Calendar of Events

Franklin School of Innovation Presents:
🌟 InnovationFest: Dreaming What Innovation IS 🌟
What is Innovation? What does it mean to you? What IF?
What IF Innovation is more than just technological?
What IF we made all students feel safe?
What IF we ended systemic racism?
What IF we all have the power to lead the way to the future together?
We believe that Innovation is defined by actions we take to creatively change and progress forward. Let’s build a vision of inclusivity, growth, and educational transformation that involves our wider community. Celebrate 10 years of innovation with us Saturday, October 14th, from 12-4 pm!
We’re not just commemorating a decade; we are building an exciting path ahead!
Embrace inclusivity, spark transformation – be an innovator!
Let’s embark on a collective journey of unity and growth. Let’s build a space where every voice and every story matters. Together, we can craft an environment where all students feel safe, seen and valued. How can we ensure that every student finds a place of belonging?
🎉 Envisioning the Next 10 Years – Together! 🎉
Imagine a future where every student’s dream takes flight, and community members play a pivotal role in nurturing these aspirations. Together, we can re-imagine the essence of education – one that honors our roots, nurtures our present, and illuminates our future.
Event Highlights:
🎙️ Gather wisdom from Dr. Life, a renowned motivational speaker, as they guide us toward an empowered future.
🎵 Let local artists’ Whitney Mongé and Grupo Escolta Activado’s melodies wrap you in joy and unity.
🌍 Enjoy multicultural flavors from diverse food trucks in your own backyard!
🌟Get ready to see new and exciting things as we show you cool programs, groups of people who share interests, and other dope projects that are changing the game.
📢 Hear the voices of our student and community leaders, dreamers who will share their “what ifs” and inspire us all.
🗣 Engage in dynamic conversations that explore the pressing topics that shape our educational journey, impacting us all.
🎛️ Dance to the rhythm with DJ Twan, and other local music that’ll have you moving and grooving.
🎉 Immerse yourself in a cultural celebration, a tribute to the rich student diversity that makes us whole.
Save the date and take a journey with us at InnovationFest!🪁 Let’s join hands and spark a future where every student thrives, and our community’s potential is limitless!
Your presence is a testament to your commitment to a better, brighter Franklin School of Innovation for all who walk its halls, for generations to come.
Together, let’s celebrate, innovate, and weave a tapestry of inclusivity and excellence that resonates through the legacy of Franklin School of Innovation.
Make sure to claim your tickets on eventbrite, and we will see you at InnovationFest! 🎉🌟📚

Burnpile is Burial Beer Co.’s premier Beer and Music Festival. Hosted at Burial’s Forestry Camp facility near Asheville’s Biltmore Village, attendees enjoy a full-day concert by Deer Tick, S.G. Goodman, and MJ Lenderman alongside a tasting experience from a diverse lineup of 50+ of the best breweries in the country, and much more.

The World Trails Film Festival is a unique event showcasing the best short and feature films centering the stories of trails from around the globe. Join us as we bring it to UNC Asheville (premiering for the first time on the East Coast of the United States) to celebrate why trails matter.

This community-building event will support trails locally and globally by fundraising equally for two leading trail organizations, the first of which is the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, a local nonprofit equipping people to steward our wild landscapes, and the World Trails Ambassadors, a program of the World Trails Network.

Doors open at 6 pm, Program begins at 7pm and entry will be limited after 7:15 pm, during the screening. Program will include an intermission and ends at 9:30 pm.

We’re back! Carolina CiderFest, is Asheville’s premier cider festival! Join us on October 21st at McCormick Field as we celebrate the art of cider-making and the vibrant spirit of Asheville. Immerse yourself in a cider wonderland, where you can sample a wide selection of craft ciders, enjoy live music, and savor delicious local eats. From traditional favorites to innovative blends, this festival is a cider lover’s paradise. Don’t miss your chance to sip, savor, and celebrate the best of Asheville’s cider scene at Carolina CiderFest!

Come out to Historic Johnson Farm for an afternoon of fun!
Admission is $20 per family and includes:
Crafts for kids
Scavenger hunt
Wagon rides
Popcorn and drinks
Historic farm house open
One room school house lessons
Visit the donkeys and goats
Caregivers of Mother Earth
AND….the return of the Johnson Family’s 1923 Model T. At 1:15 PM during the event, members of the Walker Family will return this historic vehicle back to the farm after 40 years away. The car will be available for guests to view and ask questions.
General parking will be across the street, and sheriff’s volunteers will help visitors cross. Handicapped parking will be available at the farm.

