Calendar of Events

The final block party is held in conjunction with the Brevard Police Department and Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department’s National Night Out Celebration.

Attendees can expect a lineup of live music, delicious local food and children’s activities, creating a fun community gathering for all. The June events feature LEAF Global Arts and the July and August events feature our beloved Old Time Street Dances. Block parties will be held weekly from 6-8pm on East Main Street. Many downtown retail businesses and restaurants will also be open for the block party.

HOB and LEAF Global Arts invites everyone to experience a world without borders! From dance, to drumming to arts & crafts, LEAF’s performing artists will bring a new lineup of cultural art experiences and live music to the June block parties. Each week will feature a different band and the LEAF Easel Rider, a mobile arts & crafts lab.

LEAF performances will feature an eclectic mix of music that is different each week, ranging from blues and rock toNew Orleans style jazz.

LEAF resident artist Melissa McKinney kicks off the series on June 14^th. “We are so excited to bring the energy of LEAF Global to downtown Brevard,” shares McKinney, “connecting community is part of our mission and we believe downtown Brevard holds the same values. Music is the best way to bring people together.”

Old Time Street Dances, a long-time community favorite, returns to the Heart of Brevard at our July 5^th block party. The dances offer free, family-friendly fun that celebrates our Appalachian heritage and is sure to move your feet.

Old Time Street Dances in downtown Brevard are an 80-year tradition. This summer, Whitewater Bluegrass Co. returns to the stage as the host band to lead the crowds in a collection of square dance and contra-style dancing. Evenings will include classic songs, a chance for clogging and traditional Appalachian-called dance. Old Time Street Dances are geared toward participation at every age and skill level.

The Tuesday Night Block Parties are free and open to the public. For more information about LEAF, Old Time Street Dances and other upcoming events, follow Heart of Brevard on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter here.

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Heart of Brevard 501(c)(3) is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street & Rural Planning Center.  Heart of Brevard is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.

All Ages

RAIN OR SHINE

THE LOCAL HONEYS

Many artists are defined by place, but only a handful of artists come to define the places they’re from. The Local Honeys are Kentucky and Kentucky runs through their veins like an unbridled racehorse. When a master songsmith like Tom T. Hall calls an artist “a great credit to a wonderful Kentucky tradition” it’s time to pull up a chair and pay attention. As it pertains to The Local Honeys he was right on the money. For almost a decade the duo (Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs) have been an integral part of the Kentucky musicscape. They’ve paid their dues, garnering countless accolades and accomplishments (tours with Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, praise from the New York Times) and have become the defining sound of real deal, honest-to-God Kentucky music.

With their self-titled debut on La Honda Records (home of some of today’s most gifted songwriters, including Colter Wall, Riddy Arman, Vincent Neil Emerson), the duo have set forth on a journey to create something true to themselves while pushing the envelope within the traditions they hold dear. Carefully crafted vignettes of rural Kentucky soar above layers of deep grooves and rich tones masterfully curated by longtime mentor Jesse Wells, Grammy nominated producer and musician (Assistant Director at the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State). “Jesse grew up with sisters. He was cut from the same cloth as us and we knew he would understand what we wanted to do.” What they ended up with is the most nuanced, moody, deep-holler sound they have captured to date. “This is the first time we’ve actively gotten to express who we are and where we’re from,” says Linda Jean. “The songs on the album speak for us,” adds Montana, “they’re about what we know, reflections of us as people. We realized we have the power to add our own narrative into Kentucky music.” Through that realization the two were able to uncover and dissect themes unique to Central Appalachia and in turn their own lives, capturing small moments in time that deliver thunderous results.

Throughout The Local Honeys, the duo demand to be interpreted as creators and storytellers, not just purveyors of tradition. Similarly, the sounds captured within the project cement their place as innovators and rule breakers. Rollicking banjo meets overdriven guitar hooks, and blue collar rural grit is met with lush melodies and nimble harmonies; it’s a project filled with juxtaposition and it isn’t by accident. It’s reflective of who they are and who they run with. Wells along with members of Tyler Childers’ band The Food Stamps – Rod Elkins (percussion) Craig Burletic (bass) – including Josh Nolan (guitar) from Clay City, KY, all lent their expertise and signature groove as collaborators during the session, creating a fluidity, warmth and cohesion that can only be shaped through friendship. “We didn’t want to record any other way than with the people we love and cherish as much as the songs. It was integral to our process,” says Linda. The project was engineered in Louisville at Lalaland by Grammy winner Anne Gauthier.

