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

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

Saturday, May 18, 2024
Patty Griffin
May 18 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Ages 18+

Partially seated show

Stewart/Owen Dance
May 18 @ 8:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Stunning audiences last season with imaginative and impassioned performances, Wortham’s resident dance company returns to share their latest creation, which draws on themes of passion, intimacy and playfulness. With an exciting collection of contemporary choreography that’s as “sensual” (Washington Post) as it is “humorous, elegant and wild” (Seattle Dances), this award-winning company, founded by a husband-and-wife duo, crafts intricate movements that offer a glimpse into the depths of the human spirit.

Sunday, May 19, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
May 19 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Digital: ASAP’s 2024–25 Local Food Guide
May 19 all-day
online w/ ASAP

ASAP’s Local Food Guide, the annual free publication for finding local food and farms, is updated for the 2024–25 season. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian GrownTM certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, artisan producers, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to listing content, the 2024–25 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Delia Jovel Dubón of Tierra Fértil Coop (pictured on the cover) talks about creating a sense of belonging for the Hispanic immigrant community in Henderson County. Lyric and Noah East of Wild East Farm in McDowell County detail the journey through their first full year of farming and how they’ve arrived at “a rough draft that’s working.” Kaci Nidiffer of The Liar’s Table in Avery County shares how scaling up and opening several retail spaces have created stronger connections with customers and community. Rounding out the issue are recipes from farmers at Two Trees Farm (Sustainabillies), Lee’s One Fortune Farm, Two Stones Farm + Mill, Carringer Farms, and Terra Lingua Growers.

 

“The Local Food Guide is such a beautiful way to share the stories of this place,” said Sarah Hart, ASAP’s Communications and Engagement Director. “To emphasize that sense of place, listings in this year’s Guide are organized into nine subregions with a short intro on what makes local farms in each area unique.”

 

Look for the Guide at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. Copies of the Guide are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area or if you are interested in distributing Guides at your business.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, location, activities, and more.

 

Funding for the Local Food Guide was made possible in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program, Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Support was also provided by Dogwood Health Trust, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and Asheville Regional Airport.

Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
May 19 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

Registration Open: Summer Camps at the Wortham Center
May 19 all-day
Diana Wortham Theatre

Imaginative kids can createexplore, and play in Summer Camps at the Wortham Center! With high-energy, low-pressure programs for rising 1st-5th grade campers, week-long camps expand minds, build life skills, and create meaningful friendships through the arts.

Register now online or by calling the Box Office at 828-257-4530. Space is limited.

A limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships are available upon application through Arts for All Kids. Families who qualify for free or reduced lunch are welcome to apply.

Questions? Email Director of Education Anna Kimmell at [email protected].

2024 Creative Arts Summer Camps

CREATIVE ARTS CAMP
Rising 1st-2nd Grades
JUNE 24-28, 2024
 • 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  

Little kids with BIG imaginations can dance, sing, act, create, and collaborate in this high-energy, low-pressure arts camp! With engaging activities rooted in creative play, kids will have so much fun expressing themselves through the arts, they won’t even notice they’re also building confidence, improving physical and emotional awareness, honing listening and focus skills, and learning to work within a group. At the end of the week, campers will celebrate what they’ve learned in an informal sharing for friends and family.

$185 in February ($205 after March 1)

PERFORMING ARTS CAMP
Rising 1st-2nd Grades

JULY 15-19, 2024 • 9 a.m.-1 p.m.  

In this week-long, half-day summer arts camp, students will have fun exploring the fundamentals of acting, music, and movement. Through engaging activities rooted in creative play, kids will make friends, explore the performing arts, discover new tools for expression, and share what they’ve learned in a short performance presented at the end of the week for friends and family.

