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.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Susan Anderson presents Paul’s Prayers
Aug 15 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

Susan Anderson presents Paul’s Prayers: A Mother’s Account of Raising an Autistic Son

Paul’s Prayers is the story of a moderately autistic young man navigating life with a spiritual intelligence that runs further than most people can walk. Written by Paul’s mother, this insightful memoir gives readers a unique look at the challenges and joys of raising her autistic son in a large Catholic family.

The first of six children, Paul’s early years were an exciting and confusing time for his parents. At the time, very little information on autism and its early signs was available, and the fact that the disorder is a spectrum ranging from mild to severe was not widely known.

Unpredictable outbursts and sensitivities to light and schedule disruptions lead Paul’s parents to refer to his condition as “The Marauder.” The Marauder sweeps over the hospital nursery as the fluorescent lights blind Paul’s eyes. The Marauder throws his black cape over the Christmas holidays, stealing four-year-old Paul’s speech for three long days. In school, The Marauder keeps other students at bay, leaving Paul isolated and alone. Finally a developmental assessment gives some clarity to the exhausted family: Paul is on the autism spectrum, and they will all have to adjust their perspectives. Small victories emerge as Paul begins to reach developmental milestones in creative ways. Six years of piano lessons lead to a dramatic improvement in reading skills. A jaunt through the mountains with his father introduces Paul to his talent for running; with his brothers, he joins the high school cross country running team, which goes on to win the state championship. After high school, Paul works for the family business and attends college.

Throughout this intimate memoir, every day is a challenge to be met with creative thinking, patience, and faith. Paul finds comfort in contemplative prayer and the support of his family when the world around him becomes too chaotic. As her son grows up, Susan Anderson learns how to cope with autism and embrace the importance of faith in the things unseen. Her family’s experience is a beacon of light for those who find themselves on a similar path.

This book is available for purchase in-store, by phone, or online by visiting https://www.malaprops.com/book/9781680993479

We ask that you purchase the books you want to be signed at our events from Malaprop’s. When you do this you are not only supporting the work it takes to run an events program, you are also telling the publishers that they should keep sending authors here.
Can’t make it to the store for the event? Call us or order the book on our website in advance, and we’ll get it signed for you. Make sure you write your preferences in the comments if you purchase online.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1063959153770449/

Thursday, August 16, 2018
William Clark Green
Aug 16 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 16 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 17 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact: (800) 438-5800
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock n’ roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm.

Friday, August 17, 2018
Downtown After 5
Aug 17 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The 30th anniversary season of Downtown After 5, presented by Prestige Subaru, kicks off Friday, May 18 from 5-9pm. Downtown After 5 takes place the 3rd Friday of the month May – September and is held on North Lexington Avenue. Events are free and open to the public.

Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 17 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 18 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact: (800) 438-5800
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock n’ roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm.

Menopause the Musical
Aug 17 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre
Menopause the Musical @ Diana Wortham Theatre | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

Menopause The Musical® is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Now celebrating 17 years of female empowerment through hilarious musical comedy, Menopause The Musical® has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life adjustments after 40 by embracing each other and the road ahead.

Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing unmistakable similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. These women form a sisterhood and unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.”

Performance schedule:

Tuesday, August 14 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 15 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 16 at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 19 at 2 p.m.

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, Menopause The Musical® is a celebration of women who find themselves at any stage of “The Change.” The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

Saturday, August 18, 2018
Scythian
Aug 18 @ 1:00 am – 2:00 am
Band Of Horses
Aug 18 @ 7:00 pm – Aug 19 @ 12:00 am

bandofhorses.com
RAIN OR SHINE
Remember, all outdoor shows at The Meadow are RAIN OR SHINE. Please plan according. Follow the forecast here! In the event of rain, umbrellas are allowed and a limited number of ponchos will be available for purchase.
PARKING
All on-site parking is first come, first served, unless you have purchased a Preferred Parking Package (see info below). Overflow parking is available at River Ridge Shopping Center.
In an effort to encourage carpooling, parking at the Highland Brewing facility is $10 per car with 3 or less people – CASH ONLY. Parking is FREE for cars with 4 or more people. Parking is also FREE for cars with any number of passengers at the overflow parking lots at River Ridge Shopping Center (more info below).
PLEASE CARPOOL / UBER / LYFT / TAXI if possible. The drop-off / pick-up area is located to the far left of the Highland Brewing facility.
Parking is available at Highland Brewery and River Ridge Shopping Center on Fairview Rd. Buses will begin running from River Ridge at 5:45pm – 9:00pm, and again from 9:40pm through 11:30pmto accommodate After Party attendees.
We ask in advance for your patience regarding parking and shuttles – as those who attend large sporting events or festivals know, some wait time and lines are to be expected when the show is over. We will do our best to get you to and from the show as quickly and efficiently as possible.
REMOTE PARKING & SHUTTLES
The lots at River Ridge Shopping Center will be open for FREE remote parking with FREE shuttle buses running beginning at 5:45pm. Please try not to park in front businesses that are still open. You can enter River Ridge at the traffic light at McDonald’s/CVS and then park on the left or right side of the shopping center – both sides of the lot will be pick up stops all evening from 5:45 until 9pm. Shuttles will pick up and drop off on the AC Moore side of the lot, and in the Hamrick’s / Gabe’s side of the lot, the pick-up location will be in the small circle, behind CVS.
PREFERRED PARKING PASS HOLDERS
Click here to learn more! If you have purchased a Preferred Parking Package, please have your “print-at-home” ticket or eTicket ready to show a parking attendant. If you have Will Call parking tickets, please have your confirmation email with you. The parking attendant will give you a parking pass to display in your car and direct you to your preferred parking spot!
IDs & TICKETS
Remember to bring a VALID ID if you’re over 21. Accepted ID’s include NC Driver’s License or ID, Passport, Military ID, and Out of State Driver’s License (Out of State ID cards will NOT be accepted)
Please have your print at home or digital tickets ready when you arrive. Will Call tickets can be picked up at The Meadow the day of the show or at the Orange Peel Box Office any day leading up to the show during normal business hours.
If tickets are still available on the night of the show, the box office will be open for sales at the Highland Brewing Tasting Room.
ATMs
Most of the bars are cash only. Only a few beverage stations may accept cards. ATMs will be available inside the event space.
FOOD TRUCKS
We’ll have a variety of delicious food from local food trucks on site to take care of those hunger pains! Yum!
RULES
No chairs or other camping furniture.
No professional photography, cameras, or flash.
No outside food of beverages.
No pets or animals (except legal service animals).
All bags subject to search.
No fireworks, weapons, or other dangerous items.
No illegal substances.
No re-entry.
Smoking is discouraged. If you must smoke, be respectful to the people around you.
AFTER PARTY
Come to our AFTER PARTY in the Highland Brewing Tasting Room! The party will start right after the show ends. Shuttles will continue to run to the remote parking lot until the set ends. There will be limited capacity, so hurry over to the Tasting Room to keep the party going!

Beatlesque
Aug 18 @ 11:00 pm – Aug 19 @ 12:00 am
ABSfest Speakeasy Allstars Burlesque
Aug 18 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 19 @ 12:00 am

ABSfest Speakeasy Allstars Burlesque brings you quality burlesque and circus arts performed to LIVE upbeat mountain swing music. Madame Onça, the force behind ABSFest, the Americana Burlesque & Sideshow Festival, brings you a festival sampler, including great variety acts such as silk aerials, acrobatics, comedy songs and burlesque. Hosted by bawdy song and comedy frontman Mark Slomski, this evening will be energizing, amusing, and a great time for all.
This is a seated show for your comfort!
In addition to epic burlesque, music & circus arts, you can feel good about a portion of raffle proceeds going to one of Asheville’s animal-related 501C3s.
The Judy Chops, epic mountain swing band www.thejudychops.com
Satarah, acrobatic aerial bellydance duo from Charlotte, NC
Silver Kitsune, classic acts out of Boone, NC
Bitsy Buttons, hoop artist extraordinaire fro VA
Claire Dima, local bellydance super-heroine
Mark Slomski, That Rascally Vaudevillean from Richmond, VA
And more!

Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 18 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 19 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock ‘n roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8pm, pianos begin at 9pm. 

Menopause the Musical
Aug 18 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre
Menopause the Musical @ Diana Wortham Theatre | Asheville | North Carolina | United States

Menopause The Musical® is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Now celebrating 17 years of female empowerment through hilarious musical comedy, Menopause The Musical® has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life adjustments after 40 by embracing each other and the road ahead.

Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing unmistakable similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. These women form a sisterhood and unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.”

Performance schedule:

Tuesday, August 14 at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 15 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 16 at 8 p.m.
Friday, August 17 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, August 19 at 2 p.m.

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, Menopause The Musical® is a celebration of women who find themselves at any stage of “The Change.” The laughter-filled 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

Sunday, August 19, 2018
Wes Williams and his Nola FunkGrass
Aug 19 @ 2:30 am – 3:30 am
Monday, August 20, 2018
Karen Waldrup
Aug 20 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 23 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 24 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact: (800) 438-5800
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock n’ roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm.

Friday, August 24, 2018
Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 24 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 25 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact: (800) 438-5800
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock n’ roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8:00 pm, show starts at 9:00 pm.

Saturday, August 25, 2018
Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar
Aug 25 @ 8:00 pm – Aug 26 @ 1:00 am
Omni Grove Park Inn

Property: Omni Grove Park Inn
Event Type: Hotel Event
Event Category: Couples,Entertainment
Contact Phone: (800) 438-5800
Link: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/elaines-dueling-piano-bar

Join the non-stop, rock ‘n roll, sing-along party show at Elaine’s! Doors open at 8pm, pianos begin at 9pm. 

Saturday, September 1, 2018
Fall Themed Needle Felting with Karen Kennedy
Sep 1 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grovewood Village

This Saturday at Grovewood Gallery, Asheville fiber artist Karen Kennedy, a graduate of Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program, will demonstrate needle felting using locally dyed wool to create fall pumpkins and leaves. Pre-made versions will be available to purchase, a perfect addition to your Halloween and Thanksgiving décor.

https://www.facebook.com/events/326354097954572/

Monday, September 3, 2018
Wovenhand
Sep 3 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Joanne Shaw Taylor
Sep 4 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Champagne Tuesdays-
Sep 4 @ 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Poe House

Fall is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited! To celebrate the beginning of our favorite time of year we are kicking off our countdown to fall mimosa series this Tuesday! Each week leading up to the first day of Fall we’ll feature a different Mimosa dedicated to all those delicious Fall flavors we love! This week our feature is an Apple Cider Mimosa- with local Apple cider, Simonet Blanc de Blanc and a cinnamon-sugar rim.

Plus, each week we offer wine specials, food specials and a complimentary champagne bar with fresh juices, fruits and Bitters for you to add to your sparkling wine (sparkling wines purchased separately).

Sept 4th- Apple Cider Mimosas

Sept 11th- Vanilla Bean Pear Mimosa

Sept 18th- Pumpkin Pie Mimosa

https://www.facebook.com/events/679259562446616/

Thursday, September 6, 2018
River Heroes Film Party
Sep 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
New Belgium Brewing (Asheville, NC)

New Belgium Brewing of Asheville and the Center for Cultural Preservation are hosting a special-benefit film-screening and musical performance to help support the Center for Cultural Preservation’s new documentary film: The River Heroes of the South. Music will be performed by acclaimed local singer/songwriter David (da6d) Wiseman following by a screening by the Center’s award-winning film, “Come Hell or High Water: Remembering the Great Flood of 1916”.

