Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Saturday, March 18, 2023
Tuatha Dea
Mar 18 all-day
Hendersonville Theatre

Marc Gunn’s Irish and Celtic PodCast rates Tuatha Dea as one of the top 10 Celtic bands of 2022!

Hendersonville Theatre is proud to bring Tuatha Dea to Western North Carolina! Rated as one of the top 10 Celtic bands in the United States, Tuatha Dea is a progressive Americana band with a Rock edge, a Celtic-Appalachian influence and a fearless attitude for pushing the boundaries of modern roots music. Their music thrives on a perpetual energy backed by expansive vocal ranges, steady, driving percussion, electric instrumentation and the melodic sounds of acoustic instruments like fiddle, guitar, penny whistle, bagpipes and even didgeridoo.

Dubbed “The Eclectic Partridge Family In Kilts And Corsets” And “The Appalachian Fae” Tuatha Dae has appeared at The Montauk Music Festival, Floydfest, Bristol Rhythm And Roots, Dragoncon, Comicpalooza, Anachrocon, and many highland games and celtic music festivals.
Tuatha Dea has performed on stage with and accompanied Paul Simon, Alto Reed, and James Mckinney. The band hails from Gatlinburg, TN. Please check out Tuatha Dea’s website at www.tuathadea.com.

Tuatha Dea is an Old Irish phrase adopted from the Celtic mythology of the Tuatha de Danaan whose literary history originates in Ireland and Great Britain. The name “Tuatha Dea” literally translates into “Children of The Gods”. The band’s Celtic influence stems directly from this historical clan which lived and ruled for a period in ancient Ireland and who were later destined to become the stuff of legend and basis of Celtic mythology. Those who dwelt beneath the burrows. The Children of The Gods.

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Mar 18 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Tuckasegee River Excursion
Mar 18 @ 11:00 am
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

Vocal Master Class with Naturally 7
Mar 18 @ 1:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Henry LaBrun Studio

All Levels, Ages 13+

In a distinct style they call “vocal play,” Naturally 7 transforms their voices into the sounds of a full instrumental band. Listen to demonstrations of their singing techniques, learn the tools they use to approach both art and life, and explore the range of your voice in this engaging musical master class.

Rumours – The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
Mar 18 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rumours has meticulously put together a show that spares no detail. Recreating the band’s legendary persona, in all its youthful glory from 1975-1987. From period-accurate equipment and costumes to spot-on characterizations and musical performances, Rumours takes you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience and bands weren’t afraid to put on a show. Relive the rock and roll magic with Rumours- The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show at Flat Rock Playhouse.

Kane Brown: Drunk or Dreaming Tour
Mar 18 @ 7:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

KANE BROWN ANNOUNCES US LEG OF HIS GLOBAL DRUNK OR DREAMING TOUR. BROWN’S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW ALBUM, DIFFERENT MAN, OUT NOW!

On the heels of his historic MTV VMA performance as the first male country artist to perform on the show, Multi-Platinum, 5X AMA award-winning entertainer Kane Brown today announced his Drunk or Dreaming Tour will arrive in the US next year. Produced by AEG Presents, the US tour will kick off in Grand Rapids, MI on March 16, 2023 and hit 23 US cities along the way before wrapping in Greenwood Village, CO at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 10. The Drunk or Dreaming Tour will make a stop in Greenville on March 18. During the tour, Brown will perform his first solo headlining arena show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 31.

The international leg of the tour will wrap up in Stockholm on January 31 after hitting cities including Sydney, London, and Toronto. The new tour follows the success of Brown’s Blessed & Free Tour in which he visited all 29 NBA basketball arenas, making the “breakthrough entertainer” (AP) the first country artist in history to headline every NBA basketball arena in a single tour and one of only 10 other country acts to sell-out Los Angeles Crypto.com Center (formerly Staples Center)in the venue’s history.

Register now at kanebrownmusic.com for Kane Brown’s pre-sale that begins Tuesday, September 6 at 10am local time. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, September 6 at 12pm local time until Thursday, September 8 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. Tickets for Drunk or Dreaming will go on-sale to the general public Friday, September 9, at 10am local time. Visit kanebrownmusic.com for a full list of tour dates, additional pre-sale and ticket on-sale information. Special guests Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett and LOCASH will join on select dates. Please find all tour dates listed below.

The Pollstar, American Songwriter and Billboard Cover artist Brown’s highly anticipated new album, Different Man, will be released on September 9th. The album features his current hit, “Like I Love Country Music,” his #1 hit, “One Mississippi” and his new single, “Grand.” Pre-order the album here!

OUTPOST: Songs From the Road Band w/ special guests Into the Fog
Mar 18 @ 7:00 pm
The Outpost

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– THE OUTPOST – 521 AMBOY RD

Songs From The Road Band is an Asheville, North Carolina based bluegrass supergroup featuring Mark Schimick (mandolin), Charles Humphrey III (bass), Sam Wharton (guitar), James Schlender (fiddle), and Gabe Epstein (banjo). The band takes flight with virtuosic  picking, singing, and grammy award winning songwriting.  Several of their most recent singles have gone to the top of the Bluegrass Today Grassicana chart. They have 6 studio albums available at all musical outlets.

Into The Fog

Rumours – The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show
Mar 18 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Rumours has meticulously put together a show that spares no detail. Recreating the band’s legendary persona, in all its youthful glory from 1975-1987. From period-accurate equipment and costumes to spot-on characterizations and musical performances, Rumours takes you back to a time when music was still an unbridled cultural experience and bands weren’t afraid to put on a show. Relive the rock and roll magic with Rumours- The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show at Flat Rock Playhouse.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend with Tuatha Dea
Mar 18 @ 7:30 pm – 9:45 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Hendersonville Theatre’s Hometown Sound Music Series invites you to keep the St. Patrick’s Day celebration going with Celtic favorite Tuatha Dea. Tickets are $30 and available online at HVLtheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10 percent discount.

Named one of the top 10 Celtic bands of 2022 by Marc Gunn’s Irish and Celtic Podcast, Tuatha Dea is a progressive Americana-rock band with a Celtic-Appalachian influence and a fearless attitude for pushing the boundaries of modern roots and world music. From Gatlinburg, TN, the band’s eclectic sound blends the tribal vibe of primitive drums with conventional and non-conventional instruments like fiddle, guitar, penny whistle, bagpipes and even didgeridoo. The result is a musical crossover that defies any category and genre.

