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.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023
PEACE TALK: 1776
Jun 14 @ 6:00 pm
Peace Center--Ramsaur Studio

Broadway Peace Talks give audiences a deeper dive into the history, inspiration and people who bring our shows to life on stage.  Join Dr. Kristin Pressley (Dr. Broadway) and other Broadway lovers every month at the Peace Center for these presentations.

Sylvan Esso – No Rules (Tour)
Jun 14 @ 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Sylvan
                                                          Esso - No
                                                          Rules (Tour)

1776 the musical
Jun 14 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

What will it take to get two dozen powerfully passionate, exceedingly complicated, and all-too-human individuals to settle their differences, while they hold the very future of a nation in their hands? This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is tuneful, witty, and constantly surprising, especially in this revolutionary new production from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Violet) and Diane Paulus (Waitress) with a cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity. You may never think about our country—who we are and why—the same way again.

 

Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards

Book by Peter Stone

Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards

Choreography by Jeffrey L. Page

Direction by Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus

Cinderella: Enchanted
Jun 14 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

A fresh take on a timeless classic, perfect for the whole family. With great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits. Inspired by the acclaimed teleplay starring Whitney Houston and Brandy, this version of the magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance.

CHRIS DUARTE GROUP
Jun 14 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

CHRIS DUARTE GROUP
To classify Chris Duarte simply as a Blues Man is an understatement.  In his own words, “rockin’ blues” or ”punk blues” describes him best.  “Ferocious blues” also fits.  Legend has it that Chris will play so hard that his fingers bleed in a set.  The legend is true.  Photos attest.

Chris Duarte is a road warrior playing more than 150 dates a year.  As well, Chris has headlined major festivals and clubs throughout the US, Canada and Europe.

Chris is a savant, a sorcerer of tone, a master at channeling the spirits and sounds of great musicians of our past, while remaining completely recognizable in his own sound.  He has shared his stage with many of the greatest musicians of our time as well as the multitude of “young lions” and local musicians he meets on the road.  From his many years as a side man in Austin, he easily changes roles from front to side, graciously allowing all to share the conversation of the jam.

Chris Duarte’s music is ever changing.  In many interviews, he has said “Music must evolve.”  His own early offerings often become magical journeys into changing tempo and jazzy interludes before returning to their core.  With such a vast catalog of recordings, there are no two shows alike.  Every set list is different, and each song may be offered distinctly, based on the feel of a show and the audience.  For those reasons, loyal fans often return to a Chris Duarte show again and again, and always walk away awed and satisfied to have witnessed such a legendary, but humble guitarist.

The Chris Duarte Group emerged on the scene out of Austin, Texas in the early 90’s and gained notoriety after wowing a packed room of industry insiders at the South X Southwest convention. In the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing, Duarte quickly gained a National reputation as young man imbued with a playing style comparable at times to the late guitarist. After fielding interest from a number of labels, Duarte signed to Silvertone Records and his debut album “Texas Sugar/Strat Magik” reportedly sold in excess of 100,000 units in the United States, no small feat for a blues/rock guitarist. This coupled with Duarte’s strong commitment to touring, was the impetus for Chris’ winning the “Best New Talent” in Guitar Player’s 1995 Reader’s Poll. He also finished fourth in the magazine’s “Best Blues Guitarist” category that year behind legends Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy and B.B. King.

Thursday, June 15, 2023
Asheville Art Museum 75th Anniversary Spring Annual Fund
Jun 15 all-day
online w/ Asheville Art Museum

Celebrate with us by contributing to the future of the arts in Western North Carolina.

 

Make your 75th Anniversary Spring Annual Fund donation today!

! The Diamond Anniversary is a time to honor our rich heritage and—more importantly—envision our future as the premier visual arts organization in this vibrant, creative region.

 

Founded in 1948 by a group of local artists to showcase the scope and depth of creativity in Western North Carolina (WNC), the Museum brings art of international significance to the region and encourages lively, diverse dialogue.

 

The Museum’s original home was a modest, unheated, three-room building on Charlotte Street in the former sales office of Dr. E.W. Grove. The building was designed by Richard Sharp Smith and provided to the Museum by the City of Asheville. Exhibitions by local painters and sculptors could only be staged in warmer weather, and Sunday afternoon receptions gave the community an opportunity to view original art and to listen to artists talk about their work. By the 1950s, the Museum had become an invaluable part of Asheville’s cultural life. It also began acquiring artworks for its Collection.

