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.

Saturday, September 9, 2023
FIRST AID KIT – PALOMINO TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS
Sep 9 @ 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Gates open at 5:30pm
All Ages – under 12 requires venue approval
RAIN OR SHINE
CLEAR BAGS ONLY

Geoffrey Robson and Andrius Žlabys: Quest and Destiny
Sep 9 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Geoffrey Robson, conductor
Andrius Žlabys, piano
Richard Strauss: Don Juan
Florence Price: Ethiopia’s Shadow in America
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

Join the notorious Spanish rake on his legendary quest to find the perfect woman with Richard Strauss’ Don Juan. Written in 1888, Don Juan has been keeping musicians up at night ever since. The technical challenges of this piece are legendary, and you’ll be right there as the artists of the Greenville Symphony bring their years of training and incredible skill to bear for the realization of this work.

Prolific Arkansan composer Florence Price wrote Ethiopia’s Shadow in America in 1932, but it was lost along with many of her other compositions until rediscovered in an abandoned home in Illinois in 2009.  While her music is neo-romantic in style, it is thoroughly American and unmistakably Southern. Price is the first African-American woman composer to have a work performed by a major American orchestra.

Brahms jokingly called Piano Concerto No. 2 “a tiny concerto,” and when you hear it, you’ll laugh too, because the last thing anyone would call this intensely dramatic and passionate piece is tiny. The composer premiered the concerto himself in Budapest in 1881, and dedicated it to his childhood piano teacher. We were fortunate to get GRAMMY-nominated pianist Andrius Žlabys as our soloist for this experience and can’t wait to hear him fill Peace Center Concert Hall with Brahms’ “tiny” tribute to his mentor.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR & GUEST ARTIST

Ray LaMontagne Just Passing Through Fall 2023 Tour
Sep 9 @ 7:30 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Grammy Award winning artist Ray LaMontagne has announced his 2023 North America tour – Just Passing Through – with his trio this fall. The special edition run will include a fan requested set list from his catalog voted through raylamontagne.com/tour. Ray’s vast catalog spans eight full length records, multiple Grammy nominations, and chart topping radio singles.

Produced by Live Nation, the 29-city tour kicks off on September 6 at Cobb Energy PAC in Atlanta, GA making stops in Pittsburgh, Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle and more before wrapping up with two nights in Los Angeles on October 14 & 15 at Orpheum Theatre.

The Music of Dirty Dancing
Sep 9 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you.  Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,”  the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!

BUDDY RICH TRIBUTE w/Rick Dilling and Time Check
Sep 9 @ 8:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

If you love listening to Rick Dilling play drums with the Asheville Jazz Orchestra, then you are gonna be knocked out at this one-night only event.

Drummer Rick Dilling and his 14-piece big band TIME CHECK are bringing the music of the world’s greatest drummer, Buddy Rich, to White Horse Black Mountain.

The music will span a period of 20 years when Mr. Rich lead his own band and started a resurgence in big band jazz. Despite the years. his music still sounds remarkably fresh today. Rick has selected some of his favorite Buddy Rich charts such as Groovin’ Hard, Nutville, and West Side Story Medley, to name just a few, and these dynamic arrangements will be played by some of the region’s top jazz artists. Come experience the power and brilliance of Buddy’s music!

Colony House
Sep 9 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
All Ages – under 12 requires venue approval

The music of Colony House is playfully self-described as “landlocked surf rock.” Their fourth album, The Cannonballers, is an apt addition to their catalog, staying true to what the band do best and expanding on what their fans have gravitated to for the past decade: hope and light in the midst of it all. No frills, no gimmicks. Just heart-level rock and roll music. Their song “Silhouettes” was the #1 most-played track on Sirius XM’s Alt Nation for four months straight, and the surf-rock hit “You Know It” went viral on Tik Tok, amassing 100 million streams across all platforms to date after being featured as the soundtrack to Samsung Mobile’s nationwide ad campaign. They have released a full-length feature film, “Everybody’s Looking For Some Light,” and have performed their songs for worldwide audiences with two appearances on both Late Night with Seth Meyers and CONAN, as well as The Today Show, VH1’s “Morning Buzz,” and MTV Live. They have also been part of several festival lineups, including Shaky Knees, Austin City Limits, Firefly, WonderBus, and Lollapalooza.

Bring Out Yer Dead
Sep 9 @ 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
One World Brewing West

“Bring Out Yer Dead” is a North Carolina-based tribute band recreating the Grateful Dead’s iconic live concerts with unparalleled authenticity. Formed in 2019 in the state capitol of Raleigh, the band comprises some of the area’s most talented musicians dedicated to channeling the spirit of the Dead’s live performances.

One key element that sets Bring Out Yer Dead apart from other tribute bands is their attention to detail. The band not only replicates the Dead’s music with precision but also goes to great lengths to recreate the concert experience, using similar equipment and stage setup as the original band. Every aspect of the band’s live shows, from the instruments to the stage lighting, is designed to recreate the Grateful Dead live experience.

Leading the band’s vocal duties are Kirk Farmer and Brant Kay. Kirk’s vocals and guitar playing channel Jerry Garcia, while Brant adds his stunning keyboard skills to the mix and delivers incredible vocal performances. Jonas Mac expertly handles the rhythm guitar in the style of Bob Weir and adds an extra layer of authenticity to the band’s performances. The rhythm section is composed of Sean Geist on bass, Seth Blanchard and Logan Wilkins on drums. They provide the driving beat and energy that was the hallmark of the Grateful Dead’s music and make the concert experience even more immersive. Their musicianship is impeccable, and they play with the same passion and energy that the Dead brought to the stage.

With a setlist that spans the Grateful Dead’s extensive catalog, Bring Out Yer Dead’s live shows are an experience not to be missed. Whether you’re a die-hard Deadhead or a newcomer to their music, the band’s performances will transport you back in time, leaving you dancing in the streets and singing along to every song. This is a band that truly captures the essence of the Grateful Dead, and their live shows are unforgettable experiences.

Sunday, September 10, 2023
RAHZEL OF THE ROOTS AT LEAF FESTIVAL
Sep 10 all-day
online

What!!! Rahzel from the original Roots is coming to LEAF! The Human Beatbox aka the Grammy-winning Rapper/MC from the original, world-renowned Roots lineup, has been added to the Saturday night lineup of the October Festival.

Famous for his jaw-dropping vocal percussion and beatboxing prowess, Rahzel is not just a performer, he’s an experience. Dive deep into the pulse and rhythm of hip-hop (on the 50th anniversary of the genre) with this masterful artist who blurs the line between voice and instrument. It’s more than a show: it’s musical genius live onstage.

Aaaand … there will be a Beatbox Play-Shop for all ages. Don’t miss it! 🔥🔥🔥

Rahzel is one of the biggest names in beatboxing today, and continues to redefine the limits of the human voice. Known as “The Godfather of Noyze,” he was growing up in Queens when hip-hop blew up. LEAF is thrilled to welcome Rahzel to the fall Festival on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Rahzel’s cousin Rahiem was an original member of the Furious Five, and Rahzel recalls sneaking into their shows, “watching Grand Master Flash before I could even see over the gate.” Rahzel embraced the philosophy that “not having’ was never an excuse for ‘not doing. … To me, [beatboxing] saves lives and I’m a prime example of it. It inspires kids to be creative and motivated.”

Through both his solo work and his stint with the live-music hip-hop group The Roots, Rahzel is credited with bringing beatboxing back to the fore of hip-hop in the 1990s. Rahzel can sing a chorus and beatbox the back-up simultaneously, a skill showcased on his signature song, “If Your Mother Only Knew,” from his groundbreaking first album, Make the Music 2000. Rahzel has worked with artists from Björk to Branford Marsalis.

LEAF Global Arts is on a mission CONNECTING CULTURES and CREATING COMMUNITY through world music, arts education, preservation and experiences. The closest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.

Join us at LEAF Festival October 19-22, 2023 at Lake Eden

Bluegrass Brunch
Sep 10 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Bold Rock Hard Cider
Join us every Saturday and Sunday morning starting at 10AM for our Bluegrass Brunch! 🍽
We will have live music from Alex Bazemore & Friends starting at 11AM, free biscuits, a featured brunch menu, and special brunch-only cocktails. 🎶
Stop by the taproom this weekend and try it for yourself!
Skinny Beats Sound Healing
Sep 10 @ 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
The Restoration Hotel Asheville

Attune your body to new frequencies as a euphony of sounds and music slow your brainwaves to a restorative state, leaving you feeling restored and centered. This one hour sound healing class is $35 and hosted by Skinny Beat’s Billy Zanski.

The Music of Dirty Dancing
Sep 10 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you.  Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,”  the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!

Geoffrey Robson and Andrius Žlabys: Quest and Destiny
Sep 10 @ 3:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Geoffrey Robson, conductor
Andrius Žlabys, piano
Richard Strauss: Don Juan
Florence Price: Ethiopia’s Shadow in America
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

Join the notorious Spanish rake on his legendary quest to find the perfect woman with Richard Strauss’ Don Juan. Written in 1888, Don Juan has been keeping musicians up at night ever since. The technical challenges of this piece are legendary, and you’ll be right there as the artists of the Greenville Symphony bring their years of training and incredible skill to bear for the realization of this work.

Prolific Arkansan composer Florence Price wrote Ethiopia’s Shadow in America in 1932, but it was lost along with many of her other compositions until rediscovered in an abandoned home in Illinois in 2009.  While her music is neo-romantic in style, it is thoroughly American and unmistakably Southern. Price is the first African-American woman composer to have a work performed by a major American orchestra.

Brahms jokingly called Piano Concerto No. 2 “a tiny concerto,” and when you hear it, you’ll laugh too, because the last thing anyone would call this intensely dramatic and passionate piece is tiny. The composer premiered the concerto himself in Budapest in 1881, and dedicated it to his childhood piano teacher. We were fortunate to get GRAMMY-nominated pianist Andrius Žlabys as our soloist for this experience and can’t wait to hear him fill Peace Center Concert Hall with Brahms’ “tiny” tribute to his mentor.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR & GUEST ARTIST

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sep 10 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Pisgah Sunday Jam – Hosted by Spiro + Friends
Sep 10 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Join us for Black Mountain’s original Sunday Jam! Hosted by Spiro and Friends, this jam features original jams and favorite covers. Bring your instrument! Sign-ups at the stage starting at 6 PM!

Pisgah Beer, Gluten Free and N/A options available. Family and dog friendly venue.

The taproom is open from 2:00 to 9:00 PM with music beginning at 6:30 PM.

The Lazybirds
Sep 10 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

Lazybirds is a classic American roots band from the mountains of North Carolina. Specializing in good time music that is just about impossible not to move to, there is also a depth to the band that faithful fans have treasured over the years.

According to the legendary Doc Watson, “Lazybirds play a good variety of blues, jazz, and that good old ragtime sound, and you will hear the flavor of that in anything they play.” The ‘Birds cover a lot of musical ground, from early American stringband music to Dylan classics, as well as classic sounding originals, but deep roots are what hold all of these sounds together.

——–

“From our earliest days bumming around Boone, the Old Crow boys knew it was the Lazybirds who were the best musicians on the scene. Why after all it was the Lazybirds who played those infectious country blues and that feverish hillbilly swing which got all the girls going down on King Street. Back then the ‘Birds played the downbeat for every picking party in town; we listened on in awe to their incredible syncopation, ears pricked to hear the deep body of songs they played, all of us Old Crow boys new in town and hearing for the first time in a long time that familiar tongue of musical kin. It was the Lazybirds–Mitch and Jamey, Jay and Andy– who welcomed us in and got us our first gigs in the High Country; who taught us dozens of songs, and how to play ‘em with finesse because if Old Crow was down home, Lazybirds were uptown.

For more than a decade Lazybirds have been carrying on North Carolina’s long time tradition of exceptional roots music making. That’s why it should come as no surprise that Lazybirds’ “Broken Wing” is quite possibly the best album to come out of Carolina in 2010. Continuing to mine the rich terrain where fiery old-time country partners up with smoking jazz and blues (and sets the dance floor ablaze), this collection contains gems and rarities sure to delight any pair ears with a penchant for Pan-American music. With the title track, Jay Brown confirms my suspicion that he may be North Carolina’s best undiscovered songwriter. “Broken Wing” is a soul stirring classic, standing equal alongside Dylan’s Forever Young (Lazybirds recorded version of which is even more gorgeous than the original). Newest member and Ashe County muleskinner Alfred Michels plays some of the best High Country fiddle I’ve heard since Frank Blevins of the Tarheel Rattlers. All in all “Broken Wing” is a beautifully fluid record from the first song to the last. With their laid-back style, reverence for the roots, stellar harmonies, and the chops of seasoned pros, Lazybirds’ music continues to grow in scope and depth. We in OCMS continue be inspired by this band who, hearing first nearly 12 years ago, knocked our socks off. They still do.”

————————–

Monday, September 11, 2023
Steep Canyon Rangers
Sep 11 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Citizen Vinyl
Steep Canyon Rangers press image.

Join us on Monday, September 11, 5 p.m., for a special appearance, album signing, and listening party with Steep Canyon Rangers. The band’s new album, Morning Shift, is due out September 8, and the LP was proudly pressed at Citizen Vinyl.

The listening party is free to attend and open to the public. No tickets are needed, but come early for mocktails, cocktails, and coffee drinks at Session.

For the in-store event, each band member will pick a song from the record to talk about. Morning Shift is the Rangers 14th studio album. It was produced by Darrell Scott, engineered by Dave Sinko, and recorded in Bat Cave, N.C., a historical refuge settled near a long-forgotten crossroads of Southern Appalachia. “This was the perfect space to feel confident in expanding upon that Carolina sound, the perfect runway to let their well-oiled machine do what it does best: craft stories from the ground up, as a unit,” according to the Rangers’ website.

Steep Canyon Rangers album cover for 'Morning Shift.'

On this record, the GRAMMY-winners tell stories that both honor their roots and expand upon the living art of bluegrass music, all while solidifying their reputation as some of the most influential songwriters in Americana today. Morning Shift also marks the band’s first album with new member Aaron Burdett on guitar and vocals, bringing a soul-stirring element to the Rangers’ mastery of mountain music. Burdett is an award-winning singer-songwriter and a student of folk tradition providing a fresh, emotional context to the Rangers’ songbook.

ABOUT THE BAND: Steep Canyon Rangers is made up of Graham Sharp on banjo and vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin/mandola and vocals, Aaron Burdett on guitar and vocals, Nicky Sanders on fiddle and vocals, Mike Ashworth on drums and vocals, and Barrett Smith on bass, guitar, and vocals.

ROBIN BULLOCK and THE REEL SISTERS (Carolina Celtic Series)
Sep 11 @ 7:30 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

CAROLINA CELTIC, is a monthly concert series which showcases Irish and Scottish musical traditions and often explores their commonality with the Appalachian ballads and stories of the Carolina mountains..

Tonight’s show will feature, ROBIN BULLOCK and THE REEL SISTERS

ROBIN BULLOCK has been hailed as a “Celtic guitar god” by Baltimore City Paper, “one of the best folk instrumentalists in the business” by Sing Out! Magazine and one of the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com. His honors include the Association for Independent Music’s prestigious INDIE Award (with the world-folk trio Helicon), Player’s Choice and Album of the Year Awards from Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and the Swannanoa Gathering’s Master Music Maker Award. Robin has played hundreds of concerts as touring sideman with Grammy Award-winning folk legend Tom Paxton, and was the sole support musician on four of Tom’s “Together at Last” tours with fellow Grammy winner Janis Ian. Writing about Robin in The NPR Curious Listener’s Guide to Celtic Music, Thistle and Shamrock host Fiona Ritchie says “Bullock’s music accents the connections between Celtic and American traditional and acoustic music. That he is able to do so by playing almost any stringed instrument to perfection is his specialty.”

With the release of their duo CD Highland Ramble joining their many critically-acclaimed solo albums, Sue and Robin prove that their individual talents together create a world-class combination, carrying Celtic tradition into new and transformative realms.

The Reel Sisters are a duo steeped in the musical tradition of Scottish harp and smallpipes. Rosalind and Kelly share lifetimes of experience in the traditional music community and the technical expertise of classical training. Compelling tunes combine with The Sisters’ approachable, lighthearted personalities to create a unique and intimate musical experience. The Reel Sisters’ music is uplifting, stirring, and just sweet fun.

Rosalind Buda holds a BMUS from the University of Iowa and a MM from New England Conservatory in Bassoon Performance. She has taught and performed throughout the US and Europe. She teaches and performs classical chamber and orchestral music and Celtic music in her in her home of Asheville, NC and throughout Western North Carolina. Keeping to the mountain tradition, Rosalind plays banjo for fun and enjoys contra dance.

Kelly Brzozowski holds a BMUS and a Masters Diploma in Harp Performance and Musicology from the University of North Wales. She has taught and performed throughout Europe and the US. Kelly lives in Atlanta where she maintains a large teaching studio and performs both classical and Celtic music. When she is not performing or teaching, she is homeschooling her son. You will often find them designing and conducting experiments. Is it science or food?!

TANGERINE DREAM
Sep 11 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

TANGERINE DREAM

Ages 18+

Partially seated show

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
PARENTS LOUNGE LEAF Global Experience
Sep 12 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Experience

LEAF isn’t just for kids! Join us in the Mezzanine while you wait for your youth to finish their class or just to hang out!

Open Mic
Sep 12 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

White Horse’s legendary Open Mic takes place each and every Tuesday at 7pm.

We view our Open Mic as a service to the community, providing performance opportunities for musicians who rarely get to play on a nice stage. We like to provide opportunities for community members to come enjoy live music for FREE at least once a week, and sometimes more than once a week.

You’ll hear a variety of wonderfully talented folks on their way up. You never know what you’ll hear… original songs, covers, guitar, piano….. and often something quite surprising.

Each performer gets 15 minutes or three songs.

Our Open Mic has been so popular that we typically have more folks wanting to perform than we’ve had room for. After consulting with some of our regular attendees and participants we want to make sure that everyone has a fair chance to perform on stage.

So we have implemented a new procedure.

We’ve expanded the number of available performance slots to 10 per night.

  • Note: There are actually 12 spots on the list each night. . The host of Open Mic is spot 1, and the owner of White Horse (Bob Hinkle) is spot 3. That leaves 10 available spots to be drawn from the hat.

In place having folks lineup in advance for the signup list, we now pull names out of a hat.

We suggest that those desiring to perform on stage arrive prior to 6:30pm.

When you arrive, check in with the bartender and they will give you a piece of paper where you will write your name and drop it into “the hat”

Sometime between 6:30 and 6:45, the bartender will announce that the names are being drawn. You must be present when the names are drawn to confirm your participation. Participants will be added to the nights performer list in the order in which they are drawn.

Any names left in the hat that do not make the performer list for the night , are automatically put first on the list for the following week. PLUS…. they get a free bottle of beer or soft drink “on the house” as a thank you for their patience and support of fellow musicians.

Alkaline Trio
Sep 12 @ 7:30 pm
The Orange Peel

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, rousing a dedicated legion of passionate supporters with nine fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring. The band’s recent release, Is This Thing Cursed? debuted #2 on the current alternative albums chart, #9 on the top current albums chart and #68 on the Billboard 200. The album hearkens to the creative process of the early days, when the band rehearsed in a tiny apartment on the edge of Chicago’s Humboldt Park in the band’s hometown. Produced and mixed by Cameron Webb (Pennywise, Motörhead), it is the first Alkaline Trio album written almost entirely in the studio. According to the band, the album-making process was similar to that of Maybe I’ll Catch Fire —Alkaline Trio’s darkly charged sophomore full-length.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Irish Music Circle
Sep 13 @ 7:00 pm
White Horse Black Mountain

The traditional music of the mountains of North Carolina traces its roots back to the Celtic music of Ireland and Scotland. Traditional Celtic music is still played on the porches and in the pubs of the Celtic lands… and also throughout the southern Appalachian mountains.

In true pub fashion, White Horse Black Mountain hosts a traditional Irish style session twice a month, on the second and fourth Wednesdays, starting at 7pm….

……..and there is NO COVER CHARGE.

Sessions are in many ways the heart and soul of Irish traditional music, a place for players to share tunes and socialize. It’s not a performance, but rather an informal situation in which listeners are welcome to participate, whether offering encouragement, singing along on a chorus, or asking questions about the music and instruments. White Horse sessions regularly draws players from as far away as Waynesville, Cullowhee, Rutherfordton and even Clayton, Georgia.

The sessions are hosted by Richard and Melinda Halford.

Drop by for a beer or a cup of tea and get uplifted by some great traditional tunes and a few new songs.

Come join us in a long musical tradition spanning hundreds of years.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Irish Jam Sessions

Thursday, September 14, 2023
RAHZEL OF THE ROOTS AT LEAF FESTIVAL
Sep 14 all-day
online

What!!! Rahzel from the original Roots is coming to LEAF! The Human Beatbox aka the Grammy-winning Rapper/MC from the original, world-renowned Roots lineup, has been added to the Saturday night lineup of the October Festival.

Famous for his jaw-dropping vocal percussion and beatboxing prowess, Rahzel is not just a performer, he’s an experience. Dive deep into the pulse and rhythm of hip-hop (on the 50th anniversary of the genre) with this masterful artist who blurs the line between voice and instrument. It’s more than a show: it’s musical genius live onstage.

Aaaand … there will be a Beatbox Play-Shop for all ages. Don’t miss it! 🔥🔥🔥

Rahzel is one of the biggest names in beatboxing today, and continues to redefine the limits of the human voice. Known as “The Godfather of Noyze,” he was growing up in Queens when hip-hop blew up. LEAF is thrilled to welcome Rahzel to the fall Festival on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Rahzel’s cousin Rahiem was an original member of the Furious Five, and Rahzel recalls sneaking into their shows, “watching Grand Master Flash before I could even see over the gate.” Rahzel embraced the philosophy that “not having’ was never an excuse for ‘not doing. … To me, [beatboxing] saves lives and I’m a prime example of it. It inspires kids to be creative and motivated.”

Through both his solo work and his stint with the live-music hip-hop group The Roots, Rahzel is credited with bringing beatboxing back to the fore of hip-hop in the 1990s. Rahzel can sing a chorus and beatbox the back-up simultaneously, a skill showcased on his signature song, “If Your Mother Only Knew,” from his groundbreaking first album, Make the Music 2000. Rahzel has worked with artists from Björk to Branford Marsalis.

LEAF Global Arts is on a mission CONNECTING CULTURES and CREATING COMMUNITY through world music, arts education, preservation and experiences. The closest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.

Join us at LEAF Festival October 19-22, 2023 at Lake Eden

The Music of Dirty Dancing
Sep 14 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you.  Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,”  the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!

Intro to Ukulele
Sep 14 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Students will receive a solid foundation in beginner Ukulele skills for vocalists. Chords, Rhythm patterns, and basic theory will be introduced through songs with an uplifting message. Students will also learn to play the song that the Songwriting Class will be writing and get to record it in the One Mic Studio.

Queer Music Exploration
Sep 14 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.

The Orchard Sessions with Olivia DaPonte
Sep 14 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Farm at Old Edwards

Raised in East Tennessee, Olivia DaPonte is an emerging songwriter in the country music scene. Picking up a guitar when she was 12, she learned to play songs by artists from James Taylor and Bob Dylan to Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. Not only did that experience give her some great cover material to play at local gigs, but it also honed her direction and style as a budding songwriter. Olivia currently lives in Nashville, TN, where she performs regularly at songwriters’ rounds, including becoming a member of the Song Suffragettes, an all-female country music singer-songwriter collective. Olivia’s latest singles, “Burning Away” and “White Lies,” can be found on all streaming platforms.

Jazz Jam
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts Center

Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.

An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.

Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!

Orbiting Human Circus (duo) featuring Songs of The Music Tapes
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm
Citizen Vinyl

Orbiting Human Circus (duo) featuring Songs of The Music Tapes will perform at Citizen Vinyl on Thursday, Sept 14. Doors at 6 p.m. / show at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17 advance / $20 day of show.

Toybox Theatre will open!

Orbiting Human Circus is the continuing evolution of the imagination of Julian Koster (Neutral Milk Hotel, The Music Tapes, Elephant 6), whose music and storytelling under this moniker have encompassed immersive theater and a narrative fiction podcast released in partnership with Night Vale Presents and WNYC — with a new, epic musical fiction podcast coming soon — as well as more traditional EPs and singles.

The live show arm of Orbiting Human Circus is a performance art / concert event featuring the songs of The Music Tapes.

Steve Simon + The Kings of Jazz
Sep 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The DFR Lounge

Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm