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.
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you. Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,” the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!
Since 1985, the Music in the Mountains Folk Festival has showcased local and regional traditional music. With your support in the way of donations and the purchase of limited-edition t-shirts, we can continue to honor performers and promoters like Sheila K. Adams and past honorees Don Pedi, Wayne Ledford, Rhonda Gouge, Bob Lominac, Bobby McMillon, Bruce Greene, Bob “Happy Feet” Aldridge, and Bill and Judy Carson.
The 2023 Music In the Mountains Festival is coming right up!
Mark your calendars for September 16th, at Homeplace Beer Company & Hog Hollow Pizza for an afternoon of workshops, traditional craft vendors and an evening filled with Appalachian music.
The 2023 festival honorees are Joyce Johnson and Denise Cook in appreciation for their dedication to the Music In the Mountains Festival since its earliest days. We’re grateful to them for bringing local, traditional mountain music to the forefront of the event and helping to create a wonderful way to celebrate and promote this important part of our regional cultural heritage.
We’ll kick off this year’s event with afternoon workshops from 2:30-3:30. These intimate workshops, taught by Appalachian legends, will give the participants an introduction to Ballad Singing, Flatfooting or Mountain Dulcimer. The workshop fee is $30/person. Space is limited so be sure to register online to reserve your spot.
- Ballad Singing with Donna Ray Norton – Register here.
- Flatfooting with Phil Jamison – Register here.
- Mountain Dulcimer with Don Pedi – Register here.
From 4-8 you are invited to shop with local artists in our traditional craft market.
On the stage from 5-8 you will be treated to some fantastic tunes. With our MC Phil Jamison behind the mic, the line-up includes emerging musicians Newfound Gap, Ballad Singer Donna Ray Norton, Old Time musicians Roger Howell & Jerry Sutton, and Carolina Bluegrass Style.
Suggested donation for attending is $15.
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.
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
You’ve never heard violin like this! The world’s premier visionary violinist, Dixon’s life mission is to inspire people – and he has done so at over 1,000 concerts across North America, including giving four TED talks/performances, over ten years at Burning Man and Electric Forest, plus radio, TV, and film appearances. A former technology leader and symphony violinist, Dixon walked away from a distinguished career to follow his dream full-time, and invented a whole new music genre. Dixon now improvises on a 5-string electric violin with a looping system he developed to create an all-live one-man symphony, guided by his remarkable personal story of life transformation.
Tickets are $20 Advance and $25 Day Of • Doors Open at 6:30PM
Find your grail.
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. The 2005 Broadway production received 14 Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was followed by two successful West End runs. The outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
Rated PG-13 for mild language and suggestive content.
Step into a world of magic, mystery, and self-discovery with the Tony Award-winning musical, Pippin. This Broadway classic, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson, tells the captivating story of a young prince on a daring quest for the ultimate meaning of life and fulfillment. From spectacular circus-inspired performances to stirring, emotionally-charged songs, “Pippin” unfolds as an exploration of the highs and lows of glory, love, and ambition. It’s a compelling narrative that continually asks one poignant question: is it more rewarding to live a simple life or to persist in relentlessly pursuing extraordinary feats? With its rich, allegorical storyline and memorable melodies, Pippin promises to enchant audiences, leaving them musing long after the final curtain call.
A talkback with the cast & crew of Pippin will be held following the performances on September 17th & 24th.
On the advice of family patriarch Ellis Marsalis, this big brass group offers a concert format that breaks the usual barriers between genres and strives to create a connection between the audience and performers.
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you. Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,” the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!
The Wailers are a rare breed of musicians who have earned their place in the annals of music history. Their culture-defining music, embodying the spirit of the ’70s reggae movement, has left an indelible mark on the industry. Experience the magic of their timeless classics and incredible cuts from Bob Marley’s vast repertoire in a unique set. Under the guidance of Aston Barrett Jr., son of the legendary “Familyman,” The Wailers continue to preserve the legacy of their iconic sound.
In 2020, The Wailers made a comeback with their new album, One World, produced by Emilio Estefan. The first single, “One World, One Prayer,” is a powerful anthem for love, unity, and inclusivity, blending Jamaican reggae and urban Latin music. The track includes international sensation Farruko, Jamaican icon Shaggy and members of the Marley family, including Cedella and Skip Marley. The long-awaited album earned a 2021 GRAMMY® nomination for Best Reggae Album.
