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.

Friday, July 3, 2020
Lawn Concert: Life Like Water
Jul 3 @ 6:30 pm
Isis Music Hall

Together with his bandmates Megan Drollinger and Charles Furtado, Life Like Water has developed a sound that straddles the edges of contemporary folk and traditional music from around the world.􏰀􏰀This music contains elements to fit almost anyone’s taste. You can dance, groove, bob your head, space out, tune in, relax, get excited, and possibly even shed a tear to it.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis patio and lawn. Reservations are highly recommended.

All-Star Orchestra: “The New World and Its Music”
Jul 3 @ 7:00 pm
Online

● Antonin Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
● Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Avanti!
Inspired by American dreams and legends, Dvořák created some of his greatest works while living in the United States, above all the “New World” Symphony. This program illuminates the multiple stories and influences – Native American, African-American and Czech – that Dvořák transformed in his most beloved work. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Avanti! offers a contemporary interpretation of the American archetype of “moving on.”

To learn more about All-Star Orchestra: https://allstarorchestra.org/

Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org

Chorus Line POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jul 3 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Saturday, July 4, 2020
“Stay at Home Supporting Players” Volunteer w/ Flat Rock Playhouse
Jul 4 all-day
Online

There’s still time to volunteer with us!

Hands of
                            various colors reaching up

Support the arts and Flat Rock Playhouse by joining our Supporting Players, a volunteer organization serving as the backbone of FRP for over 30 years. Whether a longtime member of this crucial wing of the Vagabond Family or someone interested in joining a program that supports the arts, economy, and history of our beautiful community, you can make a huge impact by joining our team. Be part of the first-ever “Stay at Home Supporting Players” and the first to discover new volunteer opportunities in 2020. To join, click the link below and select “Single Membership” or “Couples Membership” on the dropdown menu!

2020 Blue Ridge Pride Festival Cancelled 
Jul 4 all-day

2020 Blue Ridge Pride Festival Cancelled 

We are sad to announce the suspension of all previously planned summer and fall events.  This includes:

  • Blue Ridge Pride Festival
  • Welcoming WNC Procession
  • Mx Pride Pageant
  • Movies & Mixer Series
  • LGBTQ Story Slam
  • We are looking into alternative events – both virtual and face-to-face.
2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled Over Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns
Jul 4 all-day

2020 Minor League Baseball Season Cancelled Over Ongoing COVID-19 Concerns

Drive’s 15th Anniversary Season in Downtown Greenville delayed until 2021

The Greenville Drive, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, and the South Atlantic League today announced that the 2020 season has been cancelled due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the world.

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The ongoing concern regarding the safety of our community, and Minor League Baseball communities across America – including fans, front office staff, gameday staff, players and coaches – led to this decision.

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) issued the following statement today:
“In light of the current coronavirus outbreak, and after consultation with medical professionals and our partners at Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball will delay the start of the 2020 Championship Season. We will continue to monitor the developments and will announce additional information about the 2020 season at a later date. We will work with Major League Baseball and our community partners to resume play as soon as it is safe to do so. The health and safety of Minor League Baseball fans, players and executives is our top priority, and our thoughts are with those around the world who have been affected by this outbreak.”
Anti-Racisim: Resources Literacy Council
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Recognizing and understanding racism, and actively unlearning the everyday, built-in mechanisms of systemic racism is an ongoing effort that must be made by every single one of us. It can be difficult to navigate issues, origins, and solutions surrounding systemic racism, especially with so many different angles portrayed by the media.
There are countless truthful resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity. Here are just a few educational resources and ways to help our Black communities:
Educational reading:
The above photo has an excellent list of books!
Community:
Media:
Follow Black activists and voices on social media! Please reach out to us if you’d like suggestions on whom to follow.
Apply Now for a Preservation Grant
Jul 4 all-day
Online
Our second and final grant round of 2020 is now open.  We will be accepting grant applications through August 9th in the following categories:
1. Bricks and Mortar -Rehabilitation, restoration and repair of structures that are 50 years of age or older
2. Public Education -Development of educational materials and programs that advance knowledge of our shared history
3. Planning, Survey and Designation -Planning and design for building rehabilitation and restoration projects, historic resource surveys and local or national designations
Asheville Art Museum Summer Art Camp To Go!
Jul 4 all-day
online classes

Summer Art Camp To Go!

