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.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023
A Narrative from the Inside: Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School
Jun 6 @ 6:00 pm
hybrid

Join the Asheville Museum of History Thursday, June 8 at 6pm for this special program. This hybrid event is held in-person at OLLI and livestreamed via Zoom. It will be recorded.

Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School—a union school merging grades 1-12—served African American students from Polk, Transylvania, and Henderson counties from 1951-1965. When the Brown v Board decisions eventually went into effect, the school finally became integrated in 1966, bringing great change and some challenges.

The presentation will share information from both the students and teachers perspective about: busing from surrounding counties, education expectations and what has been learned from the teachers’ perspective, their education qualifications, where they were from and where they resided while teaching at the 9th Avenue School, and what happened after integration.

 

About the Speaker:

Ronnie Pepper grew up in Hendersonville and attended the 9th Avenue School. He served in the U.S. army before becoming a Head Start teacher. In addition to researching and telling the story of the Happy Land Kingdom, Ronnie serves his community on numerous boards. He also serves as the Chair of the Black History Research Committee of Henderson County. He has travelled abroad representing Henderson County groups, and has won several awards for his work including the Spirit of Diversity Award by the Latino Advocacy Coalition of Henderson County and the Scholastic Early Childhood Professional Award. Ronnie is currently a librarian at the Hendersonville County Public Library, and a storyteller in the region.

Tickets: $5 for AMoH and OLLI members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Viewing: Registrants will receive a Zoom link with which to view the program. It will also be recorded and later available on our website.

(Images: The newly-completed Hendersonville 9th Avenue School and first incoming class, in The Tiger [Yearbook], 1952, courtesy Henderson County Public Library)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Gardening Video: Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens
Jun 7 all-day
online
 
Gardening in the Mountains presents:
Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens

 

Shade Garden_mwms1916_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_Flickr
Shade garden

 

Presenter: Deb Breck, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer

Do you crave those full-sun plants for your shady, shady property?  Crave no more!  By applying proper techniques and selecting the right plants, a shade garden can become your showcase – an easy-to-maintain garden that is beautiful in all seasons.

Master Gardener Deb Breck, an experienced shade gardener, will teach us how to assess shady areas and show us some of the many annuals, bulbs, deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, ferns (yes, ferns), ornamental grasses and perennials that thrive in shady conditions.

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Jun 7 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Wilderness Medicine + Survival Skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jun 7 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

LEARN MORE THIS YEAR

Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Bryson City, NC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Collegedale, TN
  • Greenville, SC

Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected!

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 7 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Lewis Creek Preserve Nature Walk
Jun 7 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Edneyville Community Center

Bob Gale, MountainTrue’s Ecologist & Public Lands Director, will lead a slow hike along the nature trail and boardwalk, interpreting plant life, wildflowers, a rare Southern Appalachian Bog ecosystem, and the value of pollinators on this property. From the community center parking lot, the group will go to Lewis Creek Preserve trailhead a short distance away. Suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 7 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Summer Animal Encounters
Jun 7 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Pritchard Park Summer Series: Summer of Science with Asheville Museum of Science
Jun 7 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Pritchard Park

Explore hands on activities and experiments while we learn about the Science of Bubbles or the Science of Sound. Every other week we will play and learn together using a variety of tools, instruments, and toys. AMOS has a plethora of science to intrigue the zeal of every learner!

The French Broad River: Its Past, Present + Future
Jun 7 @ 7:00 pm
UNC-Asheville’s Reuter Center
Please join the Sierra Club of WNC + RiverLink for a lively conversation on The French Broad River: Its Past, Present & Future. Date: Wednesday June 7 at 7:00 pm. Location: Room 102, UNC-Asheville’s Reuter Center at 300 Campus View Drive, or tune in via Zoom.

Click here to register in advance for the Zoom session.

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Gardening Video: Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens
Jun 8 all-day
online
 
Gardening in the Mountains presents:
Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens

 

Shade Garden_mwms1916_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_Flickr
Shade garden

 

Presenter: Deb Breck, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer

Do you crave those full-sun plants for your shady, shady property?  Crave no more!  By applying proper techniques and selecting the right plants, a shade garden can become your showcase – an easy-to-maintain garden that is beautiful in all seasons.

Master Gardener Deb Breck, an experienced shade gardener, will teach us how to assess shady areas and show us some of the many annuals, bulbs, deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, ferns (yes, ferns), ornamental grasses and perennials that thrive in shady conditions.

Wilderness Medicine + Survival Skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Jun 8 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

LEARN MORE THIS YEAR

Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Bryson City, NC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Collegedale, TN
  • Greenville, SC

Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected!

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 8 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 8 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

The Learning Garden Presents: Common Vegetable Garden Pests
Jun 8 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Presenters: Buncombe County Extension Agents – Alison Arnold, Consumer Horticulture and Meghan Baker, Small Farms

Now that you’ve planted your vegetable garden, it’s time to discuss the nemesis of every veggie gardener: common vegetable pests. Which ones should you look out for and what can you do about them? June is a perfect time to be in your garden scouting for insects that are eating the leaves of your bean plants and boring holes in your lettuce.

Join Alison and Megan as they will be highlighting the most common pests seen in a vegetable garden, what they look like from larvae to adult stages, when they emerge, the signs and symptoms of insect damage and effective methods of control.

A portion of this program may be in the garden, please dress appropriately.

Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522

Eliada Campus Farm Tours
Jun 8 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Eliada Homes

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and about our equine therapy program.

Reservations required. There is no cost, but donations to the non-profit agency are greatly appreciated.

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and water. This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

Native Plant Open House at M. R. Gardens
Jun 8 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
M.R. Gardens

Open House – Pollinator plants and more!
Native wildflowers, as well as a few veggie starts, herbs and groundcovers, all grown using organic methods.

Identifying Trees + Shrubs
Jun 8 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will teach you how to identify the most common trees and shrubs in the Western North Carolina forests.

Identifying Trees + Shrubs
Jun 8 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Identifying Trees and Shrubs in WNC

Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show Steve Pettis will teach you how to identify the most common trees and shrubs in the Western North Carolina forests.

Summer Animal Encounters
Jun 8 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Weekdays only at 2pm

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

Elementary After-School Volunteer Creative Peacemakers
Jun 8 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Deaverview Apartment Community

We are seeking volunteers to assist us in our small after school program for children in West Asheville in low-income housing.  We provide a safe and nourishing environment, healthy snacks, and creative activities.  Our program currently meets during the school year on most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00-5:00pm. You may volunteer for one or two days a week. 

Volunteer Responsibilities:

  • Assist with serving snacks
  • Interact with children during activity time
  • Supervise games and outdoor free time
  • For people with background in education, there is also an opportunity to assist with curriculum development and program planning and administration

Requirements:

  • Background check
  • Orientation booklets will be provided
  • Masks are required if unvaccinated
A Narrative from the Inside: Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School
Jun 8 @ 6:00 pm
Zoom

Join the Asheville Museum of History Thursday, June 8 at 6pm for this special program. This hybrid event is held in-person at OLLI at UNC Asheville and livestreamed via Zoom. It will also be recorded.

Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School—a union school merging grades 1-12—served African American students from Polk, Transylvania, and Henderson counties from 1951-1965. When the Brown v Board decisions eventually went into effect, the school finally became integrated in 1966, bringing great change and some challenges.

The presentation will share information from both the students and teachers perspective about: busing from surrounding counties, education expectations and what has been learned from the teachers’ perspective, their education qualifications, where they were from and where they resided while teaching at the 9th Avenue School, and what happened after integration.

About the Speaker:

Ronnie Pepper grew up in Hendersonville and attended the 9th Avenue School. He served in the U.S. army before becoming a Head Start teacher. In addition to researching and telling the story of the Happy Land Kingdom, Ronnie serves his community on numerous boards. He also serves as the Chair of the Black History Research Committee of Henderson County. He has travelled abroad representing Henderson County groups, and has won several awards for his work including the Spirit of Diversity Award by the Latino Advocacy Coalition of Henderson County and the Scholastic Early Childhood Professional Award. Ronnie is currently a librarian at the Hendersonville County Public Library, and a storyteller in the region.

Tickets: $5 for AMoH and OLLI members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Viewing: Registrants will receive a Zoom link with which to view the program. It will also be recorded and later available on our website.

In-Person Location: Reuter Center, 300 Campus View Rd, Asheville, NC 28804

(Images: The newly-completed Hendersonville 9th Avenue School and first incoming class, in The Tiger [Yearbook], 1952, courtesy Henderson County Public Library)

For questions, email Trevor Freeman at [email protected]

A Narrative from the Inside: Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School
Jun 8 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Live at OLLI at UNCA or via Zoom

Hendersonville’s 9th Avenue School—a union school merging grades 1-12—served African American students from Polk, Transylvania, and Henderson counties from 1951-1965. When the Brown v Board decisions eventually went into effect, the school finally became integrated in 1966, bringing great change and some challenges.

The presentation will share information from both the students and teachers perspective about: busing from surrounding counties, education expectations and what has been learned from the teachers’ perspective, their education qualifications, where they were from and where they resided while teaching at the 9th Avenue School, and what happened after integration.

 

About the Speaker:

Ronnie Pepper grew up in Hendersonville and attended the 9th Avenue School. He served in the U.S. army before becoming a Head Start teacher. In addition to researching and telling the story of the Happy Land Kingdom, Ronnie serves his community on numerous boards. He also serves as the Chair of the Black History Research Committee of Henderson County. He has travelled abroad representing Henderson County groups, and has won several awards for his work including the Spirit of Diversity Award by the Latino Advocacy Coalition of Henderson County and the Scholastic Early Childhood Professional Award. Ronnie is currently a librarian at the Hendersonville County Public Library, and a storyteller in the region.

 

Tickets: $5 for AMoH and OLLI members/ $10 for General Admission. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who would not be able to attend otherwise.

Get Buzzed for Pollination Celebration
Jun 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black Wall Street

Good food, good drinks, good company, plus enter our raffle for a chance to win incredible prize baskets packed with goodies.

By attending this event, you will be actively contributing to:

Pollinator Education: Your support will help us organize educational programs and workshops to help interested residents do their part to protect native pollinators.

Pollinator Habitat Installation: Funds raised will be used to create vibrant habitats with native plants that provide nourishment and shelter for bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other vital native pollinators.

Intro to Sketch
Jun 8 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Whitmire Activity Center

Want to know how to write like they do on SNL? Would you like to level up your comedy knowledge? Learn the basics of sketch comedy writing! We’ll talk about the history of sketch, and the differences between the famous sketch and improv schools based in NYC, Chicago, and LA. Want to learn about the crossover of skills practiced in sketch writing and improv? Are you interested in learning some of the differences between British and American humor? Are you curious about the similarities between sketch and satire? (Think: The Onion.) We’ll talk about it! We’ll read a variety of sketch scripts, break them down into parts, and learn the mechanics. We’ll watch a number of sketches together, practice identifying the formula, and specifically labeling what’s funny about them. We’ll also practice idea generation and pitching. Hold onto your hat!

About the Teacher

Emily Swindal lived in New York City for 8 years as an actor and improv comedian and relocated to Hendersonville during the pandemic. Emily has studied and performed improv and sketch comedy writing at NYC’s Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre NY. Emily has performed with an assortment of improv teams. Some of her past instructors include Elana Fishbein, Peter McNerney, Ross Taylor, Michael Lutton, and Nicole Drespel. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory. Emily can’t wait to meet you.

Friday, June 9, 2023
Gardening Video: Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens
Jun 9 all-day
online
 
Gardening in the Mountains presents:
Beyond Hostas-Colorful Shade Gardens

 

Shade Garden_mwms1916_CC BY-NC-ND 2.0_Flickr
Shade garden

 

Presenter: Deb Breck, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer

Do you crave those full-sun plants for your shady, shady property?  Crave no more!  By applying proper techniques and selecting the right plants, a shade garden can become your showcase – an easy-to-maintain garden that is beautiful in all seasons.

Master Gardener Deb Breck, an experienced shade gardener, will teach us how to assess shady areas and show us some of the many annuals, bulbs, deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, ferns (yes, ferns), ornamental grasses and perennials that thrive in shady conditions.

Have a Gardening Question? Contact the Helpline! 2023 Schedule
Jun 9 all-day
Extension Office

Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers will be staffing the Helpline as indicated in the schedule below. You may send an email or leave a voicemail at any time and an Extension Master Gardener volunteer will respond during Garden Helpline hours. When emailing, please include a photo if it helps describe your garden question. Soil test kits can be picked up at the Extension office, 24/7. The kits are located in a box outside the front door.

Three ways to contact the Garden Helpline
Call 828-255-5522
Email questions and photos to [email protected]
Visit the Extension Office at 49 Mt. Carmel Road during Helpline hours, listed below.

Garden Helpline Hours

March – (starts March 6)
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

April through September:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Wednesday 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

October – (ends October 26th) 
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon
Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We are here to help and support you! Please contact us. We look forward to answering your gardening questions.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Jun 9 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan)
Jun 9 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

Bullington Gardens Daylily Sale
Jun 9 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Bullington Gardens