From the beginning the band has embraced its Celtic heritage and meshed the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland with their own bold blend of mainstream rock, mountain drumming and Appalachian blues to produce a truly unique sound that has a universal appeal. Dubbed “The Eclectic Partridge Family In Kilts And Corsets” And “The Appalachian Fae” Tuatha Dae has appeared at The Montauk Music Festival, Floydfest, Bristol Rhythm And Roots, Dragoncon, Comicpalooza, Anachrocon, and many highland games and celtic music festivals.

Tuatha Dea performed on stage with and accompanied Paul Simon, Alto Reed and James Mckinney. Tuatha Dea won the The Hard Rock Rising competition 2015 in Pigeon Forge with their unique sound and energetic stage show and is the only Celtic/SteamPunk styled band to place and remain in the running to compete in Barcelona, Spain.

Conceived by Danny Mullikin (percussion, guitar and vocals), Danny’s wife Rebecca (lead vocals and hand drums), son Brandon (lead guitar) and daughter Tesea (bass, keyboard and flute), the band’s evolution has organically grown to include Rebecca’s sister Kathy Holman (lead vocals, hand drum and keyboard), Kathy’s fiance Chris Bush (didgeridoo, native american flute, penny whistle, bagpipes and drums) and granddaughter Sarah Copeland (rhythm guitar). Add in Jeremiah Waldo (bass) and Brett Maney (drums) and you have the family band known as Tuatha Dea.

Tuatha Dea is an Old Irish phrase adopted from the Celtic mythology of the Tuatha de Danaan whose literary history originates in Ireland and Great Britain. The name “Tuatha Dea” translates into “Children of The Gods”. The band’s Celtic influence stems directly from this historical clan which lived and ruled for a period in ancient Ireland and who were later destined to become the stuff of legend and basis of Celtic mythology. To learn more about the band, visit Tuatha Dea’s website at www.tuathadea.com.

Showtime is at 7:30 pm. The concert’s run time is approximately 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission. Hendersonville Theatre has made masks optional for patrons, and no proof of vaccination is required to attend a performance.

Since 1966, Hendersonville Theatre has provided an inviting and nurturing environment for live theatre, as well as high-quality, affordable entertainment for the residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas. Hendersonville Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking behind and in front of the theater. The theatre offers concessions and a cash bar and accepts cash and credit cards.

Adam Doleac: Barstool Whiskey Wonderland Tour
Mar 18 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE AND INCLUDE:  

  • VIP Laminate
  • Barstool Whiskey Wonderland Snowglobe
  • 30 Minute Q&A and Acoustic Performance
  • Meet and Greet Photo

ADAM DOLEAC

It takes time to craft a debut album. One worthy of the artist it introduces, and all the work behind it. But for Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville’s Adam Doleac, he’s had plenty. “I’ve had my whole life to write my first record, plus a two-year pandemic,” he says with a wry smile. “So that’s like two lifetimes.”

Luckily, he made the clock work for him. Creating a whole Barstool Whiskey Wonderland around 18 addictive tracks – almost totally from his own pen – the emerging star unveils a vision steeped in the romantic country soul of his early hits, while going much deeper as well. With tracks like the Gold-certified “Famous” and soul-mate anthem “Another,” both of which hit No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway, fans have gotten only a glimpse of that wonderland so far. Now they get the full picture.

“It feels long overdue, and it’s the first time people can really see the whole me,” Doleac says. “An album is a cool thing. It allows you to tell a little bit more of your story, as opposed to just people knowing a song and not knowing you.”

And for him, a lover of all things old-school with an effortless charm and an intoxicating vocal – well suited to both champagne-popping ballrooms and keg-tapping taverns – that story is worth telling. Raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, you could call him a late musical bloomer, who credits devoted parents for his strong work ethic … and his dream-chasing determination.

ALANA SPRINGSTEEN

I’m alana! I was born and raised in VA Beach so I am a beach girl at heart! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been in love with music. I grew up singing in my Grandad’s church and everywhere we went, he would tell everyone, “ You gotta hear this girl sing!” So that’s what I did. :)  Everywhere I went, I was singing.

I got my first guitar when I was 7 years old. I was so drawn to it and all I knew was that I HAD to have it and I HAD to learn to play. My uncle would come over on weekends and teach me chords and strumming patterns and I was obsessed!

After a few years, I began putting lyrics to music. I wrote my first song when I was 9 and was instantly in love with telling my own stories. The more I wrote, the more I realized that it was what I was born to do.

Naturally 7
Mar 18 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Certain experiences burn themselves into memory, and the jaw-dropping vocal pyrotechnics of this sensational seven-man group certainly belong in that category. Transforming their voices into living musical instruments, the singers effortlessly perform music of any genre, from Michael Bublé to Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder to Coldplay, Lionel Richie to Ludacris. Naturally 7 is more than just a group of singers: It’s pure magic.

Sing with Naturally 7

Master ClassLearn techniques from the vocalists of Naturally 7. For ages 13 and up. March 18 at 1 p.m. Henry LaBrun Studio. Learn more and register.

Tom Waits Tribute with THE ALIEN MUSIC CLUB
Mar 18 @ 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

“Tom Waits: The Early Years” a very hip Tribute to Tom Waits, the neo-beatnik songwriter who grew weirder and wilder in the ’80s, earning a cult following that only grew larger as the years passed.

A unique musical experience where Swampy blues, Beat poetry, West Coast jazz, Tin Pan Alley, country, 1930s-era cabaret, and post-Civil War parlor songs meet neon-lit carnival music and wheezing, clattering, experimental rhythms.

THE ALIEN MUSIC CLUB features

Jonathan Pearlman

Chuck Lichtenberger

Zack Page

Ben Bjorlie

and

Dylan Hannan

>>> Opening the evening will be: MY MAGNIFICENT NEMESIS

The Alien Music club is led by Jonathan Pearlman.

Jonathan Pearlman (JP) is a veteran of the Western North Carolina Music Scene, making music under the Alien Music Club moniker for over 20 years.

JP has a formidable history of original material on covering a wide and diverse landscape of musical genres. On any given night, he might jump from straight ahead Rock to Jazz/Fusion to Reggae to Rockabilly; sometimes within the same song!

In addition to original music, JP also produces tributes shows. Currently, “Tom Waits: The Early Years” and “Leonard Cohen: The Deep Cuts” are garnering rave reviews!

The list of Pearlman’s musical collaborators is extensive. He has performed with Peggy Ratusz, Zack Page, Connor Law, Ben Colvin, Kelly Jones, Jesse Barry, Ryan Kijanka, Chuck Lichtenberger, Taylor Pierson, Micah Thomas, Jason DeCristofaro, Ben Bjorlie, Linda Mitchell, Jacob Rodriguez, Justin Ray, Justin Watt, Russ Wilson, Reggie Headen, Jay Hoots, Aaron Price, Eric Congdon…The list is long and continues to grow.

Pearlman’s influences are far-reaching: The Beatles, Hendrix, Clapton, Paul Simon, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Donald Fagen, Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Jeff Beck, Wes Montgomery, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Charles Mingus, and many more.

80s vs 90s Dance Party
Mar 18 @ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Performance Image

80s vs 90s Dance Party

Sunday, March 19, 2023
Asheville Performing Arts Academy Summer Theatre Workshops Registration Open
Mar 19 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

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We’re offering TWO grade levels this summer for our workshops:

  • Younger Ages (Rising First – Third Grade) and
  • Older Ages (Rising Fourth – Tenth Grade)

Pricing

First Student: $350 per week
Sibling & Multiple Week Camp Discounts are available

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Madagascar Workshop

June 12-16 & July 17-21

 

Get read to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins in this crack-a-lackin’ adventure from New York City to Madagascar.

Matilda Workshop

June 19-23 & July 24-28

 

It’s time to act like REVOLTIN’ CHILDREN!

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

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Shrek Workshop

June 26-30 & July 31-August 4

 

Come and let your FREAK FLAG FLY!

It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

The Little Mermaid Workshop

July 10-14 & August 7-11

 

Discover what it means to be PART OF YOUR WORLD!