Join us for Summer Art Camp To Go! Sessions are available for K–12 students. Each weekly session includes several age-appropriate art projects using a variety of materials to engage students in an exploration of art through creativity and imagination. Enrollment is limited, and registration is required.Registration includes instructional videos for each project, art materials, and daily virtual classes. Virtual classes—beginning at 10am via Zoom—include time for inspiration, Q&A, and sharing. Streaming instructional videos and creative challenges are designed to provide hours of creative engagement at your own pace each day. All art materials necessary for each session are available for curbside pickup at the Museum the week before each session begins; if you prefer to ship materials to your home, then two weeks’ advance registration is required. Registration starts this Monday. For more information, email Sharon McRorie, education programs manager, or call 828.253.3227 x124.

Members: $85, Non-Members: $95 (additional charge for shipping materials)

Asheville Artists: Mural Artwork Opportunity
Jul 4 all-day
Online

How To Enter:

Send in your submissions to [email protected]

Contest Timeline:

 

  • Submissions will be accepted June 15, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
  • Top 10 designs will be selected July 31, 2020 – August 31, 2020 on Facebook.
  • We will select the winning artist based on portfolio/resume submissions to be announced on Labor Day Weekend.

 

A Note to the Artists Regarding the Final Mural:

Once the final artist has been selected, the mural artwork will need to include 2 of the following elements: The Toyota brand symbol, Fred Anderson Toyota of Asheville logo, OR 1 Toyota vehicle.

Asheville Independence Day 5k
Jul 4 all-day
Salvage Station

Bring your family & friends to join us for a fun, fast & flat run!
NEW this year – the chip timed 5k will start and finish at the Salvage Station on Riverside Drive! Start the holiday with a great run and create a new tradition.
Youths & Seniors receive a $5 off discount during registration.

Asheville PARC: Free Black Lives Matter Signs
Jul 4 all-day
2 Asheville locations-see below

They’re small, just 9×12, but highly visible.

The quickest way to get a sign is to pick one up at:
Asheville Hemp Farms
28 N Lexington Avenue, downtown
11- 6 daily; 1–6 Sunday
or
Urban Orchard Cider
210 Haywood Rd, 28806
 2 –7, M–F; Sat/Sun 12-9
If you can’t make it to these places and you live within Asheville city limits, email us your address and we’ll put one in your yard. We’re running behind, but we’ll get there. If you’ve already requested one and still don’t have it, please email us a reminder!
Signs are free in Asheville and cheap everywhere else…
If you have out-of-town friends
who need signs,
Black Lives Matter Street Mural Project
Jul 4 all-day
Online

BLM Street Mural

In alignment with the community’s commitment to uplift racial healing and communal reconciliation, Councilwoman Sheneika Smith, along with other community groups and leaders, will be coordinating a public art installation in Asheville’s central business district. The purpose of this installation is to galvanize solidarity and celebrate our collective movement towards addressing systemic issues locally.

Upon final approval from the City of Asheville, the proposal envisions a street mural located at Pack Square Park on N. Pack and S. Pack Square – an area previously planned as part of the city’s public space initiative.

We need financial support to help make this happen! Our goal is to raise $24,000 for supplies, documentation, maintenance, removal, and most importantly to make sure the artists get paid. The Asheville Area Arts Council is the fiscal agent for this project. Please donate what you can and help us spread the word!

One of the main purposes of the Black Lives Matter mural is to elevate the voices of black artists and make sure they are paid for their work. But, it is much more than that. “The artists who will put their hands to this street mural represent many untold stories,” said Councilwoman Smith. “It is my hope that all eyes that connect with this piece will experience and appreciate the bloody truths released from our collective memory onto a hard canvas. Yet, this is more than a painting or bold expression. It’s an altar that observes the most sacred social movement of my lifetime.”

 

BUDGET

$  6,000 Painting supplies and other event day expenses
$  1,900 Documentation (live stream video, photographer)
$  2,000 Maintenance (This temporary installation could be in place for up to a year. Because of wear and tear from vehicular traffic it will require additional maintenance.)
$  6,000 Removal (As part of the approval process, we must provide a maintenance and removal plan. This expense is based on quotes we have collected from other similar projects.)
$  8,100 Artist Honorariums ($1,000 for 1 lead artist per word & $300 per letter for supporting artists)
$24,000 TOTAL*

 

BMC@Home Garrick Ohlsson
Jul 4 all-day
Online

BMC guest artist Garrick Ohlsson was set to open the 2020 season on June 25. Instead, we are thrilled to share this recital from March 14, streamed live from the Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York City. The concert program includes Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Chopin’s Impromptu No. 2 and Six Études from Op. 25, and a special Rachmaninoff encore.