“Through the writing of these songs and the making of this music, I found my way back to the world around me – a way to reach nature and the people I love and care about. This record is a sensory exploration that allowed for a connection to a consciousness that I was searching for. Through the resonance of sound and a beaten up old piano I bought in Camden Market while living in a city I had no intention of staying in, I found acceptance and a way of healing.”
Many musicians turn inward when the world around them seems chaotic and unreliable. Reframing one’s perception of self can often reveal new personal truths both uncomfortable and profound, and for Beth Orton, music re-emerged in the past several years as a tethering force even when her own life felt more tumultuous than ever. Indeed, the foundations of the songs on Orton’s stunning new album, Weather Alive, are nothing more than her voice and a “cheap, crappy” upright piano installed in a shed in her garden, conjuring a deeply meditative atmosphere that remains long after the final note has evaporated.
“I am known as a collaborator and I’m very good at it. I’m very open to it. Sometimes, I’ve been obscured by it,” says Orton, who rose to prominence through ‘90s-era collaborations with William Orbit, Red Snapper and The Chemical Brothers before striking out on her own with a series of acclaimed, award-winning solo releases. “I think what’s happened with this record is that through being cornered by life, I got to reveal myself to myself and to collaborate with myself, actually.”
Orton has long been regarded as possessing one of the most unique and expressive voices in music – a voice that has grown evermore rich and wise over time. Her 1996 debut, Trailer Park, pioneered a synthesis of electronic and acoustic sounds, while its 1999 follow-up, Central Reservation, garnered international success. Further albums like the Jim O’Rourke-produced Comfort of Strangers and 2016’s largely electronic Kidsticks deepened the breadth of her craft.
After struggling with incorrectly diagnosed health issues for years, Orton turned a major corner in 2014 when she was finally able to begin managing her condition with medication after the correct diagnosis. However, she realized this newfound clarity could be as disempowering as the previously unanswered questions about her well-being, because it waylaid her sense of self. Strange occurrences persisted, which Orton was only able to process through long periods of making music at the piano. These experiences turned into the eight-track Weather Alive, the first album she’s ever self-produced in her nearly 30-year career.
“My condition affected the basic trust I had in my perception of the world and other people, but music kept working properly as a way of seeing,” she says. “Sometimes I wouldn’t know if the words I was writing made sense, which is really scary in the real world but really interesting when you’re making music. It gave all meaning new meaning.
Indeed, the first notes of the album-opening title track usher the listener into an expansive, emotive and dream-like world of sound with little precedence in Orton’s prior work. The artist challenged herself to create music accordingly, like what would Nebraska sound like if it had drums or if Solange was the singer rather than Bruce Springsteen? Or if ambient masterpieces like Talk Talk’s Spirit of Eden or David Sylvian’s Brilliant Trees came into alignment with Alice Coltrane and the feeling Orton got hearing the late jazz great for the first time.
“This old piano really spoke to me and held an emotional resonance I could explore in a way I wasn’t able to on guitar — a depth, or a voice, I’d never worked to before,” she enthuses. “For me, the mood and atmosphere were another instrument. They were always consistent.”
It was equally important for Orton to be at the helm of her own work and, when the time was right, choose collaborators like drummer Tom Skinner (Sons Of Kemet, The Smile) and bassist Tom Herbert, whom she knew would be simpatico with the Weather Alive material. “It wasn’t just about proving myself to myself. That would be reductive,” she says. “But it’s true that I’ve spent a life handing elements of my work over to men in a room before i’m ready and having them reinterpret my perception, add chords to make something else happen and sometimes in the process take the music to a place I had no intention of going, it’s subtle the ways that could happen but to be able to hold my own intention throughout has been a powerful experience.”
The musicians locked naturally into Orton’s sensibilities, expanding the new sonic world she’d created. “Every person it attracted brought their sensitivity and love, and I think responded to the vulnerability,” she says. This intuitive interplay is best heard on songs like “Fractals,” which was initially inspired by the 2020 deaths of the legendary producers Andrew Weatherall and Hal Willner, two of Orton’s most beloved musical compatriots. “That track is a beautiful example of the nature of collaboration, where people come in as they are,” she says. “You’re hearing the first take. I would never have been able to conjure that music without these musicians.”
In time, additional players helped add nuance and color to the music, including Shahzad Ismaily on guitar, drums, harmonica, bass and Moog, Sam Beste on vibraphone, Francine Perry on synths and Alabaster dePlume on saxophone. “Diving into what they brought was really magical,” says Orton. “The palette I had to play with was exquisite, and the players were extraordinary.” Working remotely from her garden, Orton took everything that had been played and spent four months sculpting the raw materials into what has become the final record.
