Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.
“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.
Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.
In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design. A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.
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Sale!
Festival Weekend PLUS Pass
$175.00 – $203.00
October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.
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Sale!
Festival Weekend Pass
$135.00 – $159.00
October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping
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Sale!
Festival Community Pass
$95.00 – $105.00
Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby
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Sale!
Festival Saturday Pass
$53.00 – $59.00
Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.
Please join us for the 5th annual Love♡Shine♡Play Festival, July 28-31, 2022 (tentative date) taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of the world’s oldest mountains in gorgeous Asheville, NC. The festival classes take place in beautiful venues throughout downtown Asheville as well as our gorgeous & famous Pack Square Park. You will be able to choose from a variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes, and more. The pedestrian friendly festival will allow you to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of a city brimming with cultural arts, culinary delights, and many independent shops.
Once you have purchased your tickets, you will receive an order confirmation email from Eventbrite, our ticketing partner. Your e-ticket(s) will be attached to your order confirmation email. Important: if you do not see your order confirmation in your inbox, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. If you are still unable to find them, contact the Eventbrite help center here.
Event is rain or shine, and ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.
We look forward to seeing you in Asheville!
Whether you are a Love Shine Play veteran or are joining us for the first time, we hope the following information will answer many questions and ensure your weekend experience is smooth and easy.
Deep breath in, Deep breath out…Let’s Do This!!!
TICKET REGISTRATION
Be sure to bring your ticket confirmation (paper copy or electronic). If you forget, no worries, your name and ID will get the job done!
Thursday July 28th ~ 10AM to 5PM
The Venue 21 N Market St. Asheville, NC 28801.
(Immersion attendees can check in at 7am). Pick up your pass, pause at our Intention Alter to ground yourself for the weekend, and get your L♡S♡P merch before it sells out!
Friday – Sunday ~ 7AM to 6PM
Mountain Air Market Ticket & Merch Tent in Pack Square Park. See the festival map for location.
PARKING
There are multiple parking decks scattered throughout downtown Asheville all indicated on the festival map. Each of them provides easy access to the festival venues and they are an affordable way to keep your car downtown all day. There is also ample street parking available for shorter times (2-3 hour maximum). Asheville is busy in the summer so allow yourself plenty of time to park.
DOWNLOAD YOUR SCHEDULE TO YOUR PHONE
For ease of keeping up with your schedule and all festival happenings, download the Sched app to your phone and search for Love Shine Play Festival. Once you are on the festival page, you can view the full schedule or toggle to view “My Sched” at the top of the page. If you have wifi, you can also go to the LSP sched website here to access the full festival schedule. You can print your schedule as well if you do not have a smartphone.
CLASS ETIQUITTE & WAITLIST
Please allow the students from the last class to to clear out before you enter a classroom. Check in with our volunteers and allow yourself time to get settled. Some classes will be very full with very little space between mats, so be prepared to shuffle around and make space.
All sessions have a limited capacity. If you are on a waitlist for a class or are attending on a space available basis, you will be allowed admission 5 minutes prior to the session beginning if there is room.
PACKING ESSENTIALS
For your convenience and comfort, please bring your yoga mat, water bottle, comfortable clothing and any props you need for your practice (straps, blocks, bolsters). Other essential items ~ good walking shoes, a journal, sunscreen, hat, snacks, light jacket or wrap, joyful spirit and open heart!
ASHEVILLE WEATHER
We are blessed to live in a temperate rainforest which is both beautiful and unpredictable at times. While all of our venues are indoors for your comfort, be prepared for all the weather ~ heat, rain, perfectly pleasant ~ as you move between venues. An umbrella and cooling mist fan are great to have ~ we like the boy scout motto ~ be prepared!
GETTING AROUND
The festival is pedestrian friendly! We have done our best to create the smallest footprint possible, as well as allowing ample time between classes for easy transitions. Depending on your schedule, you will have anywhere from 30-90 minutes between sessions. Please familiarize yourself with the festival map for location of venues. If you have any questions about moving between venues, please let us know. Note ~ locations are subject to change ~ stay up-to-date on your SCHED app.
VENUES
The following are the festival venues in downtown; the distance of each venue from the market is clearly indicated on the festival map
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Mojo ~ 81 Broadway St.
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Circa 29 ~ 56 Patton Ave
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Skinny Beats ~ 4 Eagle St.