Brother Wolf is Launching a Second Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic!
Jul 4 all-day
Online

The coronavirus pandemic halted spay and neuter surgeries as communities were forced to suspend non-emergency veterinary services. This has resulted in a huge backlog of unaltered animals. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that the current backlog is over 260,000 animals nationwide. Brother Wolf currently has a waiting list of over 500 animals that are in need of spay and neuter services.

Even prior to this pandemic, we couldn’t meet the existing need with our original clinic. A second clinic will enable us to double our capacity and serve an average of 180 animals each week! Spaying and neutering is so critical because it saves lives by reducing pet overpopulation. Our Second Spay and Neuter Mobile Clinic will travel around Western NC, providing low-cost services to under-resourced communities.

We need your help to make this program a reality. Please donate today, thank you!

 

Buncombe Applications Open for Vance Monument Task Force
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Buncombe Applications Open for Vance Monument Task Force

On June 9 and June 16, 2020, the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, respectively, passed a joint resolution to remove two confederate statues located at the Buncombe County Courthouse and Pack Square Park, and to establish a jointly appointed task force to recommend action regarding the removal or repurposing of the Vance monument.

The Vance Monument Task Force (VMTF) will consist of up to 12 members whose appointments will be made in equal numbers by the two governing boards. It is the intent of the governing boards of the City of Asheville and Buncombe County that the Vance monument be replaced or altered in such a manner, as to honor the local history of African-Americans. The VMTF will be tasked with gathering citizen input, particularly from those most impacted by the monuments, participate in public dialogue, and will present the governing boards a final report of recommendation within three months of the completion of all membership appointments.

What to expect

Due to the projected timeline, members may anticipate an average of one meeting per week, with research and activity between the meetings. Members will be asked to actively participate in planning, gathering data and input, evaluation of facts and alternatives, and reach consensus on the final content for the report. The initial focus of this taskforce will be to develop and present a final report regarding the future of the Vance Monument. The governing bodies may request additional activities within the scope of the resolution.

The Buncombe County application process will close on July 7, 2020, the Board will hold interviews the period of July 8-19, 2020, and will announce their appointees at the July 21, 2020, regular meeting. Click here to log on and apply or use the attached application and return to [email protected] or by mail to Vance Monument Task Force, 200 College St., Asheville, NC 28801. Printed applications are available at 200 College St., third floor.

Note: The City of Asheville will open a similar application process for their six appointees. Stay tuned to Asheville City Source for more information.

The Vance Monument Task Force will operate in accordance with North Carolina open meetings and public records laws. Information provided in this application, during meetings, all records, and communications are subject to NC public records law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Calling all local musicians! Get your tunes on the Dig Local Spotify playlist!
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Wow! Thanks to all those who have submitted tunes for the Dig Local Spotify playlist. If you’d like to be considered as an addition to our music compilation, we are still accepting submissions for our Spotify playlist now (check out the playlist here).

There are only three requirements to be considered:

  • You or your group must be regionally based in the Asheville area
  • Your song submissions must be all original compositions
  • The songs must be “family-friendly” (no profanity or obscenity or violence)

If selected, one or two of your songs will be featured in our Spotify playlist. There may also be opportunities to be featured in our Weekly Scoop email and on our social media platforms!

Submit your music by filling out the following info at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5LCQovN51Y56SLuo7kB_hmeer33DsNhITEvz7TkF8O9ATqA/viewform?mc_cid=8ce4073971&mc_eid=258ba8532a

Celebrate Pride! Top LGBTQIA+ Owned and Operated Restaurants in America
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Illustration depicting two people celebrating Pride
                                                          month with
                                                          food

https://www.opentable.com/lists/pride-2019/usa?ref=9472&cmpid=em_Email2020&utm_campaign=Email%2BAdhoc%2BNA%253A%2BUS_104_20200629_Pride&utm_source=simon&utm_medium=email

Celebrate Pride!
Get in on global Pride by dining in or ordering from these LGBTQIA+ owned and operated restaurants around the U.S.
COVID-19 Business Supplies Page: Information for Cleaning Services
Jul 4 all-day
Online
Chamber’s COVID-19 Business Supplies Page Now Includes Information for Cleaning Services
Main Logo
Earlier this month, the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce developed a resource page with information on vendors providing PPE and business supplies related to COVID-19. As more businesses have opened and increased exposure, we have had several requests for information on cleaning companies who can assist with regular preventative cleanings and for deeper cleaning should any staff contract COVID-19. That information has now been added to the resource page.
If you’re a member business offering any of these services, please email us and we can add your information to the page.
Digital BMC: MENDELSSOHN Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Selected past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Open Air Brevard.

