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.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Open Jam
Apr 30 all-day
Noble Kava

The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).

We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.

This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. Bula!

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Trace Adkins
May 1 @ 7:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

A Nashville icon for more than two decades, Trace Adkins has made his mark on the country-music industry. 11 million albums sold. Time-honored hit singles. Momentous, fiery and always memorable live performances. Grammy nominations. Even a slew of movie and TV roles have come the Grand Ole Opry member’s way. Ask Adkins what’s left to prove in his career and the small-town Louisiana native says it’s simple: To continually feel the excitement that comes after whipping up a new song out of thin air and laying it down to tape. “It’s an adrenaline rush and I love it,” says Adkins. In his 2007 autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck, the towering baritone recounts his rise to fame, brushes with death, and battles with personal demons. Adkins says he’s profoundly touched that he now serves as an inspiration to a younger generation of country artists, much in the way he revered icons like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard when first moving to Nashville. Adkins has won three Academy of Country Music Awards, including the 2009 Single of the Year Award for You’re Gonna Miss This and Vocal Event of the Year with Blake Shelton for Hillbilly Bone in 2010. He is also an accomplished actor with roles in several films and television shows, most notably playing a tough-as-nails biker in The Lincoln Lawyer, a desperate father in Deepwater Horizon, and a wise oracle of a tattoo artist in the family friendly film Moms’ Night Out. But he is perhaps most proud of his work supporting U.S. troops and veterans, serving as a spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and participating in an astounding 12 USO tours to date. Ask Adkins where he goes from here and he’ll say it’s simple: keep doing what he knows and love. Performing. Creating. Inspiring. He adores it, and he knows so many of his lifelong fans, and new ones to boot, do too. I’m gonna go out there and find those people, he says with a laugh of the coming months. “I’m gonna bring a band and turn it up real loud! And we’re gonna have a good time!”

Thursday, May 2, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 2 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, May 3, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 3 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

2019 A-B Tech Student Art Exhibition
May 3 @ 5:00 pm
Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center

The 2019 A-B Tech Student Art Exhibition will open with a reception May 3 at 5 p.m. in the Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center Gallery. The exhibition juror will be Suzanne Dittenber Assistant Professor of Art at UNC-Asheville. Awards will be presented at 5:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until May 29.

Saturday, May 4, 2019
Mayfest
May 4 all-day
Downtown Rutherfordton

Mayfest is the one of the longest running festivals in N.C., drawing visitors from across the region for a full day of springtime, family fun. Annual entertainment and traditions will be enjoyed including live music from Rutherford County Line and the Houston Bernard Band, a Car, Truck and Bike Show, and a variety of artisans and crafters showcasing their one-of-a-kind items. Youngsters will have a ball in the Kids Playland featuring inflatables and rock climbing walls, plus obstacle courses, face painting, and the Pinewood Derby Race. Local dancers, gymnasts and cheerleaders will perform, a Doggie Kissing booth will be open, and friendly fur babies will take the spotlight during the 4 Paws Kingdom Pet Contest. No festival is complete without fabulous food vendors. Indulge yourself with delicious BBQ, turkey legs, roasted corn, stir-fry, funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, and much more.

Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 4 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

A Night at Reclaim: Madison MayFest
May 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
ReClaim Madison (formerly Coal, Feed and Lumber Store)

Madison MayFest: A Night at ReClaim
A Unique and Unexpected Fundraiser Event!

Join the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County at “ReClaim
Madison Salvage & Hardware,” formerly the Coal, Feed and Lumber Store
where you’ll find yourself in an early 20th century social club – with live
music to match!

Emcee Joel Friedman, of Zuma Coffee fame, will lead us through an
evening of:

* Live music – a soundscape straight out of the past! Musicians Steve Davidowski and Melody King will serve up originals and the classics
* Scrumptious food and libations!
* Community brick-making and other creative activities!
* Fun photo opps with your friends!
* Dazzling raffle prizes – worth $500 each!
* And much, much more!

PLUS, the Preferred Pairings Salon!
Local wines, gourmet chocolates, artisan roasted coffees – curated and
paired, for this mini-event limited to 60 guests.

