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.
Join us for a powerful program of piano trios with Asheville natives Taya Ricker, violin, and Franklin Keel, cello, who will join forces with pianist/Artistic Director Daniel Weiser. Ricker is the daughter of cellist Frances Duff, who has been a cellist with the Asheville Symphony for many years while Keel is currently Associate Principal Cello in the Asheville Symphony. Ricker now lives and free-lances in New York City, but has returned for this thrilling program that includes Felix Mendelssohn’s epic C Minor Piano Trio, a colorful work by contemporary composer Jennifer Higdon, and a little-played Trio by Claude Debussy that he wrote just when he finished his schooling.
The “One Singular Sensation,” A Chorus Line, is coming to Flat Rock Playhouse for the first time and we are thrilled to share this award-winning musical with everyone! A Chorus Line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers. The show follows 17 would-be dancers in their quest to make the cut for a new Broadway Musical. One by one, the dancers come forward to share the stories of their lives, giving it their all and putting themselves on the line to make the cut. Only eight will remain. Capturing the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition, A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all out there to make it come true!
A Chorus Line once held the record as the longest running show on Broadway with over 6000 performances, and heralds nine Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Choreographer, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett. Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian. Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.
Visit The Sweet Escape 2:00 – 9:00pm on Saturday, July 15 for a block party you don’t want to miss! The Sweet Escape will be celebrating its seventh year and welcomes all to join this family-friendly and fun event! There will be cotton candy, popcorn, face painting, bubbles, jump rope, corn hole, music and frozen yogurt will be 20% off ALL DAY.
A timeless ghost story based on the Henry James novella of the same title, The Turn of the Screw is regarded by many as the finest of all Benjamin Britten’s works for stage. Its tale of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, and possession and exorcism, creates an astonishing dramatic power that has a shattering impact in the theater. A show not to be missed!
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Janiec Opera Company of the Brevard Music Center
Brevard Festival Orchestra
Dean Anthony, stage director
Joseph Mechavich, conductor
BENJAMIN BRITTEN The Turn of the Screw
Sung in English with English supertitles
Auditorium seating is reserved.
Come enjoy a Saturday afternoon with the Brother West Band featuring Craig St. John.
Plenty of wine, views, and music!
***Day full of fun including annual craft show!
No cover charge
This meetup is at Hugh’s home and garden off of Sugarloaf Rd in Fruitland, less than 10 minutes East of Hendersonville.
It’s a casual get-together where we discuss the fundamentals of and experiences related to regenerative agriculture and nutrient dense food.
Hugh will guide the conversation with thoughts made popular by Dan Kittredge at https://www.bionutrient.org/
This event has a limit of 5 attendees.
Specific address/location to be provided to attendees
In 2020, Son Volt planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary of seminal album, Trace, with a tour that played the album from top to bottom. The pandemic had other plans. Flash forward to 2023 and they are on the road with a setlist that features Trace from beginning to end, an homage to Doug Sahm (Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornados) and a celebration of 28 years of Son Volt.
Son Volt’s latest record, Day of the Doug, revisits the music of legendary Texas troubadour Doug Sahm. But it’s much more than fond remembrance and colorful tribute. It is a summoning and a celebration of a songwriter and performer whose work forged country, Tex-Mex, rock, rhythm and blues, folk, and psychedelia into an utterly unique American sound.
Day of the Doug steps confidently on the trails Sahm blazed. Like any journey to find a grail, Day of the Doug also seeks out all the things that make young artists fall in love with making music in the first place: adventure, youth novelty, and a chance to snatch a bit of immortality.
“It’s like reconnecting with a hero,” says Son Volt founder Jay Farrar. “And getting back to the same kind of perspective I had when I was starting out as a younger musician. I think it’s just important to step back from what you normally do. Take stock. Take inspiration. And see where it leads from there.”
From the local favorites to new regional acts, all live from the river banks of the Nantahala. Raft, dine, then jam with us with Live Music every Friday and Saturday from 5pm-8pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day!
