Calendar of Events

Support your firefighters and paramedics of North Carolina by coming to see the Hottest new artist out of Nashville TN. George Birge with “Give me that drink” song is sweeping the radio stations. Get your tickets now!

You’re invited to an evening of food, fun, and fundraising in honor of the UNC Asheville STEAM Studio’s SkillSet Program!

Join us on Thursday, May 18, from 5 – 7 p.m. to tour the studio, take part in a silent auction, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Tickets for the event are $30 through Eventbrite

Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for SkillSet, an outreach program of UNC Asheville’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Studio.
SkillSet provides access to life-changing skills through maker-based education. Through SkillSet, community members of all ages can participate in summer camps and day classes, learning everything from making custom electric guitars to programming robotics and building furniture. Students of all skill levels become familiar with tools and develop the technical skills and resilience to create these objects.

SkillSet primarily serves under-resourced communities, female-identified, and gender-expansive students to ensure visibility of diverse identities in STEAM fields and inspire students to consider new interests and career paths.

Over 50% of our families receive financial assistance in the form of pay-what-you-can tuition. Monies raised from this event will help send a kid to summer camp! Help us meet our goal of raising $8000 for the summer 2023 scholarship fund.

Learn more about the STEAM Studio SkillSet Program at www.skillset.tools

Time Machine Dance Party

The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Dance Department presents an evening of mixed repertoire showcasing refreshingly versatile and passionate dance students performing a wide range of works that celebrate both the Classical Ballet traditions as well as the moving trends of the 21st century.

The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Dance Department presents an evening of mixed repertoire showcasing refreshingly versatile and passionate dance students performing a wide range of works that celebrate both the Classical Ballet traditions as well as the moving trends of the 21st century.

This recital, which is free and open to the public, will feature a young promising singer and it has the added
purpose of raising funds for his brother’s Memorial Fund.

David Weigel has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “heroic” and “stentorian” possessing an
“imposing mahogany voice” (Opera News). He is a recent graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric
Opera of Chicago. On May 21, Mr. Weigel will perform art songs in several languages, opera arias and some
well-known music theatre selections.
A native of Asheville, Mr.Weigel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University. He pursued
graduate studies at UNC-Greensboro, A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the UNC School of the Arts, and
Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Michigan.
“We are thrilled to present Mr. Weigel in concert and recognize that he is destined for a significant career,”
said Dewitt Tipton, Organist, Director of Music for St. John in the Wilderness and creator of Friends of
Music. “We are also pleased to be able to offer this event as a way to contribute to his brother’s Memorial
Fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.”
We cannot adequately express how much we appreciate this effort.  It touches our hearts deeply, and we are
so grateful to you all,” said Larry Weigel, Eric’s and David’s father.
Donations are encouraged. Checks should be made out to St. John in the Wilderness with Eric Weigel
Memorial Fund in the memo line.

Inspiring, revealing, and deeply relatable, Being a Ballerina is a first-hand look at the realities of life as a professional ballet dancer. Through episodes of her own career, Gavin Larsen describes the forces that drive a person to study dance; the daily balance that dancers navigate between hardship and joy; and the dancer’s continual quest to discover who they are as a person and as an artist.

Join us for this very special event as we welcome author and dancer Gavin Larsen for readings from her book Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life. In addition to the reading, the audience will also be treated to a performance of excerpts from the ballet Giselle.

This program is for an audience of all ages, and Malaprops will be on hand to sell copies of Gavin’s book after the event is over.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Womansong, Asheville’s longest-running women’s community chorus, invites you to join us in our spring concert, “Love Your Mother (Earth)” a tribute to the beauty of our world. Under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Allison Thorp, along with Assistant Director Claire Lemke and former Director Althea Gonzalez, this concert will focus on songs celebrating, caring for, and advocating for Mother Earth. The first half of our program will highlight music that expresses love for the earth – appreciation, reflection, connection and joy. The second half will feature music that expresses love for the earth in action – doing, moving, and making change. Among the many inspiring songs are Carrie Newcomer’s If Not Now, Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, Elise Witt’s My Salsa Garden, and the world premiere of Lytingale’s call-to-action composition, Together We Can Change the World.

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

Join us for this 5K Run for Life event hosted by Open Arms Pregnancy Center to help support women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies. This will be a run/walk-timed event to be held at The Park at Flat Rock located at 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock, NC US 28731 June 3,2023 with a start time of 8:30 AM.
Runners should register by May 14 to secure a T-shirt for the race.
Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/FlatRock/Run4for5k
Those interested in sponsoring the event should contact Open Arms Pregnancy Center by May 15th to learn more. (Marlies Zerressen at [email protected] or Lydia Bright at 864-921-5770)
Open Arms’ ministry is love, our aim: to support and guide, our purpose: to serve God and preserve life. We provide a safe and supportive place for pregnancy related needs with ultrasounds, material and emotional support for those facing difficult circumstances or perhaps the loss of a child.
All are services are Free and Confidential.

Just Brew It is a homebrew competition and tasting in Asheville benefiting the work of Just Economics. The festival features 75+ different beers and 30+ amazing homebrewers. The competing homebrewers are some of the finest specialty homebrewers in the region with classic brews from traditional IPAs, lagers, sours, and stouts to unique beers brewed with specialty items like coffee, chocolate, spices, and fruit.

To attend, you must be a current member of Just Economics. This event is not ticketed, so you must purchase a membership prior to the event. Then, all Just Economics members can sample the homebrews and vote for their favorites!

Purchase your membership here: https://www.justeconomicswnc.org/donate/

Memberships are $30, which grants you entry to the event.
Memberships with a VIP package are $50, which grant you entry to the event an hour early (1:00pm) plus a souvenir glass, gourmet pretzel, and more.

This is a local festival you won’t want to miss and your membership supports the work of Just Economics to advance living wages, affordable housing and better transit! Hope to see you there!

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

Looking for a buzz-worthy event? Look no further than Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival! Join the Center for Honeybee Research and Shanti Elixirs on Sunday, June 4th, from 12-6pm for a day of celebration, education, and community-building.
At the festival, you’ll enjoy live music, food trucks, and vendors showcasing the unique flavors of honey and other artisanal goods. But that’s not all: you’ll also be supporting a great cause, as proceeds from the festival will go towards saving pollinators and our planet.
The Center for Honeybee Research will be offering local and international honey for guests to sample and purchase, and you can even participate in the People’s Choice award for local honey vendors. Plus, we will be featuring the live finals of the 12th Annual International Black Jar Honey competition. Festival goers can watch as local celebrities determine the world’s best tasting honey.
And don’t forget to come dressed in your best pollinator-themed costume! It’s all part of the fun at Asheville’s 2nd Annual Honey Festival.
Personal water bottles are recommended, and families are encouraged to attend. So mark your calendars for June 4th, and come out to celebrate the wonderful world of beekeeping, honey, and all things pollinators. Together, we can help save the bees!

WNC Dance Academy presents their annual Spring Showcase, featuring our award winning WNCDA Performance Company and the artistry of our talented academy students and choreographers.

Ain’t Done Bad is a momentous, yet achingly vulnerable piece of Contemporary Dance Theatre created by “So You Think You Can Dance” star, Jakob Karr. Featuring the vivid, revelatory music of Orville Peck, seven of the most sought-after professional dancers in the industry, bring Jakob’s story to life in this utterly seamless, hour long work of art. Ain’t Done Bad explores the experience of growing up, coming out and finding love, using dance to celebrate the journey of leaving shame behind to embrace your authentic, vulnerable voice, all without speaking a word. 35th Parallel Productions proudly shares this exciting new work with the world!

 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce that, as a part of their Thursday night non-profit event, @thewhaleavl has chosen 12 Baskets Café and Garden will be the proud beneficiary next Thursday June 15th!

Join us at The Whale for an incredible evening of fun and philanthropy. We will have a table set up from 5 pm to about 10 pm and from 6-8 pm, you can groove to the beats of a fantastic DJ. And here’s the best part: a generous portion of the beer sales will be donated to support 12 Baskets Café and Garden! 

Gather your friends, spread the word, and let’s make this evening one to remember! Join us on June 15th at The Whale as we come together to support 12 Baskets Café and Garden.

Melvin AC Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPOs, are immersive dance theatre explorations of issues related to Black history and contemporary Black culture. In addition to a live performance integrating dance, music and theatrical elements, EXPOs include a visual arts installation that creates a setting for the performance and organically submerges the audience in the environment.

JUNETEENTH, the newest in Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPO series, is inspired by the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.

Auditions for our September show, Honky Tonk Angels, will be held

Sunday, July 16, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m. and
Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
at Tryon Little Theater Workshop, 516 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC.

Show dates: September 28- October 1 (5 performances at Tryon Fine Arts Center).

Rehearsals will begin mid-August. Director: Dan Harvey & Music Director: Pam McNeil

Needed: 3 women

Strong singers in the country/gospel style

Each Auditioner will:

1. Sing a short SOLO in the country or gospel style. (Bring sheet music for the accompanist.)
2. Participate in a short DANCE audition.
3. READ from the script.

When three gutsy gals from different backgrounds take charge of their lives, they decide to follow their honky tonk dreams to the city of Nashville. Combining 30 classic country tunes (including “Stand By Your Man,” “9 to 5,” “Harper Valley PTA,” and more!) Honky Tonk Angels is a hilarious, foot-stomping good time from the creator of Always… Patsy Cline.

CHARACTERS:
– ANGELA (late 30s- early 40s). A Texas housewife who has a great sense of humor and a fiercely independent streak. She identifies with “Roseanne,” an earth-mother comedienne.
– DARLENE (late teens- early 20s). A young woman from the Deep South. She is pretty, sweet, and simple. She grew up in a coal mining town in West Virginia and the Mississippi Delta. She plays simple guitar. She also clogs.
– SUE ELLEN (early to mid- 30s). A Los Angeles career woman. She is a “citified” country girl. Smart, very attractive, sexy and frustrated. She dances, roller skates, and twirls baton (if possible). She also clogs. She should be a very good dancer.

Melvin AC Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPOs, are immersive dance theatre explorations of issues related to Black history and contemporary Black culture. In addition to a live performance integrating dance, music and theatrical elements, EXPOs include a visual arts installation that creates a setting for the performance and organically submerges the audience in the environment.

JUNETEENTH, the newest in Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPO series, is inspired by the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19^th that enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.