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.

Sunday, February 5, 2023
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Feb 5 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

What: Asheville’s Premier Standup Feature & Open Mic comedy
When: Sunday, February 5, 6:30pm (Come early to get your food and drinks!)
Where: Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Theater 2
675 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville (onsite parking)
Tickets: $14
Comedy open mic. [signup at the door to get 3-5m. Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Hosted by Morgan Bost featuring Allison Shelnut, Jess Cooley and Larry Griffin
FB: https://fb.me/e/3Yb5s4IfD

Monday, February 6, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 6 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

WORTHAM CENTER STUDENT SERIES: Aquila Theatre in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Feb 6 @ 10:00 am
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for Grades 6-12

The fate of a nation hangs in the balance. Journey to a world of conspiracy and betrayal in Aquila Theatre’s striking new production of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Aquila’s nationally-renowned work gives the classics modern relevance and enriches students’ understanding of English literature. With a modern take on ancient themes of war and violence, this production may contain mature content.

Reservations for individuals (10 people or less): $12 each. To reserve, call the box office at 828-257-4530 ext. 1, email [email protected], or complete the Student Series Reservation Form.

Reservations for groups (11 people or more): $11 each. To reserve, download and complete the Student Series Reservation Form. Please note that all group reservations require a deposit of $1 per ticket. Please contact the box office if you have questions.

Learn more about Aquila Theatre here.

Performance Length: Approx. 2 hours, 20 minutes

Musical Theatre K-2nd Grades
Feb 6 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Studio 52

February 6-April 17 (Spring Break March 13-17)

MONDAY 4:30PM – 5:30

Instructor: Zoe Zelonky

This fun and high-energy 10-week class combines the three fundamentals of musical theater, acting, singing, and dance, in an accessible and exciting way! With a focus on singing technique, musicality, movement, and storytelling, students will learn new skills and make friends as they develop songs from Broadway musicals. No prior experience is necessary. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times! We will end the semester with a performance for family and friends on Monday April 24 in the evening!

    • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
    • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

    • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

    • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Musical Theatre 3rd-5th Grades
Feb 6 @ 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
Studio 52

February 6 – April 17 (Spring Break March 13-17)

MONDAY 5:45-6:45PM

Instructor: Zoe Zelonky

In this 10-week session discover the fun and fundamentals of musical theatre technique by integrating acting, singing, and simple choreography in the development of a Broadway repertoire. Students will learn proper vocal technique, story-telling through song, musical theatre-style choreography, and how to work within an ensemble. Apply your skills at the end of class performance for friends and family on Monday April 24 in the evening. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times.

Dates: February 6 – April 17

Grades: 3rd-5th
Day/Time: Monday 5:45-6:45

Tuition: $190

    • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
    • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

    • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

    • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 7 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Acting Class 3rd-5th Grades
Feb 7 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Studio 52

February 7 – April 18 (Spring Break March 13-17)

Tuesday 4:30-5:30

Instructor: Christa Matheus

This 10-week class is designed for curious young performers eager to explore the “FUN”-damentals of acting. Through high-energy theatre games, improvisation, pantomime, storytelling, and ensemble-based activities, students will hone their theatre skills, build meaningful connections with other young artists, and discover their creative potential! Showcase what you learned at the end of class performance for friends and family on Monday April 24 in the evening. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times.

Dates: February 7 – April 18

Grades: 3rd-5th
Day/Time: Tuesday 4:30-5:30

Instructor: Christa Mattheus

  • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.

  • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

  • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

  • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Acting 6th-8th Grades
Feb 7 @ 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
Studio 52

ACTING

6th – 8th Grades

February 7 – April 19

Tuesday 5:45-6:45

Instructor: Christa Matheus

In this 10-week semester, young artists will learn to create dynamic relationships through theatre games, improvisation, and scene work. With an emphasis on ensemble storytelling, character creation, physicality, and voice and speech, students will leave feeling more collaborative, creative, and confident making bold choices on stage and in life. Apply your skills at the end of semester performance for friends and family on Monday April 24 in the evening. No prior experience is necessary, only an open mind! With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times.

  • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
  • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

  • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

  • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Dark City Poet’s Society
Feb 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 8 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Musical Theatre 6th-8th Grades
Feb 8 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Studio 52

MUSICAL THEATRE

6th – 8th Grades

February 8 – April 19 (Spring Break March 13-17)

WEDNESDAY: 5:00PM-6:00PM

Instructor: Lauren Hopkins & Ethan Andersen

Build on the fundamentals of musical theatre technique by integrating acting, singing, and basic choreography in the development of a musical revue. Expand on principles of vocal technique, music theory, knowledge of Broadway repertoire, expression of character through movement, and learn how to elevate performances by making specific and unique choices on stage. Apply your skills at the end of semester performance for friends and family on Monday April 24 in the evening. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times!

  • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
  • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

  • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional camp. This offer applies to multiple class for one student or family discounts for siblings.

  • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Teen Ensemble 8th-12th Grades
Feb 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Studio 52

TEEN ENSEMBLE

February 8 – April 19 (Spring Break March 13-17)

8th-12th Grades

Wednesday 6:30PM-8:00PM

Instructors: Lauren Hopkins & Ethan Andersen

In this collegiate-style class, teen artists will learn from industry experts in a combination of acting and musical theatre training, rehearsal, and performance. Daily classes in acting, movement, and music will challenge students to explore the nuances of theatre technique and provide a framework approaching songs, scenes, and monologues, developed and performed in an original revue at the end of the session. This session is ideal for students who are passionate about theatre, excited to collaborate in a pre-professional environment with peers and industry experts, and looking to grow and develop as artists. Showcase your revue at our end of semester performance for family and friends on Monday April 24 in the evening! With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times.

  • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
  • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

  • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

  • *Need-based and merit-based scholarships are available upon application.

Every Brilliant Thing
Feb 8 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company

By Duncan MacMillian with Jonny Donahoe

Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver and Starring Scott Treadway


You’re six years old and your mom’s in the hospital because, as your dad says, she “finds it hard to be happy”. You start making a list for her of all the wonderful things in life.
No. 1 “Ice cream”
No. 6 “Rollercoasters”
No. 517 “Knowing someone well enough to get them to check your teeth for broccoli”
The list grows as you do, taking on a life of its own, eventually morphing into a million items and the very thing that helps you find light during your own darkest moments.
No. 999 “Sunlight”
No. 10,000 “Waking up late with someone you love”
No. 999,997 “The alphabet”
Every Brilliant Thing is a heart wrenching and hilarious one-man play that will have your belly laughing and your eyes brimming. Based on true and untrue stories, it is a life-affirming story of how to achieve hope through focusing on the smallest miracles of life.
One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop…There is something tough being confronted here—the guilt of not being able to make those we love happy—and it is explored with unflinching honesty.” —The Guardian (UK)

Content Warning: Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is wonderful in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. It is recommended for audience members 14 and older.  If you or somebody you know is struggling, please call 988, The Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

Thursday, February 9, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 9 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Acting Class K-2nd Grades
Feb 9 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Studio 52

February 9-April 20 (Spring Break March 13-17)

THURSDAY 4:30PM – 5:30

Instructor: Eleanor Palmer

This fun and high-energy 10-week class combines the three fundamentals of musical theater, acting, singing, and dance, in an accessible and exciting way! With a focus on singing technique, musicality, movement, and storytelling, students will learn new skills and make friends as they develop songs from Broadway musicals. No prior experience is necessary. With new material every semester, this class can (and should) be taken multiple times! We will end the semester with a performance for family and friends on Monday April 24 in the evening!

Dates: February 9 – April 20

Day/Time: Thursday 4:30-5:30

Grades: K-2
Instructor: Eleanor Palmer

Tuition: $190

Location: Studio 52

1855 Little River Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731

  • Payment plans are available through the Box Office at 828.693.0731.
  • A $50 deposit is required to secure the student’s spot in the class. The full payment must be completed by the first day of class.

  • Students and families that register for more than one class are offered a $25 discount for each additional class. This offer applies to multiple classes for one student or family discounts for siblings.

  • *Need-based scholarships are available upon application.

Rent School Edition
Feb 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

La Vie Boheme! Join the HS Company in the musical that shaped a generation of audiences and taught us all to measure our life in love.

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent School Edition is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent School Edition follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

Please note, this performance is rated PG-13. This musical contains mature themes that center around the AIDS Crisis.

Abe Lincoln and Uncle Tom in the White House
Feb 9 @ 7:30 pm
The Wortham Center for The Performing Arts

Written by Carlyle Brown

Directed by Stephanie Hickling Beckman

 

ABE LINCOLN AND UNCLE TOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE portrays a gripping re-imagination of the the events the night before Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Alone in the Executive Office, President Abraham Lincoln is struggling with signing the Emancipation Proclamation when he is mysteriously visited by Uncle Tom, the fictional character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s abolitionist novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly. These two iconic characters from life and literature—one real, the other fiction—attempt to understand each other across a chasm of race in the midst of the Civil War. Throughout one late night and into the dawning day, they find themselves crossing over into each other’s world in a tale of suffering, self-discovery, and redemption.

“I hadn’t read the book [Uncle Tom’s Cabin], and I had fallen victim to the mentality that says when you hear the name Uncle Tom you get the picture of the worst individual you could imagine, In reading the book, I found a character of honor and dignity and I thought, maybe this character deserves to be looked at again.” – James A Williams

Every Brilliant Thing
Feb 9 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company

By Duncan MacMillian with Jonny Donahoe

Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver and Starring Scott Treadway


You’re six years old and your mom’s in the hospital because, as your dad says, she “finds it hard to be happy”. You start making a list for her of all the wonderful things in life.
No. 1 “Ice cream”
No. 6 “Rollercoasters”
No. 517 “Knowing someone well enough to get them to check your teeth for broccoli”
The list grows as you do, taking on a life of its own, eventually morphing into a million items and the very thing that helps you find light during your own darkest moments.
No. 999 “Sunlight”
No. 10,000 “Waking up late with someone you love”
No. 999,997 “The alphabet”
Every Brilliant Thing is a heart wrenching and hilarious one-man play that will have your belly laughing and your eyes brimming. Based on true and untrue stories, it is a life-affirming story of how to achieve hope through focusing on the smallest miracles of life.
One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop…There is something tough being confronted here—the guilt of not being able to make those we love happy—and it is explored with unflinching honesty.” —The Guardian (UK)

Content Warning: Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is wonderful in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. It is recommended for audience members 14 and older.  If you or somebody you know is struggling, please call 988, The Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
Feb 9 @ 8:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

2.9.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday 2.9.2023. 8p-11p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! .
Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]
FB Event: https://fb.me/e/3aHkfNBlR
Moira Goree Moira is a comedian from Asheville,NC. With a perfect mix of heavy and humor Moira Goree brings rockstar energy to her intense storytelling and queer comedic presence. She’s a transgender woman who people have called darkly funny and authentic in her delivery. . She performs all over the southeast.She’s opened for Rory Scovel,Myk Caplan & Emma Arnold.
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram.
About Slice of Life Comedy: Slice of Life Comedy is owned and run by long standing Ashevillian Michele Scheve. Michele was the Founder and Publisher of the hit satire newspaper “The Asheville Disclaimer” in 2002 (till 2015). She also Hosts one of 103.3 Asheville FM’ longest running and most popular shows, “Slumber Party AVL”, which began in 2011. In addition to these established platforms, Michele also Co-Founded and Co-Owns Buzz Radio Asheville, which features only local music and comedy 24/7. Slice of Life Comedy began as a partnership, between Michele and comedian Kelly Rowe, doing live shows at Pulp Lounge in 2010, highlighting local up-and-coming comics through Open Mic events. From there, Slice of Life Comedy began booking feature shows, After-Party shows for national headline acts and collaboration with more and more venues and producers in the scene. Today, Slice of Life Comedy is the Premiere Partner for shows at some of Asheville’s most well-known and beloved venues.

Friday, February 10, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 10 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Jurassic World Live Tour
Feb 10 @ 7:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

With unrivaled arena production quality, Jurassic World comes to life against a backdrop of captivating scenery where dinosaurs from the iconic franchise, including fan-favorite Velociraptor Blue and a Tyrannosaurus rex more than 40 feet in length, take center stage. The production features more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs, with scale, speed and ferocity, operated by animatronics and performers.

 

Jurassic World’s unmistakable score combined with projection and practical scenery transforms the arena into the dense jungles of Isla Nublar, where real Gyrospheres roll through the valley and scientists work to unravel a corrupt plan and save anew dinosaur from a terrible fate. With pulse-pounding stunts and an original, authentic storyline, this show is guaranteed to make memories that will last another 65 million years.

Rent School Edition
Feb 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

La Vie Boheme! Join the HS Company in the musical that shaped a generation of audiences and taught us all to measure our life in love.

Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent School Edition is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Rent School Edition follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

Please note, this performance is rated PG-13. This musical contains mature themes that center around the AIDS Crisis.

Abe Lincoln and Uncle Tom in the White House
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm
The Wortham Center for The Performing Arts

Written by Carlyle Brown

Directed by Stephanie Hickling Beckman

 

ABE LINCOLN AND UNCLE TOM IN THE WHITE HOUSE portrays a gripping re-imagination of the the events the night before Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Alone in the Executive Office, President Abraham Lincoln is struggling with signing the Emancipation Proclamation when he is mysteriously visited by Uncle Tom, the fictional character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s abolitionist novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly. These two iconic characters from life and literature—one real, the other fiction—attempt to understand each other across a chasm of race in the midst of the Civil War. Throughout one late night and into the dawning day, they find themselves crossing over into each other’s world in a tale of suffering, self-discovery, and redemption.

“I hadn’t read the book [Uncle Tom’s Cabin], and I had fallen victim to the mentality that says when you hear the name Uncle Tom you get the picture of the worst individual you could imagine, In reading the book, I found a character of honor and dignity and I thought, maybe this character deserves to be looked at again.” – James A Williams

CALENDAR GIRLS
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

By: Tim Firth
Based on the Miramax motion picture by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Director: Brandi Andrade

Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Rating: Mature due to adult situations, humor, and language

Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven middle-aged women who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund in 1999. When Annie’s husband John dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They persuade four friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, assisted by hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. News of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in Yorkshire, England. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.

Every Brilliant Thing
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company

By Duncan MacMillian with Jonny Donahoe

Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver and Starring Scott Treadway


You’re six years old and your mom’s in the hospital because, as your dad says, she “finds it hard to be happy”. You start making a list for her of all the wonderful things in life.
No. 1 “Ice cream”
No. 6 “Rollercoasters”
No. 517 “Knowing someone well enough to get them to check your teeth for broccoli”
The list grows as you do, taking on a life of its own, eventually morphing into a million items and the very thing that helps you find light during your own darkest moments.
No. 999 “Sunlight”
No. 10,000 “Waking up late with someone you love”
No. 999,997 “The alphabet”
Every Brilliant Thing is a heart wrenching and hilarious one-man play that will have your belly laughing and your eyes brimming. Based on true and untrue stories, it is a life-affirming story of how to achieve hope through focusing on the smallest miracles of life.
One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop…There is something tough being confronted here—the guilt of not being able to make those we love happy—and it is explored with unflinching honesty.” —The Guardian (UK)

Content Warning: Although the play balances the struggles of life while celebrating all that is wonderful in living each day, Every Brilliant Thing contains descriptions of depression, self-harm, and suicide. It is recommended for audience members 14 and older.  If you or somebody you know is struggling, please call 988, The Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

MUSES AND MOCKTAILS
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

We invite you to drink in the nectar of our heart’s creative delight… A Love Potion by OMotion!

THE SHOW

A one of a kind unique multi-dimensional event !!!!

Muses & Mocktails is not only a show to indulge the senses; it is also a fundraiser for our next full length production, Cycles of Dance, coming up Autumn 2023!

Join us for an evening of potent performance art & herbal elixirs!

OMotion Collective & featured performers convene to share an infusion of musings woven together.

Highlighting:

  • Dance
  • Burlesque
  • Flow arts
  • Comedy
  • Poetry

– & –

  • Looping Musical Mastery

The mocktails being served are The MerTails curated by local purveyor: The NOHM. These herbaceous libations hold a sweet reminder to savor every drop of this creative healing elixir as we rejoice with a cheers.

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THE AFTER-SHOW DANCE PARTY

The show will be followed by a dance party. Electronic sets by local talents Blacknote and Atum are sure to getcha’ moving once you’re bubbling with inspiration after the spectrum of expressive acts we have brewed up.

TIming conflicts or preference to just come after the main show & shake it on out? If you can’t make it to the main show, you can purchase a reduced price ticket which is only valid for the after-show Dance Party.

_________________________

Doors at 6:30pm

Show at 7:30pm

Dance Party 9:15pm

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GENERAL ADMISSION: $33 per person – Full Access Show + Drink + Dance Party

VIP:  $88 for 2 persons – Full Access Show + Drink + Dance Party ( with reserved table for 2 with a decadent spread of fruits, nuts & local chocolate)

DANCE PARTY ONLY: $22 per person – Admittance following the end of the main show

Native Gardens
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Tania, a very pregnant PHD candidate, and Pablo, her high-powered lawyer husband, realize the American dream when they buy a house with a backyard in Washington, DC. Living next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank is great – until a disagreement arises over a long-standing fence line between their homes. The conflict spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. With witty humor and engaging real-life drama, Native Gardens showcases conflict – and the worst and best ways to work it out!

Content Warning: Native Gardens contains mature themes, depictions of smoking, pregnancy/childbirth, microaggressions, and discussions of racism.

Accessibility:

All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.

Saturday, Feb 25, 2023: ASL-Interpreted Performance

The Magnetic Theatre Presents: HappyLand
Feb 10 @ 7:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

The Magnetic Theatre is thrilled to kick off its 2023 Mainstage Season with HappyLand, a fun and fantastical new musical by Brayden Dickerson and Zach Knox of Asheville’s blues-fusion band Smooth Goose, featuring live tunes and an exciting ensemble of quirky characters.

This non-stop rock opera tells the tale of a delivery person who doesn’t quite fit into the titular town of HappyLand. Tasked with delivering one last package before the vacation they have been dreaming of, our bicycling box-bearer embarks on an epic journey through the barren Neither, where a host of unsavory characters contrives to stay this courier from their appointed rounds.  Nevertheless, our maudlin messenger is determined to make it to SadLand. But what will they find when they arrive? Could the addressee be the love of their life? What message does the all-important package contain? And can our hero deliver the earth from annihilation?

Directed by Jason Phillips and featuring an ensemble cast with rotating lead actors, HappyLand is a delightful extravaganza of song, silliness, dance, romance, and splendiferous space battles.

Saturday, February 11, 2023
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters: Culture of the American South
Feb 11 all-day
online
South
The Southern Studies Fellowship in Arts and Letters is a first-of-its-kind and immersive fellowship focused on the culture of the American South. We’ve officially opened applications for year three of the program starting this summer!

This first-of-its-kind program brings one early-career artist and one early-career writer to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for a nine-month fellowship of research, creativity, teaching, and travel, culminating in a collaborative project informed by the region. This program is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the culture of the American South.

In addition to focusing on their own creative projects, the Southern Studies Fellows will have opportunities and requirements for educational community service in Spartanburg County; these will include college and high school classroom visits/lectures, readings, open studios, workshops, and projects affiliated with the host organizations. The fellows will be expected to contribute up to 20 hours per week in the following areas: community service, artist-writer collaboration, and out-of-town travel for project research.

A key component of this unique fellowship is the opportunity to interact with leading scholars, artists, and writers throughout the South. Each fellow will have opportunities to travel in the Southern region to conduct research at cultural and educational institutions, which will inform their work and will be critical in the development of their ideas for a collaborative project that expands the understanding of the modern South.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
Feb 11 @ 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.