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.
Friday, July
3, 2020
The Gallery at Flat Rock Offers Porch Portraits
Video of the Week: Brevard Concert Orchestra Vaughan Williams “A London Symphony”
Video: “No Day But Today” w/ cast of RENT in Seoul, South Korea
Virtual Creek Tour of Smith Mill Creek!
Virtual Exhibit: Hillbilly Land Myth and Reality of Appalachian Culture
Virtual Tour 1918 vs. 2020 Flu Pandemics WNC
Work of the Week: Bathers by Abraham Walkowitz
Grandfather Mountain
Kid’s TRACK Trail at Charles D. Owen Park
Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks
Paddle Grapple
Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens
Freedom Days at the Farm
ODYSSEY CLAYWORKS 2020–Kids Clay Camp — Sculpting the Animal Kingdom — Ages 5 – 8
Library Computer Appointments Available
Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store Now Accepting Donations on Limited Days
Buncombe County Outdoor Swimming
Monday-Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Cane Creek Pool
Erwin Pool
Hominy Valley Pool
North Buncombe Pool
Owen Pool
A Cause for Big Paws: Celebrating the Big Dogs Through Art and Adoption
Asheville Outlets Announces Majority of Retailers and Eateries Now Open
Asheville Outlets Host Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shoe Store
Fused Silver Earrings
ODYSSEY CLAYWORKS 2020–Kids Clay Camp — Round and Round — Ages 6 – 10
Buncombe County Outdoor Swimming
Monday-Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Cane Creek Pool
Erwin Pool
Hominy Valley Pool
North Buncombe Pool
Owen Pool
Read with J.R. the Therapy Dog!
Escape To Margaritaville Rescheduled from April 8
Millennium Stage Couch Concerts
Asheville Gallery of Art July Show 2020
Free Dead Fridays
Friday Night Live with The Jacktown Ramblers!
Summer Music Series at Burntshirt Vineyard
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 Suzanne has generously donated a portion of the session fee to Flat Rock Playhouse and she has a goal of raising $15,000 before the end of the year! She has currently raised $2,015, so help Suzanne reach her goal and capture some memories along the way. Check out some of her portraits above and click the link below to schedule your session today!
Inspired by the national trend of porch portraits, Suzanne of The Gallery at Flat Rock, will be offering portrait sessions and donating a portion of the session cost to Flat Rock Playhouse. A fifteen-minute porch portrait session is $65 (cash or check) of which $15 will be donated to the Flat Rock Playhouse, a friend and neighbor to the gallery which made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 season. |
Video of the Week Maestro Keith Lockhart leads the Brevard Concert Orchestra in a performance of the Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 2, “A London Symphony.”
IV. Finale
This heartwarming video featuring the iconic song from RENT showcases the talents of the cast members and the unique steps that their theatre is taking to ensure safety amidst COVID-19. Though theatres across the globe have had to close their doors during the pandemic, this production offers hope for the future of performing.
A Little Dose of Inspiration
Join us for another virtual creek tour, this time of Smith Mill Creek! It runs through West Asheville and faces many threats to its health. RiverLink is working hard to revitalize this important waterway in our watershed.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT The hillbilly stereotype is one that is alive and well in American popular culture as a quick survey of the cable dial reveals with such shows as Moonshiners, Appalachian Outlaws, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and countless others.
Surprisingly, it is one often displayed among educated sorts here in Western North Carolina who would never dream of disparaging any minority or “out group,” but do not hesitate to characterize native Western North Carolinians, as a group, as ignorant, in-bred, hopelessly retrograde, violent, snake-handling, moonshining/meth-making rednecks.
The Hillbillyland Exhibition explores the power, prevalence, and persistence of the hillbilly stereotype from the days of its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day. The exhibit takes a unique approach by focusing on photography featuring the people of the region, some of them stereotypical images, combined with poetry and short prose pieces that challenge and complicate these stereotypes.
Visit the Virtual Exhibit
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.wnchistory.org/virtual-exhibits/influenza/?utm_source=Western%20North%20Carolina%20Historical%20Association&utm_campaign=78fa0bbdf8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_23_05_25_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7424f63c4d-78fa0bbdf8-329482143
Work of the Week: Associate Curator Cindy Buckner discusses Bathers by Abraham Walkowitz. Known for his colorful watercolors, both figurative and abstract, Walkowitz participated in the pivotal 1913 Armory Show exhibition in New York City and was a key member of Alfred Steiglitz’s inner circle. Like others of that group, he advocated for experimentation and personal expression as part of the Modernist art movement.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain is only selling tickets online.
Only a select number of tickets will be sold per day for certain time-slots to limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state of North Carolina’s phased “reopening” plan and social gathering guidelines.
Please check back closer to your visit for ticket availability. As of now, reservations are only available through June 21.
Each guest entering the park must have a ticket, which includes a time-slot. Prices are as follows:
Adult: $22
Senior (age 60+): $20
Child (ages 4-12): $9
AAA Adult: $20 (must present valid AAA card)
AAA Child: $8 (must present valid AAA card)
Buncombe County Recreation Services has partnered with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program to install a new TRACK Trail at Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa. Children and families are invited to hike the new TRACK Trail, which was installed in celebration with National Great Outdoors Month and with support from the Buncombe County Community Recreation Grant award.
The TRACK Trail follows the walking path around the ponds at Charles D. Owen Park and meanders along the Swannanoa River. The new trailhead sign, located between the ponds, provides four brochure-led activity guides that allow young hikers to learn about and connect with the natural features found along the trail. Activity guides are available in English y en español.
TRACK Trails are designed to turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled, discovery-packed adventure – and the fun doesn’t stop when the trail ends. After their outing, kids can register their TRACK Trail adventures at KidsinParks.com to earn a series of prizes designed to make their next outdoor adventure more meaningful and encourage continued participation in the program. Since the program’s inception in 2009, more than 1.5 million TRACK Trail adventures have been completed.
Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!
The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!
Age: All Ages
Join us Saturday, August 1st at the Tsali Recreational Area for the 2020 Paddle Grapple, a 3 or 6 mile flatwater kayak, canoe and SUP race on beautiful Fontana Lake, which is nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, just a few miles from the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This popular event will take participants on a beautiful loop on Fontana Lake that will give you incredible views of the highest peaks in the National Park. Come enjoy the cool water, and hot competition at the 2020 Paddle Grapple.
Event Information
Distance: 3 or 6 miles
Course Map: Click HERE
For more information please visit Nantahala Racing Club’s Website.
Pre-Registration: Online Registration will open June 15, 2020 and close at 11:59AM on Wednesday, July 29th. Cost is $40 for each class.
Onsite Registration: A $10 Late Fee applies. You may register from 8-9:30AM at the NRC Event Tent next to the boat ramp.
2020 Schedule of Events | Tsali Recreation Area Boat Ramp
| Saturday, August 1st | Time |
|---|---|
| Onsite Registration | 8-9:30AM |
| Vendor Demos | 9AM |
| Competitor’s Meeting | 9:30AM |
| Race START | 10AM |
| Awards Ceremony | 1PM |
The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.
Rules of the trail:
Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.
Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.
Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.
Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.
The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.
The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!
P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.
Mountain Fresh Orchards will be celebrating Freedom Days at the Farm July 3, 4 & 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Fresh picked peaches, blueberries, blackberries, half runner beans, okra and other fruits and vegetables will be available for purchase in the farm market.
Mountain Fresh Orchards has the largest farm bakery in Henderson County serving over 18 fresh baked items. They offer warm apple cider donuts, fresh baked apple bread, apple pies and other tasty treats. The farm market has a wide range of canned goods such as sourwood honey, wildflower honey, honey crisp apple sauce, apple butter, peach butter, jams, jellies, preserves, BBQ sauces, hot sauces, pickles, salsas, canned peaches and sorghum. Handmade crafts such as face mask, potholders, hand towels, wreaths and decorated glass blocks are also available. The kids will love the Kids Korner with fun books, train whistles, t-shirts, engineer hats and stuffed animals to choose from.
The Apple Express trackless train will take folks of all ages on a ride through the orchard.
If you are unable to visit Mountain Fresh Orchards in person an online store is available on their website so you can shop at your convenience. Curbside pickup is available for local folks.
Instructor: Amy Briggs
In this class we will explore the animal kingdom by making our favorite animal pals out of clay. Students will make a few animals per day on a small scale but will take on a larger project over the course of the week. On the last couple of days, we will paint our animal creations with a colorful palette that brings them to life!
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”
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The Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store will begin accepting merchandise donations for resell from the public on Tuesday, June 30th. Donations will only be accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays between the hours of 10:30am-4:00pm. The Thrift Store remains open for shopping with the reduced hours of 10:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday, and with a limited shopper capacity.
Donations will need to be able to unloaded without staff assistance and placed into the appropriately labeled bin to ensure a contact-free drop-off. This will also assist with ensuring that all items can be properly transported and quarantined before processing and placement for resell in the store. During drop-offs all donors are asked to practice physical distancing and wear a mask following state mandates. Donated items will be quarantined before processing by staff and volunteers to ensure that all items are safe for resell.
Staff and volunteers continue to adhere to additional cleaning, sanitizing, scheduling, and social distancing practices as recommended by the CDC and current safety regulations. The number of customers allowed in the store remains limited to reduce the risk of exposure. Markers are placed to designate 6ft spaced waiting areas for shoppers to enter the store or for waiting in line for check-out. Customers, as well as staff and volunteers, are required to wear a mask while on Thrift Store premises and shopping and follow CDC recommendations.
All customers will be required to follow the procedures listed below:
- All staff, volunteers, and customers are required to wear a mask while on the Thrift Store premises and during shopping.
- Store hours are adjusted; keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for current hours.
- The number of customers allowed in the store is limited. Please expect a wait and be patient with other shoppers while waiting, and our staff and volunteers managing the entrance and exit.
- Practice social distancing while shopping or waiting in line. Markers will be placed for checkout and entry lines.
- Shields are installed at checkout locations for the safety of our customers, volunteers, and staff.
- Hand sanitizer stations are available for customers, volunteers, and staff at stations located at each door.
- Anyone exhibiting signs of illness is asked to stay home, including staff and volunteers.
- Follow CDC recommendations at all times:
- Three W’s: Wear a cloth mask, Wait 6’ apart and Wash your hands!
- Donations will be accepted on Tuesdays and Fridays only, between 10:30am-4pm. Items must be able to unloaded without staff assistance and placed into bins for quarantine. Donors are asked to practice physical distancing and wear a mask while on Thrift Store property.
If you believe in our cause, consider making a donation or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.
Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
The Gallery at Flat Rock is excited to announce a dog-friendly event and exhibition celebrating adoptable canines weighing 50 pounds or more. “A Cause for Big Paws” is the result of a partnership between the Blue Ridge Humane Society, Barkers Anonymous and The Gallery at Flat Rock artist Marsha Hammel; they have joined forces to highlight the loving big dogs at BRHS that are currently seeking forever homes. The exhibition of Hammel’s work in her Hendersonville studio will feature a reserved ticketed opening party with all proceeds going to BRHS.
“We wanted to draw attention to big dogs, in that big dogs are slower to be adopted than small dogs,” said Marsha Hammel. “We’re celebrating the joys of living with big dogs.”
“A Cause for Big Paws” will showcase new paintings inspired by big dogs at M.Hammel Studio. A dog-friendly opening on July 2 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the studio will include treats for humans and dogs, as well as a chance for attendees to receive an original sketch drawn by Hammel, created on-site at the event.
To maintain proper social distancing, this ticketed event is open only by reservation to individuals and small groups. Barkers Anonymous will provide the goodies and treats for pets. Tickets to this event are $20 each with part of the proceeds to fund the mission of Blue Ridge Humane Society.
The Gallery at Flat Rock represents finely curated art and craft, and is located in Flat Rock Square at 2702-A Greenville Highway in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Gallery hours are currently Thursdays – Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or by appointment. To learn more, please visit the gallery website at galleryflatrock.com or call the gallery at 828-698-7000.
Asheville Outlets has announced that the majority of retailers and eateries at the center are now open, including American Eagle Outfitters, Lucky Brand, RH Outlet, West Elm Outlet, Pandora, Skechers, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Store, Johnston & Murphy Factory Store, Talbot’s Outlet, and Le Creuset, among many more.
Asheville Outlets is an open-air shopping center; hours are Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 6:00 p.m.
Asheville Outlets will host the Warehouse Sale, a traveling pop-up shoe store concept, from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 12, 2020. The Warehouse Sale Pop-Up Shoe store will feature men’s, women’s, and children’s brand name shoes at up to 80% off traditional retail prices. Brands include Michael Kors, Timberland, BCBG, Adidas, and hundreds of others.
Join me in the studio as we use hammers, saws, files and fire to transform silver wire into a beautiful pair of silver drop earrings. Class price includes all materials.
Instructor: Halima Flynt
You will learn how to work on the potter’s wheel in this fun-packed creative camp! We will be learning all sorts of hand-building and wheel-throwing skills to create amazing works of art that you can use! Bring all of your creative and interesting ideas and we will turn them into reality.
Tuition: $225
$25 discount for siblings enrolled in the same class
Use promo code “claycamp25”
Buncombe County Recreation Services will open its five outdoor swimming pools. Safety and sanitation measures have been taken to comply with Buncombe County’s Stay Safe, Stay Smart order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pool visitors will be required to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.
Pool will open for two sessions Monday-Saturday, closing between sessions for a sanitation period that includes wiping down all common touch points. Sunday hours include one session. Admission for each session is $3 per guest. Due to limited capacity, guests are highly encouraged to purchase tickets online. If a pool is unable to open for any reason or is forced to close within the first hour of operation, all guests will receive a raincheck via the email address provided when purchasing the original ticket. Booking are currently available through July 10.
Monday-Friday
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Saturday
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
3-6 p.m.
Sunday
1-6 p.m.
“While this summer is different in nearly every way for local families, we’re happy to safely and responsibly open our pools to the community,” said Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “While we are not allowing toys, balls, noodles, dive sticks, and other communal items inside pools, the guest experience should be enhanced as visitors will be able to enjoy pools with a capacity limit of roughly 30% normal occupancy.”
Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
The Skyland Library will host J.R. the Therapy Dog on the 1st Friday of each month. Kids are invited to stop by between 2:30-3:30 pm to practice their reading skills with a gentle, patient and adorable canine friend. J.R. is a certified therapy dog and he can’t wait to meet you!
Welcome to Margaritaville, where people come to get away from it all—and stay to find something they never expected. With a book by Emmy Award® winner Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl, Raising Hope) and Emmy Award® nominee Mike O’Malley (Survivors Remorse, Shameless) Escape To Margaritaville is the musical comedy featuring both original songs and your most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and many more. USA Today calls it “A little slice of paradise!” and Entertainment Weekly raves, “It will knock your flip-flops off!” So don’t let the party start without you.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2271326289806457/
Couch Concerts
Brought to you by Millennium Stage
Introducing our NEW series of live performances streamed to you!
It is in times like these that we need artists most. Watch talented artists perform their work and help us inspire, grieve, heal, and move forward as a nation.
LIVE: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 4 P.M. ET. (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Asheville Gallery of Art
July Show
“Infinite Possibilities”
Asheville Gallery of Art’s July show, “Infinite Possibilities,” is a multi-member show highlighting the insights artists gained during increased time in their home studios during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show runs July 1-31 during gallery hours.
Change can be good! As members of a cooperative, the 31 artists of Asheville Gallery of Art are used to being and working together to keep the gallery functioning. With COVID-19, everyone is working in their home studios and finding that they have the chance to do what they might not have tried before. Many say they have found infinite possibilities within their work as well as new ways to sell work they’ve been creating.
Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.
Come enjoy listening to the energizing bluegrass trio that will have you dancing and laughing the night away by the Orchard!
