The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Drum Circle

The Asheville Downtown Association is proud to facilitate the return of Asheville’s iconic Drum Circle. Feel the rhythm and join the beat as the community comes together for an evening of drumming, dancing, and camaraderie.

Call it Reckless Kelly’s Last Hurrah.

From its roots as a barnstorming Idaho outfit to its modern-day status as a torchbearer for
independent Americana music from coast to coast, Reckless has tied Austin rock and cowboy
poetry together seamlessly for more than 25 years. Now, the band is slowly winding down its
touring days.

Co-founders and brothers Willy and Cody Braun told Rolling Stone in late 2022 that Reckless
will pare its touring schedule back to roughly 35 shows a year from 2023-35 before retiring from
the road altogether. This alone is a major change for a group that has neared or exceeded 200
shows a year for most of its career. The reason for the long goodbye, according to the members, is to ensure fans have opportunities to catch more shows without the pressure a whirlwind farewell tour puts on both artist and the audience.

“The coolest thing about our fan base is, we got them one at a time,” Willy — Reckless’s
frontman, says. “We didn’t go out there with one big hit or music video or one big tour. We
literally got our fans on an individual basis. I’m pretty proud of that part: Once we got a fan, they
stayed with us.”

Cody — who plays fiddle and mandolin — and Willy grew up in rural Idaho, near Stanley, in a
family full of musicians. They are joined in Reckless by drummer Jay Nazz, bassist Joe Miller,
and steel guitar player Geoff Queen. Before wrapping up on the road, Reckless plans to release at least one more full-length album — a follow to the double album American Jackpot/American Girls, which was released in spring 2020 just as the pandemic shut down live music and scuttled a release tour — and the band intends to announce multiple projects, big and small, between now and 2025.

Call it Reckless Kelly’s Last Hurrah. From its roots as a barnstorming Idaho outfit to its modern-day status as a torchbearer for independent Americana music from coast to coast, Reckless has tied Austin rock and cowboy poetry together seamlessly for more than 25 years. Now, the band is slowly winding down its touring days. Co-founders and brothers Willy and Cody Braun told Rolling Stone in late 2022 that Reckless will pare its touring schedule back to roughly 35 shows a year from 2023-35 before retiring from the road altogether. This alone is a major change for a group that has neared or exceeded 200 shows a year for most of its career. The reason for the long goodbye, according to the members, is to ensure fans have opportunities to catch more shows without the pressure a whirlwind farewell tour puts on both artist and the audience. “The coolest thing about our fan base is, we got them one at a time,” Willy — Reckless’s frontman, says. “We didn’t go out there with one big hit or music video or one big tour. We literally got our fans on an individual basis. I’m pretty proud of that part: Once we got a fan, they stayed with us.” Cody — who plays fiddle and mandolin — and Willy grew up in rural Idaho, near Stanley, in a family full of musicians. They are joined in Reckless by drummer Jay Nazz, bassist Joe Miller, and steel guitar player Geoff Queen. Before wrapping up on the road, Reckless plans to release at least one more full-length album — a follow to the double album American Jackpot/American Girls, which was released in spring 2020 just as the pandemic shut down live music and scuttled a release tour — and the band intends to announce multiple projects, big and small, between now and 2025. Doors open at 5:30PM and the music starts at 6:30PM. This is a General Admission, all-ages show! Kids 7 and under FREE!

It’s about one moment. It’s about hitting the wall and having to make a choice… or
take a stand… or turn around and go back. These are the stories and characters of
today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason
Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful
songs examines life, love and the choices that we make.
With a small, powerhouse cast and a driving, exquisitely crafted score that runs the
gamut of today’s popular music, Songs for a New World is a great way to bring the next
generation into the theatre.

Head to www.avlmt.org or @avlmusicals for more information.

Opening Night sparkles as Keith Lockhart conducts Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, at once lyrical, boisterous, and ultimately optimistic—in the words of the composer, “a symphony on the greatness of the human soul.” Brevard favorite Joyce Yang returns to perform Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano Concerto, widely regarded as the most technically challenging in all the repertoire.

Brevard Music Center Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, conductor
Joyce Yang, piano

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 5

Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1. To receive early access to tickets for this event, become a donor today! Donor presale begins March 25.

Folk Tunes with a Rock ‘N’ Roll Soundtrack

Laura Blackley is a singer, writer & purveyor of high lonesome Appalachian blues and soul. A born storyteller, she has played in many bands, traveled countless back roads & interstates and enjoys digging up old tunes & hearing the stories behind them. She believes that music has a healing power and is a communal act, and is always looking forward to the next gig.

The Wildflowers are a group of friends who make music together. Playing “folk tunes with a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack”, their music borrows heavily from folk, country and blues to create a sound that is distinctly Southern yet worldly, modern yet timeless.

Laura Blackley and Ian Harrod sing and write songs. Harrod plays bass, Blackley plays guitar. The band also features Dorsey Parker on lead guitar and Richard Foulk & Gabe Rohmann on drums. They’re frequently joined onstage by friends including Brad Curtioff on keys and David Zoll on guitars & harmony vocals.

Blackley also sings classic country duets and dance tunes with The Old Chevrolette Set, an Asheville-based honky-tonk band and was an on-air host & producer for seven years at WNCW 88.7 FM in Spindale, NC, spotlighting contemporary regional music, blues, bluegrass, old-time and women in roots music. In addition to her gig schedule, she works as a Teaching Artist with elementary age children, and is a recipient of numerous TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools) grants, working with area students exploring their North Carolina musical heritage.

Visit LEAF Global Arts every Saturday for an in-house cultural exchange with Adama Dembele. Experience the Ivory Coast with our Culture Keeper from the House of Djembe.

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Beyoncé at Asheville Masonic Temple under the gentle glow of candlelight.

General Info
Venue: Asheville Masonic Temple
Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)
Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant
View the FAQs for this event here
Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
If you would like to book a private concert (min 15+ people), please click here
Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville
To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here

Tentative Program

“Love on Top”
“Hold Up”
“If I Were a Boy”
“Say My Name” (Destiny’s Child)
“Drunk in Love”
“Single Ladies”
“Sandcastles”
“XO”
“Irreplaceable”
“Halo”
“Survivor” (Destiny’s Child)
“Crazy in Love”

Performers

Opal String Quartet

Reviews of Candlelight Concerts
Aleks D. : “Beautiful location and amazingly talented musicians.”
Amber B. : “This was a beautiful event with wonderfully talented musicians. Would go again and would recommend to anyone!”
Angel S. : “Excellent concert…. they are masters…. We will be back again!!!!”

Fever Seating

Solstice Soirée The BRO Chamber Ensemble hails the arrival of summer with an enchanted evening of music at Souther Williams Vineyard. The Blue Ridge Orchestra presents Solstice Soirée, an alfresco chamber concert (with a WNC twist), at 6:00pm on Saturday, June 22nd, in the beautiful Souther Williams vineyard on Hoopers Creek Road in Fletcher, NC. Stepping outside classical confines, Music Director Milton Crotts incorporates the popular music of local artists into an eclectic program anchored by the BRO Chamber Ensemble. Mozart, Vivaldi, and Albinoni are all represented, but not necessarily in expected ways. Fancy Marie and Craig Kellberg contribute the honky tonk, southern gothic vibes of Fancy and the Gentlemen. The Walker Family Trio shares the traditional, old-time, Celtic sounds of The Walker Family Band. Trombonists extraordinaire, Rienette Davis and Emily Songster perform vibrant and unexpected arrangements of classical and popular works. Table seating in the pavilion is accompanied by Souther Williams wine and Daphne’s Catering by Twisted Laurel. Seating on the vineyard lawn is available come rain or come shine — bring your own blanket, lawn chair, and umbrella. (No outside alcohol is permitted.) Details: Blue Ridge Orchestra’s Solstice Soirée Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, 6:00pm Souther Williams Vineyard 655 Hoopers Creek Road. Fletcher, NC. 28732

The BRO Chamber Ensemble hails the arrival of summer with an enchanted evening of music at Souther Williams Vineyard. 

The Blue Ridge Orchestra presents Solstice Soirée, an alfresco chamber concert (with a WNC twist), at 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 22^nd, in the beautiful Souther Williams vineyard on Hoopers Creek Road in Fletcher, NC.

Stepping outside classical confines, Music Director Milton Crotts incorporates the popular music of local artists into an eclectic program anchored by the BRO Chamber Ensemble. Mozart, Vivaldi, and Albinoni are all represented, but not necessarily in expected ways. 

Fancy Marie and Craig Kellberg contribute the honky tonk, southern gothic vibes of Fancy and the Gentlemen. The Walker Family Trio shares the traditional, old-time, Celtic sounds of The Walker Family Band. 

Trombonists extraordinaire, Rienette Davis and Emily Songster perform vibrant and unexpected arrangements of classical and popular works. 

Table seating in the pavilion is accompanied by Souther Williams wine and Daphne’s Catering by Twisted Laurel. Seating on the vineyard lawn is available come rain or come shine — bring your own blanket, lawn chair, and umbrella. (No outside alcohol is permitted.) 

Sean of the South

A multi-instrumentalist, he started playing mandolin when he was seven, guitar at age eight, and played piano in church at age nine.