The songs on The Local Honeys speak to a new generation, a new Appalachia, the people who understand the beauty, the struggle and the complexity of contemporary Appalachian life. In “The Ballad of Frank and Billy Buck” Hobbs describes the grace, humor and irony of an aging hillbilly leading up to the final moments of his unjust demise. Or there’s “If I Could Quit” – a song that grapples with the horrors of the ongoing opiate epidemic and the guttural pain of watching a friend deteriorate through addiction. Pride and sense of place runs deep on songs like “Throw Me in the Thicket (When I Die)”, a love letter about Linda’s family orchard in Central KY or on “Dead Horses”, a song that offers a glimpse into the hardships and loss attached to rural living. Playful colloquialisms and regional idiosyncrasies also permeate the record as illustrated on “Better Than I Deserve”, a song built around an informal greeting Montana’s Papaw used during her childhood. The album is rounded out with “The L&N Don’t Stop Here No More”, (the only cover on the record written by Jean Ritchie, Appalachian royalty and kin to Hobbs), a song highlighting the hardships of post-coal communities painting an all too familiar scene of contemporary rural Appalachia. Reflecting upon these songs Linda notes, “Songwriting can freeze people in time like a photograph, preserving little nuances particular to specific cultures and I love that.”

The Local Honeys come from a long line of storytellers, a lineage of strong Kentucky women who aren’t afraid to tell it like it is and their self-titled La Honda debut is proof it’s in their bones. The duo have mastered the art of telling a good story. The narratives and landscapes they weave into song, the deep understanding and love they share for old time traditions, their undeniable charisma and charm, and their blatant disregard to follow the rules make it clear the duo is poised to become not only the defining voices of their home state of Kentucky but the defining voices of a new Appalachia.

Tombstone Poetry is a 5-piece “Noise-Folk” band hailing from Canton, NC. With influences such as Jason Molina, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams and Built to Spill, Tombstone Poetry seeks to combine the dark lyricism of alternative country with a full-band, shoegaze influenced sound. Tombstone Poetry consists of songs written by Caelan Burris, joined by Jude Corbin, Caleb Pace, Dan O’Grady and Tim Brozowski.

Join us for a weekly mountain music JAM with players in a round, where the session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs! You are welcome to come and listen or to learn and join in. This event supports the Henderson County Junior Appalachian Musician (JAM) Kids Program. Free but donations are accepted. Weekly event takes place at Oklawaha Brewing Company.

BMC Artist Faculty take center stage as we shine a spotlight on Brevard’s world-renowned piano program.

PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS

SZYMANOWSKI Twelve Etudes, Op. 33
Terrence Wilson, piano

RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 2 for 2 pianos, Op. 17
III. Romance – Andantino
Deloise Lima and Ka Yiu Yan, pianos
Terrence Wilson, piano

LIGETI Etudes (No. 4, 11, and 10)
No. 4, Fanfares
No. 11, En Suspens
No. 10, Der Zauberlehrling
FAULKENBERRY Spirals (2021)
LISZT Grand Etudes de Paganini No. 3, “La Campanella”
Jihye Chang, piano

CHOPIN Preludes, Op. 28
No. 20 in C Minor
No. 15 in D-Flat Major
No. 16 in B-Flat Minor
No. 23 in F Major
No. 24 in D Minor
David Jiajun Lai, piano

DEBUSSY Three Preludes from Book 2
La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune
Bruyeres
General Lavine _eccentric_
Douglas Weeks, piano

CHOPIN Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38
MONK Round Midnight
Michael Chertock, piano

Auditorium seating is reserved.

BIT BRIGADE

Bit Brigade performs rock covers of full NES game soundtracks as their gamer speedruns the game live on stage.

“When was the last time you attended a live music performance with a genuine element of risk involved? And no, going to a Gwar show with a white t-shirt on doesn’t count. When Bit Brigade takes the stage your mind will frantically oscillate between “Oh! Agh!! Please don’t die!!” and “YES! He’s doing it!!” Combining the dread and daring of a live video game speed run with the spot-on technique of a live band covering the musical accompaniment to everything you’re seeing on-screen in real time, Bit Brigade will have you swinging between the two mediums. From thrashing about to live renditions of your favorite stage themes, fingers yearning to the sky in a rock ‘n roll parody of sea anemones seeming to silently plead, “Please, feed us more fretboard pyrotechnics!,” to being locked in stock-still rapture as the infallible maestro of the d-pad, Noah McCarthy, takes on the final boss and risks his video game life under the threat of intense peer scorn (or the reward of night-long glory and a credits score). No matter the outcome, Bit Brigade must play on until the deed is done – which it always is – on the first (and last) try. Once Noah’s NES buzzes on, there’s no turning back.” – Metalhead Mike of The Shizz, summer 2011

SUPER GUITAR BROS

The Super Guitar Bros are not actually brothers – they’re bros! Steve and Sam met back in 2007 at a local coffee shop where Sam was performing with a mutual friend of theirs. After seeing Sam’s classical skills, Steve knew they had to start making music together. During their first jam session, everything clicked. They’ve been playing together ever since.

Show: October 11, 2022, at 8:00 PM EDT Use Local Presale code “PEELTRAVELER” Code valid 7/20 10am – 7/21 10pm

Presale code “PEELTRAVELER” Code valid 7/20 10am – 7/21 10pm Show: September 30, 2022, at 8:00 PM

Use Local Presale code “OPWARREN”

Show: October 21, 2022, at 8:00 PM

The Dancing Fleas, aka America’s Premier Ukulele Party Band, are a ten piece combo, heavy on the ukes but light on the attitude. Their uplifting originals and covers have been known to make even the most jaded hipsters smile unselfconsciously. The Fleas bring their high energy, big fun approach to a genre-bending set of tunes with styles ranging from classic country to sassy funky. Expect dueling ukuleles, blistering pedal steel licks, and big harmonies from the band’s six vocalists. The band’s debut album is slated for release this spring, as well as a series of original singles. Once you’ve seen them live, you’ll join the ranks of the #fleabitten!

Beginning in May and running through September, these free outdoor shows will ramp up downtown fun on the third Thursday of each month, complete with craft beverages, food trucks and kids’ activities. Each concert will take place at the south end of Main Street, closing off the blocks between Allen and Caswell streets. 

As the premier live music event of Hendersonville, Rhythm & Brews brings in a variety of established acts as well as up-and-coming artists from around the nation. Whether you love soul, rock, bluegrass or the funky stuff, Rhythm & Brews will put a smile on your face and broaden your musical horizons. 

2022 Rhythm & Brews Concert Series Lineup: 

June 16: Erin & The Wildfire [[indie-pop soul]] with Hustle Souls [[soul/rock]] 

July 21: Melt [[soulful indie/jam]] with Pink Beds [[danceable indie-pop]] 

August 18: Alexa Rose [[americana/folk]] with Aaron Burdett [[singer-songwriter]] 

September 15: The Wooks [[upbeat bluegrass]] with The Greybirds [[classic-style rock]] 

Opening acts will kick off each evening at 5:30 p.m. followed by the headliner performance from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. 

For the youngest in the family, the Hands On! Kid Zone will provide kid-friendly activities. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy downtown Hendersonville’s first fully integrated beer and wine garden featuring locally crafted drinks from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Guidon Brewing Co., Oklawaha Brewing Co., Dry Falls Brewery, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, Flat Rock Cider Company and Bold Rock Hard Cider.  

All net proceeds from adult beverage sales will benefit the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville 501c3 nonprofit, whose mission is to identify, preserve and enhance the key factors that contribute to the authentic small town urban character of historic downtown Hendersonville. In the past year, the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville has supported downtown businesses with over $35,000 in direct business support through the façade and pivot grant programs. 

