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.
Romare Bearden (Charlotte, NC 1911–1988 New York, NY), African American writer and artist, is renowned for his collages. He constantly experimented with various techniques to achieve his artistic goals throughout his career. This exhibition highlights works on paper and explores his most frequently used mediums, including screen-printing, lithography, hand-colored etching, collagraph, monotype, relief print, photomontage, and collage.
Bearden’s work reflects his improvisational approach to his practice. He considered his process akin to that of jazz and blues composers. Starting with an open mind, he would let an idea evolve spontaneously.
“Romare Bearden: Ways of Working highlights Bearden’s unique artistic practice and masterful storytelling through art,” says Pamela L. Myers, Executive Director of the Asheville Art Museum. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Jerald Melberg Gallery to present these extraordinary works on paper in conversation with Bearden’s collage Sunset Express, 1984 in the Museum Collection (on view in the Museum’s SECU Collection Hall). This exhibition will also provide a glimpse into the cultural histories and personal interests that influenced his art-making practice, and we hope it encourages introspection and dialogue with our visitors.”
Jerald Melberg states, “Romare Bearden’s groundbreaking artistic practice continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With an unparalleled legacy of creativity and innovation, Bearden’s contributions to art remain deeply influential years beyond his life.” We have enjoyed organizing this exhibition with the Asheville Art Museum to showcase his artistic genius and inspire visitors from the Western North Carolina region and beyond.”
This exhibition is made possible in part by the Judy Appleton Fund. Many thanks to the Jerald Melberg Gallery for the loan of these important artworks and to Mary and Jerald Melberg for their long-standing support of the arts, artists, and the Asheville Art Museum.
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Western North Carolina is important in the history of American glass art. Several artists of the Studio Glass Movement came to the region, including its founder Harvey K. Littleton. Begun in 1962 in Wisconsin, it was a student of Littleton’s that first came to the area in 1965 and set up a glass studio at the Penland School of Craft in Penland, North Carolina. By 1967, Mark Peiser was the first glass artist resident at the school and taught many notable artists, like Jak Brewer in 1968 and Richard Ritter who came to study in 1971. By 1977, Littleton retired from teaching and moved to nearby Spruce Pine, North Carolina and set up a glass studio at his home. Since that time, glass artists like Ken Carder, Rick and Valerie Beck, Shane Fero, and Yaffa Sikorsky and Jeff Todd—to name only a few—have flocked to the area to reside, collaborate, and teach, making it a significant place for experimentation and education in glass. The next generation of artists like Hayden Wilson and Alex Bernstein continue to create here. The Museum is dedicated to collecting American studio glass and within that umbrella, explores the work of Artists connected to Western North Carolina. Exhibitions, including Intersections of American Art, explore glass art in the context of American Art of the 20th and 21st centuries. A variety of techniques and a willingness to push boundaries of the medium can be seen in this selection of works from the Museum’s Collection. |
-SEATED SHOW
-LIMITED VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE
Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and bellydance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join our dancing dames and dandies every third Sunday of the month for a little singin’, strippin’, and sippin’ starting at noon. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!
**Ticket price covers entry, brunch is not included in price.
Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and bellydance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join our dancing dames and dandies every third Sunday of the month for a little singin’, strippin’, and sippin’ starting at noon. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!
Food Scraps Drop Off
The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in
two locations for all Buncombe County residents. This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Register for Food Scraps Drop Off
Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin? Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.
Locations
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot
30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville
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- Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.
Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot
749 Fairview Road, Asheville
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- Dawn – Dusk
West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building
942 Haywood Road, Asheville
Library open hours
Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
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- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
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Basketball
Open Play
Time scheduled for organized drop-in, pick-up, and open community games
Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, starts September 5
- Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-9 p.m.
- Sunday, 12-5 p.m.
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.
Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.
And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!
Guests will meet outside the Asheville Art Museum (2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801) and then depart with their treasure map on a walking team scavenger hunt where they will use their minds and feet to follow clues, solve puzzles, and crack codes to find and unlock the treasure chest for a grand prize!
The hunt involves walking a distance of up to 2.0 miles in total and will take place rain or shine, so long as the weather does not become dangerous. The hunt typically takes about 60 minutes to complete.
