Thomas Kozak is a singer-songwriter based in Asheville, NC. His songs string together themes of despair, denial, faith, and hope amidst the broken darkness of the South. With a focus on lyricism and structure that stretches convention, he looks to bend an ear beyond the conventions of folk. Kozak’s most recent album, “The Rubicon,” was produced by Americana staple Jim White and engineered by John Keane (Indigo Girls, REM). More can be found at www.kozakandthepoets.com.

Directed by Mark Jones; Hosted by Tom Chalmers

June 4, 2022

Saturday at 7:30 pm

She wasn’t always in the spotlight but the stage wouldn’t shine without her!

Susan Harper led Asheville Community Theatre for many years as Executive Director. During her tenure, ACT produced more than 300 shows, and saw everything from a large scale theatre renovation to a pandemic that shut the world down. Join ACT in celebrating Susan during a night of musical acts from The Producers, Spamalot, Footloose, and more!

Show-only ticket – $30.00  |  VIP ticket – $100.00

VIP ticket includes a catered pre-show reception with Susan from 6:00-6:45 pm, complimentary wine or beer, and access to the designated VIP seating section during the show. 

All proceeds benefit ACT’s Education Programs.

Drew Morgan (Comedy Central) and DJ Lewis (CMT) are coming to touch your hearts and butts (with permission) at Asheville Beauty Academy!

Co-hosts of the world wide phenomenon Into the Abiscuit Podcast, DJ Lewis and Drew Morgan are gonna so some stand up and change the world.

You know us, you hate us, and you want to die from laughing – well this night is for you. Come on out, y’all.

Drew Morgan is the first person in his family to go into comedy. His act has been described as “Mark Twain on acid,” and that pretty much gets at it. Hailing from Sunbright, Tennessee, which has a population of about 597 good people and 3 really shitty ones, he was raised by a preacher and a librarian. This explains Drew’s curiosity and constant state of existential crisis.

Drew has been featured on MTV, Comedy Central and ABC’s the View. He tours nationally with the wellRED comedy tour and is the Co-author of the book “The Liberal Redneck Manifesto.” He is a good dancer.

D.j. Lewis is the co host of Into the Abiscuit and travels around the south doing comedy. His comedy is much like a canned meat, not very pretty to look at, understood mostly by poor people, and best when baked.

A rapper, actor, singer and part time astronaut – DJ has been featured on CMT and is the only man to have ever owned a space possum.

hosted by TBA

ages 21+ (must have ID with you)

Tickets $18

How Sweet The Sound is back, returning for 1 Live show ONLY at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena. 

Come and celebrate with Grammy and Stellar awarding winning National Gospel Artist Donald Lawrence and many more as they Perform and Judge Americas best choirs, soloists and dance ensembles!

Nashville-based artist/songwriter with americana and rock vibes.

A Michigan-born Nashvillian, Sarah Faith is a singer-songwriter that has built her musical catalog and sound as a testament to her life’s struggles, including the loss of a family member to addiction, abusive situations she has overcome, and her own journey toward positive mental health. As an independent Americana artist, Sarah has been strongly influenced by a diverse musical background. The result is a healthy mix of blues and roots rock, folk, alt-country, and indie rock. Her warm, soulful voice brings her close-to-the-heart stories to her fans with a distinct vulnerability and realness that keeps them coming back for more.

Join us in our new monthly social swing event on the 1st Saturdays of every month, The
music, open vintage space and wood floors and is guaranteed to have you dancing East Coast and/or Lindy all night long, A free
lesson is offered to kick things off and will include a different combination of moves each time, No partner or rhythm needed and
dress is casual, $10 for lesson and/or social dance.

For over two decades The Walker Family Band has delighted audiences throughout the Southeast with a distinctive take on traditional styles, performing Irish dance music and American old time music with a forward reaching attitude. We especially enjoy sharing original tunes, which grow naturally from these basic roots and from our thorough training and experience in classical music and jazz. The Walker Family Band creates a confluence of sound with an end game plan; a fresh connection with each audience! Now living in the Asheville area, we are looking forward to performing for our new, and old friends here in these beautiful mountains! True to Irish and American tradition, we share our experience and knowledge by conducting multi-instrumental workshops and by hosting an annual summer camp. The Walker Family Band Music Camp is attended by families and students from coast to coast.

