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.

This comedy is often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancée say? The plot, of course, thickens! Directed by Jim Reid and performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.

This comedy is often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancée say? The plot, of course, thickens! Directed by Jim Reid and performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.
Friday: Tinctures, Teas, and Oils for Your Home Medicine Cabinet taught by Noelle Fuller
Medicinal herbs are a powerful way to promote health and prevent disease. The best way to benefit from their healing properties is to use them consistently and regularly. In this accessible and hands-on workshop, Noelle Fuller, herbalist and farmer, with a background in nutrition and horticulture, will teach about simple everyday ways to match herbs with the best medicine making methods for your desired health outcome. This interactive workshop is comprised of lecture, hands-on herbal processing, taste testing, and handouts that will give you confidence for working with herbal preparations for you and your family.
Some of the plants we’ll be working with include: Holy basil, hibiscus, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, ginger, parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, roses, lambsquarters, purslane, calendula, peppermint, dandelion, chickweed, violet, and more!
Rob Christensen is a stand up comedian, writer, and actor who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY – when it was still dangerous. He now lives in Los Angeles, CA where he’s all about that salad life. Rob’s unique humor is smart, self-reflective, spirited, and informed by his experiences back in Brooklyn as an illegal graffiti artist, freestyle rap battler, raver, hooligan and eventual U.S. Air Force Sergeant. Overall, Rob is generally known as a bad-ass ruffian, which does not preclude him from regularly cuddling with baby animals.
Rob had one of the best sets of his life taping THIS IS NOT HAPPENING for Comedy Central and one of the best weekends of his life taping ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY for Comedy Central. He had one of the worst sets of his life taping LAST COMIC STANDING for NBC where Roseanne Barr told him, “I didn’t like you from the moment I saw you.”
Follow him @RobLovesBagels on Twitter and Instagram or get more info at BrooklynRob.com
Featuring Jess Cooley
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
Friday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-friday-tickets-67283704371
Saturday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-saturday-tickets-67287882869
Rob Christensen is a stand up comedian, writer, and actor who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY – when it was still dangerous. He now lives in Los Angeles, CA where he’s all about that salad life. Rob’s unique humor is smart, self-reflective, spirited, and informed by his experiences back in Brooklyn as an illegal graffiti artist, freestyle rap battler, raver, hooligan and eventual U.S. Air Force Sergeant. Overall, Rob is generally known as a bad-ass ruffian, which does not preclude him from regularly cuddling with baby animals.
Rob had one of the best sets of his life taping THIS IS NOT HAPPENING for Comedy Central and one of the best weekends of his life taping ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY for Comedy Central. He had one of the worst sets of his life taping LAST COMIC STANDING for NBC where Roseanne Barr told him, “I didn’t like you from the moment I saw you.”
Follow him @RobLovesBagels on Twitter and Instagram or get more info at BrooklynRob.com
Featuring Jess Cooley
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
Friday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-friday-tickets-67283704371
Saturday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-saturday-tickets-67287882869

Set amid the most turbulent social and political period of modern times, Ninth Street Women is the impassioned, wild, sometimes tragic, always exhilarating chronicle of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of 20th-century abstract painting—not as muses but as artists. These women changed American art and society, tearing up the prevailing social code and replacing it with a doctrine of liberation. In Ninth Street Women, acclaimed author Mary Gabriel tells a remarkable and inspiring story of the power of art and artists in shaping not just postwar America but the future.
| A mystery novel set in Yonah, N.C.

