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.

Friday, October 27, 2023
Death of a Salesman
Oct 27 @ 7:30 pm
HART Theatre
By Arthur Miller
On the Steve Lloyd Stage
Directed by Doug Savitt

A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.

Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer-Prize winning American classic is a poignant look at the life of everyman Willy Loman, complete with grand hopes and heartbreaking missteps. Willy is on a quest for the American Dream, and wants more than anything for his family to achieve it alongside him. But their own visions of that dream – and their perceptions of who Willy really is beyond his façade – don’t necessarily match up with his reality. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the “American Dream” kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American Theatre.

Suitable for all audiences. Contains heavy subject matter.

Montford Park Players: Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland
Oct 27 @ 7:30 pm
Montford Park Players

Written by Will Storrs
Directed by Deanna Braine Smith
Just in time for Halloween, local playwright Will Storrs brings us this World Premiere reimagining Alice and the characters of Lewis Carroll’s story in a seasonally-appropriate way. Sure to be a horribly good time!
 
All shows will run Fridays through Sundays and all will be presented at 7:30pm and prime seats can be reserved.

Montford Park Players has been bringing some of theater’s greatest works to Western North Carolina for over 50 years. Montford Park Players continues its mission of bring free theater to the community. The summer season allows everyone to come spend an evening under the stars, seeing some of the best live performances presented in Asheville.

Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland
Oct 27 @ 7:30 pm
Montford Park Players

Our Halloween Show!

a world premiere, written by Will Storrs

Directed by Deanna Braine Smith

Young Frankenstein
Oct 27 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Book by Mel Brooks
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Original Direction & Choreography by Susan Stroman
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com

Director: Elizabeth DeVault 

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult humor and content

It’s alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Dr. Frankenstein aims to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. With such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.

Andrew Finn Magill
Oct 27 @ 8:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

This virtuosic fiddler blends traditional Irish music with jazz, bluegrass and other world influences to deliver a musical experience like no other. Through dynamic playing, adept improvisation and soulful expression, Finn’s performances are an electrifying fusion of old and new, with masterful musicianship that’s earned him multiple appearances on MTV-U, PBS and NPR, as well as a spot in the All-Ireland Fiddle Championship finals.

Saturday, October 28, 2023
Adult Theatre Classes
Oct 28 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.

Winter 1 Session (October 23-December 17, week off November 20-26 for Thanksgiving)

Build Crew Work Days Hendersonville Theatre
Oct 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

We’re putting our build crew back together and we’d love to have you join us. Every 2 weeks, we’ll meet at 9 am for hands-on set construction! Whether your talents are building, painting, or you just want to learn, come out and join us every other Saturday for some creative fun. Tools and work gloves are helpful but not required

Willy Wonka Jr.
Oct 28 @ 10:00 am
HART Theatre

Willy Wonka Jr.

By Timothy Allen McDonald & Leslie Bricusse
In the Fangmeyer Theatre

Do you have the golden ticket?

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Suitable for all audiences.

Community Costume Carnival
Oct 28 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Community Costume Carnival

Enjoy trunk or treat, carnival games, a photo booth, small performances, a costume contest at 3:00 PM, and a costume sale from our costume shop.

 

 

Make the most of the Halloween season at ACT. Dress up and head over for an afternoon filled with fun activities. Try out different carnival games to win prizes, snap some pictures at our photo booth, and enjoy small performances sprinkled throughout the event.

 

Need a costume? Or maybe just that one last piece to complete your look? Browse through a variety at our costume sale with options for all ages.

 

Don’t miss the highlight of the day — the costume contest at 3:00 PM. Whether you want to showcase your costume or appreciate others’, it’s the place to be. See you there!

 

Buy Tickets

Audition Workshop for Teens
Oct 28 @ 12:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Class cost: $50

Min students: 8

Max students: 30

Class Dates: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Ages: 13-18 (middle or high school student)

The last day to receive a full refund is September 28, 2023. After September 28, 2023, no refund will be issued.

Advance registration is required. Registration deadline is Friday, October 27 at 5 pm.

Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Class Description:
Are you ready to hit the stage? This audition workshop is designed for teens who want to improve their auditioning and overall performing skills. This workshop will take you step-by-step through the audition process and give you pointers to make the whole experience more relaxing and familiar. The workshop will cover techniques for better auditioning, including cold reading skills, breaking down scenes, picking and preparing a monologue and a song, how to get a headshot and a resume, and how to find acting opportunities in our area. All actors, regardless of experience, ages 13 to 18, are eligible to attend.

Participants will have multiple opportunities to get up and perform during the workshop and will break off into groups several times during the day. Actors need to come prepared for a high-energy, action-filled afternoon.

Carolina Ballet Theatre: GHOSTS
Oct 28 @ 2:00 pm
Gunter Theatre

The Greenville-centric story opens on Halloween night. While most families make their rounds through the well-known neighborhoods, a handful of kids break off from the group. Hoping to reveal an unspoken Greenville secret, they head to an abandoned mansion along the Reedy River. They knock on the door, and after no answer, a brave little girl says, “Let’s go!” and pushes it open. Lightning flashes to reveal a silhouette of a couple who dance a pas de deux to a string quartet medley of several Michael Jackson-inspired tunes. Music By Michael Jackson and Choreography by Hernan Justo.

Warning
Strob lighting and other intense lighting will be used during this show.

Willy Wonka Jr.
Oct 28 @ 2:00 pm
HART Theatre

Willy Wonka Jr.

By Timothy Allen McDonald & Leslie Bricusse
In the Fangmeyer Theatre

Do you have the golden ticket?

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Suitable for all audiences.

Character Creation – Makeup Masterclass
Oct 28 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Workshop: Stage Makeup (Oozin' Wounds)

Ages 13 & Up.

Want to amp up your Halloween look? Come to the Oozin’ Wounds workshop at ACT. Here, you’ll learn to craft believable bruises, cuts, and blood effects all through makeup.

Nicki LaRue, ACT’s experienced makeup and hair designer and a graduate of the Tom Savini Make-Up Effects program, will be your guide. You’ll receive a makeup kit with everything you need for the class. The best part? The kit is yours to keep.

Whether you’re exploring stage makeup or enhancing your Halloween costume, this class is your chance to learn practical skills. Don’t miss this chance to dive hands-on into the world of special effects makeup!

A Case for the Existence of God
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Co.

Written by Samuel D. Hunter

Keith, a mortgage broker and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker, are two men who, at first glance, have nothing in common. Their meeting, in Keith’s cubicle, evolves from a business discussion to a thoughtful exploration of parenthood, financial insecurity, and empathy. Both intimate and expansive, Samuel D. Hunter’s heartbreaking new play argues for hope even in the face of extreme disappointment as two men with seemingly very different lives grow to care for one another.

 

Content advisory: strong language

Death of a Salesman
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm
HART Theatre
By Arthur Miller
On the Steve Lloyd Stage
Directed by Doug Savitt

A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.

Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer-Prize winning American classic is a poignant look at the life of everyman Willy Loman, complete with grand hopes and heartbreaking missteps. Willy is on a quest for the American Dream, and wants more than anything for his family to achieve it alongside him. But their own visions of that dream – and their perceptions of who Willy really is beyond his façade – don’t necessarily match up with his reality. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the “American Dream” kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American Theatre.

Suitable for all audiences. Contains heavy subject matter.

Montford Park Players: Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm
Montford Park Players

Written by Will Storrs
Directed by Deanna Braine Smith
Just in time for Halloween, local playwright Will Storrs brings us this World Premiere reimagining Alice and the characters of Lewis Carroll’s story in a seasonally-appropriate way. Sure to be a horribly good time!
 
All shows will run Fridays through Sundays and all will be presented at 7:30pm and prime seats can be reserved.

Montford Park Players has been bringing some of theater’s greatest works to Western North Carolina for over 50 years. Montford Park Players continues its mission of bring free theater to the community. The summer season allows everyone to come spend an evening under the stars, seeing some of the best live performances presented in Asheville.

