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.

Friday, August 14, 2020
Speaking of Gardening Symposium CANCELLED
Aug 14 all-day
Double Tree by Hilton

The Speaking of Gardening Symposium was first held in 1998. The vision of Hunter Stubbs (1969-2017), then the Director of Horticulture at Richmond Hill Inn, the first events were held at the inn. Stubbs’ vision was simple, and remains our mission today: Provide a two-day lecture style symposium based on sound horticultural principals for industry professionals and gardening enthusiasts.

Teacher Survey with Asheville Art Museum
Aug 14 all-day
Online
Calling all teachers! If you teach in a public, private, charter school, home school, or learning pod, we want to hear from you. As we transition in-person group programs to the virtual realm, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you and other teachers for the upcoming school year. We’re giving away a FREE Virtual Visit to one of the first 25 teachers to fill out the survey!
The Dancing Pitcher w/ Sarah Wells Rolland: 2 Hr. Video Demonstration Workshop
Aug 14 all-day
Online

This form has been a signature piece in Sarah’s body of work for years. The award winning Dancing Pitcher celebrates gracefulness, soft lines, and movement. The process making this unique form is inspiring and challenging.

This workshop is designed to push our limits as potters and push the limits of clay. We will cover many techniques. The goal is to stretch our thinking when making and designing pots. Creating designs where the flow of line and space are key. The making of this sectional graceful pot is perfect for discussion about design and training our eye to see.

We will cover:

  1. Throwing w/excellence
  2. Throwing in Sections
  3. Throwing with larger volumes of clay
  4. Darting
  5. Fluid Handles
  6. Pulling a large handle off the pot
  7. How to glaze this 24″ tall form and not ruin it
  8. Art that functions and why it matters

I will have several Pitchers in the different stages so we can all see this pot made to completion in the set 2 hours.

Hang on to you potters stool because you are in for a beautiful ride!

The video workshop is available for 30 days after purchase.

Blue Ridge Community College hosts Career + College Promise (CCP) Bootcamps
Aug 14 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Online

Blue Ridge Community College is hosting two Career and College Promise
(CCP) bootcamps on Aug. 14 and 21 as a required orientation for all currently
enrolled CCP high school students.
The orientation events are hosted online via Zoom. Two different times are
offered at each bootcamp, one at 9 a.m. and the other at 4 p.m.
The bootcamps will go over a variety of common issues encountered by CCP
students. Participants will have the opportunity to set up their student account,
find which textbooks they need for classes, pay for their course fees and even
meet some campus safety officers.
“This is an excellent opportunity to feel prepared for the upcoming school
year,” stated NC Career Coach Marcus Roberson. “Students have four
chances to attend and ask any questions they may have or get the help they
need.”
The CCP program was created to offer eligible high school students a chance
to simultaneously earn high school and college credits tuition-free through Blue
Ridge.
Students are encouraged to register for a time in advance to ensure the
College is prepared to answer all questions at each session.
To register for Hendersonville High School and West Henderson High School
students, contact Marcus Roberson via call or text at (828) 329-0505 or via
email at [email protected].
To register for North Henderson High School and East Henderson High School
students, contact Doug Gibson via call or text at (828) 230-2905 or via email at
[email protected].
To register for home school and private school students in Henderson County,
contact Cearra Selbrade via phone at (828) 694-1817 or email at
[email protected].
To register for Rosman, Brevard and Davidson River High Schools students,
contact Bailey Varley via call or text at (828) 243-3960 or via email at
[email protected].
To register for home school and private school students in Transylvania
County, contact Rob Rhodes via phone at (828) 883-2520 or email at
[email protected].

Fused Silver Earrings
Aug 14 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ignite Jewelry Studios

Join me in the studio as we use hammers, saws, files and fire to transform silver wire into a beautiful pair of silver drop earrings. Class price includes all materials.

Brews and Bears: WNC Nature Center CANCELLED
Aug 14 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

It’s happy hour at the WNC Nature Center! Join us for the always popular Brews & Bears after hours event featuring beer, cider, food, music, and an up close view of an awesome bear enrichment activity with our black bears Uno and Ursa!  Event will run from 5:30pm-8:00pm with food and drink available for purchase.

Tickets sell out quickly!

Children ages 2 and under get in free, all others will need a ticket to attend this event.

*Please bring valid photo ID to purchase alcoholic beverages.

This is a rain or shine event. If the weather is so bad that we are forced to cancel/reschedule, we will post that information on our Facebook event page and email everyone who has purchased tickets.

Saturday, August 15, 2020
Anti-Racisim: Resources Literacy Council
Aug 15 all-day
Online

Recognizing and understanding racism, and actively unlearning the everyday, built-in mechanisms of systemic racism is an ongoing effort that must be made by every single one of us. It can be difficult to navigate issues, origins, and solutions surrounding systemic racism, especially with so many different angles portrayed by the media.
There are countless truthful resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity. Here are just a few educational resources and ways to help our Black communities:
Educational reading:
The above photo has an excellent list of books!
Community:
Media:
Follow Black activists and voices on social media! Please reach out to us if you’d like suggestions on whom to follow.
Farm Beginnings® Farmer-Led Training Program Virtual for 2020-2021
Aug 15 all-day
Online

Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!

Program Details: December 2020 – September 2021

2020-2021 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:

— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days with regional partners Living Web Farms  and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network

Henderson County Education: Mini-Grants Program Support Remote Learning
Aug 15 all-day
Online

Are you looking for ways to support teachers and students of
Henderson County Public Schools as they return to learn in a virtual setting? The Henderson County
Education Foundation (HCEF) is responding to the current climate and offering mini-grants ($500) to
support innovative and remote learning. This grant program will provide an opportunity for teachers to
enhance their virtual classrooms.
The community can support the grant initiative through sponsorships and/or donations. With a goal to
raise $20,000, HCEF will be able to offer at least 40 grants to Henderson County Public School teachers,
grade levels, and departments. Sponsorship levels include a Super Spring Sponsor ($3,000) that provides
at least six mini-grants for teachers or a Spring Sponsor ($1,000) that provides two mini-grants. Each
sponsorship will also include recognition benefits. General donations of any amount are always
welcome. Visit the HCEF website for a complete list of sponsorship details and how to give –
www.hcefnc.org/ourwork/springfund.
Henderson County Public School individual teachers, grade levels, teaching teams, and departments can
apply for grants up to $500. Innovative remote learning includes technology (hardware and software
applications), e-books, educational licenses or subscriptions, and manipulatives/kits for students. The
grants application is due by 11:59 PM August 19, 2020, and all recipients will be notified by August 31,
2020.

Henderson County Public Schools: Hotspots to Families Without Internet Service
Aug 15 all-day
Online
As families are looking to start the 2020/2021 school year with remote learning, Henderson County Public Schools is addressing the need of families without access to internet in their homes. Families without internet access can request hotspots from HCPS. Spanish form available.
Hotline that can help connect families with child care options
Aug 15 all-day
Online
Child Care Hotline Available to Help Families with School-Age Children Find Care
Families have experienced an interruption in child care plans due to the COVID19 pandemic and North Carolina has responded with a hotline that can help connect families with child care options.
Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs. As of Aug. 10, there are about 30,000 slots available for school-age children in licensed child care programs across the state.
Teacher Survey with Asheville Art Museum
Aug 15 all-day
Online
Calling all teachers! If you teach in a public, private, charter school, home school, or learning pod, we want to hear from you. As we transition in-person group programs to the virtual realm, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you and other teachers for the upcoming school year. We’re giving away a FREE Virtual Visit to one of the first 25 teachers to fill out the survey!
The Dancing Pitcher w/ Sarah Wells Rolland: 2 Hr. Video Demonstration Workshop
Aug 15 all-day
Online

This form has been a signature piece in Sarah’s body of work for years. The award winning Dancing Pitcher celebrates gracefulness, soft lines, and movement. The process making this unique form is inspiring and challenging.