 

Three quarters of a century later, the Museum has evolved into the preeminent cultural and educational hub for WNC—welcoming tens of thousands of visitors annually, hosting several major exhibitions each year, holding scores of special programs, and housing its Collection of more than 7,500 works in its state-of-the-art Pack Square location. From its humble beginnings on Charlotte Street to its breathtaking permanent home in the heart of downtown Asheville, the Museum has remained dedicated to Its mission to engage, enlighten, and inspire individuals and enrich the community through dynamic experiences in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.

 

The Asheville Art Museum was built, cherished, and supported by the community throughout the past 75 years. Our anniversary celebration will give back through community partnerships and special programs, and by creating new reasons to visit or become a Member. We hope you’ll join us at one (or all) of our Diamond Anniversary special events: the 2023 Gala on June 17th, the 75th Anniversary Community Day Celebration in August, and the 75th Anniversary Dance Party in November!

 

Charlotte + Bob Otto 2023 Apprentice Match
Jun 15 all-day
online w/ Flat Rock Playhouse

Support one of the greatest traditions at Flat Rock Playhouse!

2023 Apprentice Benefactors Charlotte and Bob Otto will match your gift 1:1 up to $25,000.

Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2023 Apprentice Program! Don’t miss this chance to DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!

For over 65 years, a select group of college-age performers participate in an intensive summer at Flat Rock Playhouse that includes on-stage performance and mentoring from FRP professionals. They also perform Rootabaga stories four times a week at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and take original educational programs out to schools in four area counties. Apprentices come from prestigious theatre schools across the country and are chosen from more than 1000 students who audition.

Apprentice graduates have gone on to major professional engagements on and off-Broadway, on national tours, and in regional theatres. Notable alumni who have played on Broadway include Michael Luwoye (Hamilton in Hamilton, An American Musical), Adam Kaplan (A Bronx Tale), Ginna Claire Mason (Glinda in Wicked), Jared Goldsmith (Dear Evan Hansen) and Ben Hope (Once). 

MANNA’s Outpace Hunger campaign
Jun 15 all-day
online

Let’s get you registered for Outpace Hunger!

Pardee Hospital Foundation 2023 Annual Gala Silent Auction Preview
Jun 15 all-day
online w/ UNC Health Pardee Hospital
There are so many great items to bid on at this year’s gala: Golf foursomes, vacations, restaurants, local vendors, and more! Remember, no need to be present to win.
Silent Auction Preview | Paradise Island
Discover the hidden world of Atlantis with a three-night stay in The Royal, Run of the House room at Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, including airport land transfers in the Bahamas upon arrival and departure! The resort features the world’s largest man-made marine habitat, Dolphin Cay and the Aquaventure Water Park. Atlantis offers a variety of gourmet restaurants, a relaxing spa, sports center, and the most exciting casino in the Caribbean.
Value: $1,900
Silent Auction Preview | It’s Greek To Me!
Enjoy a luxurious four-night stay in a Sea View Room with direct poolside access, complete with breakfast, at the Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort in Greece’s stunning island of Crete! The resort features air-conditioned rooms with verandas, marble bathrooms, stocked refrigerators, satellite television, hair dryers, and in-house music. Just a short 45-minute drive from the airport, the resort is situated near two private, sandy beaches and a marina.
Value: $1,320
PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” PRESALE
Jun 15 all-day
online w/ Harrah's Cherokee Center- Asheville

PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure”

PAW Patrol Live! sets sail with a pirate adventure!

It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay and Ryder will need all paws on deck as he and the PAW Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. It’s up to Chase, Marshall, Skye and all their heroic pirate pup friends to save the day and find the pirate treasure before Mayor Humdinger finds it first!

Presales begin now via PawPatrol.com until June 15th

HCCA Fan Club Presale: Thursday, June 15th from 10a-10p ET

Public On Sale Tickets are available online and via the HCCA Box Office on Friday, June 16 at 10am ET

Pisgah Legal Together We Dream Giving Challenge
Jun 15 all-day
online

According to a study by Syracuse University, North Carolina ranks last in the country for people likely to have legal representation in their immigration cases. Here in Western North Carolina (WNC), nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides most of the free civil legal aid for area immigrants and is working to raise $100,000 by July 1st to support this important work.