Friday Night- 6:30-8:30pm, Full Retreat (9/13 and 9/14)- 9:30am-5:30pm
Based his new book, Drinking from the River of Light, this Mark Nepo workshop will center on the lifelong process of listening, reflecting, and expressing, and on how bearing witness to the truth of living reveals the mysteries of life.
As no one can live without inhaling and exhaling, no one can live without feeling and expressing. The life of expression is how the heart breathes and how our spirit grows in the life that carries it. The life of feeling, dialogue, and writing, whatever form they take—poetry, story, memoir, or reflection—open us to a personal form of expression, a necessary conversation with the Universe that helps us move through obstacles and transitions. As meditation is an ancient art that deepens our relationship to how we breathe, writing and storytelling are ancient arts that deepen our relationship to all that matters. And just as the reward for practicing meditation is not that we’ll become great breathers but that we’ll become clear vessels of life-force, the reward for practicing a personal form of expression is not that we’ll become great writers or great storytellers but that such practice will help us be more resilient and wake closer to life.
In this Mark Nepo workshop, Mark will open a heart space through which participants can discover their own rhythms of expression. Through poetry, stories, and metaphors, Through reflection, journaling, and dialogue, each participant will have the chance to practice listening and expressing. We are constantly being shaped by life into finer instruments of care and expression. The deeper we go, the more attuned we become, and the more we join with everything around us. This workshop will help you to inhabit a personal form of expression, by which you can strengthen your connections and find your way.
Topics in this Mark Nepo workshop include “The Chord in Our Heart,” “What It Means to See,” “Bearing Witness,” “Unraveling the Self,” “Giving and Getting Attention,” “Breaking Surface,” “Understanding Practice,” and “Fitting Things Together.”
Mark Nepo is a poet and philosopher who has taught in the fields of poetry and spirituality for forty years. A New York Times #1 bestselling author, he has published fourteen books and recorded eight audio projects. Recent work includes: Reduced to Joy (2013), Seven Thousand Ways to Listen which won the 2012 Books for a Better Life Award, Staying Awake (2012), Holding Nothing Back (2012), As Far As the Heart Can See (2011), Finding Inner Courage (2011),and Surviving Has Made Me Crazy (2007), as well as audio books of The Book of Awakening, Finding Inner Courage, and As Far As the Heart Can See (2011). As a cancer survivor, Mark devotes his writing and teaching to the journey of inner transformation and the life of relationship.
Join Pisgah Art & Antique Market and Pisgah Brewing Company for our fall event! September 22 from 9am – 3pm
Local and regional vendors of vintage, antiques, art and handmade products are invited to join us in selling and showing your wares.
Apply Now!
https://goo.gl/forms/AzV10VIe1806UX4g1
$2 adult admission / kids FREE
Sam Evans is a comic originally from Cincinnati, OH. After relocating to New York, he was selected as one of the New Faces of the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in 2014. He has been featured on the Audible comedy podcast “Sounds Like America” and SiriusXM. He likes cats but not as much as dogs, and he would like you to teach him how to rollerblade.
Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-sam-evans-tickets-70085787477
This presentation will overview common misperceptions about treating athletes with eating disorders and will discuss how both research and clinical experience specific to this population can inform treatment. This workshop is appropriate for athletes, coaches, trainers, physicians, physical therapists, dietitians, and therapists.
Join Dogwood Alliance on Friday, September 27th for our annual Woods & Wilds Storytelling Event at The Mothlight in Asheville from 7-10pm. This year’s theme is “When the woods saved us and Why it’s dire to save them.” The evening will feature local storytellers as they share their stories of the wild! Join us as we celebrate 23 years of standing with the people and forests of the South!
Featuring Live Storytelling By: Nicole Townsend, Cortina Jenelle, Isa Abdul-Halim Whitaker, Indy Srinath, Ali McGhee, and more!
MC’s: Elizabeth Lashay Garland of Slay the Mic on 103.3 Asheville FM and Lucia Ibarra, The Wetland Wanderer of Dogwood Alliance
Tickets are $20. The link to purchase tickets will be shared on the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/484175115491529/
All proceeds go to Dogwood Alliance to protect Southern forests & communities.
Bring the kids and have a fun afternoon with face painting, children’s books and a dragon puppet! Jeff will be signing copies of “The Last Dragon and Other Tales” for purchase.
“Minimalia: The Commonwealth of Sentiments.”