This workshop is designed to push our limits as potters and push the limits of clay. We will cover many techniques. The goal is to stretch our thinking when making and designing pots. Creating designs where the flow of line and space are key. The making of this sectional graceful pot is perfect for discussion about design and training our eye to see.

We will cover:

  1. Throwing w/excellence
  2. Throwing in Sections
  3. Throwing with larger volumes of clay
  4. Darting
  5. Fluid Handles
  6. Pulling a large handle off the pot
  7. How to glaze this 24″ tall form and not ruin it
  8. Art that functions and why it matters

I will have several Pitchers in the different stages so we can all see this pot made to completion in the set 2 hours.

Hang on to you potters stool because you are in for a beautiful ride!

The video workshop is available for 30 days after purchase.

Animal Habitats VIP Tours
Aug 15 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.

Offered on weekends, April – October.

Make Delicious Vietnamese Dishes
Aug 15 @ 4:00 pm
Asheville Mountain Kitchen

Learn how to make two of the most popular Vietnamese dishes. I guarantee you that once you make these dishes, you will repeat over and over again. Its not as complicated as you may think. It is ultimately-delicious.

Each class has a theme that corresponds w a holiday, a season or a favorite cook book. In each class we learn 3-6 dishes, depending on their complexity and the number of participants. We nibble and taste throughout the class in a very casual atmosphere. At the end of the class we have a meal together. My cooking style is simple, I do not over complicate recipes.

Sunday, August 16, 2020
Anti-Racisim: Resources Literacy Council
Aug 16 all-day
Online

Recognizing and understanding racism, and actively unlearning the everyday, built-in mechanisms of systemic racism is an ongoing effort that must be made by every single one of us. It can be difficult to navigate issues, origins, and solutions surrounding systemic racism, especially with so many different angles portrayed by the media.
There are countless truthful resources to help us find our way to social justice and equity. Here are just a few educational resources and ways to help our Black communities:
Educational reading:
The above photo has an excellent list of books!
Community:
Media:
Follow Black activists and voices on social media! Please reach out to us if you’d like suggestions on whom to follow.
Compassion Camp
Aug 16 all-day
Earthaven Ecovillage

Compassion Camp

Compassion Camp is a four day event for adults and children where we create a community of people who learn, play and celebrate together, empowered to then send each other back into the world to spread these seeds of justice and love. Our time together is designed to foster community among the growing number of people in Western North Carolina and beyond who are passionate about living and promoting compassionate consciousness. Located at Earthaven Ecovillage, it is an opportunity to have fun, enjoy ourselves, learn together, and connect deeply in a beautiful natural setting.

Compassion Camp is inspired by the life and work of Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, the creator of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). We believe that the theory and practice of NVC is a life-changing tool for cultivating compassion in our hearts, communities, and the world. In addition to NVC, other topics may include: social justice, ecology, circling, restorative circles, healthy relationships, feminism, families and children, eco-sexuality, community, economics, and authentic movement.

Farm Beginnings® Farmer-Led Training Program Virtual for 2020-2021
Aug 16 all-day
Online

Many skills are required to start and expand a successful farm business: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. Farm Beginnings® will help you build these skills through one year of farmer-led training, mentoring, and networking. Using a holistic management frame, farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network, Farm Beginnings® will help you clarify your goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building a profitable and sustainable operation. Although students do not need to own land, some farming or production experience is required to get the most out of the program. As we know, farming is more critical than ever. Apply to this program and be prepared when crisis hits!

Program Details: December 2020 – September 2021

2020-2021 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:

— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days with regional partners Living Web Farms  and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network

Henderson County Education: Mini-Grants Program Support Remote Learning
Aug 16 all-day
Online

Are you looking for ways to support teachers and students of
Henderson County Public Schools as they return to learn in a virtual setting? The Henderson County
Education Foundation (HCEF) is responding to the current climate and offering mini-grants ($500) to
support innovative and remote learning. This grant program will provide an opportunity for teachers to
enhance their virtual classrooms.
The community can support the grant initiative through sponsorships and/or donations. With a goal to
raise $20,000, HCEF will be able to offer at least 40 grants to Henderson County Public School teachers,
grade levels, and departments. Sponsorship levels include a Super Spring Sponsor ($3,000) that provides
at least six mini-grants for teachers or a Spring Sponsor ($1,000) that provides two mini-grants. Each
sponsorship will also include recognition benefits. General donations of any amount are always
welcome. Visit the HCEF website for a complete list of sponsorship details and how to give –
www.hcefnc.org/ourwork/springfund.
Henderson County Public School individual teachers, grade levels, teaching teams, and departments can
apply for grants up to $500. Innovative remote learning includes technology (hardware and software
applications), e-books, educational licenses or subscriptions, and manipulatives/kits for students. The
grants application is due by 11:59 PM August 19, 2020, and all recipients will be notified by August 31,
2020.

Henderson County Public Schools: Hotspots to Families Without Internet Service
Aug 16 all-day
Online
As families are looking to start the 2020/2021 school year with remote learning, Henderson County Public Schools is addressing the need of families without access to internet in their homes. Families without internet access can request hotspots from HCPS. Spanish form available.
Hotline that can help connect families with child care options
Aug 16 all-day
Online
Child Care Hotline Available to Help Families with School-Age Children Find Care
Families have experienced an interruption in child care plans due to the COVID19 pandemic and North Carolina has responded with a hotline that can help connect families with child care options.
Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs. As of Aug. 10, there are about 30,000 slots available for school-age children in licensed child care programs across the state.
Teacher Survey with Asheville Art Museum
Aug 16 all-day
Online
Calling all teachers! If you teach in a public, private, charter school, home school, or learning pod, we want to hear from you. As we transition in-person group programs to the virtual realm, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you and other teachers for the upcoming school year. We’re giving away a FREE Virtual Visit to one of the first 25 teachers to fill out the survey!
The Dancing Pitcher w/ Sarah Wells Rolland: 2 Hr. Video Demonstration Workshop
Aug 16 all-day
Online

This form has been a signature piece in Sarah’s body of work for years. The award winning Dancing Pitcher celebrates gracefulness, soft lines, and movement. The process making this unique form is inspiring and challenging.

This workshop is designed to push our limits as potters and push the limits of clay. We will cover many techniques. The goal is to stretch our thinking when making and designing pots. Creating designs where the flow of line and space are key. The making of this sectional graceful pot is perfect for discussion about design and training our eye to see.

We will cover:

  1. Throwing w/excellence
  2. Throwing in Sections
  3. Throwing with larger volumes of clay
  4. Darting
  5. Fluid Handles
  6. Pulling a large handle off the pot
  7. How to glaze this 24″ tall form and not ruin it
  8. Art that functions and why it matters

I will have several Pitchers in the different stages so we can all see this pot made to completion in the set 2 hours.

Hang on to you potters stool because you are in for a beautiful ride!

The video workshop is available for 30 days after purchase.

Animal Habitats VIP Tours
Aug 16 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home.

Offered on weekends, April – October.

Monday, August 17, 2020
Dogwood Alliance: Woods + Wilds: The Podcast!
Aug 17 all-day
Online

https://www.dogwoodalliance.org/2020/07/woods-wilds-the-podcast-episode-one/?fbclid=IwAR1i8UtIuKNXhpfQPJbkQB4jw5XW4tWGLyXBTqpSz3hWejTTWROWIeYOAa8

For the safety and well-being of our supporters, Dogwood Alliance will not hold our annual Woods & Wilds live storytelling event this year. It’s an event we look forward to every year because it’s an opportunity to celebrate the magic of forests with our community. We still wanted to find a way to bring that same kind of magic to people wherever they are, so we teamed up with SlayTheMic to launch Woods & Wilds: The Podcast! We will be releasing an episode every other Monday.

The podcast will sometimes offer tales of the forest and other times will be an interview with our guests about their unique connection to nature – often touching on the connection between hip hop and nature.

We were overjoyed to welcome our very first guest, Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley aka RaShad Eas, also known as the Hip Hop Forester and the Assistant Dean of Community and Inclusion at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where he helps strengthen community diversity and develops programming around workplace equity. He’s also the author of the incredible article How Hip Hop Can Bring Green Issues To Communities of Color.

Henderson County Education: Mini-Grants Program Support Remote Learning
Aug 17 all-day
Online

Are you looking for ways to support teachers and students of
Henderson County Public Schools as they return to learn in a virtual setting? The Henderson County
Education Foundation (HCEF) is responding to the current climate and offering mini-grants ($500) to
support innovative and remote learning. This grant program will provide an opportunity for teachers to
enhance their virtual classrooms.
The community can support the grant initiative through sponsorships and/or donations. With a goal to
raise $20,000, HCEF will be able to offer at least 40 grants to Henderson County Public School teachers,
grade levels, and departments. Sponsorship levels include a Super Spring Sponsor ($3,000) that provides
at least six mini-grants for teachers or a Spring Sponsor ($1,000) that provides two mini-grants. Each
sponsorship will also include recognition benefits. General donations of any amount are always
welcome. Visit the HCEF website for a complete list of sponsorship details and how to give –
www.hcefnc.org/ourwork/springfund.
Henderson County Public School individual teachers, grade levels, teaching teams, and departments can
apply for grants up to $500. Innovative remote learning includes technology (hardware and software
applications), e-books, educational licenses or subscriptions, and manipulatives/kits for students. The
grants application is due by 11:59 PM August 19, 2020, and all recipients will be notified by August 31,
2020.

Henderson County Public Schools: Hotspots to Families Without Internet Service
Aug 17 all-day
Online
As families are looking to start the 2020/2021 school year with remote learning, Henderson County Public Schools is addressing the need of families without access to internet in their homes. Families without internet access can request hotspots from HCPS. Spanish form available.
Hotline that can help connect families with child care options
Aug 17 all-day
Online
Child Care Hotline Available to Help Families with School-Age Children Find Care
Families have experienced an interruption in child care plans due to the COVID19 pandemic and North Carolina has responded with a hotline that can help connect families with child care options.
Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the child care hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs. As of Aug. 10, there are about 30,000 slots available for school-age children in licensed child care programs across the state.
Teacher Survey with Asheville Art Museum
Aug 17 all-day
Online
Calling all teachers! If you teach in a public, private, charter school, home school, or learning pod, we want to hear from you. As we transition in-person group programs to the virtual realm, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you and other teachers for the upcoming school year. We’re giving away a FREE Virtual Visit to one of the first 25 teachers to fill out the survey!
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Henderson County Education: Mini-Grants Program Support Remote Learning
Aug 18 all-day
Online

Are you looking for ways to support teachers and students of
Henderson County Public Schools as they return to learn in a virtual setting? The Henderson County
Education Foundation (HCEF) is responding to the current climate and offering mini-grants ($500) to
support innovative and remote learning. This grant program will provide an opportunity for teachers to
enhance their virtual classrooms.
The community can support the grant initiative through sponsorships and/or donations. With a goal to
raise $20,000, HCEF will be able to offer at least 40 grants to Henderson County Public School teachers,
grade levels, and departments. Sponsorship levels include a Super Spring Sponsor ($3,000) that provides
at least six mini-grants for teachers or a Spring Sponsor ($1,000) that provides two mini-grants. Each
sponsorship will also include recognition benefits. General donations of any amount are always
welcome. Visit the HCEF website for a complete list of sponsorship details and how to give –
www.hcefnc.org/ourwork/springfund.
Henderson County Public School individual teachers, grade levels, teaching teams, and departments can
apply for grants up to $500. Innovative remote learning includes technology (hardware and software
applications), e-books, educational licenses or subscriptions, and manipulatives/kits for students. The
grants application is due by 11:59 PM August 19, 2020, and all recipients will be notified by August 31,
2020.