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.
There’s a great scene in The Last Waltz – the documentary about The Band’s final concert – where director Martin Scorsese is discussing music with drummer/singer/mandolin player Levon Helm. Helm says, “If it mixes with rhythm, and if it dances, then you’ve got a great combination of all those different kinds of music: country, bluegrass, blues music, show music…”
To which Scorsese, the inquisitive interviewer, asks, “What’s it called, then?”
“Rock & roll!”
Clearly looking for a more specific answer, but realizing that he isn’t going to get one, Marty laughs. “Rock & roll…”
Well, that’s the way it is sometimes: musicians play music, and don’t necessarily worry about where it gets filed. It’s the writers, record labels, managers, etc., who tend to fret about what “kind” of music it is.
And like The Band, the members of Railroad Earth aren’t losing sleep about what “kind” of music they play – they just play it. When they started out in 2001, they were a bunch of guys interested in playing acoustic instruments together. As Railroad Earth violin/vocalist Tim Carbone recalls, “All of us had been playing in various projects for years, and many of us had played together in different projects. But this time, we found ourselves all available at the same time.”
Songwriter/lead vocalist Todd Sheaffer continues, “When we started, we only loosely had the idea of getting together and playing some music. It started that informally; just getting together and doing some picking and playing. Over a couple of month period, we started working on some original songs, as well as playing some covers that we thought would be fun to play.”
Shortly thereafter, they took five songs from their budding repertoire into a studio and knocked out a demo in just two days. Their soon-to-be manager sent that demo to a few festivals, and – to the band’s surprise – they were booked at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival before they’d even played their first gig. This prompted them to quickly go in and record five more songs; the ten combined tracks of which made up their debut album, “The Black Bear Sessions.”
That was the beginning of Railroad Earth’s journey: since those early days, they’ve gone on to release five more critically acclaimed studio albums and one hugely popular live one called, “Elko.” They’ve also amassed a huge and loyal fanbase who turn up to support them in every corner of the country, and often take advantage of the band’s liberal taping and photo policy. But Railroad Earth bristle at the notion of being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. As Carbone points out, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass or country band, which sometimes leaves music writers confused as to how to categorize us. We’re essentially playing rock on acoustic instruments.”
Ultimately, Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. As mandolin/bouzouki player John Skehan points out, “Our M.O. has always been that we can improvise all day long, but we only do it in service to the song. There are a lot of songs that, when we play them live, we adhere to the arrangement from the record. And other songs, in the nature and the spirit of the song, everyone knows we can kind of take flight on them.” Sheaffer continues: “The songs are our focus, our focal point; it all starts right there. Anything else just comments on the songs and gives them color. Some songs are more open than others. They ‘want’ to be approached that way – where we can explore and trade musical ideas and open them up to different territories. But sometimes it is what the song is about.”
So: they can jam with the best of them and they have some bluegrass influences, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). What kind of music is it then? Mandolin/vocalist John Skehan offers this semi-descriptive term: “I always describe it as a string band, but an amplified string band with drums.” Tim Carbone takes a swing: “We’re a Country & Eastern band! ” Todd Sheaffer offers “A souped-up string band? I don’t know. I’m not good at this.” Or, as a great drummer/singer/mandolin player with an appreciation for Americana once said: “Rock & roll!”
Critically acclaimed progressive string band Nefesh Mountain ingeniously blends Bluegrass/roots music with influences from their own Jewish culture reimagining a world that is all their own.
Nefesh Mountain is the place where American Bluegrass and Old-time music meet with Jewish Heritage and tradition. Band leaders, genre-pioneers, and husband and wife Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg are the heart of this eclectic offering, and share their love for American music, their own cultural heritage, and each other with audiences throughout the world. The result of this unexpected and beautiful mix is staggering; and while complete with the kind of adept string virtuosity and through composed arrangements one would hope for from a newgrass band with influences from Bluegrass, Old-Time, Celtic, and Jazz, they also play and sing songs of the heart creating music with a sense of diversity, oneness, and purpose for our world today.
Currently Nefesh Mountain plays over 150 dates a year worldwide with performances all throughout the US, Canada, Israel, England, China, and Australia. The Quintet consists of Doni Zasloff on Vocals, Eric Lindberg on Vocals, Guitar, and Banjo, Alan Grubner on Fiddle, David Goldenberg on Mandolin, and Max Johnson on Bass. Their mission whether at a concert hall, festival, workshop, school, camp, or synagogue, is to spread the joy and magic of American roots music and help to champion and reinforce the powerful messages of diversity, wholeness, and harmony for our ever changing times.
