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.

Monday, July 17, 2023
United Way School Supply Drive
Jul 17 all-day
online

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they’re prepared to enter the classroom in August.

  1. Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
  2. Make a donation and we’ll shop for you:
    • Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
      • If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
    • Mail your check to:
      • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
        50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
        Asheville, NC 28801
        *Please write 2023 School Supply Drive in the memo.
    • Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
  3. Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Watch this short video tutorial on how to create your own drive.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn, 828.239.1123.

 

Outdoor Movie Nights – Jurassic World Domination
Jul 17 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Tuesday, July 18, 2023
United Way School Supply Drive
Jul 18 all-day
online

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they’re prepared to enter the classroom in August.

  1. Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
  2. Make a donation and we’ll shop for you:
    • Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
      • If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
    • Mail your check to:
      • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
        50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
        Asheville, NC 28801
        *Please write 2023 School Supply Drive in the memo.
    • Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
  3. Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Watch this short video tutorial on how to create your own drive.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn, 828.239.1123.

 

To Protect and Preserve: Historic Flat Rock’s Legacy to Keep
Jul 18 @ 6:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

The history of Flat Rock comes to life in a new film. The archivally rich film showcases a wealth of stories and history specific to Flat Rock that includes photos, maps, blueprints, literature, and art from diverse repositories. Buncombe County Special Collections at Pack Memorial Library has contributed a trove of archival photos from its African American and Flat Rock Collections.

The award-winning historical documentary film, To Protect and Preserve: Historic Flat Rock’s Legacy to Keep, will be screened at the Pack Memorial Library. The first hour of the film, Part 1, Flat Rock’s History will be shown on Tuesday, July 18 at 6 p.m. The event is free to the public. Designed to educate and inspire all ages and demographics, the film unveils Flat Rock’s unique and hidden history as a small American village established in the early 1800s in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

A look back

The film begins in the land of the Cherokee, revealing their way of life and attitudes toward stewarding the land, water sources and trading. The story continues with the Early Explorers, First Settlers, Charlestonian Rice Planters, Enslaved and Freedmen, impacting transgenerational descendant lives to this day. The filmmakers of One Life, One Legacy Films made discoveries in the archives of St. John in the Wilderness Church in Flat Rock that led them to uncover transgenerational connections to living descendants that they could bring to the big screen. The filmmakers interviewed Historian and Author Alexia Helsley, Cherokee Scholar Tom Belt, descendants of the first families, a slave descendant, and preservationists and residents.

Wanda Horne, a 5th generation descendant, whose ancestors were the first enslaved couple married in 1855 at St. John in the Wilderness, tells stories of growing up in East Flat Rock with her extended family. Her Aunt Blanche was a pivotal part of their family and was employed by a white family headed by Dr. D.I.C King. King is a descendant of Judge Mitchell King who was a slave owner in Flat Rock, as well as known for giving the land to settle Hendersonville. Dr. King was the physician for all the Williams family and the new generation of their children. His son, Rick, tells of how Blanche was their nanny, their cook, “their everything,” and how she and his mother would build things together. The filmmakers note, “This one story of black and white connections enriches our understanding, serving as the catalyst in connecting families to our universal histories within our community from generation to generation. There are countless hidden stories yet to be uncovered and threaded together to enlighten us all.”

Filmmakers Patricia Bradley and Michelle Mullen wish to encourage others to bring their community’s and family’s important histories to life, which help us understand our past and present stories.

About Historic Flat Rock

Flat Rock is the largest historic district in our state. Historic Flat Rock, Inc. was founded in 1968 as a non-profit volunteer organization of community residents, preservationists and conservationists who protect the Flat Rock Historic District. Its mission is to “Protect and Preserve” houses, churches, woodlands, and open spaces as well as promoting its cultural history through education.

Wednesday, July 19, 2023
United Way School Supply Drive
Jul 19 all-day
online

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they’re prepared to enter the classroom in August.

  1. Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
  2. Make a donation and we’ll shop for you:
    • Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
      • If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
    • Mail your check to:
      • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
        50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
        Asheville, NC 28801
        *Please write 2023 School Supply Drive in the memo.
    • Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
  3. Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Watch this short video tutorial on how to create your own drive.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn, 828.239.1123.

 

Thursday, July 20, 2023
United Way School Supply Drive
Jul 20 all-day
online

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they’re prepared to enter the classroom in August.

  1. Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
  2. Make a donation and we’ll shop for you:
    • Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
      • If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
    • Mail your check to:
      • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
        50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
        Asheville, NC 28801
        *Please write 2023 School Supply Drive in the memo.
    • Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
  3. Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Watch this short video tutorial on how to create your own drive.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn, 828.239.1123.