Twenty-six artists and craftspeople—21 who live in Beaverdam Valley plus 5 invited guest artists—are excited to welcome visitors to view their handmade artwork. Media include ceramics, painting, jewelry, sculpture, book art, textiles, photography, glass, mixed media, and more. Visitors come from Asheville, from over 15 states, and from cities and towns all over North Carolina. What they have in common is an appreciation for art and craft.
This year we have multiple artists in several locations—26 artists in only 17 sites—making this tour easy to see and easy to navigate. We hope you come out and visit all the talented artists. All studios are off Beaverdam Road, reached from Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville. This summer, tour maps will be available online and in our brochure. Visitors can learn more about our two-day, self-directed, geographically convenient tour, and view artists’ work on our website, in our brochure, in print and online advertising, and in articles. A downloadable map is available on the website.

🌙 Under the eerie light of the Full Lunar Eclipse, The Surreal Sirkus returns to Pack Square Park this Halloween weekend with The Surreal Sirkus Arts Festival! Join the Sirkus (you’ve always wanted to!) for a uniquely local experience of performance, art vendors, food, beer, spirits and more!

🎪 The Surreal Sirkus is a nonprofit performance art troupe with roots deep in Asheville history. Founded in 1996, its annual free Halloween festival was an institution in the city’s art scene. The Surreal Sirkus was laid to rest by a Viking funeral in 2005, and triumphantly resurrected in 2021 with a free all-day fair and evening performance in the city center, with thousands attending throughout the event’s duration.

The practice of forest bathing encourages you to slow down, relax and reconnect with nature by quieting the mind and awakening the senses.

Join a certified forest therapy guide for a relaxing 2.5-hour stroll through the forest in our stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. Through a series of invitations, you’ll have the opportunity to be present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. The walk culminates in a tea ceremony with snacks.

What is Forest Bathing? Forest Bathing is simply a guided walk in nature. Your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes, as well as the world around you. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, forest bathing walks invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for ourselves, our fraught ecosystems, and our community. It is true nature therapy!

This is essentially a mindful, rejuvenating walk in the forest…no actual “bathing” required.

This experience is great for groups and is a unique team-building activity. Private walks are available nearly every day! If you don’t see your date and time listed, please reach out! I’d love to see you on the trail.

Twenty-six artists and craftspeople—21 who live in Beaverdam Valley plus 5 invited guest artists—are excited to welcome visitors to view their handmade artwork. Media include ceramics, painting, jewelry, sculpture, book art, textiles, photography, glass, mixed media, and more. Visitors come from Asheville, from over 15 states, and from cities and towns all over North Carolina. What they have in common is an appreciation for art and craft.
This year we have multiple artists in several locations—26 artists in only 17 sites—making this tour easy to see and easy to navigate. We hope you come out and visit all the talented artists. All studios are off Beaverdam Road, reached from Merrimon Avenue in north Asheville. This summer, tour maps will be available online and in our brochure. Visitors can learn more about our two-day, self-directed, geographically convenient tour, and view artists’ work on our website, in our brochure, in print and online advertising, and in articles. A downloadable map is available on the website.

Hendersonville, NC’s very own Haunted Farm is back for the 2023 Fall and Spooky Season! Bring your friends and family for a night, or more, of spooky and exciting fun that they’ll never forget! Come make memories in our NEW and movie quality sets that are sure to elevate your sense of fun and fear to extreme new heights! Check our website for Dates, Times, & Ticket Info!

SATURDAY
11:00 AM Show Open
1:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
2:30 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
3:30 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
5:00 PM Tattoo Contests
7:00 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
7:45 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
8:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
9:15 PM Verona Fink Burlesque Sideshow and Suspension
10:00 PM Tattoo of the Day
11:00 PM Show Close

SUNDAY
11:00 AM Show Open
1:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
2:30 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
3:30 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
5:00 PM Tattoo Contests
7:00 PM Tattoo of the Day and Best of Show
8:00 PM Show Close

NOVEMBER 4 & 5 – Flat Rock, NC (AVL) at Blue Ridge College 10a-6p
49 E Campus Dr, Flat Rock, NC 28731, USA

THE PREMIER PSYCHIC & HOLISTIC EXPO OF THE SOUTHEAST! Join your spiritual community for a weekend of Aura Photography, Henna, Healing Therapists, Intuitive Consultants, Health Professionals, Psychics, plus an array of crystals, jewelry, & gifts! The perfect opportunity to experience it all!

