Calendar of Events

Felicity Hesed’s “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” explores the joys, sorrows, and hilarity of contemporary adulthood through music, circus, and magic.

“Felicity Hesed is an absolute delight…as an actor, an aerialist, and physical comedian.
‘Cara Vita’ thoughtfully, playfully, lovingly, joyfully takes us along for the ride.”
– Steve Smith (Emmy Award winner, Clown Hall of Fame inductee, and Big Apple Circus Director)

“Cara Vita” is both a deeply personal and universally human story. Created and performed by Felicity Hesed, this comedy offers a uniquely female perspective on the struggles of maintaining one’s identity in the midst of family life. “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” incorporates music, trapeze, and magic to spin a whimsical tale of love and loss. Hesed’s show offers a fresh, female voice in the world of clowning.

“…a hilarious, heartbreaking and sexy piece of clown theater.” – (Jeff Raz, Cirque du Soleil)

San Francisco-based, Felicity Hesed developed this innovative and interactive show in collaboration with award-winning Director Jeff Raz. Felicity Hesed is joined on stage by violinist Clare Armenante who creates an invigorating and masterful soundscape based on Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. The show culminates in a stunning trapeze act, choreographed by master aerialist Elena Panova.

“Felicity Hesed’s ‘Cara Vita’ is a cleverly crafted solo piece incorporating music, clowning and movement into one thoroughly entertaining show. Filled with fun surprises, Hesed’s sharp comic timing will keep you laughing and wondering what will come next. But underneath the silliness is an achingly sincere exploration of marriage and motherhood as seen through the eyes of an artist, asking a question that many can relate to: what happens to your art when life gets in the way?”
– Genie Cartier (Founder of Bow & Arrow Circus Theatre Collective)

“Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” was developed as part of an Artist Residency at Circus Center in San Francisco. It made its world premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. “Cara Vita” will be on tour in 2020, including performances in San Francisco, Asheville, and London.

La Gaviota Teatro brings their multidisciplinary theatre work “URIKUBU: Language without Frontiers” from Mexico City to the Magnetic Theater. Have you ever seen a dragon being born or met the God of Time? Through puppetry, live music, dance and a language made up just for this show, experience the magic. 3 shows: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 pm, Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

La Gaviota Teatro brings their multidisciplinary theatre work “URIKUBU: Language without Frontiers” from Mexico City to the Magnetic Theater. Have you ever seen a dragon being born or met the God of Time? Through puppetry, live music, dance and a language made up just for this show, experience the magic. 3 shows: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 pm, Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

Felicity Hesed’s “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” explores the joys, sorrows, and hilarity of contemporary adulthood through music, circus, and magic.

“Felicity Hesed is an absolute delight…as an actor, an aerialist, and physical comedian.
‘Cara Vita’ thoughtfully, playfully, lovingly, joyfully takes us along for the ride.”
– Steve Smith (Emmy Award winner, Clown Hall of Fame inductee, and Big Apple Circus Director)

“Cara Vita” is both a deeply personal and universally human story. Created and performed by Felicity Hesed, this comedy offers a uniquely female perspective on the struggles of maintaining one’s identity in the midst of family life. “Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” incorporates music, trapeze, and magic to spin a whimsical tale of love and loss. Hesed’s show offers a fresh, female voice in the world of clowning.

“…a hilarious, heartbreaking and sexy piece of clown theater.” – (Jeff Raz, Cirque du Soleil)

San Francisco-based, Felicity Hesed developed this innovative and interactive show in collaboration with award-winning Director Jeff Raz. Felicity Hesed is joined on stage by violinist Clare Armenante who creates an invigorating and masterful soundscape based on Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. The show culminates in a stunning trapeze act, choreographed by master aerialist Elena Panova.

“Felicity Hesed’s ‘Cara Vita’ is a cleverly crafted solo piece incorporating music, clowning and movement into one thoroughly entertaining show. Filled with fun surprises, Hesed’s sharp comic timing will keep you laughing and wondering what will come next. But underneath the silliness is an achingly sincere exploration of marriage and motherhood as seen through the eyes of an artist, asking a question that many can relate to: what happens to your art when life gets in the way?”
– Genie Cartier (Founder of Bow & Arrow Circus Theatre Collective)

“Cara Vita: A Clown Concerto” was developed as part of an Artist Residency at Circus Center in San Francisco. It made its world premiere at the San Francisco International Arts Festival. “Cara Vita” will be on tour in 2020, including performances in San Francisco, Asheville, and London.

It’s the “Flying Catastrophe Circus“! Aerial arts! Juggling! Cats on roller skates! Tap dancing contortion! Nine circus artists bring you a show overflowing with laughter, thrill and imagination. 25-minutes of non-stop fun and child-like wonder. 2 FREE shows at Empyrean Arts, Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

What begins as an innocent exploration of an old home, winds up taking siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter far beyond their wildest imaginations, as they step through a huge wardrobe, into a land where an evil witch has taken control and misery reigns. They soon realize they haven’t arrived in Narnia by chance, but have been brought here to play a very important part in restoring natural order and keeping the peace in this magical land.

By demonstrating love, keeping faith and showing courage, the children find they have the power triumph over evil and return Narnia to its rightful leader. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this classic C.S. Lewis story.

From the story by C.S. Lewis; Dramatized by Joseph Robinette; Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Most enjoyed by children, ages 5 and up.
Visit scchildrenstheatre.org for further details.

What begins as an innocent exploration of an old home, winds up taking siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter far beyond their wildest imaginations, as they step through a huge wardrobe, into a land where an evil witch has taken control and misery reigns. They soon realize they haven’t arrived in Narnia by chance, but have been brought here to play a very important part in restoring natural order and keeping the peace in this magical land.

By demonstrating love, keeping faith and showing courage, the children find they have the power triumph over evil and return Narnia to its rightful leader. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this classic C.S. Lewis story.

From the story by C.S. Lewis; Dramatized by Joseph Robinette; Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Most enjoyed by children, ages 5 and up.

It’s the “Flying Catastrophe Circus“! Aerial arts! Juggling! Cats on roller skates! Tap dancing contortion! Nine circus artists bring you a show overflowing with laughter, thrill and imagination. 25-minutes of non-stop fun and child-like wonder. 2 FREE shows at Empyrean Arts, Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

La Gaviota Teatro brings their multidisciplinary theatre work “URIKUBU: Language without Frontiers” from Mexico City to the Magnetic Theater. Have you ever seen a dragon being born or met the God of Time? Through puppetry, live music, dance and a language made up just for this show, experience the magic. 3 shows: Thursday, Jan. 23, 7 pm, Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 pm, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 5 pm.

“The Miraculously Inventive Machine of Charlie Mean” created by puppeteer and toy maker Toybox Theatre, AKA Keith Shubert, is coming to the Wortham Center. Poor Charlie. He is getting bullied everywhere. At school, at home, on the streets, everywhere! It is time for him to plot his revenge! He’s going to invent a new machine to make them rue the day they even messed with Charlie Mean!  Funny and full of whimsy for all ages. 2 shows: Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 pm, Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6 pm

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

What begins as an innocent exploration of an old home, winds up taking siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter far beyond their wildest imaginations, as they step through a huge wardrobe, into a land where an evil witch has taken control and misery reigns. They soon realize they haven’t arrived in Narnia by chance, but have been brought here to play a very important part in restoring natural order and keeping the peace in this magical land.

By demonstrating love, keeping faith and showing courage, the children find they have the power triumph over evil and return Narnia to its rightful leader. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this classic C.S. Lewis story.

From the story by C.S. Lewis; Dramatized by Joseph Robinette; Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Most enjoyed by children, ages 5 and up.

Brilliant Traces is compelling story about two people, Rosannah and Henry, who have both suffered from a series of unfortunate circumstances throughout their lives. One night, after traveling for many days with little to no rest, Rosannah mysteriously shows up on Henry’s doorstep, in Alaska. As Henry and Rosannah begin to open up to one another, they come to the realization that they both have had serious and emotionally complicated lives. Directed by Robert Dale Walker; Starring Shari Azar and Thomas Trauger.

What begins as an innocent exploration of an old home, winds up taking siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter far beyond their wildest imaginations, as they step through a huge wardrobe, into a land where an evil witch has taken control and misery reigns. They soon realize they haven’t arrived in Narnia by chance, but have been brought here to play a very important part in restoring natural order and keeping the peace in this magical land.

By demonstrating love, keeping faith and showing courage, the children find they have the power triumph over evil and return Narnia to its rightful leader. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this classic C.S. Lewis story.

From the story by C.S. Lewis; Dramatized by Joseph Robinette; Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Most enjoyed by children, ages 5 and up.