 

Fundraiser for School Supply Drive!
Jul 20 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Mule, Devil’s Foot’s-- South Asheville

Looking for a unique way and fun way to donate?

Through its community partnership “Doing Good Through Business,” Mosaic Realty is teaming with Devil’s Foot Beverage Company to host a series of gatherings aimed at supporting various local nonprofit organizations.

Thursday, July 20th you can support United Way from 5-8 p.m. at

Fifteen percent of all drink sales will be donated to a local nonprofit organization, with a Mosaic broker and partner of that organization matching the donation.

Friday, July 21, 2023
United Way School Supply Drive
Jul 21 all-day
online

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they’re prepared to enter the classroom in August.

  1. Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
  2. Make a donation and we’ll shop for you:
    • Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
      • If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
    • Mail your check to:
      • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
        50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
        Asheville, NC 28801
        *Please write 2023 School Supply Drive in the memo.
    • Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
  3. Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Watch this short video tutorial on how to create your own drive.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn, 828.239.1123.

 

July American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive at Asheville Outlets
Jul 21 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Asheville Outlets

Save a Life. Donate Blood. Giving blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. Asheville Outlets is teaming up with the American Red Cross to host a mobile blood drive on Friday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot located behind the food court. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. For more information, visit AshevilleOutlets.com.

Food Truck + Flix at Dana Park
Jul 21 @ 7:00 pm
Dana Park

Grab your blanket or chair and join us under the stars for a free movie in the park, This
week’s movie is the film Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, Food truck opens at 7pm and movie begins at nightfall (approx.
8pm),

Saturday, July 22, 2023
The Asheville 48 Hour Film Project, Awards Night
Jul 22 @ 7:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

It’s the Asheville 48 Hour Film Project, AWARDS NIGHT GALA!

The 48 Hour Film Project, the largest independent film competition in the world, has returned to Asheville for its 18th year.

Each year, filmmakers from Western North Carolina and the surrounding area write, shoot, and edit a short film in just 48 hours. The Best Film from Asheville moves on to represent Asheville at the international Filmapalooza festival, and earns a chance to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival “Short Film Corner”.

The Awards Night Gala will include a screening of the “Best Of” Asheville’s short films, followed by an “Oscar’s” style awards ceremony. Come out and support our creative local actors, writers, and filmmaking teams, and see who takes home the Award for Best Film!

Monday, July 24, 2023
Outdoor Movie Nights – Elvis
Jul 24 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Saturday, July 29, 2023
New York Film Score Orchestra…Music of Hans Zimmer, John Williams + More by Candlelight
Jul 29 @ 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
First Congregational Church

Experience cinema’s most iconic music performed by The New York Film Score Orchestra in a candle-lit setting.
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many more. The most iconic movie music performed by a live chamber orchestra in an enchanting candle-lit setting under a glowing moon.

Venue: First Congregational Church, Asheville NC – The century-old venue houses an elegant sanctuary dominated by stone and red doors. A venue of purpose, history and elegance.

Saturday, July 29th
4:00pm, 6:00pm and 8:00pm

Doors open 1 hour before showtime

Start time: 4:00pm
End Time: 5:15pm

Please note, the advisory age for this event is 5+ (no children under 3)

Programme:

E.T
Phantom of The Opera
Twilight
Romeo & Juliet
The Wizard of Oz
The Greatest Showman
Les Miserables
Titanic
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Sound of Music
Mary Poppins
Fiddler on The Roof

Vienna Light Orchestra Presents: A Tribute to Broadway + The Greatest Showman
Jul 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
First Congregational Church

Experience cinema’s most iconic music performed by The New York Film Score Orchestra in a candle-lit setting.
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many more. The most iconic movie music performed by a live chamber orchestra in an enchanting candle-lit setting under a glowing moon.

Venue: First Congregational Church, Asheville NC – The century-old venue houses an elegant sanctuary dominated by stone and red doors. A venue of purpose, history and elegance.

Saturday, July 29th
4:00pm, 6:00pm and 8:00pm

Doors open 1 hour before showtime

Start time: 4:00pm
End Time: 5:15pm

Please note, the advisory age for this event is 5+ (no children under 3)

Programme:

E.T
Phantom of The Opera
Twilight
Romeo & Juliet
The Wizard of Oz
The Greatest Showman
Les Miserables
Titanic
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Sound of Music
Mary Poppins
Fiddler on The Roof

Vienna Light Orchestra: MAGICAL FILM SCORES
Jul 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
First Congregational Church

Experience performances by world renowned Vienna Light Orchestra as they play cinema’s most iconic music, surrounded by over 2,000 LED candles. An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many more. The most iconic movie music performed by a live chamber orchestra in an enchanting candle-lit setting under a glowing moon. “Immerse yourself in the captivating melodies of the Vienna Light Orchestra, where timeless classics blend seamlessly with contemporary arrangements. Join us for an enchanting evening of symphonic brilliance that transcends time.”