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO ASHEVILLE, GREENVILLE & HENDERSONVILLE!

Daily admission is $6 cash (kids under 12 free) includes amazing lectures & free raffles!

Unlock the Secrets of Modern Day Alchemy: A Healing Experience:
Saturday, Nov. 4 @ 4:00pm

In this collective experience, you will immerse yourself in a deep understanding of each of the five pillars of modern alchemy. You will be guided, step-by-step, on how to apply these principles to your everyday life, empowering you to embark on your own journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. You will personally experience a healing activation in the Love Frequency.

The Love Frequency is a healing presence that draws you into an inward journey in remembrance that the greatest power within you is held within your heart. This combination of practical knowledge and energetic experience will serve as a compass for those who wish to unlock their inner potential and lead a more authentic and abundant life.

*Each presentation attendee will receive an Adora formulated essential oil for experiential and eBook: The 4 Tools for Spiritual Growth.

Visit our booth for other free goodies.

Bio:
Adora is a distinguished Modern Alchemist, author, visionary Founder of The Soul Institute, and co-author of “Detox Nourish Activate: Plant & Vibrational Medicine for Energy, Mood, and Love” and The Love Frequency:A Modern Alchemist Guide to Thriving in Sacred Purpose to be released Spring 2024
(Balboa Press) Having nearly three decades of experience as a facilitator, educator, formulator, and entrepreneur, she holds certifications in vibrational medicine and aromatherapy from the renowned Barbara Brennan School for Healing and Rutgers University.

R.Carlos Nakai, of Navajo-Ute heritage, the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute, joins pianist/composer Peter Kater for two evening performances, possibly their last live performance together. Piano and Native American Flute, however an unlikely combination of instruments, when performed by two of the worlds most sensitive performers of those instruments, produces a powerful and profound musical chemistry, of an almost spiritual nature, and unlike any two instruments ever played together! Their music has been described to be of a sacred quality. Kater with two recent Grammy wins for best New Age album, produces a sound on piano often described as hypnotic and healing. Nakai approaches each performance in a ceremonial manner, singing ancient Navajo chants while playing his flutes and blowing his Eagle Bone whistle. “Every concert they have played together in Asheville, leaves audiences in absolute awe. The chemistry of these two musicians and their instruments does something to us all that is impossible to describe in words”. They have numerous recordings together over the last 30 years and have performed in Asheville 10 previous times to always SOLD OUT audiences. Their recording “Improvisations In Concert” was recorded live at their breathtaking 1995 performance at Diana Wortham Theatre. You can find samples of their music on Spotify and Amazon. Their award winning albums, Migration, Natives and Improvisations in Concert are great examples of the music you will experience at their performances.

SATURDAY
11:00 AM Show Open
1:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
2:30 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
3:30 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
5:00 PM Tattoo Contests
7:00 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
7:45 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
8:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
9:15 PM Verona Fink Burlesque Sideshow and Suspension
10:00 PM Tattoo of the Day
11:00 PM Show Close

SUNDAY
11:00 AM Show Open
1:30 PM Reggie Bügmüncher
2:30 PM Heavy Metal Magician Nigel Blackstorm
3:30 PM The Daredevil from Down Under Alakazam
5:00 PM Tattoo Contests
7:00 PM Tattoo of the Day and Best of Show
8:00 PM Show Close

R.Carlos Nakai, of Navajo-Ute heritage, the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute, joins pianist/composer Peter Kater for two evening performances, possibly their last live performance together. Piano and Native American Flute, however an unlikely combination of instruments, when performed by two of the worlds most sensitive performers of those instruments, produces a powerful and profound musical chemistry, of an almost spiritual nature, and unlike any two instruments ever played together! Their music has been described to be of a sacred quality. Kater with two recent Grammy wins for best New Age album, produces a sound on piano often described as hypnotic and healing. Nakai approaches each performance in a ceremonial manner, singing ancient Navajo chants while playing his flutes and blowing his Eagle Bone whistle. “Every concert they have played together in Asheville, leaves audiences in absolute awe. The chemistry of these two musicians and their instruments does something to us all that is impossible to describe in words”. They have numerous recordings together over the last 30 years and have performed in Asheville 10 previous times to always SOLD OUT audiences. Their recording “Improvisations In Concert” was recorded live at their breathtaking 1995 performance at Diana Wortham Theatre. You can find samples of their music on Spotify and Amazon. Their award winning albums, Migration, Natives and Improvisations in Concert are great examples of the music you will experience at their performances.

