Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.
Experience the exotic sounds and rhythms of Balinese Gamelan music. Gamelan is a ceremonial ensemble-style of music, indigenous to Indonesia, Bali, and Java. The ensemble arrangement is comprised of metallophones, metal keyboard instruments struck with mallets, and other percussion instruments, including gongs, chimes, and kendhang drums.The music often accompanies traditional dances and is played to summon the gods.
4-5:30pm/ FREE
Gamelan Workshop with Gamelan group Yowana Sari hosted by Michael Lipsey director of Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY.
Instruments provided.
*At Black Mountain Museum & Arts Center: 120 College St, Asheville, NC 28801.
Please register for this free ticket on-line at:
http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
This workshop is part of the Asheville Percussion Festival, a week-long celebration of diverse percussion traditions that take place at a variety of venues. To see a complete list of the various workshops, concerts, and other happenings that week and the specific times, days, and locations, please see:
http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
Tickets are à la carte for the array of workshop and concert offerings, so you can create your own custom experience for the week or for specific days and events.
ARTIST BIO
Gamelan Yowana Sari has been a performing Balinese Art Ensemble since 2011. The group is currently in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. They’ve recently returned from a two week tour in Indonesia, performing in Pengosekan, Bali, at the home of the extraordinary composer I Dewa Ketut Alit. Gamelan YS performed two of Alit’s works along with other kreasi baru (new works) by Evan Ziporyn and Pak Windha. Gamelan YS has a long relationship with Alit as a constant source of encouragement and instruction. The group plans to return in 2019 for a longer tour of the island.
Percussionist Michael Lipsey has performed at festivals in Bali, London, Lisbon, Madrid, Berlin, Mexico City, Taipei, Macao, Tokyo, La Jolla, New York, Moscow, Bogota and France. Michael is the founding member of Talujon Percussion and has also performed with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, Steve Reich, Bang on a Can, Tan Dun, New York New Music Ensemble and Riverside Symphony. He has recorded for Sony Records, Red Poppy Records, Nonesuch, Albany, Capstone and Mode. Michael has performed throughout the world and given master classes at numerous schools including the Juilliard School of Music and California School of the Arts. Michael is a full-time Professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY, Queens College and Director of the Percussion Program and the New Music Ensemble.
Video of Yowana Sari performance with dancer:
https://youtu.be/xCJb_k94xTQ
Experience the exotic sounds and rhythms of Balinese Gamelan music. Gamelan is a ceremonial ensemble-style of music, indigenous to Indonesia, Bali, and Java. The ensemble arrangement is comprised of metallophones, metal keyboard instruments struck with mallets, and other percussion instruments, including gongs, chimes, and kendhang drums.The music often accompanies traditional dances and is played to summon the gods.
8:00pm/ $15
A special evening of contemporary and traditional music featuring NYC Gamelan group, Yowana Sari.
*At Black Mountain Museum & Arts Center: 120 College St, Asheville, NC 28801.
Tickets to this concert are $15 and available on-line at:
http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
This concert is part of the Asheville Percussion Festival, a week-long celebration of diverse percussion traditions that take place at a variety of venues. To see a complete list of the various workshops, concerts, and other happenings that week and the specific times, days, and locations, please see:
http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
Tickets are à la carte for the array of workshop and concert offerings, so you can create your own custom experience for the week or for specific days and events.
ARTIST BIO
Gamelan Yowana Sari has been a performing Balinese Art Ensemble since 2011. The group is currently in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. They’ve recently returned from a two week tour in Indonesia, performing in Pengosekan, Bali, at the home of the extraordinary composer I Dewa Ketut Alit. Gamelan YS performed two of Alit’s works along with other kreasi baru (new works) by Evan Ziporyn and Pak Windha. Gamelan YS has a long relationship with Alit as a constant source of encouragement and instruction. The group plans to return in 2019 for a longer tour of the island.
Percussionist Michael Lipsey has performed at festivals in Bali, London, Lisbon, Madrid, Berlin, Mexico City, Taipei, Macao, Tokyo, La Jolla, New York, Moscow, Bogota and France. Michael is the founding member of Talujon Percussion and has also performed with the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, Steve Reich, Bang on a Can, Tan Dun, New York New Music Ensemble and Riverside Symphony. He has recorded for Sony Records, Red Poppy Records, Nonesuch, Albany, Capstone and Mode. Michael has performed throughout the world and given master classes at numerous schools including the Juilliard School of Music and California School of the Arts. Michael is a full-time Professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at CUNY, Queens College and Director of the Percussion Program and the New Music Ensemble.
Video of Yowana Sari performance with dancer:
https://youtu.be/xCJb_k94xTQ
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.
Wrenegade Sports is very excited to announce another brand new event for 2019: Farm to Fork Fondo – Asheville on June 29 & 30, 2019 in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC!
An organized bicycle ride where you get to choose the distance best for you and stop for chef-prepared bites at farms along the way.
All activities at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd. NC 28730
SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2019
• 4 to 6:30pm Packet pickup at Hickory Nut Gap Farm
• 6:30pm Meet the Farmers Dinner (tickets required)
SUNDAY JUNE 30, 2019
• 6:30 to 7:45am Packet Pickup Forto Coffee Station, and Bicycle Tune-Up Station open
• 8am Farm to Fork Fondo (Piccolo, Medio and Gran) departs (pre-registration required)
• 10:30am Ramble Ride departs
• 11:30am to 6pm Post-Ride Farm to Fork Barbecue (tickets required)
• 1 to 5pm Live music
• 5pm Volunteer Competition Awards Ceremony
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
.
This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.

Enjoy a sweet treat and get to know Best Buddies NC at an upcoming social on Thursday, July 11th from 6:30 – 8 pm. Best Buddies NC is a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers that create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more about this group and help them gain awareness within the community. Everyone attending the social will receive a discount!
Summer Cycle is This Saturday!
HOSTED BY: Asheville on Bikes and the event sponsors.
This free, family-friendly event is open to the public and includes easy-to-follow route options for bike riders of all ages and abilities, followed by a celebration at New Belgium Brewing. Summer Cycle is perfect for the new or returning bike rider to get started and meet new friends to ride with in Asheville. Volunteers needed too!
Pick your Summer Cycle route!
- 2 mile easy River Arts District loop
- 10 mile Main Route that tours the best of the RAD& West Asheville.
- 14 mile Ride More Route that adds an extra loop to the Main Route
Summer Cycle ’19 Schedule:
- 3:00pm – Gather at New Belgium Brewing
- 3:30pm – Kick off with all-ages balance bike loop, then all rides depart
- 4:30pm (ish) – Return to New Belgium Brewing for post-ride celebration.
Participants are asked to have their bicycle in good condition and bring a water bottle, lights, and bike bell. Costumes are encouraged, helmets are required! There is lots more info at AoB’s Facebook page, where you can RSVP and even VOLUNTEER to help make it happen.
Come get SPARKLED with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!
Sierra Nevada Brewing IN LOWER PARK
100 Sierra Nevada Way Mills River, NC 28732
***ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED***
Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/SierraNevada07172019

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

|
|
In this free, fun and educational event, you’ll have a chance to learn about the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and build nest boxes to aid in its recovery!
Join Defenders and special guest presenter U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist Sue Cameron on Thursday, July 18th to learn about the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel. Ms. Cameron coordinates efforts to recover the squirrel, and you’ll learn what makes it special and why it is endangered, as well as effective strategies aimed at helping it recover. You’ll also hear from Anna Norton – live and on location at Southern Highlands Reserve – about the unique role the Reserve is playing in the squirrel’s recovery.
Following the presentation, you’ll have the chance to help these critters in the wild by assembling flying squirrel nest boxes that the NC Wildlife Resources Commission will install as part of their monitoring program. Refreshments will also be provided.
Then, join us on Saturday, July 20th for a walkabout along Flat Laurel Creek Trail, Pisgah National Forest, NC. We’ll enjoy this cool, high elevation spruce-fir forest – an endangered ecosystem in our region and home to several other rare species – while we explore what makes this squirrel habitat unique. We’ll also examine previously installed nest boxes in the area for upgrading through the Resource Commission’s programs and a collaborative red spruce restoration project underway.
Sponsored by weilerwoodsforwildlife.com. Nest boxes made possible by deltechomes.com.
Wildlife Workshop: Carolina Northern Flying Squirrels
Thursday, July 18th, 2019, 5:15pm – 7:00pm
Defenders of Wildlife’s Southeast Office
1 Rankin Avenue, 2nd Floor
Asheville, NC 28801
-AND-
Wildlife Walkabout
Saturday, July 20th, 2019, 8:00am – 1:00pm
Flat Laurel Creek Trail, Pisgah National Forest
Route 215
Canton, NC 28716
For more info, contact Tracy at [email protected].
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Vision: For Asheville to be a community of connected pathways that is healthy, safe and accessible for people of all ages.
Mission: To educate the public about bicycle and pedestrian transportation; to advocate for the development and maintenance of safe, convenient and inter-connected facilities; to promote the benefits of walking and biking for individuals and community health.

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

|
|

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

|
|
|
|

|
|

|
|

|
|
ASHEVILLE, JULY 23, 2019– The West Asheville Tailgate Market will be hosting their very first “Pepperpalooza” in the parking lot of the Grace Baptist Church, 718 Haywood Road, from 3:30-6:30pm. Pepperpalooza is a festival dedicated to celebrating the pepper is all it’s many colors, shapes, sizes, flavors…and levels of heat intensity.
Pepperpalooza is a fundraiser for the West Asheville Tailgate Market and all proceeds will go toward the growth of the market including kids activities, food tastings, cooking demos, and partnerships with other local non-profits for food-based educational programs in the future.
This at-market festival has several components including a raffle, hot pepper eating contest (for adults), bell pepper tastings (for kids), local hot sauce tastings, pepper roasting, ristra making, kids crafts, and a talk on the history of peppers. And of course, Pepperpalooza wouldn’t live up to its name without some rockin’ live music from local musicians.
The raffle includes 5 big prize packages including an assortment of food and crafts from WATM vendors. Raffle tickets are just $5 to enter or $12 for 3 and can be purchased on the WATM website or in person at the Pepperpalooza festival on July 23rd.
The main event will be the hot pepper eating contest where those who enter will get to eat their way up the Scoville Scale in intensity (milk and bread will be available to contestants once they tap out). The person who can take the most heat will win $50 in market bucks and a WATM t-shirt. The kiddos can play too! We’ll have a colorful bell pepper tasting where they can eat the rainbow of sweet peppers to pick which color they like best.
All those who yearn to feel the burn can taste an assortment of hot sauces which are being donated from local companies. For $3 you get a bowl of chips as a blank canvas to taste an assortment of sauces. That same $3 enters you into a raffle to win a bottle of all the hot sauces in the tasting.

|
|

|
|

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

|
|

Give us 2-4 hours. Enjoy a day of music and memories — and the knowledge that you helped to bring a community together! You’ll also get a little swag: a 11th Annual Festival Tee Shirt, snacks, a drink ticket, and our new Blue Ridge Pride Center buttons and stickers. Volunteer roles include: setup and breakdown, selling wristbands, beverages or merchandise, and assisting with volunteer check-in or VIP. Learn more and sign up here.

