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.
Who: Caldwell Arts Council, Lenoir, North Carolina
When: Labor Day Weekend: August 31, September 1 and 2, 2018.
Where: Jones Farm, 3590 NC-268, Historic Happy Valley, Caldwell County, NC
Cost: Friday $5, Saturday $10, Sunday $15
Experience a perfect Labor Day Weekend on the banks of the Yadkin River being surrounded by mountain music, dance, food and beautiful scenery. Festival music begins at 7:00 PM Friday featuring Pam and Brett Riggs, The Sunny Mountain Serenaders, and Jason Cade along with cakewalks and simple mountain dances ($5 adults, 15 & under free). Gates open for primitive camping on Thursday.
Saturday is packed with great entertainment! The music competition begins at 10:00 AM and includes 12 separate categories. The Youth Tent offers music performances by some extremely talented youngsters. Non-music and children’s activities include hayrides, storytelling, children’s crafts, and rock stacking in the river.
The weekend ends with a Sunday concert starting at 10:00 AM featuring an all-star lineup of folk, blues, gospel, old-time, Cajun and bluegrass musicians including the Kruger Brothers, The Harris Brothers, Strictly Clean and Decent, Irish folk music plus other performances and workshops. This fantastic weekend ends approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday. Friday $5, Saturday $10, Sunday $15, $25 for Weekend Pass, children under 16 free.
When was the last time you had the privilege of sitting on the banks of a mountain river with music echoing throughout the hills around you. So come for a day or camp for the weekend.
Check out the details and directions at www.happyvalleyfiddlers.org
Learn about the historic Happy Valley at http://explorecaldwell.com/
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From the writing team behind last year’s smash sensation The Dixie Swim Club. In this rollicking comedy, four friends have sworn to keep the promise they made on the night of their Senior Prom: to be in each other’s weddings, and hilarity ensues. If you’ve ever elbowed a stranger to catch a bride’s bouquet or have been forced to wear the world’s ugliest bridesmaid dress, this deliriously funny play by Jones Hope Wooten is definitely for you…and your dearly beloved.
Matinees: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM
Evenings: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30PM. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM
Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage
2661 Greenville Highway Flat Rock, NC 28731
Asheville VegFest, presented by the Asheville Vegan Society, is a celebration of compassionate eating and sustainable living, where vegetarians, vegans, and the veg-curious alike can explore and celebrate the benefits of plant-based eating. Held in gorgeous Pack Square Park in beautiful downtown Asheville, this family-friendly event will feature live music, speaker sessions, local beer, a kids’ activity area, and best of all—food!
Students at the Visual Arts Preschool at Roots + Wings School of Art and Design engage with pre-K education fundamentals through a dynamic, arts based curriculum. Literacy, numeracy, social skills, community building, cultural and environmental studies are approached through an art and design thinking lens, as students explore learning concepts experientially across multiple platforms.
The Roots + Wings Visual Arts Preschool ‘Best of 2018’ collection is a cross section of the diverse pre-K education program and includes investigations into art movements, community and culture, storytelling, and creative play.
The Biltmore Estate has been planning the largest exhibition in its historic gardens for almost a decade. And finally, last week, Chihuly at Biltmore opened with a mega installation of glass sculptures from the famous artist Dale Chihuly. Tens of thousands of glass pieces from all around the world reside in 14 locations around the Estate (which is the very first large-scale N.C. Chihuly installation).
The exhibition is up from now until Oct. 7th, free admission with a Biltmore day pass (and free for annual pass holders). Chihuly at Nightis a special, ongoing event where the glass sculptures are lit up, plus live music in the gardens + a wine bar. Tickets are $37.50 for kids + range from $65 – 75 for adults ($10 discount for pass holders).
Three new works were blown just for Biltmore, and 6 new compositions were put together.
This exquisite, interactive exhibit is designed to inspire and educate visitors about the storied history and evocative power of scent while taking them on a full sensory journey, literally! Blending flora, fashion and science, Making Scents showcases some of Mother Nature’s most fragrant botanicals and unveils the plants and flowers behind some of the world’s most iconic perfumes. Visitors will explore the mysterious power of the sense of smell, learn about the artistry and science behind the fragrance industry and even compose their own basic fragrance.
From traditional harvest and extraction methods to chemical combinations of synthetic fragrances, Making Scents uncovers the technical processes behind fragrance creation through an immersive, multisensory experience. Art, passion and craft come together inside the exhibit’s iconic bottle display, which showcases the unique designs of more than 100 perfume bottles, some dating back to ancient the Greek and Roman eras. By integrating horticulture, history and pop culture, Making Scents is sure to enlighten the senses and engage the minds of visitors about the fragrance industry and the living world in a fun, dynamic way.
This exhibit showcases the work of three leading fiber artists who explore Western North Carolina’s mountains, meadows and marshes using fabrics and fibers. Their quilted wall art offers a link to familiar images of this region, echoing the Arboretum’s role of connecting people with plants. Through their diverse styles, construction methods and subject matter, artists Mary Stori, Judy Simmons and Kate Weston add a contemporary twist to the area’s rich and storied quilt-making tradition. Their exhibit features pieces of varying sizes, from large focal-point wall hangings to medium-sized wall art to small work suitable for tabletop display. All pieces are for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting The North Carolina Arboretum Society.
About the Artists
Mary Stori
From her home in Clyde, N.C., Mary creates botanical and organic themed art quilts using artisian-made, hand-dyed cotton, linen, silk and rayon fabrics. She also utilizes hand-felted and hand-dyed wool as rich backdrops, offering texture and depth to her work. Bead embellishment is another one of her trademarks. Learn more on her website.
Judy Simmons
Judy creates her own fabric in her Fletcher, N.C. studio using surface design techniques, including fabric marbling, dyeing, color lifting and silk screening. Much of the imagery in her work utilizes her own photography printed on fabric. To learn more about Judy, please click here.
Kate Weston
From her home in Statesville, N.C., Kate focuses on the creation of complex cloth through the application of dye, paint and embellishment, such as fabric overlay or manipulation and the application of non-fiber materials. Coupled with skillful machine quilting, Kate’s works create and stunning interplay of color and texture. Please visit Kate’s website to learn more.
The Asheville Art Museum is excited to present Red Hot in the Blue Ridge, an exhibition being held in conjunction with Western North Carolina’s community-wide Summer of Glass celebration. On view at the Asheville Art Museum On the Slope at 175 Biltmore Avenue May 19 – September 30, 2018, Red Hot in the Blue Ridge celebrates Western North Carolina’s unique place in the history of American Studio Glass. Many other organizations and galleries across WNC are also hosting glass-focused events, programs and exhibitions during the region’s Summer of Glass celebration, which coincides with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures. Visit www.ashevilleart.org for details.
2018 DACUSVILLE FARM SHOW
Saturday, September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd
$5 Admission – FREE Parking
Children under 12 FREE
Military FREE with ID
Gates open at 8:00AM each day
Please join us for the 6th annual Dacusville Farm Show. Fun for the entire family:
Antique Tractors and Farm Equipment
Live Music and Shows
Food, Drinks, Homemade Ice Cream
Arts, Crafts, Kid Zone
Live Steam Engine and Saw Mill Demonstrations
Classic Cars, Trucks, and Jeeps
Ugliest Tractor Contest on Sunday
We’ll also be honoring our military veterans during a Quilts of Valor presentation on Saturday and Sunday.
There will be a quilt raffle with the feature tractor logo (John Deere). Tickets are 6 for $5. Proceeds benefit the Quilts of Valor Organization.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1286482604829586/
Enjoy the last holiday weekend of summer experiencing what makes Chimney Rock the ideal place to play. Hike on one of the Park’s many trails or join Fox Mountain Guides for a real rock climbing experience.
It’s hard not to crack a smile while enjoying amazing views of Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge from on top of the Chimney. Capture photos of your family and friends enjoying the Park and enter them into our Smiles of Spring Photo Contest for a chance to win fabulous prizes. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS:
First Place – An overnight getaway to Hickory Nut Gorge with a stay at the historic 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, two passes to Chimney Rock, brunch for two at the 1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours
Second Place – A Chimney Rock prize package including two passes to Chimney Rock, lunch for two at the Old Rock Café and two tickets for a tour with Lake Lure Boat Tours.
People’s Choice – Selected by our Facebook fans, the winning photo will be featured as the cover photo of our Facebook page for two weeks and the cover of our Pinterest board of winning photos. Prize includes two Park admission tickets, lunch for two at the Old Rock Café and a $20 gift certificate for Old Time Photo in Chimney Rock Village.
CONTEST RULES:
There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken inside Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between June 21, 2018- Sept. 21, 2018. The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page and share our photo contest post on your wall. Then post your photo to our wall with the photographer’s name and a brief caption (25-75 words) through your personal Facebook account. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
Pinterest: First, re-pin our photo contest pin to one of your boards and follow our 2017 The Different Seasons of Chimney Rock Spring Photo Contest Board so we can easily contact you. Then pin your photo with the hashtags #chimneyrock AND #photocontest with your personal account, and include the photographer’s name and a brief caption (25-75 words).
Twitter: First, follow Chimney Rock Park and retweet our tweet about the photo contest. Then tweet your photo to @ChimneyRockPark with the photographer’s name and the hashtag #photocontest. Next, send us private messages with your brief photo caption.
E-mail: If you don’t have access to any social media sites listed above, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
Snail Mail: Send your print photo with the clearly marked photographer’s name, city & state, a brief typed photo caption and a phone number to: Photo Contest, Chimney Rock Management LLC, PO Box 39, Chimney Rock, NC 28720.
Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption your photo of the Seasons of Chimney Rock, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of a face of Chimney Rock. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
Decisions of the judges are final.
Winners will be notified and announced at chimneyrockpark.com and on Chimney Rock’s social media channels.
For more information, call 1-800-277-9611 or email us at [email protected].
Bring your friends Saturday September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 and enjoy RockFest at Emerald Village, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland. Celebrate the gem and mineral heritage of the mountains in the spectacular home of 12 historic mines! Enjoy a picnic or live music in the tent both days!
Gem mining, mine tours, gold panning and mineral collecting will be available (for a fee) all day long both days from 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM. At 10:00 AM each day kids help feed the Rainbow Trout inside the Bon Ami Mine. A free talk and guided hike each day at 11:00 AM will lead to a small but historic “hidden” mine. Catch a mountain-music concert under the tent at Noon each day followed by others during the afternoon, with 7 great toe-tapping groups over 2 days. Join us at 1:00 each day for a fascinating talk at the entrance to the Big Deal Mine. At 3:00 PM daily a second guided hike leads to another “hidden” mine and to view old mining equipment.
Children (12 and under) will enjoy a free Kid’s Treasure Hunt both days. While at Emerald Village be sure to explore all 10 levels of the Discovery Mill exhibits, including a Music Museum, a Black Light Exhibit, a model railroad display, and lots of good old antique junk!
After a day of fun on Saturday, come back for a special Black Light Mine Tour at 8:30 PM ($15 Adults/$10 Students). Enjoy colors hidden underground that few have ever seen! Bring your camera for some awesome photos! RockFest at Emerald Village is a great way to celebrate the end of summer in a unique setting in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1772327212880380/
Learning to weave a curved seat bench.
e-mail: [email protected]
or
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/273704886498074/
Amazing Glaze with Gabriel Kline
Fridays 10am-12:30pm
August 31- October 5
Do you hate glazing? I mean, do you really HATE glazing? Have you experienced the frustration of making a beautiful piece, then ruining it with a flawed, or perhaps worse, boring glaze? Would you rather spend your time doing just about ANYTHING else, even cleaning your studio? Then this is the class for you! Join Gabriel each Friday as he demystifies the techniques that will help you learn to love the glazing process, achieve more dynamic results, and get your work noticed. Topics will include under and overglaze decoration, glazing large and delicate work, spraying glazes, and multiple firings. We will also examine the basics of formulating, mixing, or altering a glaze.
Level: Seasoned Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Tuition: $255 + $35 Lab Fee
VegFest 2018…Sunday, September 2nd! It’s a holiday weekend, so come on up, down, or over, y’all!
https://www.facebook.com/events/364497484011092/
When reflecting on the current state of the environment, it seems that we have entered into times of seismic sorrows. Carbon emissions, water pollution, fracking, and changing climate patterns all point to a troubling reality with serious consequences for human and non-human populations. Through weavings, installations, sculpture, and print, artists Rena Detrixhe and Tali Weinberg (Tulsa, OK) explore the complex relationship between humans and the planet, offering insights, expressing grief, and creating space for resilience and change.
