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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2020
WILD (Women in Lively Discussion) Book Club
Mar 3 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Battery Park Book Exchange

Join former Malaprop’s General Manager Linda-Marie Barrett for this woman-only book club that seeks to have fun by reading books (fiction & non) by women writers. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Battery Park Book Exchange.

Event date:
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Malaprop’s Book Club
Mar 4 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

The Malaprop’s Book Club, hosted by Jay Jacoby, explores a diverse selection of fiction and nonfiction books determined by member suggestion. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club will meet at 7:00 PM in the cafe. This is a special date. The club usually meets the first Wednesday of every Month.

 

Jim Breuer: Live and Let Laugh
Mar 4 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Not long after Jim Breuer did his first official standup gig in Clearwater, Florida, in 1989, industry folks began asking him, “What’s your point of view?” “I don’t know…” He searched for a meaningful response to a ridiculous question. “To make people laugh?”

Thursday, March 5, 2020
Crime and Politics Book Club
Mar 5 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop’s Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookseller Patricia Furnish to discuss a range of books across true crime and public affairs. The club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Click here to learn more about the club, view important news, and find the pick for this month.

 

Event date:
Thursday, January 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 5, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Modelface Comedy Presents Ramon Rivas
Mar 5 @ 8:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Ramon Rivas is a laid back, largely unemotional stand up comedian, writer, actor, independent artist & eminent latino from Lorain, OH. Ramon resonates a low-fi swag with the finest taste in jokes, juices & dope experiences one can have while immaculately navigating as an ambiguously brown man in America.

Initially making a name for himself by building up the Cleveland comedy scene through ACCIDENTAL COMEDY productions while traveling around the country to cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles & more, Ramon eventually started garnering respect around the country for his comedic chops & sandwich acumen, being recognized by COMEDY CENTRAL as a COMIC TO WATCH in 2015 and by most bodega bois across the country.

He founded his own festival, ACCIDENTAL COMEDY FEST in 2011. The festival has grown to be one of the countries best kept secrets, and garners industry attendees & out of state visitors to Cleveland. His work and the overall growth of the Cleveland scene was featured in the documentary film MAKE FUN (2013) available now to stream on AMAZON PRIME.

Rivas made his television debut in 2016, when he was one of 17 artists selected to record THE HALF HOUR with COMEDY CENTRAL. An outlier from the middle of the country, without a manager or an agent getting that sort of opportunity gave the streets hope.

Rivas also has a burgeoning career sounding like he just woke up from a nap on TV shows, with appearances as a contestant on @MIDNIGHT twice, as a cannabis shaman on numerous segments on VICELAND & began acting seriously on S4E3 of BROAD CITY and followed that up with an appearance on S2E7 of HBO’s CRASHING. His stand up was also featured on HBO Latino’s stand up special ENTRE NOS.

You can catch Ramon touring the country or highly chatting with people in these streets or highly eating snacks on COOKING ON HIGH on Netflix or listen to his dulcet tones every week on PREBAKED, where he uses his cannabis sommelier skills to pair a specific strain to match every guests characteristics. He’s a regular at some of the countries most respected comedy institutions.

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-ramon-rivas-tickets-89426062761

Friday, March 6, 2020
Modelface Comedy Presents Yedoye Travis (Friday)
Mar 6 @ 8:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Yedoye Travis is a stand up comedian, actor, and writer from Atlanta, GA. He is the creator and host of the Dark Tank podcast, which AV Club called “one of the most deliciously daring shows of the moment.” He was named a New Face at the Montreal Just For Laughs festival in 2017 and has since headlined festivals around the country and appeared on Comedy Central, TBS, CBS, and Netflix and written for MTV, IFC, Viceland, Crunchyroll, and Frederator. His debut album, OK, produced by Comedy Dynamics, was released January 2018.

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
FRIDAY Doors at 7:30, show at 8pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-yedoye-travis-friday-tickets-90845544469

SATURDAY doors at 9, show at 9:30: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-yedoye-travis-saturday-tickets-90847568523

Saturday, March 7, 2020
LaZoom Comedy: Yedoye Travis
Mar 7 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Yedoye Travis is a stand up comedian, actor, and writer from Atlanta, GA. He is the creator and host of the Dark Tank podcast, which AV Club called “one of the most deliciously daring shows of the moment.” He was named a New Face at the Montreal Just For Laughs festival in 2017 and has since headlined festivals around the country and appeared on Comedy Central, TBS, CBS, and Netflix and written for MTV, IFC, Viceland, Crunchyroll, and Frederator. His debut album, OK, produced by Comedy Dynamics, was released January 2018.

Modelface Comedy Presents Yedoye Travis (Saturday)
Mar 7 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Yedoye Travis is a stand up comedian, actor, and writer from Atlanta, GA. He is the creator and host of the Dark Tank podcast, which AV Club called “one of the most deliciously daring shows of the moment.” He was named a New Face at the Montreal Just For Laughs festival in 2017 and has since headlined festivals around the country and appeared on Comedy Central, TBS, CBS, and Netflix and written for MTV, IFC, Viceland, Crunchyroll, and Frederator. His debut album, OK, produced by Comedy Dynamics, was released January 2018.

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
FRIDAY Doors at 7:30, show at 8pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-yedoye-travis-friday-tickets-90845544469

SATURDAY doors at 9, show at 9:30: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-yedoye-travis-saturday-tickets-90847568523

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, beard and closeup, possible text that says 'Modelface Comedy Presents YEDOYE TRAVIS March 6th & 7th LaZoom Room m'

Sunday, March 8, 2020
Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Andrew Rudick
Mar 8 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Cincinnati’s own Andrew Rudick back to Asheville!!! Andrew Rudick is a comedian born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. He performs regularly at Go Bananas Comedy Club as well as clubs and venues all across the country. He has opened for Chris Kattan, Lisa Landry, Ryan Stout and Damon Williams, to name a few and he recently taped a special for Sirius XM. Andrew was the runner up in The Funniest Person in Cincinnati Contest in 2017 and 2018 and was a featured performer at the Cincy Brew Ha Ha Festival, Whiskey Bear Comedy Festival, Crossroads Comedy Festival, North Carolina Comedy Festival and Devil’s Cup Comedy Festival. He also loves Fleetwood Mac and doesn’t care who knows it featuring Leah Rudick.

Monday, March 9, 2020
Zelda Fitzgerald Day: In Conversation with Therese Ann Fowler
Mar 9 @ 6:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Zelda Fitzgerald Day: In Conversation with Therese Ann Fowler

 

Every year businesses, non-profits, and artists in Asheville gather together to celebrate and honor the life of Zelda Fitzgerald.

This year, join us at Pack Memorial Library in welcoming New York Times bestselling author, Therese Anne Fowler, author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. Dr. Lisa Nanney, professor of Literature and American Studies at UNCA will be hosting the conversation.

This novel based on the lives of Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald has been adapted as an original television series for Amazon Studios. A Well-Behaved Woman is currently in development with Sony Pictures Television, starring Christina Ricci.

This event is free. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe will be here to assist with book sales and signing.

For a complete list of Zelda Day events and to see everyone involved who make these festivities happen, follow the Facebook page, @ZeldaDayAVL.

 

Mystery Book Club
Mar 9 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host Tena Frank for Malaprop’s Mystery Book Club! Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s on the second Monday of every month at 7:00pm.

Event date:
Monday, January 13, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, February 10, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 9, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, April 13, 2020 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Discussion Bound Book Club
Mar 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Hosted by the Asheville Art Museum, this monthly discussion is a place to exchange ideas that relate to artworks and the art world. The club typically meets the second Tuesday of every month at noon at Malaprop’s. Click here to view important news and find the selection for this month.

 

Event date:
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 – 12:00pm
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 – 12:00pm
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – 12:00pm
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic
Mar 12 all-day
Pulp Lounge

Thursday night March 12
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic!
Hosted by Cody Hughes
Doors 8:30p/9:00p show
$7 (+membership)
Professional Features and Newbi comics
Comics get in free (+free membership)
Free snacks from Farm Burger//drink specials
Comics sign up at door or email [email protected]
New comics to venue get 3-5m
Regular comics get as much time as available. Look for light]
Contact Michele at [email protected] for more info/sign up early or request a feature (paid 20m)

Monday, March 16, 2020
This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers
Mar 16 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's

THIS BRILLIANT DARKNESS is a dazzling, genre-defying work, blending memoir with immersion journalism, fusing late-night philosophical musings with an intimacy akin to the work of James Agee and Teju Cole. With radical empathy and striking candor, Sharlet brings attention to lives lived on the margins of society: the elderly, the homeless, the mentally ill, the disabled. Through these illuminating and thought-provoking encounters, Sharlet depicts a society full of suffering and regret—but one which when observed, casts a glimmer of light.

 

This event is free and open to the public. We ask that you purchase the books you want to be signed at our events from Malaprop’s. When you do this you are not only supporting the work it takes to run an events program, you are also telling the publishers that they should keep sending authors here. Can’t make it to the store for the event? Call us or order the book on our website in advance, and we’ll get it signed for you. Make sure you write your preferences in the comments if you purchase online.

Event date:
Monday, March 16, 2020 – 6:00pm
Event address:
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers Cover Image
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Adam Sandler RESCHEDULED—-TBA
Mar 17 @ 8:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler (March 17)  will not take place on the originally scheduled dates, and Arena management is working with event producers to reschedule both performances. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates when confirmed.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020
The World Series of Comedy
Mar 18 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Notorious HBC (History Book Club)
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s bookseller Patricia Furnish to discuss a range of books across different periods of history. The club tackles challenging subjects, hence “NOTORIOUS.”  Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm.

Event date:
Thursday, January 16, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 20, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 19, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 16, 2020 – 7:00pm
UNCA Visiting Writers Series – Natanya Ann Pulley
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm
Karpen Hall Laurel Forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natanya Ann Pulley, author of “With Teeth,” a Many Voices Project winner in fiction, will read from and discuss her writing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum. This event is free and open to everyone with no tickets needed.

 

Saturday, March 21, 2020
Jeff Dunham: Seriously!
Mar 21 @ 5:00 pm
ExploreAsheville.com Arena

America’s favorite ventriloquist has just released his next Netflix Originals Stand-up Special, “Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself”, taped June 21st and 22nd at the American Airlines Center in his hometown of Dallas, TX. In addition to his usual cast of accomplices, Dunham introduces a brand new, never seen-on-TV character who gives his unique take on what it’s like to work at the White House under Trump. Following the success of 2017’s “Jeff Dunham: Relative Disaster,” the new show is Dunham’s second special for Netflix Originals, and the ninth in his impressive string of record-breaking stand up television events.

Dunham is also launching his new international tour, “Jeff Dunham: Seriously!.” His wildly successful live performances have been filling arenas across North America and the world, treating fans to more of his delightfully twisted cohorts, Peanut, Walter, José Jalapeño, Bubba J and Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

Dunham has built an entertainment empire over years of non-stop touring and performance innovation. With 10 million followers on Facebook and over 2.1 million YouTube subscribers, amassing well over a billion views, the comedian/ventriloquist has carved out his own unique space in the comedy world. His accomplishments have led to record-breaking viewership with his standup specials on NBC, Netflix and Comedy Central. His astonishing arena-packing power has put him on par with major music acts such as Bruno Mars and Metallica.

A Texas native, after graduating from Baylor University, Dunham moved to Los Angeles and soon became a sensation on the national comedy club circuit. He later conquered the comedy world by becoming a multi-platinum selling DVD artist and achieving record-breaking ratings on both cable and network TV. His 2015 stand-up special, “Unhinged in Hollywood,” debuted on NBC Primetime and ranked as the time period’s top non-sports program on the Big 4 in every key measure. The special was re-broadcast on Comedy Central and was the top rated special of the year for the entire network. Dunham’s previous stand-up specials, “Arguing with Myself,” “Spark of Insanity,” “A Very Special Christmas,” “Controlled Chaos,” “Minding the Monsters,” and “All Over the Map,” have garnered record-breaking numbers by either claiming “most watched” or “highest rated” on Comedy Central.

Dunham has made many cameo appearances across television and film, from the Emmy Award-winning comedy series “30 Rock,” “Angie Tribeca,” and “Dinner for Schmucks,” starring Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd.

His autobiography, “All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me,” was on the New York Times’ Best Seller list three weeks in a row. Dunham has also been awarded “Billboard’s Top Comedy Tour” for three years based on box office sales. Dunham is currently on the road through the end of the year and well beyond, with his cast of characters.

Adding to an amazing list of recent accomplishments, Dunham’s contribution to the world of show business and comedy was recognized in 2017 when he received a star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” commemorating over two decades of superstardom.

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Jeff Scheen
Mar 22 @ 8:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Jeff Scheen is a stand-up comic hailing from the Michigan woods. His offbeat humor and affable demeanor pairs well with expressive yet stupid face. Jeff has been featured on the FOX TV series Laughs and was a finalist in the Laughing Skull Festival in Atlanta, GA. He’s also been in a number of other comedy festivals including The Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Big Sky Fest, Montreux Switzerland’s Jokenation, and Laugh Your Asheville Off in North Carolina. Jeff has opened for Ryan Hamilton, Chris Gethard, and can be heard on XM radio.

Featuring Cody Daniel Hughes

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-jeff-scheen-tickets-89634508227

Thursday, March 26, 2020
An Evening with N. K. Jemisin, author of The City We Became
Mar 26 @ 6:30 pm
UNC Asheville Lipinsky Auditorium

Join us Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 pm when N.K Jemisin presents her new novel, THE CITY WE BECAME (on sale March 24, 2020).

We are pleased to partner with UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program and English Department for this event, which will be held at in Lipinsky Auditorium on the UNCA campus.

There are two ticket options:

(1) Ticket includes admission for one person and a copy of THE CITY WE BECAME (hardcover)

(2) Ticket includes admission for two people, a copy of THE CITY WE BECAME (hardcover) and a copy of HOW LONG TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH (paperback)

N. K. Jemisin will sign books following reading and audience Q&A. Books will be available to pick up at the event.

***Stay tuned for important details about the event and signing. When purchasing your ticket(s), please make sure you provide an email address where you can receive emails from the Brown Paper Tickets automated system.***

ABOUT THE CITY WE BECAME
Five New Yorkers must come together to defend their city from an ancient evil in this stunning new novel by Hugo Award-winner and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.

Every great city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? Shes got six.

But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs in the halls of power, threatening to destroy the city and her six newborn avatars unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.

In a starred review, Kirkus calls THE CITY WE BECAME “Fierce, poetic, uncompromising.”

N.K. Jemisin: The City We Became
Mar 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Lipinsky Auditorium

 

N.K. Jemisin will present her new book, The City We Became, just two days after its public release. This ticketed event takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, in Lipinsky Auditorium, presented in partnership by Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, and UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program and Department of English.

This is a ticketed event with different ticketing/book purchase options, with online ordering at: https://www.malaprops.com/event/ticketed-nk-jemisin-presents-city-we-became-unca

Free tickets (which do not include the book) are available for UNC Asheville students and employees – contact Lilly Augspurger, 828.251.6099 or [email protected].

Living and writing her speculative fiction in Brooklyn, Jemisin’s new novel features five New Yorkers who must come together to defend their city from ancient evil. She is the only author to win three Best Novel Hugo awards in a row, which she did for her Broken Earth trilogy. Jemisin also has won a Nebula Award and two Locus Awards among the many honors for her eight novels, a novella, and two short story collections. A former counseling psychologist and educator, she also covered science fiction for three years for the New York Times Book Review. For more information about Jemisin, her books and this event, visit the Malaprop’s website.

Visitor Parking on the UNC Asheville Campus – Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time. Campus map is here – use menu bars to find parking lot locations.

Building accessibility information is available here.

Accessibility Contact: Highsmith Student Union, [email protected] or 828.251.6990.

Works in Translation Book Club
Mar 26 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookstore Manager Justin Souther to discuss writers — and their literature — in translation and the cultural, political and artistic influences that mold them. Click here to see a list of the monthly selections. Attendees receive 10% off the club’s current selection at Malaprop’s!

The club usually meets the last Thursday of every month at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe.

Event date:
Thursday, January 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 27, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 26, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 30, 2020
Science Fiction Book Club
Mar 30 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookseller Allison Beatty to dive into the wreck of the wily and wonderful world of sci-fi, weird fiction, speculative fiction, literary horror, and disturbing fiction with a healthy mix of underappreciated classic and contemporary books. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets the at Malaprop’s on the last Monday of every month at 7:00pm.

 

Event date:
Monday, December 30, 2019 – 7:00pm
Monday, January 27, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, February 24, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Crime and Politics Book Club
Apr 2 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop’s Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookseller Patricia Furnish to discuss a range of books across true crime and public affairs. The club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Click here to learn more about the club, view important news, and find the pick for this month.

 

Event date:
Thursday, January 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 5, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 5 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Brunch of Jokers Comdey Show
Apr 5 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Brunch Of Jokers Comedy Show

Monday, April 6, 2020
Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 6 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
LGBTQ Book Club
Apr 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop’s Bookstore

Join host Alex Ruiz to discuss a wide-ranging selection of fiction and non-fiction focused on the LGBTQ community.  Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm.

Event date:
Monday, January 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, February 3, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 2, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, April 6, 2020 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
WILD (Women in Lively Discussion) Book Club
Apr 7 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Battery Park Book Exchange

Join former Malaprop’s General Manager Linda-Marie Barrett for this woman-only book club that seeks to have fun by reading books (fiction & non) by women writers. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Battery Park Book Exchange.

Event date:
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – 6:30pm
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – 6:30pm