Even when the lyrics lean into stream of consciousness, Orton’s signature storytelling is on frequent display throughout Weather Alive, from the warm, Proust-referencing “Friday Night” (“Though we never do get too close, I still hold you now and then,” Orton sings) and the bittersweet recollections of “Arms Around a Memory” (“Didn’t we make a beautiful life in your eighth-floor walkup that night?”) to the shimmering ambivalence of the seven-minute closer “Unwritten” (“I was sure we made a promise, but you never know”).
“I wanted to be one of those women who are all sorted and put together some day but at 40, I kept getting messier and more ill and things just kept going wrong,” Orton says. “This record explores all of that. I’m talking about my experiences possibly in a more personal way then I ever have but the important part will be how this music makes other people feel. It’s not a finished masterpiece, it is a collaboration with time, of someone struggling to make sense. And in that struggle, something beautiful got made.”
Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country!
Born and raised in the Midwest, Brendan is a national touring comedian who smiles confidently when nervous. Whether it’s his keen perspective on minority culture or growing up as a millennial, he’ll make you laugh. Brendan was a finalist on TruTV’s Comedy Breakout initiative at The New York Television Festival, Finalist in the Make Me Laugh USA Competition, and Semi finalist in NBC’s Stand Up Diversity Showcase and part of the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. In 2017, Brendan went on a “52 x 52” comedy tour where he traveled to 52 cities in 52 weeks doing stand up comedy at the most respected clubs and venues across the country. He’s also the creator and producer of Send It Show Podcast. His Comedy Special The Riot is out now on Youtube
featuring Clay Jones
ages 18+
Hailing from Eastern Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains, the McLain Family Band have become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing original and traditional bluegrass music.
Television appearances include, NBC’s Today Show, the CBS Morning News, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Pearl Bailey PBS Special, The Johnny Cash Christmas Special, and appearances on the BBC and CBC.
The McLains have performed in 64 countries as musical ambassadors of the U.S. State Department, and in all 50 of the United States. They have appeared at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum, The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Great favorites on symphony orchestra pops concerts, the McLain Family Band has been featured with leading pops conductors such as: Erich Kunzel, Mitch Miller, Newton Wayland, and Richard Hayman. In over 250 appearances with orchestras including those of Cleveland, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Louisville, Oakland and Phoenix as well as the National Symphony, The Houston Pops, and the Calgary and Buffalo philharmonics.
The McLain Family Band combines the vocal and instrumental talents of Raymond W. McLain, Ruth McLain, Al White, Alice McLain White, and Daxson Lewis. The McLains have made numerous recordings for Country Life Records.
Imagine this: it’s 2001 and you’re seeing No Doubt’s video for Hella Good for the first time. Maybe you’re sitting on a carpeted floor eating pop tarts and watching cable TV when it happens. Your aesthetic ideals have shifted since the matrix came out a couple years back and you find yourself wondering what it takes to become a badass. Quickly you determine that it has a lot to do with motorcycles, jet skis, wet looking hair and wearing black. You don’t even know about Evenescence yet but pop music is about to take some real dips into heavy riffs and darker themes. You’re for it—it makes you feel alive. Let’s run that one back, shall we?
⚡️Saturday, September 16th⚡️
☠️10pm-1am☠️
🏍️DJ Lil Meow Meow🏍️
⛓️at @littlejumbobar ⛓️
♥️$5 suggested donation♥️
What!!! Rahzel from the original Roots is coming to LEAF! The Human Beatbox aka the Grammy-winning Rapper/MC from the original, world-renowned Roots lineup, has been added to the Saturday night lineup of the October Festival.
Famous for his jaw-dropping vocal percussion and beatboxing prowess, Rahzel is not just a performer, he’s an experience. Dive deep into the pulse and rhythm of hip-hop (on the 50th anniversary of the genre) with this masterful artist who blurs the line between voice and instrument. It’s more than a show: it’s musical genius live onstage.
Aaaand … there will be a Beatbox Play-Shop for all ages. Don’t miss it!
Rahzel is one of the biggest names in beatboxing today, and continues to redefine the limits of the human voice. Known as “The Godfather of Noyze,” he was growing up in Queens when hip-hop blew up. LEAF is thrilled to welcome Rahzel to the fall Festival on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Rahzel’s cousin Rahiem was an original member of the Furious Five, and Rahzel recalls sneaking into their shows, “watching Grand Master Flash before I could even see over the gate.” Rahzel embraced the philosophy that “not having’ was never an excuse for ‘not doing. … To me, [beatboxing] saves lives and I’m a prime example of it. It inspires kids to be creative and motivated.”