$185 in February ($205 after March 1)


CREATIVE ARTS CAMP
Rising 3rd-5th Grades

JULY 8-12, 2024 • 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Kids will have fun exercising their imaginations in this week-long camp exploring the creative arts! With daily activities in acting, dance, music, design, technical theatre, and more, this high-energy, low-pressure camp builds life skills, confidence, and friendships through the arts. Kids will leave feeling empowered to take creative risks on stage and off.

$290 in February ($310 after March 1)


PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS
Rising 3rd-5th Grades

JULY 22-26, 2024 • 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  

Kids can connect with other creative thinkers as they write, develop, and perform in their own original show! With an emphasis on self-expression, collaboration, and the creative process, kids will have fun exploring daily activities in acting, movement, creative writing, and improvisation in a low-pressure, supportive environment. At the end of the week, young artists will share their newfound skills in an informal performance for family and friends. No prior performing arts experience is necessary, only an open mind.

$290 in February ($310 after March 1)

North Carolina Winery Tour Adventures
May 19 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm
North Carolina Wineries

Join us for a North Carolina winery tour and celebrate a date night, bachelorette party, retirement, family, or a weekend away while sampling our favorite local beverages along the way. Our standard tour includes visits to three Asheville area vineyards. With safe and reliable transportation provided, you can sit back, relax and just have fun.

Included:

  • Round trip transportation*
  • Three vineyard visits
  • Tastings at two of your three stops. Let’s just say that the pours at the first couple of locations are generous so we like to leave the third-stop beverage choice up to you.
  • Time commitment = up to 5 hours

Want to include specific vineyards on your Asheville wine tours? If you have “must-see” wineries in mind or want to craft a full day catered to your group’s interests, we’re always happy to create a custom experience. Reach out any time!

Flat Rock Backpack Program: Empty Bowls Benefit
May 19 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness

 

Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the seventh
year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area.
Advance tickets are recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-
6:00pm. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl donated by area potters, a soup-based
meal, with soups and breads donated by local restaurants and bakers, plus homemade cookies
baked by church members. For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available
option.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. Tickets
are available for purchase online at www.stjohnflatrock.org/empty-bowls.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year. The Flat Rock Backpack Program has 501c-3 status. 100% of the money collected goes
to feeding at least 150 children in eight schools every weekend.
“The Backpack Team is so very appreciative of the support from the potters, the food
providers, and the community, who make this such a successful event,” said Debby Staton,
Flat Rock Backpack Program Coordinator.
The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church at 1905 Greenville Highway. For
more information write to [email protected] or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch
May 19 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch kicks off every Sunday at 12 noon — with lively bluegrass tunes courtesy of The Jack of the Wood Bluegrass Brunch Boys from 1-3pm. Sip a Bloody Mary or Mimosa or a warm Irish coffee. Tasty brunch specials alongside our regular menu and 18 taps of rotating craft brews! Sláinte, y’all!

Jersey Boys The Story of Frankie Valli + The Four Seasons
May 19 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

“The Four Seasons story still hits all the high notes!” Experience the Unforgettable Music and Untold Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Jersey Boys. This Tony Award-winning musical, filled with chart-topping hits, captivating storytelling, and electrifying performances, will have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring iconic songs like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” this musical is a celebration of the timeless music that defined a generation. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic, the music, the story of Jersey Boys.

Stewart/Owen Dance
May 19 @ 2:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Stunning audiences last season with imaginative and impassioned performances, Wortham’s resident dance company returns to share their latest creation, which draws on themes of passion, intimacy and playfulness. With an exciting collection of contemporary choreography that’s as “sensual” (Washington Post) as it is “humorous, elegant and wild” (Seattle Dances), this award-winning company, founded by a husband-and-wife duo, crafts intricate movements that offer a glimpse into the depths of the human spirit.

Amit Peled
May 19 @ 3:00 pm
Brevard College Porter Center

This all-Dvořák Program begins with the thrilling Carnival Overture and includes four of the brilliant Slavonic Dances. Amit Peled joins Maestro Fellenbaum in presenting one of the greatest concerti of all time, the Cello Concerto.