Having lived through enough heartache, joy, embarrassment, love, and renewal for several lifetimes, Sean condenses our human failures and triumphs into stories that make the Southern heart resound.
His wildly popular blog and musical podcast, “Sean of the South,” is suited for anyone with red clay on their car and sand in their shoes. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, Southern Living, Garden and Gun, and he has authored fifteen books.

His one-man shows have earned him a cult-like following in the southeastern United States and among closeted accordion players worldwide. Sean is a master storyteller in the tradition of Will Rogers, Mark Twain, and Lewis Grizzard. His brutally candid, laugh-out-loud, and sometimes painful tales remind us that we are not alone in our human experience. His tales of covered-dish suppers, camp meeting sing-alongs, funerals gone awry, and hounds that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge have audiences drying their eyes one minute and slapping their knees the next.

The concert begins at 6:30 PM. Beverages will be available for purchase.

Jack’s Bluegrass Brunch kicks off every Sunday at 12 noon — with lively bluegrass tunes courtesy of The Jack of the Wood Bluegrass Brunch Boys from 1-3pm. Sip a Bloody Mary or Mimosa or a warm Irish coffee. Tasty brunch specials alongside our regular menu and 18 taps of rotating craft brews! Sláinte, y’all!

Join us Sunday, June 23 at Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room and Winery for live music at the vineyard from singer-songwriter and guitarist Eric Congdon! Eric continues to establish his reputation as one of the region’s most engaging artists. Eric is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, collaborator, producer, and virtuoso guitarist. His sonic vocabulary runs rich and deep, surprising and engaging audiences everywhere. You never know what kind of music to expect. His live shows are a medley of influences, ideas, and improvisation. You may hear anything from Blues and Americana to World Music and everything in between! Eric will be performing at the Burntshirt Vineyards Winery and Tasting Room on Sunday from 2-5 PM. Come on out to the winery for an afternoon of amazing musicianship and fabulous wine! We can’t wait to see you here!

Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1. To receive early access to tickets for this event, become a donor today! Donor presale begins March 25.

Jack’s long-running Traditional Irish Music Session is the perfect way to enjoy the Celtic-influenced sounds of talented pluckers from all over WNC & further afield! Stop in to enjoy a pint or afternoon Irish coffee with the music! Sláinte!

Broadway comes alive on Sunday, June 23 when Friends of Music at the
Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness concludes its 2023-24 series with a varied presentation.
Vocalists Lori Griswold and Matthew Ruley will be joined by the St. John Parish Choir led by Organist and
Director of Music Dewitt Tipton on piano.
The 4:00 p.m. program, held in the Parish Hall across Rutledge Drive from the historic hilltop church
building, is free and open to the public. Parking and handicapped transportation are readily available.
Ms. Griswold, mezzo-soprano, has been singing virtually all her life.  She studied with notable teachers in the
Midwest and Charlotte.  Her repertoire includes concert solos, musical theater, and opera roles.  She
estimates she has sung in 13 languages.
Mr. Ruley, tenor, is happy to once again join Lori on stage. The two met about 40 years ago, performing
with Charlottetown Players, with Dewitt Tipton as music director. They are pleased to come together again
to perform their favorite songs. A UNC Charlotte graduate, now living in West Virginia, Ruley favors
Broadway music and cabaret concerts but enjoys a variety of musical styles including opera, country, theater
and church choirs.  He plays several instruments including saxophone, clarinet, and bass guitar.
The Sunday concert will encompass highlights from the golden age including South Pacific (“A Wonderful
Guy”) My Fair Lady (“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “On the Street Where You Live”) Brigadoon (“The
Heather on the Hill”) The Fantasticks (“They Were You”) I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change
(“Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love with You?”) Composers: the Gershwins, Jule Styne, Lerner and Lowe,
Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more.
The Friends of Music at St. John in the Wilderness brings instrumentalists, vocalists, artists, storytellers and
other creatives to the Flat Rock area, hosting concerts and events to allow the community to experience the
gifts these artists have to share. The public is always welcome.
The Parish Hall is located at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.

music by the lake

Each summer, Blue Ridge Community College offers summer concerts beside the College lake as a gift to the community. These free concerts feature a wide range of musical and vocal groups. Bring a lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy the music by the lake. Organized by Blue Ridge Community College.

In the event of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Technology, Education & Development Center (TEDC) Building.

Burning Spear’s impact on reggae music is profound. A true legend, Spear’s legacy through his music is one of self-reliance and self-determination for the African diaspora. With a career spanning over six decades, his message remains on point and his vocal delivery is as powerful as it is identifiable.

Winston Rodney began his music career in the late 1960s, attributing his start to a fateful encounter with Bob Marley. Both were living in the St. Ann’s parish of Jamaica. As Spear recalls, “Bob was going to his farm. The man was moving with a donkey and some buckets and a fork, and cutlass and plants. We just reason man-to-man and I-man say wherein I would like to get involved in the music business. And Bob say, ‘All right, just check Studio One.’” It was there that Spear recorded his first two classic albums, “Burning Spear” and “Rocking Time.”

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Burning Spear rocked the reggae world, releasing acclaimed albums such as “Social Living,” “Hail H.I.M.” and “Resistance.” His music evolved to incorporate elements of jazz, funk, and rock, while maintaining its solid roots reggae foundation.

Burning Spear has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album; one at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 for “Calling Rastafari,” and one for 2009’s “Jah Is Real.” He has been nominated for a total of 12 Gramm​​y™ Awards. He was awarded the Jamaican government’s Order of Distinction for outstanding services to music in 2007.

Since establishing their own label Burning Music Records, Winston and Sonia Rodney have released nearly forty singles, CDs, DVDs and vinyl albums on the Burning Music imprint.

In addition to his music career, Burning Spear is a dedicated anti-racism activist and philanthropist. He has been involved in various social and political causes throughout his career, including the fight against apartheid in South Africa, the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe and his campaign to raise awareness of the teachings of Marcus Garvey.

Burning Spear’s legacy as a reggae icon is everlasting, and his music continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world. His influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who have followed in his footsteps, and his message of love and unity remain as relevant today as ever.

ABOUT KABAKA PYRAMID:

The Kingston native, born Keron Salmon, spent many of his early years developing his sound as a part of Bebble Team, a talented group of friends and schoolmates that would be the foundation of his independent label Bebble Rock. Rebel Music was the fruit of this preparation and Kabaka’s career as a reggae artist was born. After touring Europe in 2012, prominent producers would take an interest and staple songs “No Capitalist” and “Never Gonna be A Slave” as well as hit songs “Mi Alright” featuring Chronixx Chronixx and ‘Well Done’ produced by Damian Marley would follow in 2013 and 2014
respectively. The Billboard charting “Lead The Way EP” in 2013 would cement Kabaka in the international Reggae landscape as well as the career defining “Well Done” produced by Damian Marley in 2015.

The “Accurate” mixtape by Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire would see Kabaka collaborate with Raekwon on Be Inspired, and classic Kabaka vs Pyramid would be become a hallmark for true Kabaka fans.

After touring with Damian Marley in the US in 2017, Kabaka would team up with the son of Bob Marley for his debut album Kontraband, debuting number 3 in the reggae Billboard chart and number one in several countries on iTunes. Hit song “Reggae Music” became Kabaka’s first song to pass 10 million views on youtube with many other records from the album having a tremendous impact in the market such as “Can’t Breathe” and “Kontraband”.

During the covid pandemic Kabaka worked tirelessly and released popular singles “Nice Up The Dance and “Believe” as well as the classic “Immaculate Mixtape” with Federation Sound. He also produced his first juggling rhythm “Victory Rock” to great success. All this while working continuously on his second album “The Kalling”. Hit singles “Red Gold and Green” featuring Damian Marley, The “Kalling” featuring Stephen Marley, Protoje and Jesse Royal and “Faded Away” with Buju Banton would see the 2022 LP release dominate iTunes charts in many countries culminating in a Grammy award for
reggae album of the year amongst many other album of the year awards on publications such as Reggaeville and Riddim magazine.

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Mondays: Pickin’ in the Park

Enjoy performances by local singer-songwriters in an intimate and relaxed setting. Experience the rich musical heritage of Asheville as talented musicians share their stories and songs.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1. To receive early access to tickets for this event, become a donor today! Donor presale begins March 25.

Join us in the library community room to hear Jazz Pianist and composer, Michael Jefry Stevens and his musician friends, perform original compositions and songs from a songbook. This program is free and no ticket is required.

The Asheville Downtown Association is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Pritchard Park Arts and Culture Series, made possible through a generous partnership with the Trina Mullen Foundation, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, ArtsAVL, and Explore Asheville. This summer series will run from May 28 through August 30, featuring exciting activations every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Tuesdays: Hoop Jam

Join the fun with hula hoops and a live DJ. Whether you’re a seasoned hooper or a beginner, this vibrant event invites everyone to dance, spin, and groove to the music in a welcoming and energetic atmosphere.

Join us for a night of classical music in the Museum! A collaboration between the Asheville Chamber Music Series and the Asheville Art Museum featuring North Carolina musicians embarking on a major concert career.