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.

Saturday, October 1, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 1 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Tuesday, October 4, 2022
2023 Meta Data Center Community Action Grants Program
Oct 4 @ 7:30 am – 9:30 am
The Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center

Nonprofits, schools, and community organizations, you’re invited to join a special training on Tuesday, October 4th, hosted by the Cleveland, Henderson, McDowell, and Rutherford County Chambers of Commerce and Meta’s Forest City Data Center. 

This event will feature a deep-dive on the Meta Data Center Community Action Grants, as well as a 1-hour session on leveraging Facebook fundraising tools to support your mission.
What:      Meta Breakfast & Learn: 
                A Special Session on Data Center Community Action Grants and Facebook Fundraising
Where:    The Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center at Isothermal Community College
                286 ICC Loop Rd., Spindale, NC 28160
When:     Tuesday, October 4 – 7:30-9:30 a.m.
                     – 7:30a   Doors open
                     – 8:00a   Meta Data Center Community Action Grant Session:
                                    Best practices for grant writing, tools on navigating the submission portal, Q&A for                                                    prospective applicants, idea sharing with past grant recipients.
                     – 8:30a   Amplify your Facebook Fundraising Campaign:
                                    Helpful tips and tricks related to using Facebook fundraising tools to reach your
                                    fundraising goals, applying best practices as you start building your fundraising campaign                                      and determine your eligibility and the tools you need to start your fundraiser on Facebook
Space is limited, so please complete the below form by September 30 to reserve your seat.
For questions, please contact Tara Tenorio, Community Development Regional Manager for Meta, at [email protected].
Friday, October 7, 2022
CRC for ED’s 15th Annual HEAL Conference/Retreat
Oct 7 @ 9:15 am – 3:45 pm
Lake Eden, Black Mountain

*Enjoy dynamic speakers and networking while spending a gorgeous WNC fall day rejuvenating*
HEAL presents professional development and networking opportunities as well as education for the general public.
Our conference addresses disordered eating and eating disorders recovery by presenting experts from various sectors of the industry.
This year we are hosting a 1/2 day of CE sessions and a 1/2 day retreat with care-for-the-provider sessions and connection!

Saturday, October 8, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 8 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Roundtable Sessions for Women Entrepreneurs
Oct 8 @ 10:00 am
Downtown Asheville NC

Join us in this inclusive and supportive environment as we all take turns in the “hot seat” where the focus is on getting insight and solving problems.

This is really a great chance to level-up your business or figure out how to implement your dream. And it’s an opportunity to meet some new business besties.
Tickets and more information available at https://www.plrconnectevents.com/roundtable-sessions

Sunday, October 9, 2022
Fall Floral Design Workshop with Blazing Star Flowers
Oct 9 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
SAHC Community Farm

Flower
                                                    arrangement in
                                                    foreground with farm
                                                    and mountains in
                                                    background

Spend a relaxing afternoon immersed in flowers. Take in fall mountain views, tour the Blazing Star Flowers area, and learn about sustainable growing methods. Watch a demonstration to learn general design principals, then create your own centerpiece to take home. All levels of experience are welcome. Small group size. Light refreshments will be provided, and the $125 cost includes all tools and materials. Blazing Star Flowers is one of the entrepreneurial farm businesses in SAHC’s Farm Incubator Program.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Watercolor for Beginners
Oct 12 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or are looking to refresh your watercolor skills, veteran artist and instructor Terrilynn Dubreuil will teach you everything you need to jump into—or jump back into—this relaxing medium!

In this explorative, four-week course, you’ll learn basic watercolor concepts, including paintbrush usage, color theory, color mixing, color application, composition, and other watercolor approaches and techniques. You’ll reference simple photos to practice your new skills and, over time, begin to develop or hone your unique painting style! The class will include informal critiques for greater learning and understanding.

No previous drawing or painting experience necessary!

Job Fair
Oct 12 @ 5:00 pm
Irene Wortham Center

Find a career where you make a difference! Hiring for more than 25 positions, $15/hr minimum wage, $500 signing bonus, full time and part time available. No experience required!

Sunday, October 16, 2022
“Michelle Sider: Engaging. Dynamic. Realism”
Oct 16 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Hosted by Linda Pannullo Mosaics

Michigan-based Mosaic Artist Michelle Sider is presenting a one-time workshop this October in Asheville, N.C. Titled “Michelle Sider: Engaging. Dynamic. Realism” the three-day course will apply classical art guidelines, thoughtful design and modern art principles to encourage students to create stunning, realistic and expressive mosaics.

Sider is a visiting artist invited by Linda Pannullo Mosaics to present this program. It’s ideal for intermediate artists looking to elevate their skills. And for Sider, there’s no time like October to enjoy the natural beauty of this region. Much of her work is inspired by the fiery sunsets over Michigan’s lakes and graceful wildlife.

Linda Pannullo said she is “very excited to have an artist of this caliber for the first time in Asheville, North Carolina. I am always looking for ways to take my mosaics to the next level and this 3-day immersion with Michelle Sider – with her years of experience as an art teacher and mosaicist – will accomplish that.”

Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Cozy Up For Fall Virtual Spiritual Retreat
Oct 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Soul Kyst

🍂Registration is now open for October’s Cozy Up for Fall Retreat!🍂

RELAX, RECHARGE & BE INSPIRED with our 2-hour live spiritual retreat.
Wednesday, October 19th 7 pm to 9 pm ET

https://soulkyst.com/virtual-spiritual-retreats/

Opening Meditation and Closing Visualization
Facilitated by Randi Botnick

EFT Pro Tapping Workshop
Facilitated by Karen Berzanski

During this retreat, you’ll learn how to use the mind-body tool, Pro EFT™ Tapping to:

Look at the past year and identify what you want to release and let go of
Get super clear on what you want and don’t want moving into the final months of the year
Leave with inspired ideas on how to create the most luxurious and pleasurable holiday season you’ve ever experienced.
Take these 2 hours of well-deserved relaxation time to slow down and reset, and experience personal breakthroughs.

For more details and to register: https://soulkyst.com/virtual-spiritual-retreats/

Saturday, October 22, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 22 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Small Engine Maintenance and Repair Cafe
Oct 25 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SAHC Community Farm

Chris Link
demonstrating
maintenance on BCS
tractor

We will begin with a 1-hour small engine diagnostic, repair, and maintenance demonstration led by Community Farm Manager Chris Link. The workshop will be followed at 6 pm by a “Repair Cafe“, which helps folks repair household goods. This Repair Cafe session will be especially well-equipped for small engines and other farm/garden related jobs like blade sharpening, handle replacements, and power tool repair. FREE and open to the public

Thursday, October 27, 2022
Farm Beginnings Year-Long Program
Oct 27 all-day
Organic Growers School

Farm Beginnings is training the next generation of farmers in the many skills required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking.

We support individuals in clarifying their goals and strengths, developing agricultural skills, and growing profitable, equitable, and ecologically sound farm businesses. We use a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, mentoring, and an extensive farmer network.

$100 off tuition if you apply by August 1st!

Who should apply?
This course is ideal for those who are considering full-time farming, or part-time farming while pursuing outside employment. Farm Beginnings is a great opportunity for those wanting to change careers to start farming or develop an existing agricultural hobby into a more serious business. Students do not need to currently own land, but 1 season minimum of experience doing farming or garden work in the last five years is required.

Apply today! Scholarships are available.

https://organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-beginnings/

Saturday, October 29, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Oct 29 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Creepy Curiosity Cabinet Workshop
Oct 29 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Halloween can be just as much fun for adults as it is for children—especially if you find creepy things fun to play with! Indulge your dark side this Halloween weekend by creating a creepy curiosity cabinet!

Curiosity cabinets were pieces of furniture or entire rooms where 19th century people displayed items they had collected in their travels or scientific investigations. These Victorians also had a fascination with the morbid and peculiar juxtapositions of people, animals, and things.

In this frighteningly fun workshop, mixed media artist Kate Corcoran will show you how to create a miniature curiosity cabinet that you can pull out each October or display all year round. In the process, you’ll learn how to compose, layer, and adhere mixed media materials: skills that you can apply to all mixed media projects!

Saturday, November 5, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Nov 5 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Sunday, November 6, 2022
Launch Of A Group Storytelling Project To Un-Segregate Us
Nov 6 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Story Parlor

Interactive workshop for adult beginners wishing for a stage to shine on (or behind), with a scriptwriting lesson and mock auditions using scenes from the feature script ‘BILLIE’S SONG, AN URBAN FAIRY TALE’.

This fun lesson and opportunity to get up perform is an introduction to the ‘BILLIE’S SONG’ Theatrical Readings Project being planned for Spring 2023. The script has half Black characters and half White (with a few roles that can be other). For the theatrical readings we will be recruiting community members from diverse neighborhoods to be both cast and creative team, with wardrobe, props, and set pieces all obtained in a community scavenger hunt or created by community members. The goal will be to rotate performance locations, from an art gallery to a church to a public housing community center to a storefront business, to draw-in people who wouldn’t normally turn out together.

Script Synopsis: Billie, a struggling working-class Black actress estranged from her family, becomes involved with Benjamin, an emotionally conflicted wealthy white man angling to secure a leadership position he has on a probationary basis. Initially, Billie and Ben amuse, then need and support each other. But the differences in their communities—and the personal demons they don’t reveal to each other—eventually put them up against each other in a potentially violent fight for survival (for Billie physical survival, for Ben spiritual vs face-saving survival).

“I think the script is wonderfully written, well-paced, fun, and serious without taking itself seriously. I especially love the ending!” – Erin Clare, Story Parlor founder, formerly Creative Director of the Austin Film Festival and its Writer Conference

Led by Trayce Gardner (Writer/Teacher/Guerilla Filmmaker/Community Organizer) and recent refugee from Brooklyn, NY, where she taught beginning scriptwriting and short filmmaking classes for seven years at New York City College of Technology’s Continuing Ed.

Saturday, November 12, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Nov 12 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Chunky Blanket Workshop
Nov 12 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Looking for a great holiday gift? You’ve probably seen these super soft, super snuggly blankets in your favorite home goods store for over $100. Now you can make your own for a lot less, once you learn the technique. No knitting experience required!

Non-knitter Pam Robbins will step you through the process. First, she’ll show you how to “cast on” to start your project. Then, you’ll learn how to “knit” your blanket until it’s approximately 45”x 60”. Finally, Pam will show you how to “bind off” your piece to give it a professional look. And you’ll do all of this using just your hands; no needles required!

Friday, November 18, 2022
Seminar: Decision-Making Competence
Nov 18 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
The Chamber

This program will open the big picture of Decision-Making, and show its vast significance to our success as professionals and individuals.
Participants in the presentation will benefit from decision-making insights that will show them how to separate between fact and fiction, think strategically about decisions, and understand the big picture, which will help them to significantly reduce the margin of error in their decision-making process. (Decision-making is never perfect).
This topic is of critical importance to all large and small businesses alike and is one of the main 10 leadership skills that are critical to post COVID situational leadership.
This program can propel you to the next level of decision-making, and can help you apply your wisdom to every decision you make, which ultimately, can be a game changer.
Instructor: Eli Harari – The Thinking Coach
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Mindful Self-Compassion 9-Session Class Outdoors Near Warren Wilson
Nov 19 all-day
Charles D. Owen Park

MSC is an empirically-supported 9-session program that helps participants develop and deepen the skills of self-compassion. Activities include meditation, talks, discussion, and experiential exercises. This class will be held rain or shine outdoors in a beautiful setting over nine Saturdays, 9/17-11/19, skipping 10/15.

We will meet from 10:30AM-2PM with a 30-minute break for lunch midway through each session. Each class participant will receive a copy of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook.

Register at mindfulselfcompassionasheville.com by 8/30 for early-bird pricing.

Chunky Blanket Workshop
Nov 19 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Looking for a great holiday gift? You’ve probably seen these super soft, super snuggly blankets in your favorite home goods store for over $100. Now you can make your own for a lot less once you learn the technique. No knitting experience necessary!

Purple Crayon owner Pam Robbins will step you through the process. First, she’ll show you how to “cast on” to start your project. Then, you’ll learn how to “knit” your blanket until it’s approximately 45”x 60”. Finally, Pam will show you how to “bind off” your piece to give it a professional look. And you’ll do all of this using just your hands; no needles required!

Friday, December 2, 2022
Cybersecurity Basics + Fundamentals
Dec 2 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Cyber-attacks are on the rise. Last year nearly 50% targeted small businesses. To help, the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College is presenting a jargon-free lunch and learn session to share basic and fundamental steps that can be taken to help keep individuals and organizations protected. We will introduce practical actions to raise awareness and give businesses and organizations concrete ways to become more cyber-secure. The steps can be implemented in a short time frame with no or limited experience and may greatly lower the risk of being damaged by a cyber-attack.
Companies attending can receive:
• FREE Security Vulnerability Report – on company domain
• FREE Cybersecurity Awareness Training – three months at no cost for up to 200 employees
Our Instructors are Ed Carroll and Joe Jakubielski, Carolina Cyber Center
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Alcohol Ink Silk Scarf and Tote Workshop
Dec 3 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Purple Crayon

This holiday season, give your friends and family (or yourself) beautiful alcohol ink gifts that they can use to accessorize their home or wardrobe!

If you’ve been wanting to try a new and vibrant medium that works on a wide variety of materials and surfaces, you’ll love alcohol inks. As you drip, blow, and manipulate the brilliant colors of this art form, you’ll be amazed at the intricate patterns that emerge!

The multi-talented Deana Murchison will show you how to create beautiful, professional-looking artwork with very little effort. You’ll leave with at least one print, a ceramic coaster(s), a fashionable 11”x60” silk scarf, and a nifty stuffable cotton tote. Only you (and your fellow classmates, of course!) will know how quick and easy your masterpieces were to make!

No dyeing, drawing, or painting experience necessary!

Sunday, December 11, 2022
Needle Felted Snowman Workshop
Dec 11 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Purple Crayon

Though we usually don’t get a lot of snow in Asheville, this super cute needle felted snowman is sure to get you into the holiday spirit! Join us for this fun workshop with fiber artist, Camille Daunno.

In just a few hours, you’ll learn the basics of needle felting, including what fibers are appropriate for creating a needle felted structure, how to build a three-dimensional piece (and how to shorten the process by using a Styrofoam ball), and how to embellish creations by needle felting details and attaching accessories.

You’ll leave the class with an adorable 8-1/2” free-standing snowman that will make a charming addition to any seasonal décor!

Thursday, December 22, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 1
Dec 22 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).
Sign up for Session 1 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=8f3d934c4e&e=16408a818c

Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

Thursday, December 29, 2022
Winter Camp 2022 Session 2
Dec 29 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Asheville Museum of Science

Camps are Mon-Thurs, December 19-23 and 26-29th from 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, with a daily and weekly sign-up option!
The age group for these camp sessions is 6-11-years-old (K-5th grade).

Sign up for Session 2 here: https://ashevillescience.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5af64a890dd5e292ce82d197b&id=dd3c976dc2&e=16408a818c
Daily rates start at $60 per participant/day and $225 per participant/week!
To learn more, contact [email protected].

Saturday, January 7, 2023
Intro to Gelli Printing Workshop
Jan 7 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Gelli printing is an easy, innovative way to create vibrant, one-of-a-kind monoprints. The results are striking, and all you need is a gelli plate, acrylic paint, and some kind of substrate (paper, canvas, etc.). In this fun, hands-on workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will teach you everything you need to get started with this super versatile process.

Among other techniques, you’ll learn how to build multiple layers of design, create textures and an “old wall” look, and add stenciling and shimmer to your prints. Kristen will also teach you how to create two-sided prints, work with multiple prints at the same time, create a theme for your prints, use thick and thin paints in different ways, and find your color palette.

There will be plenty of time to practice each technique, and you’ll complete at least four, two-sided prints. You’ll also leave with plenty of ideas on how to use your finished prints, including incorporating them into junk journals, and how to care for and store your gelli plate, which will be yours to keep—a $25 value!

Monday, January 9, 2023
Creativity Kickstart
Jan 9 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Purple Crayon

Do you have intentions to start making art, but for some reason aren’t? Or were you making stuff all the time, but now it’s become a chore to get into your studio? Whether you’re struggling to get going with your art or have fallen into a creative slump, this workshop is for you!

Join creativity coach and veteran instructor Robyn Crawford as she takes you on an exciting, 4-week artistic adventure that’s sure to get your creative juices flowing! In this 12-hour, highly interactive course, you’ll kickstart your creativity by watching interesting artistic techniques, solving challenging creativity-building puzzles, participating in stimulating cross-media art experiments, working through selected The Artist’s Way best practices, and doing fun, optional homePLAY assignments.

We’re excited to finally get to offer this popular course. Don’t put your art (and YOU!) on the back burner again. Register today and make 2023 your most inspired year yet!

Saturday, January 14, 2023
Intro to Junk Journaling Workshop
Jan 14 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Purple Crayon

January is the perfect time to start keeping a “junk journal”: a hand-made book used to collect and store daily memories, mementos, photos, collages, inspiring quotes, or anything you want to remember. You can also use junk journals as art journals, a place for collage or daily gratitude lists, or to inspire a daily art practice in general. In this highly imaginative workshop, paper artist Kristen Grady will show you how to design a junk journal to fit your needs.

You’ll start by cutting and sizing an empty cereal box to create the cover for your journal. After strengthening and decorating your cover, you’ll learn how to turn your precious papers—including any gelli prints that you may have made in Kristen’s Introduction to Gelli Printing workshop—and actual “junk” mail into various types of pages (decorative, envelope, writing, etc.) until you fill your book. Next, Kristen will show you how to stitch your pages into the cover and then go over ways to fill in your journal as you go. You’ll be surprised at how full your book can become in just an afternoon! Finally, you’ll add decor, embellishments, and ephemera to finish your project.

You’ll leave the workshop with a beautiful, personalized keepsake that’s anything but junk! You’ll also have a newfound appreciation for the useful and beautiful creations you can make out of things that you used to throw away!