Calendar of Events

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Retreat leader, educator and Jungian psychotherapist Diana McKendree leads a discussion exploring the world of dreamwork and how we might better understand our dreams. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series. The Thursday, September 18 event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. McKendree’s “What Did You Dream Last Night?” discussion begins at 11 a.m., followed by a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall. Bring a recent dream, notebook and pen. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

After all the effort it takes to get kids back to school, parents deserve a night out! Send your kids to Dinner Under Dinos on Saturday September 20, 5 – 8 pm, so your kids can have fun while you enjoy a night out!
This event is for children ages 5-12 years old. AMOS will offer three hours of museum play, cheese pizza, and an optional rated G movie! Dinner Under Dinos is even more fun with a friend…who would your kiddo(s) like to invite?
22 tickets at $35, $30 for additional sibling(s)

Sun Day Asheville, part of a global day of action on September 21, 2025, celebrates the rise of clean energy and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. We’ll come together to have fun and showcase the power of the sun – the energy source that can power our world without pollution or profiteering!

Clean energy is here: it’s more affordable, healthier, and fairer than the fuels of the past.

Join in the free family fun from 1 – 4pm @ Pack Square Pavilion. For more information, visit:https://actionnetwork.org/events/sun-day-asheville

What to Expect at Sun Day Asheville 2025 – September 21st

Families and kids will be making signs and decorating their bikes to participate in a march and bike ride to advocate for solar and clean energy. Sign in at the Marching Booth for the parade near the Stage.
EV bikes from Asheville Custom E-bikes available to rent for free if you sign up in advance: https://www.theacebikes.com/

Celebrations of Clean Energy:

Participants will create art, rally, sing, and call for climate action to ensure a healthier future.
The free, family friendly event will feature solar installations, Sugar Hollow Solar’s Power House with free sun powered snow cones, a fleet of electric vehicles, Earthshine Nature Programs’ solar powered education POD, booths about saving energy and more. Also, concerts, and educational activities to show the benefits of renewable energy for a healthier planet.

Focus on the Future:

The day is about harnessing the power of the sun to create a cleaner future for children and future generations. Kids will enjoy the parade, the music, and of course the solar oven s’mores and sun powered snow cones – all free!
We will make it known – the era of fossil fuels is ending, and a just, renewable future is within reach!

Join us at Ignite Jewelry Studio’s on select Friday night’s from 5-8 for our new Ignite Maker Nights. October 3rd is Hammer a Circle Pendant. You’ll choose from a variety of hammer textures and complete your silver pendant.

Each Ignite Maker Night will feature a different drop in workshop to make something fun for yourself or a friend and costs $25 for 25 minutes of less. Before or after this fun experience you can also wander downtown’s galleries for Asheville’s First Fridays. This makes for a great date night or girls night out experience as well!

Age appropriate for ages 10+.

Cost is $25/person and includes materials.

*You don’t need to sign up, as this is a “drop-in”. Our gallery will be open to shop locally handmade jewelry as well.

Back by popular demand, the third Annual Mountain Monarch Festival will be at Gorges State Park in Sapphire on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This free event, hosted by the park and sponsored by the Friends of Gorges State Park and other partners, will celebrate the monarch butterfly during its migration and raise awareness about the species’ declining numbers. The park lies along the monarchs’ migratory route. The butterflies can be seen in early October each year flying over the park, heading south to the high-elevation fir forests in central-southern Mexico’s Volcanic Belt, where they overwinter until early spring.

The festival will offer educational programs and exhibits as well as children’s crafts, face painting by Brevard College cheerleaders, a butterfly hike, and a Monarch Migration Passport to guide visitors through the activities. The featured speakers will be Heyward Douglas, an entomologist who is a former naturalist and has served on the Foothills Trail Conservancy’s board of directors since 1989, who will talk about visiting the wintering area for the monarchs in Mexico, and Brian Bockhahn, interpretation and education specialist for North Carolina State Parks, who will discuss “Monarch Life Cycle and Tagging.”

The event, activities and programs are free and open to the public. The event will be held rain or shine and is first-come, first-served. For event details, visit https://www.friendsofgorges.org

All Hallows’ Eve is a new Asheville children’s book about kids who dress in costume on Halloween and visit Riverside Cemetery to tell ghost stories and visit the graves of Asheville’s most prominent residents, including Thomas Wolfe, Isaac Dickson, George Masa, and O. Henry. Up in the clouds, they see the ghosts of Zelda Fitzgerald and the Pink Lady. Please join Dana and Chris at 3 pm, with special guest and main character: Adelaide the Witch, for a special reading of the story. Also, Constance Lombardo will be presenting her new children’s monster book, itty bitty Betty Blob Makes a Splash!
Kids love stories that are a little spooky. Come with us on an eerie adventure through Riverside Cemetery… if you dare!

