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.
Our ReadWNC series concludes Tuesday, October 4 with author Sharyn McCrumb discussing the true events behind her novel The Ballad of Frankie Silver. In this series, authors and historians explore the facts behind the fiction in books centered in WNC. We encourage you to read the books in advance and bring your own questions to the discussion. You can find all three books at Malaprop’s Bookstore here in Asheville. This event airs live via Zoom, and will be recorded for later viewing.
The Ballad of Frankie Silver is one of McCrumb’s Ballad novels – “set in the Southern mountains, weaving together the legends, natural wonders and contemporary issues of Appalachia. Each story is built around a theme, intended to express an overall idea” according to the author. This novel, set in Burke County, tells the story of the young Frankie Silver, hanged for a murder she may not have committed in 1833. McCrumb notes that this tale involves mountain justice, frontier families, and a contrast between the mountain and lowland South.
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. It will be held virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Darko Butorac, conductor
Nicole Zuraitis, vocalist
For this ALT ASO concert, we go back to where the series began: Highland Brewing’s gorgeous Event Center. The last time we performed an ALT ASO concert at Highland Brewing, it sold out in just three days. Featuring Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nicole Zuraitis as soloist, this program will highlights the music of the 70s — but not just the 1970s! Prepare for a musical tour-de-force featuring music from the 1670s, 1770s, 1870s and 1970s — meaning the music of Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky alongside the Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Carol King, Gloria Gaynor and Queen!
Pre-sale only with early access code. All ALT ASO tickets will be available for purchase on August 17, 2022. Tickets are general admission and $45 each. Interested in early access AND reserved seating? Contact Director of Development Jessica May at [email protected] for more information on ALT ASO sponsorship opportunities.
White Horse’s legendary Open Mic re-starts after a year off for bad behavior (COVID, really). Host Bill Altork will help us present wonderfully talented folks on their way up. The signup sheet is placed on the bar at 6:30 and the first ten to sign in are the performers for the evening. Each gets 15 minutes or three songs. It’s a lot of fun… especially since it’s free!
We’ll be following all COVID-19 protocols and we ask that you wear your mask when you’re not singing or enjoying a beverage from the bar.
Join us to share your music or just enjoy an evening in the audience!
Chat with other book lovers about this month’s book selection.
Interested in reading ahead? Here’s what we have coming up in the next few months!
– November- “Once Upon A River” Diane Setterfield
– December- “Dutch House” Ann Patchett
– January- “Mexican Gothic” Silvia Moreno-Garcia
– February- “The Rose Code” Kate Quinn
To reserve your copy of the book, visit buncombe.nccardinal.org or swing by the library to pick one up from the book clubs holds shelf.
To join the book club email [email protected] or call us at 250-4758.
Thirsty Monk at Biltmore Park is excited to announce Tuesday Trivia nights with @notrockettrivia!
Come by, grab a beer, and play some trivia. See you on Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.! Prizes will include gift cards and merch.
Join us every Tuesday night for Trivia!
Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!
No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for a good time and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!
No reservations needed, just get ready for a good time and a chance to win some Down Dog prizes!
vs. 
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits are much more than a professional hockey franchise playing in Upstate South Carolina; it is truly Greenville’s hockey team. Formerly known as the Road Warriors, the club rebranded to the Swamp Rabbits on August 26, 2015 in an effort to really ingrain itself in the fabric of the community. The name is inherently Greenville – specific to the city and unique in the sports world.
It’s the electrifying energy and unstoppable passion of Swamp Rabbits fans inside The Well combined with the award-winning game presentation that make attending a Swamp Rabbits game the BEST fan experience in the ECHL! From the moment you step inside the arena, you’ll find FREE concourse activities for the whole family, including sign-making, temporary tattoos, interactive games, music and there’s always a good chance you’ll run into the Swamp Rabbits mascot Stomper! Throughout the season, fans can also expect a lineup of special theme nights and exciting giveaways.
Applications for the 76th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles, are now available. The parade rolls, dances and marches through Downtown Asheville on Saturday, November 19 beginning at 11am.
Before applying please read the detailed rules and information for participants here. The parade only runs smoothly if everyone follows the rules and direction from Parade organizers.
The deadline to apply is Friday, October 14 at 5pm.
