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.

Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!

Explore marine invertebrates: What is an invertebrate? Introduction to the 5 main families of ocean invertebrates, interactive lab with invertebrate sorting buckets, and interactive experience with live specimens

Would you like to learn some pieces and become part of a group that’s entire focus is performing and competing? This week we will learn a few showstoppers, evaluate everyone’s skill level and host auditions for our year round Performance Troupe. No experience is required to participate- but must have a love of MUSICAL THEATRE.
At the end of the week you will perform for family and friends. If, at the end of the week, you are invited into our performance group, we will let you know and present you with the schedule of rehearsals and potential performances/competitions. We are excited to have you and break a leg!
Did you know our staff had a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn what kind of wildlife inhabits the Park and their important roles in the ecosystem. Some of our best teachers have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Enrollment is now open for an adult improvisation acting class at Hendersonville Theatre (HT). Classes will be taught by professional improvisation actor and comedian Emily Swindal. Classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm for 8 weeks starting August 10. The class will conclude on September 28 with a showcase of the students’ work.
Improv Level One: Communicate. Collaborate. Play. is for anyone over 18. Tuition is $180. Hendersonville Theatre will offer a free class preview and information session on Monday, August 8 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Students of all skill levels are encouraged to attend.
To register for the class, please visit HVLtheatre.org or call the Box Office at (828) 692-1082. No registration is required to attend the free information session.
Emily Swindal lived in New York City for 8 years as an actor and improv comedian before relocating to Hendersonville during the pandemic. Swindal studied and performed improv and sketch comedy writing at New York City’s Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Swindal has performed with an assortment of improv teams. Some of her past instructors include Elana Fishbein, Peter McNerney, Ross Taylor, Michael Lutton, and Nicole Drespel. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory.
Swindal’s teaching motto is “growth only happens when you are willing to step outside your comfort zone.” In this class, actors will work at getting comfortable onstage and stepping into bravery while having fun doing it. The class will teach students to have compassion for themselves and their classmates as performers as they learn the fundamentals of improvisation and develop support and spontaneity.
One of the missions of HT is to provide arts education that promotes life-long learning, in a way that inspires, nurtures, enriches, and empowers.
Hendersonville Theater has made masks optional for students, but volunteers, staff and performers are fully vaccinated. No proof of vaccination is required to attend a class.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
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Journeyperson Program
Early bird discount: $100 off if you apply by September 1st, 2022.
The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants have:
- A minimum of three years independently farming
- A demonstrated commitment to farming in the Southern Appalachian region
- Production goals of feeding their community and region
- A demonstrated commitment to sustainable practices
Although not required, The Journeyperson Program is best suited for applicants that have the following:
- Secure medium to long-term land tenure (such as owned land or a lease contract)
- A focus on livestock and/or crop production for direct-to-consumer and/or wholesale markets
- An established farm business that needs support to refine their vision, apply whole-farm planning practices and willingness to fully utilize the resources of the program
Program Components:
OGS offers you a comprehensive package of support over 12 months:
3 Workshops/Trainings (November, January, February)
-
- Improving Farm Communications November 6th and 20th, 2022 with Steve Torma
- Holistic Financial Planning: January with Cree Bradley of Chelsea Morning Farm
- Advanced Enterprise Development: February with Holly Whiteside of Against the Grain Farm
- Mentorship: Work with an experienced Farmer Mentor for individualized one-on-one support
- Seasonal monthly virtual cohort meetings
- WNC CRAFT Farmer Network: Free Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
- Spring Conference: Free Admission to our 3 day conference
- Enrollment in our Savings Incentive Program where you receive matching funds for your farm savings account
- Identify & connect with Regional resource providers (lenders, land access organizations, small business centers)
- Discount Offers to OGS Services:
- 15% off of Sustainability Coaching & Consulting program for farm design and systems development
- 15% off of any other OGS workshops
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
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Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!

Would you like to learn some pieces and become part of a group that’s entire focus is performing and competing? This week we will learn a few showstoppers, evaluate everyone’s skill level and host auditions for our year round Performance Troupe. No experience is required to participate- but must have a love of MUSICAL THEATRE.
At the end of the week you will perform for family and friends. If, at the end of the week, you are invited into our performance group, we will let you know and present you with the schedule of rehearsals and potential performances/competitions. We are excited to have you and break a leg!

Business owners! It’s time to take the fear out of your financials! Join QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor, Candy Williams, as she helps you to understand bookkeeping concepts for your small business. This session will provide you with an overview vendor transactions-downloading and entering transactions from your bank, payables and issuing checks.
This training will utilize the online version of QuickBooks.
Speaker(s): Candy Williams
Co-Sponsor(s): The Western Women’s Business Center (WWBC)
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Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.
We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).
We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.
We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.
All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!
Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.
This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

The Secret Lives of Trees
Join us for Protecting the Environment, a series of classes taught by NC State Cooperative Extension Agent, Steve Pettis. The fifth class in this series is The Secret Lives of Trees. Class will be offered in person for the first 20 participants, ZOOM thereafter for more than 20. $16.