“Pisgah Legal Services provides life-changing – and sometimes life-saving – legal representation for immigrants and asylum seekers, and that help is scarce and very hard to come by,” says PLS Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson. “We only have three immigration attorneys to serve our entire 18-county region, and Pisgah Legal provides the majority of free legal aid for immigrants in WNC.”

She continued, “Thanks to generous supporters who have already come forward, we have raised $30,000 towards the $100,000 goal by July 1 for our Together We Dream Giving Challenge. We need additional charitable contributions to keep families together and educated about their rights, to secure legal immigration status and work authorizations and to stop the violence and abuse that many come to the United States to escape.”

Gifts made in the coming week will be matched! “A generous donor has stepped forward to help us build momentum to reach our goal,” says Wilson. “From now until Wednesday, June 21st, all gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. Give today and your gift will have double the impact!”

Want to Help?

Giving online is fast, easy and secure at https://www.pisgahlegal.org/dream or contact Chief Development Officer Ally Wilson by phone 828-210-3444 or via email: [email protected].  Checks may be mailed to Pisgah Legal Services, P.O. Box 2276, Asheville, N.C.  28802

Tryon Fine Arts Center Summer Art Camps Registration Open
Jun 15 all-day
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Summer Art Series for Youth (SASY) Camp
Summer Art Series for Youth (SASY) 2023
June 19 – 23
Our Summer Arts Camp is a one-week encounter with visual as well as performing arts. Our campers will be given the flexibility to choose their own art experience. They may want to dabble in the performing arts or take part in the visual arts or perhaps do a bit of both.
Ages 5 – 12 years. Cost: $180 – $225
PacJAM Camp
PacJAM Camp 2023
June 26 -30
Students will experience group lessons, jams, music theory, traditional art, songs, stories, and dancing, with an impressive lineup of regular and guest artists. Scholarships and instrument rentals are available.
Ages 6 year and up. Cost: $150
Theater Camp
Theater Camp 2023
July 31 – August 5
Presented in collaboration with Tryon Little Theater, the annual Summer Theater Camp allows students to put on a fully-staged production in just one week! Students learn about the ins and outs of theater-from auditions Monday morning to a fully-staged public show with lights, sound, sets,
props & costumes on Saturday!
Cost: $180 – $225
Unlock Your Imagination at Hendersonville Theatre’s Summer Camps
Jun 15 all-day
Hendersonville Theatre

Enrollment is now open for Hendersonville Theatre (HT)’s summer performing arts camps. These one-week camps are designed for middle and high school students and will be taught by theatre professionals.

Performers Playground – Acting Class runs June 26-30 from 12 pm-3 pm. Tuition is $180. The camp is designed for rising 6th to 9th graders or 10 to 14-year-olds. During this week of laughter and creativity, campers will discover the exciting world of improvisation and learn how to think on their feet. The class will include playing theater games, learning how to create scenes from scratch and using body and voice to create dynamic and memorable characters. At the completion of the camp, campers will present a showcase performance for family and friends.

Performers Playground – Acting Class is designed for all experience levels and is taught by Rugby Middle School theatre teacher Heather Denton. Denton has  over 24 years of experience teaching drama to middle school students. She has directed over 30 plays and musicals, and is known for her boundless energy and ability to work with a variety of grades and ability levels.

Acting Camp for High Schoolers runs July 10-14 from 12 pm-3 pm. Tuition is $180. The camp is intended for rising 10th to 12th graders or 14 to 17-year-olds. This camp is designed for budding actors who are looking for a starting place to learn about acting. In this camp, campers will be introduced to many forms of acting including improvisation, character development and cold readings.

Beginner Dance for Musical Theatre runs July 17-21 from 12 pm-3 pm. Tuition is $180. The camp is designed for rising 7th to 12th graders or 11 to 17-year- olds. This introductory dance course is for actors new to dance and looking to develop some musical theatre dance skills. In this camp, inspiring actors will learn how to survive a musical theatre dance call, focusing on musical theatre history, basic movement steps, and tips and tricks for picking up movement quickly.

Intermediate Dance for Musical Theatre runs July 24-28 from 12 pm-3 pm. Tuition is $180. The camp is designed for rising 10th to 12th graders or 14 to 17-years olds. Designed for dancers who want to branch into musical theatre, the camp is created for students with an intermediate level of dance training. During this week, campers will cover an introduction to musical theatre history, popular Broadway dance numbers, and tips and tricks for picking up movement quickly in order to prepare for musical theatre auditions.

Acting Camp for High Schoolers, Beginner Dance for Musical Theatre and Intermediate Dance for Musical Theatre is taught by Sage Albert, a recent graduate of Elon University with a degree in theatre, music and dance. Her most recent credits include Sherrie in Rock of Ages (upcoming) and Cathy in The Last Five Years.

77th Season at Asheville Community Theatre
Jun 15 @ 10:00 am
online
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!
Rootabaga Express! Summer Plays
Jun 15 @ 10:15 am
Carl Sandburg Home

Carl Sandburg created his own version of American fairy tales when he published Rootabaga Stories (1922) and Rootabaga Pigeons (1923). He replaced the European fairy tale cast of princes, princesses, castles and kingdoms with icons American children would recognize — taxi-drivers, movie actors, skyscrapers, prairies and automobiles. Rootabaga Express! brings the stories of the Five Rusty Rats, Bimbo the Snip and more to life.You’ll meet new characters and journey farther into the Village of Liver and Onions and Sandburg’s imagination than ever before.

The 30-minute shows are appropriate for all ages and held rain or shine.These shows are supported by the Flat Rock Playhouse and the Park Store, operated by America’s National Parks.

For young visitors who attend the plays, there is a Rootabaga Junior Ranger program available. Activity sheets will be available at the amphitheater after the play and can be turned in at the Sandburg Home for a limited edition “Rootabaga Ranger” badge.


Apprentice actors from the Flat Rock Playhouse have performed adaptations of Sandburg’s works for park visitors since 1974. Using Sandburg’s own words from his collections of children’s stories, poetry, collected music, biography of Abraham Lincoln and his own autobiography, the performances provide visitors with a sense of the scope of his work and imagination. Sandburg was an expert storyteller, and easily wove important messages of fairness, empathy and social justice into his writings. Whatever play you are able to attend you will walk away with a smile on your face and a better understanding of the legacy of Carl Sandburg.

Aanika’s Elephants
Jun 15 @ 1:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
See it in Tryon before it goes to Broadway in 2024!
Produced by the best puppeteers in show business:
• Writer: Annie Evans, 13-time Emmy Award
Winning Writer for Sesame Street
• Director: Pam Arciero, Puppeteer with Sesame
Street for more than 35 years
• Puppet Design: Martin P. Robinson, Designer,
Puppeteer (Mr. Snuffleupagus) with Sesame
Street for decades
Performed by actors and puppeteers from
Sesame Street and Jim Hon Productions

Aanika’s Elephants is the tender story of a young Kenyan girl who meets a baby elephant, aptly named Little, at the orphanage where her father works. They grow together the way only two young girls can, even if one has a trunk. Their story is one of compassion, love, and conservation.

 

In a time when society is experiencing so much division, stress and anxiety, Aanika’s Elephants is a healing and tender reminder that family can be anything – a beloved family member or even a herd of elephants. The audience is invited to use their imaginations to fill in the large rattan-framed elephants, adorable baby elephants and people who are at times, represented by just hats and gloves. Using music, a wide variety of puppets and humor, Aanika’s Elephants entertains and educates audiences young and old on the plight of the elephant and our world.

 

Tryon Fine Arts Center is fortunate to present a series workshops and the play, which is in development and will make its Broadway debut next year, by a very talented mix of actors and puppeteers – many who are long-time stalwarts on Sesame Street and/or with Jim Henson puppeteers including Aanika’s Elephants creator Annie Evans, a writer and winner of 13 Emmy Awards for Sesame Street, Pam Arciero, a puppeteer with Sesame Street and the Muppets for more than 35 years, and Martin P. Robinson who has played Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street for more than 41 years.

Cinderella: Enchanted
Jun 15 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

A fresh take on a timeless classic, perfect for the whole family. With great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits. Inspired by the acclaimed teleplay starring Whitney Houston and Brandy, this version of the magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance.

PATIO: DRUNKEN PRAYER
Jun 15 @ 5:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

Drunken Prayer transcends the bounds of Americana music. Morgan Geer, the wizard behind the curtain, writes songs that could emerge from a highly blissed-out biker bar or a swampy ashram.

For the last year Morgan Geer has been working from his home studio with Paul Oldham (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Palace), building on drum tracks initially recorded in New Mexico at Empty House Studios, home of doom metal bands like OM and Sleep. The end result evokes an ominous acid Western feedback-and-driftwood aesthetic.

The latest Drunken Prayer releases have been 2019’s acclaimed LP Cordelia Elsewhere mixed by Mitch Easter (Let’s Active, REM) and the ambitious 17 minute long death-raga, Electric Daddyland from 2021.

Over the past two years, before the pandemic, Drunken Prayer played hundreds of shows across 18 countries and across the US at venues such as the Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon and San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. Geer’s music has been featured on AMC, NPR, WFMU and SiriusXM.

On the side Geer is the lead guitar player for alt-country goths Freakwater and writes for different artists including the Brooklyn rock and soul phenom Bette Smith. Morgan has also been touring internationally, opening for and often joining the eccentric Handsome Family.

Today Morgan splits time between Portland, OR and Asheville, NC.

Rhythm + Brews Concert Series
Jun 15 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
South Main Street

Rhythm & Brews Concert Series

 

Presented by Horizon Heating & Air, Rhythm & Brews Concert Series brings together live music, local craft beverages, and the community! These FREE shows take place on the third Thursday of every month from May-September, closing part of South Main Street to make room for all the fun. Local food trucks will line the street cooking delicious eats from kettle corn to pizza to barbecue. Each show begins with an opener at 5:30 p.m. followed by the headlining performance from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. 

May 18: Hawktail [[Bluegrass/Americana/String]] with Holler Choir [[Americana/String]]

June 15:  Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights [[Blues Rock/Southern Rock]] with Carolina Drifters [[Southern Rock]]

July 20: The Stooges Brass Band [[New Orleans Brass Band]] with Zydeco Ya Ya [[Zydeco/Cajun Swing]]

August 17: Fireside Collective [[Progressive Bluegrass]] with The Roving [[ Americana/Indie/Rock]]

September 21: Melissa Carper [[Americana/Western Swing]] with Angela Easterling & The Beguilers [[Singer/Songwriter]]

Beer & Wine Garden

Adults can sip Henderson County beverages from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Bold Rock Hard Cider, Guidon Brewing Co., Oklawaha Brewing Co., Dry Falls Brewery, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, and Flat Rock Cider Company. 

All net proceeds from adult beverage sales will benefit the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville 501c3 nonprofit serving the Downtown Program, whose mission is to identify, preserve and enhance the key factors that contribute to the authentic small town urban character of historic downtown Hendersonville. 

 

Kids love Rhythm & Brews, too!  

For the youngest in the family, the Hendersonville Honeycrisps & the Hendersonville Toy Company Kid Zone will provide kid-friendly fun, including hula-hooping and activities provided by Hands On! Children’s Museum.

Camp chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. Please leave coolers and pets at home. 

R&B Super Fan Package  – LIMITED QUANTITIES REMAIN – Purchase here!

The R&B Super Fan Tent provides an enhanced experience with an exclusive, shaded viewing area including beer, wine, and refreshments. Individuals can become R&B Super Fans by purchasing a season package sponsorship for $200 per show. The package includes two sponsor tent tickets to each show and two R&B season t-shirts. By becoming a R&B Super Fan, you are supporting our 501c3 nonprofit organization Friends of Downtown Hendersonville. Your support will not only help sustain R&B, but all our other events as well, including Garden Jubilee, Hendersonville Farmers Market, the Bearfootin’ Art Walk, and more. The Super Fan Sponsor Tent is sponsored by B Squared Realty.

Volunteer

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. 

 

 

 


The Inclement Weather Policy is to delay each act by 30 minutes before moving onto the next act. If the headlining act is unable to perform by 8 p.m. the show will be cancelled. Follow the weather decisions on our Facebook page. 

Please leave your pets and coolers at home.  

 

Aanika’s Elephants
Jun 15 @ 6:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
See it in Tryon before it goes to Broadway in 2024!
Produced by the best puppeteers in show business:
• Writer: Annie Evans, 13-time Emmy Award
Winning Writer for Sesame Street
• Director: Pam Arciero, Puppeteer with Sesame
Street for more than 35 years
• Puppet Design: Martin P. Robinson, Designer,
Puppeteer (Mr. Snuffleupagus) with Sesame
Street for decades
Performed by actors and puppeteers from
Sesame Street and Jim Hon Productions

Aanika’s Elephants is the tender story of a young Kenyan girl who meets a baby elephant, aptly named Little, at the orphanage where her father works. They grow together the way only two young girls can, even if one has a trunk. Their story is one of compassion, love, and conservation.

 

In a time when society is experiencing so much division, stress and anxiety, Aanika’s Elephants is a healing and tender reminder that family can be anything – a beloved family member or even a herd of elephants. The audience is invited to use their imaginations to fill in the large rattan-framed elephants, adorable baby elephants and people who are at times, represented by just hats and gloves. Using music, a wide variety of puppets and humor, Aanika’s Elephants entertains and educates audiences young and old on the plight of the elephant and our world.

 

Tryon Fine Arts Center is fortunate to present a series workshops and the play, which is in development and will make its Broadway debut next year, by a very talented mix of actors and puppeteers – many who are long-time stalwarts on Sesame Street and/or with Jim Henson puppeteers including Aanika’s Elephants creator Annie Evans, a writer and winner of 13 Emmy Awards for Sesame Street, Pam Arciero, a puppeteer with Sesame Street and the Muppets for more than 35 years, and Martin P. Robinson who has played Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street for more than 41 years.

Live Music specialty martinis all day at Leo’s Italian Social
Jun 15 @ 6:00 pm
Leo's Italian Social
Pritchard Park Summer Series: Singer/Songwriters
Jun 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pritchard Park

For this year’s Pritchard Park Songwriter Series, the Asheville Association is teaming up with Paloma Madre who are best known for bringing Asheville the wildly successful, international concept, Open Folk. Each week will feature two world class songwriters from our community playing introspective and honest tunes about life in the 21st century. Pritchard Park will once again be filled with the sweet sounding songs of heartbreak, true love, heavy loss, and lots and lots of goofin. It’s a guaranteed good time that won’t cost you a dime!!

The Orchard Sessions with Erick Baker
Jun 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Farm at Old Edwards

Erick Baker is an Emmy Award-winning writer, TV show host, and singer-songwriter. For over a decade, he’s been making a life as a touring musician, performing alongside artists like John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Heart, Gavin Degraw, Edwin McCain, and the Goo Goo Dolls. Known for his aching intensity, passion, and unguarded emotional energy, Erick’s live performances are a powerful example of what can be accomplished through song. His music blends a divergent set of American roots influences – Country, Rock, Folk, Soul, and Blues – into one seamless sound, delivering a heartfelt dose of music medicine.

Jazz Jam
Jun 15 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts Center

Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.

An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.

Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!

OUTPOST: CHLOE KIMES
Jun 15 @ 7:00 pm
The Outpost
THU, JUNE 15

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE

Chloe Kimes
Nashville based singer-songwriter Chloe Kimes is actively defining the next generation of folk-singing troubadours with an old-soul sensibility for storytelling in a spirited alt-country outfit. Born and raised on the lakeshores of northern Michigan, Kimes remains unbound by genre and consistently navigates a delicate balance between poignance and charm with vocals wrung out and steadfast as any before her. Named one of NPR’s 2022 Slingshot Artists to Watch, her debut album is ambitious and strikingly live. Reviewed as “reminiscent of contemporary roots heroes like Lucinda Williams,” Kimes’ self-titled debut is a raw reflection of the artist, and with music as homegrown as its penman, Kimes and her band are not to be missed.

Jackson Grimm
and his band marry folk pop melodies with the lonesome sound of traditional Appalachian music. In a region with a strong music culture, it is no surprise that Grimm’s songwriting is representative of his musical birthplace: Asheville, NC. A modern string band leader, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Grimm is a talent on the rise.

1776 the musical
Jun 15 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

What will it take to get two dozen powerfully passionate, exceedingly complicated, and all-too-human individuals to settle their differences, while they hold the very future of a nation in their hands? This Tony Award-winning Best Musical is tuneful, witty, and constantly surprising, especially in this revolutionary new production from directors Jeffrey L. Page (Violet) and Diane Paulus (Waitress) with a cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity. You may never think about our country—who we are and why—the same way again.

 

Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards

Book by Peter Stone

Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards

Choreography by Jeffrey L. Page

Direction by Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus

AN EVENING OF CLASSICAL GUITAR
Jun 15 @ 7:30 pm
Parker Concert Hall

Classical guitarist Adam Holzman takes center stage alongside the lyrical playing and remarkable technique of Bruce Holzman, Martha Masters, and Celil Refik Kaya, three of the finest guitar players of their generation.


PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Adam Holzman, classical guitar
Bruce Holzman, classical guitar
Martha Masters, classical guitar
Celil Refik Kaya, classical guitar

All seating is general admission.

Cinderella: Enchanted
Jun 15 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

A fresh take on a timeless classic, perfect for the whole family. With great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits. Inspired by the acclaimed teleplay starring Whitney Houston and Brandy, this version of the magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance.

DA CLASSROOM AIN’T ENUF
Jun 15 @ 7:30 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

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.

THE GODDAMN GALLOWS + IV + THE STRANGE BAND W/ VOLK
Jun 15 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
THU, JUNE 15

THE GODDAMN GALLOWS
In 2004 The Goddamn Gallows began their rough and tumble voyage and haven’t looked in the review mirror since. Leaving six studio albums in their path, they have been reinventing their music with every record. Spit from the heart of America’s Rust Belt, arising from a night of flophouse violence. Drifting across the states, they cemented their sound in Portland, OR and later in Los Angeles, CA, where they lived in abandoned buildings, squatter camps, storage units and shoebox apartments. In 2007, they left everything behind and spent the next four years living out of whatever vehicle would get them to the next town. Building upon their original sound of twanged-out, punk rock “gutterbilly” (Life of Sin 2004 and Gutterbillyblues 2007), they began picking up stray musicians along the way and adding to their sound; washboard, accordion, mandolin and banjo (Ghost of th’ Rails 2009 and 7 Devils 2011) creating a sound referred to as “hobocore”, “gypsy-punk” or “americana-punk”, while never being stuck in any one sound. Enter 2018 and The Goddamn Gallows have reinvented themselves once again with The Trial. From rockabilly, psychobilly and punk rock, to bluegrass and metal, The Trial infuses disparate sounds into a new strange recipe of seamless genre bending profundities. Chock full of impromptu antics of the shocking variety and hauntingly eclectic instrumentation, The Goddamn Gallows have made legions of fans with their legendary, live shows. The Goddamn Gallows, takes their progression of mixing punk rock, bluegrass, psychobilly, and metal to a whole new level! The Goddamn Gallows have now partnered with Sailor’s Grave Records to help deliver the next chapter of their legacy to the world. The Trial begins now.

IV AND THE STRANGE BAND

“Patience is a virtue.” Those words are tattooed across Coleman Williams’ right arm, forever reminding the alternative-country singer/songwriter of the benefits of taking one’s time.

The lesson wasn’t always so clear. As the great-grandson of Hank Williams Sr., grandson of Hank Williams Jr., and only son of Hank 3, Coleman spent years waging an internal battle with the expectations thrust upon him by his own lineage. He represented the fourth generation of country music’s most legendary family — hence his nickname, “IV” — and the pressure to launch his own career was enormous. Although Coleman would eventually make his mark with Southern Circus — the genre-bending debut from his band, IV and the Strange Band, combining southern storytelling and country textures with 100-watt guitar amps and DIY attitude — he needed to break free first and discover his own musical approach along the way.

“Before I even knew who I was, people were already expecting things of me,” he says. “It felt like there was zero freedom of expression for someone with the last name ‘Williams.’ Singing about a bloodline didn’t appeal to me, though. I wasn’t interested in fitting into a shadow that already existed. What did appeal to me was the underground scene in Nashville.”

Coleman became a fierce champion of Nashville’s house-show circuit as a teenager, drawn in by the scene’s supportive spirit and DIY ethics. This was a community that valued principles over pedigrees. A community that offered artists of all stripes a place to express themselves. From punk shows to heavy metal gigs to electronic experiments, Coleman loved it all… and for the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere.