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, September 14, 2024
Max Adrian: RIPSTOP
Sep 14 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Center for Craft
The Center for Craft is thrilled to announce the opening of Max Adrian: RIPSTOP. Adrian (he/they), a textile artist who was awarded a Windgate-Lamar Fellowship by the Center in 2015 and a Career Advancement Fellowship in 2022, will bring the playful, experiential, and provocative solo exhibition of textiles and inflatable sculptures to the Bresler Family Gallery beginning July 26, 2024 through March 29, 2025.

Pieces made from nylon fabric ripstop, which keeps tears from spreading, invite viewers into created, fantastical worlds, only to highlight the complex—even impossible—architectures of their construction. Before the pandemic, Adrian primarily focused on personal experiences and interrogations of queerness, identity, and sexuality. Since then, the work has zoomed out in its scope, still centering identity but placed in larger infrastructure and surveillance systems that mediate, manipulate, and control desire.

Adrian counts queer fiber art, BDSM and kink culture, theatre, camp horror, puppetry, and drag among his many influences. Works in RIPSTOP, like the modernist bounce house sculpture A Fallible Complex (2021), evoke spaces for play, beckoning visitors in through their alluring aesthetic and then blocking their entrance or revealing structural instabilities, like missing floors. Others, like The Sensational Inflatable Furry Divines (2017-19), use sensual materials, like faux fur, spandex, and pleather, which connect to theatrical performance and counterculture. The materials “play on people’s initial associations and serve as a gateway into greater conversations about identity construction, performance, desire, and technology,” he shares.Pieces also nod to the history of quilting, including the AIDS Memorial Quilt, another influence on Adrian’s work. “Even when pieces aren’t explicitly making quilt references, I want the history of quilting and sewing-based craft to be part of the conversation of the work,” he says. “Craft is so much about the processes and histories behind materials. It’s about connecting with communities of people who practice those techniques. It’s about material and technique being a doorway into a greater relationship with an object.”

Themes of transformation—of structures, identities, and bodies—run throughout the show. “What I love about drag and puppetry is the sense of transformation and play, specifically with bodies,” Adrian says. “Within these art forms, a body can become mutable and capable of performing and becoming in unexpected states.” The sculptures also transform throughout viewers’ experiences, going through stages of inflation and deflation and existing in many different states.

RIPSTOP’s constant interplay between surface and depth, assumption and reality, are all a part of what Adrian describes as “looking behind the curtain,” which they trace back to the theatre. “When I’m thinking about systems, and the systems desire fits into, I’m thinking of stage construction, the backstage, the things that go on behind the show, and performance of our desires,” they explain.

As a craft artist, Adrian’s philosophy “comes down to having an intentional relationship with material, process, and technique,” he says. “Those aspects of art making are just as – if not more – important than an intellectualized concept being illustrated by an artwork.”

“Broadened definitions of craft that highlight communities of practice are foundational for the Center for Craft’s new strategic direction,” explains Executive Director Stephanie Moore. “Max Adrian’s work in RIPSTOP exemplifies the expansive and meaningful forms craft can take.” The Center for Craft is an institution Adrian credits for their professional growth. “The Center for Craft has felt like such a supporting institution for me specifically and for so many other craft artists I know,” they note. “To be able to bring this amount of work to Asheville is pretty cool.”

See Max Adrian: RIPSTOP at the Center for Craft Beginning July 26. A reception will be held on August 15. RIPSTOP is organized by Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and curated by Sarah Darro.

# # #
ABOUT CENTER FOR CRAFT Founded in 1996, the Center for Craft’s mission is to resource, catalyze, and amplify how and why craft matters. As a 501(c)3 national nonprofit that increases access to craft by empowering and resourcing artists, organizations, and communities through grants, fellowships and programs that bring people together. The Center is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential organizations working on behalf of craft in the United States. For more information, visit www.centerforcraft.org.
Artists + Writers Coffee
Sep 14 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM

TFAC Pavilion (park/enter at rear of building)
Free drop-in event
North Carolina Winery Tour Adventures
Sep 14 @ 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!

West Asheville Garden Stroll
Sep 14 @ 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
Lucy S. Herring Elementary

The 15th West Asheville Garden Stroll is Saturday, September 14th from 11 AM to 4 PM, with a family-friendly kickoff program at 10:30. It features 15 diverse gardens in the Horney Heights neighborhood, on both sides of Sulphur Springs Road from Lucy Herring School westward. Stroll Guides with a map and garden descriptions will be available at the school from 11:00 until 3:30. Local organizations will be on hand in the morning with resources for gardeners and possibly some items for sale.

The Garden Stroll is FREE, and all are welcome to join in this community event, rain or shine. However, leave your four-footed friends at home — dogs are not allowed in the gardens.
While there is street parking throughout the neighborhood, we encourage you to park at the school or at Abernethy United Methodist Church (1418 Patton Ave) and walk or bike the 3 mile route. (Regardless of where you park, come by the school first to pick up a Stroll Guide.)

This year’s gardens showcase many alternatives to conventional lawns as well as all kinds of edibles, ornamentals, medicinal plants, permaculture designs, and a wide variety of native plants. Water features, eclectic art, trellises, and quirky garden sheds provide focal points. You’ll see new and mature gardens as well as works-in-progress, all offering the chance to chat with friendly and enthusiastic gardeners.

With the theme “If You Grow It, They Will Come,” we encourage stroll-goers to observe how these gardens provide safety, nourishment, & love for birds, bees, and so many others of nature’s families.

Debut Book Signing in Barnes and Noble Asheville
Sep 14 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Barnes and Noble

Would you like to explore the wonders of the enchanting Barnes and Noble in Asheville? Or how about meeting a best selling author for a book signing of their debut novel? Come on out on September 14th between 11am -2 pm and visit Barnes and Noble and see me! There will be prizes ranging from gift cards to bookish tote bags. Spin the wheel and see if lady luck is on your side. Prizes will be available while they last.
Solasta: The Highlander Fae is a historical fantasy with a dash of romance. Taking place in the Scottish Highlands where the forces of good and evil collide. Take a step through the Kelpie ring and join the Solastan Fae as they fight to save both the Fae and Mortal Realms.

Honoring Nature: Early Southern Appalachian Landscape Painting
Sep 14 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

In the early 1900s, travel by train and automobile became more accessible in the United States, leading to an increase in tourism and a revitalized interest in landscape painting. The relative ease of transportation, as well as the creation of National Parks, allowed people to experience the breathtaking landscapes of the United States in new ways. Artists traveled along popular routes, recording the terrain they encountered.

This exhibition explores the sublime natural landscapes of the Smokey Mountains of Western North Carolina and Tennessee. While there were several regional schools of painting around this time, this group is largely from the Midwest and many of the artists trained at the Art Institute of Chicago or in New York City. Through their travels, they captured waterfalls, sunsets, thunderstorms, autumn foliage, lush green summers, and snow-covered mountains—elements that were novel for viewers from cities and rural areas. Though some of these paintings include people, they are usually used for scale and painted with little to no detail, highlighting the magnificence of nature.

Rudolph F. Ingerle, Mirrored Mountain, not dated, oil on canvas, 28 × 32 inches. Courtesy of Allen & Barry Huffman, Asheville Art Museum.

Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection
Sep 14 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum
Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection, on view through May 17—September 23, 2024. Shifting Perceptions is guest-curated by Katherine Ware, curator of photography at the New Mexico Museum of Art, and continues the Museum’s 75th-anniversary celebration and highlights its expanding Collection.
Featuring over 125 photographs, the exhibition showcases works by 20th-century masters such as Ruth Bernhard, Bruce Davidson, Donna Ferrato, Carrie Mae Weems, and Jerry Uelsmann, alongside contemporary images by Jess T. Dugan, Matthew Pillsbury, and Cara Romero, among others. While some photographs offer a distinct point of view, many invite contemplation of the intersections and contradictions within each category. Recent acquisitions and longtime favorites are presented in new juxtapositions, providing fresh insights into the evolving landscape of photography.
ArtsAVL Trolley
Sep 14 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

Ride the free ArtsAVL Trolley connecting the Downtown and River Arts Districts with two overlapping routes every Second Saturday from 12-6 pm.

 

DOWNTOWN LOOP Downtown Map Marker

  • Pack Square Stop (near Asheville Art Museum)
  • The Block Stop (near LEAF Global Arts)
  • Pritchard Park Stop (near Ten Thousand Villages)
  • Coxe Avenue Stop (near Rabbit Rabbit)
  • Wedge Studios Stop (near Hofman Studios)
  • Grove Arcade Stop (near Citizen Vinyl)
  • Broadway Arts District Stop (near Center for Craft)

Downtown/ River Arts Loop Connector

RIVER ARTS LOOP RAD Map Marker

  • Wedge Studios Stop (near Hofman Studios)
  • Clingman Roundabout Stop (near Odyssey Gallery)
  • Depot Street Stop (near NorthLight Studios)
  • North Riverview Station Stop (near Art Garden)
  • Foundy Street Stop (near Grail Moviehouse)
  • South Riverview Station Stop (near Newstock Pantry)
  • River Arts Place Stop (near Curve Studios)
  • Cotton Mill Studios Stop (near Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food)
  • Craven Street Stop (near New Belgium)
  • W. Haywood Street Stop (near Riverside Studios)

Trolley loops take 20-25 minutes. You can get on or off the trolley at any stop. See our ArtsAVL Trolley FAQ page for more details.

 

DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT

Pack Square Stop

The Block Stop

Pritchard Park Stop

Coxe Avenue Stop

Grove Arcade Stop

Broadway Arts District Stop

RIVER ARTS DISTRICT

Wedge Studios Stop

Depot Street Stop

North Riverview Station Stop

Foundy Street Stop

South Riverview Station Stop

River Arts Place Stop

Cotton Mill Studios Stop

Craven Street Stop

W. Haywood Street Stop

ArtsAVL Trolley Rides
Sep 14 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Downtown Asheville

EXPLORE ASHEVILLE’S ART SCENE

 

Ride the free  ArtsAVL Trolley linking the Downtown and River Arts Districts with two overlapping loops every Second Saturday from 12-6 pm. Trolley loops take about 20-25 mins, and riders are free to hop on or off at any stop.

DOWNTOWN LOOP Downtown Map Marker

  • Pack Square Stop (near Asheville Art Museum)
  • The Block Stop (near LEAF Global Arts)
  • Pritchard Park Stop (near Ten Thousand Villages)
  • Coxe Avenue Stop (near Rabbit Rabbit)
  • Wedge Studios Stop (near Hofman Studios)
  • Grove Arcade Stop (near Citizen Vinyl)
  • Broadway Arts District Stop (near Center for Craft)

Downtown/ River Arts Loop Connector

RIVER ARTS LOOP RAD Map Marker

  • Wedge Studios Stop (near Hofman Studios)
  • Clingman Roundabout Stop (near Odyssey Gallery)
  • Depot Street Stop (near NorthLight Studios)
  • North Riverview Station Stop (near Art Garden)
  • Foundy Street Stop (near Grail Moviehouse)
  • South Riverview Station Stop (near Newstock Pantry)
  • River Arts Place Stop (near Curve Studios)
  • Cotton Mill Studios Stop (near Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food)
  • Craven Street Stop (near New Belgium)
  • W. Haywood Street Stop (near Riverside Studios)
Grovewood Village Studio Tour
Sep 14 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Grovewood Village

Connect with local artists! The bi-annual Grovewood Village Studio Tour will take place over two weekends in 2024.

First Weekend: May 18 & 19 (12-5pm)
Second Weekend: September 14 & 15 (12-5pm)

This is a free, self-guided, explore-at-your-own-pace tour. There is no ticket to buy.

During this event, the resident artists at Grovewood Village will open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to gain insight into their creative process and view their most recent works. The artists will also have works for sale next door at Grovewood Gallery, which will be offering 10% off almost all merchandise. Metro Wines will be on-site serving complimentary wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

Guests looking to round out their experience can enjoy brunch next door at ELDR and visit the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum and the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum, also located in Grovewood Village.

Grovewood Village is home to 8 working artist studios and a yoga studio. These workspaces were originally built to house the weaving operations of Biltmore Industries, an Arts and Crafts enterprise that played a significant role in the Appalachian Craft Revival during the early 20th century. Today, our resident artists – inspired by an earlier craft force – create jewelry, pottery, sculpture, and more in the same workshops where the famed Biltmore Handwoven Homespun was once made.

Special Demonstration

Local textile designer and handweaver Deanna Lynch will be in our Homespun Museum (located in the same building as the artist studios) demonstrating how to operate an antique four-harness loom that was used in Biltmore Industries’ heyday.

Please Note

The artist studios are located in the same building as the Biltmore Industries Homespun Museum, directly next door to Grovewood Gallery. If you have questions about this event, contact Grovewood Gallery at (828) 253-7651 or email us at [email protected].

The historic building where the artist studios are housed. This is the entrance to the upper-level artist studios. There is a separate entrance on the right side of the building to access the lower-level artist studios.

Sponsored by Metro Wines

This bi-annual Asheville art tour is sponsored by Metro Wines, located at 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville. Metro Wines has been voted the number #1 wine shop in Asheville for the past 7 years, quoted in The Wall Street Journal and recently in Wine Enthusiast!

Parking

Free parking is available on-site at Grovewood Village; however, parking is relatively limited, and carpooling is always encouraged. The Grove Park Inn does have a parking garage directly across the street from us. From January 3 through September 30, they offer 1 hour of complimentary parking.  After that, 1-3 hours is $12 and 3-6 hours is $22.

Yala Cultural Tour
Sep 14 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

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.

Yala Cultural Tour + Drum Workshop
Sep 14 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts
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.
Stay for an all-ages Drum Workshop, no experience necessary.
DISNEY’S THE LION KING
Sep 14 @ 2:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to the Peace Center!

More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.

Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway.  Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.

THE LION KING is recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring young people, Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Note that strobe lights are also used for this performance.

HauntFest – A September to Dismember
Sep 14 @ 2:00 pm – 11:59 pm
Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center

Welcome to HauntFest, where we summon the spirit of horror and Halloween all year round! We are SUPER excited to be kicking off our third event, HauntFest – A September to Dismember. Immerse yourself in the macabre delights of live music, art vendors, spine-chilling entertainment, bewitching activities such as a to DIE for haunted trail into the dark forest, and more. This fiendish affair beckons dark spirits, midnight wanderers, witchy souls, and the eternally restless. Perfect for oddity lovers and Halloween enthusiasts. It’s a dead man’s party!

Established in May 2023, HauntFest has risen as a leading horror festival business, captivating audiences with its spine-chilling spectacles and atmosphere. From bewitching entertainment to macabre vendors and haunted attractions, HauntFest offers an unparalleled immersion into the realm of terror. Experience spooktacular live performances, encounter creatures both mythical and monstrous, and traverse unhallowed grounds where every corner hides a new fun and exciting horror. Unlike other Halloween conventions, HauntFest prides itself in highlighting the arts through a weekend celebration, where patrons can wear their monster skins and join in on the dead man’s party. HauntFest invites you to embrace the darkness that lurks within, but beware: once you enter, there’s no turning back…

HauntFest – A September to Dismember

WHEN: Friday September 13th – Sunday September 15th, 2PM – 12AM

WHERE: Lutheridge (2049 Upper Laurel Dr. Arden, NC 28704)

Lutheridge’s cabins, pavilions, and recreational areas make for a wonderful venue with shade and picnic tables. As you enter, you can monster mash to the KILLER live bands in the Bat Cave and peruse the macabre vendors in the field across. Ghouls will slink freely around the festival. Behind the Bat Cave, you can snag some “boos” at the Bar and enter the Haunted Trail. At the center of the festival, enjoy interactive activities and solo artists by the lake – you can even take a canoe or paddle boat out if you dare! Bring close-toed shoes, as the ground may be uneven in some areas.

LODGING:
Summer camp perks! Visit the “Lodging” page for details on cabin rentals, treetop tents, and campsites. Wake up and be right on site and ready to join the party!

TICKETS (Starting at $20) : https://www.hauntfest.net/buy-tickets

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.hauntfest.net/

*COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED*

We are so excited to bring HauntFest to North Carolina and we hope to see you there!

Jesus Christ Superstar
Sep 14 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the final note is sung.

Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More
Sep 14 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Asheville Masonic Temple

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and more at The Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight. Duration is 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted). Age requirement is 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone.

Funeral for a Gangster
Sep 14 @ 6:00 pm
Hendersonville Theater
YOU SOLVE THE CRIME!…an interactive MUSICAL COMEDY MURDER MYSTERY DINNER SHOW!

It’s 1928…the Roaring 20’s, known for dangerous bootlegging and notorious gangsters. The scene is a speakeasy, “Ruby’s Place,” where the grieving family is holding a memorial service for Vito “The Gut” Marzetti, who was gunned down last week in a gangland slaying. As a dear friend of Vito’s, you have been invited to pay your honorable respects to the family. They include Joey “The Lump,” Frankie “Marbles,” and the proprietor of the club, Ruby “Fingers” Marzetti. And, of course, Lena, the heartbroken widow. Or is she?

It will be a fantastic night of investigation to find the suspect! Great Food, Singing, and Prizes and FUN!!! Saturday, Doors open at 6 pm. Sunday, doors open at 4 pm. Approximate Run Time: 2 hours. Rating: PG due to adult situations and mild language. Dress in your favorite ROARING 20s Costumes – Flapper dresses and Zoot suits!

“Short Bus to Freedom” Comedy Night
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Come out for an evening of special adult comedy with your host Kim H Falls and DJ/Comedian Paul Ain’t Right! Featuring a lineup of comics with disabilities breaking down barriers and bringing you laughter and thought-provoking performances! Food and drinks available, $10 suggested donation. Doors open at 6:30. At Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, 850 Blue Ridge Rd, in Black Mountain. Produced by Brendan C. Ahern of “Rainy Night Theatre”.
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and educates, encourages, challenges and inspires the community through music, performance, film, literary, and contemporary art.

IDLES: LOVE IS THE FING TOUR 2024
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

All Ages – not recommended for children under 4

RAIN OR SHINE
CLEAR BAGS ONLY

Gates open at 5:30pm
All Ages – not recommended for children under 4
RAIN OR SHINE
CLEAR BAGS ONLY

Jesus Christ Superstar
Sep 14 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the final note is sung.

Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses Henry VI Parts 1, 2 + 3
Sep 14 @ 7:30 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

The Montford Park Players is pleased to announce auditions for its 52nd  Season: 

Muse of Fire: Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses

Jason Williams, Artistic Director

5/10/2024 5/24/2024   Edward III, directed by Mandy Bean
5/31/2024 6/23/2024   Richard II, directed by Jason Williams
6/28/2024 7/21/2024   Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, directed by Dr. George Brown, Callista Brown and Elizabeth DeVault
7/26/2024 8/25/2024   Henry V, directed by David Doersch
8/30/2024 9/22/2024  Henry VI Parts 1, 2 & 3, directed by Glenna Grant, Ariel Robinson and Adam Kampouris
9/27/2024 10/27/2024 Richard III, directed by Kristi DeVille

Conveniently located in the heart of the Historic Montford District of Asheville, North Carolina, the Outdoor Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre is easy to get to and accessible from I-240 and I-26. And, it’s just a short drive down Montford Avenue from downtown.

VANITIES
Sep 14 @ 7:30 pm
Parkway Playhouse

VANITIES

by Jack Heifer

Directed by Marci Bernstein

Chronicling the lives of three best friends from Texas, this show follows our cast from girlhood to adulthood and explores their differentiating opinions on life, experiences, and the future. Beginning in 1963 Texas and landing in New York in 1974 this play is an honest and real reflection of the impact of a changing world through a bittersweet comedic lens.

DISNEY’S THE LION KING
Sep 14 @ 8:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to the Peace Center!

More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.

Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, THE LION KING brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway.  Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award®-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.

THE LION KING is recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring young people, Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Note that strobe lights are also used for this performance.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE – I’M NOT BROKEN TOUR
Sep 14 @ 8:00 pm
Salvage Station

VIP 1 – MELISSA ETHERIDGE – VIP MEET & GREET – $246
Includes:
● P1 Reserved or General Admission Ticket to the Concert*
● Individual Meet & Greet with Melissa Etheridge
● Individual Photograph With Melissa Etheridge
● Early Entry merch shopping**
● Exclusive VIP Merchandise Item***
● Commemorative VIP Laminate & Lanyard***
*Ticket location chosen at time of purchase
**When and where available
***VIP Merchandise Item shipped after the show plays; laminate distributed on site

VIP 2 – MELISSA ETHERIDGE – VIP MERCHANDISE PACKAGE – $146 Includes:
● General Admission Ticket to the Concert*
● Early Entry merch shopping**
● Exclusive VIP Merchandise Item***
● Commemorative VIP Laminate & Lanyard***
*Ticket location chosen at time of purchase
**When and where available
***VIP Merchandise Item shipped after the show plays; laminate distributed on site

This is a LARGE EVENT, so please read our FAQs to learn more about our on and off-site parking options and our FREE shuttle service.

Root Down will be serving their delicious twist on Southern Soul Food and we’ll have our full bar open for you to enjoy!

ABOUT MELISSA ETHERIDGE:

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy® in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the massive hits, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, “I Want to Come Over.” Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singers for more than two decades. In February 2007, Melissa Etheridge celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy® Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. As a performer and songwriter, Etheridge has shown herself to be an artist who has never allowed “inconvenient truths” to keep her down. Earlier in her recording career, Etheridge acknowledged her sexual orientation when it was considered less than prudent to do so. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won. Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 Grammy® telecast to sing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin. By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease.

On October 7, 2016 Melissa Etheridge released Memphis Rock & Soul, her first album since 2014’s critically lauded This Is M.E. Recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, the album received stellar reviews from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, Parade, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and more. She followed that up with the release of The Medicine Show in April, 2019. For The Medicine Show, Melissa reunited with celebrated producer John Shanks and sounds as rousing as ever, bringing a new level of artistry to her 15th studio recording. The Medicine Show deals with universal themes of renewal, reconciliation, reckoning, compassion and, most profoundly, healing.

In June of 2020, Etheridge launched The Etheridge Foundation to support groundbreaking scientific research into effective new treatments for opioid use disorder. The Foundation works towards advancing treatment approaches that address the root causes of opioid abuse and make available better, more effective solutions for people to truly heal their opioid use disorder.

On September 17, 2021, Melissa released a new album called One Way Out. The 9-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late ’80s and early ’90s that never made the cut….until now! The time was finally right, and fans finally got a deeper glimpse to who Melissa was then.

October 2022 saw Melissa’s return to the theatre with her one woman show, My Window — A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on October 13 and opened at Circle In the Square Theatre on Broadway in September 2023.

Sunday, September 15, 2024
ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
Sep 15 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.

DIY River + Road Cleanups
Sep 15 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 15 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
Sep 15 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.

Mile High Swinging Bridge
Sep 15 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.

Raft + Rail A Fully Guided Experience
Sep 15 all-day
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The original Raft & Rail© since 1988: enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day, great for families. Southern Living Magazine calls this “an ideal adventure for families, first-timers, young or old.” This full-day guided adventure starts with a Wildwater staff member greeting you at the train depot, followed by a scenic train trip, deli lunch with all the fixings, and a Nantahala River whitewater trip with a guide in every boat. Hot showers and a photo show follow immediately after your 8-mile Nantahala River trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City Train Depot. Available April–October with the morning departure of the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City, NC. Train seating in Open Air Gondola. 2024 bookings starting soon!

Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee and 7% North Carolina sales tax. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $7.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure, except The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.