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.

Sunday, November 11, 2018
Handstand Workshop
Nov 11 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pure Yoga Asheville

Handstands Level 2

Got handstand fundamentals and ready to soar to new heights? This workshop will help you level up your handstand. If you’ve been using the wall as a crutch or you feel like your practice has become stagnant, this is the workshop for you.

Farrell leads this amazing workshop and will cover:
1. Confronting the fear of falling; safely bailing out of a handstand.
2. Different kick-ups.
3. Different handstand variations- straddle, scorpion, stag legs, diamond legs.
4. Neutralizing banana-back.
5. Building towards the press-up.

Anyone with a handstand practice will benefit from this workshop, including those who have taken Level 1. Whether you want to take your practice from beginner to intermediate, or from intermediate to advanced, you will come out of this workshop ready to take on the next challenge!

Thursday, November 15, 2018
Taste of Asheville 2018
Nov 15 all-day
The Venue

Asheville’s biggest culinary event celebrates 10 years of bold flavors and palate pleasers.

The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) hosts the 2018 Taste of
Asheville: Taste & Tunes Thursday, Nov. 15 at The Venue in downtown Asheville.

From award-winning southern cuisine to bold new worldly flavors, the Taste of Asheville
brings over 40 of Asheville’s famed independent restaurants together for an
unforgettable evening of sampling small bites, craft beverages and spirits.

This year, AIR has once again teamed up with the Asheville Buskers Collective to
highlight the city’s celebrated street musicians.

This event not only entertains the taste buds, it also is one of the largest fundraisers of
the year to support the work of the AIR, which in turn supports the 120 members of the
Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

VIP tickets (early admission) are $100; general admission tickets are $75. All tickets may be purchased at www.airasheville.org.

Friday, November 16, 2018
UNC Asheville Fall Arts Fest
Nov 16 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Owen Hall on UNC Asheville's Campus

UNC Asheville Arts & Ideas is proud to present our first ever Fall Arts Fest! We’ll be partnering with the Art Department Sale between 4-7pm but there will be amazing events going on throughout the day! Fall Arts Fest will take place in Owen Hall and will focus on performance and artwork from the UNC Asheville campus community. More details and the schedule will posted at https://arts.unca.edu/artsfest.

Saturday, November 17, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 17 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, November 18, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 18 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, November 19, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 19 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 20 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 21 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Thursday, November 22, 2018
South Asheville Turkey Trot
Nov 22 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Fleet Feet Asheville

Thanksgiving is the largest running holiday with families all over the country getting together to share miles and smiles prior to their meal later in the day. We hope you will make this race part of your annual tradition.

Join us in Biltmore Park Town Square on Thanksgiving morning for South Asheville’s only Thanksgiving Day 5k. Our route will begin and end in front of Fleet Feet Asheville and run through Biltmore Park Town Square and the surrounding neighborhood.

Thank you to the ongoing support from our community, iDaph Events, Biltmore Farms, and our many other sponsors/ volunteers.
Our highest priority is our commitment to having a first-class event all around.

All pre-registered participants will receive a 50/50 poly-blend long sleeve t-shirt, personalized name on their race bib, finisher medal upon completion, swag from our vendor partners, raffle tickets, and are invited to stay to enjoy post-race refreshments and fun.

– Packet Pick- Up is Wednesday, November 21st from 4pm- 8pm at Fleet Feet Asheville.

– Race Day Packet Pick- Up is Thursday, November 22nd from 7:30 am- 8:45 am

– Race starts at 9am in front of Fleet Feet Asheville

– Awards and Raffles at 10:15 am

LET’S GO!

https://www.facebook.com/events/254350778752505/

Friday, November 23, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Saturday, November 24, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 24 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, November 25, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 25 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, November 26, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 26 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 27 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 28 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Thursday, November 29, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 29 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Friday, November 30, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Nov 30 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Saturday, December 1, 2018
Biltmore Park Town Square Annual Holiday Event
Dec 1 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Biltmore Park Town Square will celebrate the magic of the holidays on Saturday, December 1st, 2018.   Festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. throughout Town Square and will conclude with the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy a full day of family fun including horse-drawn carriage rides, craft activities, face painting, music, stilt-walkers, strolling entertainment, balloon artists, caricatures, magicians, refreshments and much more!