Wonderland Legacies: Alice’s Adventures in Murderland
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm
Montford Park Players

Our Halloween Show!

a world premiere, written by Will Storrs

Directed by Deanna Braine Smith

Young Frankenstein
Oct 28 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Book by Mel Brooks
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Original Direction & Choreography by Susan Stroman
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com

Director: Elizabeth DeVault 

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult humor and content

It’s alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Dr. Frankenstein aims to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. With such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct 28 @ 11:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is not the typical moviegoing experience – the audience is also an active part of the show with chants, props, dances, lots of laughs, and encouraged to sing along to all the film’s songs. A screamingly funny, sinfully twisted salute to sci-fi, horror, B-movies and rock music, all rolled into one deliciously, decadent super-charged movie full of sensuality and outrageous fantasy.

Rocky Horror prop bags – containing all items needed to participate along with the film – are available for purchase for $5. Instructions will be included with each prop bag. The bags will also include a balloon, a glow stick, a rubber glove, a noisemaker, a confetti popper, toilet paper, a party hat, a sponge, paper plates, cards, a bag, and a newspaper. Some of the messier props familiar to audiences, such as rice, toast, and lighters, are not included in the bag. Only items provided in the official HT prop bag will be allowed in the theater.

Hendersonville Theatre’s bar and concession stand will also be open for beer, wine, cider, seltzer and non-alcoholic sales. Hendersonville Theatre recommends purchasing tickets and reserving a prop bag in advance.

The greatest cult film of all time and still in limited release, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the longest-running theatrical release in film history. When it was released in 1975, it initially received an indifferent reception in movie theaters, but gained notoriety after it was embraced by audiences at midnight screenings in New York City and elsewhere.

The movie tells of the misadventures of Brad and Janet, newly engaged, whose car breaks down in a rainstorm, forcing them to seek refuge in the castle of the bizarre and flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter. The pop culture phenomenon features revered performances by Tim Curry (ClueHome Alone) as a bizarre and self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania,” and Susan Sarandon (Dead Man WalkingThelma and Louise) and Barry Bostwick (Spin City), as Brad and Janet, a couple who find themselves lost on a cold, rainy night. The madcap, musical mayhem begins when Frank-N-Furter unveils his greatest creation – and has a bit of fun with his reluctant guests.

Selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” the film gained notoriety as a midnight movie when audiences began participating with the film in theaters. The film has entered the pop culture lexicon for its many iconic and memorable scenes, including the song “The Time Warp” which has been covered by handfuls of artists and the often quoted phrase, “Dammit, Janet.”

This film is rated R for adult language and themes and is recommended for ages 17 and up.

Sunday, October 29, 2023
Win 2 free tix to see Rita Hayworth: The Heat is On!
Oct 29 all-day
online
Win 2 free tix to see

Rita Hayworth: The Heat is On!

at Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 PM

How much do you know about the Love Goddess

What famous film dancer said Rita Hayworth was his favorite dance partner?

Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire or Danny Kaye

What famous American actor/director was the love of her life?

Clint Eastwood, Orson Welles, John Ford

The winner will receive 2 free tickets to see the November 5 presentation of

Rita Hayworth: The Heat is ON!

at Tryon Fine Arts Center.

To enter, simply submit your answers below. The first person with the correct two answers will win. The next 3 to guess the correct answer will receive 2 vouchers for a glass of wine at the show!

Good luck!

Submit your answers!

Click to answer!
 

 

Willy Wonka Jr.
Oct 29 @ 1:00 pm
HART Theatre

Willy Wonka Jr.

By Timothy Allen McDonald & Leslie Bricusse
In the Fangmeyer Theatre

Do you have the golden ticket?

The delicious adventures of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Suitable for all audiences.

A Case for the Existence of God
Oct 29 @ 2:00 pm
NC Stage Co.

Written by Samuel D. Hunter

Keith, a mortgage broker and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker, are two men who, at first glance, have nothing in common. Their meeting, in Keith’s cubicle, evolves from a business discussion to a thoughtful exploration of parenthood, financial insecurity, and empathy. Both intimate and expansive, Samuel D. Hunter’s heartbreaking new play argues for hope even in the face of extreme disappointment as two men with seemingly very different lives grow to care for one another.