Sponsors and Partners make the Parade possible. Thanks to Bojangles, Explore Asheville, Ingles Markets, City of Asheville, Go Mini’s Portable Storage, Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum, Apple Tree Honda, Deerfield, Sun Soo Martial Arts, WLOS, Star 104.3, 99.9 Kiss Country, Kudzu Brands, Kimpton Hotel Arras, Aloft Asheville Downtown, Asheville Color & Imaging.
Did you know that monthly donations sustain the arts at Flat Rock Playhouse? Recurring, monthly donations ensure immediate support while sowing seeds for the future. Today, you can make an even greater impact through the Leiman Matching Gift Opportunity! Thanks to generous supporters, David & Sharon Leiman, your gift will be matched at $1.80 for every $1.00 contributed. To qualify, simply sign up for a monthly donation of $18.00 or more through the end of 2022. Today is your last chance to qualify for four months of support!
The donation amount of $18.00 truly gives life and vitality to the arts at Flat Rock Playhouse. In Judaism, it is common to give and receive gifts in multiples of $18 or “Chai”, which signifies a good omen for life. As we near the end of our first full season in two years, we’ll hope you’ll join us in giving life to the theater!
Buncombe County voters will have the opportunity to vote on two bonds in the upcoming election for open space and housing. If approved, the bonds would generate $30 million and $40 million respectively. With an eye toward oversight and transparency, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution at its Aug. 16 regular meeting establishing a general obligation bonds community oversight committee to monitor the investment of those bond dollars.
The Community Oversight Committee will review the investments made from the bond revenues to confirm that 100% of bond funds are invested in accordance with law and for the purposes indicated on the ballots. Committee members will serve until all bond funds have been committed.
The application process for the Community Oversight Committee is now open, although creation of this Committee is contingent on the bonds passing during the Nov. 8 election.
Community Oversight Committee Description: The Committee shall have five members comprised of one person with an accounting background, one person with a banking background, one representative of the affordable housing community, one representative from the conservation/greenways community, each to be appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and one member to be appointed by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Committee members will serve until all bond funds have been committed.
Positions: 5
Term Length: Until all bond funds have been committed.
The Artist Support Grant provides funding emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. Grants range from $500-3,000.
ince 2003, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk has helped raise funding for Downtown Hendersonville and a variety of local non-profits. In addition to raising funds, the bears offer a window into good work being done by community organizations in Henderson County.
The Bearfootin’ Bears arrive as blank slates before local artists transform each in a spectacular fashion, with creative themes ranging from Mona Lisa to Blue Ridge Mountain scenery. After the “Reveal” event in early May, the bears then take up residence in downtown Hendersonville for the duration of the summer and fall, up until auction. Participants bid during the auction to raise funds for local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville. Winning bids up to $3,000 are split evenly between the downtown program and the nonprofit chosen by the sponsor, while bid amounts exceeding $3,000 are directed entirely to the non-profit. In 2021, the Bears raised more than $100,000, and in 2022 we hope to continue the tradition of giving.
The Buncombe County Behavioral Health Justice Collaborative (BHJC) is looking for community members who have been impacted by the justice system to participate in an advisory group. If you have experienced any of the challenges below, the BHJC welcomes you to share your insight and participate in creating ideas and strategic initiatives to better serve our county.
- Have you interacted with law enforcement during a time of personal crisis?
- Have you or a loved one been charged or incarcerated due to experiencing a behavioral health challenge like a mental health crisis or substance use disorder?
- Have you or a loved one received services for mental health crisis, harm reduction, opioid use, or support for alcohol or other drug use?
- Do you want to help shape how our community responds to these types of needs?
Background
The BHJC’s purpose is to act as an advisory working group to the Justice Resource Advisory Council by increasing coordination and collaboration between Buncombe County Government, local governments, and community partners around efforts that intersect behavioral health and justice services. This body seeks to channel the right resources to the right place at the right time in response to behavioral health needs like substance use and harm reduction in the community with the goal of promoting public safety and improving outcomes for those in need.
Meetings currently occur on the first Friday of each month from 10 a.m.-noon, in downtown Asheville with parking validation provided.
