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, September 15, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 15 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Unleash your Inner Magic Retreat Weekend
Sep 15 all-day
Wheel of Bliss Retreat Center

Unleash your Inner Magic: Create New Realities

In-Person Retreat
September 13 – 15, 2024
In Hot Springs near Asheville, NC

You will be transported into the inner cave of your body as you open to the mystery within. It is by attuning to the frequency of your soul and realizing your innate connection with All of Life that you create magic and miracles. Release the limitations that have kept you bound to an ordinary existence and birth yourself anew.

You will Receive:

Ecstatic Embodiment Practices:

Daily Portal Yoga / Guided Intuitive Movement & Sacred Dance / Energetic Activations that shift your Vibration into Higher States

Sacred Ritual & Ceremony:

Releasing Ceremony by the Fire / Afternoon Ritual at the Waterfall / Intentional Communion & Co-Creation with the Land & Elements / Anointing Ceremony

Deep Soul Nourishment:

Delicious, organic, nourishing vegetarian food / Beautiful accommodations nestled deep within the Blue Ridge mountains / Hiking trails, waterfalls, swimming holes, and endless stargazing

Plus, you will receive a BONUS Group Integration call around the Fall Equinox to ground the magic you create into your daily life.

Throughout our time together, you will be guided to:

* Speak your truth
* Claim your desires
* Own your power

Your heart will be opened.
Your true sight activated.
Your frequency shifted to higher states
As you claim the new.

Retreat Schedule:

Friday:

2 – 4 p.m.: Arrive & Get Settled

4 p.m.: Orientation & Opening Ceremony (Sage each person upon entrance; thank the land/elements, acknowledge land spirits, call in for co-creation, unleash magic, open to miracles, beginning invocation & Intentions)

5 – 6:15 p.m.: Portal Yoga (focus on connecting to soul in and through body, breath, heart)

6:30 – 7:45 p.m.: Group Dinner (Blessing & Gratitude)

8 – 10 p.m.: Fire Ceremony & Star Gazing (release limitations, limited human identify, separation consciousness, I’m alone, fears of not having, not being enough, powerless, helpless, no choice) (RELEASE separation focus)

Saturday:

8 – 9:15 a.m.: Portal Yoga

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Silent, Sensual Breakfast

10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Wisdom Teaching & Embodiment Practice (What magic is, co-creation with spirit, soul, universe, interconnection of all things, flower of life, infinity weaving) (Attune to the frequency of love, of your soul, of your infinite nature outside the egoic construct) = to EMBODY this frequency, shift cellular patterning, release stagnation, can consciously create and intend to increase your vibration (group Sharing)

1 – 2 p.m.: Group Lunch

2:15 – 4:30 p.m.: Afternoon Ritual at the Waterfall (water to cleanse, bathe, renew; it’s your intention that matters; open heart space to the element, open to receive, but also give with your love and gratitude as an equal; fairy; allow yourself to be birthed anew in each moment, to flow with your impulses, intuitions, desires – what ARE your desires? Proclaim them, infuse them into the water, and let them flow into the waters of all waters and become one with all that is) (DESIRES focus)

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Integration Break to Hike, Bathe in Sacred Waters, Journal, or Rest in Communion with Nature

6:30 – 7:45 p.m.: Group Dinner (Gratitude & Blessing)

8 – 10 p.m.: Guided Intuitive Movement & Sacred Dance (Maybe anointing ritual at the beginning)

Sunday:

8 – 9:15 a.m.: Portal Yoga

9:30 – 10:30: Silent, Sensual Breakfast

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Earth Ritual – resourced by earth, by goddess, by the elements/nature itself, receive abundance and support and love of the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars…call upon help, feel your connection to Her, to all things; requires you to believe, to have faith, to open your heart to this co-creation, to receive the gifts and magic that wait you (RECEIVE / TRUST / ALLOW / OPEN / SUPPORTED focus) (Time for group share)

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Group Lunch

1:45 – 3 p.m.: Closing Ceremony (Possibly: they have an object they take with them to place on their altar/somewhere they can see it every day – to represent their desires and the power they have to create) (ask each participant to bring a sacred object with them to put on the altar) (Maybe: Anointing ritual)

Please note: The retreat will be intuitively guided, so the schedule may shift as the magic unfolds.

Retreat Accommodations:

We will gather in sacred circle for a nourishing, soul-filled weekend at the gorgeous Wheel of Bliss Retreat Center nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in Hot Springs, approximately an hour from Asheville, NC, the Bliss House is surrounded by forest, hiking trails, waterfalls, swimming holes, and pristine beauty.

The Bliss House is a sanctuary in which we’ll gather to eat and sleep. All retreat rooms are shared (3 max per room) with plush beds and soft linens. Meals can be taken on the spacious deck overlooking the forest below or in the intimate indoor gathering space. There is a large Tibetan Buddhist altar room adorned with sacred paintings and effigies from the Himalayas.

Most of our rituals will be outdoors with the land itself. However, all group circles, embodiment practices, dance, and daily Portal Yoga will be held inside the Celestial Center, which is a Mongolian-style yurt. Its high walls blend into vaulted ceilings that point to the heavens. At its pinnacle, a glass dome at the top allows sunshine to flood in during the day. At night, lay down and look up to see the stars and moon shine through. When the windows are open, you can hear the sound of waterfalls in the distance.

What’s Included:

* Double or Triple Occupancy at the Wheel of Bliss Mountain Sanctuary on Friday and Saturday night

* All delicious, organic, nourishing vegetarian meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch, plus fruit available as snacks throughout the day. Allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please be sure to let us know once you register. You are welcome to bring additional snacks or food with you, as desired.

* Sacred Ritual & Ceremony

* Ecstatic Embodiment Practices

* Daily Portal Yoga classes

* Wisdom Teachings & Group Coaching

* BONUS Integration Call & Sisterhood Sharing around the Fall Equinox

* All taxes and fees

What’s Not Included:

Your transportation to and from the Wheel of Bliss Retreat Center in Hot Springs, NC. It is located approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Asheville Regional Airport. However, we will be happy to help connect you with the right people if you are coming from out of town!

Your Investment is only $ 644 until 6/13 (discount of $100) then $ 744 after that.

To secure your spot, a $ 250 non-refundable deposit is required. Space is limited to 12 participants. The retreat is already half full, so book now to reserve your spot! You can either pay in full or make two payments. Your second payment would be due no later than August 1, 2024.

About your Retreat Facilitator Jessica Falcon:

A former lawyer turned mystic, Jessica Falcon is an International Soul Embodiment Guide & Divine Feminine Activator. She guides you to reclaim your divine power and sovereignty so you experience true freedom.

After leaving the legal profession in 2013 to embark on a spiritual pilgrimage, Jessica experienced an 8-year initiation into divine feminine power. During this time, she spent years researching religious history, ancient civilizations, and mythology. She has identified the core beliefs – deeply embedded in the individual and collective psyche – that keep us from owning our power, speaking our truth, and liberating our sexuality.

Jessica hosts the Soul Sovereignty & Sexuality Podcast. Her private and group portals of transformation are designed to help you create deep levels of internal safety so you can fully be and express all of who you are. Jessica’s training includes everything from somatic and emotional intelligence to nervous system resilience, empathy, authentic communication, trauma-informed yoga, Egyptian tantra, shamanism, and mystery school teachings – not to mention whole-body healing, herbalism, and deep initiations and teachings from the goddess herself.

Family Dance
Sep 15 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Harvest House Community Center

Old Farmer’s Ball hosts family dances and waltzes at the Harvest House Community Center.

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to bring joy to our community by cultivating folk and social dance and music traditions.

Our vision is of people coming together to experience the joy of dance and music.

Values

  • Welcoming – A safe and inviting space for dancers, musicians, and callers.
  • Community – We value respect, inclusiveness, diversity, consent, and multigenerational interaction.
  • Ownership – Volunteer investment in the organization.
  • Joy/Smiles – Presence in the moment.
  • Development – Artistic growth and skill of callers, musicians, and dancers.
Monday, September 16, 2024
Monday Night Dance: Community contra dance
Sep 16 @ 8:15 pm – 10:30 pm
St. George's Center for Art and Spirit

Welcome to our weekly community contra dance in West Asheville!  The Monday Night Dance has been around for decades, and we are carrying the torch forward! We are a loving, kind, and safe dance community and highly encourage masking during the dance. No derogatory comments in relation to masking will be tolerated! We encourage non-maskers to mask while partnering with a dancer wearing a mask, or to at least ask if the person would like them to mask while they dance with them.

Practicalities

Time: Contra dancing 8:15–10:30pm, with a beginner lesson starting at 7:45 and a waltz session ending the evening.

Location: St. George’s Center for Art and Spirit, 1 School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Cost: $12–$45 sliding scale, CASH ONLY. Please pay as much as you can afford to cover the cost of the wonderful live music, the caller, sound person, rent, and other expenses! ATMs are available at banks on Patton Ave., as well as cash back options at local gas stations and grocery stores.

Requirements: Face masks and sign-in agreeing to the dance’s Safety Guidelines.

Please enter through the front red doors to the sanctuary. Extra parking available in the lots between Moore’s Foot and Ankle and St. George’s (please avoid parking in front of their practice.) This is a scent-free dance. Please bring your own water and water bottle. Beginners are encouraged to attend! Beginner-friendly dances start the contra dancing in lieu of a lesson.

Community Focus

The Monday Night Dance is more than just a dance; the community is deeply rooted. Folks are welcome to sell their wares, like jewelry, dance shoes, dance clothes, pottery, etc. They are also welcome to leave business cards and help wanted or work needed ads. Additionally, the Take Some Leave Some Closet is a new feature of the MND. You can take any clothes, food, produce, feminine products or first aid supplies that we have, and as you are able you can also leave some to replenish. Private times to receive from the closet can also be arranged during the week depending on to the dance organizer’s availability.

Safety

We emphasize safety here at the MND. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged, and courtesy to those choosing to mask is required. No discrimination to those wearing masks will be tolerated! In addition, this is a family and LGBTQ-friendly dance and a safe event for ALL races, ethnicities, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. Accordingly, no discrimination, inappropriate sexually predatory behavior, racist or discriminatory comments, bullying, or verbal or physical abuse of ANY kind will be tolerated. See our Safety Guidelines for more info.

Volunteers and Donations

Ours is a dance built on volunteerism, and we need your help to survive! Please consider volunteering or becoming a patron by giving a monetary gift. Opening, door and closing help are some of the volunteer jobs available. Those completing their entire shift dance free! Email [email protected] for more info and to sign up. 

Finally, please follow, like and join us on Facebook!

Thanks so much and see you on the dance floor!

Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Seed Saving with Sow True Seed
Sep 17 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Saving seed takes planning and preparation. Join Sow True Seed gardeners as they share tips for saving seeds this season. This workshop is at the Black Mountain Public Library located at 105 N. Dougherty St. 28711. Free, no registration required.

Thursday, September 19, 2024
Old Farmer’s Ball Thursday Dance
Sep 19 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bryson Gym Warren Wilson College

Our Thursday Dance

This dance is fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, strong deodorant, etc.), out of respect for those with sensitivities.

Schedule

  • Every Thursday night (except as indicated on the calendar)
  • Beginner lesson at 7:30 pm (advanced dancers are welcome to help out during the lesson!)
  • Dance 8 pm – 11 pm

Cost

  • Non-members: $12
  • OFB Members: $10
  • Warren Wilson community: $1

If this is your first time dancing with us, your second dance is free!

Saturday, September 21, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 21 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Sunday, September 22, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 22 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Boozy Book Fair at RJ Rockers
Sep 22 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
RJ Rockers Brewing Company

There was nothing like the elementary school book fair – the smell of new books in the air, the rush of racing your friends to find the next installment of your favorite series, and, if you were lucky, the crinkle of money from Mom in your pocket.

Life felt so much easier back then, didn’t it? Don’t you find yourself wishing from time to time that you could just go back?

You can – but we’re doing it grown-up style.

Don’t miss our Boozy Book Fair at RJ Rockers (226 W Main St, Spartanburg, SC 29306 ) on Sunday, September 22nd from 1-3pm!

We will have STICKERS!!! as well as books for everyone and every interest:

-Geeks and Gamers

-Myths and Fairy Tales

-Gothic and Ghastly

-Happy Endings

-Romantasy

-Read the Rainbow

-Bookclub Picks

-Celebrate the South

-Nonfiction

-Whodunnits & Thrillers

…and much much more!

This event is FREE and open to the public, so bring your friends! Be sure to RSVP so we have the booze + books ready – we can’t wait to see you there.

English Country Dance
Sep 22 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Harvest House Community Center
  • 2nd and 4th Sundays – check the calendar on our home page
  • 4 pm – 6:00 pm
  • Mid-Winter English Country Dance Weekend – Feb 2-4, 2024
  • There is also an ECD Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm; various callers; and recorded music.
  • (This is not an OFB activity) For information contact: [email protected]
  • Mission & Vision

    Our mission is to bring joy to our community by cultivating folk and social dance and music traditions.