In Time of Seismic Sorrows is curated by Marilyn Zapf and organized by the Center for Craft. The Center for Craft is supported in part by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Pinkies UP! Join us for Macaron & Mimosa Flights + Sunday Brunch menu at Ivory Road! Our pairing will include a Ginger Peach Mimosa as well as a Watermelon Mint + Sparkling Rose Mimosa… plus more that we can’t divulge just yet!
Our homemade macarons will complement the summer-y bubbly flavors alongside our all-day breakfast menu!
We have a dog-friendly patio and picnic area, and will offer non-alcoholic flight options as well. This is a kid-friendly event!
Flight pairing is $14 and quantities will be limited!
https://www.facebook.com/events/512846095821032/
Every Sunday in September
This Labor Day Weekend art affair will feature a collection of national and regional artists specializing in hand-made works of art. There will be painters, potters, jewelers, glass blowers and much more. Asheville’s historic Pack Square Park is the picturesque venue for the Downtown Asheville Festival of the Arts. This regional landmark has been a focal point since the city’s creation in 1797, lying at the intersection of ancient trading paths. The beautiful public park has grown to 6.5 acres for events and visitors to relax while they enjoy all that Downtown Asheville has to offer.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1852530621534962/
Please consider volunteering for the Beer City Cup to help raise money for Special Olympics. This is an annual fundraiser we do every year. We will be serving beer at the beer tent on Sunday, September 2.
https://www.facebook.com/events/615341902195363/
Chihuly at Biltmore represents the first art exhibition in Biltmore’s historic gardens, and the first garden exhibition of Dale Chihuly’s works in North Carolina. The world-renowned American artist’s work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide, and now, for a limited time only, they can be seen at Biltmore.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this unique visual experience, an absolute must-see presentation of unparalleled artistic expression.
Dazzling in daylight, the exhibition takes on an entirely new dimension when viewed after nightfall; experience the brilliance and beauty of these awe-inspiring marvels of color, form, and light.
BIKE DAY SUNDAY’s , EVERY SUNDAY Live Band,
Outdoor Bars, Riverfront Seating & Service
Hot Food, Bikes & Babes, Drink, Food, Kiosk &
Apparel Store Specials, Sewing Services,
Brotherhood Leather With Your Biker Gear Onsite,
All Makes & Models Welcome, Bike Games,
Pool Tables, Gaming, NASCAR & NFL Headquarters
Great Rides Available in Every Direction…
For A Great Day With Great People, Get Your Knees
in The Breeze and Come Visit with Us…
https://www.facebook.com/events/2053293278078363/?event_time_id=2053293348078356
9th Annual Beer City Cup Finals at Memorial Stadium.
This event is FREE and open to the public!
Soccer fans, beer fans and families are all invited to join us for the largest adult soccer event in the Nation!
100 teams from 30 cities across 10 states and 2 countries promises lost of action, smiles and good times.
$3 tasty beverages from all your favorite breweries!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1606465466131599/
Each Tuesday and Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m., April through October, trained volunteer guides lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history, and the cultural and land use history of The North Carolina Arboretum. Guides may include areas such as the Natural Garden Trail and Bent Creek.
Programs are held rain or shine and participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Individuals should also wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walks last 1.5- 2.5 hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and are approximately one to two miles in length. Due to length and content, this program is not recommended for children under 8 years of age.
Walks begin in the Baker Exhibit Center Lobby and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of five or more are required to pre-register by calling 828-665-2492. Walks are FREE, however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.
Due to size limitations of the tours, groups of 10 or more are required to book a private guided trail tour.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 15th Annual: LAAF, Living Asheville Arts Festival which will be held on Sunday, September 2nd from 11AM-9PM in Downtown, Asheville, North Carolina (Lexington Ave. from the corner of College St. down to the intersection at I-240 | Walnut St. from Broadway to Rankin Ave | Hiawassee from Broadway to Rankin Ave.).
FREE EVENT~ FAMILY FRIENDLY~ LOCAL HANDCRAFT ART VENDORS~ FUN ACTIVITIES~ KIDS AREA~LOCAL FOOD~LOCAL MUSIC~COMMUNITY
EVENT DESCRIPTION:
LAAF, Living Asheville Arts Festival is a yearly festival FOR locals BY locals. LAAF believes in Asheville’s transformational power of creative expression. This one day end of the summer festival hosted in downtown Asheville is an alternative creative placemaking experience where hundreds of local artists through a wide range of art installations, music, performances, artisan crafted goods and other vendors, food, beverages and interactive education.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
LAAF, Living Asheville Arts Festival will continue to activate the core values of our organization by working with partners to hold workshops, discussion forums, and interactive activities that promote the social and environmental well being for Asheville’s arts community. The festival will expand from a general focus on the arts to embody and honor the ways Asheville utilizes creative expression to enhance the natural environment, provide social equity and support healthy lifestyles.
MUSIC LINEUP!!!
(ordered as announced // full music lineup with times/stages will be posted)
Christy Lynn Band, Galena, Koresma, Heather Taylor, Nick Gonnering Music, Indigo De Souza
VENDOR APPLICATIONS are OPEN:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQGKjDafT-iAzfCZdiqINposABZu9vVwdd-s3UeW8luUQYfg/viewform (any questions, please email [email protected])
INTERACTIVE APPLICATIONS are OPEN – (Movement Performing Artists, Workshop Presenters, and Art Installations):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOT9svBSmZ4MBmM7CWjb7iiEmyj023K2YaOfB5XRwuT-GOVg/viewform?usp=sf_link
INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR?: Please email, [email protected]
INTERESTED IN MEDIA COVERAGE?: Please email, [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/events/2048691092009140/
The CMA and Grammy winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is among one of numerous nationally-acclaimed bands that will be playing at the 112th Canton Labor Day Festival presented by Champion Credit Union and sponsored by Ingles Markets. Rounding out the bill are International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year winner – Balsam Range, America’s Got Talent semifinalists – Summer Brooke and Mountain Faith, Nashville’s rising southern rock star – Joe Lasher Jr., along with performances by the talented artists – Canaan Cox, McKayla Reece, Lyric, Keil Nathan Smith, and bands to include Vintage Country, Running Wolfe, and The Renegades. The event will also have an inflatable kids area, food truck row, car show, parade, and Ingles Ultimate Air Dogs.
https://www.facebook.com/events/175588096491251/
Live Music: Caribbean Cowboys
https://www.facebook.com/events/228825041290311/
Spend your Labor Day weekend with local folk duo Swamp Rabbit Railroad in this beautiful setting as they share their favorite original songs as well as a few creative arrangements of folk tunes.
Like folk songwriters of the past, this husband and wife duo seeks to be a voice for its generation. Their original songs come from an honest place and are performed with real conviction. The Casons’ unique blend of harmonies creates a haunting and beautiful sound that captures the essence of the foothills in which they were formed while their onstage chemistry captivates the attention of any audience.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1288958884572876/
The Groundling
By Marc Palmieri; Directed by Betsy Puckett
August 17-September 2, 2018
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm
NC Premiere! After stumbling upon an outdoor production of a Shakespeare play in Manhattan, Long Island landscaper Bob Malone returns home inspired to write a play about his troubled marriage. He hires two reluctant New York theatre professionals to spend a week at his home and stage the play in his garage, with a cast of colorful locals. A modern romantic comedy with a moving and unexpected ending.
NC Premiere! After stumbling upon an outdoor production of a Shakespeare play in Manhattan, Long Island landscaper Bob Malone returns home inspired to write a play about his troubled marriage. He hires two reluctant New York theatre professionals to spend a week at his home and stage the play in his garage, with a cast of colorful locals. A modern romantic comedy with a moving and unexpected ending.
By Marc Palmieri; Directed by Betsy Puckett; Starring Mandy Bean, Robinson Fox, Scott Keel, Ralph Redpath, Daniel Sandoval, Kelsey Simmons, and Haven Volpe
https://www.facebook.com/events/2148369268538254/