New in 2021, R&B Super Fan Tent provides an enhanced experience with a shaded viewing area including beer, wine and light refreshments from Moe’s BBQ. Individuals can become R&B Super Fans by purchasing a season package sponsorship for $200. The package includes two sponsor tent tickets to each show and two R&B season t-shirts. Becoming a R&B Super Fan sponsor support will not only help sustain R&B, but other Downtown Program events including Hendersonville Farmers Market, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk, and more. Visit the event website for more information on how to become a Super Fan. The Super Fan Tent is supported by B Squared Realty. 

Looking for a fun volunteer opportunity? Lending your time at Rhythm & Brews is a great way to meet new people and get involved in a community event. Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to get started. 

Rhythm & Brews Concert Series was started in 2013 by Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, a 501c3 nonprofit operated by the Downtown Division of the City of Hendersonville Community Development Department. For more information, visit downtownhendersonville.org.  

We are shamelessly drumming up attention for our exciting new program at Lake Julian Park. Starting Thursday, March 31, Buncombe County Recreation Services is hosting a drum circle on the last Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The only thing you need to bring is yourself and a drum, and then just let the rhythm and beautiful scenery do the work as you enjoy the beat and comradery of fellow percussionists.

All experience levels are welcome, and registration is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Park Ranger Zach Hickok at (828) 684-0376.

: Every Last Thursday until -Sept. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Park shelter number 2, Lake Julian Park, 26 Lake Julian R

Join us on Thursday evenings throughout the spring and summer for our free jazz hour. Host and composer, Michael Jefry Stevens will be joined by musician friends once a month for a live performance at the Enka Candler Library.

Program will be held in our community room. Masks are optional at this time, we ask you do what makes you feel comfortable. No registration required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Enka-Candler Library.

We are a group of women who love to sing a cappella harmony in a variety of styles. We are seeking Leads but welcome other parts too—Baritone, Bass, Tenor.
Because we care about quality, we require user -friendly auditions.

We meet weekly.

Check us out!

The Asheville Lounge Sessions

The Isis Music Hall will be hosting a brand-new weekly series called The Asheville Lounge Sessions. Featuring and focusing on area vocalists, the 90 minute dinner and a showcase will take place in the intimate upstairs lounge.

Veteran guitarist and accomplished songwriter, Jonathan Pearlman who once hosted the area’s premiere and time-honored Thursday night Jazz Jam in downtown Asheville, will reprise his band leading role for this series. He will direct a rotating-member house band that will back up local vocalists performing various styles of music each Thursday night beginning at 7pm.

Opening the showcase each week, and serving as MC will be Best In Blues Chanteuse, Peggy Ratusz. While the crux of each month of Thursdays will feature singers in the upstairs lounge, occasionally Jonathan and Peggy will switch things up and become hosts of The Asheville Jam Session starting at 8:30pm downstairs on the main stage. For these nights, area musicians and musician-vocalists will jam the night away for 2 hours of impromptu, extemporaneous Blues and Jazz music!

Tickets on Sale now – Please Call the Venue at 828-575-2737

Seated Lounge Show – Limited Tables Available with a Dinner Reservation :: Please Call Venue for Dinner Reservations

Esteemed Swiss conductor Matthias Bamert returns to Brevard to celebrate his 80th birthday with one of the Romantic era’s greatest symphonic works.

PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Brevard Music Center Orchestra
Matthias Bamert, conductor
Gabriela Martinez, piano

JOACHIM RAFF Overture to Dame Kobold
CLARA SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

Auditorium seating is reserved.  Lawn seating is general admission.

The Dirty Grass Players, a four-piece new-grass band from Baltimore, is known for having one toe-tappin’ foot in traditional bluegrass while pushing boundaries with their blazing musicianship. Composed of Connor Murray on bass, Alex Berman on vocals & banjo, Ben Kolakowski with the guitar & vocals, and Ryan Rogers on mandolin, they have been bringing their growing fanbase a down and dirty performance for over five years.

Their ability to seamlessly transition from down-home bluegrass to spirited improvisation makes each performance unique. Mix in some Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, or a dash of southern rock and you’ll quickly understand what they mean by “Dirty Grass”.

Entering into their sixth year together, The Dirty Grass Players just released their 2nd studio album, “Beneath the Woodpile”. Put together with alluring harmonies, lyrics, and melodies, the band presents a sound precisely at the crossroads of traditional and progressive bluegrass. This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill bluegrass album or band; it’s cathartic and dirty grass.