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.
A Disney Channel Dreams & 2000s pop throwback Dance Party in Asheville, presented by Le Petite Fete!
Mother Earth Food:
Local & sustainable food delivered to your door!
Ever wish your favorite items from your local farmers market could be delivered to your door? Mother Earth Food makes that possible!
Mother Earth Food is a family-owned, grocery home delivery service featuring local organic food from farmers and food artisans from Asheville and across Western North Carolina. Mother Earth Food delivers organic and sustainably raised vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, baked goods, prepared meals, wellness items, and pantry items to those living in Western NC.
“We believe that supporting locally raised and produced food is how we can best change our food system and help our community move towards a healthier and more sustainable future. By partnering with Mother Earth Food, you dramatically lessen the miles that your food travels to get to your plate. It is estimated that meals in the U.S. travel about 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate, while local meals travel an average of 50 miles. The environmental and economic ripple effect from what we do is not only changing our community… it’s changing the world! We’re lessening our carbon footprint by bringing the Farmer’s Market to your door!” – MEF Team.
Use the coupon code “OGS25” to get $25 off your first order.
TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.
The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.
No RSVP needed, just drop by!
Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.
Alicia Ward, Director of the Peabody String program in Baltimore, Md
Dr. Daniel Weiser , Concert Pianist and Founding Director of AmiciMusic
Great works for cello and piano by Russian composers
Works By: BALAKIREV, SHOSTAKOVICH, AND RACHMANINOFF
Join us for a powerful and passionate program of Russian music with a wonderful cellist named Alicia Ward who directs the Peabody Prep String program in Baltimore and has performed around the world. We will perform the amazing Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata, filled with some of the most incredible melodies in all of the literature as well as some truly virtuosic writing and over the top emotion. Also included is the Shostakovich Cello Sonata from 1934 that brings us to Soviet Russia under Stalin and some incredible contrasts in styles and idioms from a long bleak winter to an exciting peasant dance to some of his most romantic writing as well, having just fallen in love. Finally, we perform an early work by Balakirev, one of the Russian Five, who helped create the new idea of Russian Nationalist composers.
Cellist Alicia Ward made her orchestral debut as a featured soloist at the age of twelve, and has since performed throughout the United States and abroad as chamber musician, recitalist and soloist. She has most recently performed as recitalist at Strathmore, the Kennedy Center, the Music on the Lake Series of Lake Barcroft, as well as several of the embassies of Washington, DC. Ward was chosen as an Artist in Residence at Strathmore for the 2010-2011 season, at which time her debut CD Tableaux was released.
She has been a soloist with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. John, the American Youth Philharmonic and the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. Ward has been a top prize-winner of several competitions throughout the United States including the grand prize at the Music Teacher National Association Young Artists Competition held in Denver, and second place with her piano trio at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. As an active chamber musician, she has performed at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, the Menuhin Chamber Music Seminar in San Francisco, the International Music Academy in the Czech Republic, Jordan Hall, Strathmore and the Kennedy Center. In 2005, Ward was one of twelve cellists selected to perform at the International Piatigorsky Seminar for Cellists held at the University of Southern California.
She has also been invited to attend the Banff International Cello Master Classes and the Young Artists Program of the National Arts Centre, under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman. Ward began studying cello in San Francisco with Barbara Wampner. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conervatory as the recipient of the Steven Kates Memorial Scholarship where she studied with David Hardy. Ward received her Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory as the recipient of the Natica Righter Williams Scholarship, under the tutelage of Laurence Lesser. Her other principal teachers include Sandy Walsh Wilson of the Alexander String Quartet, Tanya Carey, and Hans Jorgen Jensen.
