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.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019
*Assembly Required: Ashevile Designer Toy Expo
Mar 20 all-day
Highland Brewing Company

Adding a Southeast destination for designer toy makers and collectors, *Assembly Required brings designer, bootleg and art toy artists from around the country, to present and sell their work.

Asheville’s premiere designer toy expo, *Assembly Required, is presented by Unboxing Asheville, Morgan’s Comic’s, 103.3 Asheville FM and Appalachian Pinball Museum. Focusing on this artistic movement, designer toys are a form of lowbrow pop art. These toy makers pull inspiration from a variety of subversive segments of culture, as well as subcultural elements, including (but not limited to) comics, tattooing, street art, and everything related to toys of the 60’s through the 80’s.

Echoing production methods of traditional toy manufacturers, designer toys are usually intended to be displayed as collectibles, rather than to be played with. Toy makers mediums range from resin to vinyl, from plastic to plush; with molding, and production techniques such as kitbash, sofubi and bootleg (recently coined ‘Artisanal Action Figure’, by New York Times writer, Rich Juzwiak [11/23/18]). (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/style/bootleg-toys-action-figures.html).

Juzwiak interviews such artists as the Sucklord and Killer Bootlegs, both of whom will be present at *Assembly Required.

Thursday, March 21, 2019
AshevilleFairyHair.com at Bhramari Brewing
Mar 21 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Bhramari Brewing

? Thursday, March 21st 5:00pm-8:00pm
✨ASHEVILLE✨
Bhramari Brewing
101 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
http://bit.ly/BhramariMarch

Thursday, March 28, 2019
Our State Parks & Their Family Roots: Chimney Rock & Grandfather Mountain
Mar 28 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

Discover the stories of the only two WNC state parks that were long-time owned and managed by families – and are still thriving today! Todd Morse, former owner of Chimney Rock Park, and Jesse Pope, president and executive director of Grandfather Mountain, will share historical perspectives and insights into the parks’ continued success. Hosted by Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Saturday, March 30, 2019
Echofest 2019
Mar 30 @ 1:00 pm
UNCA Main Quad

Blue Echo Radio’s annual music festival hosted on UNCA campus. All ages & free and open to the community.
16+ Bands including The Love Language, Linqua Franqa, Kitty Tsunami, Infinity Crush, The Eccentrics, and more!
Echofest will also feature food trucks, family friendly activities, and community vendors including Honey Pot Vintage, Word Emporium as well as Tarot and Henna Artists.
More information as well as the full lineup can be found on the Echofest event page via Facebook.
Echofest is hosted by Blue Echo, UNCA’s student run radio station and co-hosted by Asheville FM.

Sunday, March 31, 2019
CCx: Hack
Mar 31 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Collider

The Collider invites you to our second annual climate data hackathon, held on March 31st, 2019. CCx: Hack is part of Climate City Expo, a 10-day celebration of Asheville’s creativity and commitment to climate change awareness and action.

Monday, April 1, 2019
CCx: NextGen
Apr 1 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
The Collider

The world awaits the next generation of climate resilience leaders. CCx: NextGen is a one-day interactive conference that connects two- and four-year undergraduate students with leading climate professionals to gain exclusive insights into this growing field, explore climate resilience practices, and pitch their own solutions.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019
CCx: Business
Apr 2 @ 8:30 am – Apr 3 @ 5:00 pm
The Collider

Ensuring humanity’s future in a changing climate presents unique challenges and opportunities to drive innovation. CCx: Business is a cross-industry conference that convenes business executives, entrepreneurs, climate scientists, investors, and many more to explore solutions at the leading edge of climate resilience.

Sunday, April 7, 2019
Week of the Young Child Celebration
Apr 7 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Ira B. Jones Elementary School

2:00 p.m. Ticketed Magic Show ($8 per person, all ages)
3:00-5:00 p.m. Drop-In Pop-Up Adventure Playground (free and open to the community)

Join us to celebrate the Week of the Young Child and support young children in Buncombe County!

Children ages 2+ will enjoy The Professor Whizzpop Magic Show, which placed in the Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC” poll for 10 years.

Afterward, drop in for a FREE Pop-Up Adventure Playground where kids build their own place space using imagination, loose parts, and in collaboration with their peers. There is no charge to join the playground.

Roots Hummus will be served at no charge and sweet treats from The Hop Ice Cream Cafe will be available for purchase.

