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.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
7-week Self Defense Course
Sep 21 @ 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
YWCA

Back by popular demand, we will be offering a new cohort of our Empowered Self-Defense course that was designed as a partnership with the YWCA of Asheville and OurVoice. This course is a holistic approach to personal safety which teaches tools to combat the whole spectrum of violence, from verbal harassment to physical violence. We teach individuals how to interrupt violence by listening to their intuition, asserting boundaries, using de-escalation strategies, and providing tools for a range of mental, verbal, and physical responses. Register today and don’t let this opportunity pass by.

Register on our YWCA App, by calling (828) 254-7206 ext. 213 or emailing [email protected].

Thursday, September 22, 2022
Women’s Fall Equinox Sacred Sound Journey
Sep 22 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Bullington Gardens (in the multipurpose room)

It’s time to transition to Fall! Sacred Sound helps us recalibrate our energy and prepare for the change of seasons. We’ll use this gathering to ease any concerns about what we see happening in our world, shake off fear and anxiety, and claim our peace and calming in this seasonal transition. Join us for a deeply replenishing guided sound healing journey of Tibetan and Crystal bowls, chimes, tank drums and tuning forks. WOMEN only, no children please. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY available on website through 5 pm Sept 16. Because there is limited space, NO tickets will be available at the event, no exceptions. Please arrive on time. Bring a yoga mat and blanket. All details on website.

Raegan Payne Virtual Writers Workshop “Inciting Incident”
Sep 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

The Jump Off: The Importance of the Inciting Incident will help writers craft exciting openings to hook an audience. “If you don’t grab an audience in the opening moments of a speech, play, novel, or even television series, they’re lost forever. Learn how to identify a compelling inciting incident and make it riveting.”

Raegan Payne is a published, award-winning playwright whose plays have been produced from Los Angeles to Lagos. She studied Shakespeare at the British American Drama Academy and improv/sketch writing at The Groundlings in Los Angeles and has just finished a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge in Writing for Performance. She is a member of Ammunition Theatre Company’s Writers Group, the Dramatist Guild, Actors’ Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and the Los Angeles Female Playwrights Initiative. She unwinds by fostering kittens and practicing Aikido. For more info go to: raeganpayne.com

City Dance
Sep 22 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, September 23, 2022
WORTHAM CENTER STUDENT SERIES Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for Grades 5-12

Experience how a groundbreaking mix of dance styles, music and cultures create an entirely new and exciting vision of human movement! With a diverse repertoire ranging from ballet in toe shoes to street dance, Complexions explores the intersections of the classical and contemporary. Enjoy a selection of their work and connect with the artists after the performance in an engaging Q&A.

Learn more about Complexions Contemporary Ballet here.

Prepare for your visit, learn about the theatre, and get the most out of each performance with this Guide to the Wortham Center.

Performance Length: 60 minutes

Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Sep 23 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

This innovative New York City-based company combines remarkably gifted dancers, powerful choreography and the electrifying riffs of rocker Lenny Kravitz in LOVE ROCKS, part of a larger program that re-envisions ballet through technical precision, athletic prowess and sheer passion. “Companies like Complexions are game-changing: They’re forging a path for what ballet can be instead of what it historically has been” (The Guardian).

Connect with Complexions

  • Master Class: For intermediate and advanced dance students ages 16 and up. September 24 at 1 p.m. Henry LaBrun Studio. Learn more and register here.
  • Pre-show Discussions: September 23 & 24 at 7 p.m. Tina McGuire Theatre.
SILENT DISCO: NEX MILLEN
Sep 23 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Sep 24 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Sep 24 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

2022 Blue Ridge Pride Festival: Inclusion Y’All!
Sep 24 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Pack Square Park

It’s time for some Inclusion, Y’all! That’s the theme of this year’s Blue Ridge Pride Festival, taking place at Asheville’s Pack Square Park on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is Western North Carolina’s largest Pride event, typically attracting 14,000 to 18,000 people.

Two stages feature some of the most noted musical and DRAG talent in the region. Over 100 organizations that focus on social justice, community service, health care, faith, education, and the LGBTQ community will be on hand. Another 100 local employers, merchants, artists, food concessions, and service providers will round what may Asheville’s largest, most diverse collections of exhibitors to gather for a day of advocacy, service, education, and celebration.

WORTHAM CENTER PRESENTS Master Class: Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Sep 24 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Henry LaBrun Studio
Master Class: Complexions Contemporary Ballet

With a diverse repertoire ranging from ballet in toe shoes to street dance, Complexions Contemporary Ballet explores the intersections of classical and contemporary music and movement. In this master class for experienced dancers, students will learn a variety of exercises from the Complexions repertoire including center, adagio, and across the floor combinations, as well as jumps and turns.

Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Ages: 16+

Duration: 1.5 hrs.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Sep 24 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

This innovative New York City-based company combines remarkably gifted dancers, powerful choreography and the electrifying riffs of rocker Lenny Kravitz in LOVE ROCKS, part of a larger program that re-envisions ballet through technical precision, athletic prowess and sheer passion. “Companies like Complexions are game-changing: They’re forging a path for what ballet can be instead of what it historically has been” (The Guardian).

Connect with Complexions

  • Master Class: For intermediate and advanced dance students ages 16 and up. September 24 at 1 p.m. Henry LaBrun Studio. Learn more and register here.
  • Pre-show Discussions: September 23 & 24 at 7 p.m. Tina McGuire Theatre.
SILENT DISCO: DJ CAMARO
Sep 24 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI *New Course*
Sep 28 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

This 10-week course will introduce basic principles that are foundational to all Tai Chi movements. Tai Chi is proven to be effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, and risk for falls while improving balance, postural stability, strength, cognitive focus, immune system function, and more. Wednesdays noon -1 pm; August 24th-October 26th. This course has a general public cost of $60. There is no additional cost for members, the course is included.
Register before September 31st on our YWCA App, by calling (828) 254-7206 ext. 213 or emailing [email protected].

Friday, September 30, 2022
Grand Opening: Love and Respect Community for Recovery + Wellness
Sep 30 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Love and Respect

Love and Respect Logo Mark Full Color

We Are a Peer Support Recovery Community Rooted in Respect

Love and Respect exists to assist any person seeking recovery from substance use, mental health struggles, and/or reentering society after incarceration through authentic Peer Support. We humanize these challenges with love and respect for the individual. We encourage, advocate, and instill hope, meeting people right where they are with person-centered, strength-based support. Our hope is to support the wellbeing of the whole person through the sharing of our lived experiences.

WNC’s first African American lead Recovery Community Center in Hendersonville, NC with a passion to serve the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) population.

The vision of a single African American father with nearly 18 years of total and complete abstinence from all mood mind altering substances, a North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist (NCPSS) for 12 years,  was Lead Peer Support on Henderson County Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), Certified Recovery Coach, North Carolina Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Community Healthcare Worker (CHW), Shaw University graduate, BA in Sociology Cum Laude (class of 2013)
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 1 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Myofascial Release Monthly Course
Oct 1 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
YWCA
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Oct 1 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Swing Nights at Continuum
Oct 1 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Continuum Art Gallery, Hendersonville

Join us in our new monthly social swing event on the 1st Saturdays of every month, The
music, open vintage space and wood floors and is guaranteed to have you dancing East Coast and/or Lindy all night long, A free
lesson is offered to kick things off and will include a different combination of moves each time, No partner or rhythm needed and
dress is casual, $10 for lesson and/or social dance.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Peace Center SILENT DISCO
Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm
Wyche Pavilion

Silent Disco

Wednesday, October 5, 2022
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI *New Course*
Oct 5 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

This 10-week course will introduce basic principles that are foundational to all Tai Chi movements. Tai Chi is proven to be effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, and risk for falls while improving balance, postural stability, strength, cognitive focus, immune system function, and more. Wednesdays noon -1 pm; August 24th-October 26th. This course has a general public cost of $60. There is no additional cost for members, the course is included.
Register before September 31st on our YWCA App, by calling (828) 254-7206 ext. 213 or emailing [email protected].

West Coast Swing Night
Oct 5 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Continuum Art Gallery, Hendersonville

Come check out for yourself the popular West Coast Swing dance style that can be done to a
wide variety of music, including pop, country, blues, and contemporary music, come at 7pm for a group classes: intermediate
classes with Pflumm and Alain Rogozhin and beginner classes with Rachel Harris and Tola Sun, Followed by a social dance at
8pm, Dress is casual and no partner is needed, BYO wine or beer,

Friday, October 7, 2022
Kevin Spears teams with DJ Morphonic: A Transformational Evening of Ecstatic Dance
Oct 7 @ 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

A Transformational Evening of Ecstatic Dance

World-renowned master of the African Kalimba, Kevin Spears teams with DJ Morphonic for an extraordinary evening of live musical artistry within a guided intentional experience. It’s a unique musical experience for listening and/or dancing.

Asheville’s own DJ Morphonic has become a highly sought-after Ecstatic Dance DJ due to his eclectic yet transformative mix of music from around the world. DJ Morphonic (Maurice Legendre) is known far and wide for his beautiful and incredible sacred art concert backdrops that must be seen to be believed. DJ Morphonic is truly a gifted soul in the field of transformative and regenerative art and music.

Kevin Spears the KalimbaMan is an internationally renowned kalimba player and one-man ensemble who designs and uses electronic musical gadgets to create a literal one-man ensemble right before your eyes and ears. He has performed extensively in the U.S and abroad and has done what was once thought impossible on the kalimba, the traditional African instrument he has studied and played since the age of 10.

 

Saturday, October 8, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 8 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Oct 8 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Monday, October 10, 2022
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Class
Oct 10 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Three people carrying a person in a stretcher

BECOME AN E.M.T.

If you’re ready to get started in an exciting and rewarding career that doesn’t require years of higher education, you may be interested in our Emergency Medical Technician Course at SOLO Southeast. Sign up for our September course before the registration closes!

EMTs play a vital role in both public safety and healthcare by caring for and transporting sick and injured people during emergencies. Our intensive EMT program is designed to offer students a streamlined pathway into the world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The course is fast-paced and taught by our accredited and highly experienced instructors. If learning more about anatomy, patient assessment, life-saving medical interventions, and pre-hospital patient care click on the link above to learn more.

Earn your EMT in 3 weeks!

SOLO Southeast’s intensive EMT program is designed to offer students a streamlined pathway into the world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The course is fast-paced and taught by our highly experienced instructors. Students learn anatomy, patient assessment, life-saving medical interventions, and pre-hospital patient care.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI *New Course*
Oct 12 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
YWCA Asheville

This 10-week course will introduce basic principles that are foundational to all Tai Chi movements. Tai Chi is proven to be effective in decreasing pain, stiffness, and risk for falls while improving balance, postural stability, strength, cognitive focus, immune system function, and more. Wednesdays noon -1 pm; August 24th-October 26th. This course has a general public cost of $60. There is no additional cost for members, the course is included.
Register before September 31st on our YWCA App, by calling (828) 254-7206 ext. 213 or emailing [email protected].

Award-Winning author and former Asheville resident, Chloe Kemp, presents her book, WISDOM KEEPER: My Extraordinary Journey to Unlock the Sacred Within
Oct 12 @ 8:30 pm
Sovereign Kava

Chloe lived in Asheville for 12 years and is now residing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Much of her book takes place in Asheville. Chloe’s spiritual memoir reveals the Divine pathway to a more peaceful, happy, fulfilled, and healthy life. Come meet Chloe and find out why her book is changing lives.

GOLD WINNER Memoir by a female—2022 Living Now Book Awards — Books for Better Living

FINALIST New Age Nonfiction: 2022 International Book Awards

SOVEREIGN KAVA hosting Author Event: Wed, OCT. 12, @ 8:30 pm
268 Biltmore Ave.

🌻 Book Discussion 🌻 Reading Excerpts from the book 🌻 Q & A session 🌻 Autographed English & Spanish books available to purchase

For more information about Chloe and her WISDOM KEEPER spiritual memoir: www.ChloeKempWisdomKeeper.com

Thursday, October 13, 2022
Writing Out of Pain: Memoirs by WNC Authors Lecture and Book Discussion Series: Vietnam veterans reading poems and prose from Brothers Like These: Vietnam War Veterans
Oct 13 @ 7:00 pm
West Asheville Public Library


Some of our greatest art has come in response to the pain of this world: war, accident, crime and punishment, physical and mental illness, racial and class-based inequities. As Asheville resident Nancy Sehested has written, “The deeply human questions of forgiveness, redemption, and mercy emerge from the ruins of broken lives…Pain is not the last word.”

On eight evenings from September to December, the Wilma Dykeman Legacy and the West Asheville Library will celebrate four memoirs of resilience and hope from the mountains of Western North Carolina. All events are free and will be at the West Asheville Library, except for the digital event on December 8.

About the Wilma Dykeman Legacy

The Wilma Dykeman Legacy is a tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 2012 to sustain and promote Wilma Dykeman’s values by sponsoring diverse workshops, events, and other programs.  The core values of this extraordinary woman from Buncombe County included environmental integrity, social justice, and the power of the written and spoken word.  For more information, visit www.wilmadykemanlegacy.org.

Friday, October 14, 2022
Award-winning author, Chloe Kemp, presents her spiritual memoir, WISDOM KEEPER: My Extraordinary Journey to Unlock the Sacred Within
Oct 14 @ 6:00 pm
Asheville Yoga Center

Chloe lived in Asheville for 12 years and is now residing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Much of her book takes place in Asheville. Chloe’s spiritual memoir reveals the Divine pathway to a more peaceful, happy, fulfilled, and healthy life. Come meet Chloe and find out why her book is changing lives.

GOLD WINNER Memoir by a female—2022 Living Now Book Awards — Books for Better Living

FINALIST New Age Nonfiction: 2022 International Book Awards

ASHEVILLE YOGA CENTER hosting Author Event: Friday, OCT. 14, @ 6 pm
211 S. Liberty St — arrive early; space for 50 people

🌻 Book Discussion 🌻 Reading Excerpts from the book 🌻 Q & A session 🌻 Autographed English & Spanish books available to purchase

For more information about Chloe and her WISDOM KEEPER spiritual memoir: www.ChloeKempWisdomKeeper.com