Visit here to learn more: https://thewalkerfamilyband.com/

Masks for this event are optional but encouraged.

by William Shakespeare Directed by Mandy Bean Opening 5/6/2022 – 6/4/2022

When his husband dies, Remy Washington, a Black man, finds himself both the owner of a drive-in movie theater and a caregiver to his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Peter, who goes by “Pup”. United by their love of classic American monster movies, the two have developed a warm and caring familial chemistry – but their relationship fractures when Remy discovers Pup and his friends have been bullying a gay teen at his school. Told through dueting monologue and playful dialogue, “Monsters of the
American Cinema” is a haunting and humorous tale about fathers and sons, ghosts, and the monsters we battle in the world and within ourselves.

The concert will feature vocalist Ellen Trnka, world renowned jazz trombonist Steve Wilson, guitarist Ray Ring and bassist Connor Law.

Ellen Trnka is a vocal musician from the NYC area, residing in WNC since 2002. Trnka’s been singing professionally for over 30 years in blues and jazz bands, trios, duos and as a solo singer songwriter. With her extensive experience, she has played prestigious venues from New York City all the way down the Eastern seaboard. Trnka has opened for international acts Phoebe Snow, Saffire, Marshall Tucker Band and John Pizzarelli.

For over 45 years, Steve Wilson has enjoyed an extensive and diverse career as a professional trombonist. He has performed as a lead/solo trombonist with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and George Benson. Wilson is currently the Principal/Solo Trombonist with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and first call trombonist at The Peace Center (Greenville, SC). Wilson performs as a soloist at the Eastern Trombone Workshop and the International Trombone Festival. He is a Performing Artist/Clinician for the S.E. Shires Company.

Ray Ring is a long-time resident of the Asheville area and is a jazz guitar player and electronics designer. He studied jazz guitar at UNCA. Since the early 1990s, Ray has performed as the lead guitar player in a number of bands including The Incantations, Leigh Glass, the swing band The Space Heaters and the Americana group Honey&Garbage. Ring enjoys playing just about any style of music and has a special fondness for old school jazz and swing.

Connor Law is a working musician based in Asheville, NC. Law performs with various groups and individuals in the jazz, funk, soul, bluegrass, and rock communities.

Since 1966, Hendersonville Theatre has provided an inviting and nurturing environment for live theatre, as well as high-quality, affordable entertainment for the residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas.

Hendersonville Theatre will present Ellen Trnka with the Steve Wilson Jazz Trio on Friday, June 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $30 and include one beverage and charcuterie. Tickets are available online at HVLtheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (828) 692-1082. The concert is sponsored by Pendarvis Insurance Agency.

The concert will feature vocalist Ellen Trnka, world renowned jazz trombonist Steve Wilson, guitarist Ray Ring and bassist Connor Law.

Ellen Trnka is a vocal musician from the NYC area, residing in WNC since 2002. Trnka’s been singing professionally for over 30 years in blues and jazz bands, trios, duos and as a solo singer songwriter. With her extensive experience, she has played prestigious venues from New York City all the way down the Eastern seaboard. Trnka has opened for international acts Phoebe Snow, Saffire, Marshall Tucker Band and John Pizzarelli.

For over 45 years, Steve Wilson has enjoyed an extensive and diverse career as a professional trombonist. He has performed as a lead/solo trombonist with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and George Benson. Wilson is currently the Principal/Solo Trombonist with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and first call trombonist at The Peace Center (Greenville, SC). Wilson performs as a soloist at the Eastern Trombone Workshop and the International Trombone Festival. He is a Performing Artist/Clinician for the S.E. Shires Company.

Ray Ring is a long-time resident of the Asheville area and is a jazz guitar player and electronics designer. He studied jazz guitar at UNCA. Since the early 1990s, Ray has performed as the lead guitar player in a number of bands including The Incantations, Leigh Glass, the swing band The Space Heaters and the Americana group Honey&Garbage. Ring enjoys playing just about any style of music and has a special fondness for old school jazz and swing

Connor Law is a working musician based in Asheville, NC. Law performs with various groups and individuals in the jazz, funk, soul, bluegrass, and rock communities.

MIDSUMMER FOR HATERS!

A Collaboration with Nemesis Theatre Company
Directed by Melon Wedick

Shakespeare’s beloved classic gets a new treatment by the people who can’t stand it, resulting in a kidnapped Amazon, mystified mortals, sadistic fairies, and mechanicals gone wild! Will any of them survive four nights in the magic forest?

There are two versions of the cast for this show. The two casts are listed below. The cast won’t know which of the two versions they’re presenting until the show starts for each performance! If you’re interested in seeing a particular actor in a specific role, please contact us at [email protected].

Cast A:
Helena – Christine Hellman
Hermia – Lauren Otis
Demetrius – Jon Stockdale
Lysander – Daniel Henry
Titania – Alexander McDonald
Oberon – Erin McCarson
Ensemble A – Molly Graves, Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Katie Jones, Haven Volpe, Paul Vonasek

Cast B:
Helena – Christine Hellman
Hermia – Molly Graves
Demetrius – Alexander McDonald
Lysander – Paul Vonasek
Titania – Lauren Otis
Oberon – Jon Stockdale
Ensemble B is Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Daniel Henry, Katie Jones, Erin McCarson, Haven Volpe

Forest Bathing with Fireflies

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light shows as we explore the forest, hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly species!

The evening begins with a gentle, guided stroll together through a peaceful forest, ending in an open meadow where we’ll settle in as the sun sets and sparkling fireflies emerge all around us. Though we cannot guarantee a showing, we will also hope to see the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies and will surely enjoy the forest at twilight.

Unplug in a peaceful, private setting with a series of nature connection invitations led by a certified forest therapy guide. Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as we sink into the heightened awareness of this special evening experience. Together, we’ll deepen our connection with nature, community and ourselves. The best part: there’s no right or wrong way to forest bathe; just bring an open heart, adventurous spirit and be yourself. All is welcome in the forest.

This special offering takes place on private property with group sizes limited to 15 for a more intimate experience.

Prefer a more exclusive experience? Private Firefly Tours are available Sun-Thurs May 29-June 12 with advanced notice.

Forest Bathing with Fireflies

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light shows as we explore the forest, hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly species!

The evening begins with a gentle, guided stroll together through a peaceful forest, ending in an open meadow where we’ll settle in as the sun sets and sparkling fireflies emerge all around us. Though we cannot guarantee a showing, we will also hope to see the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies and will surely enjoy the forest at twilight.

Unplug in a peaceful, private setting with a series of nature connection invitations led by a certified forest therapy guide. Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as we sink into the heightened awareness of this special evening experience. Together, we’ll deepen our connection with nature, community and ourselves. The best part: there’s no right or wrong way to forest bathe; just bring an open heart, adventurous spirit and be yourself. All is welcome in the forest.

This special offering takes place on private property with group sizes limited to 15 for a more intimate experience.

Prefer a more exclusive experience? Private Firefly Tours are available Sun-Thurs May 29-June 12 with advanced notice.

Darko Butorac, conductor

Asheville Symphony Chorus

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks in the Isis Music Hall Lounge. Reservations are highly recommended.

This show was originally scheduled for August 20, 2021. Previously purchased tickets will be honored at the rescheduled date. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Ages 18+

Fade to Black is a Metallica Tribute band from Baltimore, Maryland.

We formed this band with mutual goals of paying tribute to and delivering the musical intensity created by the Heavy Metal Gods themselves. Breathing and living all things Metallica, Fade To Black is endlessly devoted to recreating the sounds

Growing up in Virginia, Matt Maeson got his start performing for inmates at maximum-security prisons across America at age 17. “I’d get up and do these acoustic songs on my guitar, and they’re still the best shows I’ve ever done,” says the Austin-based singer/songwriter. “You’re playing for all these people who are treated like they’re monsters, and it feels like spreading some light into a really dark place.”

On his debut album Bank on the Funeral, Maeson uses his deeply incisive songwriting to explore the tension between light and dark in his own life. The album redefines the limits of the classic singer/songwriter’s sensibility and shapes a sound that’s richly textured and gracefully experimental. And with his soulful vocal presence, Maeson again reveals the raw-nerve vulnerability that prompted TIME to praise him as “never afraid to investigate his past and his demons, resulting in songs that are clear-eyed in their honesty and raw around the edges.”