 

Hendersonville Chorale Free Spring Concert
May 19 @ 3:00 pm
First United Methodist Church

All are welcome to attend the free concert at the First United Methodist Church
located at 204 Sixth Avenue West in Hendersonville. Showcasing a diversity of music from classics to showtunes, Hendersonville
Chorale has been entertaining the greater Hendersonville community since 1975.

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION
May 19 @ 3:30 pm
Jack of the Wood

Jack’s long-running Traditional Irish Music Session is the perfect way to enjoy the Celtic-influenced sounds of talented pluckers from all over WNC & further afield! Stop in to enjoy a pint or afternoon Irish coffee with the music! Sláinte!

A Chamber Music Trio
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness

Friends of Music at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness, Flat Rock, will present a concert featuring a trio of noted local musicians:  Kate Steinbeck, flute; Katherine Haig, cello; and Dewitt Tipton, piano.

Kate Steinbeck is recognized across the U.S. and in Europe as a unique interpreter of a wide-ranging repertoire, an innovative producer and collaborator, as well as an enthusiastic
teacher/ coach. In 2011 she co-founded Pan Harmonia. Visit https://panharmonia.org

Katherine Haig, a cellist, singer and arranger living in Asheville, is passionate about both early and contemporary music.  Having studied at Baldwin Wallace University, she is
currently training in the Suzuki method and is dedicated to teaching young students to be joyful and thoughtful musicians.

Dewitt Tipton, retired Furman University music professor, serves as Organist and Director of Music at St. John in the Wilderness.  He founded and coordinates the annual Friends of
Music series.

The concert will feature musical selections by artists J.S. Bach, John Rutter, Ernst Bacon and
Carl Maria von Weber. It is free and open to the public with no reservations required.
Handicapped accessibility and parking are available.  Donations for Friends of Music are
gladly accepted.  For more information call 828-693-9783 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.

Flat Rock Backpack Program: Empty Bowls Benefit
May 19 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness

7th Annual Empty Bowls
Supporting the Flat Rock Backpack Program

Sunday, May 19, 2024
Two Seating Windows: 12:00-2:00pm | 4:00-6:00pm

Local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the 7th year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area. On Sunday, May 19, Empty Bowls, a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program, will take place inside the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.

Advanced tickets are strongly recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm. Attendees of the event may come any time

NEW EMPTY BOWLS PHOTO_reduced size.png

during their seating window. Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal (a variety of soups, breads, and homemade cookies). For those wishing to eat at home, take-away is an available option.

Tickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12. Limited tickets may be available at the door on the day of the event.

The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church building, at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information, write to [email protected].

Intimate bar: Wine + Roses Opens
May 19 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Zelda Dearest Hotel

Asheville’s Zelda Dearest. Intimate wine bar Wine & Roses officially opened its doors in the boutique hotel today.

The parlour bar features a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and a design and vibe inspired by the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald. A small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.

Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. 

With a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and air of sophistication, Wine & Roses offers a peek into the
captivating personality of the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald.
Designed by Hatteras Sky and with interiors by Nashville-based firm, Anderson Design Studio,
Wine & Roses is tucked within a thoughtfully restored turn-of-the-century mansion in Asheville’s
South Slope neighborhood. Wine & Roses is inspired by the clandestine meetings that first
ignited their whirlwind courtship, leaving Zelda wistfully nostalgic and furiously imaginative in her
writing and artistry. The space exudes warmth with golden hues, dim lighting, and lush velvet
accents. Always topped with fresh roses, the eight-seat bar at Wine & Roses sits under
glimmering chandeliers and overlooks a portrait of Zelda herself. Additional seating for up to 21
guests is spread throughout the bar area. A dreamy outdoor patio boasts two roaring fire pits
and 24 additional seats for those who choose to indulge al fresco.
Wine & Roses serves craft cocktails like The Sayre (Monkey 47, lemon, orange blossom, egg
white, and orange bitters), The Fitz (Four Roses, demerara simple syrup, angostura bitters,
orange, and luxardo cherry), and the Gilded Girl (Casamigos Reposado, orange curacao,
apricot juice, and lime juice), and a curated selection of local beers and wines by the glass. A
small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.
Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public
Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. For additional information about Wine & Roses,
to book a private event, or to reserve a seat at the bar, call Zelda Dearest at 828.514.2489, visit
zeldadearest.com, or follow @zeldadearest on Instagram.

Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series Jazz + Poetry Quentin Baxter – Marcus Amaker
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center – Veh Stage

A taste of the Low Country comes to the foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented musicians and creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. Baxter will be joined by the multi-talented poet and musician Marcus Amaker. Baxter is Co-Principal of Charleston Jazz Initiative and drummer for the band Ranky Tanky. Amaker is the first Poet Laureate of Charleston. In addition to poetry, Amaker is an opera librettist. His debut opera, The Weight of Light, will premiere in 2024 for the Chicago Opera Theater. In 2019, Amaker won a Governor’s Arts Award in South Carolina, and was named the artist-in-residence of the Gaillard Center, Charleston’s world-renowned performance and education venue. The collaboration of these two incredibly creative individuals will delight foothills jazz aficionados to close out the series.

Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series: Quentin Baxter – Marcus Amaker
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center – Veh Stage

A taste of the Low Country comes to the Foothills when the Mountains to the Sea Jazz Series serves up some of Charleston’s finest and most talented creatives. GRAMMY award winner Quentin Baxter is a percussionist, composer, educator and prominent figure in the jazz community of his native Charleston, SC. He’ll be joined by the multi-talented poet, musician and first Poet Laureate of Charleston Marcus Amaker.

My Big Fat Italian Wedding Murder
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre
Murder Mystery for Hire, in Association with Hendersonville Theatre, presents
by POPULAR DEMAND!!!

WINNER of the 2022 CHICAGO POST READERS CHOICE AWARD!!!

Get ready to meet their wacky relatives, complete with a four-course, Gourmet Italian dinner and…

as the doors to the banquet hall open …
MURDER is on the MENU!

Can you figure out who dunnit?

YOU BE THE DETECTIVE!!! YOU SOLVE THE CRIME!

Great Food, Singing, and Prizes and FUN!!!

Award-winning Broadway Actor and Director Jimmy Ferraro produces one of the longest-running Musical Comedy Murder Mystery dinner shows in the country. You won’t want to miss this interactive, immersive musical dinner theatre experience!

You’ll die laughing!

Rissi Palmer Duo | Sundays by the River Series
May 19 @ 4:00 pm
Olivette Riverside Pavilion

Grammy-nominated country musician Rissi Palmer plays a soulful concert on the French Broad River in Asheville’s Olivette neighborhood!

Rissi’s gift lies in reaching across all musical boundaries – fusing Country and R&B music in a style she calls “Southern Soul. A few highlights throughout her musical career include performances at The White House, New York’s Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. She has shared stages with Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Chris Young, Charley Crockett and many more. Rissi has also made numerous national appearances on Oprah & Friends, CMT Insider, CNN, CBS This Morning, GMA, Entertainment Tonight, and FOX Soul’s “The Book of Sean and has been featured in Associated Press, Ebony, Essence, Huffington Post, New York Times, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” PEOPLE, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, to name a few.

FREE Trivia – It’s TRIVIAL with DIVINE
May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Shakey's

FREE fun, FREE parking! End your weekend with a bang and still be in bed on time for Monday morning to hit! FREE parking! Ages 21+ Step into a world of fabulous fun and fierce competition with our Trivia and Games featuring the one and only drag queen sensation, Divine! Join us for unforgettable laughter, entertainment, and brain-teasing challenges as Divine herself hosts a spectacular blend of trivia questions and interactive games. With her charismatic charm and larger-than-life personality, Divine will guide you through a trivial experience that will leave you clutching your sides with laughter and vying for the coveted title of trivia champion. It’s time to unleash your inner diva and let the games begin!

