an in-demand carpenter to this day, Harris has been writing and performing country music for nearly a decade now, releasing his debut album, I’ll Keep Calling, in 2012. He followed that album with Home Is Where the Hurt Is in 2014, which only saw his star rise both among country fans and critics at major outlets like Rolling Stone. JP was also referenced by Eagles frontman Don Henley in a 2015 interview with Hey Reverb as making “thoughtful, authentic music.”

With his forthcoming album “Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing,” he’s back after a four year hiatus to remind folks what a lifetime dedicated to country music really looks and sounds like. Sure to please fans of his hardscrabble earlier work, this new release also finds the acclaimed songwriter and vocalist stretching himself musically and personally.

In just about every way, Sometimes Dogs Bark at Nothing is a recorded manifestation of Harris’ growth over the last four years. He’s become more comfortable in his singing, more confident in his artistic direction, and more adventurous in his sonic palette. He’s letting listeners in to some of his most difficult struggles and turning a compassionate eye to the struggles of others.

ELIZA THORN
Eliza Thorn is a artist from the North country who currently resides in Nashville, TN. She has travelled across the states with her guitar, collecting the rambling sounds of soul, blues, and jazz along the way. Her sultry sound will take you to a place unknown, yet warm and familiar.

Thursday, August 31, 2023
The Girl on the Train
Aug 31 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

Intro to Ukulele
Aug 31 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Queer Music Exploration
Aug 31 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.

Jazz Jam
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts Center

Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.

An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.

Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!

OUTPOST: Captain Midnight Band
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm
The Outpost
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE

Captain Midnight Band
Internationally-ignored superstar, Captain Midnight is the world’s only known purveyor of “Waterbed Rock & Roll”.

Crunchy Rock Guitar Riffs, Thick R&B Grooves, and Soaring Vocal Harmonies combine to create a unique, yet familiar soundscape for jammy anthems, sci-fi imagery, and humorous adult situations.

The Captain Midnight Band’s diverse appeal has resulted in club, theater, and festival dates with such acts as Dark Star Orchestra, moe, String Cheese Incident, Cypress Hill, Twiddle, Spafford, Billy Strings, Karl Denson, TAUK, and other weirdos.

Flattering comparisons to genre-defying acts such as P-Funk, Frank Zappa, and Ween are evident in the live show, where a genuine, energetic exchange occurs between band, fans, and whoever is lucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Steve Simon + The Kings of Jazz
Aug 31 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The DFR Lounge

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm

Rent Party featuring Jeff Thompson, Aaron Price, Zack page and Micah Thomas
Aug 31 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

Rent Party featuring Jeff Thompson, Aaron Price, Zack page and Micah Thomas

Playing popular music ranging from baroque to Broadway, jazz to Jimi Hendrix, seductive standards to roof-raising rock n roll!

The Girl on the Train
Aug 31 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

LATE SHOW: tu-NER featuring Trey Gunn, Pat Mastelotto, Markus Reuter
Aug 31 @ 9:30 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 9:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

tu-NER

TREY GUNN – Warr guitar (ex King Crimson, David Sylvian)
PAT MASTELOTTO – drums, electronics (Stick Men, King Crimson)
MARKUS REUTER – touch guitar (Stick Men, Devin Townsend)
From the kitchen of the original King Crimson R&D fraKctal units, please let us welcome the new incarnation of tu:NER.

tu:NER, in its most recent incarnation, is a musical trio comprised of Trey Gunn, Markus Reuter, and Pat Mastelotto, that celebrates the music of the Double Duo era (1998 to 2003) of King Crimson, and the bands TU (Mastelotto and Gunn), KTU (Mastelotto, Gunn, and accordionist Kimmo Pohjonnen), TUNER (Mastelotto and Reuter), TUNISIA (Mastelotto and thereminist Pamelia Stickney), The ProjeKcts (featuring Gunn and Mastelotto as well as other KC members) and Stick Men (Mastelotto, Reuter and King Crimson’s stickist Tony Levin).

tu:NER will perform their original music, improvs and honor as well their King Crimson/ProjeKcts DNA, as well as also bring to the stage some of the material produced by TU and TUNER during the past two decades. The music of those projects is known for being innovative yet accessible in nature, drawing on elements of rock, jazz, prog, funk, and other genres.

All the different influences coming together through these three artists are notable for their endlessly creative approach to music, and for the highly skilled musicianship of the players involved. The music produced by all these precedent projects is highly rewarding for those who are willing to listen with an open mind. After three decades of partial collaborations in pairs, and two decades since Trey introduced Pat to Markus, they have created pieces like Face, Absinthe, Pole, Műűt, Untamed Chicken, Flinch, Fandango, and Deception of the Thrush, all having become part of the classic neo-progressive rock catalogue of the 21st century. Together with staples from the King Crimson songbook such as EleKtriK, Level Five, Vrooom Vrooom, and FraKctured, all co-written by members of this outfit, these three amazingly talented friends guarantee an evening of mind-expanding music of the highest standards of virtuosity, innovation, and melodicity.

Of course, the creative impulse of these three musos would never be fully satisfied by simply revisiting their back catalogues, as if it were a mere trip down memory lane. Far from it, audiences will be treated to new pieces, as well as their characteristic improvisations, which, instead of consisting of simply jamming and noodling, in their case always comprise “instant compositions,” where the three musicians are constantly listening to each other with their ears and with their souls, in the telepathic fashion of a true R&D small intelligent unit. Because Trey, Pat and Markus are the best musicians at creating magic musical concoctions on the spot, away from the rock or jazz traditional rules of improvisation.

Listeners who are fans of King Crimson, and progressive music in general, will soon realize this new trio incarnation of TUNER is the musical collaboration of the decade. Twenty years since the disbanding of the Double Duo, the spirit of the ProjeKcts is finally back on the road with Gunn, Reuter and Mastelotto.