Join us for a special evening of music, film and local beer by the area’s leading brewery and help us raise funds for our current project, The River Heroes of the South Film Project.

Friday, September 7, 2018
5th Annual Organic Growers School Harvest Conference
Sep 7 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Warren Wilson College

Dates: Friday to Saturday, September 7–8, 2018

Time: 9:30AM to 4:30PM (both days)

Location: Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC

Cost: $165 for Friday and Saturday —or— $105 for Friday only (prices include $15 materials fee)

There will be three immersive two-day workshops:

1. Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizae, taught by Tradd Cotter

Mushrooms offer us nearly infinite possibilities for innovation, including high-quality food and alcohol production, water filtration, antibiotic development, invasive management, myco-pesticides, pollution and toxin remediation, and more. Whether you’re engaged on a home-, garden-, or farm-scale, beginners and advanced students alike will walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish a range of personal or professional goals. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days. The workshop builds on itself and all of these components work in harmony to create optimal understanding of the power of the fungi community.

2. The Sustainable Poultry Flock, taught by Jim Adkins

The workshop will include a lecture, hands-on experience, and a farm tour. The hands-on components will happen on Saturday and will include a breeding analysis and a slaughter and butcher demo. Students will receive a training manual filled with resources, including budget overviews, facility plans, pasture-growing strategies, feeding instructions, and proper feed recipes.

3. Tending Your Inner Garden, taught by Monica Corrado

True health begins and ends in the gut. In fact, there is mounting evidence that chronic illnesses such as cancer, depression, allergies, and autism spectrum disorder find their origin in the digestive system. The gut—which acts as a “second brain”—functions independently of the actual brain and plays a huge role in whether we struggle or thrive. In this accessible and non-clinical workshop, Monica Corrado—teaching chef, holistic nutritionist, and certified GAPS™ practitioner—will uncover the secrets of a traditional whole-foods diet and nutrient-dense cooking through simple, do-it-yourself techniques that address health issues holistically. This high-energy workshop is comprised of a lecture, cooking demos, tastings, and handouts that will help you will learn how to heal your gut. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days. The workshop builds on itself, and all of these components work in synergy with each other to create optimal healing.

Facebook events: https://www.facebook.com/pg/organicgrowersschool/events/?ref=page_internal

Saturday, September 8, 2018
Real Estate
Sep 8 @ 1:00 am – 2:00 am
5th Annual Organic Growers School Harvest Conference
Sep 8 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Warren Wilson College

Dates: Friday to Saturday, September 7–8, 2018

Time: 9:30AM to 4:30PM (both days)

Location: Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC

Cost: $165 for Friday and Saturday —or— $105 for Friday only (prices include $15 materials fee)

There will be three immersive two-day workshops:

1. Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizae, taught by Tradd Cotter

Mushrooms offer us nearly infinite possibilities for innovation, including high-quality food and alcohol production, water filtration, antibiotic development, invasive management, myco-pesticides, pollution and toxin remediation, and more. Whether you’re engaged on a home-, garden-, or farm-scale, beginners and advanced students alike will walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish a range of personal or professional goals. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days. The workshop builds on itself and all of these components work in harmony to create optimal understanding of the power of the fungi community.

2. The Sustainable Poultry Flock, taught by Jim Adkins

The workshop will include a lecture, hands-on experience, and a farm tour. The hands-on components will happen on Saturday and will include a breeding analysis and a slaughter and butcher demo. Students will receive a training manual filled with resources, including budget overviews, facility plans, pasture-growing strategies, feeding instructions, and proper feed recipes.

3. Tending Your Inner Garden, taught by Monica Corrado

True health begins and ends in the gut. In fact, there is mounting evidence that chronic illnesses such as cancer, depression, allergies, and autism spectrum disorder find their origin in the digestive system. The gut—which acts as a “second brain”—functions independently of the actual brain and plays a huge role in whether we struggle or thrive. In this accessible and non-clinical workshop, Monica Corrado—teaching chef, holistic nutritionist, and certified GAPS™ practitioner—will uncover the secrets of a traditional whole-foods diet and nutrient-dense cooking through simple, do-it-yourself techniques that address health issues holistically. This high-energy workshop is comprised of a lecture, cooking demos, tastings, and handouts that will help you will learn how to heal your gut. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend both days. The workshop builds on itself, and all of these components work in synergy with each other to create optimal healing.

Facebook events: https://www.facebook.com/pg/organicgrowersschool/events/?ref=page_internal

Auditions The Love Talker
Sep 8 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

Cold readings from the script which will be provided. Looking for three female actors, aged late teens to early forties. ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS ARE ACCEPTED AND HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! You won’t want to miss this spooky show–just in time for Halloween!

https://www.facebook.com/events/261264131181196/

Sunday, September 9, 2018
In A Clearing by Karen Saari
Sep 9 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

The Magnetic Theatre will present the world premiere of Karen Saari’s intimate, affirming, and heartfelt play, IN A CLEARING.

Mark is three months into sobriety. He is still haunted by the death of close friend, who died in an unexplained roadside accident after a night of hard partying. The looming guilt Mark secretly feels about his friend’s death has motivated him to become sober; a challenging feat in the small north woods, Wisconsin small town where he has always lived. Seeing friends, family, and the world in a whole new light; Mark rekindles a relationship with Pam, an old “friend” from school and the aggrieved sister of his dead friend, and finally solves the mysteries of his own heart.

The production is being directed by Andrew Gall, The Magnetic Theatre’s co-Artistic Director.

Featuring:
Thomas Traugaer
Emily Tynan McDaniel
Kay Galvin
Jered Shults

Scenic Design: Rodney Smith
Lighting Design: Abby Auman
Costume Design: Victoria Smith
Sound Design: Mary Zogzas

https://www.facebook.com/events/259302424887309/

JOSEPH w/ Kelsey Kopecky at The Grey Eagle
Sep 9 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

JOSEPH at The Grey Eagle

There is nothing like the sound of siblings singing together. Whether it’s the Beach Boys or the Everly Brothers—or, more recently, First Aid Kit—absorbing the same breathing rhythms and speech patterns adds an element to vocal harmonies that can be pure magic. With the release of I’m Alone, No You’re Not, the mesmerizing, hypnotic sound of the trio known as Joseph—made up of sisters Allison, Meegan, and Natalie Closner—joins this elite company.

“It’s just second nature, like a fifth limb that’s already on you,” says first-born Natalie. “There’s an ability to anticipate what’s going to happen and blend with it. When Meegan and Allison sing, they know exactly what I’m going to do and when.”

But the Closners didn’t actually start singing together when they were growing up in Oregon, the children of artistic parents (their dad was a jazz singer and drummer, their mom a theater teacher). Natalie was the performer—“the older sister who stood on the edge of the fireplace and told everyone, ‘Watch me!,’“ she says. Twins Meegan and Allison stayed out of her lane, joining in for their mother’s musical theater productions but otherwise avoiding the spotlight.

When Natalie was in college, she began pursuing music more seriously. The summer before her senior year, she went to Nashville to check out the scene and work on her guitar playing and songwriting. She had recorded an EP and done a few rounds of touring when a friend sat her down one day.

“It was kind of dramatic,” she says, “He took me aside and said, ‘I don’t think you really believe in this.’ It stopped me in my tracks.” She thought deeply about the music she was making and had a curious epiphany; she decided to ask her sisters if they would consider singing with her.

Initially, they didn’t really get it. “We thought she was asking us to be background singers, so we didn’t take it that seriously,” says Allison. “It was more commitment than I was expecting—I even tried to leave at one point, but after a while, I was convinced.”

A transformation occurred when the Closners were in the process of recording their first album, Native Dreamer Kin. At the time, they were calling themselves Dearborn, but their producer felt that the name didn’t fit the strength of the music. They went to visit their grandfather Jo, in the eastern Oregon town of Joseph. Allison made a playlist for the trip and called it “Joseph,” which is what influenced the band’s name.

“Once she said it, it just hit us all—that’s what this is and who we are, these are the sounds of the land that we’ve lived on,” says Natalie.

With this new sense of themselves, Meegan and Allison began taking a more active role in the group’s songwriting. Meegan notes that while the process was a “totally new journey” for her, it felt similar to the candor and vulnerability of her long-time journaling—just “pulling out the gold and arranging that into neater lines.”

She and Natalie both point to the song “Honest” as a keystone for the development of I’m Alone, No You’re Not. “We were trying really hard to write a song, but nothing was coming,” recalls Natalie. “One night, Meegan was working on some lyrics and getting frustrated, so she wrote in the margin of the page, ‘I can’t say a true thing. It’s hard to be that honest.’ Immediately after that, her most honest sentence spilled out—‘There’s always two thoughts, one after the other: I’m alone. No, you’re not.’ And she thought, ‘Oh, there’s the song.’ “

Meanwhile, the group was cultivating a devoted fan base in the most traditional ways possible: touring the Western states playing living room shows, backyard parties, and secret house party gigs; reaching an audience directly through such platforms as Noisetrade; selling their self-released CD and building a loyal following step by step. By the time they were approached by ATO Records, Joseph had already built a strong community of fans on its own.

As they moved toward making their second record, the project took an additional turn when the Closners decided to work with some other songwriters in Los Angeles. “We were afraid of it at first because the songs were more pop than we were used to writing,” says Meegan, “but as we internalized them, they started becoming super-important to us.”

They point to “More Alive Than Dead,” co-written with Ethan Gruska, as an example of these contributions. “That song describes an experience with a partner where you have hard things in your combined past,” says Natalie. “You’re haunted by them until you realize that those things are dead, and as long as you dwell on them, you’re missing the real live person in front of you.”

She adds, though, that Gruska was critical in clarifying and sharpening the nuanced emotion of the lyric. “When Ethan sent us back the demo, I lost it, He was able to see the heart of the song and bring it out, cut to the core of what I was trying to say.”

Finally, the women of Joseph recorded the album with acclaimed producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis, First Aid Kit) at his studio in Omaha. He was able to open up their expansive, evocative vocal sound with powerful and striking arrangements, adding depth while highlighting their haunting intensity.

“This was our first time doing a recording like this,” says Natalie, “and we learned so much about creativity. Mike is a genius, and he’s just a total maniac as a musician, so he took these bare bones songs and brought them to life with lush, gorgeous textures and sounds.”

The initial reaction to the music on I’m Alone, No You’re Not has been remarkable. Joseph was selected as a #SpotifySpotlight artist, and booked for festivals including Bonnaroo, Pickathon, and Sasquatch even prior to the release of the single “White Flag,” a song inspired by an article predicting a massive earthquake for the Pacific Northwest.

“Reading that created a heaviness that was making us jumpy, scared, and miserable,” says Natalie. “It became clear we had two options: be scared and cowering, backing away from the world into paralysis, or keep moving and live. Defy fear. Wear peace. Find better ways to love the people in our lives instead of huddling together like frightened sheep thinking about earthquakes.”

Most rewarding for the Closner sisters has been feeling the audience response to the new songs, as they tour supporting such artists as James Bay and Amos Lee. “This is really when you learn what’s special about a song, or if it’s special,” says Natalie. “It’s this crazy firecracker thing that happens—‘Am I feeling something? Is anyone? What is this song, what does it do, which parts make the most sense?’

“It really is about connection with people, and we’re so grateful we’ve gotten the chance to do that. This has been a totally wild journey, and we’re constantly blown away with possibility of what could be.”

https://www.facebook.com/events/188070488495632/

Monday, September 10, 2018
JOSEPH
Sep 10 @ 12:00 am – 1:00 am
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Swing AVL Dance w/ Queen Bee & The Honeylovers
Sep 11 @ 7:00 pm – Sep 12 @ 12:00 am
THE BLOCK off biltmore

Come and get it, honey! Queen Bee & the Honeylovers will be swinging the block tonight! There will be fabulous music, and great classes for beginners! Stay late for our post dance blues hour! Plus the venue is not only gorgeous, but they have a fabulous bar!

~~~Schedule (short version- see below for details)~~~
7 pm: Level-Up Lindy w/ Deb & Jean
8 pm: Intro to Lindy Hop w/ Deb & Jean
9-11pm: Swing AVL Dance w/ Queen Bee & The Honeylovers
11-12pm: Vintage Blues Hour w/ DJ
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PRICING: Dance/Band is $5 (includes blues hour) and classes are $10/$8 for Swing Asheville members. Vintage Blues Hour is $2 suggested donation for those who didn’t pay for Dance/Band admission.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Interested in free dances or half priced lessons? Want to help prom…http://signup.com/go/qiyRjLG

MUSIC
Queen Bee and the Honeylovers is an upbeat, nostalgic dance band that indulges in an eclectic exploration of jazz, swing and latin music styles. Their unabashedly joyous repertoire includes classic standards as well as the occasional peppering of more obscure latin and jazz tunes. Vocal-driven with an infectious groove, they’re guaranteed to put a grin on your face and a tap in your toes.

BLUES
Band finished and you’re not done dancing? You’re in luck… stick around for our vintage blues hour! Continue dancing to DJ’d music until the bar kicks us out. $2 suggested donation for those coming just for the blues hour.

FOOD: Feeling peckish? The bar has a small selection of vegan goodies to help keep your stamina up! Ask a bartender for more details.

CLASSES
7pm: Continuing Class: Level-Up Lindy w/ TDeb & Jean

For people who can do basic lindyt footwork on demand and feel comfortable doing this footwork within the context of basic social dancing. We will work on practical dance technique, common but interesting social moves / repertoire, styling, and anything else that moves your dancing forward! Remember, the more regularly you show up, the more the whole group can make progress! Come swing out with us, y’all!

“Continuing” classes are for those dancers who have cemented the basics of the dance being featured that specific month. This includes knowing (and being able to execute cleanly and consistently) basic footwork and lead/follow skills for that dance. Some continuing classes may require no advance knowledge of a dance. This will be noted in the the class description.
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8 pm: Core Class w/ TBA

In this class, we’ll focus on rhythm and lead-follow technique while learning a basic “vocabulary” of steps to build your swing dance repertoire. In just a short time, you’ll be able to get out on the dance floor with a partner and have fun dancing! For brand new dancers and those who would like to review and improve their basic steps and technique. No partner or experience necessary.

“Core” lessons stress the fundamentals of swing dancing for beginning dancers. Lessons rotate monthly to focus on a different kind of swing dance (6 Count Lindy, 8 Count Lindy, Charleston, Balboa, etc.). Because good fundamentals are hard to develop in one month, we recommend repeating Core lessons (on the same topic) to help develop the solid foundation you’ll need in continuing classes. Core lessons are also great for intermediate and advanced dancers who want to “get back to basics” or learn a different dancing role (lead vs. follow).
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GIFT CERTIFICATES
Do you want to buy a gift certificate for our classes as a gift, or to pre-pay for a block of classes for yourself? You can purchase gift certificates at the door at our weekly dance! They are $40 for a block of 4, and a great way to dive into the fun world of dance.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Sept 18: Big Dawg Slingshots
Sept 25: Low Down Sires
Oct 2: Community Jazz Jam
Oct 9: Sparrow & Her Wingmen
Oct 16: Drayton & The Dreamboats
Oct 23: Gravyhouse Storytellers
Oct 30: House Hoppers Halloween Spooktacular

https://www.facebook.com/events/2062955600382148/