Saturday, April 20, 2019
5th Annual Earth Day Kid’s Festival
Apr 20 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Salvage Station

Earth Day Kid’s Festival began 5 years ago as a way to bring the community together in celebration of our natural environment. A variety of environmental non-profits and organizations have come together to foster environmental consciousness and encourage the next generation of stewards to cherish our natural resources.

We invite families and people of all ages to come out and enjoy environmental education, arts and crafts, games, performances and more! There will be live music from Susana and Timmy Abell / Silver Trout Arts. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. We invite you to come out and enjoy this free festival!

We are fortunate to have our generous sponsors, Prestige Subaru Black Orthodontics, and venue sponsor, Salvage Station who make this event possible.

This festival is hosted in conjunction with “Earth Month,” a month long series of service days, workshops, and events throughout April organized by WNC for the Planet, a collective of environmental non-profits within Western North Carolina.

Festival will happen rain or shine.

AshevilleFairyHair.com at Hemp Fest at Weaver House
Apr 20 @ 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Weaver House

Come celebrate 4/20 and get Sparkled with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!! The MOST MAGICAL Fairy Hair in the World! Not tinsel.

You can wash it,
brush it,
comb it,
curl it,
flat iron, (up to 450°!)
color it,
straighten it,
perm it,
blow it dry, get your haircut, etc.
Do whatever you normally do to your hair, but most of all; ENJOY IT!

?Saturday, April 20th 4:30pm-9:30pm
at
Weaver House Hemp Fest-FREE EVENT!
56 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787

Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/hempfest4202019

Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Downtown Asheville Scavenger Hunt
Apr 30 all-day
Let's Roam

In the mountains of North Carolina you’ll find one of America’s hippest cities. On this fun-filled Asheville scavenger hunt, we loop around the city center in search of the city’s best sights and hidden gems.

Does an obelisk impress? Where can you play 75 pinball machines? Find out on this scavenger hunt of Asheville!

Thursday, May 2, 2019
2019 CMDA National Convention
May 2 – May 5 all-day
Ridgecrest Conference Center

This convention provides great opportunities for you to transform as you fellowship with Christian healthcare professionals, learn about current health and social issues, renew your faith through worship and network with exhibiting organizations. You don’t want to miss this event!

Who should attend the National Convention?
Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists, Optometrists, Nurses, Dental Hygienists, Physician Assistants, Administrators and Office Staff, Residents, Students, all other healthcare professionals, and spouses of all healthcare professionals.

Learn More @ cmda.org/nationalconvention

#NatCon2019

Saturday, May 4, 2019
Mayfest
May 4 all-day
Downtown Rutherfordton

Mayfest is the one of the longest running festivals in N.C., drawing visitors from across the region for a full day of springtime, family fun. Annual entertainment and traditions will be enjoyed including live music from Rutherford County Line and the Houston Bernard Band, a Car, Truck and Bike Show, and a variety of artisans and crafters showcasing their one-of-a-kind items. Youngsters will have a ball in the Kids Playland featuring inflatables and rock climbing walls, plus obstacle courses, face painting, and the Pinewood Derby Race. Local dancers, gymnasts and cheerleaders will perform, a Doggie Kissing booth will be open, and friendly fur babies will take the spotlight during the 4 Paws Kingdom Pet Contest. No festival is complete without fabulous food vendors. Indulge yourself with delicious BBQ, turkey legs, roasted corn, stir-fry, funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, homemade ice cream, and much more.

Springtime Plant Exchange and Plants for Pollinator Talk
May 4 @ 9:30 am
Black Mountain Library

Our Sowing Circle begins at 9:30 am with a Springtime Plant Exchange. Bring your extra plants to share with fellow gardeners and pick-up some new plants for yourself. At 10:15 am, relax and listen to Brannen Basham, co-founder of Spriggly’s Beescaping, give a presentation on Plants for Pollinators. Creating a pollinator garden requires more than just planting flowers, although those are a great start! Learn how to create a pollinator garden that provides forage and habitat year round for a variety of pollinators, along with other beneficial insects and animals. These free events are sponsored by Black Mountain Blooms Seed Lending Library. We welcome you to be apart of our growing community!

Women in Government Panel Discussion
May 4 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Ferguson Auditorium AB Tech Campus

Asheville, NC – On Saturday, May 4 from 2:00-4:00 p.m., the League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County and the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont will team up to present WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT, an event designed to inspire young women to pursue careers in public service. The program will feature a panel discussion by five area women who currently hold leadership roles in government and public service. The event will be held in Ferguson Auditorium on the campus of AB-Tech.

Panelists include Terry Van Duyn, NC State Senator; Susan Fisher, NC State Representative; Debra Campbell, Asheville City Manager; Susan Dotson-Smith, NC District Court Judge; and Jill Banks, Sergeant, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department.