Proceeds go to CHC’s Mission, which aims to find solutions to the nationwide affordable housing crisis right here in WNC by promoting and facilitating healthy, safe, and affordable housing through advocacy, education, and resource development.

Madison MayFest: A Night at ReClaim
May 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
ReClaim Madison: Salvage & Hardware

Madison MayFest: A Night at ReClaim
A Unique and Unexpected Fundraiser Event!

Join the Community Housing Coalition of Madison County at “ReClaim
Madison Salvage & Hardware,” formerly the Coal, Feed and Lumber Store
where you’ll find yourself in an early 20th century social club – with live
music to match!

Emcee Joel Friedman, of Zuma Coffee fame, will lead us through an
evening of:

* Live music – a soundscape straight out of the past! Musicians Steve Davidowski and Melody King will serve up originals and the classics
* Scrumptious food and libations!
* Community brick-making and other creative activities!
* Fun photo opps with your friends!
* Dazzling raffle prizes – worth $500 each!
* And much, much more!

PLUS, the Preferred Pairings Salon!
Local wines, gourmet chocolates, artisan roasted coffees – curated and
paired, for this mini-event limited to 60 guests.

Proceeds go to CHC’s mission, which aims to find solutions to the national affordable housing crisis right here in WNC by promoting and facilitating healthy, safe, and affordable housing through advocacy, education, and resource development.

Sunday, May 5, 2019
Makeup and Margaritas with Liz Black
May 5 all-day
Nest Boutique + D.I.Y. Studio

Today’s woman is a go-getter, independent and above all, polished and confident! Your makeup should help reflect that!

Learn how to create a look that you can wear during the day and then easily transition into nighttime wear! Learn how to utilize certain products for more than just one purpose, how to create a flawless complexion using minimal tools and help deciding what products are best for you!

Don’t be intimidated by your makeup bag! Be excited about it! Join the talented Liz Black on Sunday, May 5th, and let’s margarita and makeup! She will be doing a live demo on a model as you sip and watch or follow along with her using your own makeup (list of her favorites suggested products arrive via email after sign up)!

Class includes a makeup bag, the ever essential beauty sponge (one of her secret weapons) and bottomless margaritas.

Note from Liz Black:

I am a self taught, freelance makeup artist in the Asheville area. I have always had a passion for makeup and all things glam! In addition to that, I am a hustler at heart, a people person and a busy body. Combine all those ingredients and you have an individual who decided three years ago to take a chance… and that is how I created my business Liz Black Makeup.

Since then, I have met so many incredible women and made so many friends, been a part of some seriously amazing events, helped bring life to brides’ perfect makeup vision and above all, I have found a sense of accomplishment and contentment that I’ve never felt before. To be proud of oneself is something that isn’t easy to obtain. When I see a woman’s face light up with genuine satisfaction because of something that I did, I feel pride and excitement! To know that I’ve helped an individual feel good about their self is so encouraging for me! My goal is always to make my client, my new friend, feel special and confident in their own skin!

Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 5 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
May 5 @ 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/

Monday, May 6, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 6 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 7 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 8 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Andy Cohen & Ash Devine in Concert at Flood Gallery
May 8 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Andy Cohen, Master Blues Musician, with Ash Devine in Concert at Flood Gallery

Andy Cohen rolls through Asheville, NC on a rare occasion. Join us for a special concert of piedmont blues, road worthy fingerstyle folk blues, and other heartfelt original tunes! Andy is a connoisseur of Rev. Gary David repertoire on guitar, and a general life long student of all blues style. Cohen has been on the road for almost 50 years, and at 72, still wanders the countryside with a car load of character and instruments. Ash Devine, friend, surrogate niece, and student of Andy Cohen, will accompany for a few originals, traditional songs from WNC, Carter Family repertoire, and more.

The concert is based on a sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Fingerstyle country blues guitar pickin workshop available the night before the concert! Limited spaces are available for this rare opportunity to study with Andy! For more info and to register, email Ash at [email protected].

Thursday, May 9, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 9 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, May 10, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 10 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Wood/Glass Opening Reception
May 10 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Foundation Woodworks

Foundation Woodworks presents a collaborative exhibit between the woodworkers and glass artists of WNC, highlighting the unique qualities of each mediumby showing them in juxtapostion. Featured work includes glass vessels blown using custom wooden molds, as well as solo and collaborative piecesutilizing wood and glass in the same form.
Exhibit runs May 10 – June 24, 2019

ACMS Presents Asheville’s Schubertiade
May 10 @ 8:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville

Franz Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, D. 898
Franz Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, D. 929

The first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmoniker. A Grammy nominated cellist. A world-famous pianist. Join Asheville-native Noah Bendix-Balgley, Peter Wiley, and Robert Levin for a singular special event celebrating one of chamber music’s most legendary composers — Franz Schubert. This performance is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these three chamber music masters perform the Austrian composers only two piano trios, both composed late in life.

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Weaving with Texture Workshop with Ashton Zager
May 11 all-day
Nest Boutique + D.I.Y. Studio

The best way to learn how to weave is to watch someone do it. Drawing from her experience as a fiber artist over the past 4 years, Ashton Zager has created an engaging workshop that will teach you how to weave your own weaving from start to finish. This class is of beginner level, but differs from her normal beginner class by focusing on texture instead of traditional flat weaving. We will be using a variety of fun materials such as rope and rug yarn. Weaving techniques covered will include: warping your loom, the tabby stitch, variations of complex tabby stitches and rya knots. No prior knowledge or skills are necessary!
WHAT YOUR TICKET PRICE INCLUDES:
Handmade wooden loom (that you get to keep!)
Metal tapestry needle
Enough fiber for 1 tapestry
3 hours of teaching
About the Artist:
Ashton began weaving in December of 2014. She’d stumbled across a tutorial on Pinterest and decided to give it a shot. She’d tried and failed painting, drawing, calligraphy, etc. in high school and did not consider herself a creative at all, but this seemed like something she could achieve. Before she knew it, she had made too many weavings than could fit on her walls so she decided to open up her own Etsy shop. She has since seen steady growth in her business and has been featured as a local artist in places such as West Elm and Anthropologie. In May of 2016, she decided to pursue weaving as her full time job along with her roles as wife and mother.

Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 11 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Concerts in the Park
May 11 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Cecil Park, Biltmore Park Town Square

We invite you to bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy our first of many musical evenings in Biltmore Park Town Square. Grab a blanket and join us in Cecil Park, the green space near Hickory Tavern and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. Tuxedo Junction, WNC’s Premier Dance Band, will be joining us to play all of your favorite tunes! Come enjoy two full hours of live music, dancing and fun – free for everyone!

Sunday, May 12, 2019
Gordon Piland Roots/Rock/Reggae Prison Benefit
May 12 all-day
THE BLOCK off Biltmore

+ PAUL I. TOSH BAND with members of Dirty Dead
+ JLAD (JIMMI LANG’S ALMOST DOORS)
+ RIYEN ROOTS W/NIKI FOSTER

MOTHER’S DAY LEAF SUNDAY FUNDAY THE BLOCK 2-6pm
SUGGESTED $5-10 DONATION to support the end of Gordon Piland’s incarceration and **fingers-crossed** upcoming release and re-entry. This is NOT a political event, but a community gathering designed to raise money to assist now (commissary/phone expenses) and upon release and re-entry. All money will go to him and his family directly.

Can’t make it? Donate $5 $10 $20 through Venmo @lucysnow (Gordon’s daughter in Charlotte)

Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 12 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
May 12 @ 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/

Monday, May 13, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 13 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 14 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 15 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, May 16, 2019
Momentum Gallery Exhibition Explores Architectural Decay
May 16 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Momentum Gallery

From Thursday, May 2nd until Saturday, June 22nd, Momentum Gallery hosts a two-person, mixed media exhibition called Dissolution. The collection features individually created and collaborative works by two artists, Seth Clark and Jason Forck. Original collages mounted to panels play off architectonic sculptures in glass and wood culminating in a cohesive body of work that explores the notion of deteriorating architecture. This event is free and open to the public.