Schedule of Events:

2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Take the family for a stroll along Town Square to enjoy all the acitivities. Visit the many stores for special sales, in-store samplings, giveaways and much more!

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Enjoy a carriage ride through Town Square.

3:30 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Bring the kids for a visit with Santa near the Christmas Tree. Be sure to bring you camera to capture the magical moment.

6:00 p.m. – Help us countdown the for the first lighting of the Christmas Tree to kick off the holidays at Biltmore Park Town Square.

For more information about this free event, please call 828.210.1660.

 

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Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 1 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, December 2, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 2 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, December 3, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 3 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 4 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 5 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Thursday, December 6, 2018
Winter In The Weave
Dec 6 all-day
Creperie & Cafe

One stop holiday shopping featuring over 15 local artists and small business owners. Food samples provided by the Creperie & Cafe

Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 6 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Friday, December 7, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 7 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Saturday, December 8, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 8 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Sunday, December 9, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 9 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Monday, December 10, 2018
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo
Dec 10 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Riverbanks Zoo
Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas has continued as a family tradition for 30 years!

  • Nearly one million twinkling lights
  • Countless decorative images
  • Holly Jolly Christmas Parade
  • Animated Story Tree
  • Animal Characters
  • Nightly visits with Santa (start at 6:00PM through December 23)
  • Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire
  • Hot cocoa, s’mores and other festive foods available for purchase

While you may spot a few night owls during Lights, most of our residents will be off-exhibit to catch some zzz’s.

Ministry w/ Carpenter Brut and Alien Weaponry
Dec 10 @ 7:15 pm – Dec 11 @ 1:00 am
The Orange Peel

Ministry
Carpenter Brut
Alien Weaponry
Show : 7:15pm
Doors : 6:30pm
$30 – $33
Ages 18+

Public Onsale Begins:
Friday, June 8, 2018 12:00 PM

Tickets & Info: www.theorangepeel.net/event/ministry/

Ministry’s Al Joursengen, the acclaimed pioneer of industrial music, doesn’t muck around, doesn’t sugar-coat, doesn’t pull punches. He’s highly opinionated, exceptionally well read and articulate on subjects ranging from politics to alien conspiracies to American history to his beloved Chicago Blackhawks/Bulls/White Sox/Bears. He is an avid follower of NASA scientist David S. McKay, ancient civilizations scholar Zecharia Sitchin, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Scottish writer/archaeologist/scientist Graham Hancock. During a layover at the Las Vegas airport this past summer, Jourgensen spotted U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, introduced himself, and took full advantage of the encounter to let the Congressman know of his views on tax reform and the possible perils of redistribution of wealth, the current obstruction of the “Russia-gate” investigation by the House Intelligence Committee lead by Republican Chair Devin Nunes, and to inquire about the status of the possible impeachment of the President, on not only obstruction and collusion charges, but for treason.

You see, Al Jourgensen is angry, really angry about what’s going on in America – sexual abuse and the disrespect of women in our society, the waning respect for the U.S. Constitution, the growing acceptance of one’s opinions replacing facts, the decline of the our leaders’ sense of morals, ethics and personal responsibility to the country and to their constituents, and the mad man in the White House. Yeah, Al is angry, and that takes us straight to Ministry’s upcoming album AmeriKKKant.

Before all of that, the industrial machine that is Ministry has manufactured immense amounts of sound during its 30+ years of musical artistry. Initially coming into existence in 1981, Ministry was to be the lifetime passion project of front runner and founder Al Jourgensen. Often associated with ideas and imagery that are easily recognized today, in part because of Jourgensen’s insanely dreaded hair, pitch black attire, vampiric glasses, and exquisite top hat, the band has become incredibly symbolic. But like any creature cursed with the gift of creativity, “Uncle Al” has shed his skin several times over the decades. The development of Ministry and all of Al Jourgensen projects has been purely organic, which is a huge reason why the masses following his projects are so vast.

Often referred to as one of the founders of Industrial Music, the true outlook of Ministry as well as Jourgensen’s other projects, is far more fluid than just one specific genre. Surgical Meth Machine, Revolting Cocks, and anything Al “Fucking” Jourgensen has produced all explore different realms of sound and thought.

In the year 1981 in Chicago Illinois, Ministry was initially born. With an original line up of Al Jourgensen doing lead vocals, guitar, programming and overall production, Stephen George on drums, Robert Roberts on keyboards and backing vocals, and John Davis also on keyboards and backing vocals. New sounds were constantly being developed in the 80’s especially as technology improved. At first the band had a very catchy, synth-pop sound. They began by releasing four 12” singles on Wax Track! Records starting in 1981, and released their first LP “With Sympathy” in 1983 via Arista Records.

As time progressed however, so did Ministry, and they quickly developed a harsher, and even more stylized industrial sound that they soon became infamous for. In the mid to late 80’s the band gained a progressively greater following as it released albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). The darker, heavier sound that Ministry had developed into was often a direct reflection upon modern concepts, society, and politics. It was also during this time that Al Jourgensen himself reached one of his many peaks of creativity and branched off into what would be one of his many side-projects: Revolting Cocks. He also began producing a vast amount of other music by artists similar to his realm in one way or another such as Nivek Ogre/Skinny Puppy, The Reverend Horton Heat, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Cheap Trick and Red Hot Chili Peppers. With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all time high in the mainstream musical realm and even received a Grammy nomination. Filth Pig was released in 1994 and by then Ministry had not only grown a solid fanbase, but a solid reputation as well.

Famous for a hellaciously unique talent and sound, pure heinous insanity while on tour, and endless energy filled performances at countless festivals, Ministry had developed a cult following and would go on to release several more records throughout the years before eventually taking a hiatus. On December 23rd, 2012 then guitarist Mike Scaccia suffered a heart attack and passed away. It was not long after this that Jourgensen took what was to be an indefinite leave from doing anything Ministry related as he could not bare to continue without Scaccia. It wasn’t until recently that Jourgensen decided that if the circumstances were right, he would consider reawakening Ministry to release something new to the world.

Now, in 2017 Ministry has reunited, revamped its line-up, signed to Nuclear Blast Records, recently returned from a full world tour, and is now preparing to release their 14th studio album, AmeriKKKant, on March 9th 2018. Society and Politics have taken a turn for the insane and frightening in the United States and across the globe, leaving much inspiration and frustration for Ministry to draw from. Jourgensen remembers his shock while witnessing everyone and everything around him during the recent election process, and awoke on the morning of November 9th 2016 proclaiming: “We are making a fuckin’ album – right now.”

AmeriKKKant, like all Ministry projects, is an organic reflection of not just the band’s talent and sounds, but of the society in which we all live and breathe. Jourgensen says “I’ve spoken my piece on the societal conditions that would elect such a blithering idiot. It’s not an anti-Trump album, it’s like a- ‘did you pay attention in School? Does anybody have any intellectual curiosity anymore?’- album. [It’s] basically just holding up a mirror to ourselves and saying: ‘Look at this, is this what you really want to be?’”

With a new line up, incredibly full sound, and some might say a return to the roots of Ministry, the band is prepared to release a record that is socially relevant and sonically effective. Fans can look forward to a hearty future for not just Ministry, but Surgical Meth Machine, and Revolting Cocks as well. There is simply too much insanity in this world for Jourgensen not to speak his mind and keep our senses alive with his vast array of decibels and visuals: “I’m afraid for the stupidity of not embracing nonsense. I think nonsense is a great escape from the rigors of being in life’s hamster wheel.”

www.ministryband.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjEC49hTitI

https://www.facebook.com/events/1596528863806807/