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.
MountainTrue and New Belgium Brewing Co. are proud to invite you to No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF) – the premier all-women adventure film festival featuring environmentally-focused documentary shorts – at New Belgium Brewing’s Brewhouse in Asheville, NC, on November 28 (Giving Tuesday!). NMLFF is free to attend, and the event will also be available virtually for those who cannot attend in person. The NMLFF in-person screening is first come first serve – be sure to arrive early to get your seat(s)!
Learn more about NMLFF here.
It’s November again and that can only mean one thing: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!
NaNoWriMo began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November. Now, each year on November 1, hundreds of thousands of people around the world begin to write, determined to end the month with 50,000 words of a brand-new novel.
If you are doing NaNoWriMo this year, the Buncombe County Public Libraries are here to help! Several branches will be hosting “Write-ins” throughout the month of November, offering quiet spaces for writers to come chip away at their word count. Each Write-in will have its own unique spin (snacks, ambient music, writing prompts, local author hosts, etc.), so please check the library event calendar for specific details.
In addition to the Write-Ins, a NaNoWriMo Wrap Party will be held at rEvolve Mercantile on Wednesday, December 6th from 6pm – 8pm. All NaNoWriMo participants are invited to join us for food, activities, prize raffles , and “micro mic” readings that will give each writer a chance to share a paragraph or two from their novel.
Any questions? Let us know.
It’s November again and that can only mean one thing: National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!
NaNoWriMo began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November. Now, each year on November 1, hundreds of thousands of people around the world begin to write, determined to end the month with 50,000 words of a brand-new novel.
If you are doing NaNoWriMo this year, the Buncombe County Public Libraries are here to help! Several branches will be hosting “Write-ins” throughout the month of November, offering quiet spaces for writers to come chip away at their word count. Each Write-in will have its own unique spin (snacks, ambient music, writing prompts, local author hosts, etc.), so please check the library event calendar for specific details.
In addition to the Write-Ins, a NaNoWriMo Wrap Party will be held at rEvolve Mercantile on Wednesday, December 6th from 6pm – 8pm. All NaNoWriMo participants are invited to join us for food, activities, prize raffles , and “micro mic” readings that will give each writer a chance to share a paragraph or two from their novel.
Any questions? Let us know.
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
All NaNoWriMo participants are invited to join us for food, activities, prize raffles , and “micro mic” readings that will give each writer a chance to share a paragraph or two from their novel.
Invoke your imagination and dawn your most creaturely costumes at the Mischief Moon Gala! This evening of ceremony, interactive art, empowered movement, and connection is coming Thursday, December 7th, to the Asheville Masonic Temple. Head to https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/mischief-moon-gala for tickets, and see below for more details!
The Mischief Moon Gala: Thursday, December 7th from 5 – 11 pm at the Asheville Masonic Temple
Join us as we celebrate the power of creativity and community with live music from beloved artists like Holy River, Sarah Louise, and Wild Roots Rising; a community waltz with a live band (waltz class beforehand!); traditional Cherokee foods from Bigwitch Wisdom Initiative, and an entire evening of beautifully bizarre performances, installations, and offerings.
This year, we are delving into the wide world of weird, with an emphasis on the bizarre iterations of creation. Start creating your most captivating costumes as you, The Wanderer, have many adventures into the underworld and beyond soon to come!
Begin your journey in The Underworld, where we’ve curated an assortment of oddities to entertain you, including the Fae Cleaning Crew and the FerryMan. When you need to revive your spirits, journey up the Haunted Staircase to sojourn in the Realm of the Fae, where ethereal music, poetry and the Otherworldly Art Gallery & Cantina await you.
All proceeds for the Gala go toward supporting artists and fundraise for Firefly Gathering’s year-round work to empower the people of the Southeast through earthskills workshops, the Annual Firefly Gathering, and community-building events.
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
The Great Smokies Writing Program presents “Writers at Home” celebrating the fall 2023 issue of “The Great Smokies Review” at the Story Parlor at 7:00 p.m. on December 10, 2023. The event is free and open to the public.
The following contributors will be featured and perform a reading:
Rebecca Beck
Ginny Callaway
Anne-Marie Dany
Hope Donnellan
Sondra Hall
Tom Meyer
Patrick Pickering
Doors open at 6:30 and seating is first come first served; there will be a chance after the readings for the audience and readers to mingle.
This will be the final event in the Great Smokies Writers at Home series for Fall 2023. The series, started by novelist and longtime former Program Director Tommy Hays, celebrates local and regional writers reading from their own work. Today, the series is hosted by Program Coordinator Jennifer McGaha.
The Great Smokies Writing Program is a joint effort between the UNC Asheville departments of English, Creative Writing, and the Asheville Graduate Center. The program offers opportunities for writers of all levels to join a supportive learning community in which their skills and talents can be explored, practiced, and forged under the careful eye of professional writers.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
Darren Todd, will lead a virtual writing workshop titled “What if you fly? Weaving speculative elements into fiction.”
The term speculative fiction has grown in usage, but what does it mean? Simply, it’s fiction that speculates or forecasts what might happen. The “if” in that scenario is up to the writer. Spec-fic (as it’s often called) isn’t beholden to a single genre. Certainly, dystopian novels fall under this category, but so could alternate history, science fiction, horror, or even drama. Many ideas can greatly benefit from introducing speculative elements, which give readers a heightened sense of curiosity, wonder, and even engages them to be a part of how the writer’s “what if” develops. Humans are natural problem solvers, and few things kick off that need to find answers like a solid “what if.”
For this workshop, we’ll delve into the rise of spec-fic, how it crosses genre, as well as flexing our speculative muscles with breakout exercises to be reviewed during the workshop.
This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop here!
Darren is a freelance book editor for Evolved Publications, and his short fiction has appeared in fifty publications over the years, including Chilling Tales for Dark Nights, Cosmic Horror Monthly, and The Stoneslide Corrective. His short story collection, The Ugly Mug and Other Stories, launched on Amazon and Audible in 2023.
While some of his works fall under the literary umbrella, he often returns to speculative and horror fiction. His style and preferences tend toward the psychological, as he enjoys stories that linger in the imagination long after he’s closed the book on them.
He lives in Hendersonville, NC with his son and girlfriend. See what he’s up to at darrentodd.net.
|
Join us for creative writing online! We’ll meet on Zoom and do several rounds of writing prompts. The group is simple – we just write and read our writing to each other. This is a supportive and fun environment that gets your creative juices flowing with low stakes and lots of fun. Email [email protected] for the link to the online meeting. The contents of this presentation are for informational purposes only. Nothing herein constitutes medical, legal, or financial advice nor is it a substitute for professional advice on any issue. You should not rely on the information received in this presentation for any important decisions, including medical, legal, or financial decisions. Always consult with an appropriate professional for specific advice related to your situation. The views and opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily reflect those of Buncombe County or its Public Library System. |
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
Join us for a festive, fun-filled celebration for you and your pups this December 17th! We will have Santa here for photo opportunities, live music, and dog treats!
Donations will be accepted for the Blue Ridge Humane society during the month of December
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
Doors Open: 6:00 PM– ALL AGES (kids 12 and under FREE)
– PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT LEAF GLOBAL ARTSThis is a very special show with two master musicians from Africa – Adama Dembele from the Ivory Coast, and Chinobay of Uganda – who have made WNC their home, and who are deeply connected with LEAF Global Art’s mission of connecting cultures and creating community through music, arts education and experiences, to cultivate curiosity, preserve cultures and promote global understanding. This year-end benefit show, which will also feature other talented local musicians from the Asheville area, is all about supporting this powerful work, and connecting our local and global communities as we celebrate the closing of one year, and the beginning of a new journey around the sun.Learn more about these amazing musicians below, and visit theleaf.org/give to hear more about the work that you’re helping to support by buying a ticket to this event, and becoming a LEAF Member.Chinobay is Uganda’s leading international world musician. He is a singer/songwriter, creative arts producer, educator, multi-instrumentalist and philanthropist whose work has been described as “some of the most exquisite music coming out of Africa today.” For more than 15 years, he has captivated audiences with his soothing rhythms and powerful world-roots-dance melodies that emanate from the diversity of the many traditional instruments he customized to develop his unique sound. His educational and outreach programs are the gateway into Africa through which he introduces Africa’s culture, arts, history and lifestyle rarely covered by mainstream media to global audiences most especially those in schools and colleges.
Adama Dembele is a master djembéfola (djembe player) from Ivory Coast, West Africa and tailor of West African clothing, and for 12+ years Adama is a leading Master Teaching Artists with LEAF Global Arts! Adama come from a family of musicians for 33 generations, and has toured several continents with various major acts such Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita & many others. Adama has created and played in several drum and dance companies such as Yelemba d’Abidjan, Ensemble Koteba, Congoba and many more. You can play drums with Adama most Saturdays 12-2at his Yala! at LEAF Global Arts downtown Asheville. “When I share my culture, I am representing all of my family of drummers, storytellers and culture keepers in Ivory Coast and Mali. I am grateful to have a place to share my culture with so many great people. This means everything to me and the future.” – Adama
Free Write to a Free Life
This online group is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not you consider yourself a writer. The writing technique we will be practicing sparks great creativity, and it can help you discover new things about yourself and create exciting possibilities for your writing and your life outside the group. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with other creatives and build community.
Here’s how the group is structured: I will give the group writing prompts, and we will all spend 7 to 10 minutes writing as fast as possible without editing. After that, you can share what you wrote or not; it’s entirely up to you. The group will then have a chance to comment on your work — if anyone so chooses. The only rule is that the comments should all be positive — this is not a writing critique group and negative comments erode the sense of safety we’re all aiming for. After doing this type of writing for close to 30 years, I can say with certainty that what you learn from the group’s feedback can be priceless — you will feel heard and supported in ways you would have never imagined, and often what you thought was terrible writing actually inspires someone.
Trigger warning: I do not believe in censoring people’s self-expression. We are using stream of consciousness where anything can pop up to the surface. Sometimes people write about their experiences with sexuality, substances abuse, etc. Sometimes we write about very mundane things, like the best coffee you ever had. You just never know. If you feel this type of sharing will be too triggering, you might think twice about joining the group.
Why join this group?
· You want to connect with others in a safe way. First, you never have to read your work aloud; you can share parts of your piece, give a general summary, or say nothing. Be aware that while reading your unedited work out loud can feel terrifying to some, I pride myself on creating an environment where it’s safe to share literally anything.
I promise you, in this group, we will not judge you. Neither on your writing nor on anything else. It’s in the sharing that magical and enduring connections are born. As people share their work, you can learn what makes them tick and what inspires and challenges them, so it’s easy to form authentic relationships.
· Your inner demons are getting unruly. This type of writing provides access to your subconscious mind, where you can find fresh insights on issues you’ve found vexing. I’ve been doing free writing for almost 30 years now, mostly because I find it very therapeutic, and at the risk of sounding melodramatic, I believe it has actually saved my life. You don’t always have access to a therapist right when you need one, but you always have access to your inner healer, and I find my way to this underappreciated-but-wise source through free writing. I’m not alone in this either. The NIH says that journaling is good for those suffering from PTSD (and I would say many other sources of angst as well). I have a psychology background and have worked in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. I’ve worked in hospice too, and I am a trained life coach who often uses therapeutic writing with my clients.
**In my current work I have found that it is often writing, not talking, that leads to the most significant breakthroughs.**
· You want to slay your inner critic. Stream-of-consciousness writing allows you to bypass the inner critic, that dastardly bastard that blocks your creativity, stymies your healing-and often stops you from writing or doing much of anything.
Please note that due to the nature of the group, the doors close promptly at 7:10. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you would rather have a private writing and/or coaching session with me than do this work in a group setting, I give a substantial discount to Meetup members, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at: [email protected].
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Join Lauren Harr, co-founder of Gold Leaf Literary Services, to ask burning questions about the book world, author events, and the business of writing.
This event is scheduled to occur monthly at the dates and times listed above.
To join, email [email protected] with the subject “I have a question!” and you’ll receive the Zoom link for the upcoming event.
Founded by two long-time booksellers in 2016, Gold Leaf Literary Services is dedicated to educating and assisting authors in various stages of their careers. For more, visit www.goldleafliterary.com.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
|
Join local writing coach, Cornelia Dolian at the Weaverville Library for this three part Memoir Writing Mini Series. Space is limited. Call 828-250-6482 to reserve a spot today! Session One: Memoir Basics & Beginnings Session Two: Memoir Structure and Outline Session Three: Memoir Writing Marathon First Miles Huge thanks to the Friends of the Weaverville Library for sponsoring this series! |
Join local writing coach, Cornelia Dolian at the Weaverville Library for this three part Memoir Writing Mini Series. Space is limited. Call 828-250-6482 to reserve a spot today!
Session One: Memoir Basics & Beginnings
Thursday, January 11th 2:00-3:30
Session Two: Memoir Structure and Outline
Thursday, January 18th 2:00-3:30
Session Three: Memoir Writing Marathon First Miles
Thursday, January 25th 2:00-3:30
Huge thanks to the Friends of the Weaverville Library for sponsoring this series!
Saturdays from 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Advanced PacJAM students are invited to audition for this new track designed to help grow their musical potential. PacJAM Performers will be best prepared to represent PacJAM bands that play throughout the region and in esteemed music festivals.
Advanced students are invited to audition on January 15 to be a part of this extensive new track designed to enhance and grow their musical potential. Instruction will get underway on Monday, January 22 and continue through Monday, April 22.
As with any coordinated group activity, multiple and extra coached sessions per week are optimal for best results. Work will be done in small group ensembles to help develop their abilities and repertoire for performing in PacJAM bands throughout the region.
Classes are $12/session for a total of $168 per student, with a 20-percent discount of $134 for each additional sibling. Parents may choose to split payments when registering. Also, scholarships are available. To get more information about PacJAM Performers contact Julie Moore at [email protected] or 864.420.6407 for scholarship and audition consideration.
Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.
|
Join local writing coach, Cornelia Dolian at the Weaverville Library for this three part Memoir Writing Mini Series. Space is limited. Call 828-250-6482 to reserve a spot today! Session One: Memoir Basics & Beginnings Session Two: Memoir Structure and Outline Session Three: Memoir Writing Marathon First Miles Huge thanks to the Friends of the Weaverville Library for sponsoring this series! |