 

Content advisory: strong language

Death of a Salesman
Oct 29 @ 2:00 pm
HART Theatre
By Arthur Miller
On the Steve Lloyd Stage
Directed by Doug Savitt

A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.

Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer-Prize winning American classic is a poignant look at the life of everyman Willy Loman, complete with grand hopes and heartbreaking missteps. Willy is on a quest for the American Dream, and wants more than anything for his family to achieve it alongside him. But their own visions of that dream – and their perceptions of who Willy really is beyond his façade – don’t necessarily match up with his reality. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the “American Dream” kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American Theatre.

Suitable for all audiences. Contains heavy subject matter.

Young Frankenstein
Oct 29 @ 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Book by Mel Brooks
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Original Direction & Choreography by Susan Stroman
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com

Director: Elizabeth DeVault 

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult humor and content

It’s alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches. Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Dr. Frankenstein aims to fulfill his grandfather’s legacy by bringing a corpse back to life. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. With such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.

Terror on Tanglewood Street
Oct 29 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Be the first to see the Tanglewood Teens in action, a group of high schoolers handpicked through auditions to undergo professional training. Their debut performance is packed with Halloween-themed entertainment, combining music and storytelling to offer a great night out for the whole family.

 

In this performance, the teens will bring you a musical act featuring songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and a narrative segment building on the eerie atmosphere of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart.

 

Come support these young performers in their first showcase, where they will demonstrate the skills they’ve honed over their training period. It’s not just a show, but a celebration of their hard work and a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. Dress up in your favorite Halloween attire and enjoy an evening of simple, fun, and engaging entertainment at ACT.

Monday, October 30, 2023
Win 2 free tix to see Rita Hayworth: The Heat is On!
Oct 30 all-day
online
Win 2 free tix to see

Rita Hayworth: The Heat is On!

at Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 PM

How much do you know about the Love Goddess

What famous film dancer said Rita Hayworth was his favorite dance partner?

Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire or Danny Kaye

What famous American actor/director was the love of her life?

Clint Eastwood, Orson Welles, John Ford

The winner will receive 2 free tickets to see the November 5 presentation of

Rita Hayworth: The Heat is ON!

at Tryon Fine Arts Center.

To enter, simply submit your answers below. The first person with the correct two answers will win. The next 3 to guess the correct answer will receive 2 vouchers for a glass of wine at the show!

Good luck!

Submit your answers!

Click to answer!
 

 

Bright Star Touring Theatre Presents: Cherokee Tales
Oct 30 @ 12:59 pm – 1:59 pm
Weaverville Public Library

The Cherokee People have a rich history of myths, legends and folktales explaining everything from the creation of the world to how the plants and animals around us came to look and behave the way they do today. This play introduces young audiences to the Cherokee People through a series of fun and engaging stories. Developed in partnership with the Cherokee Historical Association, this play is a great way to introduce young audiences to the Cherokee people.

Space is limited. Registration is required. Please stop by the Weaverville Library or call (828) 250-6482 to reserve your space!

Adult Scene Study: Ages 18+
Oct 30 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Playhouse Jr. Education Center

Back by popular demand! We are excited to offer an 8-week adult acting session this fall at Playhouse Jr.! Dive into scene work and learn the ins and outs of creating a character, acting in a scene, and dissecting the script. Taught by a seasoned professional actor, this is sure to be the hit of the fall! Space is limited so sign up today! There will be no performance at the end of the semester

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Oct 30 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

A new musical.

You’re invited you to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Using contemporary music, thought provoking choreography and personal stories to spread a message of Heart, Humanity & Hope.

https://www.labellessmusical.com/

Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Funny Girl
Oct 31 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

WELCOME TO MUSICAL COMEDY HEAVEN!

Featuring one of the most iconic scores of all time by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, an updated book from Harvey Fierstein based on the original classic by Isobel Lennart, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, choreography by Ellenore Scott, and direction from Michael Mayer, this love letter to the theatre has the whole shebang!

The sensational Broadway revival dazzles with celebrated classic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People.” This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.