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.

Sunday, November 17, 2019
Queer Comedy Party ft. Bobby Higley
Nov 17 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Asheville’s monthly all queer stand up comedy showcase! This months headliner is Bobby Higley

“Bobby Higley turns anxiety, depression, and PTSD into comedy Gold.” – Stranger Magazine

Bobby Higley is wild eyed, sassy, gay-ex-Mormon, middle child of 7. Fashionable, dark, & deeply irreverent. Picture abused gender-bent Martha Stuart. Played by a Sassy Stoner Twink, post-prison.

Bobby’s been a participant of both the Midwest and Portland Queer Comedy Festivals, Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival, & the Altercations festival in Austin.

He regularly features & headlines in the PNW & has opened for Sandra Valls, Patti Harrison, Matteo Lane, Derek Sheen, Sabrina Jalees, & BenDeLaCreme. He also runs the successful traveling Kink/Consent comedy show “Safeword” & Gutter Twink Productions.

Bobby is also a recurring personality on Cut Casting, and his Youtube videos have gotten over 34 million views.

Featuring Jenn Snyder
Hosted by Moira Goree

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of; visit www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-bobby-higley-tickets-71315038199.

Monday, November 18, 2019
Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 18 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

Jazz Hour at Pack Library Back for the Fall
Nov 18 @ 6:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Our free Jazz Hour is back for the fall season!  Please join us in our auditorium to listen to an hour of jazz from Steinway pianist and composer Michael Jefry Stevens and his musician friends. Each performance is different and will take place on the third Monday evenings of each month. Everyone is welcome.

Amid Rugged Mountains Asheville Art Museum
Nov 18 @ 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Art Museum

Join us for an evening program featuring Asheville School’s Handbell Ensemble and Chorale. The music program is complemented by an original choreographed work inspired by our current exhibition, Appalachia Now!, performed by Asheville School dance students.

Preceding the evening program, Asheville School students are popping up in the Exhibition Halls—sketching, spoken-word performances, and more! Pre-programs take place 4:30–5:30pm, and are free for Museum Members or included with admission. Space is limited.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
3rd Annual Holiday Craft Fair Pisgah Brewing
Nov 19 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing Company

Pisgah Brewing Company is bringing you another Holiday Craft Fair! This event will be held indoors, right in time for the holidays! Come check out an array of local vendors, all from Western North Carolina! Support local this holiday season and keep small businesses strong in our community! This event will surely be a one stop shop for all your holiday and seasonal needs!


*Live music throughout the day featuring the MoonFish 2
*Admission is free. Mimosa bar and beers on tap.
*D.O.G.S. will be on site all day and night if you get hungry…

Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 19 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

Think Tank Tuesdays Trivia Night
Nov 19 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Hillman Beer

Hillman Beer’s Trivia Night is on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm! Get ready to drink some beer, test your wit, and have some fun!

Details:
– Please arrive at 6:30pm
– Max 6 people per team
– First place gets a $50 Hillman Beer Gift Card!

Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Nov 19 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Reduced Price Growler Fill Wednesdays
Nov 20 @ 9:00 pm – Nov 21 @ 3:00 am
plēb urban winery

Select a wine on draft and fill a plēb urban winery 500mL or 1L growler for a reduced price (see menu for availability and pricing). Growler purchase is separate. Carry out only.

https://www.facebook.com/events/859748727719594/?event_time_id=859748887719578

Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 20 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

Jimmy Eat World The Orange Pell
Nov 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Shoshana Bean
Nov 20 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Chart-topping jazz and blues artist Shoshana Bean is a powerhouse on stage — both in concert and underneath the Broadway spotlight. Inspired largely by Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand, the actress and dynamo singer thrills with a fresh new take on the big band tradition.

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Nov 20 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, November 21, 2019
Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 21 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

11th annual Taste of Asheville
Nov 21 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Venue

The Taste of Asheville, hosted by AIR and presented by Cheney Brothers, brings over 40 of Asheville’s famed independent restaurants together under one roof for an unforgettable evening of sampling small bites, craft beverages and music.

This year, AIR will raffle the “True Taste of Asheville,” a massive mouthwatering goodie basket filled with over $1,000 in foodie fun including a collection of autographed cookbooks that feature AIR restaurants, tickets to Chow Chow 2020, a pair of AVL Food Fan tickets, gifts from Spicewalla, Asheville Tea Company, East Fork Pottery and so much more. Raffle tickets are $50 each and will be sold inside the event.

