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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.
Exhibition and Public Programming
Vera B. Williams, an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books, started making pictures almost as soon as she could walk. She studied at Black Mountain College in a time where summer institutes were held with classes taught by John Cage and Merce Cunningham. Williams studied under the Bauhaus luminary Josef Albers and went on to make art for the rest of her life. At the time of her death, The New York Times wrote: “Her illustrations, known for bold colors and a style reminiscent of folk art, were praised by reviewers for their great tenderness and crackling vitality.” Despite numerous awards and recognition for her children’s books, much of her wider life and work remains unexplored. This retrospective will showcase the complete range of Williams’ life and work. It will highlight her time at Black Mountain College, her political activism, and her establishment, with Paul Williams, of an influential yet little-known artist community, in addition to her work as an author and illustrator.
Author and illustrator of 17 children’s books, including Caldecott medal winner, A Chair for My Mother, Vera B. Williams always had a passion for the arts. Williams grew up in the Bronx, NY, and in 1936, when she was nine years old, one of her paintings, called Yentas, opens a new window, was included in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. While Williams is widely known for her children’s books today, this exhibition’s expansive scope highlights unexplored aspects of her artistic practice and eight decades of life. From groundbreaking, powerful covers for Liberation Magazine, to Peace calendar collaborations with writer activist Grace Paley, to scenic sketches for Julian Beck and Judith Malina’s Living Theater, to hundreds of late life “Aging and Illness” cartoons sketches and doodles, Vera never sat still.
Williams arrived at Black Mountain College in 1945. While there, she embraced all aspects of living, working, and learning in the intensely creative college community. She was at BMC during a particularly fertile period, which allowed her to study with faculty members Buckminster Fuller and Josef Albers, and to participate in the famed summer sessions with John Cage, Merce Cunningham, M.C. Richards, and Robert Rauschenberg. In 1948, she graduated with Josef Albers as her advisor and sculptor Richard Lippold as her outside examiner. Forever one of the College’s shining stars, Vera graduated from BMC with just six semesters of coursework, at only twenty-one years old. She continued to visit BMC for years afterward, staying deeply involved with the artistic community that BMC incubated.
Anticipating the eventual closure of BMC, Williams, alongside her husband Paul Williams and a group of influential former BMC figures, founded The Gate Hill Cooperative Artists community located 30 miles north of NYC on the outskirts of Stony Point, NY. The Gate Hill Cooperative, also known as The Land, became an outcropping of Black Mountain College’s experimental ethos. Students and faculty including John Cage, M.C. Richards, David Tudor, Karen Karnes, David Weinrib, Stan VanDerBeek, and Patsy Lynch Wood shaped Gate Hill as founding members of the community. Vera B. Williams raised her three children at Gate Hill while continuing to make work.
The early Gate Hill era represented an especially creative phase for the BMC group. For Williams, this period saw the creation of 76 covers for Liberation Magazine, a radical, groundbreaking publication. This exhibition will feature some of Williams’ most powerful Liberation covers including a design for the June 1963 edition, which contained the first full publication of MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” Williams’ activism work continued throughout her life. As president of PEN’s Children Committee and member of The War Resisters league, she created a wide range of political and educational posters and journal covers. Williams protested the war in Vietnam and nuclear proliferation while supporting women’s causes and racial equality. In 1981, Williams was arrested and spent a month in a federal prison on charges stemming from her political activism.
In her late 40’s, Williams embarked in earnest on her career as a children’s book author and illustrator, a career which garnered the NY Public Library’s recognition of A Chair for My Mother as one of the greatest 100 children’s books of all time. Infinitely curious and always a wanderer at heart, Williams’ personal life was as expansive as her art. In addition to her prolific picture making, Williams started and helped run a Summerhill-based alternative school, canoed the Yukon, and lived alone on a houseboat in Vancouver Harbor. She helped to organize and attended dozens of political demonstrations throughout her adult life.
Her books won many awards including the Caldecott Medal Honor Book for A Chair for My Mother in 1983, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award– Fiction category– for Scooter in 1994, the Jane Addams Honor for Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart in 2002, and the NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature in 2009. Her books reflected her values, emphasizing love, compassion, kindness, joy, strength, individuality, and courage.
Images:
Cover of Vera B. Williams’ A Chair for My Mother, published in 1982.
Vera B. Williams, Cover for Liberation Magazine, November 1958.
