Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

Game Highlight: Dollar Dog Fridays

$1 Hot Dogs presented by Blossman Gas and Mix 96.5

Promotion: Tourists Fireworks Night

Every Sunday evening Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country

Having grown up working in his folks’ Memphis BBQ restaurant, Charlie Vergos is 100% Southern on the surface, but his erratic attention span, piano playing and wandering years spent in the comedy scenes of Memphis, New Orleans, Cape Town, Chicago, Brooklyn, and now post-pandemic Memphis have developed his act into a colorful rambling far more vibrant than a simple regional cartoon.

Since starting stand-up in 2009, Charlie has worked at The Onion, performed in clubs all over the country and several comedy festivals, including the Limestone Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull, 10,000 Laughs, and a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022, among several others. His debut album, Barbecue Rich, debuted at #1 on Apple Music in June 2020.

Featuring TBA

ages 18+

doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm

The Moppets present six student written and directed short plays June 2 & 3 at Attic Salt Theater.

“Kurt Vonnegut’s ‘2BR02B’ ” – Everything was perfectly swell. Or was it?
“The After School Superhero” – A small town where nothing happened and a hero no one asked for.
“A Holiday Song” – A grumpy businessman is warned to change his ways. Sound familiar? Prepare to be surprised.
“Mary, Mary” – A bloody history explored through the lens of a nursery rhyme.
“Salome” – A humorously re-told act in one tragedy.
“Swords, Lights and Nuts” – This is not your typical Nutcracker story.

By Andrew Lippa and John August
On the Steve Lloyd Stage
Directed by Candice Dickinson

What tall tales will we tell to be the hero of our own stories? 

When Will finds out his father is dying of cancer, he is on a mission to find the truth behind the tall tales his father has always told him. Audiences will be in awe as they travel back and forth from Will and Edward’s stark reality to the beautiful and larger than life fantasies of Edward Bloom’s past. This charming, warm hug of a musical features Southern-fried music from Andrew Lippa and is based on the 1998 novel by Daniel Wallace that also inspired the 2003 big-screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton. A musical for dreamers, this show has sweeping melodies, gorgeous dance numbers, and celebrates the imagination, culminating in a thrilling theatrical experience. Full of giants, witches, mermaids, and, of course, an exceptionally large fish, Big Fish is about what’s real and what’s fantastic, what’s true and what’s not true, what’s partially true and how, in the end, it’s all true.

Suitable for all audiences.

DA CLASSROOM AIN’T ENUF
By Charles Payne
Directed by Katie Jones

Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf is an exploration of the intersection of Black and Brown communities, particularly in and around the American educational system. The play features an ensemble of four actors who play teachers, students, and their families, and is a mix of poetry, prose, and music, with original tracks by composer Richard Jones. This choreopoem is inspired by the work of Ntozake Shange.

HAVING OUR SAY: THE DELANEY SISTERS’ FIRST 100 YEARS opens as 103-year-old Sadie Delany and 101-year-old Bessie Delany welcome us into their Mount Vernon, New York, home. As they prepare a celebratory dinner in remembrance of their father’s birthday, they take us on a remarkable journey through the last hundred years of our nation’s history, recounting a fascinating series of events and anecdotes drawn from their rich family history and careers as pioneering African-American professionals. Their story is not simply African-American history or women’s history. It is our history, told through the eyes of two unforgettable women as they look not only into the past, but also ahead into the twenty-first century.

All shows will be at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater in the Montford District of Asheville, and all will be presented absolutely FREE of charge!
Written and Directed by Skyler Goff
This World Premiere was penned by local playwright Skyler Goff and tells of the continuing adventures of our favorite Lost Boy. A fantastical way to kick off our season!

All shows will run Fridays through Sundays and all will be presented at 7:30pm and prime seats can be reserved.

Montford Park Players has been bringing some of theater’s greatest works to Western North Carolina for over 50 years. Montford Park Players continues its mission of bring free theater to the community. The summer season allows everyone to come spend an evening under the stars, seeing some of the best live performances presented in Asheville.

Montford Park Players allows patrons to bring their favorite food and beverages to their shows and sells beer, wine and concessions at the shows. If you’ve never been to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre for a Montford show, there’s no better season than this one. If you have been, you know why you should come back and catch everything we have to offer!

By Lauren Gunderson

Produced by Immediate Theatre Project

Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.

From the people who brought you Silent Sky comes this grand and dream-tweaked comedy about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world.

Discretionary Content: Adult themes and badass ladies

John McEuen, born in Oakland, CA in 1945, moved to southern California’s Orange County with his family for high school years, where he thought his teenage dream job in Disneyland’s Magic Shop (at 16 years old) was “as good as it gets”. He and lifelong high-school friend both got that 1963 job (magic shop co-worker, Steve Martin) were 17 when music came along. After seeing Missouri bluegrass group The Dillards in an Orange County club, John’s life headed towards his new dream: make magic with music and be a traveling music man. Leaving his Garden Grove spawning ground, moving to Hollywood, dream became a reality more than imagined it could be!