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails. During this time, our working garden crew will abstain from using leaf blowers, mowers and other equipment so you can be sure to enjoy the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees.

Take advantage of half-price parking on the first Tuesday of every month and come out to the Arboretum to enjoy a Meditative Morning!

Join us for the second Holiday Farm Fest at Ross Farm! 🎄🎁✨
Where: 91 Holbrook Road, Candler, NC, 28571
When: November 11th from 11:30 am to 4 pm
Cost: Free!

Come experience one heck of a unique venue! Our beautiful greenhouses will be transformed into a winter wonderland with unique plants, holiday music, hot beverages, goodies, and three greenhouses full of fantastic vendors ready to complete your holiday shopping list.

Join the holly jolly cheer with a community sing-a-long where Lauren Davis of @fiddyshadesofgreen and the rest of the Farm Fam will sing Christmas classics! This year, we’re singing Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas’ plus another classic.

We’ll be playing all of the holiday hits as you peruse our wonderful line-up of artisan craft and food vendors. Vendors include:
✨Your Mother’s Medicine
✨Cole Klutch Purses
✨Sabai Sabai
✨Mahila
✨New Moon Magic Studio
✨Yarned and Dangerous Crafts LLC
✨Appalachian Clay
✨Black Bear Woodworks
✨Pure Fire Foods
✨Jen Toledo Painting and Drawing
✨True Earth Herbs
✨Stray Cat Goods
✨Autumn & Olive Handmade
✨Mamaws Mudcrafts
✨Appalachian Wyld Botanicals
✨The Botany Garage
✨Early-Zald Photography
✨Max Trainque Glass
✨Machine Creek Studio
✨Fringe and Folly
✨Tree to Table Wood Works
✨Hemp3d
✨Silas Sauce
✨Lucent Heart Designs

Appalachian Standard will be there selling CBD, including our four brand new holiday boxes with exclusive releases in each just in time for the celebration.

We’ll also have a scavenger hunt for the kids and a few other surprises! Parking is available onsite but can be limited so we recommend that you carpool. This is an indoor event.

Stop by the farm for some holiday cheer!

Join a certified forest therapy guide for a relaxing 2.5-hour stroll through the forest on the peaceful Arboretum grounds. Through a series of invitations, you’ll have the opportunity to be present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community, and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. Your guide will share mindfulness practices designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes, as well as the world around you. Inspired by Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment, a forest bathing walk invites you to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for ourselves, our fraught ecosystems, and our community. It is true nature therapy!

• Special, discounted rate of $55/person (includes parking!)
• Occurs on select dates each month
• Max group size is 15 for a more intimate experience

Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs at The North Carolina Arboretum in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours

REGISTER HERE!

Want to reserve a different date? Custom times for private groups are available daily pending property availability. Please reach out to 828-407-0711 or visit our website to inquire about your desired date/time.

**Outlaw Sound Festival Takes Center Stage at Revolve Gallery**

“Outlaw Sound” is a one-day musical event that promises to redefine the concert experience as a one-of-a-kind event for music enthusiasts of all generations, with a special focus on electronic and experimental artists.

Date: Saturday, November 18th
Time: Starting at 5:00 PM
Location: Revolve Gallery

Outlaw Sound Festival lineup artists include:

– Mark Hosler of Negativland, with his first solo performance in five years.
– We Are Ants to Them, a project by Andre Chomondeley, known for touring with legendary rock artists such as Pat Metheny, Adrian Belew, and Steve Howe. Chomondeley creates captivating soundscapes using modular synthesizers.
– Mike Holmes, known as Nostalgianoid, and the rising local artist Robin T100 Banks.
– A screening of the short film “Attempt to Move a Building” by A. Eithne Hamilton.
– Stoolsampler, who crafts unique dance tracks from a collage of voicemails left for Firestorm Books.

In addition to the outstanding musical performances, the event will feature an array of wares by talented artists and vendors, including Robin Gelberg’s ceramics, Edwin Salas Art, and offerings from Firestorm Books.

Outlaw Sound Festival is not just about the music; it’s about supporting the community. This event will contribute to the growth of Revolve Gallery and extend a helping hand to the Aston Park Defendants.

Produced by the Pipsissewa Movement Project and Peter Speer, the Outlaw Sound Festival promises a night of unforgettable music, art, and community spirit. Join us on Saturday, November 18th, for a unique and exciting experience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something extraordinary. We hope to see you there!