Centered on Maeson’s candid storytelling and gritty poetry, Bank on the Funeral takes its title from its closing track: a quietly hypnotic number written for a beloved uncle, who was murdered when Maeson was six-years-old. “He was a criminal when he was younger, but once he got himself together he’d go out and minister to the people he used to hang around with — the people the church would never try to reach — and then one of those guys ended up going crazy and killing him,” says Maeson. “What inspires me about him is how he’d go to the places no one else would go and talk about the things no one else would talk about.”

Throughout Bank on the Funeral, Maeson brings a similar courage to his songwriting, imbuing every track with an often-brutal self-awareness. On the album-opening “I Just Don’t Care That Much,” he fires off a litany of confessions (“Maybe life was just a bet/That I lost to drugs and cigarettes”), brilliantly offsetting all that heavy-hearted deliberation with his bright melodies and upbeat rhythms. Later, on the fast-paced and horn-laced “Legacy,” Maeson’s spirited and sometimes-howled vocals relay some borrowed wisdom about self-salvation. “That song’s about a night in Virginia Beach when I was drunk on the street with my friends, and an old man came up to us and started talking about life,” Maeson explains. “The lyrics are basically me writing out everything I remember him saying.” But for songs like “The Mask,” the album shifts into moodier and more darkly ethereal terrain, a potent backdrop to his gently urgent vocal performance. “‘The Mask’ is about how everybody has a mask they wear and how that always roots back to something — some point in your life where you started pretending, and then eventually started believing that’s who you really are,” Maeson says.

One of the most arresting tracks on Bank on the Funeral, “Beggar’s Song” begins in hushed guitar tones and softly pleading vocals, then unfolds into a stubbornly hopeful epic with gospel-like intensity. “I wrote ‘Beggar’s Song’ when I was broke and hungover at SXSW, and everybody was partying and I was just over it,” Maeson remembers. “It’s about spending the last two years on the road and what that’s felt like — that line ‘I’m a beat-down, washed-up son of a bitch’ has definitely been true on multiple occasions.”

In the making of Bank on the Funeral, Maeson drew equally from his instinct-driven songwriting process and from the natural musicality he’s honed since he was a little kid. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, he was born into a music-loving family, including parents who played in heavy metal bands throughout his early childhood. The same uncle who inspired “Bank on the Funeral” gave Maeson a drum set when he was a toddler, then left his nephew his own drums after he died. At 15, Maeson learned a few guitar chords from his father and soon began writing songs, playing his first live gig at a Chick-fil-A open-mic night and then moving on to the penitentiaries. “My dad was a criminal growing up, but he ended up turning his life around and becoming a youth pastor,” Maeson says. “Later on my parents started a prison ministry, and I went along with them to play my songs in the prisons.”

As he built up his body of work, Maeson increasingly relied on songwriting as an emotional outlet. “I started getting into a lot of trouble, doing a lot of drugs, getting arrested,” he says. “Music became a way of getting things off my chest, and I started writing with more honesty.” In addition to working construction 12 hours a day and doing community service on his time off, he began traveling the country with a notebook and a guitar, often going back to play in the prisons where he got his start. In 2015 he began posting his songs online and quickly drew attention for “Grave Digger,” a starkly powerful track about “trying to figure out how to navigate life after realizing that everything you were told growing up isn’t necessarily true,” according to Maeson. He soon signed a joint deal with Neon Gold/Atlantic Records, then made his debut with Who Killed Matt Maeson — a 2017 EP featuring his breakthrough single “Cringe,” which hit #12 on Spotify’s US Viral 50. With his sophomore EP The Hearse arriving in spring 2018, Maeson next headed out on tour with Bishop Briggs and took the stage at major summer festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.

In bringing Bank on the Funeral to life, Maeson continued to tap into the cathartic power of making music. “Songwriting’s always been very therapeutic for me,” he says. “Wherever I’ve lived, there’s always been a secluded closet or bathroom where I could sing really loud and not bother anybody.” And though he regards his songs as “conversations with myself,” Maeson’s underlying mission is to include others in that catharsis. “What I try to do is help people know that, even if their problems feel so specific to their lives, everyone’s going through something that feels just as specific,” he says. “If I can write about what’s upset me or what I’ve learned from, and somehow help other people feel recognized and understood, that’s always the ultimate goal.”