Calendar of Events

Join us on March 7th at the Memorial or via zoom for a special talk on F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
“Rich, glamorous and talented, F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald were superstars of the Jazz Age. Although their writing left an indelible mark on American literature, their lives were wild, short and haunted by demons that eventually overcame them. In this talk we will explore the richness and tragedy of their lives and literary creations.”
Speaker Tom Hearron is President of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Advisory Committee, and currently offers courses at OLLI/UNC Asheville.
This is a hybrid event, offered in person at the Memorial and via zoom. To register for zoom, email [email protected] and a link will be sent ahead of time.

8 silk brocades qi gong workshop is open to all levels. Each movement in this set of 8 represents our ancestry, epigenetics, and destiny. Learn all 8 exercises or drop in for just a few. Stance training, posture and meditative movements for your health. It’s a super sophisticated qi gong form but simple to learn. I would love to invite anyone who’s new to internal martial arts or is simply searching for more comfortable safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ plus. The class will be offered in person at Shaolin kung fu in West Asheville starting on Feb 16 on Sundays at 10am for six weeks. Suggested donation for each class but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

🍀 Get Lucky With Us This St. Paddy’s Day! 🍀
Bring your crew, wear your green and get ready for a day full of green drinks, shamrocks, and epic bar-hopping fun— let’s make this St. Patrick’s Day unforgettable! 🍻

https://www.facebook.com/events/1810760669750657

Get ready to experience the ultimate St. Paddy’s Day celebration! On March 15, join us for an unforgettable bar crawl filled with green drinks, shamrocks, and non-stop fun! We’ll be hopping between the best bars in Asheville, enjoying exclusive drink specials, festive giveaways, and all the lively energy of St. Patrick’s Day.

Gather your crew, don your green, and get ready for a day packed with good times and great company. Whether you’re sipping on Irish whiskey, clinking glasses of green beer, or dancing to festive tunes, this crawl is the perfect way to make the most of St. Paddy’s Day.

From the first pint to the last toast, it’s going to be a day of good cheer, new friends, and unforgettable memories. Don’t miss out

8 silk brocades qi gong workshop is open to all levels. Each movement in this set of 8 represents our ancestry, epigenetics, and destiny. Learn all 8 exercises or drop in for just a few. Stance training, posture and meditative movements for your health. It’s a super sophisticated qi gong form but simple to learn. I would love to invite anyone who’s new to internal martial arts or is simply searching for more comfortable safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ plus. The class will be offered in person at Shaolin kung fu in West Asheville starting on Feb 16 on Sundays at 10am for six weeks. Suggested donation for each class but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring! It’s time for cider and cheese so Barn Door is partnering with the WNC Cheese Trail for our first pairing of the year. Join us for a relaxing afternoon at the cidery where we’ll sip cider and nibble on local cheese from cheesemaker members of the WNC Cheese Trail. Katie and Dan, Barn Door Ciderworks co-owners, experienced with both cider and cheese making, will walk their guests through four cider and cheese pairings. Your hosts will explain tasting techniques, how the cider and cheese are made, and why they pair well. Cider and cheese will be available for purchase. Guests must be over 21 to participate. The tasting will begin promptly at 3 pm.
Please note: Ticket price includes taxes and fees.

Acclaimed author and retreat leader Renée Trudeau leads an embodied spiritual experience exploring ways to connect with the Divine in everyday life — including through song, gentle movement, meditation and more. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the Thursday, March 20 event begins with a nature immersion gathering (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. Trudeau’s “Soul Tending” presentation will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a journal, pen and an early childhood photo of themselves. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

8 silk brocades qi gong workshop is open to all levels. Each movement in this set of 8 represents our ancestry, epigenetics, and destiny. Learn all 8 exercises or drop in for just a few. Stance training, posture and meditative movements for your health. It’s a super sophisticated qi gong form but simple to learn. I would love to invite anyone who’s new to internal martial arts or is simply searching for more comfortable safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ plus. The class will be offered in person at Shaolin kung fu in West Asheville starting on Feb 16 on Sundays at 10am for six weeks. Suggested donation for each class but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Thursday March 27, 7:00p-9:00p, doors at 6:30p

The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge
103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $17 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
These shows sellout!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley from Netflix & Amazon Prime!
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts! You may bring your own food in (no drinks)!
How it Works:
Comics who are on the show will do 3-5m of comedy depending on how many sign up to participate. The show’s top comics will be selected by the paid audience in an anonymous ballet after all comics perform their sets.
Audience will select their favorite top comics of the evening who will be brought back to compete in our next round, date TBA. There are 3 competition rounds and a finale 5 comic Pageant who will vie for the crown, Asheville top-comic title & cash prize.