Join us for Protecting the Environment, a series of classes taught by NC State Cooperative Extension Agent, Steve Pettis. The fifth class in this series is The Secret Lives of Trees.
Class will be offered in person for the first 24 participants, ZOOM thereafter for more than 24. $16
The Secret Lives of Trees
Join us for Protecting the Environment, a series of classes taught by NC State Cooperative Extension Agent, Steve Pettis. The fifth class in this series is The Secret Lives of Trees. Class will be offered in person for the first 20 participants, ZOOM thereafter for more than 20. $16.


Are you looking for a way to develop your Spanish language skills or a way to keep your skills fresh? Join this friendly and welcoming Spanish Language Practice Group organized by Pack Library. Newcomers are always welcome on the first Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. This group meets online and is focused on providing an intermediate level, immersive discussion experience. This event is free, but you do need to register. Please visit the library web page and use the link on the calendar for this program to sign up.

August 11th, August 18th, August 25th, and September 1st; Thursdays from 6 to 8pm
Registration deadline: August 1
In this four part class series, explore dyeing silk and cotton with natural indigo, madder, and weld! Study the history of natural dyeing and learn how this process connects with the museum’s current exhibition, American Perspectives. You will learn how to prepare the fabric for dyeing along with the different processes of dyeing. Discover the wide array of colors, hues, and values that these natural dyes can produce together and how they affect the different types of fibers.
Students are welcome to bring in their own small natural fabric items to dye.
This class is suitable for beginners as well as experienced students.
Instructor Kristin Arzt is a natural dyer, educator, gardener and designer based in Western North Carolina. Kristin believes that by exploring the collision of textiles, plants, and sustainability, she can help make the study of natural dyes accessible to everyone through education and enthusiasm. When not teaching in-person and online courses, Kristin grows her own seasonal dye plants in her home garden for closer experimentation; often sharing seeds and sprouts with students. She also serves on the board of directors of Local Cloth, an Asheville-based nonprofit organization, supporting its mission to educate the community on sustainable textiles and regenerative fiber.
Please note:
- This Adult Studio class is held indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
- Two seats for this class will be offered as equity seats at a discounted cost of $25 for BIPOC students.
- Space is limited to small groups of students.
- Students follow the Museum’s temporary COVID-19 safety precautions; click here for more information.
ADULT STUDIO
The Museum’s studio program for adults offers a core curriculum in drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional media, and also explores the intersections between them. Local and visiting artists help students of all levels and abilities develop skills in media that reflect techniques and themes featured in the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. Classes meet for 3–12 weeks, and are designed for anyone interested in exploring specific media in depth; daylong workshops introduce new media or processes. To add your name to our Adult Studio mailing list, click here or call 828.253.3227 x133.

Asheville has a long history with baseball. Three regional or national Negro League teams—The Royal Giants, Black Tourists, and Blues—played within the city between 1916-1955 before and during the integration of the major leagues. These teams were often overshadowed in the public eye by Asheville’s white teams, but still drew throngs of spectators to watch the talented players (and some famous opponents) play at Oates Park, Pearson Park, and McCormick Field. This program will examine the pioneering figures such as E.W. Pearson and Clarence Moore who established and even managed the Royal Giants and Blues, and also look at the wider effects of Negro League Baseball on the struggle for civil rights.
This event will be held in person at Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library in Asheville. It will also be livestreamed and recorded for those who cannot attend in person.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
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Journeyperson Program
Early bird discount: $100 off if you apply by September 1st, 2022.
The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants have:
- A minimum of three years independently farming
- A demonstrated commitment to farming in the Southern Appalachian region
- Production goals of feeding their community and region
- A demonstrated commitment to sustainable practices
Although not required, The Journeyperson Program is best suited for applicants that have the following:
- Secure medium to long-term land tenure (such as owned land or a lease contract)
- A focus on livestock and/or crop production for direct-to-consumer and/or wholesale markets
- An established farm business that needs support to refine their vision, apply whole-farm planning practices and willingness to fully utilize the resources of the program
Program Components:
OGS offers you a comprehensive package of support over 12 months:
3 Workshops/Trainings (November, January, February)
-
- Improving Farm Communications November 6th and 20th, 2022 with Steve Torma
- Holistic Financial Planning: January with Cree Bradley of Chelsea Morning Farm
- Advanced Enterprise Development: February with Holly Whiteside of Against the Grain Farm
- Mentorship: Work with an experienced Farmer Mentor for individualized one-on-one support
- Seasonal monthly virtual cohort meetings
- WNC CRAFT Farmer Network: Free Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
- Spring Conference: Free Admission to our 3 day conference
- Enrollment in our Savings Incentive Program where you receive matching funds for your farm savings account
- Identify & connect with Regional resource providers (lenders, land access organizations, small business centers)
- Discount Offers to OGS Services:
- 15% off of Sustainability Coaching & Consulting program for farm design and systems development
- 15% off of any other OGS workshops
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
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For rising 4th-8th graders. Students will work with lead resident teaching artist Ersel Bogan III (also known as Garfield). Mr. Garfield gets students moving and playing in the stylings of Second Line music, a rhythm famously used in New Orleans. Students are encouraged to bring brass instruments if they have them – otherwise they will be provided.

Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!
For rising 4th-8th graders. Students will work with lead resident teaching artist Ersel Bogan III (also known as Garfield). Mr. Garfield gets students moving and playing in the stylings of Second Line music, a rhythm famously used in New Orleans. Students are encouraged to bring brass instruments if they have them – otherwise they will be provided.

Would you like to learn some pieces and become part of a group that’s entire focus is performing and competing? This week we will learn a few showstoppers, evaluate everyone’s skill level and host auditions for our year round Performance Troupe. No experience is required to participate- but must have a love of MUSICAL THEATRE.
At the end of the week you will perform for family and friends. If, at the end of the week, you are invited into our performance group, we will let you know and present you with the schedule of rehearsals and potential performances/competitions. We are excited to have you and break a leg!
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Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.
We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).
We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.
We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.
All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!
Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.
This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

Looking to get your kids outside this summer? Join us as we walk you through the web-based program, ecoEXPLORE. You’ll learn how to submit photos and complete nature themed challenges to earn badges and prizes!
This initiative by the NC Arboretum includes a different challenge each season that will keep children engaged in learning about nature year-round while also contributing to citizen science. The theme this summer is entomology. We’ll explore our on-site gardens to find creepy crawly, squiggly squirmy, and high-flying bug residents! Stick around after the program to continue your exploration of the gardens and nature trail.

Brews and Bears is an after-hours summer event series where you can enjoy the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand. There are also food vendors and educational programming, along with popsicle enrichment for black bears Uno and Ursa!
Brews & Bears happens the second Friday of the month on May 13, June 10, July 8, and August 12, from 5:30 to 8 pm.
The events will feature beer from Highland Brewing; cider from Urban Orchard; food from Gypsy Queen Cuisine and Cecilia’s Food Truck, Blunt Pretzels, and KONA Ice; and music by Mix 96.5, 98.1 The River, and 105.9 The Mountain.
Tickets are $15 to $35, with options for members, non-members, and VIPs!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].
A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).
Register your child now!
![]() |
Journeyperson Program
Early bird discount: $100 off if you apply by September 1st, 2022.
The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants have:
- A minimum of three years independently farming
- A demonstrated commitment to farming in the Southern Appalachian region
- Production goals of feeding their community and region
- A demonstrated commitment to sustainable practices
Although not required, The Journeyperson Program is best suited for applicants that have the following:
- Secure medium to long-term land tenure (such as owned land or a lease contract)
- A focus on livestock and/or crop production for direct-to-consumer and/or wholesale markets
- An established farm business that needs support to refine their vision, apply whole-farm planning practices and willingness to fully utilize the resources of the program
Program Components:
OGS offers you a comprehensive package of support over 12 months:
3 Workshops/Trainings (November, January, February)
-
- Improving Farm Communications November 6th and 20th, 2022 with Steve Torma
- Holistic Financial Planning: January with Cree Bradley of Chelsea Morning Farm
- Advanced Enterprise Development: February with Holly Whiteside of Against the Grain Farm
- Mentorship: Work with an experienced Farmer Mentor for individualized one-on-one support
- Seasonal monthly virtual cohort meetings
- WNC CRAFT Farmer Network: Free Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
- Spring Conference: Free Admission to our 3 day conference
- Enrollment in our Savings Incentive Program where you receive matching funds for your farm savings account
- Identify & connect with Regional resource providers (lenders, land access organizations, small business centers)
- Discount Offers to OGS Services:
- 15% off of Sustainability Coaching & Consulting program for farm design and systems development
- 15% off of any other OGS workshops
What is unique about this program?
Participants can use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals, and make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. This program is designed to give tailored guidance and support for your farm business to answer questions of: scale, market access, land access, risk management, understanding cash flow, and enterprise innovation. You will leave this program with a responsive, adaptable business plan to help your farm achieve long-term farm viability and resilience.
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Join the Blue Ridge Audubon, a chapter of the National Audubon Society for their monthly bird walk at Jackson Park, a renowned birding location. On the 2nd Saturday of each month, meet at the Administration Building parking lot, located on Glover Street, and join the group to see the many wonderful birds found at Jackson Park, Hendersonville’s largest park.

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers maintain a composting demonstration site at the Western NC Farmers Market, at the Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center. After a two-year hiatus, due to Covid, the site is reinstituting public demonstrations, beginning April 9, 2022.
When to Visit?
The site is staffed and provides demonstrations from 10:00am to 1:00pm on the second Saturday each month, April through September.
What Will You See?
There are five different composting methods on display at the site. There is a single bin unit, a tumbling composter, a wood pallet bin and a classic 3-bin system — we also usually bring an example of vermiculture on each demo day. The site is stocked with informational pamphlets on the how-to and why of composting and they complement the information available in the composting video on this website. Click here to view the video: Making and Using Compost at Home.
An additional Composting demonstration area is located at The Learning Garden at the Extension Office, 49 Mount Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806. Click here for details about The Learning Garden.