This event not only entertains the taste buds, this year the tastes will be accompanied by some amazing tunes with famed Asheville artists JBOT (Josh Blake Organ Trio) and Free Champagne performing throughout the evening.

In its 11th year, the annual evening is a vital fundraiser to support the work of the AIR –  a group of over 150 locally owned, independent restaurants that serve the flourishing food scene of Asheville.

As perhaps the largest organization of independent restaurants in the country, AIR is dedicated to keeping Asheville’s food scene eclectic, authentic and flavorful. This diverse community of restaurants and restaurateurs range from large to small and fine to casual dining, each bringing their own personality and talents to our vibrant mountain city.

VIP tickets allow early entry into the event at 6 p.m., one hour ahead of general admission, at $100/person. General admission tickets will allow access at 7 p.m. and are $75/person. Make sure to stop by and grab a ticket for the raffle – featuring a true taste of Asheville, including local cookbooks, food and products.

Open Sing Wild Asheville Community Chorus- November
Nov 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wild Asheville Community Chorus

Join us for an evening of singing with WACC director Suzannah Park. Come learn some songs, laugh and connect with community and see what singing with WACC is all about.

Sliding scale donation
$5 – $20
Kids are welcome for free

5 Ravenscroft Dr Asheville – 3rd floor (entrance is around back)

Si Otsedoha (We’re Still Here) performed by the Cherokee Chamber Singers
Nov 21 @ 7:00 pm
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

Si Otsedoha (We're Still Here) performed by the Cherokee Chamber Singerss

In 2017, Cherokee student leaders assembled a forum for open discussion on what it means for them to be Cherokee in the past, present, and future and how they view their cultural heritage. This new work was created with the words, voices, and vision of the Cherokee Chamber Singers, choral students at Cherokee Central Schools, written by composer William Brittelle. Originally commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony, the BMCM+AC event will include a pre-concert discussion and performance with the Cherokee Singers and music director / pianist Michael Yannette. 

Listen To This
Nov 21 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre-35below

Local actor/comedian Tom Chalmers invites you to take part in one of Asheville’s most popular series, Listen to This. A storytelling format in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening hosted by Chalmers with stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens.

Real people, real stories, real good times.

Friday, November 22, 2019
Kids at Hart present SEUSSICAL JR.
Nov 22 @ 2:00 pm
Haywood Arts Regional Theater

Book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Co-conceived by Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Shelia Sumpter

The Performing Arts Center Main Stage

Join us as we bring the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life in this hit Broadway Musical featuring our talented KIDS AT HART.

Readers Theatre: The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Nov 22 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Performed as Readers Theatre by The Autumn Players! Director Wendy Strauss leads a cast of 7 in this play that’s both a comedy and a drama!

Only three performances of this play by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry.

Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 22 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Nov 22 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

 Director: Zach Eden When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five year old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In the hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Not included in Season Ticket Subscriptions

Chevelle
Nov 22 @ 8:00 pm
Harrah's Cherokee Resort Event Center

Chevelle is bringing Convey to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort Event Center on Friday, November 22. Musical powerhouse, Chevelle, have continually delivered rock anthems for the past 24 years. 7 number one hits, 17 songs reaching the top 10 charts, over 4 million records sold in the USA and many more world wide. It’s all credit to their continuing dedication to be true to their craft, the genre and their fans. Don’t miss your chance to see Chevelle live.

This is artwork for Chevelle's fall 2019 tour.

Judah Friedlander Minori Hinds
Nov 22 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Friday night, November 22nd, we have a seated comedy show! Join us for a night with stand up comic, author, and actor Judah Friedlander (America Is the Greatest Country In the United States is his critic-beloved special on NETFLIX), and you also will recognize him as Frank (with the trucker’s hats!) from 30 Rock, as well as his award-nominated performance in the film, “American Splendor”, as he does a full set of new material & crowd-work!

LaZoom Comedy: Katie Hughes
Nov 22 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Originally from Hendersonville, Katie Hughes is back in town for one killer night! Don’t wanna miss her!

Katie Hughes is a perfect combination of snarky and spunky. Her stand-up is delightfully irreverent and aggressively silly. Dogs love her. Audiences love her, You’ll love her.

Featuring Katherine Blanford

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of; visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-katie-hughes-tickets-78531053495.

Saturday, November 23, 2019
Kids at Hart present SEUSSICAL JR.
Nov 23 @ 2:00 pm
Haywood Arts Regional Theater

Book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Co-conceived by Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Shelia Sumpter

The Performing Arts Center Main Stage

Join us as we bring the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life in this hit Broadway Musical featuring our talented KIDS AT HART.

Readers Theatre: The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Nov 23 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Performed as Readers Theatre by The Autumn Players! Director Wendy Strauss leads a cast of 7 in this play that’s both a comedy and a drama!

Only three performances of this play by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry.

Literacy Council November Community Box Partner: Chiesa Restaurant
Nov 23 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chiesa

Community Box Partner

Each month, we are honored to be a community partner to a local non-profit that is working to make Asheville a better place. Over the past year we have supported the following non-profits who are making a difference in our community: Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Asheville City Schools Foundation, Helpmate, The Montford Players, Asheville Choral Society, Asheville Symphony, BeLoved, Food Connection, The Montford Neighborhood Association, Immediate Theatre Project, The Asheville Humane Society, Western North Carolina Aids Project, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great food in Montford and when diners leave donations for the Literacy Council, Chiesa will match up to $500!

Chiesa (Italian for church) is a quaint Italian restaurant featuring generations of family recipes, house-made pasta, and local ingredients. Located in the historic Montford neighborhood, Chiesa (pronounced kee-ay-sa) is housed in a building that has been at the center of the community for over one hundred years, serving as the local grocery store, then as a church, and since 2014, the neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our friendly staff welcomes all guests as family, providing a warm and comfortable atmosphere for both inside and patio dining (when weather permits).

Coltrane Celebration ft. the Joseph Herbst Big Band
Nov 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Block off Biltmore

Join us as we celebrate the life of John Coltrane right here in his home state of North Carolina! The night will feature the Joseph Herbst Big Band, which consists of spectacular musicians coming from New York, Michigan, Texas, and, of course, Asheville, as well as a local spoken word artist.

The use of a big band to share Coltrane’s music creates a medium that allows for us to paint a story of his life through music, extrapolating the complex yet beautiful emotions of his playing into a 17-piece ensemble.

The night will feature a spoken word artist presenting the words and writings of Coltrane, performed both in between big band pieces backed by Coltrane’s music in its simplest form as well as interwoven into the fabric of the performance of the full ensemble.

Coltrane’s life and beliefs were intricately linked with his music. A celebration of Coltrane cannot be solely music – it must include all aspects of his life. Through this, Coltrane’s music is still timely today, speaking to the current political and racial state of our nation. This will not just be a historical celebration of Coltrane’s life, but also a reworking of his music and life in present time, making us look inwards and outwards in the way Coltrane would do if he were alive today.

The band will perform three of John Coltrane’s most iconic compositions arranged for big band, and three originals inspired by Coltrane’s music, all written by Joseph Herbst. These six tunes are all written in a light that captures the struggles, successes, and ultimate revelation throughout Coltrane’s all too short life.

Arrangements:
Lonnie’s Lament
Giant Steps
After the Rain

Compositions inspired by:
Like Sonny
Equinox
Pursuance

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Kruger Brothers in Concert
Nov 23 @ 7:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Originally from Switzerland, brothers Uwe and Jens Kruger began playing North American folk music at an early age and were particularly inspired by recordings of Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and other progenitors of country, bluegrass and folk music. Their first public performances were as a duo, busking on the streets of cities throughout eastern and Western Europe. After gaining a recording contract as well as a radio show on SRG SSR, the Swiss public broadcaster, they teamed up with bass player Joel Landsberg, inaugurating a trio that has been playing professionally together since 1995. Landsberg is an American citizen from New York, NY. The first recording project to include Landsberg was Behind the Barn, Vol. 2, released in 1997. The Kruger Brothers moved to the United States in 2002, and are based in Wilkesboro, NC.

The group is highly regarded within the world of acoustic music in North America, in particular by those within the industry. They have also gained the attention of some of the musicians, including Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Tut Taylor, and Bobby Hicks, that once served as models. Watson has said, “The Kruger Brothers are just about as fine a band as I’ve ever played with. … I love to play music with them.”

In 2013, Jens Kruger was named the fourth recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. The prize, created and endowed by Martin, recognizes “outstanding accomplishments in the field of five-string banjo,” Jens was selected by a committee that included Martin, Pete Wernick, Béla Fleck, Alison Brown, J.D. Crowe,
Tony Trischka and others.

Jens Kruger has been inducted to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame, and has been nominated for Banjo Instrumentalist of the year by the International Bluegrass Musician Association (IBMA) in 2014 and has received commissions for his ensemble compositions that include through the National Endowment for the Arts and Chamber Music America.