Interested in applying? Applications are due by Oct. 9, 2022. See below for requirements and information on how to apply.
Application information
Those applying will be prioritized if they fall into the experienced categories below. The goal is to have a diversity of perspectives and expertise:
- Justice involvement (previously charged, convicted, or incarcerated)
- Behavioral health involvement (mental health and/or substance use, and/or previous history with institutional commitment)
- Family member of a justice involved and/or behavioral health-involved person
BHJC community members commit to participating in BHJC activities for a one-year term.
Official 2022 Raffle Rules
PROCEEDS
This raffle is a fundraising event, and all net proceeds benefit the Brevard Music Center (BMC). Brevard Music Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN# 56-0729350
DRAWING
The drawing will take place on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 3:00pm EDT. All mail, phone, and internet orders must be received by 11:59pm EDT on Monday, November 14, 2022.
TICKETS
The cost to purchase a single entry (“Ticket”) for the Raffle is $125 (U.S. Funds only) and is not tax deductible.
DETAILS
- By entering this raffle, entrants accept and agree to be bound by all the rules, limitations and restrictions set forth here and that their names and/or likenesses may be disclosed to and used by the news media and may otherwise be used by BMC for publicity purposes.
- The winner may choose a new 2022 Volvo, Subaru, or Hyundai prize vehicle from Hunter Automotive Group of Fletcher, NC with an MSRP up to $50,000.
- Vehicle choice will be subject to the current available inventory of the dealer. BMC reserves the right to substitute a Volvo, Subaru, or Hyundai model of equal value.
- The winner is responsible for all taxes, delivery costs, dealer fees, and any options he or she may choose above the vehicle’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) greater than $50,000.
- The gross winnings of the raffle will be reported to the federal and state tax authorities at the MSRP and the winner is responsible for income tax withholding prior to taking title to the prize.
- Individuals may purchase as many tickets as they wish; however, only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
- Participants must be 18 years old or older.
- BMC employees, faculty, and students 18 or older are eligible to participate.
- Winnings are not redeemable for cash.
- If a minimum of 600 tickets is not sold, all ticket holders will receive a full refund and the raffle will not occur.
- BMC does not make or provide any representation, guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, in connection with the car and accepts no liability or responsibility regarding the construction or condition of the car.
WINNINGS
Once the winner has selected a prize vehicle, the Dealer will notify BMC of the award vehicle’s MSRP. BMC will calculate the required federal income taxes due. The raffle winner is responsible for remitting the funds to BMC for the federal income tax. Brevard Music Center is required by law to report the base MSRP of the vehicle the winner chooses as gaming income to federal and state authorities and to withhold and deposit federal income taxes equal to 25% of the MSRP less the wager (raffle ticket). The winner’s payment of the federal taxes to BMC will be deposited with the US Federal Treasury and the winner will receive credit for the taxes remitted. In order for the dealer to release the winner’s vehicle, the winner will need to provide the following to BMC:
- A completed form W-9.
- Payment to BMC of the appropriate amount of federal tax withholding in cash or certified check.
Once both of these are received, BMC will authorize the dealer to release the vehicle. The winner will receive a Form W-2G by January 31, 2023 to use in preparing their 2022 income tax return.
2022 Buncombe voter guide is published online & in paper!
These handy non-partisan guides provide you with important election dates, tips on how to make sure your vote counts, and responses from your local candidates with their stances on important issues heading into the midterm.
Click here to view the digital version and share it with your friends & family.
If you’re interested in distributing paper voter guides to your neighbors or community members, please reply back to me here.
Voting details for the 2022 General Election:
- Early voting runs Thursday, October 20 through Saturday, November 5 (at 3 PM)
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Find early voting sites by selecting your county on the lookup tool at demnc.co/voteearly.
You can also check your voter registration status, Election Day polling place, and possible sample ballot at demnc.co/poll.
Food Makes a House a Home
Every October, Asheville-area REALTORS® join together on a month-long campaign to help feed thousands of families that face hunger everyday across Western North Carolina. With each house closing in October, a participating REALTOR® will make a $100 donation to MANNA FoodBank in honor of their client, in lieu of a traditional closing gift, providing 400 meals to our WNC Community. Participation in this campaign elevates the REALTOR® within industry by demonstrating the appreciation for their client in a way that has a tangible impact in their community. Realty firms may match their REALTORS® donation, stretching the impact of the gift even further. Every dollar raised in this campaign helps provide food for 4 meals to our WNC community.
 We’ve been working with Buncombe County and several local organizations on a potential discounted parking rate for the downtown workforce in the Coxe Avenue Parking Garage. Shout out to Asheville Food & Beverage United, Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and Go Local Asheville.
The $40 discounted rate would be available for downtown workers in the food/beverage, hospitality, retail and nonprofit sectors making less than $20 per hour (or 80% area median income). The County is looking to collect some data about the program to include in its presentation to the Buncombe County Commission. This survey only takes about 5 minutes and will be open until October 7. Access the English version here and the Spanish version here. |
October 1 – November 3, 2022
To witness autumn’s colorful transformation of the Blue Ridge Mountains is truly magical. Experience it at Biltmore, located in Asheville, NC, a one-of-a-kind fall destination for an overnight stay or day trip. America’s Largest Home®, 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, an award-winning Winery, a variety of overnight accommodations, and so much more await.
Purchase your tickets now to enjoy Fall at Biltmore… before it’s gone.
Join our FEAST Fall Fund Drive!
Our FEAST program reaches over 1,150 students a year in Asheville, Buncombe County, and Madison County with hands-on cooking and gardening classes in schools and afterschool programs. Help us fully fund this important program this fall!
Bountiful Cities FEAST teachers work within Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, Hot Springs Elementary and Francine Delany New School to give students hands on experience. We are not funded by the school systems, and yet we integrate with the grade level curriculum to provide history, science, reading, math, and art education in addition to gardening and cooking. Our goal is to give students tools that will last a lifetime. If they have seeds they will know how to have food.
Help us reach our goal of $30,000 to fully fund our FEAST program this fall! Donate today!
The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is now accepting proposals for the remainder of fiscal year 2022-2023. The JCPC announces the availability of small allocations totaling $84,902 in state funding for local nonprofits and public agencies working to serve youth involved in, or at-risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. The JCPC addresses the gaps in youth services by promoting prevention, intervention, treatment and aftercare strategies and programs which strengthen families and support community safety.
Click here for Request for Proposals (RFP)
The JCPC is seeking innovative projects designed to address the identified needs in our community – highlighted in the 2021 Risk Needs Summary Report:
- Runaway from Home or Placement
- School Behavior/Adjustment
- Substance Use Within Past 12 Months
- Abuse Neglect History
- Sexual Behaviors During Past 12 Months
- Mental Health Needs
- Basic Physical Needs/Independent Living
- Conflict in the Home Within Past 12 Months
- Family Supervision Skills
Based on these factors and possible gaps in the Continuum of Services, the following program types will be considered for funding:
- Runaway/Temporary Shelter
- Comprehensive Clinical Assessments (CCAs)
- Restitution/Community Service
- Teen Court/Restorative Services
- Substance Use Services
- Parent / Family Skill Building
- Vocational Skills
- Interpersonal or Experiential Skills
- Structured Day / Tutoring / Academic Enhancement / Mentoring
Application Information
The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) is responsible for reviewing and allocating funds to programs designed to serve youth involved in, or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, and to reduce the number of youth who enter the state’s youth development centers. Any nonprofits or public agency interested in applying for JCPC funds is required to send a representative to the applicant orientation.
NEW applicants are required to attend a mandatory orientation (prior applicants may also attend). For information about the program application workshop and other technical assistance contact Lorraine Williams, Area Consultant, Community Programs Western Area Office, 828-405-4056, [email protected].
Interested organizations are required to complete an online application through NC ALLIES (A Local Link to Improve Effective Services). Organizations can review application instructions here.
Current JCPC funded programs requesting additional funds should submit a budget revision in NC ALLIES and email JCPC Admin [email protected] a summary detailing the amount of the request and purpose for additional funds.
Private nonprofits are also required to submit in NC ALLIES, No Overdue Tax forms, Conflict of Interest Statements, and, if requested, proof of 501(c)(3) status.
Application submission deadline is Thursday, October 6th, 2022, by 5 pm. All applications must be submitted in NC Allies; once the application is submitted in NC Allies, send a copy via email to [email protected].
