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.

Sunday, April 23, 2023
First Sunday Jam of 2023 and Outdoor Taproom Opening Day
Apr 23 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Pisgah Brewing Co.

Pisgah Brewing Company officially kicks off its 2023 season with Black Mountain’s original Sunday Jam, hosted Spiro and Friends!

This jam features original jams and favorite covers. Bring your instrument! Sign-ups at the stage starting at 6:00 PM!

Pisgah Beer, Gluten Free and N/A options available. Family and dog friendly venue.

The taproom is open from 2:00 to 9:00 PM with music beginning at 6:30 PM.

Photo credit: David Simchock Photography

PATIO: Shake a Leg
Apr 23 @ 5:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

SHAKE A LEG
Local singer-songwriter Josh Pierce has been writing and sharing songs for 25+ years. Originally hailing from central Illinois, Josh initially made Asheville his home in 1995. Since then, his zig zag travels have included WNC, northern Florida, Kentucky and now back in Asheville. Along the way Josh has continued to honor his passion for live music (LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER) and songwriting. Blending elements of folk, blues, country, and rock and roll, Josh aims to connect with the audience…and have a good time along the way.

After years of playing open mics, restaurants, and bars as a solo artist, Josh knew that it was now or never to start a rock and roll outfit. When moving back home to Asheville in 2022, he quickly reconnected with friend (and bass player) Jody Stevenson aka “Skilly” to form SHAKE A LEG.

SHAKE A LEG brings unique and energetic songs that come straight out of Josh’s daily life and travels”. David Boughner  – local roots rock weirdo

The Little Pickle Pop-up at All Day Darling
Apr 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
All Day Darling

All Day Darling is bringing together the community for a new dinner pop-up called The Little Pickle. Kicking off on Sunday, April 23 from 5-9pm, the pop-up series explores the cuisine of the Levant – think a family-style Mediterranean feast with juicy wines, cocktails and sourdough pita (including a gluten-free option!) served fresh out of the wood-fired oven. Come as you are, whenever you’d like, and enjoy Mezze, Salatim, a family-style dinner menu including wood-roasted meats and dessert – all featuring tons of flavor and color. The dinner menu will be $29, plus mezze and desserts dished up a la carte. All are welcome at this darling little dinner, and no tickets or reservations are needed.

Earth Day Plant Identification + Yoga Hike
Apr 23 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Bearwallow Mountain Trail |

Join Ali McGhee and Tara Eschenroeder for this special Earth Day adventure!

About the adventure…

Earth my body, water my blood, air my breath, and fire my spirit!

We are surrounded by so much beauty that we so often overlook as we are distracted by so many things to do and tasks to accomplish. We forget that we are human beings (not human doings) grounded in place and inherent, effortless purpose.

This hike will excite our senses and our minds as we gather deep wisdom about area plants and discover their powerful potential. On our journey up the mountain, we’ll meet several of our local and native plant species and learn their medicinal and magical uses, from healers that help us reconnect with the land – and ourselves – to a few storied (and poisonous) allies.

At the top of the majestic Bearwallow bald, we will share a meditation on the land and flow together in asana, then celebrate with fresh herbal tea brewed from plants we’ve met. Not only will we interact and commune with nature, but we will also come together as a beautiful community celebrating new friends and old.

This adventure is limited to 20 participants.

We can’t wait to share this experience with you!

Sign up here!

An Evening With Vanessa Collier
Apr 23 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