Children under 10 years old are welcome to participate for free with the purchase of an Adult ticket.
In partnership with Fired Up! Creative Lounge
Spend a Sunday afternoon channeling your creative energy onto a canvas while you paint and sip on wine in our sun-lit Solarium. Find inspiration in the panoramic city and mountain views then take home a personal masterpiece to cherish forever.
$40 admission includes art supplies and one glass of wine.
Additional food and drinks are available for purchase.
Join Erika McClung, PMHNP and nature therapist, for movement on the land at our 16-acre sanctuary.
Shake, jump, wiggle, dance, and play to good music in good company. Similar in format to ecstatic dance, we celebrate our intentions and let the music and emotions move through our bodies in whatever way feels best to us, without judgement or expectation. Come see how healing movement can be!
The Perspective Café is kicking off 2023 with a classic bang! Grab your friends and join us each Sunday from 2pm to 5pm in the Perspective Café to play an assortment of board and card games. You can even bring your own favorite games from home to share with new friends.
The Perspective Café will be offering special snacks and cocktails to savor while you play and make a memorable afternoon! Enjoy the galleries and then head up to the rooftop.
Take a trip into the world of Noir. A simple door key, an interrupted phone call, blackmail, and suspicion combine to produce a darkly complex mystery which will keep you riveted on the edge of your seat.
Accessibility
All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.
Content Awareness
This production contains violence and scariness and is rated PG.
The Spitfire Grill
Music and Book by James Valcq
Lyrics and Book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. The Grill is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy convinces Hannah to raffle it off. Entry fees are one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the Grill wins. Soon, mail arrives by the wheelbarrow and things really start cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill.
In keeping with our Mission Statement, BC Theatre Dept. seeks to encourage student and community growth and purposeful interaction with a range of ideas. We mindfully tell this story with the deliberate aim of ensuring both open-mindedness and personal safety.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”
PAW Patrol Live! sets sail with a pirate adventure!
It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay and Ryder will need all paws on deck as he and the PAW Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. It’s up to Chase, Marshall, Skye and all their heroic pirate pup friends to save the day and find the pirate treasure before Mayor Humdinger finds it first!
Bakken is currently the organist of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Hendersonville, and
regularly takes the bench at several other churches in the area including St. John in the Wilderness.
An ardent interest in genealogy is the genesis for this concert. Bakken’s background is 91%
Norwegian. He plans to perform Nordic and American music.
Bakken moved to Hendersonville in 2003 after a three-decade career in the public schools of
Geneva, Illinois. Bakken earned degrees at Augustana University (Sioux Falls, SD), the Yale
University School of Music, and the University of Illinois. For twenty years he was the organist for
the “Do-it-Yourself Messiah” in Chicago. This annual tradition was begun by the late Margaret
Hillis, founder and director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and attracted thousands of singers to
Orchestra Hall for the ultimate Hallelujah.
When not on a bench, Bakken can be found in the goat pasture at the Carl Sandburg Home, where he
is the longest-serving volunteer at the park.
Handicapped accessibility and free parking are available.
Asheville’s own Metal Mayhem is right around the corner! The GOATWHORE, WITHERED, SPITER, ALL HELL show at Asheville Music Hall on Sunday, the 19th is set to shake your world!
Before you dive headfirst into the chaos, join us for the ultimate pre-party at DSSOLVR, conveniently located just a stone’s throw away from the venue. Starting at 4 PM, we’re bringing the heavy, and we mean HEAVY, vibes right to our brewery.
And we’ve got a treat for you – delicious slushies and jello shots to fuel your inner beast. Our friends from Deadbeat Kitchen will be serving up some of the most devilishly delicious food, and the party will be sizzling hot.
Asheville’s only and original DRAG QUEEN BAR CRAWL!
Experience Asheville’s one-of-a-kind Drag Queen Bar Crawl, a unique fundraiser supporting local non-profit organizations. “Beer Flight” offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover the vibrant craft brewery scene of Beer City while enjoying the delightful company of our hilarious drag queen flight attendant. Perfect for special occasions, including birthdays, weddings, and even divorce parties, this event promises a memorable and enjoyable experience for all fans of drag and beer alike. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support local non-profits and have a blast doing it!
