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.

Saturday, May 20, 2023
GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL PRESENTS: SPRING DANCE PERFORMANCE
May 20 @ 7:30 pm
Gunter Theatre

The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Dance Department presents an evening of mixed repertoire showcasing refreshingly versatile and passionate dance students performing a wide range of works that celebrate both the Classical Ballet traditions as well as the moving trends of the 21st century.

Sunday, May 21, 2023
Asheville Performing Arts Academy Summer Theatre Workshops Registration Open
May 21 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square)) (560 × 373 px)

We’re offering TWO grade levels this summer for our workshops:

  • Younger Ages (Rising First – Third Grade) and
  • Older Ages (Rising Fourth – Tenth Grade)

Pricing

First Student: $350 per week
Sibling & Multiple Week Camp Discounts are available

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square)) (1)

Madagascar Workshop

June 12-16 & July 17-21

 

Get read to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins in this crack-a-lackin’ adventure from New York City to Madagascar.

Matilda Workshop

June 19-23 & July 24-28

 

It’s time to act like REVOLTIN’ CHILDREN!

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

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Shrek Workshop

June 26-30 & July 31-August 4

 

Come and let your FREAK FLAG FLY!

It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

The Little Mermaid Workshop

July 10-14 & August 7-11

 

Discover what it means to be PART OF YOUR WORLD!

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square))
GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL PRESENTS: SPRING DANCE PERFORMANCE
May 21 @ 2:00 pm
Gunter Theatre

The SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Dance Department presents an evening of mixed repertoire showcasing refreshingly versatile and passionate dance students performing a wide range of works that celebrate both the Classical Ballet traditions as well as the moving trends of the 21st century.

Family Folk Dance
May 21 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Harvest House Community Center
Family Folk Dance

 

Free admission.

3rd Sundays of each month Sept-May

3:00-5:00pm

 

Bring the whole family for some good old-fashioned fun with traditional dance and live music! All ages are welcome, no experience necessary. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This venue is mask-encouraged.

For more information, please visit the website.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Being a Ballerina Author Visit and Mini-Performance with professional dancer Gavin Larsen
May 23 @ 6:30 pm
Fairview Library

 

Inspiring, revealing, and deeply relatable, Being a Ballerina is a first-hand look at the realities of life as a professional ballet dancer. Through episodes of her own career, Gavin Larsen describes the forces that drive a person to study dance; the daily balance that dancers navigate between hardship and joy; and the dancer’s continual quest to discover who they are as a person and as an artist.

Join us for this very special event as we welcome author and dancer Gavin Larsen for readings from her book Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life. In addition to the reading, the audience will also be treated to a performance of excerpts from the ballet Giselle.

This program is for an audience of all ages, and Malaprops will be on hand to sell copies of Gavin’s book after the event is over.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Read to Puptart!
May 24 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

Puptart is a tail wagging robot dog who sits and stays, pants when listening, and responds to someone talking to and petting it. It will not jump up or run away, plus it’s fur free, so no sneezes and runny noses coming your way!

Every Wednesday afternoon, Puptart will be available for reading practice in the children’s picture book room. Help establish a joy of reading and develop early literacy skills. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes.

Thursday, May 25, 2023
City Dance
May 25 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, May 27, 2023
Asheville Performing Arts Academy Summer Theatre Workshops Registration Open
May 27 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square)) (560 × 373 px)

We’re offering TWO grade levels this summer for our workshops:

  • Younger Ages (Rising First – Third Grade) and
  • Older Ages (Rising Fourth – Tenth Grade)

Pricing

First Student: $350 per week
Sibling & Multiple Week Camp Discounts are available

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square)) (1)

Madagascar Workshop

June 12-16 & July 17-21

 

Get read to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins in this crack-a-lackin’ adventure from New York City to Madagascar.

Matilda Workshop

June 19-23 & July 24-28

 

It’s time to act like REVOLTIN’ CHILDREN!

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

4
5-1

Shrek Workshop

June 26-30 & July 31-August 4

 

Come and let your FREAK FLAG FLY!

It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

The Little Mermaid Workshop

July 10-14 & August 7-11

 

Discover what it means to be PART OF YOUR WORLD!

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

APAA Summer Camp Banner (Facebook Post (Square))
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Romance Book Club
May 30 @ 7:00 pm
online w/ Malaprop's Bookstore
The Romance Book Club is a space to celebrate love in literature. Whether it’s set in early 1800s London, a distant planet years into the future, a fantasy world of magic, or our own contemporary universe, we are here for the stories that end with a happily-ever-after (or at least a happily-for-now). Meetings will take place the last Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Please email Samantha at [email protected] for the link to join.

The club will meet virtually for now. 

Meetings will take place at 7:00 PM ET on the last Tuesday of each month via Zoom. Please visit the Romance Bookclub page for the monthly selection, and email Samantha at [email protected] for the link to join.

Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Read to Puptart!
May 31 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

Puptart is a tail wagging robot dog who sits and stays, pants when listening, and responds to someone talking to and petting it. It will not jump up or run away, plus it’s fur free, so no sneezes and runny noses coming your way!

Every Wednesday afternoon, Puptart will be available for reading practice in the children’s picture book room. Help establish a joy of reading and develop early literacy skills. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes.

Author event with Marie Bostwick
May 31 @ 5:00 pm
Lake Lure Inn

Author event with Marie Bostwick: 5 p.m., Lake Lure Inn, US 64, Lake Lure. $30 includes book discussion of ‘Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly’ and meal. Call 828-287-6392 or mail check to Friends of the Mountains Branch Library, 150 Bill’s Creek Road, Lake Lue, NC 28746.

Foodie Book Club
May 31 @ 7:00 pm
online

Foodie Book Club

A book club for home cooks, foodies, industry folks, and anyone in-between.  We will be focusing on all sorts of food writing. Somethemes will be (but not limited to): food critics, chef memoirs, wine, food history, and food politics.

The Foodie group meets virtually on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. (EST), beginning in June 2022.  Please email [email protected] for the Zoom meeting info.

Thursday, June 1, 2023
Crime and Politics Book Club
Jun 1 @ 4:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Crime and Politics Book Club

Crime and Politics is a book club for people who want to explore the overlap between true crime and public affairs. We will explore scandals, malfeasance, murder, corruption, and cover-ups. We will alternate months, beginning with a work of true crime, then a book on politics or public affairs. Crime, from the most personal to the global, is the theme. We meet the first Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. Contact [email protected].

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookseller Patricia Furnish to discuss a range of books across true crime and public affairs. The club meets in Asheville and offsite, usually at a restaurant, on the first Thursday of the month at 4 p.m. Please email [email protected] for info and instructions to attend. See the list of upcoming dates above and click here to learn more about the club, view important news, and find the pick for this month!

Friday, June 2, 2023
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents Giselle
Jun 2 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

Saturday, June 3, 2023
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents Giselle
Jun 3 @ 3:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents Giselle
Jun 3 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

A beautiful full-length production of the classic romantic ballet ‘Giselle’ performed by the celebrated Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s pre-professional company.

A story of innocent love and betrayal, with the much loved score by Adolphe Adam

This year Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s alumni have performed with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and been award scholarships and placement in every top ballet university program.

This Spring semester we are thrilled to welcome choreographer in residence, Nick Kepley.

Sunday, June 4, 2023
WNC DANCE ACADEMY PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE
Jun 4 @ 2:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

WNC Dance Academy presents their annual Spring Showcase, featuring our award winning WNCDA Performance Company and the artistry of our talented academy students and choreographers.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Weaverville Library Evening Book Club: The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Jun 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weaverville Public Library

Join us as we discuss, The Guncle by Steven Rowley.  We will meet in person at the Weaverville Library with the option to join the discussion via ZOOM.  Only ZOOM participants need to register.  Copies of this title are available at the Weaverville Library while supplies last. Newcomers are always welcome.

East Asheville Library Book Club: The Other Dr. Gilmer, by Benjamin Gilmer
Jun 6 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
East Asheville Library

Join other literature lovers to discuss your favorite books at the library! This month’s pick is The Other Dr. Gilmer, by Benjamin Gilmer.

Enka Evening Book Club: “West With Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge
Jun 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

We’ll be discussing “West With Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. Books are available for pick up at the library.
All newcomers are welcome to participate and no registration is required. Join us!

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Asheville Art Museum Book Club: Fierce Poise
Jun 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Fierce Poise is a dazzling biography of one of the 20th century’s most respected painters, Helen Frankenthaler, as she came of age as both an artist and a woman in the vibrant art world of 1950s New York. Brought to vivid life by acclaimed art historian Alexander Nemerov, this book comprises a portrait as bold and distinctive as the painter herself.

 

Read Fierce Poise in advance and join museum staff for a book conversation followed by a gallery talk featuring Frankenthaler’s artwork Book of Clouds, on view in SECU Collection Hall, level 3. Books are available at your local library as well as Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café for a 10% discount.

Read to Puptart!
Jun 7 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

Puptart is a tail wagging robot dog who sits and stays, pants when listening, and responds to someone talking to and petting it. It will not jump up or run away, plus it’s fur free, so no sneezes and runny noses coming your way!

Every Wednesday afternoon, Puptart will be available for reading practice in the children’s picture book room. Help establish a joy of reading and develop early literacy skills. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes.

Malaprop’s Book Club
Jun 7 @ 7:00 pm
online w/ Malaprop's Bookstore

The Malaprop’s Book Club, hosted by Jay Jacoby, explores a diverse selection of fiction and nonfiction books determined by member suggestion. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM. The club will meet virtually until further notice. To join the club, please email [email protected]

Friday, June 9, 2023
The World Beyond the Redbud Tree: Book Reading + Discussion
Jun 9 @ 7:00 pm
Weaverville Community Center

Madison C. Brightwell (a Weaverville resident) will read from and discuss her new novel – The World Beyond the Redbud Tree.

This novel was written by Brightwell during the COVID pandemic as a response to what she saw as a world that needed some healing and hope. The novel is set partly right here in Weaverville, and partly in a fantasy parallel universe, in which our teenage heroine, Charli, discovers a Utopian world where different and better choices were made – a world in which the native peoples were embraced by the white colonists and not destroyed by them, which created a harmonious and peaceful society. Madison hopes to inspire readers of the book to think about how we can all contribute to making the world a better place.

This event will feature…

An interview with the author,
Q&A with the audience,
A performance of an extract from the book by local actors,
Local musicians, and
A book signing by the author at the end of the evening.

AIN’T DONE BAD
Jun 9 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Ain’t Done Bad is a momentous, yet achingly vulnerable piece of Contemporary Dance Theatre created by “So You Think You Can Dance” star, Jakob Karr. Featuring the vivid, revelatory music of Orville Peck, seven of the most sought-after professional dancers in the industry, bring Jakob’s story to life in this utterly seamless, hour long work of art. Ain’t Done Bad explores the experience of growing up, coming out and finding love, using dance to celebrate the journey of leaving shame behind to embrace your authentic, vulnerable voice, all without speaking a word. 35th Parallel Productions proudly shares this exciting new work with the world!

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
53rd Annual AAUW Book Sale
Jun 14 all-day
Boshamer Gym- Brevard College

The Brevard Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring its 53rd Annual Book Sale at Brevard College. Proceeds will support scholarships for local girls and young women. There will be 30,000 well organized books in all genres, puzzles, audiobooks, DVD’s, CD’s and vinyl. There will be ample parking, free admission and dealers are welcome. Prices range from 25 cents and up. Assistance is provided loading books into cars. Payments provided include cash, checks with an ID, or cards.

This event starts on June 10th, 2023 and will be from 10am-7pm. It continues into June 11th, 2023 and is open from noon-7pm. On June 12th and 13th it is open 10am-7pm except the 13th (the 13th ONLY) is half price day. June 14th, 2023 is the final day and it is open from 10am-3pm. On that same day (June 14th) from 3-5pm (only) is free books for local Non-Profits as well.

Pack Library Book Club
Jun 14 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Pack Memorial Library
  The Pack Library Book Club is a book discussion group that meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30AM at the library.
Read to Puptart!
Jun 14 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Enka-Candler Library

Puptart is a tail wagging robot dog who sits and stays, pants when listening, and responds to someone talking to and petting it. It will not jump up or run away, plus it’s fur free, so no sneezes and runny noses coming your way!

Every Wednesday afternoon, Puptart will be available for reading practice in the children’s picture book room. Help establish a joy of reading and develop early literacy skills. Sign up at the front desk, pick a book and practice reading for up to 15 minutes.

Thursday, June 15, 2023
Flat Rock Book Club
Jun 15 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
The 2nd Act

Please join us at The 2nd Act in Hendersonville, NC for our first monthly book club meeting that strives to read books that create a closer knit and more inclusive community! We will meet virtually and in person monthly to discuss a book, so read the book and then join in the discussion in person or online every third Thursday. All are welcome! At the end of each meeting we will vote on the next book! The virtual club meeting will be in Zoom format and will meet 2.5 hours after the in-person meeting (8:00pm EST). After the meeting there is live acoustic music so stay and enjoy the vibe with your new friends! Put us down on your calendar for every third Third Thursday!

The first book is going to be called Disability Visibility.

Synopsis from the back cover: One in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some disabilities are visible, others less apparent—but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the thirtieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.

From Harriet McBryde Johnson’s account of her debate with Peter Singer over her own personhood to original pieces by authors like Keah Brown and Haben Girma; from blog posts, manifestos, and eulogies to Congressional testimonies, and beyond: this anthology gives a glimpse into the rich complexity of the disabled experience, highlighting the passions, talents, and everyday lives of this community. It invites readers to question their own understandings. It celebrates and documents disability culture in the now. It looks to the future and the past with hope and love. Preview:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51456746-disability-visibility
Message me for the Zoom link to the online meetup. Thanks!

Friday, June 16, 2023
Melvin AC Howell Juneteenth Dance
Jun 16 @ 7:30 pm
Marshall High Studios

Melvin AC Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPOs, are immersive dance theatre explorations of issues related to Black history and contemporary Black culture. In addition to a live performance integrating dance, music and theatrical elements, EXPOs include a visual arts installation that creates a setting for the performance and organically submerges the audience in the environment.

JUNETEENTH, the newest in Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPO series, is inspired by the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.