Jeena Bloom is a transgender comic that SiriusXM once described as “the unicorniest unicorn in New York City.” She brings a wild and profane sense of humor along with bracing honesty to the stage. Jeena has been featured on Comedy Central, Viceland, SiriusXM, Vulture and on the popular podcast Guys We Fucked. She is the winner of the 2018 Harlem Comedy Festival and can now be seen dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York and everywhere in between.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-jeena-bloom-tickets-84782925011

We know special events and festivals have long been employed as powerful tools in supporting business, motivating entrepreneurship, and promoting the arts. Additionally, the City of Asheville is focusing on special events and how they can help build an equitable and inclusive community. But government doesn’t just change on its own. What internal and external efforts are needed to maximize returns? Hear from the City’s Outdoor Special Events office about their collaborations with the City’s Office of Equity & Inclusion. Learn about the confines we’re all working within as community members, and why it takes an inside effort within government to push forward. Where are your opportunities to create and participate in special events that help build an equitable and inclusive community?

Speakers: City of Asheville Outdoor Event Manager Jon Fillman and Business Inclusion Manager Rosanna Mulcahy

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

An All New World Premiere! Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between the magisterial machinations of his fierce Aunt Agatha and the plaintive pleadings of his cousin Egbert. An imperious Sir Roderick Glossop and his daughter add to another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

This production is sponsored by Jerry McAninch in Loving Memory of Bill McAninch

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

An All New World Premiere! Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between the magisterial machinations of his fierce Aunt Agatha and the plaintive pleadings of his cousin Egbert. An imperious Sir Roderick Glossop and his daughter add to another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

This production is sponsored by Jerry McAninch in Loving Memory of Bill McAninch

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

An All New World Premiere! Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between the magisterial machinations of his fierce Aunt Agatha and the plaintive pleadings of his cousin Egbert. An imperious Sir Roderick Glossop and his daughter add to another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

This production is sponsored by Jerry McAninch in Loving Memory of Bill McAninch

Seven Singers Singing is cabaret-style musical revue, featuring some of the area’s finest vocal talent. The songs, written by local musician Dave Bates, run the gamut from bouncy show tunes to soulful ballads. Seven singers will also delight audiences with comic novelty songs and uplifting inspirational numbers. If you’ve ever said you want to leave the theatre with a song to hum, this is the show for you.
Seven Singers Singing includes well known singers, Richard Blue, Mandy Bean, Alex Guazzo, Nana Hosmer Griffin, Tasha Pepi, Matt Wade and Hannah Williams.

Call for tickets

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

What begins as an innocent exploration of an old home, winds up taking siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter far beyond their wildest imaginations, as they step through a huge wardrobe, into a land where an evil witch has taken control and misery reigns. They soon realize they haven’t arrived in Narnia by chance, but have been brought here to play a very important part in restoring natural order and keeping the peace in this magical land.

By demonstrating love, keeping faith and showing courage, the children find they have the power triumph over evil and return Narnia to its rightful leader. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by this classic C.S. Lewis story.

From the story by C.S. Lewis; Dramatized by Joseph Robinette; Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Most enjoyed by children, ages 5 and up.
Visit scchildrenstheatre.org for further details.

Winter Chautauqua kicks off the 2020 theme of “Reinventing America,” with Teddy Roosevelt. What better way to “Reinvent America” then with the Rough Rider, Nobel Prize winning President who stepped down at the height of his popularity to four years later bolt the Republican Party and challenge his hand picked successor? In ninety days, Roosevelt’s “Bull Moose” Party humbled a sitting president and decisively beat a party that had dominated national politics for forty years. American politics was never then same again.

Get ready to flat out be amazed as you meet – Teddy Roosevelt. You’ll laugh – you’ll be challenged – you’ll have lots of questions. And as always at Chautauqua, the audience is part of the show. Bring your stories. Share your experiences. Get inspired. Because it’s not just history – it’s personal.

From Lincoln Center Theater that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Director Bartlett Sher’s glowing production is “thrilling, glorious and better than it ever was” (The New York Times). “Every so often a revival comes along that reminds you how indispensable great theater can be” (NY1).

Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “On the Street Where You Live,” My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?

An All New World Premiere! Once again, Bertie finds himself suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune at the hands of his relatives, caught between the magisterial machinations of his fierce Aunt Agatha and the plaintive pleadings of his cousin Egbert. An imperious Sir Roderick Glossop and his daughter add to another priceless predicament calling upon the redoubtable Jeeves to save the day.

This production is sponsored by Jerry McAninch in Loving Memory of Bill McAninch