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

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Brevard Music Center’s 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON
Mar 19 all-day
Brevard Music Center
Symphonic Masterpieces
Opening Night + Season Finale: BMC Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, named by Gramophone as one of the 50 Greatest Conductors of All Time, kicks off the season with Opening Night! on Friday, June 23 performing Carl Orff’s epic audience favorite for orchestra and choir, Carmina Burana. With Keith Lockhart on the podium, Verdi’s Requiem will thrill and delight patrons for the Season Finale on Sunday, August 6. Scored for double choir, full symphony orchestra, and featuring four soloists, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the world’s most beloved choral works, bringing drama and grandeur to the concert stage.
Symphonic music highlights planned for this summer include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Vaughan Williams’s “A London Symphony”, Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Strauss’s Till Eulinspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan”, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Liszt’s Les Préludes, Hanson’s “Romantic” Symphony, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5, and many more. BMC’s tradition of performing movie scores live to full length feature films continues in 2023 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert.
Legendary Artists Series with Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald + Guest Artist Highlights
Legendary Artist Patti LuPone, a true Broadway legend and three-time Tony Award winner, performs a special BMC Presents concert on Saturday, June 24. Ms. LuPone explores her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes. On July 25 and 26, Emmy, GRAMMY®, and record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald comes to Brevard Music Center for a double-header with two legendary performances. Ms. McDonald brings her luminous voice and dramatic incisiveness to two programs of beloved Broadway classics, as she presents popular standards and lesser-known treasures in both the intimate setting of Parker Concert Hall, and with full orchestra on the big stage. These performances are made possible by 2023 Legendary Artists Series Sponsors,
Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker, and the Robinson-Hill Humanitarian Fund.
2023 Summer Festival Season Guest Artist Highlights:
Artistic Director Keith Lockhart leads five programs this summer featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, and Prokofiev. Maestro Lockhart closes the season with Verdi’s monumental Requiem. Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta returns to conduct two core symphonic programs, Carmina Burana and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk makes his long-awaited Brevard debut with two concertos on two nights, performing Brahms’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Renowned violist Roberto Díaz, a BMC alumnus and President of the famed Curtis Institute of Music, visits Brevard to play Bright Sheng’s new viola concerto written specially for
Mr. Díaz. Mr. Denk and Mr. Díaz are the inaugural honorees of The Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a newly-established program supported by The Payne Fund. Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann conducts two programs of orchestral favorites including Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto. Virtuoso violinist Simone Porter performs Bruch’s soaring Scottish Fantasy, and superstar flutist Anthony Trionfo plays two showpieces for flute and orchestra with Ken Lam and the Brevard Concert Orchestra. Performance Today’s ‘Classical Woman of the Year’ Lara Downes returns to the Brevard Music Center for two concerts, including a preview performance of a new work by the dean of American composers Adolphus Hailstork, and a recital of music from her upcoming album, Love at Last.
Opera
With fully staged productions of La Traviata, The Turn of the Screw, and Into the Woods, PLUS An Evening of George Gershwin, 2023 is a powerhouse season for vocal music at Brevard Music Center!
Verdi’s La Traviata is a tale of romance, tragedy, passion – and parties! Filled with enduring melodies, iconic arias, and an unforgettable score, Violetta and Alfredo’s love story will transport opera goers to a bygone era. Join BMC’s Janiec Opera Company to see why Verdi’s La Traviata is the world’s most popular opera.
Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is a timeless ghost story based on the Henry James novella of the same title. Regarded by many as the finest of all Benjamin Britten’s works for stage, it is a fable of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, and possession and exorcism, creating an astonishing dramatic power that has a shattering impact in the theater. This is a rare chance to see and hear this melodic and scary masterpiece!
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony-winning triumph Into the Woods takes everyone’s favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece. With a book and score that are both enchanting and touching, the Brothers Grimm hit the stage and come to life in an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make.
An Evening of George Gershwin is a glorious tribute to a true American genius known for such classic songs as “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “S’Wonderful.” Members of Brevard’s Janiec Opera Company will take audiences on a grand tour of these favorites from the Great American Songbook.
BMC Presents
Relax into the groove of easy summer nights with specials featuring artists we all know and love and the nostalgic music we crave. International avatar of contemporary artistic excellence, jazz master Branford Marsalis joins Jazz@Brevard on Friday, June 16, for a swinging night to remember. Broadway, television, and film legend
Patti LuPone shares her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes when she performs on the big stage on Saturday, June 24. Revolution: The Music of the Beatles is a symphonic celebration of the world’s most famous foursome. With songs like “Penny Lane,” “Hey Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” everyone will be singing and dancing in the aisles on Tuesday, June 27. The 2023 BMC Presents lineup also includes the second annual North Carolina Guitar Celebration hosted by guitarist Bryan Sutton in partnership with the Blue Ridge Guitar Camp and Mountain Song Productions on June 3. The BMC Presents season would not be complete without the tradition of Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert, with Béla Fleck and over 110 banjos on stage, to close out the summer season on August 19. A wide variety of programs are planned, with more announcements expected soon!
Chamber Music Highlights
Prepare to be enchanted inside the intimate and elegant Parker Concert Hall. Highlights include Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, Schubert’s String Quintet, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, A Steinway Piano Celebration, and much more. BMC’s distinguished Artist Faculty will be joined by celebrated guest artists such as pianist Lara Downes, the Seraph Brass, the Jasper String Quartet, and violist Roberto Díaz.
New World Encounters
This season’s “festival within a festival,” is New World Encounters, which has been curated to explore the influences of American Jazz on some of the most important European composers of the 20th century. Part of the summer’s focus on Americana programming, New World Encounters uses music from the past and present to illuminate connections through the voices of a variety of composers: Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Woody Herman, and more. Multimedia program “New World Encounters,” designed and written by cultural historian Joseph Horowitz, will be an engaging highlight of the festival.
The Weinstein Era
Brevard Music Center celebrates the decade-long tenure of President & CEO
Mark Weinstein, who is retiring at the end of 2023. Under Weinstein’s leadership, Brevard Music Center has achieved unprecedented growth in fundraising, infrastructure, curriculum, and programming. Critical building projects and renovations, a multitude of new programs, and a multi-genre roster of internationally acclaimed artists have cemented BMC’s reputation as a foremost, international treasure that is fortified by the warmth and support of the Brevard community. Join us as we celebrate Mark’s leadership and delight in this exceptional finale season.
How to Get Tickets for BMC’s 2023 Summer Festival
2023 Price Freeze!: To help ease the sting of inflation everyone is feeling right now, BMC has decided to freeze all ticket prices this season in gratitude for its valued patrons. There will be no changes in pricing from last year!
Tickets: Subscriptions to the 2023 Summer Festival are available with a variety of benefits including savings of up to 25% off single ticket prices, same seat benefits, advance access to popular programs, add-on discounts for guests, and more. The Golden Ticket Subscription provides the ultimate in reserved seats to all Symphony, Opera and Chamber Music Series performances and also includes BMC’s Opening Night and Season Finale— a full summer of musical inspiration with tickets to 35 concerts! Subscriptions may also be purchased to the Symphony Series (17 concerts), the Opera Series (4 concerts), or the Chamber Music Series (12 concerts). Flexible Subscription options like “Compose Your Own” and “Flex 6” provide the opportunity for you to curate your own custom series with as few or as many events as you want based on your schedule and musical preferences.
On Sale Dates: Subscription sales and renewals begin February 6. Single ticket Donor Presale for all Brevard Music Center contributors of $150+ begins March 13. All single ticket sales to the general public will open on April 17. Complete details about the 2023 Summer Season is available at brevardmusic.org.
2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series
Parker Concert Hall is Brevard Music Center’s state-of-the-art, intimate 400-seat concert hall overlooking scenic Lake Milner. The new hall plays host to an 18-concert series from October through May featuring a varied lineup of classical, jazz, vocal, and fusion artists. The series continues Thursday, February 9, with the legendary folk singer Tom Rush accompanied by Matt Nakoa, Valentine Romance with award-winning British vocal ensemble Gesualdo Six on Thursday, February 16, singer-songwriters Woody Platt and Shannon Whitworth on Tuesday, February 28, St. Patrick’s Day revelry with Irish music icons Dervish on Tuesday, March 14, award-winning piano trio Sitkovetsky Trio on Thursday, March 30, cellist Benjamin Hughes in recital on Tuesday, April 18, Rodney Marsalis and the Philly Big Brass on Thursday, April 27, the renowned Barcelona Flamenco Ballet on Thursday, May 4, and Mostly Mozart at the Parker Concert Hall on Monday, May 15, part of the Asheville Amadeus Festival. Great seats remain for these performances; tickets are priced from $35.
To find out more about the 2023 Summer Festival Season at Brevard Music Center and remaining 2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series performances, please visit brevardmusic.org/tickets. You can also contact the BMC Box Office at (828) 862-2105 or at [email protected].
ABOUT BREVARD MUSIC CENTER | SUMMER INSTITUTE & FESTIVAL
Founded in 1936, the Brevard Music Center stands as one of this country’s premier summer classical music training programs and festivals. Each summer, over 700 gifted students come to the Music Center from across the United States and around the world to study with a distinguished faculty and renowned guest artists. Brevard’s hallmark is the powerful sense of community that re-emerges each year as faculty and students present remarkable concerts and events to summer audiences.
Global LEAF classes and workshops
Mar 19 all-day
LEAF Global Arts Center

Current Classes Available

Click on a class to learn more! Once you have purchased a class, a LEAF staff member will reach out with further details! Classes are held Virtually or at the LEAF Global Arts Center in downtown Asheville. Please see class descriptions for more information.

Questions, requests, or scholarship inquiries? Please email [email protected]

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    Queer Music Exploration with Kayla Lynn

    $15.00 – $50.00

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    Intro to Ukulele Class with Melissa McKinney

    $15.00 – $50.00

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    Intro to Guitar Class with Melissa McKinney

    $15.00 – $50.00

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    LEAF Lights Program

    $15.00 – $50.00

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    All Ages Hip Hop Dance Class

    $15.00 – $50.00

  • LEAF Schools & Streets

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    LEAF Summer Camp

    $230.00

  • Otto Vazquez

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    The ROK Experience (Virtual)

    $40.00

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    Adama’s West African Drumming Workshop

    $15.00

Other Classes and Workshops

We are always striving to expand our offerings! If you have an idea for a class or workshop you’d like to see, send us a suggestion!

If you are an artist and would like to host a class or workshop at LEAF Global, please reach out, we would love to hear from you.

For all inquiries, or to reserve a session virtually or in person at LEAF Global please email [email protected]

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Mar 19 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Tuckasegee River Excursion
Mar 19 @ 11:00 am
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Join us for a relaxing ride through quiet countryside on your way to small town life in western North Carolina on the Tuckasegee River Excursion. Departing from Bryson City, this 4 hour excursion travels 32 miles round-trip to Dillsboro and back to the Bryson City Depot. Pass by the famous movie set of The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford!

Hood Huggers Tour: Eagle Street Downtown, Featuring The Block
Mar 19 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Join this neighborhood walking tour to learn about the rich history of The Block as well as Sherrill Roland’s personal experiences and his family’s legacy in Asheville, in support of the special exhibition Sherrill Roland: Sugar, Water, Lemon Squeeze.

(This tour precedes Sherrrill Roland’s In Conversation at 2pm)

Meet at the Museum’s front plaza by the Reflections on Unity sculpture to attend. Explore East End Valley Street in downtown Asheville—home to shops and galleries featuring merchandise and art by African American artisans and artists. Learn about the YMI Cultural Center, the Stephens Lee Community Center, The Block, and significant African American architecture.

Registration is required.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Mar 19 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Choral Evensong
Mar 19 @ 4:00 pm
St John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness will offer a traditional and simple service of
Choral Evensong on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 4pm in the church.
The service will include prayer as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer, and sung by the
clergy, choir and congregation.
“Evensong is one of the great liturgical traditions of Christianity. This service will be similar to
those celebrated in the Church of England and by Anglican churches around the world,” said Fr.
Josh Stephens, the rector of St. John. “We hope it enriches your journey through Lent as we set
aside this sacred time for evening worship.”
Dialogues between Priest and congregation, Anglican Chant Psalm, ancient canticles sung to
plainsong tones, scripture lessons appointed by the lectionary, prayers, choral anthems and
organ music will be a part of this meditative Mid-Lenten Friends of Music offering.
The public is invited to come and worship with the parishioners of St. John for this special
offering.

Solemn Choral Evensong
Mar 19 @ 4:00 pm
St John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church

The service will include prayer as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer, and sung by the
clergy, choir and congregation.
“Evensong is one of the great liturgical traditions of Christianity. This service will be similar to
those celebrated in the Church of England and by Anglican churches around the world,” said Fr.
Josh Stephens, the rector of St. John. “We hope it enriches your journey through Lent as we set
aside this sacred time for evening worship.”
Dialogues between Priest and congregation, Anglican Chant Psalm, ancient canticles sung to
plainsong tones, scripture lessons appointed by the lectionary, prayers, choral anthems and
organ music will be a part of this meditative Mid-Lenten Friends of Music offering.
The public is invited to come and worship with the parishioners of St. John for this special
offering.

Asheville Fringe Festival Kickoff Party ft. Peacock Party Planet Band
Mar 19 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Marquee

Asheville Fringe Festival 

The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival will celebrate 21 years of experimental, unusual, and out-of-the-box art on March 19 through 26. Featuring more than 50 performances, including dance, theater, puppetry, music, film, installation, and things that defy definition.

Schedule and tickets at AshevilleFringe.org

KICKOFF PARTY FT. PEACOCK PARTY PLANET BAND FREE!

DANIELLE WERTZ Jazz Vocalist
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

Described as, “untarnished by the politics of music” (Jazz Music Archives) and “at home alongside more contemporary exponents of improvising singing” (LoudMouth, AU) Danielle Wertz is an internationally recognized jazz vocalist, composer, arranger and educator. After being named a semi-finalist in the 2015 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, she self-released a duo project that was recorded at ABC Studios in Sydney, Australia, and has been receiving high praise since its 2017 release.

Danielle lived in Northern California from 2017-2022 and rapidly gained recognition as one of the Bay Area’s most in-demand vocalists. She just signed with Outside in Music for her forthcoming record, set to release in March 2023.

Danielle has also had the privilege of working and performing with many world class musicians in a professional, non-academic setting including Cyrille Aimée, Kate McGarry, Keith Ganz, Chris Botti, Michael Bowie, Lena Seikaly, Mark G. Meadows and Chris Grasso.

From renowned concert halls, performing arts centers and music venues, Danielle has performed on stages of all sizes:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Arsht Center, SFJAZZ Center, Blues Alley, Black Cat SF, The Mansion at Strathmore, The Carlyle Club, Bethesda Blues and Jazz, The Creative Cauldron, Twins Jazz, Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club, and the St. Petersburg Jazz Philharmonic Hall.

Soulside w/ J. Robbins (Band)
Mar 19 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

SOULSIDE

Soulside formed in Washington, DC, in 1985, split up in 1989, then reformed in 2014 and has continued playing and writing music since then. After releasing their debut album on Sammich/Dischord, they recorded Trigger (Dischord, 1988) and Hot Bodi-Gram (Dischord, 1989), which were combined on the Soon Come Happy CD in 1990. The band toured extensively in the US and Europe during these years, including groundbreaking shows in Poland and East Berlin shortly before the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.  In 2020, Soulside put out a new 7-inch, This Ship, their first release in 30 years, which was recorded in Prague. Happy”, released in 1990 and re-mastered in 2003.

J. ROBBINS (BAND)

J. Robbins has been the guitarist/singer and primary songwriter (or pushiest collaborator) in several bands since the early ’90s, including Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels, and Office of Future Plans.

For the bulk of that time, he has also been active as a recording engineer/producer, working with musicians from around the world at his Baltimore-based studio, The Magpie Cage.

Monday, March 20, 2023
Brevard Music Center’s 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON
Mar 20 all-day
Brevard Music Center
Symphonic Masterpieces
Opening Night + Season Finale: BMC Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, named by Gramophone as one of the 50 Greatest Conductors of All Time, kicks off the season with Opening Night! on Friday, June 23 performing Carl Orff’s epic audience favorite for orchestra and choir, Carmina Burana. With Keith Lockhart on the podium, Verdi’s Requiem will thrill and delight patrons for the Season Finale on Sunday, August 6. Scored for double choir, full symphony orchestra, and featuring four soloists, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the world’s most beloved choral works, bringing drama and grandeur to the concert stage.
Symphonic music highlights planned for this summer include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Vaughan Williams’s “A London Symphony”, Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Strauss’s Till Eulinspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan”, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Liszt’s Les Préludes, Hanson’s “Romantic” Symphony, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5, and many more. BMC’s tradition of performing movie scores live to full length feature films continues in 2023 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert.
Legendary Artists Series with Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald + Guest Artist Highlights
Legendary Artist Patti LuPone, a true Broadway legend and three-time Tony Award winner, performs a special BMC Presents concert on Saturday, June 24. Ms. LuPone explores her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes. On July 25 and 26, Emmy, GRAMMY®, and record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald comes to Brevard Music Center for a double-header with two legendary performances. Ms. McDonald brings her luminous voice and dramatic incisiveness to two programs of beloved Broadway classics, as she presents popular standards and lesser-known treasures in both the intimate setting of Parker Concert Hall, and with full orchestra on the big stage. These performances are made possible by 2023 Legendary Artists Series Sponsors,
Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker, and the Robinson-Hill Humanitarian Fund.
2023 Summer Festival Season Guest Artist Highlights:
Artistic Director Keith Lockhart leads five programs this summer featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, and Prokofiev. Maestro Lockhart closes the season with Verdi’s monumental Requiem. Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta returns to conduct two core symphonic programs, Carmina Burana and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk makes his long-awaited Brevard debut with two concertos on two nights, performing Brahms’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Renowned violist Roberto Díaz, a BMC alumnus and President of the famed Curtis Institute of Music, visits Brevard to play Bright Sheng’s new viola concerto written specially for
Mr. Díaz. Mr. Denk and Mr. Díaz are the inaugural honorees of The Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a newly-established program supported by The Payne Fund. Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann conducts two programs of orchestral favorites including Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto. Virtuoso violinist Simone Porter performs Bruch’s soaring Scottish Fantasy, and superstar flutist Anthony Trionfo plays two showpieces for flute and orchestra with Ken Lam and the Brevard Concert Orchestra. Performance Today’s ‘Classical Woman of the Year’ Lara Downes returns to the Brevard Music Center for two concerts, including a preview performance of a new work by the dean of American composers Adolphus Hailstork, and a recital of music from her upcoming album, Love at Last.
Opera
With fully staged productions of La Traviata, The Turn of the Screw, and Into the Woods, PLUS An Evening of George Gershwin, 2023 is a powerhouse season for vocal music at Brevard Music Center!
Verdi’s La Traviata is a tale of romance, tragedy, passion – and parties! Filled with enduring melodies, iconic arias, and an unforgettable score, Violetta and Alfredo’s love story will transport opera goers to a bygone era. Join BMC’s Janiec Opera Company to see why Verdi’s La Traviata is the world’s most popular opera.
Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is a timeless ghost story based on the Henry James novella of the same title. Regarded by many as the finest of all Benjamin Britten’s works for stage, it is a fable of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, and possession and exorcism, creating an astonishing dramatic power that has a shattering impact in the theater. This is a rare chance to see and hear this melodic and scary masterpiece!
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony-winning triumph Into the Woods takes everyone’s favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece. With a book and score that are both enchanting and touching, the Brothers Grimm hit the stage and come to life in an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make.
An Evening of George Gershwin is a glorious tribute to a true American genius known for such classic songs as “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “S’Wonderful.” Members of Brevard’s Janiec Opera Company will take audiences on a grand tour of these favorites from the Great American Songbook.
BMC Presents
Relax into the groove of easy summer nights with specials featuring artists we all know and love and the nostalgic music we crave. International avatar of contemporary artistic excellence, jazz master Branford Marsalis joins Jazz@Brevard on Friday, June 16, for a swinging night to remember. Broadway, television, and film legend
Patti LuPone shares her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes when she performs on the big stage on Saturday, June 24. Revolution: The Music of the Beatles is a symphonic celebration of the world’s most famous foursome. With songs like “Penny Lane,” “Hey Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” everyone will be singing and dancing in the aisles on Tuesday, June 27. The 2023 BMC Presents lineup also includes the second annual North Carolina Guitar Celebration hosted by guitarist Bryan Sutton in partnership with the Blue Ridge Guitar Camp and Mountain Song Productions on June 3. The BMC Presents season would not be complete without the tradition of Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert, with Béla Fleck and over 110 banjos on stage, to close out the summer season on August 19. A wide variety of programs are planned, with more announcements expected soon!
Chamber Music Highlights
Prepare to be enchanted inside the intimate and elegant Parker Concert Hall. Highlights include Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, Schubert’s String Quintet, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, A Steinway Piano Celebration, and much more. BMC’s distinguished Artist Faculty will be joined by celebrated guest artists such as pianist Lara Downes, the Seraph Brass, the Jasper String Quartet, and violist Roberto Díaz.
New World Encounters
This season’s “festival within a festival,” is New World Encounters, which has been curated to explore the influences of American Jazz on some of the most important European composers of the 20th century. Part of the summer’s focus on Americana programming, New World Encounters uses music from the past and present to illuminate connections through the voices of a variety of composers: Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Woody Herman, and more. Multimedia program “New World Encounters,” designed and written by cultural historian Joseph Horowitz, will be an engaging highlight of the festival.
The Weinstein Era
Brevard Music Center celebrates the decade-long tenure of President & CEO
Mark Weinstein, who is retiring at the end of 2023. Under Weinstein’s leadership, Brevard Music Center has achieved unprecedented growth in fundraising, infrastructure, curriculum, and programming. Critical building projects and renovations, a multitude of new programs, and a multi-genre roster of internationally acclaimed artists have cemented BMC’s reputation as a foremost, international treasure that is fortified by the warmth and support of the Brevard community. Join us as we celebrate Mark’s leadership and delight in this exceptional finale season.
How to Get Tickets for BMC’s 2023 Summer Festival
2023 Price Freeze!: To help ease the sting of inflation everyone is feeling right now, BMC has decided to freeze all ticket prices this season in gratitude for its valued patrons. There will be no changes in pricing from last year!
Tickets: Subscriptions to the 2023 Summer Festival are available with a variety of benefits including savings of up to 25% off single ticket prices, same seat benefits, advance access to popular programs, add-on discounts for guests, and more. The Golden Ticket Subscription provides the ultimate in reserved seats to all Symphony, Opera and Chamber Music Series performances and also includes BMC’s Opening Night and Season Finale— a full summer of musical inspiration with tickets to 35 concerts! Subscriptions may also be purchased to the Symphony Series (17 concerts), the Opera Series (4 concerts), or the Chamber Music Series (12 concerts). Flexible Subscription options like “Compose Your Own” and “Flex 6” provide the opportunity for you to curate your own custom series with as few or as many events as you want based on your schedule and musical preferences.
On Sale Dates: Subscription sales and renewals begin February 6. Single ticket Donor Presale for all Brevard Music Center contributors of $150+ begins March 13. All single ticket sales to the general public will open on April 17. Complete details about the 2023 Summer Season is available at brevardmusic.org.
2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series
Parker Concert Hall is Brevard Music Center’s state-of-the-art, intimate 400-seat concert hall overlooking scenic Lake Milner. The new hall plays host to an 18-concert series from October through May featuring a varied lineup of classical, jazz, vocal, and fusion artists. The series continues Thursday, February 9, with the legendary folk singer Tom Rush accompanied by Matt Nakoa, Valentine Romance with award-winning British vocal ensemble Gesualdo Six on Thursday, February 16, singer-songwriters Woody Platt and Shannon Whitworth on Tuesday, February 28, St. Patrick’s Day revelry with Irish music icons Dervish on Tuesday, March 14, award-winning piano trio Sitkovetsky Trio on Thursday, March 30, cellist Benjamin Hughes in recital on Tuesday, April 18, Rodney Marsalis and the Philly Big Brass on Thursday, April 27, the renowned Barcelona Flamenco Ballet on Thursday, May 4, and Mostly Mozart at the Parker Concert Hall on Monday, May 15, part of the Asheville Amadeus Festival. Great seats remain for these performances; tickets are priced from $35.
To find out more about the 2023 Summer Festival Season at Brevard Music Center and remaining 2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series performances, please visit brevardmusic.org/tickets. You can also contact the BMC Box Office at (828) 862-2105 or at [email protected].
ABOUT BREVARD MUSIC CENTER | SUMMER INSTITUTE & FESTIVAL
Founded in 1936, the Brevard Music Center stands as one of this country’s premier summer classical music training programs and festivals. Each summer, over 700 gifted students come to the Music Center from across the United States and around the world to study with a distinguished faculty and renowned guest artists. Brevard’s hallmark is the powerful sense of community that re-emerges each year as faculty and students present remarkable concerts and events to summer audiences.
The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad
Mar 20 @ 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

  • An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
  • A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
  • Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Death To All
Mar 20 @ 7:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Buddy Guy – Damn Right Farewell
Mar 20 @ 7:30 pm
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

At age 86, Buddy Guy is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and a living link to the city’s halcyon days of electric blues. Buddy Guy has received 8 GRAMMY Awards, a 2015 Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, 38 Blues Music Awards (the most any artist has received), the Billboard Magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, a Kennedy Center Honor, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #23 in its “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”

Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Brevard Music Center’s 2023 SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON
Mar 21 all-day
Brevard Music Center
Symphonic Masterpieces
Opening Night + Season Finale: BMC Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta, named by Gramophone as one of the 50 Greatest Conductors of All Time, kicks off the season with Opening Night! on Friday, June 23 performing Carl Orff’s epic audience favorite for orchestra and choir, Carmina Burana. With Keith Lockhart on the podium, Verdi’s Requiem will thrill and delight patrons for the Season Finale on Sunday, August 6. Scored for double choir, full symphony orchestra, and featuring four soloists, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the world’s most beloved choral works, bringing drama and grandeur to the concert stage.
Symphonic music highlights planned for this summer include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Vaughan Williams’s “A London Symphony”, Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Strauss’s Till Eulinspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan”, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Liszt’s Les Préludes, Hanson’s “Romantic” Symphony, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5, and many more. BMC’s tradition of performing movie scores live to full length feature films continues in 2023 with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert.
Legendary Artists Series with Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald + Guest Artist Highlights
Legendary Artist Patti LuPone, a true Broadway legend and three-time Tony Award winner, performs a special BMC Presents concert on Saturday, June 24. Ms. LuPone explores her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes. On July 25 and 26, Emmy, GRAMMY®, and record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald comes to Brevard Music Center for a double-header with two legendary performances. Ms. McDonald brings her luminous voice and dramatic incisiveness to two programs of beloved Broadway classics, as she presents popular standards and lesser-known treasures in both the intimate setting of Parker Concert Hall, and with full orchestra on the big stage. These performances are made possible by 2023 Legendary Artists Series Sponsors,
Drs. Joanne and Tom Parker, and the Robinson-Hill Humanitarian Fund.
2023 Summer Festival Season Guest Artist Highlights:
Artistic Director Keith Lockhart leads five programs this summer featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, and Prokofiev. Maestro Lockhart closes the season with Verdi’s monumental Requiem. Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta returns to conduct two core symphonic programs, Carmina Burana and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6. Internationally acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk makes his long-awaited Brevard debut with two concertos on two nights, performing Brahms’s 2nd Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Renowned violist Roberto Díaz, a BMC alumnus and President of the famed Curtis Institute of Music, visits Brevard to play Bright Sheng’s new viola concerto written specially for
Mr. Díaz. Mr. Denk and Mr. Díaz are the inaugural honorees of The Thomas C. Bolton Distinguished Artist Chair, a newly-established program supported by The Payne Fund. Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann conducts two programs of orchestral favorites including Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Grieg’s beloved Piano Concerto. Virtuoso violinist Simone Porter performs Bruch’s soaring Scottish Fantasy, and superstar flutist Anthony Trionfo plays two showpieces for flute and orchestra with Ken Lam and the Brevard Concert Orchestra. Performance Today’s ‘Classical Woman of the Year’ Lara Downes returns to the Brevard Music Center for two concerts, including a preview performance of a new work by the dean of American composers Adolphus Hailstork, and a recital of music from her upcoming album, Love at Last.
Opera
With fully staged productions of La Traviata, The Turn of the Screw, and Into the Woods, PLUS An Evening of George Gershwin, 2023 is a powerhouse season for vocal music at Brevard Music Center!
Verdi’s La Traviata is a tale of romance, tragedy, passion – and parties! Filled with enduring melodies, iconic arias, and an unforgettable score, Violetta and Alfredo’s love story will transport opera goers to a bygone era. Join BMC’s Janiec Opera Company to see why Verdi’s La Traviata is the world’s most popular opera.
Britten’s The Turn of the Screw is a timeless ghost story based on the Henry James novella of the same title. Regarded by many as the finest of all Benjamin Britten’s works for stage, it is a fable of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, and possession and exorcism, creating an astonishing dramatic power that has a shattering impact in the theater. This is a rare chance to see and hear this melodic and scary masterpiece!
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony-winning triumph Into the Woods takes everyone’s favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece. With a book and score that are both enchanting and touching, the Brothers Grimm hit the stage and come to life in an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make.
An Evening of George Gershwin is a glorious tribute to a true American genius known for such classic songs as “Embraceable You,” “I Got Rhythm,” and “S’Wonderful.” Members of Brevard’s Janiec Opera Company will take audiences on a grand tour of these favorites from the Great American Songbook.
BMC Presents
Relax into the groove of easy summer nights with specials featuring artists we all know and love and the nostalgic music we crave. International avatar of contemporary artistic excellence, jazz master Branford Marsalis joins Jazz@Brevard on Friday, June 16, for a swinging night to remember. Broadway, television, and film legend
Patti LuPone shares her lifelong love affair with Broadway through indelible interpretations of classic Broadway show tunes when she performs on the big stage on Saturday, June 24. Revolution: The Music of the Beatles is a symphonic celebration of the world’s most famous foursome. With songs like “Penny Lane,” “Hey Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” everyone will be singing and dancing in the aisles on Tuesday, June 27. The 2023 BMC Presents lineup also includes the second annual North Carolina Guitar Celebration hosted by guitarist Bryan Sutton in partnership with the Blue Ridge Guitar Camp and Mountain Song Productions on June 3. The BMC Presents season would not be complete without the tradition of Béla Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Concert, with Béla Fleck and over 110 banjos on stage, to close out the summer season on August 19. A wide variety of programs are planned, with more announcements expected soon!
Chamber Music Highlights
Prepare to be enchanted inside the intimate and elegant Parker Concert Hall. Highlights include Beethoven’s Archduke Trio, Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, Dvořák’s Serenade for Winds, Schubert’s String Quintet, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, A Steinway Piano Celebration, and much more. BMC’s distinguished Artist Faculty will be joined by celebrated guest artists such as pianist Lara Downes, the Seraph Brass, the Jasper String Quartet, and violist Roberto Díaz.
New World Encounters
This season’s “festival within a festival,” is New World Encounters, which has been curated to explore the influences of American Jazz on some of the most important European composers of the 20th century. Part of the summer’s focus on Americana programming, New World Encounters uses music from the past and present to illuminate connections through the voices of a variety of composers: Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Woody Herman, and more. Multimedia program “New World Encounters,” designed and written by cultural historian Joseph Horowitz, will be an engaging highlight of the festival.
The Weinstein Era
Brevard Music Center celebrates the decade-long tenure of President & CEO
Mark Weinstein, who is retiring at the end of 2023. Under Weinstein’s leadership, Brevard Music Center has achieved unprecedented growth in fundraising, infrastructure, curriculum, and programming. Critical building projects and renovations, a multitude of new programs, and a multi-genre roster of internationally acclaimed artists have cemented BMC’s reputation as a foremost, international treasure that is fortified by the warmth and support of the Brevard community. Join us as we celebrate Mark’s leadership and delight in this exceptional finale season.
How to Get Tickets for BMC’s 2023 Summer Festival
2023 Price Freeze!: To help ease the sting of inflation everyone is feeling right now, BMC has decided to freeze all ticket prices this season in gratitude for its valued patrons. There will be no changes in pricing from last year!
Tickets: Subscriptions to the 2023 Summer Festival are available with a variety of benefits including savings of up to 25% off single ticket prices, same seat benefits, advance access to popular programs, add-on discounts for guests, and more. The Golden Ticket Subscription provides the ultimate in reserved seats to all Symphony, Opera and Chamber Music Series performances and also includes BMC’s Opening Night and Season Finale— a full summer of musical inspiration with tickets to 35 concerts! Subscriptions may also be purchased to the Symphony Series (17 concerts), the Opera Series (4 concerts), or the Chamber Music Series (12 concerts). Flexible Subscription options like “Compose Your Own” and “Flex 6” provide the opportunity for you to curate your own custom series with as few or as many events as you want based on your schedule and musical preferences.
On Sale Dates: Subscription sales and renewals begin February 6. Single ticket Donor Presale for all Brevard Music Center contributors of $150+ begins March 13. All single ticket sales to the general public will open on April 17. Complete details about the 2023 Summer Season is available at brevardmusic.org.
2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series
Parker Concert Hall is Brevard Music Center’s state-of-the-art, intimate 400-seat concert hall overlooking scenic Lake Milner. The new hall plays host to an 18-concert series from October through May featuring a varied lineup of classical, jazz, vocal, and fusion artists. The series continues Thursday, February 9, with the legendary folk singer Tom Rush accompanied by Matt Nakoa, Valentine Romance with award-winning British vocal ensemble Gesualdo Six on Thursday, February 16, singer-songwriters Woody Platt and Shannon Whitworth on Tuesday, February 28, St. Patrick’s Day revelry with Irish music icons Dervish on Tuesday, March 14, award-winning piano trio Sitkovetsky Trio on Thursday, March 30, cellist Benjamin Hughes in recital on Tuesday, April 18, Rodney Marsalis and the Philly Big Brass on Thursday, April 27, the renowned Barcelona Flamenco Ballet on Thursday, May 4, and Mostly Mozart at the Parker Concert Hall on Monday, May 15, part of the Asheville Amadeus Festival. Great seats remain for these performances; tickets are priced from $35.
To find out more about the 2023 Summer Festival Season at Brevard Music Center and remaining 2022-23 Parker Concert Hall Series performances, please visit brevardmusic.org/tickets. You can also contact the BMC Box Office at (828) 862-2105 or at [email protected].
ABOUT BREVARD MUSIC CENTER | SUMMER INSTITUTE & FESTIVAL
Founded in 1936, the Brevard Music Center stands as one of this country’s premier summer classical music training programs and festivals. Each summer, over 700 gifted students come to the Music Center from across the United States and around the world to study with a distinguished faculty and renowned guest artists. Brevard’s hallmark is the powerful sense of community that re-emerges each year as faculty and students present remarkable concerts and events to summer audiences.