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.
Kari Sickenberger is leading a workshop from May 3-5. retreat at
at Highland Lake Cove, a beautiful, rustic mountain setting,
ideal for rest, rejuvenation, relaxation, singing and fun!
Deadline for Registration is 4/15/24
www.KariSickenberger.comThe event is occuring at Mountain Magic, a new collaborative venture with Highland Lake Cove in Flat Rock, NC. They are developing a performance and participatory arts venue initially focusing on mountain music, dance, and storytelling traditions.
The MADE X MTNS (Made By Mountains) Partnership is working to expand the outdoor industry and economy across North Carolina’s Appalachian region and catalyze rural development by building vibrant outdoor communities, growing outdoor businesses, and amplifying outdoor culture. This work is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission, Dogwood Health Trust, and Mountain BizWorks. Join the Building Outdoor Communities Program Specialist, Bradley Spiegel to learn about the 7-month capacity building program that 19 WNC counties have completed to holistically and proactively plan for outdoor assets that balance conservation and community development. FREE virtual presentation.
Everyone is invited to our monthly game night. I bring a group of games each month but feel free to bring your own as well. No specific games are set up for the night, we just bring a bunch of stuff from our collections and play some pick-up games. We have the tables and chairs. Bring your own food if you’d like (there is a microwave and fridge). There is also a Chinese place across the street, a convenience store for drinks and snacks, and we’re in walking distance to Hot Dog World. If you have any questions about the types of games we play and basic info about our group, Read our FAQ (https://www.meetup.com/HendoHometownGameGeeks/about/)
NOTE: This event is held at a church but it is not a church event, it is a community event. Everyone is welcome, everyone should feel comfortable attending, and while I’m always happy to privately answer questions about my faith or the church if asked, proselytizing is not the purpose of these gatherings. I hope the location does not make anyone feel uncomfortable and if you have any questions you can message me directly.
Calling adventurous tweens/teens! Join us for Dungeons & Dragons at the Weaverville Library! This program is open to tweens and teens ages 12+.
All skill levels are welcome.
Space for this program is limited. Registration is required. Please stop by the Weaverville Library or call 828-250-6482 to reserve your space!
Bring a bottle of water and a snack
Are there holes in the elbows of your favorite sweater and tears in your most comfortable pair of jeans? Visible mending, a form of repair that seeks to be seen, celebrates the history of the fibers we wear while simultaneously breathing new life into well-loved clothes. Whether adding new layers to frayed edges or creatively embellishing marks and stains, visible mending is a stylish way to keep clothes out of the landfill.
Andrea Connolly will lead this hands-on workshop, introducing simple mending techniques and providing a forum for participants of all skill levels to share and learn from one another. Bring an item of clothing to repair, along with any mends you feel comfortable sharing with the group.
All supplies provided. (Feel free to bring your own favorites to use as well.)
Andrea Connolly is a member of Local Cloth’s Mending Matters group. She has dabbled in sewing, embroidery, crochet, and knitting since early childhood and loves mending for its freedom from patterns and charts.
FREE but limited to 20 participants. Registration is required at https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/library/branch-locations/black-mountain.aspx
BLUE RIDGE ROLLER DERBY TRIPLE HEADER BOUT
When: Saturday, May 18th, doors at 2 PM
Where: Smoky Mountain Event Center (758 Crabtree Rd, Waynesville, NC 28785)
Come experience multiple levels of derby play at Blue Ridge’s first home game of the 2024 Travel Team season! First, witness the Blue Ridge Junior Derby team in their EXPO bout. Then watch as the Blue Ridge Y’Allstars and then the Retrogrades take on Nashville Roller Derby in A- and B-level sanctioned bouts that will impact our INTERNATIONAL rankings!
Tickets available for purchase at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/1c28ea2f-f2aa-4a88-9062-e792fce01e2d
Doors open at 1:00 PM for an afternoon full of LIVE ROLLER DERBY at SMEC!
2:00 Juniors Expo Game (The Good Eggs vs. The Bad Seeds)
3:00 BRRD Y’allstars vs. Nashville A
5:00 BRRD Retrogrades vs. Nashville B
Online or At-The-Door Tickets: $10.00
All ages welcome, kids 11 and under are FREE. We will have a great menu of concessions, including plant-based options!
Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the inclusive and fun space that Blue Ridge Roller Derby continually creates while playing a competitive sport on 8 wheels. BRRD is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of our community to provide action-packed, family-friendly fun on eight wheels.
If you’d like FREE admission and FREE food at the after party (held at the Odditorium in West Asheville), you can sign up to volunteer at this event: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48AAAD2CA5FFCF8-48724040-blue#/
Check out our season schedule and more at blueridgerollerderby.com
Join us for this mid Spring weekend of wild abundance as we dive deeply into the Art, Science & Spirit of Herbalism. We will spend this incredible weekend deeply immersed in the abundance of wild plants as well as cultivated herbs that can easily be found (and grown) throughout the Appalachian mountains.