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Aloft Hotel ~ 51 Biltmore Ave
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The Serenity Lounge ~ in Mountain Air Market @ Pack Square Park
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The Venue ~ 21 North Market St. Mezzanine (downstairs) Balcony (upstairs)
MOUNTAIN AIR MARKET
Yoga is all about balance, so in a weekend full of movement, we invite you to take time to rest & restore as you take in the sights, sounds, smells & shopping at our festival hub ~ home to 50+ vendors, the Serenity Lounge, Ticket/Merch tent, Massage therapists and more. Our volunteers can be found throughout the festival in their bright pink LSP CRU T-shirts and are available all weekend long to assist with anything you need.
SUP & HIKES
The Van pickup location for SUP and all hikes is in front of the public bathrooms in Pack Square Park (S. Market st. & College st.) Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.
WATER
Thank you for helping us keep it green and clean by bringing your own water bottle. We will have filtered water and Superieur Electrolytes (one of our awesome sponsors) at all venues!
LOST & FOUND
Lost items will be held at the checkin table of the venue where the item is found or at the ticket/merch tent.
COVID
We are following current CDC and local government guidelines At this time, there are no social distancing requirements or mass gathering restrictions in NC. We will not require face coverings at the festival unless it has been mandated by the CDC and local government. We will not require vaccinations to participate in the festival. It is ultimately your responsibility to stay safe and do your best to protect those around you. If you are uncomfortable with the above, please consider joining us in 2023. If you are experiencing any symptoms or have recently tested positive, please stay home and join us next year.
GET SOCIAL
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and please tag us #loveshineplay and @loveshineplayfestival on any of your photos from the festival.
When temperatures rise, something as simple as a box fan can potentially save a life!
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
DONATE BLOOD TO VOTE!
Right now, The Blood Connection has a critical need for blood donations and we need community members like YOU to help us out!
Community members have chosen to help TBC ramp up blood donations in August, and your donation can help crown them MR. OR MS. AUGUST!
These contestants have stepped up to be community lifesavers…WILL YOU?
Twenty contestants from across the Carolinas and Georgia have signed on to share TBC’s mission and
encourage others to roll up their sleeves this August. They include:
– Dr. Annie Andrews – Politician and Pediatrician from Charleston, SC
– Michelle Brandt – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Politician from
Charleston, SC
– Wool E. Bull – Mascot for the Durham Bulls Baseball Team
– Jan Correll – Blogger/influencer behind Silver is the New Blonde® in Charlotte, NC
– Jordan Coppinger – Radio Host, 98.1 The River in Asheville, NC
– Max Diekneite – News Anchor from Savannah, GA
– Jane Dough – Radio Host, Kiss 101.9 in New Bern, NC
– Anastasia Garcia – Social Media Influencer from Greensboro, NC
– Brevin Galloway – Basketball Player for Clemson University
– Dr. Carlos Grant – Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC
– Nikki Kuniej – Account Manager for Charleston Radio Group in Charleston, SC
– Dr. Zion Ko Lamm – Internal Medicine Specialist in Greenville, SC
– Andrew Lord – Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, SC
– Miguel Lucero – Paramedic and EMT Teacher from Berkely County, SC
– Walker Merritt – Football Player at The Citadel
– Ed Piotrowski – Chief Meteorologist, WPDE from Myrtle Beach, SC
– Jane Robelot – Anchor, WYFF News 4 from Greenville, SC
– Ian Robinson – Leukemia Survivor from Greenville, SC
– Sarah Margaret Sandlin – Social Media Influencer from Charlotte, NC
– Rhys Shaw – 12-year-old Lymphoma Survivor from Charleston, SC
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
DONATE BLOOD TO VOTE!
Right now, The Blood Connection has a critical need for blood donations and we need community members like YOU to help us out!
Community members have chosen to help TBC ramp up blood donations in August, and your donation can help crown them MR. OR MS. AUGUST!
These contestants have stepped up to be community lifesavers…WILL YOU?
