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.
The Academy at Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance presents their Spring Showcase on May 14th at 2 pm and 7 pm. This showcase will feature students from all levels of the Academy. Under the direction of Cynthia Ridler, Academy Principal Director, the original ballet “The Velveteen Rabbit” will headline this showcase. This ballet features choreography by many members of the Academy faculty. Also, Academy dancers will appear in original contemporary works choreographed by faculty member Jamie Brege and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance Artistic Director Heather Maloy.
The Academy at Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance presents their Spring Showcase on May 14th at 2 pm and 7 pm. This showcase will feature students from all levels of the Academy. Under the direction of Cynthia Ridler, Academy Principal Director, the original ballet “The Velveteen Rabbit” will headline this showcase. This ballet features choreography by many members of the Academy faculty. Also, Academy dancers will appear in original contemporary works choreographed by faculty member Jamie Brege and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance Artistic Director Heather Maloy.
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic and Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co Game Room Comedy Show (must be 18+)
Cocktails, taps & menu available while you laugh the night away to some of the areas best Standup Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! Comedy Open Mic plus at least Three Professional featured performers.
Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
For more info contact Michele at [email protected]
5/19 Hosted by Hilliary Begley of Netflix & Amazon Prime
Comedy Open Mic Featuring
Ryan Cox, Cameron Davis, Jess Cooley & Larry Griffin
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic and Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co Game Room Comedy Show (must be 18+)
Cocktails, taps & menu available while you laugh the night away to some of the areas best Standup Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! Comedy Open Mic plus at least Three Professional featured performers.
Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
For more info contact Michele at [email protected]
5/19 Hosted by Hilliary Begley of Netflix & Amazon Prime
Comedy Open Mic Featuring
Ryan Cox, Cameron Davis, Jess Cooley & Larry Griffin
Grab your friends, grab your family and join Odyssey Community School for an evening of music, dance and joy! Ticket includes food, 1 drink and headphones for our Silent Disco fundraiser event!
A spectacular professional production by Western North Carolina’s own Ballet Company, directed by Ann Dunn. This event features exciting new work by resident choreographers, including Lyle Laney, Fleming Lomax, Megan Jones Medford, Tricia Renshaw, Sandi Weinberg, and Stephanie Wolfe.
Image by Rose Pillmore.
Plants, plants, & more plants will be showcased at the Black Mountain Garden Sale on Friday, May 20, 4 -8pm and Saturday, May 21, 9am-4pm at the Town Square Parking Lot at the corner of E. State St. and Richardson Blvd.
Hosted by Black Mountain Beautification Committee the sale will feature annuals, herbs, native plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, and vegetable starts from specialty plant vendors. Plus garden décor including garden containers, wood carvings, and other special items.
The popular Clothesline Sale will have personal services for sale. Buy raffle tickets to take a chance to win plants. Proceeds help support the Seed Money Award and to keep the town beautiful!
More info at blackmountainbeautification.org. Let us help you create the garden of your dreams!
Led by Stewart/Owen Dance Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this open level adult contemporary dance class gradually awakens the body and senses through guided improvisation and a follow along warm-up, followed by foundational across-the-floor exercises and center-work combinations. All experience levels welcome!
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots. They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
After a two-year hiatus, the Saluda Arts Festival returns to Saluda’s historic downtown, the event will feature approximately 85 artists from the Carolinas and Tennessee, children’s’ activities, and live music on Main Street in downtown Saluda
Led by Stewart/Owen Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this class begins with full body conditioning followed by a series of technical modern exercises, and culminates in either phrase creation or Stewart/Owen repertory. Dancers are encouraged to modify for their own bodies and spaces! We recommend this class to experienced dancers who are looking for a fast-paced contemporary class that pushes their physical and mental boundaries.
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots.They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
Annual student showcase of Asheville Academy of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, official school of the Asheville Ballet.