VANESSA COLLIER

“There’s a young lady [Vanessa Collier] came onstage with me, I forget where I was, but she’s playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.”
Those are the words of Buddy Guy in a recent issue of American Blues Scene, describing an impromptu performance with Vanessa Collier on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to meet Vanessa and witness one of her head-turning, fiery, and passionate performances, you should definitely make sure you do. As a master musician and multi-instrumentalist, Vanessa Collier, weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into every powerful performance and she is downright impressive. With soulful vocals, searing saxophone, and witty songwriting, Vanessa is blazing a trail, racking up an impressive arsenal of honours, and has already singled herself out as an artist of distinction and one we would all do well to watch.
It’s not simply the accolades she has accumulated so far, although they’ve been many — two Blues Music Awards for “Horn Player of the Year”, and a third BMA for “Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year”, eight Blues Music Award Nominations (BMAs), a Blues Blast Award nomination, the Jammingest Pro Award bestowed by the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, First Place for lyrics in the International Songwriting Competition, Best of 2014 Blues Breaker on Dan Aykroyd’s BluesMobile — it’s the fact that she has accumulated all these honours even while her career is still in its infancy. A 2013 graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she’s toured nationally and internationally, released four critically acclaimed albums (2014’s Heart, Soul & Saxophone, 2017’s Meeting My Shadow, and 2018’s Honey Up, 2020’s Heart On The Line. Honey Up spent 9 weeks atop the Billboard Blues Album Charts Top 15, 3 months on the Living Blues Charts at #10 and #23, and continues to be spun on Sirius XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville radio station!
It’s not surprising that the press has been quick to commend her efforts as well. Blues Blast Magazine affirms, “Vanessa Collier is a fresh face on the American blues scene, and in addition to her soulful vocals, she brings a mighty sax to the table…” Blues Music Magazine proclaims, “Collier is a fresh face who comes to the blues stage carrying her reed instruments, a dual degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, a major label debut, almost two years of touring with Joe Louis Walker, and a mature musical vision…Collier commands center stage with her vocals, soloing, and stage presence.” Midwest Record exclaims, “This bluesy singing sax player knows how to bring the slinking funk to her captivating, award winning sound that has echoes in young Bonnie Raitt/Maria Muldaur vocal sounds…Killer stuff on every level, this sounds like one of the reasons you first became a music fan. Killer stuff.” and AXS.Com declares that she “might as well go ahead and add another shelf to her trophy case because clearly, she’s going to need it. With a voice that often recalls that of blues-rock stalwart Bonnie Raitt, Collier turns up the heat…”
MOONCHILD
Apr 23 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Last year, Moonchild (Amber Navran, Andris Mattson, and Max Bryk) released their fifth studio album ‘Starfruit’ which was nominated for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 2023 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Bringing together a host of beautiful melodies and personal lyrics, Moonchild’s most recent LP ‘Starfruit’ beholds offerings from Lalah Hathaway, Alex Isley, Tank and The Bangas, Rapsody, Ill Camille, Mumu Fresh, Chantae Cann and Josh Johnson. Across ‘Starfruit’ [2022], ‘Little Ghost’ [2019], ‘Voyager’ [2017], ‘Please Rewind’ [2015] and ‘Be Free’ [2012], Moonchild have received press accolades from Pitchfork, Clash Magazine, NPR, SoulBag, NME Magazine, Wordplay Magazine, HYPEBEAST, Stereofox, Paste Magazine, Vinyl Factory, The Fader, Complex, Okayplayer, UPROXX, Billboard, France Inter, Rated R&B and Soul Bounce.

Alongside their GRAMMY nomination, Moonchild have charted on the Billboard’s genre charts and been named Soul Act of the Year by Jazz FM. The group have also seen a huge amount of radio support from BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo, Sian Eleri and Phil Taggart; BBC 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova andEmmavie; Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2); BBC 6Music’s Gilles Peterson, Cerys Matthews, Mary Anne Hobbs, Don Letts, Tarzsa Williams; Children Of Zeus (NTS); Marshmello (NTS); across KCRW (Anthony Valadez, Morning Becomes Eclectic, Anne Litt, Raul Campos, Scott Dallavo, Ro Contreras); Bandcamp Weekly; Erica McKoy (Worldwide FM); Ashley Beedle; Asya Shein (Fusicology); Huw Stephens (BBC Radio Wales), Late Nights (Triple J) and playlisting on BBC 6Music and Jazz FM.

Moonchild have collaborated and toured with highly respected names from across music including Kamasi Washington, Stevie Wonder, The Internet, Jill Scott and built up a host of iconic supporters from Robert Glasper (who has collaborated with Amber on his own projects) and Laura Mvula to James Poyser, Jazzy Jeff, 9th Wonder and Tyler, The Creator.

Monday, April 24, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 24 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 25 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

LEGO Builders Club
Apr 25 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Come down the Pack Memorial Library and play with LEGOs!
Show off your building skills and make new friends with other LEGO maniacs.

Please leave your personal LEGOs at home, because we’ve got plenty.

School Age – (grades K-5)
Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant
Apr 25 @ 5:00 pm
131 Main Restaurant

Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant

Pedro The Lion
Apr 25 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

PEDRO THE LION

Pedro the Lion is the band name Dave Bazan has used off and on since 1995 to release six albums and two eps of his hooky, insightful, and mournful songs. This year, his critically acclaimed and fan favorite, first and third LPs, 1998’s “It’s Hard to Find a Friend” and 2002’s “Control”, turn 25 and 21 years old, respectively. To celebrate, Dave, along with guitar player Erik Walters and drummer Terence Ankeny, will play every song from each album on tour.

ERIK WALTERS

Erik Walters is an American songwriter and guitarist based in Seattle, Wash. Steeped in the local music community since 2008, he has written songs for several bands and played guitar for artists such as Telekinesis!, Perfume Genius, and is a current member of Pedro The Lion. He released his eponymous solo record in 2021.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 26 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Adults Only Trivia Night Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company
Apr 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:15 pm
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6:30 pm ~ FREE!

AGES 18+ ADULTS ONLY ~ NO KIDS ALLOWED

ON OUR HUGE SCREEN IN THEATER 2!

ENJOY DINNER & DRINKS (FULL BAR) WHILE PLAYING

There are 3 rounds with new winners each round so you can show up late, miss a round and still be a winner. Plus, we have mid-round prizes to create as many winners as possible.

The questions are presented by a hilarious host on our giant movie screen and includes fun videos in each round.  You haven’t played a trivia night like this one!

Witty Wednesday Trivia
Apr 26 @ 6:30 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing

Beat the mid week grind with some fun trivia! Win a $25 gift card for our taproom along with a $25 gift card from our resident kitchen, Bears Smokehouse BBQ!

Trivia Night
Apr 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Tavern

Every Wednesday

Trivia Night

The Band of Heathens
Apr 26 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

THE BAND OF HEATHENS

With their eighth studio album, Simple Things, The Band of Heathens came home—geographically, as they returned to their longtime base of Austin for the recording; sonically, in an embrace of the rootsy, guitar-based rock with which they made their name; and thematically, with lyrics that speak to appreciating friends and family and our limited time on this planet. It’s a confident, assured statement of a group finding its place in the world amid uncertain and troubled times.

“It was a return to embracing our influences, our natural instincts, the way we sound when we get on stage,” says guitarist-vocalist Gordy Quist. “Many times in the past, we’d take a song and stretch to make it into something else sonically, because that’s exciting and fun to do in the studio. This time around, we tried to use some restraint and embraced our first instincts, trusting the songs were strong enough. With the subject matter, there’s a sentiment of focusing on what’s important as we go through this journey together—don’t waste time, because this is all we’ve got.”

“Gordy and I each have a natural sound when we sing, but there’s something even more special and unique when our voices blend together” says guitarist-vocalist Ed Jurdi. “So it was just about harnessing and embracing that. Good, mid-tempo rock and roll—that’s our breadbasket, and there’s not a lot of that music being made right now.”

Though the members of The Band of Heathens now live scattered across the country, coming back to Austin (where they first formed in the early 2000s when Quist and Jurdi were among four songwriters playing regular weekly sets at the late, lamented club Momo’s) was crucial to the making of Simple Things. “The city has grown and undergone many changes over the years, but the intangibles that make Austin a unique place are still alive and well,” says Jurdi. “I feel like the band wouldn’t have come together anywhere else. As Austin has evolved, the band has evolved too, and now coming back feels like a very full circle moment.”

They worked in a studio called the Finishing School, which was founded by the band’s close friend and sometime producer George Reiff; Quist took over the studio after Reiff passed away in 2017, and upgraded with gear including three of Freddie Mercury’s actual vocal mics, which have previously been used on recordings by David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and AC/DC. “It’s our own communal space and we’re very comfortable there,” says Quist.

In some ways, the new album is a logical extension of Remote Transmissions, the livestream series that Band of Heathens started soon after the pandemic shut down the world in 2020 (and which was documented in last year’s Remote Transmissions, Vol. 1 album). Unable to tour, the group convened every week for a year, playing covers of songs new and old, responding to a disorienting time by reconnecting with music they love.

THEM COULEE BOYS

Soren Staff and Beau Janke—co-founders of folk/rock/Americana outfit Them Coulee Boys—met as camp counselors in northern Wisconsin in 2011. Their weekend workshopping of Avett Brothers tunes led to original songs and adding Soren’s brother Jens on mandolin. As the years grew, the band turned into a more rollicking outfit, adding Neil Krause on electric bass and Stas Hable on drums.

Shamanic Global Healing Meditation
Apr 26 @ 9:45 pm – 10:30 pm
online

Hosted by The Heart of the Healer Foundation (THOTH)
Join us on the THOTH Facebook Page and contribute to a concentrated global intention for the healing of Pachamama as well as the collective psyche. This is a wonderful opportunity to energetically connect in soul presence with the circle of Pachakuti Mesa Practitioners worldwide, strengthening the Great Work of our shamanic planetary tribe. The power that is being harnessed and transmitted is deep and sentient nourishment for the Earth.
Learn more about the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition Link-Up HERE.
NOTE: If you cannot attend this ceremony live, the video recording will be posted on THOTH’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

FB Livestream link to join: www.facebook.com/theheartofthehealer
Ceremonialist: PMT Sanctioned Teachers

Thursday, April 27, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 27 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

Dining Out For Life. End HIV
Apr 27 all-day
various locations in Asheville

Dining Out For Life® is an annual dining fundraising event raising money for community-based organizations serving people living with or impacted by HIV.

On Thursday, April 27th, the Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) will again host our annual Dining Out For Life event. Partnering with the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), Dining Out For Life encourages residents of Asheville and Western North Carolina to eat out at the Participating Restaurants. This celebration both supports the local restaurants which host the events and raises money for WNCAP’s life-saving services.

When you dine out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert this April 27th at any of the Participating Restaurants, let them know you’re Dining Out For Life! Patrons will be given the opportunity to support HIV prevention and care. You can donate online or simply scan a QR code on printed postcards at tables or in go bags.

Now in its 21st year, Dining Out for Life has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are once again immensely grateful to our Presenting Sponsor—Prestige Subaru of Asheville.

The money raised by WNCAP’s annual Dining Out for Life is more critical than ever. Your donations provide care, rental assistance, and education in our fight against HIV/AIDS. Dine Out. End HIV.

Click below to see all participating restaurants!

PATIO: Afton Wolfe
Apr 27 @ 5:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

AFTON WOLFE
Afton Wolfe is Mississippi. Born in McComb, and growing up in Meridian, Hattiesburg, and Greenville, Mississippi, the roots of American music are in his DNA. Mississippi is the birthplace of at least three American art forms: country music, blues music, and rock and roll. Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, while the Mississippi Delta is the birthplace of the blues, and the first rock n’ roll notes ever played according to intelligent music historians, came from Hattiesburg. Additionally, he spent his musically formative years in and around New Orleans, where the humidity of the Mississippi combined with the Cajun seasonings, the jazz, zydeco, creole, and gospel music and his Mississippi roots coalesce to add resonance and depth to his blues/country/rock influences.

Afton’s first band experience was back in the late 90s with Hattiesburg post-alternative pop outfit Red Velvet Couch (1998 to 1999) where he developed his stage presence and also was able to release his first album and learn a bit about sound, recording, mixing, and engineering. After a short break, Afton came back strong with the avant-garde, instrumentally diverse Dollar Book Floyd (2001 to 2002), which featured Amy Lott, Tim Keith, and Mike Stokes, and released a very pivotal album, Red and White. During this period Afton began to naturally incorporate country music and delta blues into his musical playbook. After the Dollar Book Floyd project ended, Afton moved to Nashville and formed The Relief Effort, a rock power trio, with whom he recorded two more records: Don’t Panic (2004) and At Your Mercy (2005).

After a hiatus from performing and recording, Afton wrote, composed, and sang all of the songs contained in Petronius’ Last Meal. This was recorded in 2008 with the likes of Charlie Rauh, Craig Schenker, and Dan Seymour. Alcohol, academia, the quest for a better mix and a perfect album cover, and a voyage across the country to live in Washington for a few years kept this project on hold for over a decade. Finally, after a dozen or so years, the project was released in the Summer of 2020. Dark, tense, and moody was the flavor of the 2020 summer season, and the EP along with its two singles “Slingshots” and “Interrogations” fit the season too perfectly.