We will focus on improving proper plant identification skills, ethical wildcrafting & foraging techniques and learn the craft of magical medicine making together. We will gather herbs from the landscape and create a plethora of herbal medicines. Folks will receive both new skills and plenty of recipes and remedies to take home.
Throughout this weekend immersion will honor the craft of intuitive & ritual herbalism while learning how to pair these skills to make the most potent forms of herbal infusion and decoctions (medicinal teas) with both fresh and dried plants. We will co-create botanical tonics meant to fortify our systems throughout the seasons. And produce potent medicinally infused herbal oils to be used for the body as well as the Spirit.
4/15, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20
Student showcase reserved for 6/3
No class 5/27
Greg Lobas will lead a virtual writer’s workshop titled: “Writing Your Life into Poetry.”
“Write what you know” is one of the first and best maxims for the aspiring writer. But what if “what you know” is ordinary, even mundane? This workshop will look at ways to mine the gold that is in everyone’s life and turn it into poetry. It may take some digging. It may take a little change in perspective. But it is there, and it is material only you can use. We will focus on the narrative poem as a means of story-telling but will consider the lyric poem as well.
This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will Zoom for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop here:
Greg Lobas has been published extensively as both an outdoor writer and a poet. His debut book, Left of Center, won the 2022 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize, and placed second in the Delaware State Press Association awards. The book deals with his real life experiences as a fire captain and paramedic. His poems have been published in many journals. He is an experienced poetry workshop facilitator at Isothermal Community College.
Greg lives with his wife Meg and his dog Sophie in Polk County North Carolina.
Led by a certified Inward & Artward Creative Facilitator, Tikva Kingrea, this 6-week series workshop gives space for young folks’ imaginations to run wild, turning anything and everything into an opportunity for storytelling! Students ages 11-14 will dive into their own worlds, build their own imaginations, and creating their own stories through a smorgasbord of storytelling forms. In this class, we’re putting creative power back in the hands of the budding creative both individually and as a group. What kind of wildernesses can we construct and discover?
At the end of the day, we’re exploring various forms of writing, infusing imagination into our stories, and we’re building trust and confidence in young creatives. No homework necessary!
Now in our 15th year, we are proud to offer affordable, all-levels workshops!
Class topics include Intro to Whip Tricks, Badass Shimmies, and Song-writing. We are also offering a FREE LECTURE on the history of Sideshow with America’s top historian, the legendary James Taylor. Study with the best!
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE
Are YOU READY for NERD PRIDE FEST 2024!!
Saturday, June 1st 2024 : 10am – 4pm
Asheville’s local artist convention every first Saturday in June in honor of Pride month! This is a fun, free way to celebrate pride month by supporting local artists and nonprofits who do incredible things for the queer LGBT+ community in western North Carolina.
Nerd Pride Fest was our first ever event in our current location. So it had to be to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and reopening with food, games, live music, and more.
As a shop owned and operated by queer-identifying folks, The Nerd Dungeon is committed to being a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages to express themselves any time of year, not just during Pride Month. We will always be a 3rd Place.
It is nice to have an excuse to go all-out and party, though! Pride Cosplay encouraged!
On Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 1pm-4pm, The Adventure Center of Asheville will host its inaugural AVL Family Adventure Festival at 85 Expo Drive. Formerly Zipping For Autism, this family event will have live music, food, cold beer, scads of kids activities, bike, kayak and climbing demos, face painting, crafts, hay rides, games and MUCH MUCH MORE. Come and enjoy the festival or buy a combo pass and add a trip through Asheville Treetops Adventure Park on the sampler trail (9 challenge obstacles, 12’ in the trees, 1 continuous aerial trail). This event is being hosted by The Adventure Center of Asheville and produced by Asheville Plays! with 100% of proceeds benefiting Camp Lakey Gap. The proceeds directly impact the lives of autistic people and their families by providing scholarships for a one-of-a-kind, week-long residential summer camp experience for autistic children and adults.
Guests will meet at Dssolvr Asheville (63 N. Lexington Ave, 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.
Dark City Poets Society is a completely free poetry group that is open to writers of all ages and experience levels.
Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6:00-7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) feedback group.
FREE. Meets in the garden weather permitting.
Connect Beyond Festival returns to downtown Asheville, N.C. on June 7-9, 2024 for a weekend of performances, panels, film screenings and workshops with award-winning artists and thought leaders, exploring how the intersection of music, art, film and storytelling can inspire positive change. This year’s festival, dubbed by Ashvegas as “Asheville’s version of SXSW,” is themed around Connection To Deepen Resilience and Keep Moving Forward. Connect Beyond will be partnering with Slay The Mic Media to co-curate programs centered around youth empowerment. Tickets for the Connect Beyond Festival are slated to go on sale by May 13th. To optimize community accessibility, options include individual event tickets or a full weekend pass.
Everyone is invited to our monthly game night. I bring a group of games each month but feel free to bring your own as well. No specific games are set up for the night, we just bring a bunch of stuff from our collections and play some pick-up games. We have the tables and chairs. Bring your own food if you’d like (there is a microwave and fridge). There is also a Chinese place across the street, a convenience store for drinks and snacks, and we’re in walking distance to Hot Dog World. If you have any questions about the types of games we play and basic info about our group, Read our FAQ (https://www.meetup.com/HendoHometownGameGeeks/about/)
NOTE: This event is held at a church but it is not a church event, it is a community event. Everyone is welcome, everyone should feel comfortable attending, and while I’m always happy to privately answer questions about my faith or the church if asked, proselytizing is not the purpose of these gatherings. I hope the location does not make anyone feel uncomfortable and if you have any questions you can message me directly.
Wednesday, June 12th- 6:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday, June 26th – 6:30pm-8:30pm
Train with world renowned Performing Artist, former Alvin Ailey principle Dancer & Teacher Raquelle Chavis- and explore modern dance and the Horton technique. Dancers will have 1 week of daily class training, while learning a series of fortification studies and challenging combinations, designed to perfect their technique, placement and performance. Additionally, dancers will learn new choreography and rehearse that piece daily. a studio performance will be given on the final day of this intensive workshop, showcasing the skills they’ve learned throughout the week. This program is open to dancers age 9-18 who possess a passion and drive to excel.
Second Gear Celebrates 20 Years of Community and Consigned Outdoor Gear + Apparel on Saturday June 15th with an all day MEGA SALE (biggest of the year!) and a celebratory 20th Anniversary Block Party from Noon-5pm with exciting Raffles, Free Kids Activities, Local Makers, Outdoor Vendors + Educators, Sweet + Savory Treats, Puppy Adoptions and more… Stop by for the savings and stay for the fun as Second Gear says THANK YOU to their beloved WNC community for all the support in making it to this amazing milestone!
Guests will meet at Dssolvr Asheville (63 N. Lexington Ave, 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.
Join Slice of Life Comedy Friday June 21 at pleb urban winery for a fun Asheville Standup Comedy Pageant! We are raising money for 103.3ashevillefm our local community radio station, they produce diverse and eclectic programming that inspires listeners to build connections across our communities and discovers new music and ideas. This comedy show is moderated by your AFM friends at slumberpartyavl Jake Ali & Michele and hosted by the amazing Asheville treasure, Hillary Begley The contestants are the winners of 3 previous contests held at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Jason Webb Ryan Gordon (the third final contest is selected June 13) There will be games, standup and silliness. Delicious Food truck Mean Pies Pizza is available, get your tix early this will sell out!
Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and inner healing through our groundbreaking Breathwork Meditation Workshop including 2 Sound Baths! During this immersive experience you will be guided through a powerful Breathwork practice to help you massively release stress, heal past wounds and traumas, access deeper levels of awareness, and connect more profoundly to Source.
Led by two professional highly experienced facilitators with over 50 years experience between them, this workshop will
deepen your connection with your breath and unlock its incredible potential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Join a group of like-minded individuals on the path to self-discovery in a supportive nurturing environment on the beautiful island in Marshall on one of the world’s oldest rivers.
You may come to the full day (10am-4.30pm, $120 ) which includes two Breathwork Meditation Sessions with sound baths and a session of Self-discovery. You may also come to the first Breathwork Meditation Session with sound bath only (10am-1pm, $60) or the second Breathwork Session with sound bath only (1.30pm-4.30pm, $60).
Register at www.breakthroughbreathwork.com/events
Guests will meet at Dssolvr Asheville (63 N. Lexington Ave, 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.
Wednesday, June 12th- 6:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesday, June 26th – 6:30pm-8:30pm
Kids Camp is a free event for children who have completed kindergarten-completed 5th grade. Each evening, the kiddos will have a time in music, games, crafts, missions, and Bible. Dinner and snacks are provided with sign-up. Camp will take place on-campus Mon-Thurs with a pool party on Friday. Individual children must be registered to attend.
The Great Wagon Road Game is an interactive role-playing version of the “Oregon Trail” game of Mom and Dad’s youth. The Cradle of Forestry has brought the game to life along our Biltmore Campus Trail (1 mile). This interactive walking game takes you around the trail to learn more about the trials and tribulations the first European settlers faced as they traveled the Great Wagon Road and settled our beautiful mountains. This is a great game for families to work together and have fun! Families will travel in “wagon groups”, “purchase” supplies (no real money involved in the game) for the journey and stop to roll the dice of destiny that will choose their cards of fate.
This is open to all ages and will have a family-friendly atmosphere. Children under 4 are free to come along as long as they don’t distract the other players from having fun. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors, as we will be walking our 1-mile paved, Biltmore Campus Trail.
TICKET INFORMATION
Register by emailing [email protected] with your name, number of people in your group, number of children in the group and their age.
SCHEDULE
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
WHAT TO BRING
Water bottle
Closed toed shoes
Guests will meet at Dssolvr Asheville (63 N. Lexington Ave, 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.
Join us Sunday, June 30th for the big reveal of our new transport van, Big Hun 2!
At this fundraising event, we’ll be at RAD Brewing from 12:00-4:00 pm, where you will get to see SDTA logo creator and artist, Andy Herod, complete the mural on our van along with live music, bingo, raffle baskets, adoptable pups and more!
We hope to see you there and please share with your family and friends!