For more information and tickets, please visit
https://withfriends.co/event/16937305/outlaw_sound

Since 2015, Revolve has been a thriving hub of artistic experimentation in the vibrant city of Asheville, North Carolina. In 2021, we evolved into a dynamic co-op contemporary art space, dedicated to fostering creative energies on the bedrock of inclusivity, accessibility, and unbridled experimentation.

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails. During this time, our working garden crew will abstain from using leaf blowers, mowers and other equipment so you can be sure to enjoy the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees.

Take advantage of half-price parking on the first Tuesday of every month and come out to the Arboretum to enjoy a Meditative Morning!

Join The Breath Nurse for a full body reset that will leave you feeling lighter, energized (and likely blissed out!). In this breathwork class, you’ll learn how to regulate your nervous system, release stored emotions, and transform into your most authentic self.

Hosted by Sahaja Yoga Meditation DFW
Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms.

About this Event
We are creating this Meditation space for moms 💟 that can help
🤲 create a supportive community of moms who can come together and meditate
🤲 build a meditation routine
🤲 implement self-care, and take pause in hectic lives
🤲 bring calmness and balance that can reflect on kids and household
🤲 share experiences and learn to grow in this journey together

Join this FREE evening session for Meditation, specifically for Moms. Meditation is a simple way to de-stress, and it can help bring peace and balance, especially in these hectic times.

Led by experienced instructors, this 30 min guided meditation session will help you feel the much needed calmness.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meditation-for-moms-tickets-126660441791?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

Hosted by: The Buddhist Studies Institute
IMPORTANT: register here to get zoom link https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/daily-meditation/

FREE – ONLINE – 30 MINUTES – DAILY
🌺Guided meditation support and community🌺

🌸Stabilization and Liberation:
In order to liberate our minds– we need stable calm.

🌸Consistency & Commitment:
Stabilizing in calm clear presence takes consistent training.

🌸Support & Community:
Daily Meditation is a container and support for your meditation focus.

Expand your meditation circle- join us online any day or every day!

Formerly known as 100 Days of practice to support a Tibetan Yogis tradition to practice 100 days in the winter, this has now been expanded to continue daily. To learn more and register: https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/daily-meditation/

Take a break from holiday preparations and enjoy the spirit of the season at Swannanoa Winterfest, a unique community celebration that brings a taste of Old Europe to the Swannanoa Valley. This free event takes place in Grovemont Square (adjacent to the Swannanoa Library, 101 West Charleston Ave.), on Sunday, December 17, from 2 – 6:30 pm.

Modeled on traditional European holiday markets, Swannanoa Winterfest will feature 40 artisans and vendors selling a variety of unique gift items under tents decked with festive lights. Festivalgoers can stroll through the vendor tents; enjoy musical entertainment and jugglers; warm their hands and roast marshmallows over a fire pit; and choose from a wide array of delicious food, holiday treats, and hot drinks that will be available for purchase. New for 2023 – hop on board the Holiday Trolley for a guided tour of the historic Grovemont neighborhood, celebrating its 100^th anniversary as America’s first planned community ($3 donation per person; hot chocolate included!).

There will be games and activities for the kids, too, including a visit from Olaf the Snowman, and a booth for writing and mailing letters to Santa at the North Pole. Bring the whole family and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season with your friends and neighbors!

Please join in the spirit of the holiday by bringing non-perishables or monetary donations to support the Healthy Food & Fund Drive sponsored by local nonprofit Bounty & Soul.

Swannanoa Winterfest is a gift to the community, brought to you by the Swannanoa Community Council, Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), and the Friends of the Swannanoa Library. The library’s huge used book sale, located in the building’s basement, will be open throughout the event.

For more information about Swannanoa Winterfest, or to sign up as a volunteer, please call the Event Coordinator, Marco Rozenbroek, at 305-495-2666.

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy a gentle, mindful stroll along the French Broad River as the sun sets and the full moon rises. This is a unique opportunity to unplug in a peaceful setting with a series of invitations led by a certified forest therapy guide that invite you to connect more deeply to the environment around you. Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as we sink into the heightened awareness of this special evening experience. Together, we’ll deepen our relationship with nature, community and Self. We’ll end with a tea ceremony featuring a foraged infusion of local plants. The best part: there’s no right or wrong way to forest bathe; just bring an open heart, adventurous spirit and be yourself. All is welcome in nature.

$45/person (includes special community access)

Limited to 15 participants for a more intimate experience.

• Advance registration required
• Detailed meeting instructions shared after registration.