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
THE LOUDES
The Loudes formed in 2018 as a 3 piece acoustic-electric punk-folk band, digging in with an aggressive all original format. Over the next few years Sam Barker and Tony Preston expanded the band to a five piece. From the deep archival talents of lead guitarist Glen Case they added many cover tunes to their song list with Kaiya Pelletier’s soulful, sassy vocal skills completing the circle.Gritty original and cover material are their hallmark, ever transmitting the great fun and joy of performing for live audiences. They have been playing professionally around the greater Asheville area for the past few years, pausing only briefly for Covid Cloud to pass by.
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.
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– LIMITED NUMBER OF VIP MEET AND GREET PACKAGES AVAILABLE, INCLUDING:
– One (1) general admission ticket to see Copeland live
– Early Entry
– 3 song pre-show acoustic performance and Q&A Session
– Meet and Greet / Photo with Copeland
– One (1) exclusive poster, signed by Copeland
– Crowd-free merchandise shopping
COPELAND
Longevity in music comes through pushing yourself and expanding the possibilities of your sound. This has never been more true for Copeland on their latest effort Blushing, a collection of 11 new tracks that advance and evolve everything the trio of musicians has done up until now. The band,
which originally formed in Lakeland, Florida in 2001, has unveiled six albums, spanning from their 2003’s debut Beneath Medicine Tree to 2016’s Ixora. While they began as a rock band, Copeland’s music has explored multiple genres and pulled in various stylistic influences like electronic and symphonic. In the past the musicians have aptly melded these styles, creating a unique amalgam of sounds. This time they wanted to take each sound and style and push it to its logical extreme.
all ages
High-energy, piano & guitar based alt rock marked by virtuosic musicianship; dark and masterful songwriting; soaring vocals; and a band that crosses nimbly from gritty guitars to pounding piano.
Jesse Daniel Edwards is an alternative rock songwriter from the small mountain town of Cuyamaca, CA where he grew up without TV, internet, or significant exposure to the outside world. Leaving home at 16, he spent his late teens busking on street corners around the US and abroad with his brother. While singing outside of bars on Music Row in Nashville, TN Jesse struck up a friendship with Al Bunetta (John Prine). Bunetta served as a mentor to the young artist, encouraging Jesse to write and tour full-time in the years to follow. His songs have been featured in radio, TV, streaming movies, video games, and film- with his latest album (produced by Joe Chiccarelli- The Shins, The Strokes) releasing in June of 2023.
Instagram:
instagram.com/jessedanieledwards
Facebook:
Facebook.com/jessedanieledwardsmusic
Soundcloud:
Spotify:
Mother Earth Food:
Local & sustainable food delivered to your door!
Ever wish your favorite items from your local farmers market could be delivered to your door? Mother Earth Food makes that possible!
Mother Earth Food is a family-owned, grocery home delivery service featuring local organic food from farmers and food artisans from Asheville and across Western North Carolina. Mother Earth Food delivers organic and sustainably raised vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, baked goods, prepared meals, wellness items, and pantry items to those living in Western NC.
“We believe that supporting locally raised and produced food is how we can best change our food system and help our community move towards a healthier and more sustainable future. By partnering with Mother Earth Food, you dramatically lessen the miles that your food travels to get to your plate. It is estimated that meals in the U.S. travel about 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate, while local meals travel an average of 50 miles. The environmental and economic ripple effect from what we do is not only changing our community… it’s changing the world! We’re lessening our carbon footprint by bringing the Farmer’s Market to your door!” – MEF Team.
Use the coupon code “OGS25” to get $25 off your first order.
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
– 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
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.
– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE
VANESSA COLLIER
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.
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.
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.
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Come down the Pack Memorial Library and play with LEGOs! Please leave your personal LEGOs at home, because we’ve got plenty.
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Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
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 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.
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.
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!
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!
Every Wednesday
Trivia Night
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
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.
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.
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® 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!
– 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 Rabell, Kristen Englenz, Blaise Hearn, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and several more.
Every Thursday
- Live Music with Aaron Lafalce at 131 Main Restaurant, 6:00 p.m.
Trivia, Singo, tailgate games, and more! Our games are sure to challenge you, but c’mon… it’s not rocket science!