May 27th 5pm-8pm – Mama and the Ruckus
May 28th 5pm-8pm – The Lefties
June 2nd 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Trio
June 3rd 5pm-8pm – Laura Thurston
June 9th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton
June 10th 1pm-4pm – Jacobs Well
June 10th 5pm-8pm – Natti Love Joys
June 16th 5pm-8pm – Rae and the Ragdolls
June 17th 5pm-8pm – Beer and Loathing
June 23rd 5pm-8pm – TBA
June 24th 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton Trio
June 30th 5pm-8pm – Blue
July 1st 5pm-8pm – Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs
July 7th 5pm-8pm – Bayou Diesel
July 8th 5pm-8pm – Pioneer Chicken Stand
July 14th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin
July 15th 5pm-8pm – Christina Chandler Duo
July 21st 5pm-8pm – Terry Haughton
July 22nd 5pm-8pm – TG and the Stoned Rangers
July 28th 5pm-8pm – Blue
July 29th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child
August 4th 5pm-8pm – Trial by Fire
August 5th 5pm-8pm – Andy Johnson
August 11th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Solo
August 12th 5pm-8pm – Eddie Clayton Band
August 18th 5pm-8pm – Big Deal Band
August 19th 1pm-4pm – Mckinney
August 19th 5pm-8pm – Funk N’ Around
August 25th 5pm-8pm – Wyatt Espalin
August 26th 5pm-8pm – Somebody’s Child
September 1st 5pm-8pm – TBA
September 2nd 5pm-8pm – Regatta 69
Wanna hear the best local music and drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.
The first 1,000 fans through the gates receive a Gold Jersey courtesy of Prestige Subaru.
| Join Bountiful Cities Saturday July 15th 6-7:30pm for a FREE class. Arturo Carillo is a long-time professional cook and gardener who volunteers at the Elder and Sage Community Garden in downtown Asheville. He will share techniques and his delightful recipes from his repertoire. Arturo’s family is originally from Ecuador and his cooking is influenced by time spent in his grandparents kitchens. |
– ALL AGES
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
DOC ROBINSON
“Poppy and infectious with a taste of Motown and a splash of indie rock.” – RIFF
Melding eccentric lyricism, heartbreak harmonies, and dueling lead guitar synergy, the band has catapulted itself beyond genre categorization into a midwestern “gumbo” concoction. From front man Jon Elliott’s commanding tenor vocals, abstract interludes at a moment’s notice, and blissful melodic interjections, Doc revels in a deliberate spectrum of sounds, the audial counterpart to a beautifully splattered Jackson Pollak canvas.
It’s “quirky sh*t”, says Elliott, who co-founded Doc back in 2016. Since its inception, the band has established itself as a pioneering voice in the grassroots indie movement of the late 2010s. Nationwide tours (alongside Caamp, Neal Francis, The Brook and the Bluff, and more) and song placements on major TV series (The Walking Dead, BoJack Horseman) have allowed them to reach audiences worldwide and has transformed their live performance into feel good sing-along parties.
Following the release of four stylistically distinct and evolving albums, Doc continues to embrace the range of diverse perspectives each band member contributes to its “melting pot” sound. Shedding their skin as redefining singles usher in a new creative era and foreshadowed fifth album, the six-musician powerhouse looks toward new horizons. Doc plans to hit the road with a fresh slate of tour dates across the United States and beyond in support of their new works.
From the regional crafters to local guide artisans, set up on the river banks of the Nantahala. Come and meet these vendors and more on the second Saturday of every month, May – September.
If you are interested in joining us as a vendor, please fill out your information here: https://forms.gle/BgqQQpY4XSGqtH6f6
Spend an enchanted evening at Chimney Rock. Experience the Park after the gates have closed as our friends from Street Creature Puppets lead a workshop on building lanterns from recycled materials. Enjoy a catered cookout from the Old Rock Cafe, then use the lantern you created to join in as they bring the evening forest to life with a magical puppet parade.
An evening of original songs, creative instrumentation, and zany stories. Come for the truly unique Dr. Keyboardian experience & delightful Larrimore sounds!
All ages welcome. Open donation; special merchandise available.
Dr. Keyboardian was formed out of spite in 2013 when bandmates suggested I stop tinkering with my yard sale Seiko DS 250 keyboard and get back on drums where I belonged. They said I was a bad keyboard player. “I’ll show them,” I accidentally said out loud, “I’ll start a solo project and call it Dr. Keyboardian, and ten years later, I’ll still be bad, but I’ll hustle for gigs and make songs and design merch. So here we are today, ten years later, but not Ten Years After, ladies and gentlemen, it’s Dr. Keyboardian. He showed them.” Then I got back on drums.
Tim Greene, Head Coach, Dr. Keyboardian
Ian Larrimore teaches music to elementary students in McDowell county, writes songs, and studies guitar.
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and educates, encourages, challenges and inspires the community through music, film, literary, and contemporary art.
, Come out toaka ‘The Orchard’ to watch the
Hendersonville Honeycrisps defend their 2022 Western Division title in The Old North State League. You are bound to see great
plays & big hits while you and your family make memories and are entertained at the ball park! $10, Season runs through July 30th,
Click here for the full schedule: https://www.hendersonvillehoneycrisps.com/schedule
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE
Airpark
Formed in 2017 by brothers Ben Ford and Michael Ford, Jr., Airpark is a Nashville-based duo whose songs explore the wide expanse of forward-thinking pop music.
It’s a sound that’s both timely and timeless, rooted in sharp grooves one minute and dreamily rounded edges the next. Over the course of four EPs, the Fords have created music that’s honest and ever-evolving, glued together by nuanced arrangements, an attention to melody, and the refusal to make the same record twice.
With the release of their debut album, Prehistoric Feeling – featuring production from Tennis, St. Lucia, and Eric Cannata (Young The Giant) – Ben and Michael double down on their unique brand of pop. Tracked in Highland Park, Los Angeles – the Fords created an effortless and joyous work that, with the passing of time, will take listeners back to the exact place they were when they first heard it. Appearances from Eric Cannata (Young The Giant), Jean-Philip Grobler (St. Lucia) and Jessie Baylin provide inimitable flourishes to the eleven song debut. Prehistoric Feeling is available everywhere 9/16/22.
Brother Bluebird
Brother Bluebird is a twin brother duet playing heartfelt, lyrically engaging indie folk.
The 57th season of Shindig on the Green, a free event in the heart of downtown Asheville with a stage show and informal jam sessions, takes place on Saturday evenings July 1 through August 26, 2023.
Locals and visitors alike come together at downtown’s Pack Square Park “along about sundown,” or at 7:00 pm for those who wear a watch, and continues until 10:00 pm. Concessions are available! The remaining Shindig on the Green events will be held on July 1, 8, 15, 22 and August 12, 19, 26, 2023.
The stage show takes place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. Since the outdoor event’s inception in 1967, hundreds of thousands of individuals from across the region and throughout the world have shared and enjoyed the rich traditional music and dance heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this outdoor setting.
Shindig on the Green remains a free event due in part to net proceeds from ticket sales to the nation’s longest continually running festival, the granddaddy of all festivals, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.
Danish composer Carl Nielsen described his Fifth Symphony as “the division of dark and light, the battle between evil and good, and the opposition between ‘Dreams and Deeds’. Powerful, genuine, and beautiful, Nielsen’s symphony was largely unrecognized outside of Denmark until Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic recorded a seminal account of the work in 1962. Grieg’s Piano Concerto, on the other hand, quickly became one of his most famous works and was performed by the leading pianists of the day. It was so popular, in fact, that it was the first piano concerto ever recorded. Maestro Rune Bergmann returns to Brevard in this performance with the BMCO.
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Brevard Music Center Orchestra
Rune Bergmann, conductor
Natasha Paremski, piano
EDVARD GRIEG Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
CARL NIELSEN Symphony No. 5
Lead Sponsor: Jan Tore Hall
Auditorium seating is reserved. Lawn seating is general admission.
All shows will be at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater in the Montford District of Asheville, and all will be presented absolutely FREE of charge!
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Fable Wilde Day
Always an audience favorite, Twelfth Night returns to the MPP stage with all of the mistaken identity, love triangles and general wackiness you may already know and love!
All shows will run Fridays through Sundays and all will be presented at 7:30pm and prime seats can be reserved.
Montford Park Players has been bringing some of theater’s greatest works to Western North Carolina for over 50 years. Montford Park Players continues its mission of bring free theater to the community. The summer season allows everyone to come spend an evening under the stars, seeing some of the best live performances presented in Asheville.
Montford Park Players allows patrons to bring their favorite food and beverages to their shows and sells beer, wine and concessions at the shows. If you’ve never been to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre for a Montford show, there’s no better season than this one. If you have been, you know why you should come back and catch everything we have to offer!
Book by Chris D’Arienzo
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
www.concordtheatricals.com
Director: Victoria Lamberth
This five-time Tony Award-nominated musical tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip. But when the bar where rock reigns supreme is set to be demolished, it’s up to these wannabe rockers and their band of friends to save the day – and the music. Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This jukebox musical features all of your favorite ‘80s rock anthems and power ballads from bands including Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more.
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult content, alcohol use, and language.
The “One Singular Sensation,” A Chorus Line, is coming to Flat Rock Playhouse for the first time and we are thrilled to share this award-winning musical with everyone! A Chorus Line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers. The show follows 17 would-be dancers in their quest to make the cut for a new Broadway Musical. One by one, the dancers come forward to share the stories of their lives, giving it their all and putting themselves on the line to make the cut. Only eight will remain. Capturing the spirit, tension, and hope of an audition, A Chorus Line is the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all out there to make it come true!
A Chorus Line once held the record as the longest running show on Broadway with over 6000 performances, and heralds nine Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Director and Best Choreographer, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett. Book by James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Edward Kleban. Co-Choreographed by Bob Avian. Original Broadway production produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, Joseph Papp, Producer, in association with Plum Productions, Inc.
Gailfean, a word that means “rough weather” in Irish (Gaelic), is an Irish Traditional music group featuring All-Ireland champions Brian Conway, John Whelan, and Máirtín de Cógáin, and renowned musician and festival organizer Don Penzien. We came together in October 2012 at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat in Texas. Toward the end of the festival weekend, Hurricane Sandy landed in the northeast and prevented the four of us from traveling home. It was a remarkable, portentous moment because circumstance put the lot of us together on stage for the first time and we made good on the opportunity, finding tons of shared ground in each other’s music. The audience was delighted and when our set came to an end, we knew we had something special as a group and that a recording project was the logical next step.
The four of us are all well known in the traditional music community. Brian is a cornerstone of the vaunted New York/Silgo fiddling tradition and John grew up a young prodigy in England, who moved to the US and crossed over to the wild side of accordion playing in the 80s and 90s. Although Brian and John gel like brothers in their playing, they’ve never recorded together, so this project is an exciting first. Don, who for nearly three decades programmed CelticFest in Jackson, Mississippi, is the rare sort of guitar talent who plays firmly underneath the melody and never puts a chord in out of turn. He has extensive performance experience with Máirtín, the man from Cork. Máirtín is a renowned singer, musician, and storyteller – a true seanachaí – who channels his youthful energy and guile to evoke the aromatic images and sensory sounds of old Ireland. There’s a lot to love here, and we think we make a compelling combination!
It’s HYPNOLARIOUS, Sit in peace and Watch the Show or VOLUNTEER TO GET HYPNOTIZED and become the STAR!
The Hypno-Larium Comedy Theater at Four Points by Sheraton in downtown Asheville North Carolina features the Jon Dee Show with Famed Hypnotist Jon Dee from the CMT documentary “Morgan Spurlock Presents Freedom The Movie.”
One of the Best Things to do in downtown asheville. The Hypno-Larium is patterned after Jon’s time training and performing in Las Vegas and Paris, France. More than a Comedy Club in Asheville NC this is 150 seat intimate Las Vegas style theatrical show focusing on Consciousness, Perception and the POWER of our own God-Given Minds and Potential.
Full Bar and Restaurant on site and FREE PARKING for show guests until 11 PM Come early or stay late. Enjoy Weird Asheville…. and Weird Jon Dee:)
ROCKY HORROR MUSIC SHOW
Rocky Horror has been a sensation for nearly 50 years. First as a Stage Show, then as a Movie and now as a 12-Person Live Music Rock and Roll review. Rocky Horror Music Show presents the songs of Rocky Horror in a rock club setting. Think of it as a Rocky Horror Tribute Experience.
The costumed characters will be playing the songs live with snippets of the movie dialogue you want to hear and on-stage narration telling the story between songs.
This will make it easy to follow for newbies to the show. Don’t worry though, veterans will be impressed by the depth the band goes on the song list. In addition to the hits like “Dammit Janet” and “Time Warp”, Rocky Horror Music Show will hit ALL the songs including deep cuts and even deleted scenes.
The band is the cast! You can See Riff Raff rip a Guitar Solo, Eddie is actually playing the sax and Janet Weiss plays violin as Brad defends her honor from behind the drums. As this is a cult classic known for audience participation, there will be plenty of room for the crowd to sing along to these classic songs!This is being presented by an All-Star lineup of Asheville musicians featuring members of Dr. Bacon, Natural Born Leaders, Modern Strangers, The Beekeepers, Andrew Thelston Band, Carpal Tullar, The Deathbots, Fancy & The Gentleman, Sun Goblin, Pronounced Heroes and more!!
Links
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1LqqHKBVQ-apDbbHWRrq0w
Web: https://rockyhorrormusicshow.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/rockyhorrormusicshow
DOUBLE LOVE AND THE TROUBLE
Double Love & The Trouble is an 8-Person Two-Headed Rocking Soul Machine bringing a driving sexy sound to your ears. We bring non-stop party energy and horn-fueled good times. We focus on 60’s and 70’s Rockin’ Soul covers, but add the right amount of edge to not be an “Oldies” Band. This includes songs from The Ronettes, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and The Beatles. All done with style and flare.
Buncombe County Public Libraries have added the popular Kanopy Kids streaming video service for library card holders. Kanopy Kids offers curated, age-appropriate content for young viewers with beloved characters from Sesame Street, Madeline, Blippi, and Paddington Bear.
Our Kanopy Kids subscription begins on July 1 and offers unlimited access to over 2,000 enriching and entertaining films and TV series. Parents can set parental controls on the Kanopy app to make sure children are only viewing Kanopy Kids content.
Films can be streamed free of charge from any computer, television, mobile device, or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, or Roku. To access Kanopy, visit the library website, or download the app to your phone, TV, or digital device. If you have any questions, contact your local library.
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW!
Do you have a boundary-pushing, innovative performance piece, short film or installation that you’re ready to share?
We will open applications for the film portion of the festival in fall 2023. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway. Our application fee for films is $5.
NOW CONSIDERING WORKS OF ALL KINDS
We accept live performances from 5 to 60 minutes in length, plus installations and films. We’re open to other types of performance as well – let’s talk! Depending on its length, your piece may be grouped with another show, or scheduled as a Random Act of Fringe. RAFs are free and open to the public, and artists receive a stipend for their performance, rather than relying on door sales.
Typically each artist with a ticketed show gets 2 performances. But in 2024, we’re exploring the option of giving a few shows 3 performances, at select venues only. Our venues range from 20-80 person capacity.
1. FRINGE SHOT
A piece that is
5-15 minutes long
May be paired with another performance, or be selected as a free Random Act of Fringe.
2. SHORT FORM
A piece that is
20-40 minutes long
May be paired with another show.
3. FULL-LENGTH
A piece that is
45-60 minutes long
Ticketed theater-style show.
4. INSTALLATION
A piece that is
Site-specific (any length)
May be in an unusual location, or repeated many times. May be seen by as few as one person at a time.
5. FILM
A piece that is
Designed specifically for film.
May be of any genre & length. Could be combined with other films for a showcase or film night.
Submit on Film Freeway Fall 2023
3. THE ASHEVILLE FRINGE ARTS FESTIVAL IS A JURIED FESTIVAL.
We carefully review each and every submission. You’ll know by late October if your piece is selected. Should your piece get selected, there is a $35 participation fee.
Raffle: Trip to NYC 2023
Enter to win a fabulous trip for two to New York!
Raffle tickets on sale through Sunday, August 6, 2023!
Tickets are $50 and only 500 will be sold.
Travel package for Thanksgiving 2023, with check-in on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 and check-out on Sunday, November 26, 2023.
Prize includes:
- Two round-trip Business Class tickets to New York from Asheville Regional Airport
- Transfers to and from the airport to your hotel
- Accomodations for four nights in Midtown at The Lotte New York Palace, with a choice of one king bed or two double beds
- VIP Macy’s Parade Day experience, including brunch and complimentary drinks, access to indoor and outdoor VIP viewing areas, and access to the Inflation Celebration of parade balloons on Wednesday afternoon
- Orchestra seating tickets to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
- Tickets to a Broadway show
- Up to $500 to spend on guided tours or additional theatre tickets
- Personal consultation with Foothills Travel to customize your trip
- On-site concierge provided through MyBucketListEvents
The drawing will take place the week of August 7, 2023. Winner will be notified by phone call and email.