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.

Virtually enjoy the process of marbling, the antique process of floating paint on a thickened water surface. Watch as Pam Granger Gale drops paint onto the surface and each drop expands. More and more paint drops push others around without mixing. Then combs and rakes are used to create both historical and freeform patterns. Paper is placed on the surface and captures this monoprint forever.

We’re starting something new for you all: Wednesday Night Date Night! Join us for dinner from 5-9PM every Wednesday for a fun evening with a great deal.
For $27, you’ll get your choice of two small salads or one large salad, one appetizer, and one pizza (specialty or a 3-topping BYO) from Grata Pizzeria. Add two UpCountry beers for a total of $37.
See you here!
A Wednesday tradition at Oklawaha Brewing Company
The French Broad Valley Music Association: FBVMA jam session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs. Carol Rifkin and John Mitchell cohost weekly, bring an instrument to play or just enjoy the music, its free, kid friendly, donations encouraged.
Key Players are intermediate to advanced but beginners are most welcome and encouraged to attend to listen, learn/quietly play along. More experienced players sit in the inner circle and take turns choosing fiddle tunes or songs. Guests, families and kids are invited to listen and often sing along. This style of community play has been used to entertain and pass down music to kids for generations.
The French Broad Valley Music Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to celebrate local musical heritage. “Our community. Our music. Our sense of place.”

Join us at Archetype Brewing in West Asheville every Wednesday as we kick-off the Jus’ Running Pub Run for 2020!
GUIDELINES: Due to Covid, we have enacted new Pub Run guidelines and will be practicing proper social distancing.
**Rolling Start: Participants will begin their run anytime between 6:00pm and 6:30pm which is meant to disperse runners.**
**Participants must have masks “on-hand” at all times. Masks must be worn when at the brewery (unless at your table). Masks are not required to be worn when actually running, but you must have one in your possession “ready to deploy” if necessary.**
Where: Archetype Brewing West at 265 Haywood Rd
When: Every Wednesday, rolling start from 6pm-6:30pm
What: A casual 4-mile or 2.5-mile jog through West Asheville. Route is similar to last year’s with minor modifications.
All paces are welcome! Please email [email protected] for more information or visit our Pub Run Facebook page.
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Artists Collective | Spartanburg 2020 Juried Exhibition4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA We have struggled with whether to cancel this exhibit or not. We know that artists need this type of exhibit more than ever so we are continuing as planned. The dates are Sept. 15 – Oct. 17. There will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at a given time. The exhibit can be viewed during normal business hours. Last year this was a very successful event and prizes totaled $4500. We plan the same this year. |
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Calling all families! If you visit the Museum with children and/or participate in the Museum’s family programs (or might in the future!), we want to hear from you. As we transition family programs to virtual or small-group in-person formats, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you this fall. We’re giving away a FREE guest pass to one of the first 50 people to fill out the survey.
We’re excited to now offer curbside pickup on Monday and Saturday afternoons and Thursday mornings for your purchases from the Museum Store! Browse the selection of apparel, books, handcrafted jewelry and art, inspiring toys, and more online. Simply select “pickup” at checkout, and we’ll contact you to find a time that fits your schedule.
The Battery Park end of the Grove Arcade is home to the Makers Market, an outdoor bazaar with a dozen stalls filled by artisans selling their craft directly to the public. The market is now accepting vendor applications for local artist to sell their wares, and the application fee is currently waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the process and vendor regulations, as well as how to apply, here.

100% grassfed ground beef. Balanced at a perfect 80% lean, 20% fat blend, every bite of this ground beef is delicious and flavorful. Whether you’re spending the day out at the grill, or perfecting your signature spaghetti sauce recipe, Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s ground beef provides an exceptional and nutritious staple to your cooking adventures.
Always 100% grassfed, always 100% hormone and antibiotic free.
Ground Beef is cryovac packed and frozen. If kept frozen, maintains a 12 month shelf life from pack date.
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Now available as Video On Demand!
All tickets are $25.00 plus taxes and fees and benefit ACT.
Asheville Community Theatre’s annual fundraiser Costume Drama: A Fashion Show is a fashion show where designers create garments from unconventional materials. Twelve designers competed in this year’s challenge, four were chosen as category winners – and one was named the Best in Show winner.
As in years past, Best in Show will receive a $500 prize, and the other 3 winners will each receive a $250 prize. Winners are revealed at the end of the broadcast!
Costume Drama: A Fashion Show originally aired on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Video On Demand of this show will be available for purchase until September 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

Apply to become a Featured Artist
https://sandhillartists.com/featured-artists/
28806, 28715, 28728, 28716, and 28810 are the eligible zip codes for entry.

| The Omni Grove Park Inn is revolutionizing the National Gingerbread House Competition – the largest in the world! – for the 2020 holiday season to ensure that the competition’s legacy built on design, innovation and tradition continues safely for future generations.
The competition will continue virtually without a public display of Gingerbread Houses at the historic hotel due to social distancing requirements surrounding COVID-19. Considering this, the hotel is generating engaging experiences in place of a physical display, including socially distanced alternatives for hotel guests and fans at-home to view the Gingerbread finalists, to be announced in the coming weeks. Gingerbread lovers of all ages and skillsets are encouraged to enter the competition beginning August 26, 2020 and dream up the ultimate confectionary creation for the chance to win cash and prizes. A renowned group of food, arts and media professionals – including Food Network star Carla Hall – will formally judge the Gingerbread designs both virtually and in-person. Additionally, in lieu of an in-person August Gingerbread Workshop, the hotel will release a Digital Gingerbread Tool Kit including tips and tricks on how to digitally showcase their creations as well as the rules for entry in the new competition format. |
| Please visit The Omni Grove Park Inn’s website for competition updates:
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Caldwell Arts Council announces its “Western NC Regional Online Poetry Competition,” featuring Final Judge Kari Gunter-Seymour, Poet Laureate of the state of Ohio and $1200 in total cash awards! Click here for a printable pdf of these guidelines.

Eligibility and Guidelines:
- Residents of the following 31 counties in western North Carolina are eligible to enter: Alexander,
Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Davie, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey. - The deadline for entry is midnight, September 15, 2020.
- Entrants must be at least 18 years of age at time of submission.
- Each entrant may submit up to two original poems.
- Cost to enter is $10 for up to two poems.
- All entries AND entry fees must be submitted electronically. See below for submission and payment details. No U.S.P.S. mailed entries, checks or cash will be accepted.
- Poems must not have been written before January 1, 2019.
- Previously published poems are not eligible for submission.
- Poems can be of any subject matter or style; however the Caldwell Arts Council reserves the right to decline the written or audible posting/performance of any entered poem to its website, or other Arts Council platform due to its unsuitability for wide audiences as determined solely by the Caldwell Arts Council.
- Poems must be submitted electronically as a WORD document using .doc or .docx as your file
extension. - Poems cannot exceed 100 lines.
- All poems must be single spaced, in Times New Roman font, and be 12pt. type.
- Winning entrants must agree to allow their poems to be posted on the Caldwell Arts Council’s website and/or to be used in subsequent marketing/promotional materials by the Caldwell Arts Council.
- Entrants reserve/keep all other publication rights.
- Caldwell Arts Council staff, board members and their immediate family members are ineligible to
enter.

When a friend gave Toland Sand a stained glass studio in 1977, he embarked upon a journey that would lead him to explore the myriad qualities that define glass as a medium. Sand’s 43 years as a sculptor has resulted in works of stained glass, blown glass, and every combination in between. A pioneer in utilizing the unique properties of dichroic glass, Sand begins his current sculpture with optical crystal and dichroic coated glass, hand worked by grinding in ever finer stages until a polish is achieved. Seeking balance, harmony, and symmetry, with an accent on deconstructed form, his work inhabits the symbolic, the cosmic, and the mystery. Sand is inspired by his peers as well as artists such as Isamu Noguchi, David Smith, Henry Moore, and Mark Rothko.
Sand’s work can be found numerous public and private collections including the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Neenah, WI, Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN, Imagine Museum, Sarasota, FL, and others.
Bender Gallery continues to be open and welcoming visitors into our gallery in limited numbers and with facemasks, of course. We remain dedicated to supporting our artists during these unprecedented times by making ourselves available almost anytime you wish to speak with us to answer questions and sharing their work online and through social media. We and our artists thank you for your support!

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!
Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.
Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.
GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.
Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).

Relax and unwind at the Arboretum’s “ArborEvenings” after hours series. Held every Thursday, June – October, from 6 to 9 p.m., visitors will sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens while enjoying live music amongst flowers and friends. Local beverages, including beer and wine, are available for purchase along with light food options.
Admission to ArborEvenings is free; however, standard parking fees apply to non-members.
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Mitch Fortune brings you an irreverent and nostalgia filled night of pop culture trivia every Thursday night 7-9 pm at the One Stop in Downtown Asheville. A potpourri of movies, music, TV show trivia just for you!
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Artists Collective | Spartanburg 2020 Juried Exhibition4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA We have struggled with whether to cancel this exhibit or not. We know that artists need this type of exhibit more than ever so we are continuing as planned. The dates are Sept. 15 – Oct. 17. There will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at a given time. The exhibit can be viewed during normal business hours. Last year this was a very successful event and prizes totaled $4500. We plan the same this year. |
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Calling all families! If you visit the Museum with children and/or participate in the Museum’s family programs (or might in the future!), we want to hear from you. As we transition family programs to virtual or small-group in-person formats, we need your feedback to create a model that will work for you this fall. We’re giving away a FREE guest pass to one of the first 50 people to fill out the survey.
Asheville Gallery of Art
August Show
“Vistas, Vibes and Visitors”
“Vistas, Vibes and Visitors” at Asheville Gallery of Art
Asheville Gallery of Art’s August show, “Vistas, Vibes and Visitors,” is a multi-artist show that highlights the diversity of our members’ art and celebrates all that makes Asheville great. The show runs August 1-31 during gallery hours to be announced.
We named this show after everything that best encapsulates what Asheville means to us as artists. We live in a corner of the world that is rich in vistas, whether we’re in town, roaming the mountains or looking out our windows. And the unique Asheville vibe never fails to give us energy and encouragement to be who we are. The show is also about our visitors who support and contribute to Asheville’s thriving art scene. While we’ve missed in-person interactions with tourists and local collectors lately, we look forward to opening our doors wide to everyone once again.
As a 31-member cooperative, Asheville Gallery of Art embraces the diversity of styles, techniques, mediums and viewpoints each of our artists uses to interpret both the inner and outer world. Even during this time of pandemic life, we have stayed connected to one another and to our resilient mountain community. We continue to focus on making new and exciting works and letting our art speak for us.
We wish to share this new work with you as soon as we can. Please look for our re-opening date and updated hours by visiting the gallery website at www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com, or find us on Facebook. While at our website, please be sure to visit our new online store.
In person event cancelled. NOW ONLINE!!
All proceeds of ticket sales and auction item purchases stay in Henderson County to benefit our mentor programs. Help us continue to Defend the Potential of children in our community!
BBBS Online Auction
Fundraiser to Ignite Potential in our Youth
We’re asking A Taste of the Vineyard supporters to consider a donation this year or by placing a bid on the auction.
Due to the pandemic, the live event is canceled at Point Lookout Vineyards.
Meanwhile consider a financial gift or bid to win items such as vacation getaways, original art, collectibles and more all up for auction.
Bidding is open through early October and there’s an option to buy NOW.
Remember your dollars go to support our one-to-one mentoring programs.
Together, We Ignite Potential.
We gladly accept your donations too.
The Battery Park end of the Grove Arcade is home to the Makers Market, an outdoor bazaar with a dozen stalls filled by artisans selling their craft directly to the public. The market is now accepting vendor applications for local artist to sell their wares, and the application fee is currently waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the process and vendor regulations, as well as how to apply, here.

100% grassfed ground beef. Balanced at a perfect 80% lean, 20% fat blend, every bite of this ground beef is delicious and flavorful. Whether you’re spending the day out at the grill, or perfecting your signature spaghetti sauce recipe, Hickory Nut Gap Farm’s ground beef provides an exceptional and nutritious staple to your cooking adventures.
Always 100% grassfed, always 100% hormone and antibiotic free.
Ground Beef is cryovac packed and frozen. If kept frozen, maintains a 12 month shelf life from pack date.
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|
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Now available as Video On Demand!
All tickets are $25.00 plus taxes and fees and benefit ACT.
Asheville Community Theatre’s annual fundraiser Costume Drama: A Fashion Show is a fashion show where designers create garments from unconventional materials. Twelve designers competed in this year’s challenge, four were chosen as category winners – and one was named the Best in Show winner.
As in years past, Best in Show will receive a $500 prize, and the other 3 winners will each receive a $250 prize. Winners are revealed at the end of the broadcast!
Costume Drama: A Fashion Show originally aired on Saturday, August 8, 2020. Video On Demand of this show will be available for purchase until September 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

Apply to become a Featured Artist
https://sandhillartists.com/featured-artists/
28806, 28715, 28728, 28716, and 28810 are the eligible zip codes for entry.