A spectacular professional production by Western North Carolina’s own Ballet Company, directed by Ann Dunn. This event features exciting new work by resident choreographers, including Lyle Laney, Fleming Lomax, Megan Jones Medford, Tricia Renshaw, Sandi Weinberg, and Stephanie Wolfe.
Image by Rose Pillmore.
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.
Thursday May 26, 2022Slice of Life Comedy presents the return of comedy nights at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge in Asheville, NC.
(Slice of Life Comedy has been producing quality, premier comedy shows at the Orange Peel for over 10 years)
Pulp Lounge is located in the Orange Peel’s basement at 103 Hilliard Ave, around the corner from the Box Office entrance
Hosted by one of Asheville’s beloved comics,Cody Hughes Featuring James Harrod:James Harrod is a stand up comedian originally from Raleigh now living in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to hosting the Comedy Freakshow every Tuesday night at The Odditorium, he also performs around the east coast opening for comedians like Sean Patton, Yedoye Travis, Michael Palascak, Brandie Posey and many more. Out of all the comics in his scene he was voted most needy and desperate for attention.
Show Time: May 26, 8:30p (Doors at 8p— music from Buzz Radio Asheville “All Asheville Music and Comedy, All the Time”)
Ticket: $15 Tickets at theorangepeel.net and door
Craft Drink specials & snacks available
[Comics sign up to perform at door. Performing comics get in free (+free year membership). New-to-venue performers get 3-5m. Regular comics get as much time as available. Look for light, check with Cody when you get there for time and lineup]
Contact Michele Scheve at [email protected] for more info/any questions or sign up early or request a future feature comedy (paid 20m) spot.
*Pulp is one of Asheville’s finest craft cocktail lounges, located underneath The Orange Peel. This self acclaimed Bourbon bar has 284 different fine bourbon/whiskey selections, which we’re almost sure it’s the most in the entire state. Bourbon connoisseurs from thousands of miles can’t believe their eyes, but don’t worry, The Pulp has a little bit of everything.
Join the Chamber in kicking off GRINDfest 2022 hosted by Black Wall Street AVL!
BLACK WALL STREET AVL, a North Carolina based non-profit organization, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual GRINDfest – a celebration of local Black business and entrepreneurship. Black Wall Street starts, grows and expands businesses, owners and networks to Honor History and Build Wealth together.
GRINDfest is a free, 4-day festival that celebrates Black Business and entrepreneurship. A block-party style event will take place on 8 River Arts Place! This includes a weekend full of music, games, live performance, food, local vendors + learning, employment and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community. A long weekend of fun and excitement.
The ribbon cutting/kickoff will feature Brian Hamilton, the founder of Brian Hamilton Foundation and its program, Inmates to Entrepreneurs. Come enjoy drinks, snacks and help kickoff this year’s festival.
FESTIVAL DATES: MAY 27-30, 2022
Parking Instructions: Parking is located behind, in front of and across the street from the Black Wall Street AVL Building at 8 River Arts Place.
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”,
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a frolicking ballet based on Shakespeare’s spriteful play, is set by Ballet Conservatory director Angie Lynn, ballet master Nadia Iozzo and Gavin Larsen after Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballet “The Dream.” Felix Mendelssohn’s prolific score showcases it’s celebrated overture and famed “Wedding March.” Tender, fading melodies and playful rambling riffs capture the imagination of youthful romance.
Ballet Conservatory’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs May 27-28 at the Wortham Theatre, with performances Friday at 7pm & Saturday at 3pm & 7pm.
Ballet Conservatory’s Helen Coates and Esme Hair alternate the role of Titania alongside Manuel Mata as Oberon. Sarah Adams dances the role of Helena & Sophie Feinblatt as Hermia, with partners Jonah Bell as Demetrius and Eli Simpson as Lysander. Addie Rockoff and Jillian Epstein alternate as the mischievous fairy, Puck, plus Iris Schreiner as Peasblossom.
Ballet Conservatory’s thirteenth Performance Season includes: “Winter Works: Innovations and Variations”, back in March with guest choreography by Nederlands Dans Theater’s Fay Van Baar; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, May 27-28; and “The Nutcracker”, performing at Western Carolina University and the Wortham Theatre this December 2022. The Ballet Conservatory offers excellent classical training in its comprehensive Pre-professional program and full schedule of children’s open classes in ballet, modern, jazz & tap. This year BCA students were awarded spots to attend prestigious Summer Intensives, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. BCA students have been accepted into ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in NYC, North Carolina School of the Arts and the top U.S. universities for ballet: Indian University, Oklahoma University, Butler University, Utah University & Cincinnati University; and one just signed a professional contract with Finnish National Ballet.
Led by Stewart/Owen Dance Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this open level adult contemporary dance class gradually awakens the body and senses through guided improvisation and a follow along warm-up, followed by foundational across-the-floor exercises and center-work combinations. All experience levels welcome!
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots. They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
The Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival offers 90+ artisans, multiple food vendors, continuous entertainment and kids activities in Downtown Lake Lure.
Led by Stewart/Owen Co-Directors, Vanessa Owen and Gavin Stewart, this class begins with full body conditioning followed by a series of technical modern exercises, and culminates in either phrase creation or Stewart/Owen repertory. Dancers are encouraged to modify for their own bodies and spaces! We recommend this class to experienced dancers who are looking for a fast-paced contemporary class that pushes their physical and mental boundaries.
In person: $10, pay at the door
Online: $7 suggested donation, contact [email protected] for class link and details.
About Stewart/Owen Dance: Gavin Stewart and Vanessa Owen, a husband and wife duo, are the co-directors of Western North Carolina based Stewart/Owen Dance. Their choreography has been presented by festivals and companies across the U.S., and their careers have most notably taken them around the globe on fifteen U.S. State Department tours to teach, perform and choreograph contemporary dance with Washington D.C. based Company E. In 2017 they made North Carolina their home base where they work towards building a sustainable community for professional dance artists to set roots.They have choreographed music videos for artists such as Moses Sumney, Sylvan Esso and Ben Phantom. Gavin and Vanessa won the Audience Choice Award at the NYC Dance Gallery Festival 2018, were commissioned as Dance Gallery 2019 Level UP Artists, are recipients of a McDowell Regional Artist Project Grant, a North Carolina Artist Support Grant and were voted “Artists Who Most Pushed the Boundaries with the Human Body” by 2020 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. Since the pandemic, they have focused on producing COVID-conscious dance experiences for live audiences, including drive-up performances and a guided walk-along dance exhibit presented in residence with Asheville’s beloved Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”,
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a frolicking ballet based on Shakespeare’s spriteful play, is set by Ballet Conservatory director Angie Lynn, ballet master Nadia Iozzo and Gavin Larsen after Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballet “The Dream.” Felix Mendelssohn’s prolific score showcases it’s celebrated overture and famed “Wedding March.” Tender, fading melodies and playful rambling riffs capture the imagination of youthful romance.
Ballet Conservatory’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs May 27-28 at the Wortham Theatre, with performances Friday at 7pm & Saturday at 3pm & 7pm.
Ballet Conservatory’s Helen Coates and Esme Hair alternate the role of Titania alongside Manuel Mata as Oberon. Sarah Adams dances the role of Helena & Sophie Feinblatt as Hermia, with partners Jonah Bell as Demetrius and Eli Simpson as Lysander. Addie Rockoff and Jillian Epstein alternate as the mischievous fairy, Puck, plus Iris Schreiner as Peasblossom.
Ballet Conservatory’s thirteenth Performance Season includes: “Winter Works: Innovations and Variations”, back in March with guest choreography by Nederlands Dans Theater’s Fay Van Baar; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, May 27-28; and “The Nutcracker”, performing at Western Carolina University and the Wortham Theatre this December 2022. The Ballet Conservatory offers excellent classical training in its comprehensive Pre-professional program and full schedule of children’s open classes in ballet, modern, jazz & tap. This year BCA students were awarded spots to attend prestigious Summer Intensives, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. BCA students have been accepted into ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in NYC, North Carolina School of the Arts and the top U.S. universities for ballet: Indian University, Oklahoma University, Butler University, Utah University & Cincinnati University; and one just signed a professional contract with Finnish National Ballet.
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”,
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a frolicking ballet based on Shakespeare’s spriteful play, is set by Ballet Conservatory director Angie Lynn, ballet master Nadia Iozzo and Gavin Larsen after Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballet “The Dream.” Felix Mendelssohn’s prolific score showcases it’s celebrated overture and famed “Wedding March.” Tender, fading melodies and playful rambling riffs capture the imagination of youthful romance.
Ballet Conservatory’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs May 27-28 at the Wortham Theatre, with performances Friday at 7pm & Saturday at 3pm & 7pm.
Ballet Conservatory’s Helen Coates and Esme Hair alternate the role of Titania alongside Manuel Mata as Oberon. Sarah Adams dances the role of Helena & Sophie Feinblatt as Hermia, with partners Jonah Bell as Demetrius and Eli Simpson as Lysander. Addie Rockoff and Jillian Epstein alternate as the mischievous fairy, Puck, plus Iris Schreiner as Peasblossom.
Ballet Conservatory’s thirteenth Performance Season includes: “Winter Works: Innovations and Variations”, back in March with guest choreography by Nederlands Dans Theater’s Fay Van Baar; “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, May 27-28; and “The Nutcracker”, performing at Western Carolina University and the Wortham Theatre this December 2022. The Ballet Conservatory offers excellent classical training in its comprehensive Pre-professional program and full schedule of children’s open classes in ballet, modern, jazz & tap. This year BCA students were awarded spots to attend prestigious Summer Intensives, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. BCA students have been accepted into ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school in NYC, North Carolina School of the Arts and the top U.S. universities for ballet: Indian University, Oklahoma University, Butler University, Utah University & Cincinnati University; and one just signed a professional contract with Finnish National Ballet.
The Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival offers 90+ artisans, multiple food vendors, continuous entertainment and kids activities in Downtown Lake Lure.
The Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival offers 90+ artisans, multiple food vendors, continuous entertainment and kids activities in Downtown Lake Lure.
- May 30, 2022, will be the next festival. Follow us on social media or check back here for more details as we plan the 36th Carl Sandburg Music Festival in 2022.
The music festival began in 1987, to honor Carl Sandburg’s efforts to document the history of American music in his American Songbag. Carl Sandburg published the American Songbag in 1927 after spending years documenting and researching early American songs. As Sandburg said, “The American Songbag is a ragbag of strips, stripes, and streaks of color from nearly all ends of the earth. The melodies and verses presented here are from diverse regions, from varied human characters and communities, and each is sung differently in different places.” His publication does not focus on one genre of music, but rather on the human experience. “It is an All-American affair, marshalling the genius of thousands of original singing Americans.”
Sandburg enjoyed all American musical genres. He spent years interviewing musicians and singers, documenting their songs, including folk, gospel, jazz and blues. Carl Sandburg said, “the American Songbag comes from the hearts and voices of thousands of men and women.”
Compiling and publishing the American Songbag was one of the most difficult writing projects Sandburg took on during his life. Today, the Carl Sandburg Music Festival celebrates his work and the work of modern singers and songwriters to share diverse and original American music.
Music Festival is supported by:
Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, Inc.
America’s National Parks, the non-profit partner that operates the park store
A grant from the North Carolina Arts Council; administered by the Arts Council of Henderson County.
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Drumroll…
50th LEAF Festival Tickets —————————————– Get early bird ticket access with membership! —————————————– June 1 – Membership tickets June 15 – General public tickets |
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,