Vienna Light Orchestra is privileged to perform at the historic First Congregational Church in Asheville, NC – The century-old venue houses an elegant sanctuary dominated by stone and red doors. A venue of purpose, history and elegance. Step into the awe-inspiring sanctuary, where every whispered note reverberates with ethereal grace, as the divine acoustics transform each instrument into a symphony of celestial harmony.”

🕰 Date and Showtimes: Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 4pm (sold out), 6pm & 8pm

🕰 Runtime: 70 Minutes (an easy addition to your evening plans!)

📌 Venue: First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St Asheville, NC 28801

Programme:

Pirates of the Caribbean
The Sound of Music
E.T
Phantom of The Opera
Twilight
Romeo & Juliet
The Wizard of Oz
The Greatest Showman
Les Miserables
Titanic
Mary Poppins
Fiddler on The Roof
… and More!

Highlights
🕯️ A spirited ambience bathed in magical candlelight.
🎼 Talented world-class orchestral musicians performing powerful favorites – Pirates of the Caribbean, Phantom of the Opera, Hans Zimmer, John Williams…and MUCH more!
💃🏻 Performers are from the renowned Vienna Light Orchestra.
🏛 Stunning architectural intimacy awash in a parade of intimate candlelight and more.

Note: For the safety of our audience, all of the candlelight ambiance is provided through flameless candles.

New York Film Score Orchestra…Music of Hans Zimmer, John Williams + More by Candlelight
Jul 29 @ 8:00 pm – 9:15 pm
First Congregational Church

Experience cinema’s most iconic music performed by The New York Film Score Orchestra in a candle-lit setting.
An immersive tribute to Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Weber and many more. The most iconic movie music performed by a live chamber orchestra in an enchanting candle-lit setting under a glowing moon.

Venue: First Congregational Church, Asheville NC – The century-old venue houses an elegant sanctuary dominated by stone and red doors. A venue of purpose, history and elegance.

Saturday, July 29th
4:00pm, 6:00pm and 8:00pm

Doors open 1 hour before showtime

Start time 8:00pm
End Time 9:15pm

Please note, the advisory age for this event is 5+ (no children under 3)

Programme:

E.T
Phantom of The Opera
Twilight
Romeo & Juliet
The Wizard of Oz
The Greatest Showman
Les Miserables
Titanic
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Sound of Music
Mary Poppins
Fiddler on The Roof

Monday, July 31, 2023
Outdoor Movie Nights – Back to the Future
Jul 31 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Friday, August 4, 2023
‘The River Runs On’
Aug 4 @ 6:00 pm
Highlands Nature Center

Follows conservationists throughout southern Appalachia as they struggle to manage two national forests in America: the Pisgah and Nantahala. Visit https://theriverrunson.com/ or www.highlandsbiological.org.

The Way We Speak with the World Documentary
Aug 4 @ 7:00 pm
Cherokee Central School

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian presents a film & concert event celebrating the citizens working to preserve, perpetuate, & learn Tsalagi.

Friday, August 4: Screening of “ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak),” a feature-length documentary collaboration chronicling the efforts of Cherokee activists, artists, and educators fighting to save the Cherokee language. A Q&A with members of the film’s production team will follow the screening. Doors open at 6pm, screening begins at 7pm.

Saturday, August 5: Cherokee language concert featuring Cherokee Nation musicians who contributed to the groundbreaking 2022 compilation album Anvdvnelisgi (ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ). Doors open at 6pm, concert begins at 7pm.

Performers:

  • Aaron Hale (Psychedelic Singer/Songwriter)
  • Agalisiga Mackey (Country)
  • Austin Markham (Pop)
  • Colby Luper (Metal)
  • Desi & Cody (Rock)
  • IIA (Pop)
  • Kalyn Fay (Folk/Americana)
  • Medicine Horse (Metal)
  • Monica Taylor (Folk/Americana)
  • Ken Pomeroy (Alternative Folk)
  • Travis Fite (Reggae)
  • Zebadiah Nofire (Hip-Hop)
Monday, August 7, 2023
Outdoor Movie Nights – Encanto
Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Film Screening: Never Let Me Go
Aug 8 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Free film screening of Never Let Me Go (2012) Rated R. Starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley.