MENDELSSOHN Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor
I. Molto allegro ed agitato
Corinne Stillwell, violin • Jonathan Spitz, cello
Michael Chertock, piano
Recorded live on July 22, 2019,
at Ingram Auditorium in Brevard, NC.

Digital BMC: STRAUSS Don Juan Brevard Sinfonia • Matthias Bamert, conductor
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Selected past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Open Air Brevard.

STRAUSS Don Juan
Brevard Sinfonia • Matthias Bamert, conductor
Recorded live on July 20, 2013,
at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium in Brevard, NC.

Downtown Street Art Highlights Black Lives Matter
Jul 4 all-day
Downtown Asheville
Photos by Casey Orr, Dig Local.
The next time you’re in downtown Asheville, take some time to check out the street murals on local storefronts.

New murals downtown showcase the Black Lives Matter movement. Small memorials can be found tucked away at the base of trees along the brick sidewalks in remembrance of the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and the others whose lives have been lost.

#BlackLivesMatter
Eblen Charities Amazon Smiles
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Small Donations will add up on
AmazonSmile!
If you are already using Amazon, we would like to remind you that if you use AmazonSmile at smile.amazon.com and choose Eblen Charities as your charity this is just one more way to help our community at no extra cost to you.
Eblen Cooling Project
Jul 4 all-day
Online

The Temperature is Rising
Something as simple as
a box fan can save a life!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are going to be giving away fans to those who are in need very soon. If you would like to help keep someone cool this summer, please donate $15 or more at the link below or mail a donation to Eblen Charities, 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville NC 28806
WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDESS!
Eblen Cooling Project
Eblen Charities will be providing fans for individuals/families in need of cooling this summer. Donation of $15 will provide a fan to someone in need.
Experience WNC History From Home
Jul 4 all-day
online
Douglas Ellington: Asheville’s Boomtown Architect presents a look at his iconic Asheville creations along with other buildings he completed throughout his career in other cities.
Hillbilly Land explores the power, prevalence, and persistence of the hillbilly stereotype from the days of its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present day.
In 1918 vs 2020, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Explore the History Of Music Printing
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Learn about music printing techniques through time including woodblock, lithography, and more.

Firecracker 5k – Is a go – Virtual and in Person POSTPONED TO Sept.5
Jul 4 all-day
Brevard

 

On June 10th, 2020, the County Health department advised the Brevard Rotary  that “given the upward direction of the infection numbers, they cannot sign-off on the event on July 4, 2020″.

This event will be postponed until September 5, 2020 when we will run a combined race with the White Squirrel 5K. 

So here we go …. Covid-19 and all

Dear Participant:

Thank you for your continuing support of the, three, Rotary Club of Brevard 5K and Fun runs in 2020.

We are fortunate to have three great sponsors, in the Pisgah Health Foundation, Pardee and Mountain Outdoor Products.

Gordon has laid out a great new course starting and finishing at the new Depot. The City have helped us immensely.

As you know all of the race net proceeds are used in the community, by Rotary, in one way or another. See details below. None of the volunteers are paid.

Our Conundrum for the Firecracker on July 4:

Our goal is to keep everyone safe (runners/walkers and volunteers) while at the same time bringing back some community and competitive exercise opportunities. Yes, we are “open”, but in a controlled way.

Presently we have to keep groups to a maximum of 25 people, and we cannot wait until June 26th , for details of the next phase, to make a change for July 4. So we run under the rules we have in front of us today.

We are offering you three choices to run the Firecracker in 2020

Everyone will sign-up at Runsignup https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Brevard/Firecracker5kandFunRun

It is first come first served

Through June 14, 2020 the price to participate will be $30; $35 after that date or up to a maximum of 200 runners – we currently have 40 slots allocated, so 160 more participants can register. You will be able to register online up until July 2, 2020 or until we reach 200 runners. Note -this is far short of the 600 we ran last year, but is about all we can ‘safely’ handle.

There are no sign-ups on Saturday (as we cannot handle/ touch the paperwork involved; there is no fun run for the Children (sorry we do not have the volunteers to keep them physically distanced at this run) and no early indoor registration and shirt pick-up on Friday.

1/ Run our course on your own or in a small group and record your own time.

From Monday to Friday, June 29 to July 3, 2020, we will place signs at 7.00AM and remove them at 7.00PM. Once you have registered you can record your time manually. You can collect a shirt on Saturday at the Depot or opt to have it mailed to you for an extra $10.

You run the course on your own and at your own risk. Please be considerate to our neighbors.

2/ Run your own 5K course.