    Our vision is of people coming together to experience the joy of dance and music.

    Values

    • Welcoming – A safe and inviting space for dancers, musicians, and callers.
    • Community – We value respect, inclusiveness, diversity, consent, and multigenerational interaction.
    • Ownership – Volunteer investment in the organization.
    • Joy/Smiles – Presence in the moment.
    • Development – Artistic growth and skill of callers, musicians, and dancers.
Monday, September 23, 2024
Monday Night Dance: Community contra dance
Sep 23 @ 8:15 pm – 10:30 pm
St. George's Center for Art and Spirit

Welcome to our weekly community contra dance in West Asheville!  The Monday Night Dance has been around for decades, and we are carrying the torch forward! We are a loving, kind, and safe dance community and highly encourage masking during the dance. No derogatory comments in relation to masking will be tolerated! We encourage non-maskers to mask while partnering with a dancer wearing a mask, or to at least ask if the person would like them to mask while they dance with them.

Practicalities

Time: Contra dancing 8:15–10:30pm, with a beginner lesson starting at 7:45 and a waltz session ending the evening.

Location: St. George’s Center for Art and Spirit, 1 School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Cost: $12–$45 sliding scale, CASH ONLY. Please pay as much as you can afford to cover the cost of the wonderful live music, the caller, sound person, rent, and other expenses! ATMs are available at banks on Patton Ave., as well as cash back options at local gas stations and grocery stores.

Requirements: Face masks and sign-in agreeing to the dance’s Safety Guidelines.

Please enter through the front red doors to the sanctuary. Extra parking available in the lots between Moore’s Foot and Ankle and St. George’s (please avoid parking in front of their practice.) This is a scent-free dance. Please bring your own water and water bottle. Beginners are encouraged to attend! Beginner-friendly dances start the contra dancing in lieu of a lesson.

Community Focus

The Monday Night Dance is more than just a dance; the community is deeply rooted. Folks are welcome to sell their wares, like jewelry, dance shoes, dance clothes, pottery, etc. They are also welcome to leave business cards and help wanted or work needed ads. Additionally, the Take Some Leave Some Closet is a new feature of the MND. You can take any clothes, food, produce, feminine products or first aid supplies that we have, and as you are able you can also leave some to replenish. Private times to receive from the closet can also be arranged during the week depending on to the dance organizer’s availability.

Safety

We emphasize safety here at the MND. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged, and courtesy to those choosing to mask is required. No discrimination to those wearing masks will be tolerated! In addition, this is a family and LGBTQ-friendly dance and a safe event for ALL races, ethnicities, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. Accordingly, no discrimination, inappropriate sexually predatory behavior, racist or discriminatory comments, bullying, or verbal or physical abuse of ANY kind will be tolerated. See our Safety Guidelines for more info.

Volunteers and Donations

Ours is a dance built on volunteerism, and we need your help to survive! Please consider volunteering or becoming a patron by giving a monetary gift. Opening, door and closing help are some of the volunteer jobs available. Those completing their entire shift dance free! Email [email protected] for more info and to sign up. 

Finally, please follow, like and join us on Facebook!

Thanks so much and see you on the dance floor!

Thursday, September 26, 2024
City Dance
Sep 26 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Old Farmer’s Ball Thursday Dance
Sep 26 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bryson Gym Warren Wilson College

Our Thursday Dance

This dance is fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, strong deodorant, etc.), out of respect for those with sensitivities.

Schedule

  • Every Thursday night (except as indicated on the calendar)
  • Beginner lesson at 7:30 pm (advanced dancers are welcome to help out during the lesson!)
  • Dance 8 pm – 11 pm

Cost

  • Non-members: $12
  • OFB Members: $10
  • Warren Wilson community: $1

If this is your first time dancing with us, your second dance is free!

Friday, September 27, 2024
The Boys in the Boat: Book discussion and Film
Sep 27 @ 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Swannanoa Library

If you missed the critically-acclaimed 2023 movie The Boys in the Boat when it was at the theaters, now is your chance. The Swannanoa Library will host a brief discussion of the book by the same name (written by Daniel James Brown), followed by a free screening of the movie on Thursday, June 27, from 4-6:30 p.m.

Set against a fascinating historic backdrop, The Boys in the Boat tells the true story of the University of Washington rowing team and their inspiring quest to compete for gold at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The Swannanoa Library is located at 101 West Charleston Ave. For more info, call the library at 828-250-6486.

Encore Screening and Discussion of “Genius”
Sep 27 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site

Join us for an Encore Screening of Genius!
Based on A. Scott Berg’s biography “Editor of Genius,” the film “Genius” focuses on famed literary editor Maxwell Perkins (Colin Firth) and his friendship and working relationship with Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law). Join us here at the Memorial for a short discussion on the real people behind the actors, and the story of Wolfe’s last years, followed by a screening of “Genius.”

If you’d like to attend, please call the Memorial at 828-253-8304, or email Kayla Seay at [email protected] to reserve a spot. Our capacity for this event is 40.
**This is a free event, but donations are appreciated as we raise funds to update our A/V equipment and website

Fuego Fridays
Sep 27 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the Caribbean at LEAF Global’s monthly DJ Dance Party! Step into the vibrant atmosphere of LEAF Global, where every floor comes alive with infectious beats and irresistible energy. DJ Haviken Hayes’ dynamic mixes of Caribbean, dancehall, and global sounds will keep the dance floor buzzing all night long. And for those looking to perfect their moves, professional salsa instructor Monika Guerra will be offering free salsa lessons starting at 8 p.m.

Admission to the DJ Dance Party is $15 at the door, with drinks and snacks available to keep you fueled throughout the evening.

LEAF Global’s monthly DJ Dance Party
Sep 27 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the Caribbean at LEAF Global’s monthly DJ Dance Party! Taking place on the final Friday of every month, this exciting event invites music lovers of all ages and backgrounds to come together for a night of pure entertainment and cultural celebration.

Step into the vibrant atmosphere of LEAF Global, where every floor comes alive with infectious beats and irresistible energy. DJ Haviken Hayes’ dynamic mixes of Caribbean, dancehall, and global sounds will keep the dance floor buzzing all night long.

For those looking to perfect their moves, professional salsa instructor Monika Guerra will be offering free salsa lessons starting at 8 p.m. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, Monika’s expert guidance will have you salsa-ing with confidence in no time.

Embrace the spirit of the Caribbean with a themed ambiance that transports you to tropical shores. All are welcome to join in the festivities, so grab your friends and come dressed in your best Caribbean-inspired attire for a night to remember.

Admission to the DJ Dance Party is $15 at the door, with drinks and snacks available to keep you fueled throughout the evening. Indulge in a selection of refreshing beverages including margaritas, mojitos, and more, provided by Flybird & Uno Mas.

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 28 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Sunday, September 29, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Sep 29 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Sep 29 @ 7:00 pm
Weaverville Community Center

Weaverville Writers Workshop will host an evening of readings by area authors at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr, Weaverville.
Readings will consist of fiction excerpts, poetry and memoir by group members and other writers. Asheville area poets are expected to participate as well.
Admission is free, but donations toward event expenses are welcome.
Weaverville Writers Workshop consists of published and unpublished writers of novels, biography, poetry, short stories and memoirs.
For more information, email Sandy at [email protected].

Monday, September 30, 2024
Monday Night Dance: Community contra dance
Sep 30 @ 8:15 pm – 10:30 pm
St. George's Center for Art and Spirit

Welcome to our weekly community contra dance in West Asheville!  The Monday Night Dance has been around for decades, and we are carrying the torch forward! We are a loving, kind, and safe dance community and highly encourage masking during the dance. No derogatory comments in relation to masking will be tolerated! We encourage non-maskers to mask while partnering with a dancer wearing a mask, or to at least ask if the person would like them to mask while they dance with them.

Practicalities

Time: Contra dancing 8:15–10:30pm, with a beginner lesson starting at 7:45 and a waltz session ending the evening.

Location: St. George’s Center for Art and Spirit, 1 School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Cost: $12–$45 sliding scale, CASH ONLY. Please pay as much as you can afford to cover the cost of the wonderful live music, the caller, sound person, rent, and other expenses! ATMs are available at banks on Patton Ave., as well as cash back options at local gas stations and grocery stores.

Requirements: Face masks and sign-in agreeing to the dance’s Safety Guidelines.

Please enter through the front red doors to the sanctuary. Extra parking available in the lots between Moore’s Foot and Ankle and St. George’s (please avoid parking in front of their practice.) This is a scent-free dance. Please bring your own water and water bottle. Beginners are encouraged to attend! Beginner-friendly dances start the contra dancing in lieu of a lesson.

Community Focus

The Monday Night Dance is more than just a dance; the community is deeply rooted. Folks are welcome to sell their wares, like jewelry, dance shoes, dance clothes, pottery, etc. They are also welcome to leave business cards and help wanted or work needed ads. Additionally, the Take Some Leave Some Closet is a new feature of the MND. You can take any clothes, food, produce, feminine products or first aid supplies that we have, and as you are able you can also leave some to replenish. Private times to receive from the closet can also be arranged during the week depending on to the dance organizer’s availability.

Safety

We emphasize safety here at the MND. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged, and courtesy to those choosing to mask is required. No discrimination to those wearing masks will be tolerated! In addition, this is a family and LGBTQ-friendly dance and a safe event for ALL races, ethnicities, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. Accordingly, no discrimination, inappropriate sexually predatory behavior, racist or discriminatory comments, bullying, or verbal or physical abuse of ANY kind will be tolerated. See our Safety Guidelines for more info.

Volunteers and Donations

Ours is a dance built on volunteerism, and we need your help to survive! Please consider volunteering or becoming a patron by giving a monetary gift. Opening, door and closing help are some of the volunteer jobs available. Those completing their entire shift dance free! Email [email protected] for more info and to sign up. 

Finally, please follow, like and join us on Facebook!

Thanks so much and see you on the dance floor!

Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Dark City Poets Society Workshop Circle
Oct 1 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Dark City Poets Society is a completely free poetry group that is open to writers of all ages and experience levels.
Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6:00-7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) feedback group.
FREE. Meets in the garden weather permitting.

Thursday, October 3, 2024
Old Farmer’s Ball Thursday Dance
Oct 3 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bryson Gym Warren Wilson College

Our Thursday Dance

This dance is fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, strong deodorant, etc.), out of respect for those with sensitivities.

Schedule

  • Every Thursday night (except as indicated on the calendar)
  • Beginner lesson at 7:30 pm (advanced dancers are welcome to help out during the lesson!)
  • Dance 8 pm – 11 pm

Cost

  • Non-members: $12
  • OFB Members: $10
  • Warren Wilson community: $1

If this is your first time dancing with us, your second dance is free!

Saturday, October 5, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 5 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

InterBeing Festival
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am
Samasati Sanctuary

Most festivals are about the music, the food and the fun… the InterBeing Festival includes all of that, but the focus is on meaning and connection. Individuals from all walks of life are invited to gather, elevate the spirit, relate with others, and explore the power of community.

Through a rich array of interactive workshops, engaging discussions, artistic performances and group ritual, participants will embark on a journey of discovery and connection. Whether singing in a song circle, being part of a cacao ceremony, creating art on the spot or dancing to the rhythm of world music, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.

The festival will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers, activists and artists; performers include musical headliner Alexander Caruso, along with Adama Dembele, Billy Jonas, and One Heart Band, all of whom are known for catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics.

The festival theme this year is Community: Refuge in a Changing World. To that end, our featured session will be the Community Leaders Roundtable, bringing together community support organizations to be in dialog with each other for the first time, sharing their values, their vision, their challenges and solutions.

The festival is a fundraiser for Beloved Asheville, our scrappy local nonprofit that serves those most in need.

Sunday, October 6, 2024
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Books for Children ages 0-5
Oct 6 all-day
online w/ Literacy Together

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library impacts the pre­-literacy skills and school readiness of children under the age of 5 in Buncombe County. The program mails a new, free, age-appropriate book to registered children each month until they turn five years old. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library creates a home library of up to 60 books and instills a love of books and reading from an early age. If you have any questions about the program, please send an email to [email protected].

A national panel of educators selects the Imagination Library titles, which include: The Little Engine that Could, Last Stop on Market Street, Violet the Pilot, As an Oak Tree Grows, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Look Out Kindergarten, here I come, and many more (take a look at all the titles).

Register your child now!

Program Launch and Expansions

Literacy Together became a Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library affiliate in November 2015 with support from the Buncombe Partnership for Children. Through this program, registered children in Buncombe County receive a free book in the mail each month. Their parents also have the opportunity to attend workshops to learn how to build their children’s early literacy skills. Parents in need of literacy assistance are encouraged to receive tutoring through Literacy Together’s adult programming.

