Calendar of Events

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

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

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

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

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

Shari Diaz is a Bronx, NY native who switched up her stomping grounds for Raleigh, NC in 2014 where she got her feet wet in standup comedy. Her crossover appeal, crowd working skills, and Latin flavor has quickly built a platform and a diverse following ranging from hipsters to moms screaming for a night out. With all the positive feedback, she founded Boogie Down South Productions as an avenue for local comedians to collaborate and bring forth gut wrenching shows. Shari Díaz is also a Co-Producer for the first official Raleigh comedy festival called, Oak City Comedy Festival. In 2019, she moved back to the Bronx to pursue comedy where she has been booked consistently on some of the hottest comedy shows in the NYC Comedy scene and produces a monthly comedy show in the Bronx called, “Bodega Comedy”.

Her accolades include opening for one of the original “Latin Kings of Comedy”, Joey Medina. In addition, she has set the stage for comedic geniuses, the Lucas Bros and Maria Bamford. Shari has been performing at comedy festivals around the country, such as, North Carolina’s Comedy Festival 2018 & 2019 in Greensboro, NC, Big Pine Comedy Festival 2018 in Flagstaff, AZ where she won “Best of Fest”, BTF Comedy Festival in Philly 2019 and Dallas Comedy Festival 2019, DC’s Comedy Festival 2019, and will be performing at the Midwest Queer Comedy Festival in August 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Shari Díaz was also a Finalist on 2018’s NC’s Funniest Contest at the legendary Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC.

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-shari-diaz-tickets-61213868328

Chris Charpentier is a stand up comic born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He was a “New Face” at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs in 2015 and was named “One to Watch” at the LA Riot Comedy Festival. Chris has also been in the Bridgetown, High Plains, OddBall and Aspen Comedy Festivals. You can often catch Chris opening the for hilarious Josh Blue, whom he met at their home club, the world famous Comedy Works.

Chris has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has a recurring role in TruTv’s “Those Who Can’t”. He also appeared on Viceland’s “Flophouse” and FuseTV’s “Uproarious”.

Featuring Andrew Michael

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-friday-tickets-61764597574
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-saturday-tickets-61765027861

Celebrate the beginning of summer vacation by seeing day turn to night from the top of the Rock!

Enjoy an extraordinary evening of stargazing, hands-on nature activities, and storytelling around the campfire during this fundraiser for the Friends of Chimney Rock State Park.

Camp Fires, Marshmallows & S’mores!
Storytelling with Doug Elliot & Brian Bockhahn!
Cherokee Legends!
Stargazing with Astronomy Club of Asheville!
Live Nocturnal Animals!
Naturalist Programs!
Night Time Gear Demonstration with Frugal Backpacker

Cost: $20 per adult;
$8 per child ages 5-15;
Free for children ages 4 and under.
(Please print your receipt for purchase OR have the receipt available on your mobile device in order to redeem at our front gate.)

Get your ticket soon, this event usually sells out quickly!

Thanks to Ingles, Frugal Backpacker and Chimney Rock Management for supporting this amazing event!

https://www.facebook.com/events/2386226444781600/

Chris Charpentier is a stand up comic born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He was a “New Face” at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs in 2015 and was named “One to Watch” at the LA Riot Comedy Festival. Chris has also been in the Bridgetown, High Plains, OddBall and Aspen Comedy Festivals. You can often catch Chris opening the for hilarious Josh Blue, whom he met at their home club, the world famous Comedy Works.

Chris has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has a recurring role in TruTv’s “Those Who Can’t”. He also appeared on Viceland’s “Flophouse” and FuseTV’s “Uproarious”.

Featuring Andrew Michael

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-friday-tickets-61764597574
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-saturday-tickets-61765027861

We wanted to invite you to the biggest party the River Arts District has ever seen!

Come join us in celebrating the grand opening of Girl and Goblin, Asheville’s one and only Tattoo Studio and Oddities Shop! See for yourselves our new location containing over 2,300 square feet of peculiar curiosities.

Joining the celebration will be local food trucks, free beer (21+) from local breweries, live music, multiple tattooers working all day, giveaways, sideshow performers and more! Everyone is welcome, all ages, all people!

It all goes down Sunday June 9th from 12-9.
375 Depot Street
We hope to see you there!
Email or call us for more info:
(828)691-5083
[email protected]

A rare opportunity to meet Claudia Foltz, co-author of dance icon Mel Tomlinson’s autobiography, “Beyond My Dreams”. Come here his story of how talent, determination and hard work broke through walls, making him one of the first African Americans featured at the NYC Ballet. Terpsicorps dancers Keith Reeves and Lydia McRae will join the discussion to share their view of life in today’s world of ballet from an African American perspective.

Presented by the Asheville Performing Arts Academy and sponsored by Express Employment Professionals.

It’s time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney’s Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.”

When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs“Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for thewhole family and every audience.

Andy Gold has appeared in festivals and competitions all over the country, including the Boston Comedy Festival, San Diego Comedy Festival, Laugh Your Asheville Off and Comcast’s Trial by Laughter Comedy Festival. Andy’s comedy has also been featured on Hulu and he can be heard regularly on Sirius XM and Audible’s Punchlines. Andy also recorded a full length special for Dry Bar Comedy called Dreamcatcher in which he received an exciting amount of hateful comments from lonely Facebook moms in homemade pants.

Andy draws humor from all parts of his life, especially the nearly 10 years he spent in active heroin addiction which has made Andy is a favorite at treatment centers and recovery events across the country. Andy began his comedy career just six months after a (temporally) fatal overdose prompted Andy’s family to intervene and convince him to go to treatment. A prolific writer, Andy’s material runs the gamut from sharing colorful jokes about life, love, jail, rehab, family and recovery and it’s all tied together by one thing and one thing only: really big laughs.

Featuring Kelly Morgan

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-andy-gold-tickets-58766027771

Join us for an elegant evening of good food, new friends, and remarkable entertainment at a wonderfully quirky vintage venue in the heart of West Asheville. Savor gourmet heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and champagne cocktails while listening to the music of Secret B-Sides’ own Juan Holladay.

Our amazing guest of honor, Harry Brown, will be the auctioneer for the evening, presiding over live and silent auctions filled with irresistible items.

And for the highlight of the evening, sit back and enjoy the critically acclaimed Terpsicorps dancers up close in an intimate setting. Proceeds support the 2019 summer season of Asheville’s contemporary ballet company, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance.

Cost of admission includes FREE childcare at the Academy at Terpsicorps’ Parents Night Out event.

Presented by the Asheville Performing Arts Academy and sponsored by Express Employment Professionals.

It’s time to carry the banner on your stage with Disney’s Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.”

When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs“Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

Joe Zimmerman grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and started his comedy career in North Carolina. While living in the South, his stand-up group the Beards of Comedy landed a record deal with Comedy Central Records. He moved to New York City in 2012, quickly appearing on The Late Late Show and John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, as well as performing at Montreal’s prestigious Just for Laughs festival. His resume has since grown to include The Tonight Show, Conan, Nickelodeon, Last Comic Standing, and his own Comedy Central Half Hour. Joe’s solo album Smiling at Wolves reached number two on the iTunes comedy charts and is played regularly on SiriusXM. (His second, Innocence, is due this summer on Comedy Central Records.) He has also contributed humor pieces to The New York Times.

Joe’s new podcast, “A Great Listening Experience” details his questionable attempts to attain infinite knowledge and power. Among his many podcast & radio appearances, he has recently appeared on 2 Dope Queens, The Dork Forest, Bob & Tom, The Todd Barry Podcast, and The Artie Lange Show. Joe is frequently touring, headlining clubs around the country, and occasionally opening for super stars Brian Regan and Ricky Gervais.

Featuring Cary Goff & Andy Gold

ages 18+
Tickets $12 advance/ $15 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-joe-zimmerman-tickets-61261137712

Ashley Brooke Roberts is standup comedian, writer, and actress based in New York City. She was a staff writer on Nat Geo’s Explorer and currently writes for Ask Me Another on NPR. She’s a house performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre and hosts their popular stand up show Fresh Out! NY in East Village. She’s been featured on Two Dope Queens, in some of your favorite commercials for household products, and co-hosts the podcast Reality Blows.

Nick Maritato is a comedian based in New York City who performs stand up around the country and writes and stars in comedic plays, which have been featured at NYC’s famed Webster Hall. He’s written for the legendary television show TRL on MTV. When he’s not hosting his hit monthly variety show, PIG PILE or his reality TV centric podcast, Reality Blows, he’s teaching kids stand up at Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. Also, his cat is named Lily and she’s so cute!

Featuring Kelly Morgan

ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-ashley-brooke-roberts-tickets-61213745962

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, NC’s summertime professional contemporary ballet company, is thrilled to be re-staging Heather Maloy’s HUNGER, a work that dares to ask the question, “What do you hunger for?” This partnership with MANNA Food Bank was created to call attention to or region’s food insecurity crisis. At the root, we are all hungry. Most of us not in the strict use of the term, but we all have something that we crave. Told through high energy vignettes that range from funny to shocking, this audience favorite inspires the viewer to inspect the needs and desires that forge the trajectory of their lives, while contemplating how that path would be altered if the most basic needs, such as food, water and shelter, were not met.

Live music, food, and family fun! Join us on July 5th for Hearts Gone South, Asheville’s hony tonk darlin’s!

Hearts Gone South plays original classic-style country and honky tonk full of heart and soul, laced with wit and woe.

Hearts Gone South’s sound has been described as “ the sweet spot between vintage country and modern production values — that make the band’s original tunes sound and feel warmly familiar.” – Bill Kopp, author, music journalist, historian, collector, and musician.

Led by vocalist Tricia Tripp, this cast and crew of all star players (JP Parsons,-tele, Casey Saulpaugh – pedal steel, Scott Thomas- drums, and Landon George- bass) bring fire and feeling to the age-old stories of heartbreak, love, and victory for the underdog. From tear-soaked ballads, to heartfelt dance tunes, to twangy barn burners, Hearts Gone South shoots straight from the hip with impassioned vocals, a tight rhythm section, and smoking leads, to hit their target dead on.

A band rooted in a love of old country, and branching out into their own firebrand of the genre, Hearts Gone South will win your heart over with their original country, shining like diamonds in a rhinestone world.

Experience firsthand how food is grown and raised in the Southern Appalachian Mountains! Choose from over 20 WNC family farms to visit and encounter the sights, tastes, and stories of working farms through guided tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The tour is family-friendly and a wonderful summer adventure for visitors of all ages and interests. Learn more and purchase your tour pass at asapconnections.org.

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

There’s more than Chunky Monkey and New York Super Fudge Chunk in downtown Asheville’s Ben & Jerry’s this summer.

Art created by Vance Elementary School fifth grade students of art educator Robbie Lipe is now on display on the brick walls opposite the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The exhibit depicts the students’ interpretation of the artist Kehinde Wiley and the contemporary portraits he creates inspired by traditional Baroque paintings. It will be featured through the end of the summer.

“Ben & Jerry’s is excited about showcasing art from the community inside our scoop shop,” said general manager Chris Carter. “Making use of our walls to show what local artists are creating complements our social mission — to be actively involved in the places we live and do business. I hope this is the first of many art exhibits on our walls.”

Carter gave all the credit for the exhibit to Ms. Lipe, who teaches kindergarten through 5th-grade students at Vance Elementary. She was named the North Carolina Arts Educators Association “Art Educator of the Year” in 2017-2018.

Ben & Jerry’s is located at 19 Haywood Street. Current hours are Monday-Thursday 12 pm to 10 pm; Friday 12 pm – 11 pm; Saturday 11:30 am – 11 pm; Sunday 11:30 am – 10 pm.

For more information, call Carter at 310-601-6247.

Bears Bees + Brews and Center for Honeybee Research present Pollinators: Secret Superheroes, an intimate dinner experience presenting the instrumental role pollinators play for the culinary world and for a healthy ecosystem.

Join us on Thursday, June 27 at The Asheville Masonic Temple, as Blind Pig prepares a delicious and diverse feast highlighting the tastiest pollinator-derived ingredients, paired by Pisgah Brewing ciders and beers, while enjoying pollinator and conservation presentations that will leave you feeling full of pollinated fare and wisdom. * Vegetarian option available!

We are proud to take part in Asheville GreenWorks and Bee City USA – Asheville’s 7th annual Pollination Celebration.

** To honor the endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, please come dressed in black & yellow, with a hint of rusty orange.

Popular Asheville Toy Store to Celebrate Grand Opening of Schleich Installment With Local Kids and Families – June 28!

WHEN: Grand opening: Friday, June 28, 2019, 10:00am – 7:00pm

Schleich, one of the world’s oldest and best-loved toy companies, and the #1 figurine manufacturer globally, is giving Asheville area kids and families something to roar about with an exciting installment at its brand-new flagship retail partner Dancing Bear Toys! The retailer will celebrate the new tiger-tastic play space with fun-filled activities including:

•Name the Giant Tiger Contest! – Customers can dream up a name for the store’s new life-sized tiger, a larger-than-life version of Schleich’s hugely-popular figurine! The winner will be announced on July 5 and receive a special prize!

•Get Hands-On! – A Schleich-branded play table provides the perfect setting for kids to use their imagination and act out their own animal-inspired adventures!

•The World in Their Hands! – Schleich’s wide array of detailed figurines and playsets encourages imaginative play and learning, helping to put the world in kids’ hands! A full range of Schleich products will be on colorful display and available for purchase at the grand opening and beyond.

Dancing Bear Toys is a local, family-owned toy store that was recently named Asheville’s Small Biz of the Month. The Schleich brand experience showcases the company’s six signature play worlds – Farm Word, Wild Life, Horse Club, bayala®, Dinosaurs, and Eldrador Creatures®. Known for its highly-detailed animal figurines and playsets, Schleich has opened similar shops in five other toy stores this season in Beverly Hills and San Mateo, CA, Rochester, MN, and Jordan, UT, as well as Boston suburb Kingston, MA, with plans to open as many as 25 across the country by year’s end.