David Huff explores the remarkable life and legacy of George Masa, a pioneering Japanese-
American photographer and conservationist, whose profound connection with the
Appalachian region’s natural beauty played a pivotal role in the early 20th-century
conservation movement. He delves into how Masa’s groundbreaking photographic
work and tireless advocacy for the preservation of the Appalachian landscapes,
especially the Great Smoky Mountains, contributed significantly to the establishment of
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His vision transcended mere conservation,
embodying early principles of climate resiliency through his understanding of the
intrinsic value and vulnerability of these ecosystems. Through the lens of Masa’s legacy,
discuss the importance of preserving natural landscapes not only for their
aesthetic and recreational value but as crucial components in the fight against climate
change, highlighting the interconnectedness of conservation, heritage, and sustainable
future.
David is an award-winning conservation photographer. Through his lens, he seeks
to bring attention to the delicate balance between human activity and natural
ecosystems, advocating for conservation efforts through visual storytelling. David’s
commitment to conservation is evident through his active role in the Carolina Mountain
Club, the Southeast’s oldest hiking and trail maintenance organization, where he
contributes as the Councillor for Communications and oversees a 2.5-mile stretch of the
Appalachian Trail. Furthermore, David’s role as a brand ambassador for Fjällräven
underscores his dedication to sustainability, respect for the natural world, and
commitment to quality. Beyond showcasing his passion for making a tangible impact
through art and advocacy, David’s position as the founding chair of the George Masa
Foundation reflects his commitment to perpetuating George Masa’s legacy by
encouraging young people to creatively face the environmental challenges of their
generation. To explore more about David’s journey and portfolio, visit
www.davidhuffcreative.com. To learn more about the George Masa Foundation, visit
https://georgemasafoundation.org.
All businesses need funding to start, grow, and sustain their operations. Whether you’re a start-up or interested in growing your business, this workshop is here to guide you through the process to secure a business loan. Learn why businesses borrow money, what lenders are looking for when reviewing your application, and the importance of having cash flow projections. We’ll also give you tips on other funding sources if you aren’t ready for a loan yet.
Speaker(s): Ron Fisher
Co-Sponsor(s): The Western Women’s Business Center
Fee: No Cost
Buncombe County farmers markets are opening throughout April and May—or, for year-round markets, shifting back to regular season hours. Spring markets offer an array of produce as well as meat, cheese, eggs, bread, prepared foods, and a wide selection of plant starts.
Nine markets in Buncombe County will continue to offer ASAP’s Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables and Farm Fresh Produce Prescription.
Live on the Legends Plaza Stage: Champagne Charlie, an acoustic duo from Western North Carolina performing jazz, blues, and country classics in a unique style they call Acoustic Swing. The band features Phil Ruff on vocals and rhythm guitar and Devin McEnnerney on lead guitar.
There is no ticket needed for this FREE performance. Grab dinner on the grounds and enjoy!
Plus don’t miss the chance to try your luck in our 50/50 raffle!
No cost to attend, just pre-register.
Join us as First Bank shares everything you need to know about buying a car, including:
Pizza will be provided.
On Thursday, April 25, 2024, Stillpoint Wellness will host an in-person screening of “The Last Ecstatic Days.” Doors will open at 5:30 and the screening will begin at 6:00 pm.
After the screening will be a community discussion facilitated by Tiffany Sauls and Tandy Wells, which will wrap around 8:00 – 8:30 pm.
Come early to find parking!
This is Bluey’s Big Play, For Real Life. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
Bluey’s Big Play is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co. Website: blueylive.com Facebook / Instagram: @OfficialBlueyTV
Building Bridges of Asheville invites you to a screening and talkback session of the film, “13th”.
In this thought-provoking documentary scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.
The film will be followed by a guided conversation facilitated by Building Bridges board members and Niconda Garcia & Nex Millen.
Building Bridges fosters antiracism by educating people on how to intentionally engage in dialogues on racism. BBAVL.org
You have a part to play in this work, and this event is a great point of entry.
Please join us for the Democratic Women of Buncombe County general meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Who should attend: Anyone who supports electing democratic women to office.
The Asheville Museum of History (Formerly the Western North Carolina Historical Association) announces David Joy’s Those We Thought We Knew as the winner of the 2023 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
The Asheville Museum of History announces the selection of the winner David Joy for Those We Thought We Knew for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. Finalists Erica Abrams Locklear, Elizabeth Giddens, Jennifer McGaha and Terry Roberts will also be honored at an awards ceremony Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium (19 Tech Drive). A reception will follow at the Asheville Museum of History at the Smith-McDowell House, 283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC.