Through both his solo work and his stint with the live-music hip-hop group The Roots, Rahzel is credited with bringing beatboxing back to the fore of hip-hop in the 1990s. Rahzel can sing a chorus and beatbox the back-up simultaneously, a skill showcased on his signature song, “If Your Mother Only Knew,” from his groundbreaking first album, Make the Music 2000. Rahzel has worked with artists from Björk to Branford Marsalis.
LEAF Global Arts is on a mission CONNECTING CULTURES and CREATING COMMUNITY through world music, arts education, preservation and experiences. The closest distance between two people is a story, a song, or a dance.
Join us at LEAF Festival October 19-22, 2023 at Lake Eden
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)
Find your grail.
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. The 2005 Broadway production received 14 Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was followed by two successful West End runs. The outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
Rated PG-13 for mild language and suggestive content.
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” Get ready for the time of your life with The Music of Dirty Dancing! This musical tribute to the film shot, in part, at Henderson County’s own Lake Lure is sure to feature all the hip-shaking guilty pleasure the world came to love in the 1987 blockbuster. The sizzling soundtrack comes to life on ‘The Rock’ with vocals and dancing that will dazzle you. Feel free to sing and dance along to tunes like “Be My Baby,” “Hungry Eyes,” “She’s Like the Wind,” the Academy Award winning “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and so many more!
Step into a world of magic, mystery, and self-discovery with the Tony Award-winning musical, Pippin. This Broadway classic, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson, tells the captivating story of a young prince on a daring quest for the ultimate meaning of life and fulfillment. From spectacular circus-inspired performances to stirring, emotionally-charged songs, “Pippin” unfolds as an exploration of the highs and lows of glory, love, and ambition. It’s a compelling narrative that continually asks one poignant question: is it more rewarding to live a simple life or to persist in relentlessly pursuing extraordinary feats? With its rich, allegorical storyline and memorable melodies, Pippin promises to enchant audiences, leaving them musing long after the final curtain call.
A talkback with the cast & crew of Pippin will be held following the performances on September 17th & 24th.
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
The first performance will feature an Accent on
Youth with four outstanding students from the South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and
Humanities (SCGSAH). The performers will be Xavier Galloway, piano, Benjamin Stickney,
piano, Kate Tolchinski, oboe and Peyton Mann, bassoon.
SCGSAH gives young emerging artists the opportunity to explore their talents in a unique arts-
centered community. The state-funded school, located in Greenville, gives artistically talented
students the opportunity to receive professional training in one of five arts areas: Creative
Writing, Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Arts. These high school students from South
Carolina also receive an intense and innovative education and exploration in the Humanities.
Sarah Yeargin, Director of Parish Communication and Administration at St. John and graduate
of SCGSAH says, “The school provides pre-professional arts instruction to prepare students for
careers making art that matters. The school itself is a work of art: modeled after a Tuscan
village, vines crawl over wooden trellises that stretch from building to building, giving students
and teachers plenty of shady space among cobblestone paths to gather outside, breath fresh air,
and gain inspiration from nature. The appreciation for great art that was instilled in me there will
never leave me, nor will the ideals of living in community with other passionate people who
value feedback and want to leave a positive mark on the world.”
There is no charge for this event, but donations to the Friends of Music are gladly accepted.
Join us for Black Mountain’s original Sunday Jam! Hosted by Spiro and Friends, this jam features original jams and favorite covers. Bring your instrument! Sign-ups at the stage starting at 6 PM!
Pisgah Beer, Gluten Free and N/A options available. Family and dog friendly venue.
The taproom is open from 2:00 to 9:00 PM with music beginning at 6:30 PM.
Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. Performing comics get FREE entry and pizza. Get Your Tickets Now!! Hosted Morgan Marie. Featuring James Burkes, Jack Pearson & more great comics!
Renowned comedian, actor, host, and author Bert Kreischer announced he’ll be extending his Tops Off World Tour with 31 new dates this fall. For more information and tickets, visit bertbertbert.com or follow @bertkreischer on social media.
Bert Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation,” to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. In 2022, Pollstar listed Bert as #4 in the “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours,” performing to sold-out arenas around the globe. He is currently on his 2023 Tops Off World Tour.
As one of the best storytellers of his generation, Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood while proving “that there’s a way to take his [party-boy] antics into middle-age,” (Forbes).
On March 14th, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are currently streaming on Netflix.
As if that wasn’t enough, Kreischer tops off this summer as the star and producer in the Legendary/ Sony picture film, The Machine, exclusively in theatres across the country on May 26th. Kreischer rose to fame as a stand-up comedian known as The Machine, and in his signature set, he recounts his true experience with Russian mobsters while on a booze-soaked college trip. Now, 23 years later, that trip has come back to haunt him as he and his estranged father (Mark Hamill) are kidnapped back to Russia by the mob to atone for something they say he did. Together, Bert and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war within a sociopathic crime family, all while attempting to find common ground in their often-fraught relationship.
On June 14th, Bert will kick-off the second annual Fully Loaded Comedy Festival at sixteen of the most iconic ballparks and arenas across the country. The biggest comedy event of the year with a “Fully Loaded” line-up that includes Bert Kreischer, Mark Normand, Shane Gillis, Tiffany Haddish, Stavros Halkias, Fortune Feimster, Dave Attell, Lewis Black, Jim Norton, Andrew Santino, Big Jay Oakerson, Jay Pharoah, Dan Soder, Chad Daniels, Ralph Barbosa, Rosebud Baker and Tammy Pescatelli.
In addition to a successful stand-up career, Kreischer has made himself a world-renowned top podcaster with his popular comedy podcasts. Bert hosts Bertcast where he shares his wisdom and life with fans and has recorded over 500 episodes. He also co-hosts the podcast, Two Bears One Cave with Tom Segura, which is consistently charting in the top 10 comedy podcasts in the world. In addition to the podcast, Bert is the host of the YouTube cooking show, Something’s Burning that has gathered close to 10 million views.
GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Grab a local beer, crucifix and a rubber chicken* —You might survive this hour long hilarious haunted ghost tour of Asheville.
- Guided comedy bus tour of Haunted Asheville
- 60 minutes; tours run nightly after dark
- $33 per person (Ages 17+ only)
- Departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue
*Legal Note: Crucifix not required to board the bus; we do not condone exorcisms, chickens, rubber, or any combination of the three.
Find your grail.
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. The 2005 Broadway production received 14 Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was followed by two successful West End runs. The outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
Rated PG-13 for mild language and suggestive content.
Traditional mountain music from the Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina by some of the finest regional artists. For tonight’s performance, Sourwood Ridge welcomes special guest, fiddler Branson Raines.
Craig Bannerman Bass Guitar, Vocals
Craig started playing traditional Appalachian and bluegrass music in 1973. He has played mandolin, guitar, dulcimers and bass. He has played with many bands over the past 40 years and is well known in the Western North Carolina music scene. He is serving as a member of the Folk Heritage Committee in Asheville. He also plays bass and sings in Crooked Pine. He has a family history of clogging and mountain dance nationally and internationally.
Scott Owenby Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals,
Born and raised in Asheville, NC but currently resides in Marshall, NC with his wife Wendy and their children Isaiah and Hannah Grace. By the age of 7, he began receiving his first guitar lesson, given by his Mammaw Blanks while sitting in her kitchen. From that time, he went on to sing and play with several local gospel and bluegrass groups in and around the Asheville area.
Troy Harrison Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Troy has been playing music for over 30 years. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays mainly banjo, mandolin and guitar while carrying on the traditions of his family and community from Madison County. The legendary banjo player and ballad singer, Obray Ramsey was a major influence on Troy’s music. He also plays with the band Crooked Pine.
Branson Raines
Branson is a native to Asheville, NC and comes from a family in which music rings and folks sing off-the-porch strong. Branson became a student of famed fiddler Arvil Freeman and he shared his knowledge with Branson for 3 years until officially graduating from his tutelage; receiving a diploma from Freeman himself. During his time playing fiddle for NEA Heritage Award winner Sheila Kay Adams, he received the offer to attend Davis & Elkins College and play fiddle for the Davis & Elkins Appalachian Ensemble. He mainly spends his time playing bluegrass, old-time, and country fiddle around Asheville and around the country.
Learn Asheville’s history, discover hidden gems, and laugh at LaZoom’s quirky sense of adventure.
- Guided comedy tour bus of historical Asheville
- 90-Minutes – tours run daily
- 15-minute break at Green Man Brewing
- $39 per person (ages 13+ only)