The program served 200 children during the 2015/16 fiscal year. The program expanded to serve 400 children in July 2016, and 600 in August 2017. In July 2018, capacity increased to 1,900 thanks to a special allocation in the North Carolina state budget. We’re now serving 4,600 kids in Buncombe County.  

Monday, October 7, 2024
Monday Night Dance: Community contra dance
Oct 7 @ 8:15 pm – 10:30 pm
St. George's Center for Art and Spirit

Welcome to our weekly community contra dance in West Asheville!  The Monday Night Dance has been around for decades, and we are carrying the torch forward! We are a loving, kind, and safe dance community and highly encourage masking during the dance. No derogatory comments in relation to masking will be tolerated! We encourage non-maskers to mask while partnering with a dancer wearing a mask, or to at least ask if the person would like them to mask while they dance with them.

Practicalities

Time: Contra dancing 8:15–10:30pm, with a beginner lesson starting at 7:45 and a waltz session ending the evening.

Location: St. George’s Center for Art and Spirit, 1 School Rd., Asheville, NC 28806

Cost: $12–$45 sliding scale, CASH ONLY. Please pay as much as you can afford to cover the cost of the wonderful live music, the caller, sound person, rent, and other expenses! ATMs are available at banks on Patton Ave., as well as cash back options at local gas stations and grocery stores.

Requirements: Face masks and sign-in agreeing to the dance’s Safety Guidelines.

Please enter through the front red doors to the sanctuary. Extra parking available in the lots between Moore’s Foot and Ankle and St. George’s (please avoid parking in front of their practice.) This is a scent-free dance. Please bring your own water and water bottle. Beginners are encouraged to attend! Beginner-friendly dances start the contra dancing in lieu of a lesson.

Community Focus

The Monday Night Dance is more than just a dance; the community is deeply rooted. Folks are welcome to sell their wares, like jewelry, dance shoes, dance clothes, pottery, etc. They are also welcome to leave business cards and help wanted or work needed ads. Additionally, the Take Some Leave Some Closet is a new feature of the MND. You can take any clothes, food, produce, feminine products or first aid supplies that we have, and as you are able you can also leave some to replenish. Private times to receive from the closet can also be arranged during the week depending on to the dance organizer’s availability.

Safety

We emphasize safety here at the MND. Mask wearing is strongly encouraged, and courtesy to those choosing to mask is required. No discrimination to those wearing masks will be tolerated! In addition, this is a family and LGBTQ-friendly dance and a safe event for ALL races, ethnicities, genders, ages, shapes, and sizes. Accordingly, no discrimination, inappropriate sexually predatory behavior, racist or discriminatory comments, bullying, or verbal or physical abuse of ANY kind will be tolerated. See our Safety Guidelines for more info.

Volunteers and Donations

Ours is a dance built on volunteerism, and we need your help to survive! Please consider volunteering or becoming a patron by giving a monetary gift. Opening, door and closing help are some of the volunteer jobs available. Those completing their entire shift dance free! Email [email protected] for more info and to sign up. 

Finally, please follow, like and join us on Facebook!

Thanks so much and see you on the dance floor!

Tuesday, October 8, 2024
TBR Tuesdays! Book Club at Black Mountain Public Library
Oct 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

We’ll be discussing The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Light refreshments are served. Those who consume food and beverage do so at their own risk.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Pack Library Book Club
Oct 9 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Pack Memorial Library

The Pack Library Book Club is a book discussion group that meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30AM  at the library. We read and discuss a variety of book genres. The book for January 2024 is “Solito” by Javier Zamora.

Newcomers are always welcome! If you have any questions about book club, you can email [email protected] .

Thursday, October 10, 2024
Old Farmer’s Ball Thursday Dance
Oct 10 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Bryson Gym Warren Wilson College

Our Thursday Dance

This dance is fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, strong deodorant, etc.), out of respect for those with sensitivities.

Schedule

  • Every Thursday night (except as indicated on the calendar)
  • Beginner lesson at 7:30 pm (advanced dancers are welcome to help out during the lesson!)
  • Dance 8 pm – 11 pm

Cost

  • Non-members: $12
  • OFB Members: $10
  • Warren Wilson community: $1

If this is your first time dancing with us, your second dance is free!