Lecture Demonstration Series for the Curious, the New, and the Devotee

Sun Oct 5 • 3 pm | 60 minutes

Louis and Duke were there at the beginning—and their influence echoes through every note that comes after. Louis taught the world to swing with joyful individuality. Duke, America’s greatest composer, gave us music that is sophisticated, soulful, and gloriously open. Between them, they laid the foundation—unshakably cool and warmly welcoming.

Jazz Is for Everyone is a series of five one-hour sessions exploring jazz music. Come to one or join them all—each session stands on its own and welcomes listeners at any level.

What You’ll Experience:
Guided listening
Live music demonstrations
Stories that connect the music to people, places, and intent
A space for questions, curiosity, and shared discovery

Jeremy Walker launched Jazz Is for Everyone in 2004 at his Brilliant Corners Jazz Club, with Wynton Marsalis serving as Artistic Advisor. The program was developed as an Educational Affiliate with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Since then, Walker’s been writing, composing, performing, producing, and speaking about why this music still matters.

Dark City LIT! A Literary Festival at the Black Mountain Public Library
105 N. Dougherty St. Black Mountain NC 28711

Saturday, November 8

Join us for the inaugural Dark City LIT! Literary Festival!

Write Local, Read Local Author Fair is back for its fourth year! 20 local authors will be handselling books from 9-11 a.m. and reading from their works from Noon to 1 p.m.

Free Workshops Follow:
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
The Fun, Fascinating, and Fabulous World of Research with Dr. Susan Eischeid
In this engaging workshop, you’ll learn practical strategies for harnessing research—whether historical, personal, or primary sources—to elevate your fiction and non-fiction writing with vivid detail and universal resonance.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Publishing as Collective Practice with Andrew Mack of Loblolly Press
Discover how vibrant communities and collaborative efforts—from writers’ groups to small presses—are reviving literature today and leave with your own personalized “community map” to sustain your creative journey.

Followed by An Evening with Tessa Fontaine!
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Author of The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death-Defying Acts and The Red Grove, longlisted for the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. Tessa will be reading from her work and signing copies of her books.

Big Game, Bright Ideas!
The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is setting up shop at the UNC-Asheville Women’s Soccer Game for a special event full of team spirit and young talent!
Come cheer on the Bulldogs and shop from kid-run businesses offering everything from handmade crafts to sweet treats and creative products. It’s the perfect blend of community, creativity, and soccer excitement!
Let’s rally behind our young entrepreneurs and student-athletes all for one unforgettable afternoon!

If you’ve ever collected small, perfectly smooth pebbles and wondered what to do with them, this two-day workshop is the perfect solution! Using diamond encrusted drill bits, students will drill through these materials and then fabricate sterling silver wire and sheet to create stunning jewelry which may include pendants, earrings, rings and bracelets. Students will also learn about the soldering process, bezel and prong setting and a small amount of forging.

No experience is necessary but good eyesight or magnification is a must.

Students are asked to bring:
Small pebbles, ceramic shards, shells and sea glass if they have any (the instructor will bring some for their use as well)
Notebook and pen/pencil
Ultra fine tipped Sharpie pen
$399 plus materials
A materials list for students to purchase will be provided upon registration.

Carolina Memorial Sanctuary leads a conversation about death preparation, home funerals, and the cathartic act of participating in a loved one’s burial, Thurs. October 16 at Kanuga. Part of Kanuga’s Lunch & Learn series, the event begins with a forest bathing nature walk (weather permitting) at 10 a.m. followed by the Carolina Memorial Sanctuary presentation at 11 a.m. Enjoy a buffet lunch in Kanuga’s dining hall after the presentation. Cost: $20 (plus tax and fees). 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

🎉 Calling All Young Entrepreneurs! 🍅
We’re thrilled to partner with J&M Farms at their vendor market day in October!

🌟 Got a kid with a big idea? Whether it’s homemade crafts, baked goods, lemonade stands, or creative services—this is their chance to shine!

🍅 Visit kids markets.com

Sign up your child’s booth 🌽
Explore upcoming children’s markets 🎨
Support young local entrepreneurs 💼

Come support young business minds as they showcase their creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit alongside your favorite local vendors.

Shop local and discover handmade crafts, delicious treats and unique finds from amazing vendors. It will be a day of family fun, and a perfect day to shop, explore, and be inspired by the next generation of innovators.

Enjoy an evening of community and music with An Evening for All Souls: A Gathering of Song and Spirit, Sunday, Oct. 26 at Kanuga. The evening begins at 4 p.m. at Kanuga Lake with a community choir workshop, followed by dinner and luminaria making on the Rocking Chair Porch Lawn at 5 p.m., and concludes with a concert by musical artist Roots Grown Deep at 6 p.m., with a luminaria release on the lake at dusk. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Cost: Concert only, $9.94; Concert & Dinner, $21.33. Location: 471 Kanuga Chapel Dr. in Hendersonville. Registration and more info at kanuga.org/events.

Enter the world of Appalachia’s cryptids, ancient monsters, and weirdest wilds. What separates fact and fiction? What mysteries are still waiting to be solved? What do YOU really want to believe?

Get your tickets this month’s After Hours: CREATURE FEATURE.
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Meet community groups in WNC who are working to make you a true believer! Investigate the phenomena lurking in the darkness of our National Forests. Craft your own urban legend with Asheville’s best story crafters. Explore cryptozoology, animal science, and paleontology to see what myths might have some real teeth to them…

Bloodthirsty for more? Grab a custom-made cocktail and sign up for AMOS’ museum-wide scavenger hunt: The Search for Boojum. Western North Carolina’s most notorious cryptid has stolen a prized gem from our collection. Use a mix of puzzling, science experiments, and gemology to hunt down Boojum and return the stolen gem. But beware- you never know what’s coming to get you!

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Costumes are encouraged but cannot include masks that cover the entire face, weapons, or weapon-like objects. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. Tickets are $30 online or $35 at the door. Must be 21+.

This program series is designed for children and young adults who are enthusiastic about STEM. Each month will spotlight a different STEM professional and their career. The students will get to learn about what these professionals do, ask questions, and participate in exciting hands-on activities! Registration is open for one all sessions. Feel free to join us for just one session, a few of them, or all of the sessions!

Award-winning garden blogger, Lisa Wagner, encourages creative ways to plan, record, and reflect on your journeys through the seasons in your garden and landscape.

🎉 Calling All Young Entrepreneurs! 🍅
We are so excited to partner with UNC-Asheville Men’s Soccer Game for a day of goals and great ideas!

🌟 Got a kid with a big idea? Whether it’s homemade crafts, baked goods, lemonade stands, or creative services—this is their chance to shine!

🍅 Visit kids markets.com

Sign up your child’s booth 🌽
Explore upcoming children’s markets 🎨
Support young local entrepreneurs 💼

Come support the Bulldogs on the field and young entrepreneurs on the sidelines as kids run their very own businesses—selling everything from handcrafted goods to tasty snacks.
It’s a fun, family-friendly event that celebrates local talent and community spirit!

The Black Mountain Public Library is excited to announce that registration is now open for the fourth annual “Write Local Read Local Author & Illustrator Fair” taking place Saturday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
This beloved community event brings together authors, illustrators, and book lovers from across the Swannanoa Valley for a morning of conversation, connection, and creativity. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the public face-to-face, hand-sell their books, and share their stories in a welcoming, literary atmosphere.
The fair is more than just a book signing—it’s a celebration of the incredible talent in our valley and an invitation for our neighbors to discover and support it.
Each registered participant will receive table space for the drop-in event at no cost. Whether you’re an emerging author, an established illustrator, or somewhere in between, this is your chance to be part of the vibrant Swannanoa Valley literary community. (If you participated in the 2024 event, we ask you to wait until next year unless you have published work since 11/2024. We appreciate your understanding.)

Sun, Nov 9 • 3 pm | 60 minutes

Swing is more than a rhythm—it’s a manifesto. From the lean precision of Count Basie to the buoyant lift of Fletcher Henderson, the world-weary elegance of Billie Holiday to the dazzling joy of Ella Fitzgerald, swing pulses with momentum and style. Not just a byword of the Big Band era, swing is how jazz moves—on time and on purpose.

Jazz Is for Everyone is a series of five one-hour sessions exploring jazz music. Come to one or join them all—each session stands on its own and welcomes listeners at any level.

What You’ll Experience:

Guided listening
Live music demonstrations
Stories that connect the music to people, places, and intent
A space for questions, curiosity, and shared discovery

Jeremy Walker launched Jazz Is for Everyone in 2004 at his Brilliant Corners Jazz Club, with Wynton Marsalis serving as Artistic Advisor. The program was developed as an Educational Affiliate with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Since then, Walker’s been writing, composing, performing, producing, and speaking about why this music still matters.