Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Church of St. John in the Wilderness celebrates its patron saint with the Feast of St. John
the Baptist. In 2021, the historic church extended the festivities outside the parish to the
broader community and will do so again this year.
All are welcome to join the festivities at the family-friendly celebration featuring food,
fellowship and live music. “Since our earliest days in the 1800s, we have gathered with
friends and neighbors to fellowship and find renewal with God and one another,” Rector
Josh Stephens said. “The Feast of St. John is a time for our broader community to gather
and to reconnect.”
Local bluegrass band Pretty Little Goat will set the mood beginning at 6 p.m. and yard
games will be offered for children. Barbecue and other family-favorite foods and
beverages will be available for purchase at Hubba Hubba. Seating at the picturesque
outdoor courtyard is limited, so guests are encouraged to bring portable chairs.
"St. John in the Wilderness as a parish has deep roots in Flat Rock and this corner of
Western North Carolina,” Stephens said. “We are incredibly grateful to live in a place with
such natural beauty and with so many wonderful friends, parishioners, and neighbors.
The rain date is set for Wednesday, June 29 at 5:00pm at Hubba Hubba.
Join us for another Parish Breakfast hosted by the Chefs of St. John, this one in celebration of the arrival of our new Curate, his family, and our visiting summer scholar. The Chefs will serve up bacon, sausage, eggs, grits, gravy, fruit salad, potatoes, biscuits, French toast and juice/coffee/tea. There is no cost for this breakfast, but donations are welcome and appreciated. Please sign up by Wednesday, June 29 to aid in planning.
Expect longer warm ups and cool downs in the summer and fall and more vigor in the winter and spring. Instructor Jamie Knox. July 4th sub Tara Eschenroeder. August 1 sub Kari Parker
The Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain
2022 Summer Scholar-in-Residence
Dr. Rob MacSwain is the Associate Professor of Theology at the seminary at The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. For a number of years, Dr. MacSwain has been researching how the lives of holy people serve as evidence of God’s existence.
Dr. MacSwain is no stranger to North Carolina, having been ordained as a priest of the Church in the eastern part of the state in 2002. He holds masters degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He completed his Ph.D. at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2010. He has authored and edited several works including his book Solved by Sacrifice: Austin Farrer, Fideism, and the Evidence of Faith (2013). While in Flat Rock, he intends to relax in the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hopes to find time to continue working on his book to be titled The Saint is our Evidence.
The Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain
2022 Summer Scholar-in-Residence
Dr. Rob MacSwain is the Associate Professor of Theology at the seminary at The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. For a number of years, Dr. MacSwain has been researching how the lives of holy people serve as evidence of God’s existence.
Dr. MacSwain is no stranger to North Carolina, having been ordained as a priest of the Church in the eastern part of the state in 2002. He holds masters degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He completed his Ph.D. at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2010. He has authored and edited several works including his book Solved by Sacrifice: Austin Farrer, Fideism, and the Evidence of Faith (2013). While in Flat Rock, he intends to relax in the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hopes to find time to continue working on his book to be titled The Saint is our Evidence.
Think outside the studio and enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed with this yoga practice for all levels of expertise. The mountains are said to be a natural vortex of spiritual energy, which makes Chimney Rock an ideal setting for connecting your spirit with nature at this outdoor class overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
Tours of St. John in the Wilderness are sponsored and led by a team of volunteer docents who seek to tell the story of our historic parish. Tours are held every third Saturday of the month at 11:00am and last about one hour.
There is no cost to tour the churchyard. Please wear comfortable shoes, and meet in the Carriage Entrance of the church. Space is limited to 30 people per tour
The Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain
2022 Summer Scholar-in-Residence
Dr. Rob MacSwain is the Associate Professor of Theology at the seminary at The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. For a number of years, Dr. MacSwain has been researching how the lives of holy people serve as evidence of God’s existence.
Dr. MacSwain is no stranger to North Carolina, having been ordained as a priest of the Church in the eastern part of the state in 2002. He holds masters degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He completed his Ph.D. at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2010. He has authored and edited several works including his book Solved by Sacrifice: Austin Farrer, Fideism, and the Evidence of Faith (2013). While in Flat Rock, he intends to relax in the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hopes to find time to continue working on his book to be titled The Saint is our Evidence.
An array of things can contribute to tightness in the hips & hamstrings; running, stress, sitting, even simple daily activities such as walking! We often carry patterns within our movements, not all of which are good or healthy for our bodies. Restrictions within these regions can cause significant discomfort, even pain. By better understanding our anatomy, our postural & movement habits, as well as the mechanics of Yoga poses, we can begin to unravel held tension in the hips & hamstrings, creating space for energy to flow more freely throughout the body
In this playful workshop we’ll flow deeply in a yang style to create heat and length through the back line of the body as well as the full circumference of the hip. We’ll also rest into yin style postures to target the joints and connective tissues. Throughout the workshop we will utilize props as well as the wall to support all levels of practice. You’ll learn how to strengthen and stabilize in order to find more flexibility and freedom in this powerful region of the body. As we work systematically and artfully towards a number of peak postures you’ll experience how this balance of yin and yang creates more spaciousness and ease.
The Rev. Dr. Robert MacSwain
2022 Summer Scholar-in-Residence
Dr. Rob MacSwain is the Associate Professor of Theology at the seminary at The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. For a number of years, Dr. MacSwain has been researching how the lives of holy people serve as evidence of God’s existence.
Dr. MacSwain is no stranger to North Carolina, having been ordained as a priest of the Church in the eastern part of the state in 2002. He holds masters degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and The University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He completed his Ph.D. at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland in 2010. He has authored and edited several works including his book Solved by Sacrifice: Austin Farrer, Fideism, and the Evidence of Faith (2013). While in Flat Rock, he intends to relax in the mountains of Western North Carolina and he hopes to find time to continue working on his book to be titled The Saint is our Evidence.
Please join us for the 5th annual Love♡Shine♡Play Festival, July 28-31, 2022 (tentative date) taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of the world’s oldest mountains in gorgeous Asheville, NC. The festival classes take place in beautiful venues throughout downtown Asheville as well as our gorgeous & famous Pack Square Park. You will be able to choose from a variety of offerings including yoga classes, meditation, talks, hikes, and more. The pedestrian friendly festival will allow you to immerse yourself in the vibrant life of a city brimming with cultural arts, culinary delights, and many independent shops.
Once you have purchased your tickets, you will receive an order confirmation email from Eventbrite, our ticketing partner. Your e-ticket(s) will be attached to your order confirmation email. Important: if you do not see your order confirmation in your inbox, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. If you are still unable to find them, contact the Eventbrite help center here.
Event is rain or shine, and ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL.
We look forward to seeing you in Asheville!
Yoga teaches us that we are each born whole, complete, and perfect!! Due to our many life experiences we tend to forget this state of wholeness, we forget who we truly are, and we get lost in our physical, mental, and emotional reactions to life. It is important for us to remember that the human nervous system simply cannot evolve at the rapid pace that society and technology has. Hopefully through what you learn in this workshop you can begin to extend yourself a bit more grace during natural moments of challenge and upset.
During this experiential workshop we will utilize a holistic and traditional approach. Working with breath-work techniques alongside intuitive Yin, Yoga Nidra, and shaking meditation to reset the nervous system back to a state of ease and relaxation.
My hope is that through this workshop you’ll acquire a wide array of simple yet profound tools that you can skillfully use as you learn to access your current state of being and what your needs truly are.
Think outside the studio and enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed with this yoga practice for all levels of expertise. The mountains are said to be a natural vortex of spiritual energy, which makes Chimney Rock an ideal setting for connecting your spirit with nature at this outdoor class overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
Connecting the two wonderful & beneficial practices together. We will begin by dropping into the breath and creating space within the body through gentle movements, and then finding stillness with long held Yin postures. Options, modifications, and encouragement for prop usage throughout. Within our second hour together; coming into the relaxation of Restorative Yoga, feeling held and supported by an abundance of props and perhaps the wall too. Printed handout of sequence included.
As the Late Summer season begins, we look to find the pause between the expansive Summer and the turning inward of Fall. Looking for cooling and calming poses to soothe and center us. Allowing the thinking mind to let go and the physical body to simply feel. This workshop will offer options to restore the body & the nervous system. Printed handout of sequence included.
Tours of St. John in the Wilderness are sponsored and led by a team of volunteer docents who seek to tell the story of our historic parish. Tours are held every third Saturday of the month at 11:00am and last about one hour.
There is no cost to tour the churchyard. Please wear comfortable shoes, and meet in the Carriage Entrance of the church. Space is limited to 30 people per tour
Presented as part of the Faith in Arts Institute, hosted by BMCM+AC, these conversations and interviews with a diverse group of artists, faith leaders, and scholars explore the role of arts in spiritual practice and religious life.
“I dare suggest that the clearest examples of relationship are to be found in geometry…With geometry as the body reference for learning about relationship, we can best illustrate principles of mathematics and arithmetic. Given this understanding, one is equipped with the foundation for critical and clear thinking, and is best prepared to navigate with a healthy respect for self in relation to other in the domain of community.”
Vandorn Hinnant is a visual artist, poet and educator based in Durham, North Carolina. He grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina and received a Bachelor’s of Art degree from North Carolina A&T University. After college, he moved to New York City and worked for the printmaker Josef Werner. Known for his visual exploration of metaphysical ideas, Hinnant utilizes Sacred Geometry (studied formally under his mentor, inventor and physicist Robert L. Powell, Sr.), fractal mathematics, the golden ratio, and the logarithmic spiral to create his dynamic two and three-dimensional artworks. Referencing Buckminster Fuller, Leonardo da Vinci, Frank Lloyd Wright, and M.C. Escher as inspirations because of their use of geometry and math in making their artworks, Hinnant catalyzes dialogue through and around his work about the golden proportion, human relationships, and metaphysical energy. His work has been exhibited widely, including at the Fayetteville Museum of Art, Antioch College, and Saugerties Performing Arts Factory, and belongs to numerous private and corporate collections.
– ALL AGES
– FREE ADMISSION ($10 SUGGESTED DONATION)
Our monthly installment of Yoga Taco Mosa! Join us as we honor one another in practice lead by Clare Desmelik, and then enjoy tacos and mimosas in the taqueria.
“If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, everyone in our family, and our entire society will benefit from our peace”. -Thich Nhat Hanh
Join Luna Ray and Amber Acheson for an embodied exploration of living with more peace. In this 3 hour journey we will gather as community and practice to overcome disturbances that keep us from feeling calm and peaceful.
This gathering will include:
Yoga and Somatic Practices
Music and Song
Ritual and Community Connection.
Please bring comfortable clothes for an outdoor experience, a journal and pen, any props or blankets to support you. Chairs will be available.
Spirit Fest Turns 30! Online ticket sales coming soon.
Spirit Fest 2022 returns to The Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Sunday September 4, 2022! This year is a celebration of three decades of presenting gospel music in the Upstate of SC.
We celebrate “Shining 30 Years of Hope, Love, and Light to our Families, Faith, and Communities.”
Performing at Spirit Fest this year is Tye Tribbett, Tamela Mann, Bishop William Murphy, Tim Rogers, Roy and Revelation, Kelontae Gavin, and the Gospel Legends! More information to come on other Spirit Fest activities and artists to the 30th celebration!
Tickets go on sale Thursday May 5, 2022 at the GSP International Airport Box Office at the Arena and Ticketmaster.com. Early bird tickets will be available through June 17.
Tours of St. John in the Wilderness are sponsored and led by a team of volunteer docents who seek to tell the story of our historic parish. Tours are held every third Saturday of the month at 11:00am and last about one hour.
There is no cost to tour the churchyard. Please wear comfortable shoes, and meet in the Carriage Entrance of the church. Space is limited to 30 people per tour
- Join us on the Museum’s rooftop Sculpture Terrace featuring panoramic city and mountain views for Gentle Flow Yoga. This 60-minute class is comprised of gentle stretching and strengthening aimed to restore the body and mind, with a special focus on breathing, body awareness, and mindset care.
The one-hour yoga class will be followed by a time to gather and enjoy fresh-brewed coffee and a pastry baked inhouse in our beautiful Perspective Cafe.
All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended.
Please Note:
- Yoga on the Rooftop is held outdoors on the Museum’s rooftop Sculpture Terrace. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Perspective Cafe.
- Space is limited to small groups of up to 10 individuals; social distancing is required.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Alaina has been teaching regular yoga and meditation classes since 2016. She was certified at the 200-hour level at the Asheville Yoga Center and at the 300-level at The Breathing Space in Blacksburg, Virginia. Alaina is passionate about sharing a different approach focused on grounding, breathing, and spinal health. Alaina prioritizes making her classes accessible and friendly to all.
Asheville Outlets will team with Yoga Nut to host a Wellness Expo on Saturday, September 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with booth proceeds benefitting Catholic Charities of WNC. Attending organizations include: Yoga Nut, Pathway to Your Health, AmeriHealth Caritas NC, Samantha Nivens Coaching, Asheville Salt Cave, Asheville Kids Yoga & Art, Moving Body Massage, Well Roots Counseling, United Healthcare, Solara Awakening Coaching and Wellness, Alchemy Acupuncture, Beth Ford | Well-Being Strategist, NC Open Gym, One Health Direct Primary Care and Shanti Elixirs, among others.
The complimentary Expo will provide attendees with a wide array of fitness, health and wellness tools including body composition, health and life coaching, yoga sequences, chair massages, educational seminars, mini acupuncture treatments, a biofeedback and essential oil experience, lifestyle counseling and more.
The Western Region Office of Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte in Asheville will be the recipient of the vendor registration fees for the Wellness Expo. The organization serves people in need in the 12 western-most counties of North Carolina, including Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Yancey, and all counties west to the borders. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.
Come out for a relaxing evening of yoga with baby goats, This class is for all ages, A complimentary
drink for participants after class (must be 21 for an alcoholic drink),
- Join us on the Museum’s rooftop Sculpture Terrace featuring panoramic city and mountain views for Gentle Flow Yoga. This 60-minute class is comprised of gentle stretching and strengthening aimed to restore the body and mind, with a special focus on breathing, body awareness, and mindset care.
The one-hour yoga class will be followed by a time to gather and enjoy fresh-brewed coffee and a pastry baked inhouse in our beautiful Perspective Cafe.
All-levels are welcome. Please bring your own mat. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended.
Please Note:
- Yoga on the Rooftop is held outdoors on the Museum’s rooftop Sculpture Terrace. In the event of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Perspective Cafe.
- Space is limited to small groups of up to 10 individuals; social distancing is required.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Alaina has been teaching regular yoga and meditation classes since 2016. She was certified at the 200-hour level at the Asheville Yoga Center and at the 300-level at The Breathing Space in Blacksburg, Virginia. Alaina is passionate about sharing a different approach focused on grounding, breathing, and spinal health. Alaina prioritizes making her classes accessible and friendly to all.