In 1971 John initiated the landmark Will the Circle be Unbroken* album by asking musical mentors Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson to record; then with his brother Bill (band manager, record producer) it grew to inviting Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, ‘Bashful’ Brother Oswald, Vassar Clements, and Merle Travis to a

Nashville studio, hooking them up with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, for 5 magic hot August days of recording.

The now multi-platinum “Circle” is honored both by Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. * “One of the most important records to come out of Nashville…” Chet Flippo, Rolling Stone

Multi-instrumentalist McEuen (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, piano, dulcimer) recognized as a founding member and award-winning outstanding performer of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (50 years!), departed NGDB at the end of the 50th year anniversary tour Oct. 22, 2017 due to demands for his solo work. In addition to John’s

numerous solo accolades, NGDB was inducted in to Colorado Music Hall of Fame 2015. He covers it all in his highly praised book The Life I’ve Picked on Chicago Review Press, published April, 2018.

McEuen has made over 46 albums (7 solo) that have earned five platinum and six gold records, multiple Grammy Awards and nominations, CMA and ACM awards, an Emmy film score nomination, IBMA record of the year award, and performed on another 25 albums as guest artist. John’s production of Steve Martin – The Crow won the

2010 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy.

The Music of the Wild West CD- produced by McEuen, was honored with the Western Heritage Award. Other accolades include: Grammy nomination for String Wizards II; the Uncle Dave Macon Award (for excellence in preservation and performance of historic music); 2009 he was inducted in to the Traditional Country Music Hall

of Honor. As a producer/composer of film scores, John has produced award-winning projects of his own and for several other artists.

John has continually performed since 1963 – over 10,000 concerts, 300 television shows, 11,000 interviews and flown more than 4 million miles. In 2010 he was honored with the Best in the West Award solo performer from the Folk Alliance Organization.

McEuen’s rich history of creating, producing and preserving original and traditional

folk music earned him the 2013 Charlie Poole Lifetime Achievement Award.

McEuen joined forces with Martha Redbone in 2011 to co-write, arrange, perform on and produce her Garden of Love album where they put Englishman William Blake’s artful poetry of 200 years ago to the ‘Appalachian sound’. Playing a variety of instruments, he fit it to the musical landscape of the late 1800’s.

Made in Brooklyn. – (Stereophile Magazine's Record of the Month; winner: Independent Music Award’s Best Americana album in 2018), produced by John and David Chesky, earned rave reviews.

John was inducted in 2017 to the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame

John’s first book, The Life I’ve Picked on Chicago Review Press has over 100 5-star rave reviews on Amazon.

John’s popular Sirius/XM Acoustic Traveller Show, now in its 18th year, is found on The Village channel.

Radio Host, author, television show producer, writer, concert promoter, multi-instrumental musician, performer, magician, John McEuen continues to explore the music world. “I am grateful people continue to support what I do, as it excites me to continue making things. I feel like some of my best projects are ahead, like my next album out this summer on Compass Records! So many stories. so many songs, so many notes, so little time!”

• Visit the Artists Website
• Sample Video

This show will probably sell out in advance.

Thus, advance ticket purchases are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!

tickets: Matt Maeson – That’s My Cue Tour Tickets | Asheville, NC | The Orange Peel (etix.com)

Cost: no charge; no registration required

At this vendor’s booth, taste pure, raw, local honey, and safely observe a live honey bee hive.

Presented by HoneyBee Bliss, Randy and Pam Knowles.

Join us for this 5K Run for Life event hosted by Open Arms Pregnancy Center to help support women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies. This will be a run/walk-timed event to be held at The Park at Flat Rock located at 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock, NC US 28731 June 3,2023 with a start time of 8:30 AM.
Runners should register by May 14 to secure a T-shirt for the race.
Sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/FlatRock/Run4for5k
Those interested in sponsoring the event should contact Open Arms Pregnancy Center by May 15th to learn more. (Marlies Zerressen at [email protected] or Lydia Bright at 864-921-5770)
Open Arms’ ministry is love, our aim: to support and guide, our purpose: to serve God and preserve life. We provide a safe and supportive place for pregnancy related needs with ultrasounds, material and emotional support for those facing difficult circumstances or perhaps the loss of a child.
All are services are Free and Confidential.

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens

For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.

Pick-up location:

Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.

Cost: no charge

Reservation needed: contact [email protected] to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.

We’ve got magic to do just for you! We are beyond thrilled to invite you to our 77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre! Join us for a year of mystery and magic that is overflowing with spellbinding stories and captivating characters. Pippin Performances: September 15-October 8, 2023 Elf: The Musical Performances: December 1-23, 2023 Flyin’ West Performances: February 9-25, 2024 Matilda: The Musical Performances: April 12-May 5, 2024 Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps Performances: June 21-July 7, 2024 Find your corner of the sky! Whether you’re seeking the flexibility of choosing individual shows or the perks of a subscription, here’s everything you need to know in order to unlock the theatrical experience that’s right for you. June 1, 2023: Re-subscriptions Current Season Subscription holders get exclusive access to early bird prices and first choice of seating. June 14-27, 2023: Early Bird Subscriptions Reduced pricing for Season Subscriptions opens to the public and is available for two weeks. June 28, 2023: Season Subscriptions Regularly-priced Season Subscriptions go on sale for the remainder of the season. July 5-18, 2023: Single Tickets: Opening Weekend Discount  New this year! Tickets for opening weekends are offered at a discount: musicals are 2 for $60 and plays are 2 for $50 – with no maximum ticket limit. The opening weekend discount is only available during this time period and does not include Elf: The Musical. July 19, 2023: Single Tickets All tickets for all shows are now on sale!

No matter your age, background, or abilities, reading and learning together is a great way to build community, kindness, and compassion. This year’s Summer Learning Program theme encourages us all to come together to discover stories that spark our imagination. And there’s no better place to do that than at your public library!

On June 3, celebrate the start of summer with a carnival-inspired Summer Library Fest! Enjoy fun activities for the whole family, including a magician, balloon twisting, face painting, lawn games, bubbles, a live DJ, special activities led by community partners, and so much more! Popcorn and drinks will be served. This free event will be Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m.-noon at the East Asheville Library.

The 2023 Summer Learning Program runs June 1-August 31 and is open to everyone ages birth-18 years. To join the fun, visit any library location after June 1 to pick up an activity sheet or download one (attached below as a PDF). Complete four activities and return your sheet to the library to get a free book! For a complete list of summer program, check our calendar.

We can’t wait to see you at the library this summer!

Coming around again after a two-year breather: the 2023 Historic Montford Garden Tour, a favorite community fundraiser. The date is Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No rain date is scheduled, and organizers trust that the garden gods will produce fair weather.

Featuring eight wonderful gardens here and there around Montford, the Historic Montford Garden Tour makes a great day’s outing for residents plus their friends and families. Proceeds from this year’s event will go toward improvements to Montford Garden, located at the corner of Montford Avenue and East Wanetta Street.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Asheville Shop, Asheville Visitors Center, 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville, from May 21, 2023, through June 3, 2023, with cash or check only. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

On the day of the tour (Saturday, June 3, 2023), bring confirmation of purchase to the Asheville Visitors Center, 36 Montford Avenue, to pick up the tour guide that will also serve as your ticket to enter the gardens. Check-in at the Visitors Center will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Pets are not allowed in the gardens.

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community. The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am. No RSVP needed, just drop by! Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Kids’ Comedy Tour: Wildly funny, this educational and entertaining tour features the perfect blend of Asheville’s history and kid-centric comedy. Geared specifically toward the 5–12 year old crowd, you’ll explore the town with our famously outlandish tour guides leading the way.

• Perfect for birthday parties
• Makes for memorable school field trips
• Tickets are $27 per person
• Beverages available for purchase at the LaZoom Room
• Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue

Gather bathing suits and sunscreen, Buncombe County’s outdoor pools are getting ready to open. The County’s five outdoor pools will open for the 2023 season on May 27. This includes the pools at Cane Creek, Erwin, Hominy Valley, North Buncombe, and Owen.

Outdoor pools will be open on weekends only until area schools are out for the summer. Starting on June 10, Pools will be open seven days a week.

Pool hours are Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cost for pool entry is $3 per person.

Private lessons at the outdoor pools are available for different age groups from 3-year-olds and up. For more information on lessons or to register for a class, click here.

The pools can also be booked for private parties 14 days in advance and must have a minimum of 50 patrons. Pool bookings are available Monday through Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Click here for more information on booking pools.

Buncombe County Pool Locations:

• Cane Creek Pool – 590 Lower Brush Creek Road, Fletcher
• Erwin Pool – 58 Lees Creek Road, Asheville
• Hominy Valley Pool – 25 Twin Lakes Road, Candler
• North Buncombe Pool – 734 Clarks Chapel Road, Weaverville
• Owen Pool – 117 Stone Drive, Swannanoa

In addition, lap swimming is available year-round at the Buncombe County Schools Aquatics Center, a 10-lane pool managed by the YMCA of Western North Carolina and Buncombe County Schools.

For more information on outdoor pools, visit the County’s pool website or call (828) 348-4770.

June 3rd, from 2 to 5 pm, the baseball field at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center will be transformed into festival grounds, complete with music, games, dancing, water activities and Latin street foods.  A Mexican holiday generally celebrated at the end of April, “Día del Niño”, or day of the children, is returning to Cashiers in June. 

In Mexico, the holiday is as big as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day; shopping malls host special events, museums and zoos give special children’s discounts, and people hand out small, traditional toys to children they encounter throughout the day. Dia del Nino celebrates the contribution to a community that children bring, and is an opportunity to shower our kiddos with love.

The June 3rd event will feature games and activities for children and families, such as piñatas, traditional Mexican dancing, tug-o-war, foam party, sack races, water balloons, face painting, Zumba lesson, and musical chairs. Each child who attends will receive a free event t-shirt this year. There will also be refreshments, including tamales, popcorn, beverages, elotes, and….CHURROS! El Dia del Niño is completely free for all attendees and with so much fun planned, there’s bound to be endless smiles, laughter, new friends and memories!