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.
Adding a Southeast destination for designer toy makers and collectors, *Assembly Required brings designer, bootleg and art toy artists from around the country, to present and sell their work.
Asheville’s premiere designer toy expo, *Assembly Required, is presented by Unboxing Asheville, Morgan’s Comic’s, 103.3 Asheville FM and Appalachian Pinball Museum. Focusing on this artistic movement, designer toys are a form of lowbrow pop art. These toy makers pull inspiration from a variety of subversive segments of culture, as well as subcultural elements, including (but not limited to) comics, tattooing, street art, and everything related to toys of the 60’s through the 80’s.
Echoing production methods of traditional toy manufacturers, designer toys are usually intended to be displayed as collectibles, rather than to be played with. Toy makers mediums range from resin to vinyl, from plastic to plush; with molding, and production techniques such as kitbash, sofubi and bootleg (recently coined ‘Artisanal Action Figure’, by New York Times writer, Rich Juzwiak [11/23/18]). (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/style/bootleg-toys-action-figures.html).
Juzwiak interviews such artists as the Sucklord and Killer Bootlegs, both of whom will be present at *Assembly Required.
Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 76 No. 1
Mendelssohn: String Quartet, Op. 80
Amy Beach: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 67
The New York Times recently lauded the Takács Quartet for “revealing the familiar as unfamiliar, making the most traditional of works feel radical once more”, and the Financial Times described a recent concert at the Wigmore Hall: “Even in the most fiendish repertoire these players show no fear, injecting the music with a heady sense of freedom. At the same time, though, there is an uncompromising attention to detail: neither a note nor a bow-hair is out of place.” Since his triumph as winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess.
Adding a Southeast destination for designer toy makers and collectors, *Assembly Required brings designer, bootleg and art toy artists from around the country, to present and sell their work.
Asheville’s premiere designer toy expo, *Assembly Required, is presented by Unboxing Asheville, Morgan’s Comic’s, 103.3 Asheville FM and Appalachian Pinball Museum. Focusing on this artistic movement, designer toys are a form of lowbrow pop art. These toy makers pull inspiration from a variety of subversive segments of culture, as well as subcultural elements, including (but not limited to) comics, tattooing, street art, and everything related to toys of the 60’s through the 80’s.
Echoing production methods of traditional toy manufacturers, designer toys are usually intended to be displayed as collectibles, rather than to be played with. Toy makers mediums range from resin to vinyl, from plastic to plush; with molding, and production techniques such as kitbash, sofubi and bootleg (recently coined ‘Artisanal Action Figure’, by New York Times writer, Rich Juzwiak [11/23/18]). (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/style/bootleg-toys-action-figures.html).
Juzwiak interviews such artists as the Sucklord and Killer Bootlegs, both of whom will be present at *Assembly Required.
? Thursday, March 21st 5:00pm-8:00pm
✨ASHEVILLE✨
Bhramari Brewing
101 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
http://bit.ly/BhramariMarch
Considered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears musical gifts have astounded audiences around the world and rewritten what was thought humanly impossible on this exotic musical instrument.
Spears’ blinding skill and musical creativity are often compared to innovative legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix and Les Paul among others and his uncanny ability to play multiple musical and percussive ideas simultaneously in a live setting is iconic, pure and simple…
Spears music is an acoustic electronic mix of funk, afro-beat, latin, trance with a dash of rock that will move your feet and stir your soul.
In addition to making his own instruments, KalimbaMan (as his friends call him) performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Eric Benet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Wudasse, POS (of De La Soul), Arrested Development, Bill Summers (of Herbie Hancock band), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Divinity (bassist for Beyonce).
Enter into the Rites of Spring with us to celebrate the Equinox and the Cycle of Newness. In this Sacred Equinox Sound ATUNEment, immerse into the indigenous, purifying tones of Sacred Voice, Tibetan and crystal bowls, tank drums, and the exquisite frequencies of gongs. We create a Human Mandala of Sacred Sound and chant the ancient sacred seed syllables of the chakras and connect them deeply within us through mudras. We dance into Newness through ecstatic movement, and end the evening in joy, sharing and copious amounts of chocolate.
We will be seated in a star configuration and once again we will be offering the Inner Mandala Healing Circle and the Outer Mandala general seating. The Inner Mandala Healing Circle is near the bowls and gongs, where you will receive individual Sacred Sound with specialty tuning forks, crystal pyramids and vocal tunings.
VERY IMPORTANT: We will be laying on a hard dance floor. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MATS, CUSHIONING and BLANKETS. It is important that you are comfortable to get the most out of this experience. There are very few mats available and NO cushions or blankets on-site.
With Vibrational Alchemists/Sacred Sound Healers Myrrh de Marmion and Wendy Morrison
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Blue Echo Radio’s annual music festival hosted on UNCA campus. All ages & free and open to the community.
16+ Bands including The Love Language, Linqua Franqa, Kitty Tsunami, Infinity Crush, The Eccentrics, and more!