From IMDB: “The lives of three friends, from their early school days into young adulthood, when the reality of the world they live in comes knocking.”

This is part of a book and movie study series. Our monthly book club will be discussing the book (and movie) on Wednesday, August 9th at 10:30AM. Everyone is welcome to join that discussion.

Popcorn and light beverages will be provided. Please feel free to bring your own bag lunch to this film.

Friday, August 11, 2023
Movies in the Park: Little Giants
Aug 11 @ 8:30 pm
Pack Square Park

👉 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime with games, giveaways, and other activities for kids and teens.

.: MAKE A PLAN :.
📍 All movies are free and begin at dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Approximate showtimes are listed, but plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior. Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort.
📍 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime.
📍 Bring money for food and treats from local vendors. Smokee’s Pizza is scheduled for opening night on May 12 while Tin Can Pizzeria is scheduled for the remaining dates. Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn will be available at all dates.
📍 Free parking is available in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie Street after 6pm.
📍 Pets, smoking, and alcohol are prohibited.
📍 Have fun! Dress up as your favorite characters, invite friends, and celebrate cool summer nights.

Movies in the Park allows people to enjoy blockbusters on the big screen with a spectacular backdrop – Asheville City Hall’s art decor exterior flanked by the rising mountains and a night sky full of stars. As Asheville’s town square, Pack Square Park’s central location allows community members in nearby neighborhoods including East End, Montford, South French Broad, and Southside to easily walk, bike, or ride to the show. Free parking in downtown after 6pm makes it a low-cost night out for those traveling from further away.

Monday, August 14, 2023
Outdoor Movie Nights – Jungle Criuse
Aug 14 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Teen Movie Night: Into the Spiderverse (PG)
Aug 15 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
East Asheville Library

Get together for a screening of Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse (PG)
Free. Recommended for middle and high school-age students.
Questions? Call the library at 828-250-4738.

Saturday, August 19, 2023
Shortcomings at SCREEN AND SUDS
Aug 19 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grail Moviehouse

Ben, a struggling filmmaker, lives in Berkeley, California, with his girlfriend, Miko, who works for a local Asian American film festival. When he’s not managing an arthouse movie theater as his day job, Ben spends his time obsessing over unavailable blonde women, watching Criterion Collection DVDs, and eating in diners with his best friend Alice, a queer grad student with a serial dating habit. When Miko moves to New York for an internship, Ben is left to his own devices, and begins to explore what he thinks he might want.

Tickets for the August 19, 1:15 screening of SHORTCOMING will be available on the Grail website in the coming week. Advance tickets are recommended. We’ll Meetup at Grail at 1:00. As always, we will gather at Wedge Brewery next door for post-screening conversation.

Monday, August 21, 2023
Outdoor Movie Nights – The Batman
Aug 21 @ 8:00 pm
Silverados

Silverado’s, located between Swannanoa and Black Mountain at 2898 U.S. 70, is hosting Family Movie Night under the stars every Monday night through August 21. Tickets are $5 per person, and are only available for purchase on the day of the movie. All movie nights are dependent on weather.

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a blockbuster outdoor movie on a 24 foot screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more info, check the Events tab on the Silverado’s Facebook page.

Sunday, August 27, 2023
At The River: Struggle and Grace in the Segregated South Documentary Showing
Aug 27 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

The Friends of the Black Mountain Library and the White Horse Black Mountain join with filmmaker Carolyn Crowder for a local showing of her feature length documentary At the River: Struggle and Grace in the Segregated South on Sunday, August 27 at 3 PM. Carolyn, a Black Mountain resident, grew up in the segregated Deep South in a racist family and culture. Later in life she learned of a few young southern Presbyterian ministers took a stand against segregation through their sermons, community organizing and participation in marches and protests. They faced dangerous, hate-filled consequences for these actions. Carolyn wondered why they dared. To find out she travelled throughout the Southeast interviewing ministers, now in their 80’s and 90’s, and family members about their experiences and what it took to go against the racist currents within their local communities and congregations.
At The River chronicles their lives and their decisions, as well as director Carolyn Crowder’s first-hand experience as a young white southern girl from Montgomery, Alabama. During those mean and turbulent times these ministers, through their love and example, had a huge impact on her life in helping her overcome her southern racist brainwashing.

Film: At The River: Struggle and Grace in the Segregated South
Aug 27 @ 3:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

The Friends of the Black Mountain Library and the White Horse join with filmmaker Carolyn Crowder for a local showing of her feature length documentary At The River: Struggle and Grace in the Segregated South on Sunday, August 27 at 3 PM.