Each panelist will share aspects of her personal career journey, including what led her to pursue a career in public service, the path she took to attain her present position, and the challenges and rewards of a career in public service.

The Girl Scouts will have a prominent role in the program, introducing the panelists and asking questions submitted from the audience. An informal “meet and greet” will be held with the panelists immediately after the program.

This event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is requested at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-government-presented-by-the-lwv-ab-girl-scouts-carolinas-tickets-59113880207.

Saturday, May 11, 2019
Spring Fling Plant Sale
May 11 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
American Red Cross

Come celebrate the beginning of a new gardening season at the Spring Fling Plant Sale! The Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteers of Buncombe County in partnership with the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will host the Spring Fling Plant Sale on Saturday, May 11, from 10 am. to 2 pm. The sale will be held in the parking lot of the American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, off of Merrimon Avenue in Asheville. The sale will be held rain or shine.

The Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society will sell many varieties of roses, including own-root, fragrant, miniature, and old garden roses. Expert rosarians will be on hand to help you choose the perfect rose and to give practical advice on growing and caring for roses.

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will offer a variety of sun and shade perennials, with a focus on natives and pollinator friendly selections. Plants are grown by Master Gardeners with tender loving care. We will also offer a nice selection of garden accessories. Personal shoppers will be available to assist you with the best plants for your special space, give you plant suggestions for Mother’s Day gifts, and answer your gardening questions.

We will also be offering an on-going pruning tool sharpening workshop. Bring your small hand tools (pruners) and loppers to learn how to clean and sharpen them. This is a free workshop but donations are greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Queer Comedy Party ft. Annick Adelle
May 14 @ 9:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Asheville’s monthly queer stand up comedy show, featuring Annick Adelle from San Francisco/ Germany!!!

ages 18+
Tickets $7: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-annick-adelle-tickets-61326806128

VIP $10: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-annick-adelle-vip-ticket-tickets-61326865305

Friday, May 17, 2019
14th Annual Black Mountain Garden Show & Sale
May 17 – May 18 all-day
The Monte Vista Hotel

Looking for the perfect plants to enhance your garden, need vegetable starts. This is western North Carolina’s one stop garden jubilee. Come to the 14th Annual Black Mountain Garden Show and Sale on Friday, May 17, 4 to 8 PM and Saturday, May 18, 9 AM to 4 PM on the grounds of the Monte Vista Hotel. Bring your questions and your gardening dreams to this annual celebration of spring.

Tiny House Community Open House – Resales!
May 17 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Village at Flat Rock, NC

Simple Life currently has several unique opportunities to purchase a resale tiny home in The Village at Flat Rock, NC. In addition to great prices starting in the low $90s, these tiny homes are simply stunning, well maintained and unique, all while offering highly customized and stylized interior finishes. Many are complete with outdoor packages, storage solutions, pet enclosures and other customized elements that make tiny home living ideal.

There will be eleven resale tiny houses available for purchase and tours at Simple Life’s Resale Open House! Each tiny home embodies its own distinct style and character and celebrates its outdoor surroundings depending on where it is located within The Village. Simple Life resale cottages and tiny homes that are available are:

COTTAGES
Lakeview Lodge: $119,900
Two Swans Cottage: $124,899
Wild Thyme Cottage: $119,900
Starling: $108,000
Lavender House: $90,000
Daydream Cabin: $90,000
The Good Life Cottage: $115,000
Dog House: $99,500
Guest House: $99,500
Carolina Cabin: $119,900

TINY TOWABLE HOUSES
Blue Ridge Hideaway: $59,000

For more information about these pre-owned tiny homes or to make an appointment for the Resale Open House call Simple Life at 828-707-0969 or visit us at 24 Empire Lane, Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731. Our Sales Preview Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 PM – 5 PM.

Previously Owned Tiny Houses – Open House
The Village at Flat Rock, NC
Friday, May 17, 2019 | 12 PM – 4PM
24 Empire Lane Flat Rock, NC 28731

Group tours will be leaving at 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM from the Sales Preview Center.
An appointment is suggested, please call (828) 707 – 0969 to reserve your space.

Saturday, May 18, 2019
Montford Music and Arts Festival
May 18 all-day
Montford Music and Arts Festival

The Montford Festival will celebrate its 16th year as the largest free street festival in Asheville. Held on the main street of the historic Montford district, it features food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities and continuous music until 7pm. Free parking on neighborhood streets or at the Asheville Visitors Center.

Tryon International Film Festival – 5th Annual BBQ, Music & Movie Fundraiser
May 18 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Mountain Brook Vineyard

5 th Annual Tryon International Film Festival BBQ Fundraiser
Brought to you by the Polk County Film Initiative
Join us for the 5 th Annual, Tryon International Film Festival BBQ Fundraiser, at Mountain Brook Vineyards
in Tryon.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, bell bottom jeans, tie-dyed shirts and free spirit, as we trip back to
1969 for a special screening of “Woodstock”.
Rap with all your friends and dig the music of Michael Baughman. Then munch out on the classic BBQ of
Bird Mountain and Tim Wright. Soak in the fabulous wines which are grown, bottled and produced on
Mountain Brooks’ spectacular seven-acre vineyard.
Asheville’s Power Band, “The Paper Crowns” will take the stage as the evening gets rolling. Then, as the
sun goes down, toss down a blanket let the Polk County Film initiative take you on a trip to
“Woodstock”. See how 50,000 tickets holders brought along 500,000 of their friends and turned
Woodstock into a pivoting point of the pop culture.
It will be a groovy evening to remember. Please support Year 5 of the Tryon International Film Festival.

Thursday, May 23, 2019
LaZoom Comedy Weekend!
May 23 – May 26 all-day
LaZoom Room

We are celebrating Memorial Day Weekend the most LaZoom way ever… with silliness!!!
Four nights, four very different and fantastic shows!

5/23 Home Groan Pun Battle with Kelly Morgan and Glenn Reed
8pm free
https://www.facebook.com/events/815196242197824/
5/24 Paul Ollinger, 9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/304240486963098/
5/25 Tim Northern, 9:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/665380333912623/
5/26 Red, White & Boobs, Women of DC Comedy Showcase 9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/757375191297128/

Click on the individual events for tickets or buy a pass for the whole weekend and get an awesome LaZoom koozie for keeping your beers cold through all four shows and a Modelface Comedy & Events button!!!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-weekend-tickets-61324208358

Friday, May 24, 2019
LaZoom Comedy Night: Paul Ollinger
May 24 @ 8:58 pm
LaZoom Room

Paul Ollinger is a nationally-touring comedian, podcaster and corporate refugee. After 15 years selling advertising for companies like Yahoo! and Facebook, Paul launched the comedy career that has taken him all over North America, opening for legends like Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Daniel Tosh and Roseanne Barr. He has performed in the Laughing Skull, Asheville, Cleveland, DC, and North Carolina comedy festivals. Earlier this year, he headlined the legendary Carolines on Broadway in New York City. Paul is the host of the Crazy Money podcast in which he interviews celebrities, authors, and everyday people to find out how they think about money. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two kids.

Also featuring James Harrod and hosted by Kelly Morgan

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-paul-ollinger-tickets-58205311654

Saturday, May 25, 2019
LaZoom Comedy Night: Tim Northern
May 25 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Tim Northern is 6’3″, 200 pounds of manly man with what is often described as an obscure sense of humor. He is articulate, smart and deceptively witty, but most importantly he’s funny. The combination of his gruff exterior and his easy on the ears style could be catastrophic, but this mixture works well.

His opening line ‘I love y’all’ leaves audiences wondering what’s next. They soon realize he’s sincere.

Tim is a regular performer on the national comedy club circuit. He performed as the opening act for Rodney Carrington in Honky Tonks all over the country from February 1999 through July 2000.

Tim performed at the Chicago Comedy Festival 2002 as part of the Fresh Mugs Showcase, and showcased for the 2003 Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. In the spring of 2003 Tim was chosen to appear on CBS’s Star Search where he advanced to the Finals.

Also featuring Cary Goff and hosted by Becca Steinhoff

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-tim-northern-tickets-61208984721

Friday, May 31, 2019
Pisgah-ha-ha Comedy Showcase
May 31 @ 8:00 pm
LaZoom Room

It’s AVL Beer Week and we are celebrating local beer the best way possible.. by pairing it with local comedy! Come enjoy a pint or three of Pisgah’s special Blonde Ale (brewed just for this event!) and all your favorite local Asheville comedians.

Featuring Jacob H. Koll, Bethany Kathleen Vance, Jess Cooley, Moira Goree, Blaine Perry and more!
Hosted by Lily Campbell

Tickets $10
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pisgah-ha-ha-comedy-showcase-tickets-61210212393

Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm

Saturday, June 1, 2019
3rd Annual Prama Day
Jun 1 all-day
3rd Annual Prama Day

The Prama Institute and Wellness Center will hold an all-day festival on Saturday, June 1st, 2019 to celebrate health and wellness. Join us for this free celebration, taking place from 8:30am-6pm at Prama’s double-domed facility, located at 310 Panhandle Rd., just south of Marshall and 20 minutes from Asheville.

There will be a variety of free yoga, dance, music, workshops, playshops, sound healing, nature walks, and many more activities taking place throughout the day from which to choose from. We will have local vendors and information booths, as well as a children’s tent. Participants will also be able to purchase a delicious and nutritious lunch prepared by Prama’s chefs.

Since 2007, the Prama Institute has become a landmark retreat and conference center in the Southeast, hosting events that promote holistic health, spirituality, the arts, environmentalism, and social activism. In 2012, it opened the Prama Wellness Center, an innovative health center that promotes positive lifestyle changes through its retreats and individualized coaching. Both facilities are located on 130 acres of idyllic, secluded rolling hills that border the French Broad River. The land is interlaced with hiking trails that connect the many affiliated projects of the Prama community.

Beyond the Garden Gate – Garden Tour!
Jun 1 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville Visitors Center

Come and be inspired with new ideas for your garden! Join us for, Beyond the Garden Gate, tour starting at 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Coordinated by Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGV), this year’s self-guided garden tour showcases 5 diverse gardens, including The Learning Garden. The Learning Garden is a newly developed group of gardens established by EMGVs which are intended to demonstrate to the public sustainable gardening practices relevant to our area.

This biennial event features unique home gardens designed and tended by Master Gardener volunteers, as well as The Learning Garden. Learn while you explore the private gardens and educational demonstration sites at The Learning Garden. The Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and provide helpful information.

Tickets for this special event are $20 and available for purchase beginning on April 15th online at buncombemastergardener.org, NC Cooperative Extension Buncombe County Center at 49 Mt. Carmel Rd., and at EMGV events. Tickets may also be purchased on garden tour day at the Tour Registration Table at the Asheville Visitor Center, 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. The tour is held rain or shine. For more information visit our website or call 828-255-5522.

All proceeds help support EMGV programs, such as School Garden Grants which benefits children in Buncombe County, continued development and maintenance of demonstration gardens at The Learning Garden, and other programs.

Please bring a friend, sun hat, bottle of water, and spend the day enjoying a selection of some of the most beautiful gardens in Buncombe County!

Bear Banter + Brews
Jun 1 @ 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm
UpCountry Brewing

Bears Bees + Brews and UpCountry Brewing are celebrating National Black Bear Day, Saturday, June 1st. Join us for a fun and educational evening with two live interactive brewery talks, trivia, and much more:
> NC Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Ashley Hobbs: Coexisting with Black Bears
> Wildands Network scientist Liz Hillard: The Importance of Habitat Connectivity for Wildlife
> Frugal Backpacker: Leave No Trace workshop
> Center for Honeybee Research shares world honey for you tasting pleasure.
> Grift Town Goods live printing Bears Bees + Brews t-shirts to raise funds for our continued wildlife conservation efforts.
> UpCountry brews will be flowing all night long!

Brewery Bear Talks start at 6pm and live music at 8pm.
Come one, come all! Let’s party… FOR BEARS!

Friday, June 7, 2019
Billy Reid Clothing Pop-up @ Button & Co. Bagels
Jun 7 @ 8:00 am – Jun 9 @ 4:00 pm
Button & Co. Bagels

Grab a bagel and head upstairs of Button & Co. Bagels to shop the Spring and Pre-Fall Collections from Billy Reid. We are so excited to welcome this team of passionate, kind, food-loving, truly gifted folks to Asheville for the weekend!

Come see what Billy Reid is all about. Classic American clothing, taken in a modern direction.

Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9
8am-4pm

Upstairs of Button & Co. Bagels
32 S Lexington Ave
Asheville, NC

Saturday, June 8, 2019
New Way of Being: Women’s Self-Renewal Mini Retreat
Jun 8 all-day
Brevard Yoga Center

Do you long to reconnect with who you are? Are you in career or life transition? Do you crave time for quiet reflection, rest and renewal? Join Renee Trudeau, nationally-recognized life balance coach/speaker and author of the award-winning “The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life,” on June 8th from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Brevard Yoga Center in Brevard, NC for New Way of Being: Women’s Self-Renewal Retreat. This deeply restorative mini retreat is ideal for women at all life stages. Come find acceptance and self-compassion for exactly where you are right now. Details/register: http://reneetrudeau.com/june-2019-brevard-new-way-of-being-mini-retreat