Reserved Seat Tickets are available with Dinner reservations – You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 to make dinner reservations and secure those tickets.
General Admission Tickets are available for the main stage balcony only. Seating in the balcony is first come, first serve. Dinner service is NOT currently being offered for general admission tickets.; drink service is available at the downstairs bar on the main floor.
You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 for Reserve Seat Tickets and to make dinner reservations.
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Covid Test w/i 48 Hours :: Masks are Required
The tastiest ticket in town returns with BOGO (buy-one-get-one) deals from 50 independently owned restaurants in Buncombe County.
The 2022 AIR Passport is the perfect way to visit an old favorite with a friend or dine and discover new restaurants in our area’s vibrant independent eateries. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.
Limited supply available and they go fast!
Enjoy a Variety of Live Music Every Friday!
Get ready to have a gang of sweet angels, punch you in the heart!
Rainbow Girls are Vanessa May, Erin Chapin, and Caitlin Gowdey seamlessly combine soul-touching harmonies, varitextured instrumentals, and poignant lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry. Throughout their performance, voices are paired with an ever-changing amalgamation of acoustic and slide guitar, keys, upright bass, harmonica, and an array of vocal techniques creating an engaging and often emotionally moving live show. Their music delves deeply into themes of the human experience: hopeful love, honest self-reflection, and pursuits of social justice.
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks in the Isis Music Hall Lounge. Reservations are highly recommended.
Tickets on Sale now – Please Call the Venue
DETAILS:Reserved Tickets for the Lounge are available with dinner reservations only :::: There is a $20 minimum in food and beverage purchases per person with your dinner reservation :: Seating will be limited :: You MUST call venue (828-575-2737) to make a dinner reservation and purchase your tickets.
Known cool guy, Max Fine, is a comedian from Atlanta, GA, currently accepting hate mail in Brooklyn, New York. Highly praised for his colorful storytelling, Max taps into his own personal experiences for laughs. He performs all over the country and was once asked to leave the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has never taken acid but probably won’t say no if you offer it. Max is currently mansplaining Seinfeld theories to his roommate, David.
Featuring Clay Jones and Aaron Naylor
ages 21+ (must have ID with you)
Kristy Cox is the new voice in Australian bluegrass. Adored for her youthful energy infused acoustic country/bluegrass. She has been nominated for three 2015 Australian Country Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year, Bluegrass Recording of the Year and Alternate Country Album of the Year.
Reserved Seat Tickets are available with Dinner reservations – You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 to make dinner reservations and secure those tickets.
General Admission Tickets are available for the main stage balcony only. Seating in the balcony is first come, first serve. Dinner service is NOT currently being offered for general admission tickets.; drink service is available at the downstairs bar on the main floor.
Currently, only General Admission tickets are available on line
You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 for Reserve Seat Tickets and to make dinner reservations.
All ticket sales are final.
Experiencing an unexpected tragedy or loss often provokes a period of self-reflection, a time to contemplate one’s own place and purpose in the world. That was true for El Ten Eleven’s Kristian Dunn. When a beloved family member passed, Dunn found his own reflections on life emerging in the music he composed. Those expressions led to the creation of Tautology — a sonic meditation on the arc of human life, composed in three parts.
Over the course of three discs, Tautology is, in Dunn’s words, “a representation of life from the teenage years, through middle-age, until the end of life.” The sounds on the album echo Dunn’s own experiences, veering from aggressive metallic riffs to blissful ambient soundscapes. And while there are shared melodies and harmonies through all three records, each one has its own distinct qualities: Tautology I, which represents adolescence, is angsty, aggressive and occasionally depressive; Tautology II is head-noddy and mid-tempo, and represents middle age; while Tautology III, quiet and ambient, represents one’s golden years.
The music on the first disc, Tautology I, has a heavier sound that might surprise longtime El Ten Eleven fans. “I wanted to represent what my teenage years were like, when I was full of testosterone and depression,” says Dunn. “When you’re a teenager everything feels so grandiose and dramatic.” The album’s second movement, Tautology II, reflects Dunn’s current state. “I’m middle-aged now, and this is the happiest I’ve ever been. I think that comes across in the music. This record is the one that sounds the most like the El Ten Eleven people are used to.” For the final chapter, Tautology III, Dunn composed a transcendent set of ethereal music inspired partly by the loss of a dear family member. “I don’t know what it’s like to be elderly. But my grandmother-in-law Frances McMaster was a very inspiring person. She died recently, and I was thinking about her a lot. She was really smart. She lived into her early nineties and she wrote her fourth book when she was eighty-eight. I’d like to be like her if I make it to that age.”
Tautology is not a typical rock album, and El Ten Eleven are not a typical rock band. For seventeen years the instrumental duo of Dunn (bass/guitar) and Tim Fogarty (drums) have flourished outside the accepted norms of rock orthodoxy, releasing eight full length albums and four EPs, and performing over 750 live shows. Utilizing inventive arrangements and a masterful use of looping, El Ten Eleven create a sound much bigger than the sum of its parts. Most first-timers to an El Ten Eleven show are stunned that the band is a duo. It’s a refreshing sight and a palette whose boundaries the band have explored for unexpected additions to their sound. Tautology finds Dunn and Fogarty pushing this sound into new territory, experimenting with a range of textures not heard on previous El Ten Eleven releases.
Joyful Noise Recordings will digitally release each of Tautology’s three discs, individually and in sequential order, beginning May 1st, with a physical 3xLP release on September 18, 2020. Dunn explains there’s no right or wrong way to listen to Tautology, suggesting that a deep dive into the full project will yield rewards. “I think someone could listen to any one of the discs by themselves and have a really great experience—even if they didn’t know about the others. But if they do want to go deeper, I think there will be a lot of interesting stuff to discover. It works symbolically and it all connects. I think this is the best record we’ve ever done.”
Sego’s 2nd long player Sego Sucks is woven with the changes of becoming a four-piece band. Originally Spencer Petersen and Thomas Carroll, the band added members Alyssa Davey on bass and Brandon McBride on guitars and keys in 2018. The sound became more focused, but the raucous spirit that has kept people sweating since the beginning is just as tangible and, dare I say, primal as ever.
Aaron Naylor is a stand-up comedian from Kansas City. His smart one-liners and quick wit on stage in-between the jokes have garnered him a lot of praise since he started doing comedy in 2013. He has performed at some of the best comedy festivals around, including San Francisco Sketchfest, 10,000 Laughs, 208, Asheville, and Limestone. He was also a finalist on season 8 of Comcast’s Trial by Laughter, won the 2017 Funniest Person in Wichita competition, and was named best local comic of 2021 by Kansas City Magazine. His stand-up has been featured on Men’s Humor, Someecards, and Comedy Juice. He has been called a “heavy-hitting superstar” by Maria Bamford and has opened for Sam Tallent, Shane Mauss, Todd Barry, and Ron Funches.
featuring Max Fine
ages 21+ (must have ID with you)
Tony Arata, Ed Snodderly, Malcolm Holcombe
More than just a “tribute” to Lynyrd Skynyrd but a tribute to Ronnie Van Zant – the man that defined it. The Artimus Pyle Band is a high energy, true to the music, and true to the era rock group. One of the few that is on the road today. Artimus Pyle, Brad Durden, Jerry Lyda, Dave Fowler, and Scott Raines are not only a group of friends and contemporaries but a group with some of the most seasoned musician in the southeast.
This is a standing show. Dinner reservations can be made in the front dining room prior to the show by calling the venue at 828-575-2737 – you can check our menu out here MENU
Seating in the balcony is limited and is first come, first served – you may save a seat while having dinner prior to the concert
American Singer/Songwriter from Monticello, Arkansas by way of Nashville, Tennesse, Ward Davis has had songs recorded by Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Wade Hayes, Sammy Kershaw, Bucky Covington, Jimmie Van Zant, Buddy Jewel, Carolina Rain, The Roys, and more. Most recently, Ward Davis co-wrote “I’m Not The Devil” with Cody Jinks, with whom he subsequently toured with nationwide. With over 250 shows per year under his belt as both a headliner and support act, Ward Davis’ already popular live show is growing at exponential rates.
Ricky Valido is fast growing his popularity as a unique country music songwriter and performer. With Cuban American roots, Ricky reigns from Hialeah Florida, where his great grandparents settled after arriving from Cuba in the 1960s. Racking up an impressive 200 performances a year, appearing on stages in the Southeast 3-5 times a week, Ricky’s fan base is loyal and growing, with his popularity reaching internationally and spreading to neighboring states in the USA. Ricky’s high-energy shows draw audiences into a rattling and foot stomping hillbilly experience.
The tastiest ticket in town returns with BOGO (buy-one-get-one) deals from 50 independently owned restaurants in Buncombe County.
The 2022 AIR Passport is the perfect way to visit an old favorite with a friend or dine and discover new restaurants in our area’s vibrant independent eateries. All proceeds from the AIR Passport go to benefit the ongoing efforts of AIR to keep Asheville’s food scene eclectic and authentic.
Limited supply available and they go fast!
The S&W Market is hosting a weekly Brews & Blues series featuring Mr. Jimmy & Friends. From 1pm-4pm every Sunday, there will be beer and mimosa specials in Highland Brewing’s Downtown taproom and great live blues in the building. Also enjoy delicious brunch specials from all vendors!
Let us guide you through painting your pet! Guests will provide a clear photo of their pets via email, prior to the class, to [email protected]
Pictures that are sharp and have good lighting work best. We will trace your pet directly on an 8×10 canvas. There will be an 8.5×11 colored print of your pet to use as a reference while painting. Don’t worry, our artist will guide you through your painting, every step of the way!
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to get signed in, get a drink, and find your seat.
Space is limited. Registration will close on Thursday, January 27th. Please contact Kristen with any questions! ([email protected])
Justin is a professional Piano Bar Entertainer and Beatboxer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He currently works for Norwegian Cruise Lines as a Piano Bar Entertainer. With over 16 years experience as a vocal percussionist (beatboxer), Justin pushes the boundaries of the human voice and captivates audiences with his abilities. As a Piano Bar Entertainer, Justin puts on a high energy show with improvisational roasts and toasts, spontaneous beatboxing, and sing alongs!
With his effortless vocals, distinctive songwriting, and instrumental prowess, Mike Mitchell continues to capture audiences and carve out his own place in bluegrass.
From the moment they step on stage until the last encore, Mike Mitchell Band delivers high energy original and traditional Bluegrass Music. Songwriting, skilled lead-work and three part brother harmony singing set them apart from rank-and-file groups.
Reserved Seat Tickets are available with Dinner reservations – You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 to make dinner reservations and secure those tickets.
General Admission Tickets are available for the main stage balcony only. Seating in the balcony is first come, first serve. Dinner service is NOT currently being offered for general admission tickets.; drink service is available at the downstairs bar on the main floor.
Currently, Only General Admission Tickets are available on line
You must call the venue at 828-575-2737 for Reserve Seat Tickets and to make dinner reservations.
Masks are Required
Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis Music Hall.
Hailed as “Midwestern rock heroes” by American Songwriter, Red Wanting Blue has spent the last twenty years establishing themselves as one of the indie world’s most enduring and self-sufficient acts, notching appearances everywhere from Letterman to NPR and reaching #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, all while operating largely outside the confines of the traditional music industry. For their powerful new album, ‘The Wanting,’ the band handed production duties over to acclaimed singer/songwriter Will Hoge, who helped them create their most ambitious, fully realized collection yet. Recorded in Nashville, TN, the record draws on many of the group’s traditional strengths—indelible melodies, infectious hooks, explosive performances—even as the making of it pushed them far outside their comfort zone and forced them to take an unprecedented, nearly year-long break from touring.
Alternately triumphant and melancholic, the songs on ‘The Wanting’ are both muscular and nuanced, with frontman Scott Terry’s epic, heartfelt vocals soaring above the band’s gritty brand of driving rock and roll. The record opens with the rousing “High and Dry,” a feel-good rocker that also serves as something of a mission statement for a fiercely independent group that’s as much a band as they are a family, with Terry singing, “I want to stand on my own two feet again / And when I mess up / That’s when I hope my friends will pick me up.” On “Ulysses,” the band channels early Phil Collins with pulsing synths and larger-than-life drums, while the tender “Glass House” crescendos from a delicate whisper to a triumphant roar, and the dreamy “I’ve Got A Feeling It Hurts” calls to mind the hypnotic drive of REM mixed with a touch of Jayhawks jangle.
“This is really the most collaborative album our band has ever made,” Terry says of the wide range of influences. “It’s the first record where every member contributed to the writing, and I feel like we all matured as artists because of it.”
Over the course of ten previous studio albums, Red Wanting Blue brought their passionate, unforgettable live show to every city and town that would have them, blazing their own distinctive trail through the American heartland as they built up the kind of fanatically dedicated audiences normally reserved for arena acts. In 2016, they celebrated with a 20th anniversary retrospective album/concert film entitled ‘RWB20 Live at Lincoln Theater,’ which captured the band in all their glory at a sold-out hometown show in Columbus, OH.
Red Wanting Blue is:
Scott Terry (Vocals, Tenor Guitar, Ukulele)
Mark McCullough (Bass, Chapman Stick, Vocals)
Greg Rahm (Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals)
Eric Hall (Guitar, Lap Steel, Vocals)
Dean Anshutz (Drums & Percussion)
Soup Kitchen
We are excited to invite you to our Soup Kitchen pop-up at Sovereign Remedies in Downtown with a special menu featuring a selection of soups, artisanal breads, salads, hot drinks and a grilled cheese available exclusively on Mondays.
Open Every Monday December & January.
Doors at 4pm, food at 5pm and last seating at 9pm.
5% of sales will be donated to a local charity each week.
Join us every Monday night for Singo (Musical Bingo)!
Singo will run from 7-8:15 pm.
No reservations needed, just get ready for a good time and a chance to win some Down Dog prizes!
Monday nights are Trivia Nights at the Getaway!
Hosted by James Harrod, teams will be 2-5 members each. Bring your friends or tag along and meet new people.
No Cover – Venue is 21+
$5 Highland pints
$5 Kids taco with chips and salsa Peace Love Tacos
$5 Kids nuggets & fries Buxton Chicken Palace
$5 Grassfed all beef hot dog with chips Farm Dogs
$5 Chicken & rice with veggies Bun Intended
$3.50 for a kiddie scoop or under $5 for a single scoop from The Hop!
One of Asheville’s newest food trucks is coming to Down Dog! Hashi Hana will be joining us every Tuesday from 5-8. The rotating menu includes: scratch-made soba noodles, Okonomiyaki Mochi waffles, and tofu skewers.
No reservations needed, just get ready for a good time and a chance to win some Down Dog prizes!
Join us every Tuesday night for Trivia!
Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!
No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for a good time and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!
Join us for the Grand Opening of our newest location in South Slope, Feb. 2nd, 3rd and 5th. Samples, Education, Mocktails, FUN!
Register on Eventbrite & pop on by to receive free goodies, experience yummy samples, learn about all things hemp, sip on teas, mocktails, and more.
Wednesday, 2/2 from 4 to 7 featuring a Ribbon Cutting with the Chamber of Commerce at 4:20 PM.
Thursday, 2/3 from 4:20 to 7 featuring book signing of Courage in Cannabis with Dr. Bridgette Williams and Franny Tacy.
Saturday, 2/5 from 4:20 to 7 including an outdoor educational fire side chat Q&A.
Samples, Food, Mocktails, Raffle and FUN!
231 Biltmore Ave., Across from McCormick Field.
RSVP at https://ffsouthslopegrandopening.eventbrite.com to claim your special gifts and see you there!
We will be Live on Franny’s Farmacy FB & IG account during the celebration for those who would like to join virtually.
The health and wellness of Franny’s Farmacy’s staff, its customers, and community remains the company’s top priority. Franny’s Farmacy dispensaries will continue to follow CDC guidance along with State and County mandates currently requiring that all employees and customers wear face coverings while at the stores.
Enjoy a $6 glass of wine and 1/2 off bottles every Wednesday night!
The Queer Comedy Party is a night celebrating many of the talented queer comedians in Asheville and all over the country. All the performers are queer identifying but the audience doesn’t have to be. This month’s headliner is Storhm Artiste from Atlanta!!!
Storhm Artiste is a comedian, writer, actress, singer, host, etc. She writes and creates scripts, as well as ghostwrites material for other comedians and has performed stand up comedy for over 7 years. Storhm is a touring comedian and has performed with many celebrity comedians; Marlan Wayans, Chris Tucker, Viva A. Fox, etc.
Storhm has performed on legendary stages all over the country; Improv, Stardome, Uptown Comedy Corner, The Laugh Factory, etc. She a resident comedian, host and headliner at many comedy clubs across the country and has been seen on Roku TV headlining for the Late Night Comedy Show.
Storhm Artiste writes and performs content on Instagram @theblackellen, Facebook and TikTok @storhmartiste, as well as many other social media platforms, with many characters and skits.
Hosted by Queen Ida Carolina
Featuring TBA
ages 21+ (must have ID with you)