Twenty contestants from across the Carolinas and Georgia have signed on to share TBC’s mission and
encourage others to roll up their sleeves this August. They include:
– Dr. Annie Andrews – Politician and Pediatrician from Charleston, SC
– Michelle Brandt – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Politician from
Charleston, SC
– Wool E. Bull – Mascot for the Durham Bulls Baseball Team
– Jan Correll – Blogger/influencer behind Silver is the New Blonde® in Charlotte, NC
– Jordan Coppinger – Radio Host, 98.1 The River in Asheville, NC
– Max Diekneite – News Anchor from Savannah, GA
– Jane Dough – Radio Host, Kiss 101.9 in New Bern, NC
– Anastasia Garcia – Social Media Influencer from Greensboro, NC
– Brevin Galloway – Basketball Player for Clemson University
– Dr. Carlos Grant – Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC
– Nikki Kuniej – Account Manager for Charleston Radio Group in Charleston, SC
– Dr. Zion Ko Lamm – Internal Medicine Specialist in Greenville, SC
– Andrew Lord – Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, SC
– Miguel Lucero – Paramedic and EMT Teacher from Berkely County, SC
– Walker Merritt – Football Player at The Citadel
– Ed Piotrowski – Chief Meteorologist, WPDE from Myrtle Beach, SC
– Jane Robelot – Anchor, WYFF News 4 from Greenville, SC
– Ian Robinson – Leukemia Survivor from Greenville, SC
– Sarah Margaret Sandlin – Social Media Influencer from Charlotte, NC
– Rhys Shaw – 12-year-old Lymphoma Survivor from Charleston, SC
This elegant short form introduces the signature movements of Tai Chi Chuan in a simplified and compact sequence. A wonderful practice for beginners, participants will learn the basic principles of each movement as well as modifications to accommodate individual needs. Tai chi is a safe and effective form of meditative exercise consisting of relaxed and focused movements that clear the mind and relax the nervous system while improving balance, strength, flexibility, stability, coordination, joint health, memory and attentional skills.
What makes a place idyllic?
Start with an emerald river that flows from ancient mountains. Add an abundance of living creatures that co-evolved over millennia. Bring in humans who honor their place in the interconnected web. And rebuild a vital stream that supports us all.
Your support and engagement helps ensure the health of this watershed for the ages! We can’t do it without you.
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.
DONATE BLOOD TO VOTE!
Right now, The Blood Connection has a critical need for blood donations and we need community members like YOU to help us out!
Community members have chosen to help TBC ramp up blood donations in August, and your donation can help crown them MR. OR MS. AUGUST!
These contestants have stepped up to be community lifesavers…WILL YOU?
Twenty contestants from across the Carolinas and Georgia have signed on to share TBC’s mission and
encourage others to roll up their sleeves this August. They include:
– Dr. Annie Andrews – Politician and Pediatrician from Charleston, SC
– Michelle Brandt – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Politician from
Charleston, SC
– Wool E. Bull – Mascot for the Durham Bulls Baseball Team
– Jan Correll – Blogger/influencer behind Silver is the New Blonde® in Charlotte, NC
– Jordan Coppinger – Radio Host, 98.1 The River in Asheville, NC
– Max Diekneite – News Anchor from Savannah, GA
– Jane Dough – Radio Host, Kiss 101.9 in New Bern, NC
– Anastasia Garcia – Social Media Influencer from Greensboro, NC
– Brevin Galloway – Basketball Player for Clemson University
– Dr. Carlos Grant – Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC
– Nikki Kuniej – Account Manager for Charleston Radio Group in Charleston, SC
– Dr. Zion Ko Lamm – Internal Medicine Specialist in Greenville, SC
– Andrew Lord – Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, SC
– Miguel Lucero – Paramedic and EMT Teacher from Berkely County, SC
– Walker Merritt – Football Player at The Citadel
– Ed Piotrowski – Chief Meteorologist, WPDE from Myrtle Beach, SC
– Jane Robelot – Anchor, WYFF News 4 from Greenville, SC
– Ian Robinson – Leukemia Survivor from Greenville, SC
– Sarah Margaret Sandlin – Social Media Influencer from Charlotte, NC
– Rhys Shaw – 12-year-old Lymphoma Survivor from Charleston, SC
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- All blood donors will receive a Dugout mug and two free tickets to a future Tourists game. All donors will also receive a hot dog lunch and drink.
The Blood Connection, the non-profit community blood center, and the Asheville Tourists are proud to renew their partnership to support the local blood supply in the Western Carolinas while bringing baseball fun to blood donors across the region. The Asheville Tourists are a longstanding member of the Lifesaver League – a group of minor league sports teams committed to serving their community through hosting blood drives and encouraging blood donation.
“The Blood Connection are wonderful partners and we look forward to doing our part to help the Western North Carolina communities. Providing a convenient location as well as a great ballpark hotdog to the donors is a small contribution for all the great work The Blood Connection provides our area,” said Tourists General Manager Larry Hawkins.
The Tourists have called Asheville home for decades and have been a consistent partner of The Blood Connection. TBC is the community blood center serving the Carolinas, and is the sole blood supplier for Mission Health, Advent Health, and Pardee Health, among a dozen others across the mountains. After a year of historically low blood donor turnout, TBC is even more reliant on partners like the Tourists to host successful blood drives this season.
“Our Lifesaver League partnerships are a longstanding tradition within The Blood Connection, and we are excited for another season hosting drives with the Asheville Tourists,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “We’re looking forward to reaching more potential blood donors across Western North Carolina by bringing our blood donation opportunities to Tourists fans and McCormick Field. Local hospitals certainly need their donations desperately.”
Are you ready to be part of the 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival®? On August 4, 5, 6, 2022, a different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time.
This 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® has been made possible through the generosity of our music community volunteering their time and talent to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling heritage.
A listing of performers who volunteer their time and talent to make our events possible can be found on Our Performers page. Please visit their websites and support their generosity by purchasing music, merchandise, making a contribution to virtual tip jars where available or just to tell them you enjoyed their performance. Our artists especially need our support during these difficult times.
The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions that have been handed down through generations in western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding of the vitality and importance of Southern Appalachian culture throughout the region, nation and world. Bascom Lunsford’s mission was to present the finest of the Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams for education and entertainment. The songs and dances shared at this event echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage found in the valleys and coves between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lunsford’s was the first dubbed a folk festival, and he later consulted with many communities across the country interested in organizing similar festivals.
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.
DONATE BLOOD TO VOTE!
Right now, The Blood Connection has a critical need for blood donations and we need community members like YOU to help us out!
Community members have chosen to help TBC ramp up blood donations in August, and your donation can help crown them MR. OR MS. AUGUST!
These contestants have stepped up to be community lifesavers…WILL YOU?
Twenty contestants from across the Carolinas and Georgia have signed on to share TBC’s mission and
encourage others to roll up their sleeves this August. They include:
– Dr. Annie Andrews – Politician and Pediatrician from Charleston, SC
– Michelle Brandt – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Politician from
Charleston, SC
– Wool E. Bull – Mascot for the Durham Bulls Baseball Team
– Jan Correll – Blogger/influencer behind Silver is the New Blonde® in Charlotte, NC
– Jordan Coppinger – Radio Host, 98.1 The River in Asheville, NC
– Max Diekneite – News Anchor from Savannah, GA
– Jane Dough – Radio Host, Kiss 101.9 in New Bern, NC
– Anastasia Garcia – Social Media Influencer from Greensboro, NC
– Brevin Galloway – Basketball Player for Clemson University
– Dr. Carlos Grant – Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC
– Nikki Kuniej – Account Manager for Charleston Radio Group in Charleston, SC
– Dr. Zion Ko Lamm – Internal Medicine Specialist in Greenville, SC
– Andrew Lord – Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, SC
– Miguel Lucero – Paramedic and EMT Teacher from Berkely County, SC
– Walker Merritt – Football Player at The Citadel
– Ed Piotrowski – Chief Meteorologist, WPDE from Myrtle Beach, SC
– Jane Robelot – Anchor, WYFF News 4 from Greenville, SC
– Ian Robinson – Leukemia Survivor from Greenville, SC
– Sarah Margaret Sandlin – Social Media Influencer from Charlotte, NC
– Rhys Shaw – 12-year-old Lymphoma Survivor from Charleston, SC
Are you ready to be part of the 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival®? On August 4, 5, 6, 2022, a different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time.
This 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® has been made possible through the generosity of our music community volunteering their time and talent to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling heritage.
A listing of performers who volunteer their time and talent to make our events possible can be found on Our Performers page. Please visit their websites and support their generosity by purchasing music, merchandise, making a contribution to virtual tip jars where available or just to tell them you enjoyed their performance. Our artists especially need our support during these difficult times.
The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions that have been handed down through generations in western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding of the vitality and importance of Southern Appalachian culture throughout the region, nation and world. Bascom Lunsford’s mission was to present the finest of the Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams for education and entertainment. The songs and dances shared at this event echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage found in the valleys and coves between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lunsford’s was the first dubbed a folk festival, and he later consulted with many communities across the country interested in organizing similar festivals.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries and iDaph Events present the 4th Annual Light Up the Night 5k! This event is a fundraising, nighttime walk/run event that welcomes all people regardless of ability, race, color, ethnicity, gender, or faith. All the proceeds from this event will directly benefit the continuous work of recovery, rescue, and restoration to individuals throughout WNC.
The first 200 people to register will also receive a FREE glow-in-the-dark commemorative finisher medal!
Each 5k registration will include a FREE t-shirt until July 10th at midnight. After that date, shirts will be available for purchase, in limited quantities and sizes, for $10. Glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets will be available for our in-person participants!
The event will take place at Carrier Park in Asheville, NC on Friday, August 5th. This is your time to shine! Runners will have a rolling start between 7:30 PM to 7:45 PM and take to the greenway to run or walk this fun and unique event.
In addition to the in-person event, there is also a virtual offering for participants who aren’t comfortable coming to an in-person event. The Virtual 5k event experience gives participants an opportunity to participate in this fundraising event ANYWHERE! Walk/Run/Hike 5k and submit your results online!
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) exists to serve the homeless, poor and addicted populations of Western North Carolina. They meet people in crisis, focus on helping them at the point of their need, invest in their future, and help them until they can move forward.
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations, memberships, and program fees to continue to preserve and promote the history of our unique region. Still, we want to make sure that anyone, regardless of income, can attend our programs.
In 2020, we began offering our “Community Funded Ticket” program. This program allows anyone to register for our in-person or virtual events at no cost and with no additional barriers. We’ve been delighted by the response to this program with many participants donating extra with their ticket purchases to ensure that our Community Fund account stays active.
As we start as new fiscal year, we hope that you will consider making a donation to our Community Fund to help continue this program through the remainder of 2022 and well into 2023.
A $10 donation provides a ticket to one of our virtual events.
A $25 donation provides a ticket to one of our in-person events.
A $50 donation provides a family membership to a family who could not otherwise afford to be a member of WNCHA. As you know, members receive free and discounted tickets to our events for the entire year of membership.
Your support is vital! We appreciate you!
Listen. Dance. Feel the music and that will answer, “Why the “Legends of Africa?” Africa is the core and essence of where so much of humanity and music has originated. It has forever influenced music and cultures throughout the world with the diaspora of its people. Over the years, LEAF has connected deeply with many African artists and presented artists from 32 of the 54 countries on the continent. These bonds and our love of Africa, bring us back the magic of not just the continent, but its people, our family. So join us for a true gathering of friends and the rekindling of traditions that have made the past 27 years of LEAF memorable.
“The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.”
Masankho Banda from Malawi.
Who is an African Legend you admire? Chinobay of Uganda said he’s been inspired by the music he listened to during Apartheid. He spoke of Miriam Makeba (nicknamed Momma Africa) a South African singer, songwriter and activist whose music was socially responsible and carried so much power for the people. What makes you a Legend is the MESSAGE you carry to the world.
In flow with Chinobay’s reflection, the artwork is a masterpiece created by legendary artist Trek 6 inspired by his work in South Africa while producing a documentary. Trek spoke about how the sunrises and sunsets in Africa were surreal, thus he began with a beautiful sun design. A wall of drums in South Africa, where they host people from different tribes bringing food, song and art inspired the drums. In Trek’s own words, “Africa is cosmic, colorful, and the center to our past. From it we radiated.”We are honored by his artistic vision.
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Sale!
Festival Weekend PLUS Pass
$175.00 – $203.00
October 20-23, 2022 *Must be purchased by LEAF Member* Thursday 4:30pm to Sunday 7pm including overnight tent camping.
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Sale!
Festival Weekend Pass
$135.00 – $159.00
October 21-23, 2022 Fri 9am – Sun 7pm. Includes overnight camping
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Sale!
Festival Community Pass
$95.00 – $105.00
Fri 4:30pm – 2am, Sat 9am – 2am, Sun 9am – 7pm. No overnights / camping. No Thu. access. Must have alternate overnight accommodations nearby
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Sale!
Festival Saturday Pass
$53.00 – $59.00
Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM. No overnight camping.
Welcome to the 63rd NC Mineral & Gem Festival in Spruce Pine. The Festival features gem, jewelry and mineral dealers from across the country showcasing their merchandise to fit every budget.
DONATE BLOOD TO VOTE!
Right now, The Blood Connection has a critical need for blood donations and we need community members like YOU to help us out!
Community members have chosen to help TBC ramp up blood donations in August, and your donation can help crown them MR. OR MS. AUGUST!
These contestants have stepped up to be community lifesavers…WILL YOU?
Twenty contestants from across the Carolinas and Georgia have signed on to share TBC’s mission and
encourage others to roll up their sleeves this August. They include:
– Dr. Annie Andrews – Politician and Pediatrician from Charleston, SC
– Michelle Brandt – Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Politician from
Charleston, SC
– Wool E. Bull – Mascot for the Durham Bulls Baseball Team
– Jan Correll – Blogger/influencer behind Silver is the New Blonde® in Charlotte, NC
– Jordan Coppinger – Radio Host, 98.1 The River in Asheville, NC
– Max Diekneite – News Anchor from Savannah, GA
– Jane Dough – Radio Host, Kiss 101.9 in New Bern, NC
– Anastasia Garcia – Social Media Influencer from Greensboro, NC
– Brevin Galloway – Basketball Player for Clemson University
– Dr. Carlos Grant – Principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC
– Nikki Kuniej – Account Manager for Charleston Radio Group in Charleston, SC
– Dr. Zion Ko Lamm – Internal Medicine Specialist in Greenville, SC
– Andrew Lord – Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, SC
– Miguel Lucero – Paramedic and EMT Teacher from Berkely County, SC
– Walker Merritt – Football Player at The Citadel
– Ed Piotrowski – Chief Meteorologist, WPDE from Myrtle Beach, SC
– Jane Robelot – Anchor, WYFF News 4 from Greenville, SC
– Ian Robinson – Leukemia Survivor from Greenville, SC
– Sarah Margaret Sandlin – Social Media Influencer from Charlotte, NC
– Rhys Shaw – 12-year-old Lymphoma Survivor from Charleston, SC
The NC American Legion 7th Inning Stretch Festival is held annually prior to the American Legion World Series. The event was created to thank the community for all the work they do to prepare for and during the American Legion World Series.
7:30 AM: Road to Hope Shelby 5k registration
8:00 AM: Road to Hope Shelby 5k at 130 W. Graham St., Shelby, NC
10:00 AM: Little Miss American Legion World Series at Shelby City Park, 850 W. Sumter St., Shelby, NC
3:00 PM Festival opens; visit the festival website for a schedule of events
Main Stage opens at 7:00 pm with Dirty Grass Soul, and the headliner Josh Turner takes the stage at 8:30 pm. The stage is located at the intersection of S. Lafayette St. and W. Warren St., Shelby, NC
Are you ready to be part of the 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival®? On August 4, 5, 6, 2022, a different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. These traditions involve not only the hand-clapping, toe-tapping rhythms of Bluegrass, the style and stories of century-old ballads, the high energy of clogging, the elegance of Big Circle Mountain Smooth Dance, the fun and entertainment of storytelling, but also include an awareness of the hardships and trials that have brought us to this place and time.
This 95th Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® has been made possible through the generosity of our music community volunteering their time and talent to preserve and promote the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling heritage.
A listing of performers who volunteer their time and talent to make our events possible can be found on Our Performers page. Please visit their websites and support their generosity by purchasing music, merchandise, making a contribution to virtual tip jars where available or just to tell them you enjoyed their performance. Our artists especially need our support during these difficult times.
The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival was founded by Bascom Lamar Lunsford as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music and dance traditions that have been handed down through generations in western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Since 1928, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival has served a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding of the vitality and importance of Southern Appalachian culture throughout the region, nation and world. Bascom Lunsford’s mission was to present the finest of the Appalachian ballad singers, string bands and square dance teams for education and entertainment. The songs and dances shared at this event echo centuries of Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African heritage found in the valleys and coves between the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lunsford’s was the first dubbed a folk festival, and he later consulted with many communities across the country interested in organizing similar festivals.
What makes a place idyllic?
Start with an emerald river that flows from ancient mountains. Add an abundance of living creatures that co-evolved over millennia. Bring in humans who honor their place in the interconnected web. And rebuild a vital stream that supports us all.
Your support and engagement helps ensure the health of this watershed for the ages! We can’t do it without you.