Afton used the momentum of Petronius’ Last Meal and the tension of the pandemic and surrounding climate to fuel his creativity again. And his upcoming release Kings for Sale is the product of that. The new record defies genres while still being distinctly Afton. The new record, slated to be released in June of 2021, was produced by Oz Fritz (Bill Laswell, Tom Waits, The Ramones, Bob Marley, Ginger Baker and many others) and featuring an enviable assortment of great musicians, including but not limited to Cary Hudson (Blue Mountain, Taylor Street Grocery Band), Daniel Seymour (David Olney, Tommy Womack), Adam “Ditch” Kurtz (Great Peacock, Carrus and Kurtz), Ben Babylon (SpoBro, Sir Please), Laura RabellKristen EnglenzBlaise HearnRebecca Weiner Tompkins, and several more.

Live Music with Aaron Lafalce
Apr 27 @ 6:00 pm
131 Main Restaurant
Every Thursday
Not Rocket Science Trivia at Highland Brewing Downtown
Apr 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Highland Brewing Downtown

Trivia, Singo, tailgate games, and more! Our games are sure to challenge you, but c’mon… it’s not rocket science!

Amphitheater Concert Series: Smilo + the Ghost
Apr 27 @ 6:30 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Formed in 2016, Smilo and the Ghost have been delivering hard-driving, old-time influenced folk-rock to crowds around the Northeast. Their debut album, Ghost Writers, was voted one of the “Top Three Albums of 2018” by the Erie Reader. Since then, Smilo and the Ghost have opened for national acts like Grammy Award Winning country duo Dan + Shay and alt-rock legends 10,000 Maniacs.

Spring 2023 Amphitheater Series  $45.00

An eclectic mix of music in TFAC’s popular Peterson Amphitheater awaits you this spring! From folk-rock to alternative country to bluegrass to jazz swing, TFAC’s lineup of 90-minute, outdoor concerts will fill the air with music and have you singing & dancing.

  • Smilo and the Ghost – April 27
  • Fancy and the Gentlemen – May 11
  • Darren Nicholson Band – May 18
  • Christian Lopez and Band – May 25
  • Queen Bee and the Honeylovers – June 1

All concerts begin at 6:30 PM. Beverages will be available for purchase.

Jack Marion and The Pearl Snap Prophets w/ Lord Nelson
Apr 27 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

JACK MARION AND THE PEARL SNAP PROPHETS

Jack Marion and The Pearl Snap Prophets bring a youthful-exuberance and high-country swagger to the doorsteps of modern country music. The North Carolina-based band has spent the past 4 years in honky-tonks, bars, and mountain roadhouses, collecting fodder for songs along the way. There are songs about living; written in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They are straight-from-the-hip and straight-from-the heart. No bull-honky. All truth. But they are just as catchy as any songwriting-factory-formed mega hit that will ever curse your ear.

“If young country-based bands like Jack Marion and The Pearl Snap Prophets keep raising the standards of what songs can be, maybe we can turn the tides.”- NC Music Magazine

LORD NELSON
This year saw Lord Nelson release their third full length album, Transmission to strong press and reviews. Thanks to radio play across the country, it cracked the Billboard Americana Top 100 and the band toured nationally to share the songs with the road. It is a rowdy, rock-forward record that intends to bring people together. Dance, sing in the car, hum under your breath, crank up on the stereo, don’t take life too seriously for a few minutes. Thanks for tuning in.

Friday, April 28, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 28 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.

LAZOOM Tours: BAND AND BEER TOUR
Apr 28 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

  • Curated Live Music & Brewery Bus experience
  • 3 Hours long, includes three 30 Minute Local Brewery Stops
  • You Can Drink on the Funky Purple Bus! **Must be purchased at LaZoom or at brewery stop**
PATIO: Eleanor Underhill + Friends
Apr 28 @ 6:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

ELEANOR UNDERHILL & FRIENDS

Eleanor Underhill & Friends creates sonic landscapes like you’ve never heard before. Underhill is a banjo-wielding frontwoman armed with soulful vocals, launching from well-crafted original songs to fun, upbeat cover tunes. By her side are some of Asheville’s finest musicians drawing from backgrounds of jazz, rock, and soul. The result is captivating, sometimes dizzying, and always inspired.

In 2014, with a desire to create a band rooted in the Asheville music scene, Eleanor Underhill (of the internationally-acclaimed Americana group, Underhill Rose) pulled together several top-notch performers to create a powerhouse side-project: Eleanor Underhill & Friends. Each member brings their own musical instincts and influences, resulting in music that is fresh and far-reaching.

Featuring all of the members of “& Friends,” Underhill’s debut solo effort, Navigate the Madness, was released in 2018 to wide acclaim: Named one of the Top 10 Releases of 2018 by Bill Kopp (Musocribe) and voted in the Top 100 International Releases by WNCW radio listeners. Asheville Citizen-Times called it “…a stunning work of a gifted, visionary singer-songwriter. With her open-back banjo, soulful and luminous vocals as the common thread, there isn’t a cliched lyric anywhere among the collection of playful, sublime and deeply affecting songs.” (Jim Simpson)

The group’s follow-up release in 2020, Land of the Living, digs even deeper into Underhill’s psyche and reaches even farther into new musical landscapes. The result? American Songwriter premiered the track “Strange Chemistry” and said the album was “…Tales told in motion, with dynamic harmonies.” PopMatters weighed in, saying that it was, “…An emotionally powerful collection that inspires repeated listens.”

In 2021, a live performance by Eleanor Underhill & Friends was featured on PBS-syndicated Echo Sessions along with a cover story in CenterPiece Magazine. 2022 is shaping up to be another hallmark year with the release of the group’s third album Got it Covered, packed with sixteen tracks of fan-favorite cover songs.

TUATHA DEA w/Eireann’s Call
Apr 28 @ 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

A progressive Americana band with a rock edge and fearless attitude for pushing the boundaries of modern roots music.

Combining primal rhythms, melodic and ethereal ballads, screaming guitar riffs with an Appalachian/Celtic vibe this FAMILY born of a family drum circle delivers an authentic tribal and clannish feel that not only draws the audience into the music but into the moment and clan as well.

Tuatha Dea tours and performs Nationally and Internationally and have been celebrated for their uniqueness, energy and personal connection to their fans and audiences! Songs like “Appalachia Burning” “Kilts and Corsets” and “Open letter to You” drawn from personal experiences relate the depth and heart of the bands creative spirit while Powerful hard hitting tunes like “Wisp of a Thing”, “Morgan La Fey” and “Amy” reflect the groups Rock edge! Want something tribal? The pulse pounding rhythm of “Bagabi” may be your cup of tea. And in 2017 Tuatha Dea let their Appalachian Rock side loose with the release of their single “Get Along Home” available only on the historic collection, The New Bristol Sessions with Dolly Parton, Richie Owens, Virginia Ground, 49 Winchester and others! What ever the genre Tuatha Dea has something for everyone!

Their rhythmic groove and interaction naturally inspires audience participation which has become a staple of their performances. From the beginning the band has embraced its Celtic heritage and meshed the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland with their own bold blend of mainstream rock, mountain drumming and Appalachian blues to produce a truly unique sound that has a universal appeal! Dubbed “The Eclectic Steam-Punk Partridge Family in Kilts and Corsets” and “The Appalachian Fae”, this band is REAL family!!!

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EIREANN’S CALL

Celtic rock is a refreshingly different genre that sounds new and timeless at the same time. Eireann’s Call takes traditional fiddle & bagpipe tunes & rocks them up with amazing grooves and great arrangements.

If all you’ve heard are drinking songs on St. Pats – prepare to be swept away by a rocking soundscape that invokes the spirit of Ireland, Scotland, and everything Celtic. Follow the Call!

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Live Music at Hickory Tavern
Apr 28 @ 9:00 pm – Apr 29 @ 6:00 pm
Hickory Tavern
Saturday, April 29, 2023
ASAP’s 2023 Local Food Guide
Apr 29 all-day
online

The free, definitive resource for finding local food and farms also features farm stories and recipes.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide, ASAP’s annual free publication for finding local food and farms, hits newsstands this week. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian Grown certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, travel destinations, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to the listing content, the 2023 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Jake Puckett, of Crow Fly Farms in Marion, NC, details his passion for holistic animal management. Malcolm Banks, of Yellow Mountain Gardens in Franklin, NC, describes his mission to teach his neighbors—and the world—to grow their own food. Gwen and Jay Englebach, of Black Trumpet Farm in Leicester, NC, talk about building a business and customer relationships. Rounding out the issue are seasonal recipes from chefs at Cultura, Little Chango, The Montford, and Red Fiddle Vittles.

 

Find Local Food Guide copies at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, community centers, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. They are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, locations, activities, and more.

 

The 2023 Local Food Guide is made possible in part with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service and Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Fund, as well as the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Asheville Regional Airport.