Photography & Poetry by Oğuz Erdur
Also showing:
Sculptural & Functional Ceramics by Joey Sheehan
Opening reception – Sept. 28 • 6-9 pm
Exhibit through Dec. 30
“Minimalia: The Commonwealth of Sentiments.” is a new photographic exhibit of dream-like, surreal experimentations and poetry by Oğuz Erdur, assistant professor of anthropology at UNC Asheville, from Istanbul, Turkey. The collection of micro-photography images were made with a lensbaby lens. Lensbaby is a line of camera lenses for SLR cameras that combine a simple lens with a bellows or ball and socket mechanism for use in special-effect photography, often used in selective focus photography and bokeh effects. Featuring a hybrid collection of poems, photographic close-ups and prose reflections, the exhibition centers on themes of existential angst and the quest for meaning. Erdur will also be reading his poetry at the exhibit opening.
Joey Sheehan began his study in clay over 14 years ago when he received a BFA in ceramics from Virginia Tech. He completed a 2 year residency at the Odyssey Center and another year there as the studio technician, and has been making pots in Western North Carolina ever since. Sheehan is extremely interested in classical shapes and forms but with a contemporary look at surface. He works to build a relationship between the shape, function, and surface of each piece while also telling a story of the firing process. His work has been shown all over the eastern US and he is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the Piedmont Craftsman.
– The Venardos Circus, a unique Broadway-Style Circus will return to Asheville, NC with performances at Asheville Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC from October 2-20, 2019. Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos (veh-NARR-dos) in 2014, the Venardos Circus wraps world-class animal-free circus acts into a Broadway musical-style format dubbed, “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.” A big hit with local families in 2018, The Venardos Circus is excited to be back in town!
Guests can expect to be transported back in time to the center ring of a centuries-old tradition; but one that has been reinvented for the next generation. With an amazing assortment of aerialists, acrobats, juggling, hand-balancing/contortion, comedy, daredevilry, magic, musical production and much more, this amazing circus experience will truly delight adults and kids of all ages. Venardos Circus proudly features its own custom-made big-top, a classic red-and-white striped tent, with an intimate feel and limited seating. The circus performers also are the crew in this 15-person traveling tour who are completely self-contained, much like the original circus tradition.
“Circus is part of America’s cultural fabric and we want to keep that tradition alive for generations to come,” explained Ringmaster Kevin Venardos. “We look forward to bringing our Broadway-style circus show into Asheville again!”
An interactive pre-show party begins one hour before each show time with opportunities to meet the cast, snap selfies and play games. Classic circus treats like popcorn, nachos, fresh-made cotton candy and natural pink lemonade and more are available. The main event lasts approximately 90 minutes, with a brief intermission. Complete show schedule available at www.VenardosCircus.com.
General Admission Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth under 12 yrs. Babes in arms are free with a paying adult (24 months and younger). Premium Reserved seating is priced from $35 to $45.
Full details at www.Liveyourcircusdream.com.
About Venardos Circus
The Venardos Circus, a unique Broadway-Style Circus performance, has been touring the U.S. since its debut at the L.A. County Fair in 2014. It is reinventing the American Circus tradition for a new generation with Broadway-style flair; bringing joy to people across the U.S. Theatre lovers and nostalgic circus fans alike will appreciate the intimate experience and sentimental way the show pays homage to circus traditions through the lens of high-quality entertainment for a modern family audience
Free tours for North Carolina residents. Used book sale cake to celebrate!
…she gave to Luck’s Lad the title of Eugene, a name which, beautifully, means “well born,” but which, as any one will be able to testify, does not mean, has never meant, “well bred.”
Sola Salon Studios, the locally owned and operated home to multiple independent beauty salons, hosts a public open house on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, at its South Asheville location at 1636 Hendersonville Road. Visitors are invited to drop in between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to meet the salon owners, visit their unique studios, learn about the services that each business offers, collect beauty product giveaways, and enter free raffles for a variety of the luxury hair, skin, permanent makeup, and lash services offered by Sola’s salon owners. Light refreshments served.

Join us Tuesday, October 8 for our next Discussion Bound book discussion. Elizabeth Catte’s What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia is a frank assessment of America’s recent fascination with the people and problems of the region. The book analyzes trends in contemporary writing on Appalachia, presents a brief history of Appalachia with an eye toward unpacking Appalachian stereotypes, and provides examples of writing, art, and policy created by Appalachians as opposed to for Appalachians. The book offers a must-needed insider’s perspective on the region. Presented in conjunction with Appalachia Now!


Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
Lace Larrabee is back this October for two nights! She is bringing a whole new crew of very exhausted women from Atlanta!!!
Sponsored by BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair*
Tickets $12 General Admission, $18 VIP
FRIDAY NIGHT
~General Admission: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-totally-exhausted-women-friday-tickets-70459096053
~VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-lazoom-comedy-totally-exhausted-women-friday-vip-tickets-70459250515
SATURDAY NIGHT
~General Admission: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-totally-exhausted-women-saturday-tickets-70459996747
~VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-lazoom-comedy-totally-exhausted-women-saturday-vip-tickets-70460263545
*VIP tickets include VIP seating and a bag of BRÖÖ products valued at $15

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
With an even keeled delivery belying blistering takes, Norlex Belma has become one of the hottest comics working in New York City. Norlex got his start in one of the nation’s fastest growing comedy scenes, Pittsburgh, after attending Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Music. Norlex now resides back home in his native Brooklyn and has performed at clubs and colleges around the country including UCB NYC, Carolines on Broadway, The Stand, New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, The Comedy Studio in Boston, Pittsburgh Improv, The Grisly Pear, Zanies, The Blue Note, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, SUNY Oswego, and NYU. Norlex has opened for national headliners such as Gary Gulman, Emma Willmann, Jessica Kirson, Sam Tallent, Marina Franklin, Jermaine Fowler, The Lucas Brothers, Liza Treyger, and Rob Schneider.
In 2016, he was featured in the PBS documentary, The Comedy Confluence, detailing the rise of the Pittsburgh comedy scene.
Since then, he has been a part of the New York Comedy Festival, Red Clay Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Pittsburgh Comedy Festival, Oak City Comedy Festival in Raleigh, WDVE Comedy Festival, and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival. In the summer of 2018, Norlex headlined Carolines on Broadway as a part of the Breakout Artist Series.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-norlex-belma-tickets-71312622975
A new spooky book just in time for Halloween. Caitlin Donovan will present works from her young adult book “In The way of all Flesh” a paranormal fantasy novel; October 17th at 6:30 at the Firestorm bookstore in West Asheville. There will be giveaways, snacks and a Q&A session. Donovan has written for several magazines and blogs including Cracked, Anime feminist and Epicstream. She currently lives in Asheville and is working on a new book. For more information please visit caitlinalisedonovan.com###
Kevin O’Brien is Brooklyn based comedian, DJ, writer, and overall expressionist. A regular at clubs and colleges across the country he has opened for some of the biggest names in comedy from Dave Chappelle to Irene from “The Real World.” He has been featured on Viceland, the A.V. Club, and NPR. His comedy has been described as, “Very funny, very depressing” by Youtube commenter Ssgt Griggs. He has also appeared at a number of festivals including TruTv’s High Plains Comedy Festival, Laughing Devil Comedy Festival, and Fest in Gainesville.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-kevin-obrien-tickets-70194548785
– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)

Guests will hear a narration of Schulz’s “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” as the train travels to the Pumpkin Patch. Upon arrival, passengers will be greeted and have a photo opportunity with Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy. During your 1 hour and 30 minute layover, your activities to enjoy at The Great Pumpkin Patch will include:
- campfire marshmallows
- coloring station
- temporary tattoos
- trick or treating
- bouncy house (weather permitting)
- wagon rides
And kids, don’t forget to wear your Halloween costumes! There will be plenty of PEANUTS™ merchandise at the GSMR Gift Store and Train Museum! Each child will also select their own pumpkin from The Great Pumpkin Patch to take home.
– ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE BOOKS, CDs, DVDs, SIGNED BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
– BOOKENDS USED BOOK STORE – 1/2 off our usual low prices.
– COFFEE TABLE and CHILDREN’S BETTER BOOKS – Priced as marked. (Special 1/2 price sale on Sat.)
Notes:
– Credit Cards will be accepted.
– Parking: The Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be at the U.S. Cellular Center; special parking rates will be in effect.
– Safety & Fairness Rules will be observed in Bookends. (No personal rolling carts or baskets.)