Applicants will be required to present their proposal during an Allocations Hearing. Applicants will be contacted with the date and time of this meeting upon submission.
For additional information regarding the application process contact Hannah Legerton, JCPC Administrator, (828) 250-4087
Please see the linked Request for Proposals and visit Buncombecounty.org/grants for more information.
Note: The JCPC had allocated $84,902 to Trinity Place Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter for the upcoming year; unfortunately the program announced their closure effective 5/15/2022. The JCPC has until 12/31/2022 to reallocate funding that had been designated for Trinity Place.
Buncombe County is committed to building a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community that is equitable and sustainable. Buncombe County invests in our community through eight grant programs supporting organizations working in support of the Buncombe 2025 Strategic Plan focus areas and goals. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are critical to our grants processes, and Buncombe County encourages participation from organizations led by and providing service to people of color/BIPOC individuals.
More about the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Division of Juvenile Justice partners with Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils in each county to galvanize community leaders, locally and statewide, to reduce and prevent youth involvement with the juvenile justice system. The intent is to provide community-based alternatives to youth development centers and to provide community-based programming, treatment, counseling or rehabilitation services for youth involved in, or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.
This is an initiative of the NC Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Community Programming, and the Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for three or more years and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
Early bird discount: $100 off if you apply by September 1st, 2022.
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A sneak peek of our new pollinator activity pack. Photo by Tallis Monteiro |
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| Leaf-peeping season is upon us, and so is one of the busiest air travel months for AVL. October means pumpkin spice, colorful foliage, cool and crisp weather … and lots of people at the airport.
If you are planning to fly to or from AVL in October:
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Have you ever wondered how the team at Flat Rock Playhouse creates our unique productions like
West Side Story or Million Dollar Quartet?
Did you know that Flat Rock Playhouse provides arts education experiences to thousands of local students?
Would it surprise you that we maintain 12 acres of property and 12 working buildings?
Check out our Gift Registry for a back-stage sneak-peek of what goes into
building a show from scratch.
Our registry includes everything from hair products to lumber, class supplies to monthly utilities, laundry detergent to airline
tickets. We hope you’ll consider making a one-time, 100% tax-deductible donation to support these resources that truly make the magic happen. As a non-profit organization, Flat Rock Playhouse depends on ticket sales and meaningful gifts to bring you the thrill and joy of live theater.
Your unrestricted gift supports these example expenses as well as many, many more!
We couldn’t do it without you!
| The fall season is a time when many of us gather with our friends, families and loved ones for a variety of holidays and seasonal festivities. Often, these celebrations center around food, making it out of reach for so many people struggling to afford groceries, especially this year, with rising food costs making even a holiday turkey a distant luxury. Right now, MANNA and our partner network are still serving 68% more people than before the pandemic – many who are needing a hand for the first time. |
Now more than ever, MANNA FoodBank is dedicated to filling as many holiday tables as possible, and you can help us give thousands of households the gift of a holiday, of one less struggle, and a helping of hope. Please join our Virtual Turkey Drive – where we can stretch your donation further to get turkeys, hams, and holiday foods of all kinds for our neighbors across 16 western North Carolina counties. Together, we can make the holidays happen for the people who live and work right here at home, in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. |
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If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.
The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.
Eligibility requirements
Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.
For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.
Have you ZOOMed yet? Buncombe County Public Libraries give library card holders access to free passes for local museums and attractions. It’s called a ZOOM pass, and you can check one out with your library card.
Starting in September, the library has two new and one returning ZOOM pass attractions for library card holders of all ages.
The Asheville Art Museum has returned to ZOOM. We’re excited to add Team ECCO Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville, and thanks to our partnership with Buncombe Parks & Recreation we are now offering free paddleboat and launch passes for Lake Julian Park. These new partners join the other popular attractions like the Nature Center and the Arboretum on our ZOOM pass team.
We have an online reservation system at the library website you can use to reserve a one-day pass for the location of your choice. Passes may be reserved up to one month in advance and most passes are family passes that will admit several adults and children. You can pick up your pass at any library up to one week before your reservation.
There’s so much to do in Buncombe County and you can now use your library card to do it! If you have any questions, ask at your library.