Calendar of Events
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.
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.
The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park
Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.
The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Tuesdays: Hoop Jam
Join the fun with hula hoops and a live DJ. Whether you’re a seasoned hooper or a beginner, this vibrant event invites everyone to dance, spin, and groove to the music in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.
Get ready for a transformational experience – one that’s sure to supercharge your wellbeing by:
• providing clarity and connectedness with the world around us
• releasing stress/emotional/trauma responses
• creating higher states of bliss
• boosting the immune system
Join Michele Schalin, a Mental Fitness Coach and Author of “Mindful Metamorphosis: A Compassionate Guide to Inner Transformation, for Breathwork and Sound Bath Experience.
Experience the power of somatic healing with sound vibrational frequencies paired with a technique called holotropic breathwork originally created for trauma healing in 1974. Both holotropic breathwork and the sound frequencies of crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes calm the nervous system and clear and revitalize your body’s energetic system.
These techniques release stagnant energy in your body that can contribute to stress, anxiety, depression, physical pain, and illness. Because you are in a deep meditative state during this workshop and in your theta brain frequency, you can also use it for manifestation – healing the body physically and get insights on questions you have in your life. The workshop will also give you a massive boost to the immune system while the body rests in the parasympathetic system for the majority of the workshop.
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.
Grab some dinner and a pint while enjoying our long-running Old-Time jam! Featuring many talented musicians from the local WNC area, our traditional Appalachian mountain music jam runs from 5-9pm every Wednesday night at Jack of the Wood!
Sing songs that celebrate Peace & Community, with Resident Teaching Artist Melissa McKinney. Sing, play, drum, and dance while learning songs from the Justice Choir Songbook.
Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
$15 drop-in class
All ages welcome.
Karaoke Night at Hickory Tavern
BLUEGRASS JAM
Hosted by Drew Matulich
Don’t miss your chance to check out some of the best pickers from all over WNC at our amazing Bluegrass Jam curated by the talented Drew Matulich — every Thursday starting at 7:00 pm! A real show-stopping performance only at Jack of the Wood! Open jam starts at 9:30 pm.
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.
Plan to collaborate with other musicians at Sideways Farm & Brewery in Etowah. Bring your instruments and voices and enjoy making music and networking with other artists, while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Food truck is on site and beverages available for purchase from Sideways (small
batch craft beers, hard jun, ciders, wine, and non alcoholic drinks). Family, fans, friends, and leashed dogs are all welcome!
During winter months enjoy playing under the covered, sheltered, heated porch! And during the summer months enjoy
collaborating in the fields, on the stage, or under the patio
The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Drum Circle
The Asheville Downtown Association is proud to facilitate the return of Asheville’s iconic Drum Circle. Feel the rhythm and join the beat as the community comes together for an evening of drumming, dancing, and camaraderie.
BRIAR BRANCH is a homegrown, hometown string band. Long time Black
Mountain residents, Julia Weatherford and Pearl Shirley, mother and daughter, have
been singing and playing together since the 1980s. Expect to hear mountain
music with sweet vocal harmonies, toe-tapping banjo songs, and hard driving Old
Time fiddle tunes. Be delighted with magical hand crafted “Crankies”, moving
panoramas illustrating song verses. Feel the pull of sweet sad ballads with rich
cello accompaniment.
JULIA WEATHERFORD – VOCALS, CELLO, FIDDLE, GUITAR
Julia Weatherford has been a full-time artist/musician for as long as anyone can
remember. She is veteran performer on both cello and fiddle with notable
performing groups that range from The Asheville Symphony to the world fusion
Akira Satake Band. She was the artistic director of the legendary Black Mountain
Festival in its early years, and more recently the Coordinator of Fiddle Week at
The Swannanoa Gathering. Currently she performs regionally with StrathSpan and
Ceilidh Doon, and is the cellist of choice for the Canote Brothers, and is the
mother of Pearl.
PEARL ANGELINE SHIRLEY – VOCALS, FIDDLE, BANJO.
Pearl Shirley grew up in Black Mountain, NC, soaking up traditional Appalachian
music and dance almost without noticing. She picked up a tiny violin at age 5, and
since then has fiddled her way through hundreds of foot-stomping contra dances
and folk concerts. Pearl has toured with the popular contra dance band Mock
Turtle Soup, and she currently performs with the acclaimed old-time band, Blue
Eyed Girl. Pearl is the daughter of Julia.
Tickets are $20. Doors open at 6:30pm and seating is first come first served. Online ticket sales end an hour before the performance time, but there may still be tickets available for purchase at the door. Call BMCA for availability at 828.669.0930.
Swain County Agricultural Fair’s 2nd Annual “Battle of the Bands,” is a four-hour music contest set to take place on Saturday, August 24th beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Battle of the Bands will feature six bands who are finalists competing for prize money.
Does your band have what it takes? We are currently accepting entries for the top 6 finalists to compete. Entry deadline is July 31, 2024. Music genres include: Bluegrass, Gospel, Country, Americana, and Southern Rock.
Top 3 bands will be awarded prize money: First Place – $1,500; Second Place – $1,000; and Third Place – $500
❗In the event weather causes class cancellation, payments can be refunded or put towards future class! Cancelations will be announced via social media & email list within one hour of class.
💖Join together alongside the French Broad river; all-level friendly yoga classes based on Hatha & Vinyasa traditions. Classes led by certified yoga instructor Ceiara Cartony & Tess Ernest-Jones, with additional guest teachers!
❗ We have limited capacity, please sign-up in advance: ceceyogini.com/yoga-in-the-park-asheville
–Be sure to include your phone number so I can contact you if class should be canceled (due to weather or emergency)
🕉This 75 minute class will start with a brief meditation/intention setting and move into a slow to moderate-paced flow. Each class is unique, intertwining movement with breath with a different focus of strength and release. We will open our hearts, create heat in the body, stimulate the brain & rejuvenate our well-being. Postures are always guided to offer modifications and variations to accommodate the very beginner to a long-time practitioner. We will close with savasana/brief meditation.
👏 Props are provided by Ceiara (other instructors may not provide props!) to the first 15 students to arrive(2 blocks & a strap) Please bring your owns props if you already have them, a folded blanket(also to use as a prop) & a mat. If you do not have a mat, notify me at least 24 hrs ahead and I will provide one for you(free of charge!)
➡️ A large sheet/blanket for under your mat is highly recommended to help with dirt/wandering critters.
❗❗ Arrive early to allow time to settle and ensure you don’t miss centering(so important in this practice!).
💓PLEASE leave your fur babies at home, I strive to create a serene class environment with the least amount of distractions. Classes are recommended for children 8+ but younger are welcome to join if they’re able to remain on their mat space(I’ve had children bring head phones or other quiet activities if they lose interest in the class).
💠FIND US!: We will gather at the EAST end of Carrier Park in the grass alongside the French Broad river(turn left after coming into main entrance — the large stone CARRIER PARK sign — far east lot, & park far left).
Look for the “Yoga in the Park Asheville” sign! —>Go beyond the picnic shelter following the dirt path—we will be through the trees on the left!
See video below (it ends at our original location, keep following dirt path):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3DMqJHtB6wNsUZTZ9 — this video ends at our original location — continue to follow down the path until you see us gathered in a larger shaded space!
Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.
Join Michele Schalin, a Mental Fitness Coach and Author of “Mindful Metamorphosis: A Compassionate Guide to Inner Transformation, for Mastering Manifestation Through Meditation & Mindfulness.
Unleash your full potential at this empowering workshop on manifesting with meditation and mindfulness. You’ll learn how to elevate your life by raising your vibrational frequency through meditation and visualization. By reprogramming your mind with mindfulness exercises, you’ll experience the incredible power of your thoughts and intentions to reframe negative patterns and to shape the life you’ve always envisioned. Through expert guidance in meditation, mindful exercises, and visualization methods, Michele will guide you in syncing your inner self with your external aspirations. Break free from mental barriers, nurture positive vibes, and establish precise, achievable goals. You’ll leave with practical tools and strategies to integrate meditation and mindfulness into your daily lives, empowering you to manifest your dreams with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Whether you seek spiritual growth or wish to turn your dreams into reality, this workshop is for you. Join us on a journey of clarity and purpose today!
For its first big community event, Phoenix Fire Coffee is hosting Phoenix Festival – a fundraising event and small business expo showcasing local artists, food trucks, and live music. The event will be at The Outpost near Carrier Park on August 2liv4th. Food and vendors open from 4pm to 9pm. Music goes until 11pm. We hope to use this event to raise money for our grand opening while simultaneously uplifting small businesses and fostering a sense of community.
Admission is free, but a donation of $5 or more would be greatly appreciated.
Kelly McFarling Band + Scott Hirsch (Hiss Golden Messenger) at Rare Bird Farm
Saturday, August 24th
6PM
This concert follows a 2pm concert with Jane Kramer and Hearts Gone South.
* CAMPING AVAILABLE
91 DUCKETT TOP TOWER RD
HOT SPRINGS, NC, 28743
Locals and visitors alike come together at downtown’s Pack Square Park “along about sundown,” or at 7:00 pm for those who wear a watch, and continues until 10:00 pm. Concessions are available!
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2024 Dates
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Shindig on the Green
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 10, 17, 24
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The stage show takes place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting.
Shindig on the Green remains a free event due in part to net proceeds from ticket sales to the nation’s longest continually running festival, the granddaddy of all festivals, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.
Since day one here at Harvest Records in West Asheville, we’ve strived to create a uniquely warm & welcoming space dedicated to the discovery of music. We’re excited to announce that this summer marks 20 years of doing just that! And we think that fact is worth celebrating.
This year Transfigurations is departing from our traditional music festival format and presenting a weekend celebration of free events in Asheville, NC over three days on August 22-24, 2024. We’re making all of these events free as a way to say thanks to our community for supporting us over the past 20 years.
If you or your business would like to support us in this effort, please reach out to [email protected] about becoming a sponsor!
Doors at 7pm, Show at 8pm
Closing out the Transfigurations IV weekend celebration will be Asheville-based electro-pop multi-instrumentalist Helado Negro, improvisational jazz composer/producer Carlos Niño & Friends (featuring Surya Botofasina and Aaron Shaw), and NY-based experimental-pop artist Zenizen. Three eclectic sets at the Orange Peel on Saturday, August 24th.
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.
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!
Join us for our first-ever artisan and makers festival right in the heart of the South Slope. Artists will be set up from 2-7 pm with live music!
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!
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.
The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park
Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.
The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Tuesdays: Hoop Jam
Join the fun with hula hoops and a live DJ. Whether you’re a seasoned hooper or a beginner, this vibrant event invites everyone to dance, spin, and groove to the music in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.