The two-hour tour promises a side-splittingly funny experience, featuring:
- The beer! The drag queen! FUN!
- 2-3 Flights of craft beer/seltzer/wine/sours ($45 value)
- Souvenir sticker ($5 value)
- Mid-flight snack (priceless!)
- VIP seats at an after-party event*
- No cover and no waiting at venues
- Photo ops with your drag queen guide
- See FAQs at the bottom of this page
- *After-party not available on all tours; ask!
Prepare for takeoff as Bearded Lady Productions presents a first-class “beer flight” bar crawl tour featuring the company of a hilarious drag queen wannabe flight attendant. You won’t want to miss this two-hour tour, where you’ll get to enjoy fine brews, seltzers, wines, and sours from multiple iconic downtown breweries, all while being entertained by a fabulous drag queen leading the way. Tickets for the first-class “beer flight” tour include the tour itself, all beverages along the route, fun surprises, and other perks. Seating is limited, so book your tickets now at https://www.AshevilleDragBrunch.com. You won’t want to miss this chance to experience the best of Asheville’s craft brewing scene while being entertained by a top-notch fabulous queen.
The tour has multiple dates and most tours end with VIP seats at a 2-hour special event, drag karaoke or drag music bingo. And don’t worry if a real airplane is not available for the tour, as the one-mile trip will be on foot. But that won’t stop you from experiencing the high-flying adventure that “Beer Flight” has planned for you. The after-party event is not available on all tours, so be sure to ask about it when booking your ticket. This is the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening, so grab your friends and get ready for an unforgettable experience. The sky’s the limit with this unique first-class experience!
Upon arrival at one of Asheville’s premier craft breweries, guests will be greeted by a world-class drag queen who will serve as their stewardess for the night. As guests wait for the “flight” to board, they will have the opportunity to mingle with their fellow passengers. The tour will then take off, with the drag queen leading the way through the vibrant streets of Asheville. Although a real airplane may not be available, all seats are first-class and drinks are included. Guests will be treated like royalty, with no cover and no waiting at the breweries along the route, and a guided tasting of each flight.
Doors Open: 5:00 PM
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE
Western Carolina Writers was established in 2019 by Nick McMahon, along with Jesse Frizsell and Thomas Yon, as a traveling “Songwriters-In-The-Round” style show. The idea was to take turns performing original songs with fun moments of collaboration at venues all over Western North Carolina.
After about a dozen increasingly successful shows, McMahon started inviting other area songwriters to participate. And now, after around 150 shows featuring close to 80 different local artists, the concept has become even more popular, fun and diverse.
Last year, Mcmahon and current project partner, Stephen Evans, decided to take this show into the listening rooms and out of the noisy bars and breweries so the songs could really be heard and appreciated. With three recent magical & successful songwriter showcases at The Grey Eagle and at Ayurprana Listening Room in Asheville, NC, this decision has proven to be the right move.
This show will be another stellar display of wonderful local songwriters while featuring Amanda Platt, Morgan Geer of Drunken Prayer, Laura Blackley, Kate Thomas of Dirty French Broads, Kevin Smith of Planefolk, Keith Minguez, Thomas Yon, Mike Hollon, and Ryan Price!
Every Sunday Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This weekend we have Jeremy Alder!!!
The “bad boy of homeschooling”, Jeremy Alder was raised deep in the heart of Texas without a TV, so he learns something new every time he leaves the house. He is a regular at clubs throughout the Southeast and has worked with several national touring acts, including Demitri Martin, Russell Howard, Tom Papa, Aparna Nancherla, Nicole Byer, Josh Gondelman, Rita Rudner, and Chad Daniels. Jeremy has been a featured performer at numerous comedy festivals, including Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, and Cleveland Comedy Festival, where he was selected as a “Best of Fest”. He is a three-time North Carolina’s Funniest finalist and was a finalist in the Westside Standup Showdown in Los Angeles and Big Sky Comedy Fest in Montana. His first special, “Purity Pants”, is out on DryBarComedy.com now.
Featuring Allison Shelnut
ages 18+
doors at 6pm, show at 6:30pm
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
Sing your heart out every Sunday at our laidback basement bar. Whether you’re a classic crooner or want to relive your glam metal glory days, find your moment to shine between 8pm and 11pm. Remember: what happens at karaoke night, stays at karaoke night.
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The Asheville Art Museum is excited to be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year! Over the past seven and a half decades, the Museum has served as the hub for artistic inspiration and education in Western North Carolina, bringing together artists and art enthusiasts from all walks of life.
As we approach the holiday season, we reflect upon the transformative power of art and the indelible impact it has on the young minds that visit the Museum. This year, we are especially grateful for the enriching experiences made possible by the Museum, experiences that extend far beyond the confines of our walls and into the hearts and minds of future generations.
Imagine the excitement of a 10th-grade class stepping through the Museum doors, wide-eyed and curious, ready to embark on a journey of artistic discovery. Your support of the Annual Fund has played a pivotal role in shaping these moments of inspiration, allowing us to provide an immersive and educational environment that fosters creativity.
During their recent visit, students were transported into the vibrant world of art, exploring diverse exhibitions that span decades and cultures. The Museum’s thoughtfully curated exhibitions became a canvas for their imagination. Witnessing the awe in their eyes as they encountered the beauty of creativity was a testament to the lasting impact of your generosity.
The following message was forwarded to the Museum’s Learning and Engagement department by Jennifer Riels, an educator and parent. “Our class of 10th grade students came to the Museum on Monday, October 30. It was wonderful. I can’t remember the name of the man who led our tour, but he did a phenomenal job asking questions and connecting the art to math. We enjoyed our visit and are grateful for the opportunity that the Asheville Art Museum provided our students!”
Your continued support and dedication not only facilitates these eye-opening field trips but makes it possible for the Museum to expand its educational outreach programs. Through your contribution, we can continue to inspire the next generation of artists, thinkers, and visionaries.
In the spirit of gratitude, we invite you to donate to our Fall Annual Fund. Your support ensures that we can continue to provide transformative experiences, empowering students to think critically, express themselves creatively, and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Your support is not just an investment in the Asheville Art Museum; it is an investment in the cultural enrichment of our community and the development of young minds. Together, we can continue to create moments of inspiration that resonate for a lifetime. Make your gift today by clicking the DONATE NOW button, visiting www.ashevilleart.org/donate or calling 828.253.3227 x114.
Buncombe County Special Collections is excited to announce a call for proposals for the third year of its creative residency program.
This is an annual opportunity for artists in Buncombe County to create new, research-driven creative work using BCSC’s historic resources as source material and/or inspiration, and to present their work in the Carolina Record Shop, a dedicated exhibition space in the BCSC reading room. Artists age 18 and up, based in Buncombe County, working in any creative discipline are invited to apply.
Buncombe County Special Collections is looking for projects that will:
- Offer new, diverse perspectives on our shared history
- Identify and address gaps and/or amplify narratives that are historically underrepresented in the collection
- Educate and inspire non-traditional users of archives and special collections to engage with the collection in new ways.
More information (including the PDF of the call for proposals) is available at here. The 2024 Creative Residency is made possible in part by the Trust Fund for Buncombe County Public Libraries.
You can also visit Buncombe County Special Collections in the lower level of Pack Memorial to view the current exhibition in the Carolina Record Shop, “Belonging & Non-Belonging: The History and Future of Zines in Western North Carolina,” curated by 2023 resident Miles Lamberson.
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Food Scraps Drop Off
The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is offering a FREE Food Scrap Drop-Off program in two locations for all Buncombe County residents. This organic matter will be collected and turned into good clean compost, keeping it OUT of our landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Register for Food Scraps Drop Off
Need a handy kitchen countertop food scrap bin? Let us know on the registration form! We’ll be having bin giveaways at city and county facilities and would love to give you one.
Locations
Murphy Oakley Community Center and Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the east side of the parking lot
749 Fairview Road, Asheville
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- Dawn – Dusk
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center “Food Scrap Shed” next to the Community Garden on the North side of the parking lot
30 Washington Carver Avenue, Asheville
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- Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday, 12 – 4 p.m.
West Asheville Library – “Food Scrap Bin Shelters” on the south side of the building
942 Haywood Road, Asheville
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- Library open hours
- Buncombe County Landfill – Convenience Center
85 Panther Branch Road, Alexander
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- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, 8 a.m. – 12:30 pm
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