Originated by the Louis Lipinsky family, the Award has been presented annually by the organization since 1955 for printed works that focus special attention on Western North Carolina. To be considered, an entry must be a published work of fiction, nonfiction, drama or poetry and meet the following criteria:
The Western North Carolina Historical Association presented the first Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award to Wilma Dykeman in 1955 for The French Broad. Brent Martin won the 2022 award for George Masa’s Wild Vision: A Japanese Immigrant Imagines Western North Carolina. Other authors who have received the award include Robert Brunk, Wayne Caldwell, Wiley Cash, Charles Frazier, John Ehle, Gail Godwin, Michael McFee, Doug Orr, Ron Rash, Fiona Ritchie, Terry Roberts, Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle and Lee Smith.
A prize of $1,000 accompanies the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and will be awarded to David Joy, winner of this year’s award, at a ceremony at AB Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium (Fernihurst Drive, Asheville) on Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. Each of the finalists will read a short passage from their work. There will be a reception at 7 p.m. at the Asheville Museum of History at the Smith-McDowell House.
This year’s finalists were chosen from an original group of more than 35 nominations. The finalists, listed below in alphabetical order, encompass a broad range of genres and forms.
The Award Panel this year consists of: Catherine Frank, Chair, Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville; Wayne Caldwell, author and former Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award winner; Dee James, professor emeritus, UNC-Asheville; and Jim Stokely, President, Wilma Dykeman Legacy.
For more information visit https://www.ashevillehistory.org/literaryaward/ and https://www.simpletix.com/e/thomas-wolfe-literary-award-tickets-167349#location
Don’t miss your chance to check out some of the best pickers from all over WNC at our amazing Bluegrass Jam curated by the talented Drew Matulich — every Thursday starting at 7:00 pm! A real show-stopping performance only at Jack of the Wood! Open jam starts at 9:30 pm.
1 hour
Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!
Learn about Asheville’s strange, sometimes sordid past from our ghoulish guides. You’ll laugh! You’ll scream! You’ll discover mysteries and chilling tales of scandal and murder on the blood-stained streets of this picturesque town!
Ghosted runs approximately 60 minutes. Beer and wine are welcome onboard, but no open containers, and absolutely no liquor, please! All beer and wine must be purchased from the LaZoom Room. (Passengers must be at least 21 years old to drink on the bus, and must have valid ID.)
17 and up. No exceptions.
A bunch of bus seats
History of murders, ghosts and tragedies in the Land of the Sky
Tongue-in-cheek comedy
A live (not dead) tour guide
Bathroom breaks (It’s 60 minutes long – plan accordingly!)
Beer or Wine (Purchase at our bar, the LaZoom Room, and take on the bus)
Laughing (we’ll give you the funny, but it’s up to you to laugh)
Gratuity (guides only accept dead president currency)
The classic ballet, Swan Lake, tells a timeless tale of romance and enchantment. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic and groundbreaking score, this poignant drama of true love and sacrifice captivates audiences to this day with it’s range of technically and emotionally challenging roles for both Principal dancers and the Corps de Ballet. European Royal Classical Ballet invites you to join the thousands of audience members through the years who have sat spellbound for an evening under the influence of this magnificent and magical ballet. Witness firsthand, the strength of pure and eternal love in the face of a dark and powerful sorcerer as you delight in the technical prowess and emotional depth the professional artists of European Royal Classical Ballet bring to the stage.
Gates open at 5:30pm
All Ages – not recommended for children under 4
RAIN OR SHINE
CLEAR BAGS ONLY
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.
International Recording Artist, Grammy Member, and American Idol Golden Ticket Winner, Blake Ellege is a generational talent whose unparalleled vocals have transported and enthralled audiences around the world. Join Blake and his showband: “Saddletramp” on a journey through Country Music’s Greatest Hits. Come see for yourself why Blake has been named one of the most prominent and charismatic entertainers on this side of the Mississippi.
This high-flying musical has been thrilling audiences of all ages for close to 70 years and is now being brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, directed by Emmy Award-winner Lonny Price and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The adventure begins when PETER PAN and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of pixie dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. This extraordinary musical full of excitement and adventure features iconic and timeless songs including “I’m Flying”, “I Gotta Crow”, “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Neverland”. PETER PANembraces the child in us all so go on a journey from the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning – your entire family will be Hooked!
Peter Pan‘s run time is 2 hours including intermission.
This dance is fragrance-free (no perfume, cologne, strong deodorant, etc.), out of respect for those with sensitivities.
If this is your first time dancing with us, your second dance is free!
Quinn Sternberg is an Asheville bassist, composer and bandleader recently relocated from New Orleans and originally from Bloomington, Indiana. His four albums “Weird World,” “Mind Beach,” “Cicada Songs,” and 2023’s “Walking On Eggshells” draw influence from Quinn’s Midwest musical upbringing, his decade performing in New Orleans, and contemporary musical elements. The result is a fresh perspective on the Jazz tradition that is simultaneously melodic and groovy, “complex but digestible” (DownBeat Magazine), and soulful while highly interactive. Quinn’s band has wowed audiences at venues ranging from listening rooms, to rock clubs, to festival stages with their intense live energy.
Jacob Rodiguez: Sax
Opening the night is the Danny Ianucci trio performing a set of all original music. The trio features three of Asheville’s best and most in demand musicians: Jason DeCristofaro (keyboard), Micah Thomas (Drums), and Danny Ianucci (bass).
Saint Asonia VIP Meet & Greet Package: $122 USD (plus taxes and fees)
Root Down will be serving their delicious twist on Southern Soul Food PLUS we will have our FULL bar open for you to enjoy!
Scroll to the bottom for day of event information and policies.
By turning inward, Saint Asonia amplify every element of their signature sound. Skyscraping hooks soarhigher, while arena-ready rhythms rattle harder. The guitars cut deeper, and the lyrics resound louderthan ever.The quartet—Adam Gontier [vocals,guitar], Mike Mushok [lead guitar], Cale Gontier [bass],and Cody Watkins [drums]—find power and strength on their aptly titled 2022 EP ,Introvert [SpinefarmRecords].
Saint Asonia initially united two hard rock luminaries under a new banner. Respectively, Adam and Mikehad each reached stratospheric heights in Three Days Grace and Staind, toppling charts, packing venues,and selling millions of records. As such, their union captivated audiences worldwide. In the wake of their 2015 self-titled debut Saint Asonia, Loudwire christened the band its “Best New Artist” at the Loudwire Music Awards. The 2019 follow-up, Flawed Design, yielded the blockbuster single “The Hunted” [feat.Sully Erna of Godsmack], generating over 15 million Spotify streams. In a“4.5-out-of-5-star”review, New Noise Magazine declared,“Any fan of hard rock (whether they’ve listened in recently or not) should giveSaint Asonia a spin.”Plus Loudwire applauded it as one of the“The 50 Best Rock Albums of the Year.”Not to mention, they toured with everyone from Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, and Seether to Alter Bridge and Mötley Crüe.
Unfortunately ,Flawed Design never received a proper tour due to the Global Pandemic. However, the musicians buckled down and wrote what would become Introvert during the downtime.
The title was fitting with the way the songs were written,” observes Adam. “We wrote and recorded individually. It’s a weird situation to make a record and not be in the same room as your band. I felt like an Introvert when I was working on these songs.”
This time around, they recorded with producer Anton Delost [Cleopatrick, Seaway, Hollow Coves] outside of Toronto. The producer injected a fresh perspective into the project as did recently welcomed drummer Cody (who played in Art of Dying with Cale). Meanwhile, Mike recorded remotely from his home studio in Connecticut. “We had a blast with Anton,” Adam goes on. “He played a big part in the sonic changes. It’s a little different for us, but it’s still pretty heavy. He understood what we were hoping to accomplish. It’s Saint Asonia. ”The guys initially teased out this phase with a heavy and haunting take on The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” tallying millions of streams. However, they properly introduce Introvert with the single “Above It All.”Airy electronics brush up against clean guitar as Adam declares, “It’s time to take a stand and save our lives.”A chugging verse gives way to an irresistible hook punctuated by a hummable guitar lead.“It’s the first oneI actually wrote,” he recalls. “I wrote it about standing up and paying attention to what you’re told to do as a society and then making your own decisions. You’re not necessarily acting or reacting as people want you to. We’re all told so many things about what’s right or wrong. There was a lot of misinformation.‘Above It All’ is about making the right decision for yourself.” Then, there’s “Chew Me Up” [feat. Johnny Stevens of Highly Suspect]. Johnny’s bluesy timbre serves as the perfect counterpoint to Adam as the slow burning track builds towards a catharsis with teeth.
Texas hard rock band, Kingdom Collapse are taking the world by storm with their undeniable songwriting, die-hard fanbase, and will to overcome anything.
The band has SEVEN consecutive rock hits all added to regular rotatation on SiriusXM Octane. Two of which, becoming Top 15 BIG UNS. Alongside the band’s Octane success, several of their singles have charted on the Billboard and Mediabase Top 40 charts for Mainstream Rock, racking up over 40,000,000 streams combined.
Kingdom Collapse has been touring viciously, playing with bands such as Three Days Grace, Nothing More, From Ashes To New, Fame On Fire, Fire From The Gods, etc.
Alongside their non-stop touring schedule, they’ve made festival appearances at Danny Wimmer Presents 2021 Welcome To Rockville Festival, 2022 and 2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest, and Rockfest 2023.
Since the release of his debut, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours of the Netherlands and the U.K. developing a reputation for moving, passionate, and sometimes comedic, performances at prestigious songwriter festivals such as 30A Songwriters Festival, Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, and Americanafest. He is a regular at the Bluebird Café in Nashville and Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. He has performed on the syndicated radio programs, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. He has shared the stage with Morgan Wade, Paul Thorn, Steve Poltz, Dan Bern, Jerry Joseph, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tommy Stinson, Shawn Mullins, John Fullbright, and more.
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One lucky winner will walk away with the keys to a new 2024 Volkswagen Electric ID.4 (or its cash equivalent). Your purchase is both transactional and transformative with each ticket purchase going to support the work of 15 high-impact local nonprofits.
Don’t miss this opportunity to fuel community change! Purchase your ticket today (or come back and purchase additional tickets, you can purchase as many as you want up until the date of the drawing).
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Asheville Art Museum
Asheville on Bikes
Asheville City Schools Foundation
Asheville Humane Society
Beloved Asheville
Blue Ridge Orchestra
Bountiful Cities
LEAF Global Arts
MANNA Food Bank
Mountain Housing Opportunities
Sparc Foundation
Thrive Asheville
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
YMI Cultural Center
The drawing for the winner of the Volkswagen Electric ID.4 (or its cash equivalent) will be held at Mosaic Realty’s Art Walk & Benefit event on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Asheville Art Museum at 9:00 PM. Raffle ticket purchasers do not have to be present to win. For more information about the Art Walk & Benefit, visit Mosaic Realty’s event page.
The 2024 Spring Litter Sweep is taking place April 13-27. Traditionally scheduled for the last two weeks of April and September, Litter Sweep is the N.C. Department of Transportation’s biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative. Residents throughout the state participate in local efforts to help clean up North Carolina’s roadways.
We invite you to lend a hand and enjoy physical and mental health benefits such as feeling a sense of accomplishment, getting exercise, enjoying the fresh air, meeting new people, and all that comes with living in cleaner surroundings.
Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes, and work clothes that can get dirty. Gloves, safety vests, bags, and tools are provided.
Organize a DIY Community Clean Up
NCDOT Spring Litter Sweep
How to report litter
Community members are able to report roadside litter concerns through multiple platforms:
Find out more information on City of Asheville Litter Programs
Prioritize your health and wellness with a revolving series of ongoing classes for lifelong learners in yoga, dance, theatre, and more.
Classes are held in the Henry LaBrun Studio at the Wortham Center at 18 Biltmore Ave. Please access the front courtyard from the breezeway by White Duck Taco. Signs will then direct you to the studio door to the left. Parking information can be found here.
One lucky winner will walk away with the keys to a new 2024 Volkswagen Electric ID.4 (or its cash equivalent). Your purchase is both transactional and transformative with each ticket purchase going to support the work of 15 high-impact local nonprofits.
Don’t miss this opportunity to fuel community change! Purchase your ticket today (or come back and purchase additional tickets, you can purchase as many as you want up until the date of the drawing).
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Asheville Art Museum
Asheville on Bikes
Asheville City Schools Foundation
Asheville Humane Society
Beloved Asheville
Blue Ridge Orchestra
Bountiful Cities
LEAF Global Arts
MANNA Food Bank
Mountain Housing Opportunities
Sparc Foundation
Thrive Asheville
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
YMI Cultural Center
The drawing for the winner of the Volkswagen Electric ID.4 (or its cash equivalent) will be held at Mosaic Realty’s Art Walk & Benefit event on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Asheville Art Museum at 9:00 PM. Raffle ticket purchasers do not have to be present to win. For more information about the Art Walk & Benefit, visit Mosaic Realty’s event page.