Echofest will also feature food trucks, family friendly activities, and community vendors including Honey Pot Vintage, Word Emporium as well as Tarot and Henna Artists.
More information as well as the full lineup can be found on the Echofest event page via Facebook.
Echofest is hosted by Blue Echo, UNCA’s student run radio station and co-hosted by Asheville FM.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Andrew Duhon is a songwriter from New Orleans, a teller of stories with an undeniable voice, weighted and soulful. Duhon has released 3 recordings, the latest of which, ‘The Moorings’, was nominated for a Grammy in 2014 for ‘Best Engineered Album’. He has toured solo for much of his career, and that troubadour element is certainly present, an usher of modern day folklore. His current touring group is a trio with upright bassist, Myles Weeks and drummer, Jim Kolacek. Since recording ‘The Moorings’ Duhon has been crossing the American landscape, the thoughtful colors and harmonies of the trio breathing a new musicality and direction into Duhon’s songwriting traditions.
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Lydia Luce was born into a musical family, her mother, a gifted organ and piano player, and her brother, a cellist. Luce’s first instrument was viola, and by age 13 she was performing in her mother’s orchestra. Her debut full-length album Azalea, produced by Jordan Lehning and Skylar Wilson, combines her classical training with Americana and folk influences for a collection that feels authentic and comfortable in a way that only lifelong talent can create. Popmatters writes of the debut release that the tunes are, “carefully composed without the sort of pomp that we may have come to expect from classically-trained performers from musical families. Luce forgoes the usual pageantry for something organic and unique that comes from the heart.”
With this compilation of songs born from a collaboration in Nashville, TN, Luce was able to combine what she knew about instrumentation with the fruits of new self-discoveries. Luce says, “Playing strings has been a huge part of my life. On this album, I got to record viola and guitar on my tunes with people that I truly admire. I’m very proud of what we’ve created.” As she continues to write and record, her Spotify streams are climbing to over 17 million and counting, with plans to release an Azalea EP of instrumental and live versions in May of this year.
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. Bula!
Weekly Open Mic with Caleb Beissert! Sign up at 7:30 pm, Mic starts at 8 pm! All forms of entertainment welcome!! Come get a kava and enjoy the local talent
BULA!!
Considered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears musical gifts have astounded audiences around the world and rewritten what was thought humanly impossible on this exotic musical instrument.
Spears’ blinding skill and musical creativity are often compared to innovative legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix and Les Paul among others and his uncanny ability to play multiple musical and percussive ideas simultaneously in a live setting is iconic, pure and simple…
Spears music is an acoustic electronic mix of funk, afro-beat, latin, trance with a dash of rock that will move your feet and stir your soul.
In addition to making his own instruments, KalimbaMan (as his friends call him) performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Eric Benet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Wudasse, POS (of De La Soul), Arrested Development, Bill Summers (of Herbie Hancock band), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Divinity (bassist for Beyonce).
Born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his country singing, hunky good looks and mullet hairstyle, has enjoyed a mulit-layed performance career as a multi-platinum selling recording artist. He has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the Billboard Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is his debut Some Gave All, which has been certified 9 Multi-Platinum in the United States and is the longest time spent by a debut artist at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the breakout hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” From 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. From 2006 to 2011, he co-starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter, Miley Cyrus. Soon after, Cyrus enjoyed an eight-week run on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. In years since, Cyrus has been alternating between making music and acting. In an industry where excesses are the order of the day, Cyrus has retained his humility and morals and continues to be an inspiration and mentor to aspiring musicians all over the world.
Join us for this energetic duo from Black Mountain, featuring Randy Sarton (Guitar & Vocals) and Bill Hattori (Cajon Drum, Splash Cymbal, Various Percussion). $5/person suggested donation. Be dangerous!
2:00 p.m. Ticketed Magic Show ($8 per person, all ages)
3:00-5:00 p.m. Drop-In Pop-Up Adventure Playground (free and open to the community)
Join us to celebrate the Week of the Young Child and support young children in Buncombe County!
Children ages 2+ will enjoy The Professor Whizzpop Magic Show, which placed in the Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC” poll for 10 years.
Afterward, drop in for a FREE Pop-Up Adventure Playground where kids build their own place space using imagination, loose parts, and in collaboration with their peers. There is no charge to join the playground.
Roots Hummus will be served at no charge and sweet treats from The Hop Ice Cream Cafe will be available for purchase.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
A musical, pictorial and live stage presentation of Jesus’ last days based on a cantata by Dallas Holmes. The choir and cast of the Tallulah Falls, GA outdoor passion drama bring a glimpse of “His Last Days” from their 35 years of summer enactments of Jesus’ life. Not just an Easter story- but a continual timeless narrative of faith.
Kaizen live at The Kava Bar
Mike Barnes -Guitar, Mark McDaniel-Bass, Jeff Sipe on Drums:
Friday, April 12th at 9 PM
Live at The Kava Bar:
Kaizen (改善) is the Japanese word for “improvement”. In business, kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers… In the Music World, with these Top-Tier Musicians, it hard to believe there is little to any room for improvement and yet they strive for excellence and more growth with every performance. If not for themselves, then for the listeners.