At The River is a feature length documentary about a certain time and place in the deep south. In the Civil Rights era of the 50’s and 60’s most Presbyterian ministers stood on the banks of the cultural river of segregation and white supremacy. They opted not to stir the waters in their congregations and communities by speaking out. However, a few young southern Presbyterian ministers did brave those currents through their sermons, community organizing and participating in marches and protests. They faced dangerous, hate-filled consequences for these actions.

At The River chronicles their lives and their decisions, as well as director Carolyn Crowder’s first-hand experience as a young white southern girl from Montgomery, Alabama. During those mean and turbulent times these ministers, through their love and example, had a huge impact on her life in helping her overcome her southern racist brainwashing.

Director’s Statement:

I fled the south and lived 40 years out west and found that many people were skeptical about my stories of the young ministers who challenged my racial cultural brainwashing. When I moved back to the south several years ago, I realized that I lived in an area surrounded by Presbyterian ministers who had “fought the good fight” during the Civil Rights Era. Most of them had never told their stories in public and in many cases their grown children did not even know what they had been through. These men were modest and unpretentious about their strong stands during those hard times.

This is a story told from my perspective as white southerner who grew up in a racist family and culture with limited exposure to the suffering and inequalities around me. What started out as a small oral history project interviewing the ministers I knew as a teenager, grew into this feature length documentary. We traveled extensively throughout the southeast, interviewing over 60 ministers and family members, amassing over 100 hours of material.

As a psychologist I’ve always been interested in early memories and how they impact later behavior. So I asked these men about when they realized as children that what they were being taught about race was wrong.

The music in the film consists of old Presbyterian Scottish and English hymns mostly from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries – the music that the ministers and I grew up with. These traditional hymns provide historical context, setting the mood and giving the film emotional depth.

It was a disgraceful chapter in (Southern) Presbyterian Church history. This movie is a document, however, of those white ministers who tried to do the right thing when the right thing was difficult and dangerous to do. Their modeling changed me and other teenagers who were watching.

DIRECTOR:

Carolyn Crowder, Ph.D. is a retired psychologist who specialized in parent education and published three parenting books, one of which was a NY Times national bestseller. She appeared on Today, 20/20, Dateline, and NPR.

She has produced three documentaries: SISTER DON’T WEEP is an art piece about being raised Southern and female; SOMEWHERE TO LAY MY HEAD is about the history of a Southern Black community in rural Arizona, as told by the elders; and, RUBY, an exploration of the life of Ruby Prevo who worked for the Crowder family for over 20 years.

PRODUCER, CAMERA, EDITOR:

Rod Murphy has won 14 awards for his first three documentary features, including Best of Fest, Best Documentary, and Audience Award. He directs and produces video for commercial and non-profit clients, including Outward Bound, American Express, New Belgium Brewing, Habitat for Humanity, and Industries for the Blind. His work has screened internationally at festivals and on cable. Website: Collective Projects

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Aaron Price has been making music in Asheville since 1997. He played in the Appalachian State University jazz band and began writing songs. After college Aaron moved to Asheville where he opened Collapsible Recording Studio. He has directed music for numerous regional musical theater productions and serves as Music Director at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FILM

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Ten to Try: Trails | Preview Screening + Virtual Discussion
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online
As part of North Carolina’s Year of the Trail celebration, please join us for a preview screening of new original special, Ten to Try: Trails. This half-hour special will offer ten trail recommendations from outdoor enthusiasts and experts from across the state. The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.
Following the screening you are invited to participate in a virtual discussion and audience Q+A with local hikers and outdoor enthusiasts featured in the series. The conversation will be led by James Mieczkowski, content development producer, PBS North Carolina.
This is a FREE virtual event, but registration is required. The link to join the event can be found in your Eventbrite confirmation. It will also be included in event reminders sent via email a few days prior to the event.
To reserve your seat(s), please register via Eventbrite, or contact PBS North Carolina engagement events manager, Karen Nowak @[email protected].
To learn more about this and other upcoming events, visit pbsnc.org/events
Friday, September 1, 2023
Napoleon Dynamite: Film + Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries
Sep 1 @ 7:30 pm
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country

Event is BYOT (Bring Your Own Tots) The beloved indie classic “Napoleon Dynamite” was made almost almost 20 years ago. Since then much has changed; but the characters, as enduring as they are endearing, stay in our hearts.

Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes “Napoleon Dynamite” one of the most quoted movies of our time.

Napoleon Dynamite makes us laugh – and laugh hard – over and over again.

This unique evening includes a full screening of “Napoleon Dynamite” followed by a lively, freewheeling, moderated discussion with fan-favorite cast members; Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico).