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.

At the annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Henderson County wineries and cideries partner together to create a signature weekend surrounded by all things cider, wine and food! It is an action-packed weekend filled with artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, new releases, grand openings, a variety of food, educational programs, live music, facility tours, friendly faces and much more.
Henderson County’s rich history in agriculture and wonderful climate makes the area ideal for the growing of a variety of apples and grapes. Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine country, the Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticulture Area (AVA). Area wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina.
There are several types of transportation options available for hire in the Hendersonville area, including taxis and private Transportation Companies.
2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Participants
Click to download the 2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend Event Brochure and an Updated Directional Map
- Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – the taproom is in a repurposed barn, surrounded by family-owned apple orchards – specializing in Normandy-style hard cider, brandy and pommeau, 749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-699-7507
- Bold Rock Hard Cider – the North Carolina facility of one of America’s leading hard cider producers – in the heart of the scenic farm country of the Mills River Valley, located at 72 School House Rd., Mills River 828-595-9940
- Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock – this beautiful new tasting room and bistro has views of both Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, Located at 438 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-436-2490
- Burntshirt Vineyards Hendersonville – a beautiful, estate winery and event center that overlooks their celebrated vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-2402
- Flat Rock Cider Company – Flat Rock Cider Company creates its hard cider in a variety of flavors – from apples grown right here in Henderson County – location TBD! 828-595-2992
- Marked Tree Vineyard – offers 10 wine varieties made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, 828-513-3773
- Point Lookout Vineyard & World’s Edge Meadery – take in 30-mile views from an elevation of 3,000 feet atop Point Lookout Mountain while you taste a variety of wines and mead, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, 828-393-5793
- Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – the winery and tasting room are nestled between orchards and vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-4002
- Sawyer Springs Vineyard – enjoy award-winning wines grown and processed right on the same location as the rustic tasting barn at this laid-back, family-run winery, 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, 828-698-4383
- Souther Williams Vineyard – located on land that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, Souther Williams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cynthiana, Reisling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe, 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070
- Stone Ashe Vineyards – this state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards, 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643
Many events are free. Some events require tickets or reservations, which can be made by contacting the individual venue. Due to COVID-19 the event schedule may change, check back often for updates.
Make a Weekend of It!
North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state, including more than 40 varieties of apples. The Cider, Wine & Dine weekend conveniently coincides with when the apple trees are in bloom. Apple trees produce gorgeous, delicate, pink, and white spring blossoms, just waiting on the bees to start pollinating them. This is a great time of year to enjoy the Apple Country Trail, a self-guided scenic driving tour in and around Henderson County’s apple country, to enjoy the sight of the trees in bloom, and to find local apple products to purchase. Click to download the self-guided Apple Country Trail tour.
Click here for lodging or area information, or call the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority at 828-693-9708

Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.
Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)
Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.
House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.
Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free
Hours of Operation
April 1st through May 26th, 2022

Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at our Winery. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, check out all the fun that Bold Rock Hard Cider has to offer! We will have hard cider tastings as well-as pints, flights and locally crafted beer. The Bold Bites Mobile Kitchen prepares fresh food daily and features an expansive Cider Garden ensures plenty of space for guests to spread out and relax. Since a delicious food truck is on-site, outside food is not allowed. We are dog and kid-friendly!
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us for our Grand Opening at Souther Williams Vineyard. Be the first to experience our Eastern European and vinifera wines in our open-air pavilion overlooking the vineyards with mountain views. Our tasting crew will guide you through five unique wines. A souvenir glass will be included with purchase. Reservation requested for table service or step up to the tasting bar.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, come to Souther Williams for their Tasting Room Grand Opening Weekend, when Lobster Dog food truck will be on site. Try a glass, bottle, or flight of our beautiful Eastern European white wines (Traminette, Gruener Veltliner, Rkatsiteli or Riesling) paired with with the award-winning Lobster Dog Food Truck.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy a Wine tasting that includes 6 wines served in Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards’ unique tubular wine flights. Enjoy our award winning French vinifera wines while sitting only steps away from the vineyard where the grapes are grown.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, participate in a guided wine tasting of Marked Tree Vineyard staff’s five favorite wines and take home a souvenir glass. Reservations are requested. Indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard with 360-degree views of the mountains is available.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us all day on the farm to enjoy tasting all our locally grown and produced Normandy-style ciders along with local beer by Oklawaha Brewing. We also offer a tasting of three different North Carolina native grape sweet wines. The tasting room is a refurbished 90-year-old barn set in the middle of the orchards where the apples are grown! Great Views, Great Ciders, Wine and Beer!
In their 6th year of writing, performing, and creating art together, the Alex Krug Combo brings their latest single, “My Best” to a dynamic existing collection of music. Along with the newest member, Tina Collins (of Tina and her Pony) the 5 piece band recorded the single at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, and had it produced and mixed by Michael Selverne.
As with many songs, “My Best” had a unique way of making it to the finish line which included taking a deeper look behind the meaning of the song and its place in the Alex Krug Combo catalog.
“The chord progression and melody were written fairly quickly, but I had to come back and ask the song what it was really about before it all came to me” stated Alex Krug, Founder of the Combo. With Bill Berg on Drums, Kyle Samples on Electric Guitar, Zack Page on Upright Bass, Jackson Dulaney lap steel, Tina Collina with vocal harmony “My Best” has a dynamic soundscape of strings, harmonies, and bass, as well as peaks and valleys that pull your body side to side while you lean in closer, trying to feel and hear the music just a little bit deeper.
“My Best” in a way, signifies the idea that life, love (and the music industry) will always have their ups and downs. But more importantly, it signifies that even in those hard moments there is still a reason to wear your best and to find enjoyment in the cards that are spread out before you.
There was no way that in January of 2020 that we couldn’t have predicted the hand any of us would have been dealt, including members of the Alex Krug Combo. And now, over a year and a half later- with a new song, a creative business concept on the horizon, and the dream of hugging as many music lovers as possible, the Alex Krug Combo, proudly presents to you, their best for today.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy live music by Brian Ashley Jones Duo on the lawn at Appalachian Ridge. Brian is a Nashville-based performer playing the best Blues and Country tunes. Bonfires will be going, and s’more kits will be available for you to purchase and roast as you sit back and enjoy the view and music. The food truck will be on-site with dinner and snacks. Appalachian Ridge’s ciders, wines and beer will be available for you to enjoy. This is an outdoor event, dress for the weather, but we will have fires going to keep you warm and to toast your marshmallows!

Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 10 albums, 5 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 20 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.
Asheville’s LARGEST vaudeville show featuring WNC’s best comedy, juggling, magic, burlesque, acrobatics, aerial arts, short plays, puppetry, sideshow, music and more!
At the annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, Henderson County wineries and cideries partner together to create a signature weekend surrounded by all things cider, wine and food! It is an action-packed weekend filled with artisan hard cider, award-winning wines, new releases, grand openings, a variety of food, educational programs, live music, facility tours, friendly faces and much more.
Henderson County’s rich history in agriculture and wonderful climate makes the area ideal for the growing of a variety of apples and grapes. Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine country, the Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticulture Area (AVA). Area wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina.
There are several types of transportation options available for hire in the Hendersonville area, including taxis and private Transportation Companies.
2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Participants
Click to download the 2022 Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend Event Brochure and an Updated Directional Map
- Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – the taproom is in a repurposed barn, surrounded by family-owned apple orchards – specializing in Normandy-style hard cider, brandy and pommeau, 749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-699-7507
- Bold Rock Hard Cider – the North Carolina facility of one of America’s leading hard cider producers – in the heart of the scenic farm country of the Mills River Valley, located at 72 School House Rd., Mills River 828-595-9940
- Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock – this beautiful new tasting room and bistro has views of both Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, Located at 438 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-436-2490
- Burntshirt Vineyards Hendersonville – a beautiful, estate winery and event center that overlooks their celebrated vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-2402
- Flat Rock Cider Company – Flat Rock Cider Company creates its hard cider in a variety of flavors – from apples grown right here in Henderson County – location TBD! 828-595-2992
- Marked Tree Vineyard – offers 10 wine varieties made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, 828-513-3773
- Point Lookout Vineyard & World’s Edge Meadery – take in 30-mile views from an elevation of 3,000 feet atop Point Lookout Mountain while you taste a variety of wines and mead, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, 828-393-5793
- Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – the winery and tasting room are nestled between orchards and vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-4002
- Sawyer Springs Vineyard – enjoy award-winning wines grown and processed right on the same location as the rustic tasting barn at this laid-back, family-run winery, 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, 828-698-4383
- Souther Williams Vineyard – located on land that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, Souther Williams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cynthiana, Reisling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe, 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070
- Stone Ashe Vineyards – this state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards, 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643
Many events are free. Some events require tickets or reservations, which can be made by contacting the individual venue. Due to COVID-19 the event schedule may change, check back often for updates.
Make a Weekend of It!
North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation, and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina, producing 85 percent of all the apples grown in the state, including more than 40 varieties of apples. The Cider, Wine & Dine weekend conveniently coincides with when the apple trees are in bloom. Apple trees produce gorgeous, delicate, pink, and white spring blossoms, just waiting on the bees to start pollinating them. This is a great time of year to enjoy the Apple Country Trail, a self-guided scenic driving tour in and around Henderson County’s apple country, to enjoy the sight of the trees in bloom, and to find local apple products to purchase. Click to download the self-guided Apple Country Trail tour.
Click here for lodging or area information, or call the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority at 828-693-9708

Learn the history of Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley on this walking tour! Museum staff will lead attendees through historic State Street, Cherry Street and Black Mountain Avenue, relaying the history of several buildings and discussing topics including the building of the Swannanoa Tunnel and the disastrous downtown fire of 1912.
Location: Attendees will meet at the Swannanoa Valley Museum (223 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711)
Timing: Tours take place once a month on Saturdays, beginning at 1:00pm, and last approximately 1.5 hours
Cost: FREE to museum members with promo code, $10 for general admission (some fees apply). Museum members can email [email protected] to receive their promo code.
Tour Dates: March 19, April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, August 27, Sept 24, October 29, November 12, December 17
Registration: Find tour dates on our events calendar, and register.

Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.
Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial
American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)
Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.
House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.
Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free
Hours of Operation
April 1st through May 26th, 2022

Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at our Winery. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, check out Appalachian Ridge for an orchard breakfast and guided farm tour. Breakfast starts at 9:30 with a walking tour of the farm, orchards, and vineyards at 10:30 am. Enjoy coffee, and breakfast on the patio at Appalachian Ridge. The walking tour starts at 10:30, wear comfortable walking shoes!
JOIN US FOR UNCORKED! THIS UNIQUE RAIL LINE AND WINE EXPERIENCE WILL FUSE THE ADVENTURE OF RAILROADING WITH THE LOVE OF GOOD WINE AND GOOD COMPANY.
About This Trip
Passengers will enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride in our First Class cars with a private attendant and plush, well-appointed dining seating. A narrator will accompany the ride to present each pour to guests and share knowledge and history of the wines selected. Passengers on this specialty car will enjoy an exclusive sampling of cheeses and a surf and turf meal prepared fresh.
We have carefully selected our wine samples to accompany the meal. All passengers will receive a GSMR souvenir stemless wine glass, four samples of selected wine, and a dessert that’s perfect
for the season!
Uncorked is offered on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing on April 23, May 7, June 4, July 30, Aug 6 & Sept 3.
Tickets for this specialty experience is $139 per person (Adults 21+ only). Due to the exclusivity of this specialty car, tickets will be selling fast so make sure to reserve your seat today!
On Your Plate
- Starters –
- Enjoy a sampling of cheeses.
- Soup –
- Fresh Soup or Salad (Seasonal) served with a Warm Dinner Roll.
- Main Course
- Fresh fish seasonally prepared at Chefs’ discretion. Accompanied by Tender Beef slices topped with a Port Wine Reduction and Carrot Soufflé.
- Dessert
- Chef choice
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us for our Grand Opening at Souther Williams Vineyard. Be the first to experience our Eastern European and vinifera wines in our open-air pavilion overlooking the vineyards with mountain views. Our tasting crew will guide you through five unique wines. A souvenir glass will be included with purchase. Reservation requested for table service or step up to the tasting bar.
As part of Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, enjoy a Wine tasting that includes 6 wines served in Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards’ unique tubular wine flights. Enjoy our award winning French vinifera wines while sitting only steps away from the vineyard where the grapes are grown.
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, participate in a guided wine tasting of Marked Tree Vineyard staff’s five favorite wines and take home a souvenir glass. Reservations are requested. Indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard with 360-degree views of the mountains is available.

Come join us for our second annual Hemp Festival!
Fun for all ages! Located downtown Asheville in front of the court house at Pack Square Park for April
Wed 4/20 – Sat 4/23. We will be hosting a 4-day event with live music on 2 stages.
Pack Square Amphitheater
&
Instant Karma Bus Stage
One of our main goals is to make something accessible and engaging for the whole community.
In honor of the Hemp Plant, we are getting our community together to celebrate and inform about all the wonderful benefits Hemp has to offer!
In collaborating with local hemp farmers, musicians, community activist and educators, including diverse talent from live glassblowing, fire spinning, live painters, visual arts, and so much more.
This is one you dont wanna miss.
For volunteer, Vending, sponsorship, or more information about involvement visit.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS
As part of the Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, join us all day on the farm to enjoy tasting all our locally grown and produced Normandy-style ciders along with local beer by Oklawaha Brewing. We also offer a tasting of three different North Carolina native grape sweet wines. The tasting room is a refurbished 90-year-old barn set in the middle of the orchards where the apples are grown! Great Views, Great Ciders, Wine and Beer!
Details:
- 90 minute tour with beverages/light food pairings*
- Reservation only
- 21+ up
Designated drivers don’t need a reservation, but must accompany a ticketed guest.
*If you have an allergy or accomodation request, please note these while placing your reservation, or email [email protected] with your needs.
Attire + Footwear
- Closed-toe shoes with hard soles required
- This tour is exposed to the elements. Please check the weather in advance and be prepared!
Accessibility
There are elements of the tour that are not wheelchair accessible. Please reach out directly to [email protected] for information and accommodation.

Based in Asheville, the Feels are a female-fronted, soulful, rootsy 5-piece group, with a new-throw-back sound & captivating female harmonies. Their original music is a unique fusion of R&B, Groove, Soul, and Americana. Singer-songwriters Lange Eve and Sarah Roberts bring their spunky and engaging energy as they showcase their tunes, backed by the talents of Matt Gardner on lead guitar, Brian Grasso on bass, and Matthew Roberts on drums. If you’ve been in the WNC area long enough, you’ve seen these musicians around the music scene- including The Afromotive, Menage, Plankeye Peggy, and High Flying Criminals. Check out this newer musical formation: The Feels!

Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 10 albums, 5 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 20 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.