TROMBONE SHORTY + ORLEANS AVENUE
May 19 @ 6:30 pm
Salvage Station

It was after midnight when Trombone Shorty stepped offstage at the House of Blues in New Orleans, but he wasn’t done playing yet. Not by a long shot.

“I had an idea for a new song right after the show,” says Shorty, “so the band and I decided to go straight into the studio and record it that night. We were still sweaty and buzzing from the energy of the gig, and we definitely carried that vibe into the session with us.”

Take a listen to Lifted, Trombone Shorty’s second release for Blue Note Records, and you’ll hear that same ecstatic energy coursing through the entire collection. Recorded at Shorty’s own Buckjump Studio with producer Chris Seefried (Fitz and the Tantrums, Andra Day), the album finds the GRAMMY-nominated NOLA icon and his bandmates tapping into the raw power and exhilarating grooves of their legendary live show, channeling it all into a series of tight, explosive performances that blur the lines between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock. The writing is bold and self-assured, standing up to hard times and loss with grit and determination, and the playing is muscular to match, mixing pop gleam with hip-hop swagger and second line abandon. Wild as all that may sound, Lifted is still the work of a master craftsman, and the album’s nimble arrangements and judicious use of special guests—from Gary Clark Jr. and Lauren Daigle to the rhythm section from Shorty’s high school marching band—ultimately yields a collection that’s as refined as it is rapturous, one that balances technical virtuosity and emotional release in equal measure as it celebrates music’s primal power to bring us all together.

“I think this is the closest we’ve ever gotten to bottling up the live show and putting it on a record,” says Shorty, whose audiences have grown exponentially in recent years. “Normally when I’m in the studio, I’m trying to make the cleanest thing I can, but this time around, I told everybody to really cut loose, to perform like they were onstage at a festival.”

If anybody knows their way around a festival, it’s Trombone Shorty. Born Troy Andrews, he got his start (and nickname) earlier than most: at four, he made his first appearance at Jazz Fest performing with Bo Diddley; at six, he was leading his own brass band; and by his teenage years, he was hired by Lenny Kravitz to join the band he assembled for his Electric Church World Tour. Shorty’s proven he’s more than just a horn player, though. Catch a gig, open the pages of the New York Times or Vanity Fair, flip on any late-night TV show and you’ll see an undeniable star with utterly magnetic charisma, a natural born showman who can command an audience with the best of them. Since 2010, he’s released four chart topping studio albums; toured with everyone from Jeff Beck to the Red Hot Chili Peppers; collaborated across genres with Pharrell, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson, Foo Fighters, ZHU, Zac Brown, Normani, Ringo Starr, and countless more; played Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk, Newport Jazz, and nearly every other major festival; performed four times at the GRAMMY Awards, five times at the White House, on dozens of TV shows, and at the star-studded Sesame Street Gala, where he was honored with his own Muppet; launched the Trombone Shorty Foundation to support youth music education; and received the prestigious Caldecott Honor for his first children’s book. Meanwhile in New Orleans, Shorty now leads his own Mardi Gras parade atop a giant float crafted in his likeness, hosts the annual Voodoo Threauxdown shows that have drawn guests including Usher, Nick Jonas, Dierks Bentley, Andra Day, and Leon Bridges to sit in with his band, and has taken over the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s hallowed final set, which has seen him closing out the internationally renowned gathering after performances by the likes of Neil Young, the Black Keys, and Kings of Leon.

“I owe all that to my mother,” says Shorty. “She passed recently, but she continued to inspire me right up until she transitioned, and that’s why I put a picture of her holding me up at a second line on the cover of this album. She lifted me up my whole life.”

As if his New Orleans roots weren’t already deep enough, Shorty decided to take over a recording studio in the Lower Garden District after the release of his latest album, 2017’s Seefried-produced Parking Lot Symphony. Dubbing the space Buckjump in a nod to the second lines he grew up playing in, Shortly immediately set about converting the studio into a freewheeling sonic laboratory, one where he and his friends could push themselves creatively without any artistic or commercial restraints.

“Having my own studio meant that the band and I could capture stuff in the moment any time we were feeling inspired,” says Shorty. “It meant that we could take chances and experiment. I could call the guys up with an idea in the middle of the night and they’d say, ‘We’ll meet you there in an hour!’”

That sense of excitement and liberation is palpable on Lifted, which opens with the addictive “Come Back.” Fueled by a bottom-heavy rhythm section, buoyant keys, and bright flashes of brass, the track pairs a hip-hop groove with hard rock energy as Shorty delivers silky smooth vocals that float effortlessly above the instrumental fray. As its title might suggest, the song is a reckoning with loss and regret, but like much of the album, it refuses to surrender to disappointment, keeping its chin held high as it presses forward and fights for what it wants. The effervescent “What It Takes” gets profoundly funky as it celebrates the strength and growth that can emerge from times of struggle, while the bittersweet “Forgiveness” leans into the band’s R&B side as it works to move on from pain and betrayal, and the blistering “I’m Standing Here” (which features a mind-bending guitar solo from Gary Clark Jr.) rushes headlong into the maelstrom.

“I grew up watching wrestling as a kid,” Shorty says with a laugh, “and I if I was a wrestler, ‘I’m Standing Here’ would be the song they played when I came into the ring. It’s all about standing tall no matter what life throws at you.”

Shorty makes sure to celebrate the good times on the album, too, reveling in the joy of love and friendship and family throughout. The spirited “Might Not Make It Home” commits to letting go and living in the moment; the playful “Miss Beautiful” embraces the thrill of desire while offering a twist on the second line tradition, with an electric bass stepping in for the tuba; and the feel-good “Everybody In The World” (which features the New Breed Brass Band) finds common ground in our universal desire for love and acceptance. But it’s perhaps the electrifying title track, which lands somewhere between Earth, Wind & Fire and Shorty’s old tourmate Lenny Kravitz that best encapsulates the spirit of the album, wrapping earnest emotion in a high-octane package that offers you no choice but to move your body.

“The whole time we were making Lifted, I couldn’t help but think about how much fun it would be to get onstage and play it for an audience,” Shorty recalls. “Usually when I make an album, I record the songs first and figure out how we’re going to present them live afterwards, but with this record I was in the studio imagining the lights flashing on the hits and the audience singing everything back to us. I could see the whole thing in my head.”

For Trombone Shorty, the show never ends. Not by a long shot.

Kim Waters’ Smooth Jazz Supper Club Fundraiser Evening
May 19 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
VIP Doors & Dinner: 6pm

Kim Waters, the chart-topping saxophonist known for his soulful, smooth jazz melodies and three decades of mesmerizing audiences worldwide, is bringing a one-of-a-kind Smooth Jazz Supper Club to The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. Accompanied by the exceptionally talented pianist, composer, and his daughter, Kayla Waters, this event promises an evening filled with the finest urban smooth jazz and contemporary rhythms that have solidified the Waters family as royalty in the jazz world.

Kim, acclaimed for his seamless blend of sensitivity and brawn across jazz, pop, and R&B, and Kayla, a chart-topping artist in her own right, are set to deliver performances that transcend mere musical shows, offering a profound celebration of life, love, and melody. Known for his hits from albums like “Shakedown” and her groundbreaking presence on the charts with albums like “Presence,” their combined artistry guarantees an evening not just of music, but of storytelling through song.

This event is for true jazz lovers, the ones who appreciate the craft and the soul poured into every note. The night will feature a buffet of southern cuisine for VIP ticket holders, as well as table and theatre-style seating with limited standing-room options. Proceeds from the night will support a new program aimed at promoting and preserving jazz culture in Asheville and providing music education to the musicians of tomorrow.

**The southern cuisine buffet, with catering by Twisted Laurel, is reserved for VIP ticket holders only. Drinks are not included in the ticket price. Must be 18 years or older to attend. Doors open at 6pm for VIP ticket holders. Show starts at 8.

Monday, May 20, 2024
Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
May 20 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

Intimate bar: Wine + Roses Opens
May 20 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Zelda Dearest Hotel

Asheville’s Zelda Dearest. Intimate wine bar Wine & Roses officially opened its doors in the boutique hotel today.

The parlour bar features a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and a design and vibe inspired by the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald. A small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.

Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. 

With a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and air of sophistication, Wine & Roses offers a peek into the
captivating personality of the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald.
Designed by Hatteras Sky and with interiors by Nashville-based firm, Anderson Design Studio,
Wine & Roses is tucked within a thoughtfully restored turn-of-the-century mansion in Asheville’s
South Slope neighborhood. Wine & Roses is inspired by the clandestine meetings that first
ignited their whirlwind courtship, leaving Zelda wistfully nostalgic and furiously imaginative in her
writing and artistry. The space exudes warmth with golden hues, dim lighting, and lush velvet
accents. Always topped with fresh roses, the eight-seat bar at Wine & Roses sits under
glimmering chandeliers and overlooks a portrait of Zelda herself. Additional seating for up to 21
guests is spread throughout the bar area. A dreamy outdoor patio boasts two roaring fire pits
and 24 additional seats for those who choose to indulge al fresco.
Wine & Roses serves craft cocktails like The Sayre (Monkey 47, lemon, orange blossom, egg
white, and orange bitters), The Fitz (Four Roses, demerara simple syrup, angostura bitters,
orange, and luxardo cherry), and the Gilded Girl (Casamigos Reposado, orange curacao,
apricot juice, and lime juice), and a curated selection of local beers and wines by the glass. A
small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.
Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public
Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. For additional information about Wine & Roses,
to book a private event, or to reserve a seat at the bar, call Zelda Dearest at 828.514.2489, visit
zeldadearest.com, or follow @zeldadearest on Instagram.

Music Movie Mondays: STAND BY FOR FAILURE: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT NEGATIVLAND
May 20 @ 7:00 pm
Grail Moviehouse

Legendary sound collage group Negativland (with visuals by SUE-C) come to Asheville for the first time ever with a Special Multi-Venue/Multi-Day Double-Feature: a documentary about the group, and a live multi-media performance!

On Monday May 20 at 7pm the Grail Moviehouse will be screening the new feature film “Stand By For Failure: A Documentary About Negativland” (from director Ryan Worsley) with members of Negativland in person for the Q and A.

“If you want to be inspired by individuals who dare to bust down the doors of art’s gatekeepers, then STAND BY FOR FAILURE is the way to go.”

Monday, May 20 at 7:00
Film Screening plus Discussion
Get Tickets at the Theater or
ONLINE HERE
All tickets are $15 and include General Admission Ticket plus Introduction and Moderated Discussion with Bill Kopp and members of Negativland in person following the movie.

Sponsored by Asheville FM
Asheville-based author and music journalist Bill Kopp will be introducing the film and leading a moderated, interactive discussion following the movie.

In addition to the documentary on Monday,
Negativland will be performing
LIVE at Sly Grog Lounge!
Wednesday, May 22
Negativland Live Performance
with Video Design and Production
by SUE-C
For More info on the Sly Grog show and tickets click HERE

About Negativland:
“An urgent show by Negativland and artist SUE-C calls time on a tech dystopia that is as malevolent as it is stupid… to meet the terrifying contemporary moment… as the world slides incrementally into meltdown.”
– The Wire Magazine

“Negativland have made a rewarding career out of being prodigious consumers of media who then digest it and recontextualize it, emphasizing mediated reality’s crazy-making absurdity and the infinite malleability of perception and ‘truth.’”
– Dave Segal, The Stranger

“Negativland are proud subverters of culture, causing trouble while having fun.”
– NPR Tiny Desk Concert

On “Stand By For Failure: A Documentary About Negativland”
[Director: Ryan Worsley]:

“If you want to be inspired by individuals who dare to bust down the doors of art’s gatekeepers, then STAND BY FOR FAILURE is the way to go.”
— FILM THREAT

“Few artists have logged as many hours on the battlefield of fair use, let alone questioned as persistently the associated legal constraints around intellectual property, as Negativland, whose sonic, visual and performance appropriations and parodies have challenged eyeballs, eardrums and moral standards alike since the late 1970s.”
— THE WIRE

“40+ years of Negativland metamedia, recontextualized into popular feature length documentary entertainment format by Ryan Worsley. You’ve seen and heard it all! But you’ve never seen and heard it like this! ”
— BOING BOING

About Bill Kopp:
With over 500 bylines in Western North Carolina publications (Mountain Xpress, Bold Life, WNC Magazine and more), Asheville-based author and music journalist is an acknowledged expert on popular music. Author of two books – Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon and Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave – Bill Kopp writes for publications across the country and abroad. A contributing editor at Goldmine Magazine and contributing writer at GRAMMY.com, he has authored more than 30 album liner note essays and conducted more than 1000 interviews. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance, and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts.

QUIZZO PUB TRIVIA Hosted by Jason Mencer
May 20 @ 7:30 pm
Jack of the Wood


Hosted by the witty & sagacious Jason Mencer, our epic pub trivia night runs every Monday from 7:30-9:30pm! Plus $5.00 well drinks all night!

Come test your brain power with tasty pub fare, an adult beverage or two — and a team of your smartest friends! Win prizes each round and crow a little about what a smarty-pants you are!

Brandon RAinwater Standup
May 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Bier Garden

Brandon Rainwater at The Bier Garden
Come join us for a night of laughter with the hilarious Brandon Rainwater! Get ready for a comedy show that will have you rolling in your seats. This in person event will be held at The Bier Garden, so grab your friends and get ready for a night of fun. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Brandon Rainwater perform live! Featuring Dante’ Quitman, guest Zlata Cass. Hosted by Ryan Cox! Full menu options! Largest beer selections in Asheville.

Standup Comedy with Brandon Rainwater
May 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Bier Garden

Come join us for a night of laughter with the h1ilarious Brandon Rainwater! Get ready for a comedy show that will have you rolling in your seats. This in person event will be held at The Bier Garden, so grab your friends and get ready for a night of fun. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Brandon Rainwater perform live! Featuring Dante’ Quitman, guest Zlata Cass. Hosted by Ryan Cox! Full menu options! Largest beer selections in Asheville.

Stand up comic turned content creator.

Brandon Rainwater has amassed a dedicated following of 1 million fans across all social media platforms. Brandon has been featured on platforms such as Time.com and yahoo.com, where his comedic prowess has been praised. Even People Magazine has recognized his rising star power, further solidifying his position as a comedian to watch.

Brandon has been captivating audiences with his unique brand of humor and insightful observations for years. Born and raised in the South, his comedy is infused with a sweet Southern flavor that adds an extra layer of charm to his performances.

Host Ryan Cox is a touring stand-up comedian based in Asheville, NC. Ryan’s relaxed delivery weaves twisted storytelling with crafted one-liners and unique observations on our ever-changing world. Ryan has performed up and down the East Coast, from Comedy Key West to Bomb Shelter Comedy in NYC. He’s opened for Reggie Watts, Sean Patton and Jessimae Peluso. Ryan hosts Home Planet with Ryan Cox, a weekly podcast that explores the creative process through conversations with comedians, musicians and artists from all walks of life.

URL:
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2383281-2?pid=10412

Date and Time: On Mon, 20 May 2024 20:00 – 22:00

Venue details: The Bier Garden, 46 Haywood Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801, United States

Category: Arts | Performing Arts | Comedy

Price: General Admission: USD 15.00