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 spring garden bingo card comes from our Growing Minds Farm to School Program, but anyone can play! Get a printable version of the card here or find more spring learning resources for kids here.
Did you know Buncombe County is actively involved in an important initiative aimed at more accurately reflecting the history of racial and economic injustice? The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a part of the Equal Justice Initiative’s nationwide effort to work with counties to raise more awareness about individuals lynched in our County. Further, the project is working to bring about community healing concerning Jim Crow-era discrimination, mass incarceration, state-sanctioned violence, contemporary racial trauma and violence, and other important issues.
The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a partnership with multiple local organizations that all recognize the need to publicly acknowledge and educate the public about racial issues. This work ties into the County’s 2025 Strategic Plan which is focused on equity defined as: Systems, policies, and practices that support equity for all people and an organizational culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. To learn more about the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, click here.
MLK Youth Scholarship
Martin Luther King Junior’s work to advance equal rights was pivotal in helping shape today’s landscape. There is much work still to be done, but his legacy continues to inspire generations. Buncombe County strives to be a place where Dr. King’s vision is realized by prioritizing equity and being intentional about highlighting racial injustice through initiatives such as the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, our Racial Equity Action Plan, and other efforts.
To further honor Martin Luther King Junior’s legacy, Buncombe County wants to ensure students are aware of the MLK Youth Scholarship for Buncombe County residents. Applications are due April 15, learn more here.
Erica was a HUGE supporter of my farm and was a major part in my expansion. Without the support and help from her, I am not sure I could have done this!
The purpose of the Mentor Services program is to support beginning and intermediate farmers by partnering them with experienced regional farmers who can provide them with one-on-one practical planning skills in the areas of:
- farm design and production
- marketing and business development
- systems management
- connecting them to the regional farming community
By serving as Mentors, regional farmers will be able to pass on the skills and knowledge that they possess to other farmers and help to build collaboration and community among the farming community.
Who is eligible to apply
We are looking for farmers who have been farming at least 1 year and/or have worked as a farm manager.
Preference is given to graduates of Farm Beginnings® (or other relevant farmer training programs) and members of CRAFT.
Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis. Farming partners who apply jointly will receive one mentor.
We are also offering a limited number of mentorships focused on forest farming, in partnership with Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition. These will be offered as free or reduced fee mentorships. If you are interested, you can indicate that on your application.
The construction of the Mountain Division of the Western North Carolina Railroad is widely considered one of the greatest human accomplishments in regards to both engineering and construction ever undertaken at the time it occurred. The project took place over a period of several years in the late 1800s. Many people are aware that the railroad provided the first dependable access to and from much of Western North Carolina for the rest of the state as well as much of the nation. Many also know the names of some of those who were instrumental in seeing through the completion of this ambitious project. Names such as Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews, of Andrews’ Geyser fame. However, what most people are unaware of is that at least 95% of the labor which built the railroad across the Blue Ridge Escarpment was completed by inmates from the North Carolina State Penitentiary… and approximately 98% of those inmates were African American men… the majority of whom were unjustly imprisoned…
This project was created to share the true story behind this human endeavor and to honor the memory of those who labored and those who died here.
Western North Carolina has a rich assortment of county historical societies, archives, and museums. The Western North Carolina Historical Association seeks to help researchers, historians, genealogists, and the general public take full advantage of these resources.
Need help with your farm, garden, or homestead?
Contact us for a free 20 minute call helping you to identify your needs and goals and assess which service might be right for you. We offer a wide variety of consulting services—with hourly follow-up support and reduced fees available—including:
- Assessment of land that you own or want to purchase.
- Sustainability systems on your farm, garden, or homestead.
- Guidance for your land-based project.
How the process works:
Step 1: We talk on the phone to identify your goals and needs.
Step 2: We select a service and price that best meets your needs.
Step 3: We set up a time for an in-person site visit or video call
Step 4: We coach you through a self-assessment process.
Step 5: We have our virtual or in-person site visit.
Step 6: We invoice you.
Step 7: We follow up with you with next steps, referrals, report, etc.
Projects Suitable for Consulting
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| Contained by its larger growing neighbor (Asheville), the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, and the Southern Railway line, the Town of Victoria existed from 1887 until 1905, when it was absorbed into Asheville. The community—which included the Smith-McDowell House and Fernihurst mansion—originally incorporated into a town to prevent unwanted development (particularly from the Vanderbilts). |
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Join a Park Naturalist to meet some of our resident Animal Ambassadors. Participants will learn what kind of wildlife inhabits the Park and their important role in the ecosystem. You might even leave with a newfound appreciation for critters you once misunderstood.
What can cave microbes tell us about possible life on Mars? Join us on Zoom for a fascinating talk by Dr. Diana Northup, as she takes us exploring lava caves.
Diana Northup has been studying things that live in caves since 1984. She has a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of New Mexico. She and her colleagues on the SLIME (Subsurface Life In Mineral Environments) Team are investigating how microbes help form the colorful ferromanganese deposits that coat the walls of Lechuguilla and Spider Cave in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Diana has been honored by having her work featured on NOVA and by being asked to serve as a Guest Editor for Geomicrobiology Journal for a special issue on Geomicrobiology of Caves. She is also the recipient of a Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation grant to study the impact of humans on microbial populations in caves.
What we’re about
If you are excited by science – whether or not you are a science professional – and you live in the Western North Carolina area, then the Asheville Science Tavern is a great meetup for you. We are part of a movement of science socials such as Science Cafes (http://www.sciencecafes.org/) and Cafe Scientifique (http://www.cafescientifique.org/). Our mission is to humanize science and scientists – sharing the work of science in a way that is warm, engaging, often funny, inspiring, even beautiful.
The Speakeasy is designed to use improv for positive change through fast-paced play and collaboration. Through teaching the deeper nature of improv, The Speakeasy aims to inspire Artists to stay actively engaged in their craft, grow as individuals, and contribute to the growth of their artistic community. We want our community to have a blast, grow as people, and feel comfortable doing exactly what our name says… speak easy! Instructor Tim Hearn’s approach to both the arts as well as the craft of teaching prioritizes the process of play over the final result. He implements the rules of improv as a philosophy for living and as an indispensable tool for performance.
The first course offered will be “The Fellowship,” Sundays or Mondays at 7:00pm, beginning March 7th and running for 10 weeks. With specific learning targets addressed through a focus on process over product, this course is suited to new students who have never before taken an improv class as well as to seasoned improvisers looking for a new take on familiar techniques. Each week offers a distinct lesson designed to ensure students learn through group experience and active play. Classes will be in-person with enrollment limited to ten students, and all COVID precautions will be observed. Location is TBD.
More information about Speakeasy Improv, the curriculum, and enrollment can be found at: https://themagnetictheatre.org/speakeasy-improv
For questions, please contact Artistic Director
1918 vs. 2020
In the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, we take an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.
#WNCFORTHEPLANET
April is Earth Month, and for all of you looking for ways to help our beautiful mother Earth, we’ve got you covered. This year 6 of the partnering environmental organizations have gathered various way for you to enjoy nature, learn new things about the environment, and help protect our local ecosystems. By participating in some of these activities, you can be entered to win a bundle of goodies. Here’s how it works:
- Click on each bingo square to learn more about that activity.
- Use this printable bingo card to track the activities you complete.
- Once you’ve completed a row or column on the bingo card, email your filled out bingo card to [email protected]
- For every row or column that you complete you’ll get one entry into the drawing for a swag bag prize bundle.
This spring garden bingo card comes from our Growing Minds Farm to School Program, but anyone can play! Get a printable version of the card here or find more spring learning resources for kids here.
Did you know Buncombe County is actively involved in an important initiative aimed at more accurately reflecting the history of racial and economic injustice? The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a part of the Equal Justice Initiative’s nationwide effort to work with counties to raise more awareness about individuals lynched in our County. Further, the project is working to bring about community healing concerning Jim Crow-era discrimination, mass incarceration, state-sanctioned violence, contemporary racial trauma and violence, and other important issues.
The Buncombe County Remembrance Project is a partnership with multiple local organizations that all recognize the need to publicly acknowledge and educate the public about racial issues. This work ties into the County’s 2025 Strategic Plan which is focused on equity defined as: Systems, policies, and practices that support equity for all people and an organizational culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. To learn more about the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, click here.
MLK Youth Scholarship
Martin Luther King Junior’s work to advance equal rights was pivotal in helping shape today’s landscape. There is much work still to be done, but his legacy continues to inspire generations. Buncombe County strives to be a place where Dr. King’s vision is realized by prioritizing equity and being intentional about highlighting racial injustice through initiatives such as the Buncombe County Remembrance Project, our Racial Equity Action Plan, and other efforts.
To further honor Martin Luther King Junior’s legacy, Buncombe County wants to ensure students are aware of the MLK Youth Scholarship for Buncombe County residents. Applications are due April 15, learn more here.
No matter how thorough and fair a reappraisal may be, there are still instances when only the property owner has all the information necessary for an accurate appraisal. Informal appeals for the tax year 2021 can be filed anytime between Jan. 1-April 28, 2021. Additionally, anyone receiving a change of value notice after April 1, 2021 has thirty days from that notice date to file an appeal.
Asheville’s economic and building boom of the 1920s created a rarified atmosphere unique within Western North Carolina. Douglas Ellington is known as the architect who changed Asheville into an Art Deco showplace. With his ability to combine architectural styles he produced a series of one of a kind buildings—buildings which changed the face of Asheville—the City Building, Asheville High School, First Baptist Church and S&W Cafeteria. Douglas Ellington: Asheville’s Boomtown Architect presents a look at his iconic Asheville creations along with other buildings he completed throughout his career in other cities.
WINNER of a 2014 Griffin Award for Excellence in Education from the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County
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Branding: Every Business Needs a Good Brand
No cost due to sponsor support
Your brand is more than your name or your logo. It describes the value you bring to your customers and the experience you strive to give them. A good brand will distinguish your company from its competitors, attract customers, and improve sales. In this seminar, you will receive an overview on the elements of a good brand, how to create and promote your brand, how to increase the impact of your brand, and when it is appropriate to consider changing or updating your brand. This is an introductory branding seminar intended for those starting a business as well as for existing business owners needing a good brand. Elements of a good brand include: name, matching domain name, logo, tagline, brand story, brand promise, elevator pitch, company culture, right pricing strategy, brand font and colors that work together to “attract” new customers and “retain” existing customers. With this seminar, you will get a checklist to guide you in creating your new brand or evaluate your existing brand.
This webinar may be converted into an in-person seminar, pursuant to state recommendations. Attendees will be notified by email if the class type is changed.
Speaker(s): Gary Heisey
Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce
Webinar info will be emailed after registration.
Come join the amazing Chris Martin on a fun filled improv journey through all of our favorite improv games and some new surprises. Don’t miss the chance for some hilarious and silly rounds of Waiter, Waiter!, Changing Channels, Night at the Museum, and so much more! The class includes fun warm-ups, “Yes And” exercises, and a showcase during the last class.
A limited number of scholarships are available for this class. CLICK HERE TO APPLY. Please do not purchase registration prior to applying. Applications must be received by 2:00pm on Monday, March 8, 2021 for consideration. Please contact Amanda at [email protected] with questions.
Bring stories and songs to life in this wacky virtual theatre class combining children’s literature, creative movement, acting, and music! With fun, on-your-feet activities and games that focus on creative play and improvisation, this high-energy class is perfect for little kids with BIG imaginations.
Instructor: Tania Battista
Registration Begins March 8
Registration Begins March 8
Dive into the development of fun characters in this imaginative, four-week acting class where students create their own original characters! Through a series of on-your-feet improv games, activities, and creative prompts, young artists will learn to follow their instincts and celebrate their individuality.
This six-part class follows the path of Impressionism through watercolor. Examine works by French and American Impressionists, both historical and contemporary, and explore watercolor techniques to interpret light and atmosphere in the iconic Impressionist style. Presented in conjunction with Across the Atlantic: American Impressionism Through the French Lens. This program takes place via Zoom; space is limited. Generous support for exhibition programming provided by Art Bridges. More info and register at ashevilleart.org/events.
Mound and village sites like Kituwah, Nikwasi, and Cowee are prominent places in the Cherokee heartland of western North Carolina. Despite a history of encroaching development and site destruction, these resilient places serve as sacred and enduring monuments to Cherokee communities. Drawing on recent scholarship from archaeology, indigenous studies, and Cherokee cultural experts, Dr. Ben Steere argues that Cherokee mounds and towns are not only sites of historical importance, but are also integral, living parts of the cultural landscape of the Southern Appalachian mountains.
About the Presenter: Dr. Ben Steere is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Western Carolina University, where he teaches courses in anthropology and archaeology and directs the Cherokee Studies program. He received his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Georgia in 2011. His primary areas of interest for research and teaching include Cherokee archaeology, household archaeology, indigenous archaeology, and regional settlement pattern studies. He has worked on collaborative archaeological research and preservation projects with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians since 2011. In 2016 he received the Principal Chief Leon D. Jones Award for Archaeological Excellence, presented by the Eastern Bands of Cherokee Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
Elevate your voice through poetry and prose in an all-new virtual writing and performance class led by professional poet, actor, and improvisor TJ Simba-Medel. In a fast-paced class that celebrates individuality and expression, teen artists will explore foundational writing and performance skills through prompts, group sharing, and private coaching. Silence your inner critic and amplify your confidence as you discover the power of sharing your own unique story.
We are offering you and your friends the opportunity to join us and refresh your musical and associated skills.
We are asking everyone who joins us to contribute $50 to pay for expenses and help raise funds in order to resume auditions and rehearsals in September. Please send a check for $50 to Carolina Concert Choir, P.O. Box 962, Hendersonville, NC 28793 or use the PayPal link below.
Spring Agenda:
March 1: Intro to Stephen Paulus’ “Prayers and Remembrances” for the 9/11 Concert**
with Dr. Michael Lancaster
March 8: “The Vocal Mechanism and How to Care for It”
with Dr. Neuenschwander, ENT
March 15: “Lyrics Methodology – Ken Burns Civil War Theme put to Psalm”
with Aloha Smith
March 22: “The World History of Music in 30 Minutes”
with Virginia Erwin
March 22: “The Sacred Harp and the American Shaped Note Tradition”
Alan Bowen
April 5: Intro to René Clausen’s “Memorial” for the 9/11 Concert**
Dr. Michael Lancaster
April 12: “Breathing and Vocal Stretching Exercises”
with Katie Cilluffo
April 19: “Creating Artistic Videos on your Smart Phone”
with Diane Dean, Pres. Henderson Arts League Member
April 26: “Your Instrument as Your Voice”
with the Hendersonville Symphony
May 3: “The Role of Your Arts Council in Promoting the Arts”
with Hannah Duncan, ED Arts Council
**It is very helpful to purchase the CDs to learn and read the lyrics for the “Prayers and Remembrances” concert classes.
CD for René Clausen – “Memorial” – Concordia Recordings
CD for Stephen Paulus – “Far in the Heavens” – True Concord Voices & Orchestra with Eric Holtan, Conductor