From Monday to Friday, June 29 to July 3, 2020, you can run in the Brevard 5K Firecracker, anywhere in the Country, indeed anywhere in the world (there is a prize for the furthest away), if you wish. Once you have registered you can record your time manually. You can collect a shirt on Saturday at the Depot in Brevard or opt to have it mailed to you for an extra $10.

You run the course on your own and at your own risk. Please be considerate to our neighbors.

3/ Saturday July 4, 2020 – Running with others

We will limit runners/walkers to 150 on Saturday.

Please do not come to the Depot if you are feeling unwell.

The staging area at the DEPOT will have one entrance, on Railroad on the entrance to the depot (the pull in area) – please use that one entrance and physically distance yourself, while you wait.

The staging area will open at 7.00AM – we ask for your patience; our volunteers and the organizers have never done this before.

No one, other than registered runners, walkers, volunteers and public safety officers, will be allowed in the staging area.

At this stage, we require that everyone wear a mask in the staging area (not essential on the run, but preferred.) We will have spare masks for those registered runners/walkers only, who forget their mask.

We will then make sure you are registered and give you a bib.  The Bib, will not have an RFID chip on it – you will be timing yourselves for this run/walk.

You will also be asked for an approximate speed and given a chip with a number on it. Low numbers will be faster runners – walkers’ will be given higher

numbers.

Teams will receive their own number.

You will be directed to your numbered zone, where we ask you to stay until called to the start line.

Each Zone will be called up to the start as soon as another zone has been cleared – the starter controls the time between each group.

AT worst this should have everyone away by 8.40AM

Water will be available on this day only – our thanks to Telco

We hope to celebrate the opening of the depot.

Upon your return; you will be asked your time, or you can enter it yourself at home after the race.

Results will be posted the next week.

Prizes:

Will be given for:

The fastest runners

The One running the race in the most remote virtual location.

The best dressed Covid-19 virus look a like

Everyone will get a shirt and a medal

Funner stuff:

On Saturday, July 4, we will have a starter, the big clock and the all-important finish gate with a professional photographer ready to immortalize your finish.

Once you have finished, you can collect the ‘more-important’ classic race shirt. It will be a collector’s item.

We may have other fun stuff, as well.

Safety:

We will do all we can to keep everyone safe, including our neighbors. Please run in a mask, if that is comfortable – by blowing and puffing you are going to express water droplets a lot further than 6 feet.

There will be no support, marshals or water on the course at any time during Monday to Friday -by signing up you agree you run at your own risk. Please respect our Neighbors ‘health’ and property and do not litter.

Social distancing of 6′ is encouraged at all times.

Fish for Free on July 4
Jul 4 all-day
Buncombe County Parks--various

Young Man Fishing

On July 4, anyone in North Carolina can enjoy one of state’s best outdoor activities for free. Residents and out-of-state visitors are allowed to fish without having to purchase a license or pay a daily permit fee including in public fishing spots such as Charles D. Owen and Lake Julian Parks. All other fishing regulations apply, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions.

“Free Fishing Day allows families and individuals to enjoy quality time outdoors,” says Josh O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “Fishing crosses all gender, cultural, and economic lines. For our younger residents, it builds confidence, improves coordination, teaches patience, and encourages an appreciation of nature.”

To give anglers a better chance of catching fish, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission stocks a variety of fish in waters across the state including trout and channel catfish.

Many fishing areas will be crowded on July 4, so park visitors are urged to be patient and courteous. Also, because of COVID-19, physical distance of at least six feet must be maintained between anglers and others who do not live in the same household. All park visitors are reminded to practice the Three Ws: wear a cloth face covering when entering/exiting the pool and when not in the pool, wait at least six feet apart from and avoid close contact with anyone who does not live in your household, and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often.

While anyone can fish for free on July 4, a fishing license is required for people age 16 and older on all other days of the year in order to fish in any public water in North Carolina. Purchasing a license online is quick and easy.

Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.

Free Daily Stretches For Musicians
Jul 4 all-day
Online

The Violin Channel recently caught up with violinists and www.intermissionsessions.com wellness coaches Elena Urioste and Melissa White to get their advice on some simple physical exercises that every string player should be doing to stay physically and mentally healthy – during quarantine and beyond …

Violinists Elena Urioste & Melissa White share 10 essential, daily stretches for musicians.

Free Music Video: Che Apalache Performs “Latingrass”
Jul 4 all-day
Online

Che Apalache is a four-man string band based in Buenos Aires with members from Argentina, Mexico and the United States. Their cleverly crafted “latingrass” evokes images from Appalachia to the Andes.

Argentinian-American string band Che Apalache performs bluegrass with a unique twist.