Join Reiki Master Teacher and Yoga Nidra Facilitator, Kate Wargo of Woven Light in a soothing Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) practice guiding you into the “in-between”; that space between being awake and asleep. Within this space, a dream will be induced taking you into a state of consciousness that can bring about immense healing in your conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.

The cave will transform into a “Nidra Nest” with comfy reclining loungers, blankets, and bolsters to fully support you, whether sitting or lying down, for the entire experience.

During this experience, Kate will also offer Reiki to those who desire it. Reiki feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. This divine energy treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind, and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security, and well-being.
Release stuck emotions, rest, and rejuvenate!

Did you know that April is national Native Plant Month, celebrating the fabulous beauty and diversity of our native flowers? If you’re new to the area or just interested in learning more about your woodland neighbors, try out Marc Williams’ upcoming class at Asheville Botanical Garden, March 29, 1 to 4:30 p.m., to learn more about the plants around us. Nearly 350,000 species of flowering plants are known to global science, and these species have been grouped into over 400 flowering plant families. Learning to recognize plant family patterns helps to demystify the “green wall” of plant species around us. In this class, Marc Williams will focus our attention on the top 30 plant families growing around us, teaching us to recognize plants everywhere we go. After an indoor presentation on the major plant families common to the Southeastern U.S., Marc will reinforce our plant identification skills with a walk in the Garden to observe family patterns in leaf, flower, and fruit types. We’ll also discuss edibility, medicinality, craft, wildlife support, and landscape beauty as you gain a more holistic understanding of the major plants comprising Southern U.S. flora and their potential ecological and ethnobotanical applications. Preregistration is required. Visit https://ashevillebotanicalgardens.square.site/classes to register.

FSI’s TEDxYouth organization has organized an upcoming TEDx conference at the NC Stage on April 1st at 6pm. Seats are first come first served! The overarching theme of the 2025 conference is “What If?
” With the theme “What If,” we invite speakers to reimagine what particular systems, or their lives could look like if they had made a different choice.

Topics for talks will range from personal to global, exploring themes in the past, present, or future. There will be a main focus on decisions and the butterfly effect, and we hope to leave audience members with a sense of possibility.

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, the organization has grown to support its mission through multiple initiatives and independently organized events. The Franklin School of Innovation’s TEDxYouthFSI chapter is the only youth chapter of TEDx in the Asheville area. This event is organized entirely by students.

Find more information at https://www.tedxyouthfsi.com/

The house opens at 5:25 PM
Seats are first come, first served. Tickets available online or $15 at the door.
This is not one to miss, these TEDxYouth events are so good!

Join us as we raise a glass to one incredible year at Soprana Rooftop Cucina! 🍹✨ We’re celebrating our first trip around the sun with a sunset toast, featuring Aperol Spritz and a night full of fun.

What to Expect:
🍹 Food & Drink Specials
🍊 Aperol Spritz Towers – because one Spritz is never enough!
🎶 Live DJ Set until 9 PM with Hotbread Selectors
🎟️ Raffle Prizes & More Surprises!

Plus, we’re giving back! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Asheville Poverty Initiative ❤️

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of great drinks, stunning views, and good company. This event is free to the public. RSVP to let us know you’re coming.

Standup Comedy Picture Show with headliner Cayla Clark
Comics on the show do standup with pictures to illustrate their sets!
Wednesday April 16, 7:30-9p in The Orange Peel’s comedy basement. PULP is a bourbon speakeasy (400+ varieties) located under the iconic stage. No food is served but we do have free snacks while they last and outside food is permitted (no drinks of any kind).
$17 tickets available at door or The Orange Peel’s website
Host is Hilliary Begley voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Headliner Cayla Clark is an Asheville-based playwright, comedian, creator, and producer. While she is still new to the world of stand-up comedy, she has enjoyed exploring various other forms of comedy over the years, including sketch comedy, improv, and more. Since moving to Asheville, Cayla has had the opportunity to produce and host local comedic dating shows like Blind Date Live and Bad Date Mic. You can check out her hilarious Asheville centric comedy videos on instagram at @blinddateliveavl
Also on the show is Ryan Gordon, Roman Fraden, Sarah Love & other great comics showing it all!
tix: https://theorangepeel.net/…/pulp/asheville-north-carolina/

The Radical invites guests to The Roof, Thursday through Sunday (7-9pm) for live DJ sets, craft cocktails, nostalgic bites (see menu here) and unbeatable views as the sun sets over Asheville. Whether guests are celebrating a bday or just catching a breather, there’s no better place to unwind and groove. Guests can also enjoy a live DJ late night at after/glow on Fridays and Saturdays from 8-10pm.

Grand Opening of Asheville’s ONLY professional Obstacle Course Race Training Center! Stop by and try out the new obstacles, enjoy food, fun, games, and giveaways. Great for the whole family!

Celebrate with the whole family at The Horse Shoe Farm’s Silo Cookhouse this Easter with a delicious brunch buffet crafted from farm-fresh ingredients. Gather with your loved ones around the table and indulge in delightful Southern favorites, from honey roasted ham to house biscuits with savory jam and butter. Guests can build their own omelets at a bespoke station, select from an assortment of fresh salads, and enjoy tasty desserts like carrot cake cupcakes to get into the easter spirit. Most excitingly for the little ones, guests to the Silo Cookhouse Easter Brunch can participate in a fun-filled easter egg hunt on the property starting at 2pm!
Sunday April 20 from 11am to 3pm, reservations required. $85/adults, $50/kids age 3-12.

Join us on Tuesday, April 22nd, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the A-B Tech Conference Center for the spring WomanUP Workshop: Landing Your Message with Confidence. Led by Angie Flynn-McIver and Neela Muñoz of Ignite CSP, you’ll gain practical tools to help you communicate with clarity and purpose – whether you’re pitching a new idea, leading a team meeting, or delivering a keynote speech.

Through real-life examples, stories, and interactive moments, Angie and Neela will walk participants through a three-part process to improve presentation skills and build confidence. Attendees will learn how to craft an effective message tailored to their audience and goals, leverage nonverbal communication, and practice for meaningful results. This workshop is designed for professionals at any career stage across all industries.

Doors open at 8 a.m. for networking and a light breakfast provided by Everyday Gourmet!

Tryon Arts & Crafts School presents the 2025 Glaze Daze seminar with Mayco Colors! This 1-day event includes 3 demonstrations and student exercises in the application of Mayco glaze products. Catered lunch and breakfast from local Tryon establishments are included with your ticket. No experience necessary! Pre-registration is required to attend.

We’re delighted to join Mike Guggino and Barrett Smith (members of the famed Steep Canyon Rangers) in a celebration of all things Italian. These talented musicians will share their deep love of traditional Italian folk music. We’ll add our own talents for good food and joyous gatherings. It’s the perfect partnership.

Each ticket includes admission to enjoy live Italian music by Mike + Barrett along with a delicious Italian dinner prepared by our Farm Kitchen. Wine and beer will be available for purchase.

In collaboration with Verbal Purple and Our VOICE, we will be facilitating SAFE, an Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop for students in 6th-12th grades and their parents, informed by existing scientific evidence, that teaches on sex trafficking risk factors, recruitment dynamics, warning signs, healthy and abusive relationships, and strategies for seeking and providing help for youth. This event is open to the wider public if you are interested in attending.

The SAFE Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Education Workshop includes sensitive content related to human trafficking and we understand this material may be distressing for some individuals. We also understand these conversations can bring up a wide variety of feelings and reactions, so reach out to Our VOICE if you need support or have concerns about the content.

Our VOICE Inc. is a non-profit crisis intervention and prevention agency that has been serving survivors of sexual violence, ages 13 through adult, in Buncombe County for over 45 years. Our VOICE also works to provide primary prevention education to stop sexual violence before it occurs.

Join us on Thursday, April 24th at 6pm at the Franklin School of Innovation!
Please help us estimate attendance by filling out this short form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc39uHDRne-m6pXlyqgKLXtrB82s1U5xYJjkW1apiSMN3lZ5w/viewform

Barn Door Ciderworks is partnering with Amber Amara, head honcho and chef of Bistro Betty Food Truck, for a delicious dinner event on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 6pm at Barn Door Ciderworks. Guests will enjoy cider paired with a delectable four-course meal inspired by rustic Italian traditions. The menu can be adapted to vegetarians upon request.
The evening’s four-course menu begins with happy hour snacks using local cheeses, stuffed olives and focaccia. The first course will be potato & ricotta gnocchi, sun-dried tomato basil gremolata, and seared wild shrimp, followed by a second course of Chicken or eggplant parmigiana, served with Tuscan arugula salad. No rustic meal would be complete without dessert and Amara has orange & cinnamon tiramisu planned.
The pairing ciders will include exclusive Barn Door offerings not yet available to the public. We’ll share tastes from special bottles that we’ll open just for this event. All ciders are barrel-aged to dryness and only use local apples in the production. We never add sugar, sweeteners, other fruits or flavorings.
Visit our website for more information and to get your tickets.

The wait is over! The Radical is bringing back the favorite game night to after/glow. Hosted by none other than Miss Blue Ridge Pride, Alexis Black, this event promises rad performances, nonstop music and cocktails that keep the party going. No RSVP necessary.

Step into summer with the Asheville Symphony as we herald the return of the Asheville Amadeus Festival! We’re launching this year’s festival at Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s lively Mills River taproom, where we’re unveiling our festival-exclusive brew — Fables & Folklore Hazy IPA. This enchanting creation weaves together bright pineapple and orange notes in a tropical profile that’s as enticing as a tale passed down through generations — perfect easy drinking for an early- summer festival.

We will be joined by Amadeus Festival co-headliners Time for Three, Ranaan Meyer, Nick Kendall and Charles Yang. Don’t miss this chance to meet the artists and toast the start of 11 glorious days of Amadeus festivities with a pour of our specially crafted beer, delicious fare from Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s kitchen, and live music!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., with 1756 Society entry beginning at 5:00 p.m.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BREWING
46 N Mills River Road, Mills River

Come join us at the Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Cafe at the Coman Center at A-B Tech for a wonderful day filled with good food and good people. We are so excited to have a bunch of local vegan vendors get together and show you what they’ve got. You can stop by and get some treats to go or, even better, hang out with us for a while. There will be plenty of seating for eating and socializing. Find out more on Instagram and Facebook @vgnmkt

The event is indoors and is Rain or Shine. There will be some food trucks right out front.

Hours are 11:00 – 4:00.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome. It’s a vegan party & you’re invited!

🍻 Na Zdrowie! Join us May 2-4, 2025 for our 3rd Annual Polish Fest: polka, piwo (beer) and pierogi, need we share more? 😛 Festivities will include live performances from local favorites Wasted Wine and Foothills Oompah Band, as well as Atlanta Polish folk dance group Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble. Remember to keep your pets at home, yet definitely bring your ID, dancing shoes — and your appetite!

Entertainment Schedule:

🍺 Friday, May 2 (5-10 p.m.)

🎶 Wasted Wine 6-9 p.m.

🍺 Saturday, May 3 (11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.):

🎶 Foothills Oompah Band (12:30-3:30 p.m.)

🎶 Mazury Folk Dance Ensemble (4-4:30 p.m. & 5:30-6 p.m.)

🍺 Sunday, May 4 (11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.)

🎶 Wasted Wine 2-5 p.m.

🌭 Fireforge’s festy food and beverage menu will include house-brewed “Polka Party” Lager and “Cendrowski” Grodziskie Wheat Ale; pork kielbasa from Asheville’s Chop Shop Butchery made with Fireforge beer and served on a bun with sauerkraut and horseradish beer mustard; potato and cheese pierogies from Polish American sister-owned Jaju Pierogi served with housemade sour cream, caramelized onions and chives; kabanos snacking sausage from Upstate Polish Market, house-made borscht (chilled beet soup) as well as other Polish cuisine-inspired sides and sweets!

Join us for a powerful evening with Massey Campos, a nationally recognized speaker, preacher, and constitutional advocate. In this timely and engaging presentation, Massey will unpack the moral and biblical foundations of our nation, exploring how faith, liberty, and personal responsibility intersect with the U.S. Constitution.

With humor, passion, and deep conviction, Massey challenges audiences to think critically about our role as citizens and the values that make America exceptional. Whether you’re a seasoned patriot or just beginning to explore your civic responsibility, this event will inspire and equip you to stand for truth in today’s cultural climate.

Join us on Saturday, May 10th, from 1-5 pm for a multi-artist pop-up and shopping event, just in time for Mother’s Day! Garden Party, Ross Pottery, and Melissa Weiss Pottery will host Knook Ceramics, Maggie Boyd Ceramics, Kreh Mellick, Good Goodies, Of June, Crocodile Wine, and Camille Cogswell Baked Goods at Garden Party’s shop in West Asheville. Don’t miss this incredible gathering of artists and shops as we celebrate springtime and all the mothers in our lives!