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.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
Ministry
Carpenter Brut
Alien Weaponry
Show : 7:15pm
Doors : 6:30pm
$30 – $33
Ages 18+
Public Onsale Begins:
Friday, June 8, 2018 12:00 PM
Tickets & Info: www.theorangepeel.net/event/ministry/
Ministry’s Al Joursengen, the acclaimed pioneer of industrial music, doesn’t muck around, doesn’t sugar-coat, doesn’t pull punches. He’s highly opinionated, exceptionally well read and articulate on subjects ranging from politics to alien conspiracies to American history to his beloved Chicago Blackhawks/Bulls/White Sox/Bears. He is an avid follower of NASA scientist David S. McKay, ancient civilizations scholar Zecharia Sitchin, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Scottish writer/archaeologist/scientist Graham Hancock. During a layover at the Las Vegas airport this past summer, Jourgensen spotted U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, introduced himself, and took full advantage of the encounter to let the Congressman know of his views on tax reform and the possible perils of redistribution of wealth, the current obstruction of the “Russia-gate” investigation by the House Intelligence Committee lead by Republican Chair Devin Nunes, and to inquire about the status of the possible impeachment of the President, on not only obstruction and collusion charges, but for treason.
You see, Al Jourgensen is angry, really angry about what’s going on in America – sexual abuse and the disrespect of women in our society, the waning respect for the U.S. Constitution, the growing acceptance of one’s opinions replacing facts, the decline of the our leaders’ sense of morals, ethics and personal responsibility to the country and to their constituents, and the mad man in the White House. Yeah, Al is angry, and that takes us straight to Ministry’s upcoming album AmeriKKKant.
Before all of that, the industrial machine that is Ministry has manufactured immense amounts of sound during its 30+ years of musical artistry. Initially coming into existence in 1981, Ministry was to be the lifetime passion project of front runner and founder Al Jourgensen. Often associated with ideas and imagery that are easily recognized today, in part because of Jourgensen’s insanely dreaded hair, pitch black attire, vampiric glasses, and exquisite top hat, the band has become incredibly symbolic. But like any creature cursed with the gift of creativity, “Uncle Al” has shed his skin several times over the decades. The development of Ministry and all of Al Jourgensen projects has been purely organic, which is a huge reason why the masses following his projects are so vast.
Often referred to as one of the founders of Industrial Music, the true outlook of Ministry as well as Jourgensen’s other projects, is far more fluid than just one specific genre. Surgical Meth Machine, Revolting Cocks, and anything Al “Fucking” Jourgensen has produced all explore different realms of sound and thought.
In the year 1981 in Chicago Illinois, Ministry was initially born. With an original line up of Al Jourgensen doing lead vocals, guitar, programming and overall production, Stephen George on drums, Robert Roberts on keyboards and backing vocals, and John Davis also on keyboards and backing vocals. New sounds were constantly being developed in the 80’s especially as technology improved. At first the band had a very catchy, synth-pop sound. They began by releasing four 12” singles on Wax Track! Records starting in 1981, and released their first LP “With Sympathy” in 1983 via Arista Records.
As time progressed however, so did Ministry, and they quickly developed a harsher, and even more stylized industrial sound that they soon became infamous for. In the mid to late 80’s the band gained a progressively greater following as it released albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). The darker, heavier sound that Ministry had developed into was often a direct reflection upon modern concepts, society, and politics. It was also during this time that Al Jourgensen himself reached one of his many peaks of creativity and branched off into what would be one of his many side-projects: Revolting Cocks. He also began producing a vast amount of other music by artists similar to his realm in one way or another such as Nivek Ogre/Skinny Puppy, The Reverend Horton Heat, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick and Red Hot Chili Peppers. With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all time high in the mainstream musical realm and even received a Grammy nomination. Filth Pig was released in 1994 and by then Ministry had not only grown a solid fanbase, but a solid reputation as well.
Famous for a hellaciously unique talent and sound, pure heinous insanity while on tour, and endless energy filled performances at countless festivals, Ministry had developed a cult following and would go on to release several more records throughout the years before eventually taking a hiatus. On December 23rd, 2012 then guitarist Mike Scaccia suffered a heart attack and passed away. It was not long after this that Jourgensen took what was to be an indefinite leave from doing anything Ministry related as he could not bare to continue without Scaccia. It wasn’t until recently that Jourgensen decided that if the circumstances were right, he would consider reawakening Ministry to release something new to the world.
Now, in 2017 Ministry has reunited, revamped its line-up, signed to Nuclear Blast Records, recently returned from a full world tour, and is now preparing to release their 14th studio album, AmeriKKKant, on March 9th 2018. Society and Politics have taken a turn for the insane and frightening in the United States and across the globe, leaving much inspiration and frustration for Ministry to draw from. Jourgensen remembers his shock while witnessing everyone and everything around him during the recent election process, and awoke on the morning of November 9th 2016 proclaiming: “We are making a fuckin’ album – right now.”
AmeriKKKant, like all Ministry projects, is an organic reflection of not just the band’s talent and sounds, but of the society in which we all live and breathe. Jourgensen says “I’ve spoken my piece on the societal conditions that would elect such a blithering idiot. It’s not an anti-Trump album, it’s like a- ‘did you pay attention in School? Does anybody have any intellectual curiosity anymore?’- album. [It’s] basically just holding up a mirror to ourselves and saying: ‘Look at this, is this what you really want to be?’”
With a new line up, incredibly full sound, and some might say a return to the roots of Ministry, the band is prepared to release a record that is socially relevant and sonically effective. Fans can look forward to a hearty future for not just Ministry, but Surgical Meth Machine, and Revolting Cocks as well. There is simply too much insanity in this world for Jourgensen not to speak his mind and keep our senses alive with his vast array of decibels and visuals: “I’m afraid for the stupidity of not embracing nonsense. I think nonsense is a great escape from the rigors of being in life’s hamster wheel.”
www.ministryband.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjEC49hTitI
https://www.facebook.com/events/1596528863806807/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
Join Capella on 9 for a free Maker’s Mark holiday whiskey tasting. Guests can enjoy complimentary appetizers, and drinks will be available for purchase.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
Stop by Wine Xpress for a taste of “The Sweetest Shine in the South” tm
https://www.facebook.com/events/2499202513659961/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
The 3rd annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl is here and we want the city of Asheville to join in on the fun. Get that Goodwill sweater, find those tacky holiday pants, and get ready to jingle bell ROCK!
Ticket Includes:
* Ugly Sweater T-shirt handed out at our after party. (photo shown below)
* Signature Ugly Sweater Crawl Koozie at registration
* Registration party to kick off the crawl
* Professional photographer on site to capture the fun
* DJ’s playing holiday music at multiple stops
* Themed Discounted Drink specials at participating bars
* Ugly Sweater Crawl Map to help guide you bar to bar
* Hundreds of crawlers dressed in the ugliest holiday gear staying together
* Voted one of the most fun & organized holiday crawls by Yelp 2017
Due to inclement weather, this event has been moved from Saturday, December 8th to Saturday, December 15th.
Cooper invites everyone and their pets to come out to Mountain Brook Vineyards to have their pet’s picture taken with Santa on Saturday, December 15th, between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. The address is 731 Phillips Dairy Road, Tryon, NC 28782, and they’re located just 8.8 miles from the Tryon Equestrian Center going towards Rutherfordton.
If you don’t have a pet, PAWS will also be on site with adoptable dogs and cats looking for their forever homes for the holidays!
Instant photos will be available to take home for $5.00 with all profits going to PAWS. Come out and enjoy some holiday cheer and some grrrreat wine! Https://www.mountainbrookvineyards.com/events/picture-your-pet-with-santa-paws-adoption-event
https://www.facebook.com/events/2186338094975656/
Join us at Clasique for our annual “Itty Bitty Crafty”- the perfect place for a holiday party and merrymaking!
Bring your holiday spirit and shop gifts from our favorite LOCAL artists! Drop by the studio between 2 – 6pm for shopping, enjoying wine, cider from Noble Cider, and chocolate from French Broad Chocolates. We’ll also have live mandolin tunes by the lovely & talented Cynthia McDermott from 2-4!
Artists & designers include : Spotted Dog Farm – Asheville, NC, Fly Coop Studios, Kintala Talismans, Mary Cozens Art, and many more!
https://www.facebook.com/events/283781488937137/
A day of good music, beautiful views and fabulous award-winning wine
https://www.facebook.com/events/310897129507027/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
What better way to celebrate the Holidays than by decorating gingerbread houses and drinking wine! We supply everything for the gingerbread house and you get a glass of wine. Cost is only $15!!!
Call the winery at (828) 584-4551 to RSVP today! Only 15 spots available.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1924287551024532/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
We’ve tapped Addison Farms’ 2017 Coming Home Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon were the first grapes planted in the vineyard and were the impetus for Jeff and Dianne to come home from Atlanta, which is something they had been wanting to do for some time. Coming Home to the family farm and working to preserve the family farm is celebrated with each bottle of Coming Home.
Meet the owner, Jeff Frisbee, and winemaker, Shruthi Dhoopati.
https://www.facebook.com/events/285411768986007/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
ASHEVILLE’S BEST FREE WINE TASTING HIGH-END CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Please welcome William “Bill” O’Friel Back To The Tasting Bar For Our High-End California Holiday Spectacular
Champagne TBD (maybe Veuve, Pol Roger)
Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir
Dariush Caravan Red
Newton Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon
Honig Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Wine Wednesdays, include one *free sample from each of our hand selected fine wine features (up to four wines). New wines are chosen each week.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1966525293397203/
Join us for a Sparkling Wine Dinner to ring in the Holidays! Chef Michael has perfectly paired sparkling wines from around the world to tantalize our taste buds! Drew Summers, of Advintage Distributing will be our tour guide on this delightful journey! He will even be wowing us with his saber technique! Merit might even give it a try! You don’t want to miss this! Come help us celebrate 2018 and get ready to ring in 2019! Cost is $50 per person. Please contact the store to reserve your spot! 828-595-2236
Menu:
Sriracha & Wasabi Devilled Eggs | Sake, Ginger, Chives
Shrimp Bisque | Sherry, Crème Fraiche, Caviar
Poached Pear Salad | Winter Leaves, Tomatoes, Champagne Vinaigrette
Mac ‘n’ Cheese| Brie, Black Truffles
Chocolate-Orange Mousse | Vanilla Whipped Cream, Raspberry
https://www.facebook.com/events/354777081774257/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
Who doesn’t like Art & Wine? Stroll thru the streets of Sylvatown on Dec. 20th to taste great wines and view local artists! Sponsored by The Cut Cocktail Lounge, White Moon, Noon, Pie Times, Gallery 1, The Paper Mill Lounge, Guadelupe Cafe, City Lights Cafe, Mill St Baby, and Regina Nicole!
https://www.facebook.com/events/367311450516181/
Come and celebrate the Winter Solstice with the release of our Dark Prong Coffee Porter. Roasted barley, chocolate malt and smooth pecan coffee (from local Pisgah Coffee Roasters) intertwine for a bold, flavorful porter.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1422759147855974/
Come try some fantastic natural wines that will pair perfectly with your holiday! We will be pouring the following wines:
Teutonic Riesling – Williamette Valley
Martha Stoumen Post Flirtation – 55% Del Barba Zinfandel, 45% Redwood Valley Carignan
Idlewild The Bird – Mendocino County – 60% Dolcetto, 35% Barbera, 5% Nebbiolo
Each of these wines is bright and high acid, drinkable enough to stand alone but is extremely food friendly. We love these wines and are excited to share them with you!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1471390979659282/
- Nearly one million twinkling lights
- Countless decorative images
- Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
- Animated Story Tree
- Animal Characters
- Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
- Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
- Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase
While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.
Sweet Sippin’ will be Merry & Bright tonight as we collaborate with a local catering partner and Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard out of Hendersonville, NC. 5 wines, 5 course samples and the beautiful sounds of The Quatrophonics, a quartet of wily saxophonists…even Santa will want a ticket! A great early Christmas gift for yourself or others – join us as we celebrate what this season is all about – spending time with those you love, and celebrating the local talents around us!
https://www.facebook.com/events/207106746860707/
Hello Everyone! Hope you are all looking forward to this New location! 2umbao will be hosting this special Christmas event for the Debut Performance of 2umbao’s Ladies Team!!
Thanks to #RitmoKultural and 103.3 Asheville FM for their support!
*Cover $10 ( This includes Class , Social, & Performance ?)
** Sensual Bachata Class at 8pm with Jennifer & Mary from 2umbao!
***Sharing the Decks at 9pm
1st DJ Malinalli, Asheville NC
2nd Special guest DJ Sens3 , Knoxville TN
****Special Performance at 11:15pm
This is a gorgeous new location for Urban Orchard Downtown , large open space and a bar that provides Beer, Cider, & Wine!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1946343472337577/
Join us for a fun, relaxed holiday party to decompress and rejuvenate for the final days of this holiday season!
*NEW WINE RELEASE*
2018 Chardonnay Pet Nat – Hand harvested in Hendersonville, NC on September 2, this sparkling Chardonnay was produced by the Pétillant Naturel method.
12 – 5pm: Cookie Swap – bake a cookie and pack a to-go of delicious treats.
12 – 10pm: Ping Pong by Pong AVL
7 – 9pm: Holiday Decoration with Jillian Stewart – make something festive for yourself, or a last minute gift!
Rock your favorite ugly sweaters all day.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1976619585784785/