When Plywood Cowboy made its debut three years ago, the band was quickly called “one of the best new bands on the Americana scene” by New York Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Chris Bergson. Twelve states of touring, sell-out shows, and many accolades later, Plywood Cowboy makes their Asheville debut on April 13 at Isis Music Hall. Their latest album, “Blue Skies”, earned a spot on the 2018 Grammy ballot in the Best Americana Album and best Americana Song categories. Listen at www.plywoodcowboy.com
AIA South Atlantic’s new ASPIRE EXPERIENCE is a one-of-a-kind conference using Asheville’s art scene, historical architecture, craft breweries, popular parks, and local businesses to create and present a program of education, inspiration, and engagement for the design and construction community. The ASPIRE EXPERIENCE offers designers the opportunity to impact change and make a difference to their community. This is a time for transformation.
Attend this dynamic EXPERIENCE and create new relationships and ideas that can be into your work and daily lives throughout the year. Meet, network, and experience the industry’s leading experts all in one place.
Transform your thinking and ideas with demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions and new, innovative methods. EXPERIENCE how you can help change your community and profession with the leading though innovators in the area.
Look beyond the event as you get inspired to make a difference in your community. Engage with visionaries and walk away with solutions and the understanding of the power you hold to create meaningful change.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Do you ever think about something you did or said from your awkward pre-pubescence that is SO EMBARRASSING it sends a shiver of shame down your spine? You may not realize it, but the rest of the world is dying to hear it! We’re taking the format of the international art movement – Mortified!
Dust off that diary! Unearth those letters! Share your awkward and embarrassing childhood journals, artwork, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, and plays. We are always looking for you like you to join our community. Never been on stage? We love that!
Sign up is at 7:30pm, we’ll start at 8:00pm!
Here is a trailer for the film version of the movement, Mortified Nation, currently on Netflix if you want to take a peek and get some inspiration!
Tips for People who Want to Perform!
DO. Earmark 5-8 excerpts that you’re embarrassed to admit you wrote. That way you have a variety to pull from when onstage
DO. If possible, try to find a theme connecting your excerpts (i.e. being boy/girl crazy, hating your parents, trying to look a certain way, etc.) but if it doesn’t, no sweat, this is about having fun.
DO. Look for entries where your writing was very dramatic– whether you were ultra angry or ultra happy. These tend to be funny.
DO. Bring a photo of yourself from that age if you have one! If you can print it out, even better, so we can pass them around for everyone to see how cute your little awkward face looked ;)
DO. Look for entries where your writing was oblivious to an obvious-to-anyone-else reality. (For instance, a closeted teen writing about their love of Broadway musicals.)
DO. Look for entries that make you react, “I can’t believe I actually thought like that.”
DON’T make stuff up. The fun of our show is that people sharing actual mementos from childhood. If you want to write an essay about your childhood, there are plenty of great projects (like the Moth) that are better forums for that.
DON’T censor yourself, we want to hear it raw.
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B
Weekly Open Mic with Caleb Beissert! Sign up at 7:30 pm, Mic starts at 8 pm! All forms of entertainment welcome!! Come get a kava and enjoy the local talent
BULA!!
FREE EVENT supporting veterans, active military and military families on April 19 at 7:30 pm. Don’t miss Letters From Home performing its signature USO-style entertainment, with nostalgic music, singing, and tap-dancing. One of the fastest growing musical acts in the country, Letters From Home seeks to revive patriotism – not politics! – through music!
Earth Day Kid’s Festival began 5 years ago as a way to bring the community together in celebration of our natural environment. A variety of environmental non-profits and organizations have come together to foster environmental consciousness and encourage the next generation of stewards to cherish our natural resources.
We invite families and people of all ages to come out and enjoy environmental education, arts and crafts, games, performances and more! There will be live music from Susana and Timmy Abell / Silver Trout Arts. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. We invite you to come out and enjoy this free festival!
We are fortunate to have our generous sponsors, Prestige Subaru Black Orthodontics, and venue sponsor, Salvage Station who make this event possible.
This festival is hosted in conjunction with “Earth Month,” a month long series of service days, workshops, and events throughout April organized by WNC for the Planet, a collective of environmental non-profits within Western North Carolina.
Festival will happen rain or shine.
Come celebrate 4/20 and get Sparkled with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!! The MOST MAGICAL Fairy Hair in the World! Not tinsel.
You can wash it,
brush it,
comb it,
curl it,
flat iron, (up to 450°!)
color it,
straighten it,
perm it,
blow it dry, get your haircut, etc.
Do whatever you normally do to your hair, but most of all; ENJOY IT!
?Saturday, April 20th 4:30pm-9:30pm
at
Weaver House Hemp Fest-FREE EVENT!
56 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787
Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/hempfest4202019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).
We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.
This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B