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, October 13, 2021
TENETS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Oct 13 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
online via Zoom 

People shaking hands


During this program, participants will learn how to manage a project by using the 5 phases of project management and several other critical topics related to being a successful project manager in any industry. Program participants will also learn how to lead small and large projects from initiation through close-out.
Community Investment Meeting: ARPA RFP Review and other investment opportunities
Oct 13 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
online w/ The City of Asheville

The City of Asheville will host a 2-part virtual meeting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13 for organizations planning to respond to the City’s Request for ARPA proposals and community members interested in learning about additional funding opportunities available through the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.

 

The ARPA portion of the meeting will be hosted by City staff and will take place from 4-5 p.m.

This first portion of this meeting will serve as the Non-Mandatory RFP Pre-Proposal workshop.  During this time staff will provide information about the RFP and answer questions from participants.  All questions and responses from the session will be posted in the form of an addendum.  This meeting is optional for those wishing to enter a proposal and a recording will be posted following the meeting.

 

At 5 p.m., the meeting will transition into an information sharing session on additional funding opportunities available through the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. Staff from both organizations will give a brief overview of the funding opportunities including who is eligible and the timeframe for submitting applications. The following funding opportunities will be highlighted:

 

Buncombe County

 

  • American Rescue Plan Act: COVID Recovery Funding to address the pandemic and its negative economic impacts
  • Affordable Housing Services Program: Annual grants to help ensure comprehensive opportunities for affordable and safe housing
  • Aging Services Funding: Annual grants to support a system of home and community-based services for older adults
  • Community Recreation Grants: Annual grants to support fitness, health and wellness initiatives, activities and improvements
  •  Early Childhood Grants: Annual grants to support early childhood care and education programs
  • Isaac Coleman Grants: Multi-year grants investing in equitable opportunity
  • Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: Annual grants to reduce juvenile crime by supporting services for children and youth
  • Strategic Partnership Grants: Annual grants in alignment with the County’s strategic plan
  • Tipping Point Grants: Annual small grants to amplify community efforts

 

Visit the grant website for details about these programs

 

City of Asheville

  • Neighborhood Matching Grants: The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program helps Asheville’s neighborhood-based organizations fund various improvement projects by providing a dollar for dollar matching grant up to $5,000.
  • Community Development Block Grants: a federal grant program through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) providing grant funds for a variety of projects and programs that serve low and moderate income residents or eliminate slum and blight.
  • Strategic Partnership Grants: Annual grants in alignment with the City’s strategic plan

 

 

City staff from the Office of Business Inclusion will also be in attendance to share additional funding opportunities that could be of interest to our community.

 

 

Participants are encouraged to join the google meet at this link meet.google.com/ykb-wiin-cgh to participate and ask questions.

 

Site to watch the meeting streamed: https://publicinput.com/Y7657 or http://www.youtube.com/CityofAsheville 

 

Phone# to call to Listen Live: 855-925-2801 Meeting Code 4584

 

Foundations Business Planning Class
Oct 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.

Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.

 

Registration

Complete our online registration form to hold your seat in the class of your choice.  We will follow up with you within a few days. You are welcome to contact us with any follow-up questions or ask about the status of your request.

The course fee is $375; however, we offer a modest discount for virtual classes and needs-based scholarships are available (see below). If you are not applying for a scholarship, a minimum deposit of 50% of the total is due upon enrollment to reserve your seat and will be followed by an email confirmation of your placement within a few business days.  A pay link will be included in your email confirmation for submitting any remaining class balances.

Class Schedule

Some classes have a built-in make up class for holidays or inclement weather. Attendance for all classes is recommended to not fall behind in any of the material.  Week 1 is required, but if you have a scheduling conflict where you would miss any other classes, please let us know. Additional support may be available for any missed class material.

Thursday, October 14, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 14 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

DIGITAL MARKETING CERTIFICATE
Oct 14 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
WCU Biltmore Park, Asheville
September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays)

Digital Marketing and Public RelationsCreate an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Business + Professional Women’s Luncheon
Oct 14 @ 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Kenmure Country Club--hybrid option

Don’t miss this celebration of the impact of women in business in Henderson County and the presentation of the 2021 ATHENA Leadership Award of Henderson County!
This event will be hosted in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual attendance options. Virtual attendance will be hosted via Zoom.
In-person attendance is sold out for this event, however, virtual attendance is still open for registration.
Keynote Speaker
Kat Williams
Vocalist, Producer, Humanitarian, and Community Catalyst
Presentation
14th Annual ATHENA Award of Henderson County given in Memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz
Invested Course: An Investment Crowdfunding Learning Journey
Oct 14 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
online

The State of North Carolina recently passed legislation (NC PACES) making it possible to take on non-accredited investors for your small business. This allows you to raise funds from your friends, family, and broader community and to offer them a stake in – and a return on – the success that they are helping you to build.

Invested: An Investment Crowdfunding Learning Journey will assist a small cohort of interested business owners who are currently experiencing growth opportunities in preparing for, designing, and launching an investment crowdfunding campaign. The full course will entail five 2.5-hour sessions starting Thursday, September 23rd and running through October 21st.

The 7th Cohort of our Invested Course is coming up! The 5-session VIRTUAL COURSE will take place on the following dates:

  • Sep 23 – Session 1: 3-5pm
  • Sep 30 – Session 2: 3-5pm
  • Oct 07 – Session 3: 3-5pm
  • Oct 14 – Session 4: 3-5pm
  • Oct 21 – Session 5: 3-5pm

In between classes, the Invested program includes several one on one technical sessions with facilitators. Following the course, those that decide to execute investment crowdfunding campaigns will move into launch with the assistance of our BizWorks team and specialist partners.

Add your name to the Cohort 7 Interest Formand we will follow up with a brief consultation and informative call on specifications for the course. The course fee is $100 and $25 for additional participants from the same company. We also have an interest list for potential investors (those of us that may want to participate in a local crowdfunding campaign and attend one of the Invested course pitch events) that you can sign up for here.

A big thanks to our partners Jake Farrar (Van Winkle Law Firm), Annie Milroy Price (Birds Eye), and Jeffrey Scott (Metamorphic) who have assisted in developing and delivering this course.

Friday, October 15, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 15 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 15 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
DIGITAL MARKETING CERTIFICATE
Oct 15 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
WCU Biltmore Park, Asheville
September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays)

Digital Marketing and Public RelationsCreate an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Marketing 101: What Is Marketing and Understanding What Tools Do What
Oct 15 @ 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
online

Small Business Center at Blue Ridge Community College offers FREE seminars/workshops to support Small Business


Speaker(s): SBA

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce

Webinar info will be emailed after registration

Saturday, October 16, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 16 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 17 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Monday, October 18, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 18 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 18 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Craft Your Business workshop series: Alpine for Creatives
Oct 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online

The Alpine for Creatives Course is designed to support founders of creative businesses that have been operating for at least one year.

​​This 5-week course provides a peer-to-peer learning environment for you to assess your creative-based venture to date and address the opportunities and challenges emerging on the horizon. The course will guide participants through a comprehensive assessment of their experience producing and selling to date.

The Alpine Course will give you the opportunity to assess how things have been going in your business up to this point, while also visioning for the future. It will reconnect you with the “why” of your venture and help create in-roads to meeting both your short and long term goals.

This special Alpine Course is part of the Craft Your Commerce: 2021 Fall Workshop Series being offered by Mountain BizWorks with support from Center for Craft and UNC Asheville. The series involves a networking event, six separate workshops, and one intensive course suited for existing makers. This course is designed for existing makers to take the tools, strategies, and resources gained from the series workshops and then integrate them into your business plan and practices to further your success.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 19 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 19 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Business After Hours
Oct 19 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Atelier Maison & Co.

Come join us for October’s **BONUS** Business After Hours for the Asheville Design District at Atelier Maison & Co.! Feel free to bring a gift that will be raffled off as a door prize through the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and for a chance to win!!! This fantastic event will be catered by AVL Charcuterie with Archetype Brewing sponsoring the beer. There will also be live music from Asheville’s own The Freeway Jubilee!!!

Located in Asheville’s Historic Biltmore Village, Atelier Maison & Co. is the area’s home furnishings destination offering healthy, design-forward furniture, accessories and more. They believe living green is not only better for the environment, but essential in building a happier, healthier home. There you’ll find everything you need, as well as an experienced design team to guide you along the way.

They carry healthy furniture lines, as well as their own exclusive line of green, envy-worthy furniture. They invite you to come experience a home furnishings studio dedicated to helping you live healthier in your home.

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership and no registration is necessary. If you’re considering Chamber membership and would like to attend this event we welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Membership Development Specialist, at [email protected]

Buncombe County is an area of high transmission. In accordance with CDC guidelines and to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. 

Vision Alumni 2021 Wine Social
Oct 19 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse

Join your fellow Vision Henderson County Alumni and learn more about the impact of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Designation for our area wineries, network with fellow Vision Henderson County Alumni, enjoy wine from our area wineries, and delicious food from Dandelion.
Don’t forget to bring cash! There will be a raffle to benefit Flat Rock Playhouse with prizes from our area wineries and a 50/50 cash raffle to benefit the John Boyd Tuition Assistance Fund.
Vision Alumni Social + Crest of the Blue Ridge Presentation
Oct 19 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Play House
Join your fellow Vision Henderson County Alumni and learn more about the impact of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Designation for our area wineries, network with fellow Vision Henderson County Alumni, enjoy wine from our area wineries, and delicious food from Dandelion.
Don’t forget to bring cash! There will be a raffle to benefit Flat Rock Playhouse with prizes from our area wineries and a 50/50 cash raffle to benefit the John Boyd Tuition Assistance Fund.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 20 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 20 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
Foundations Business Planning Class
Oct 20 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
online

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.

Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.

 

Registration

Complete our online registration form to hold your seat in the class of your choice.  We will follow up with you within a few days. You are welcome to contact us with any follow-up questions or ask about the status of your request.

The course fee is $375; however, we offer a modest discount for virtual classes and needs-based scholarships are available (see below). If you are not applying for a scholarship, a minimum deposit of 50% of the total is due upon enrollment to reserve your seat and will be followed by an email confirmation of your placement within a few business days.  A pay link will be included in your email confirmation for submitting any remaining class balances.

Class Schedule

Some classes have a built-in make up class for holidays or inclement weather. Attendance for all classes is recommended to not fall behind in any of the material.  Week 1 is required, but if you have a scheduling conflict where you would miss any other classes, please let us know. Additional support may be available for any missed class material.

Thursday, October 21, 2021
Winter Tree Carnival Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree
Oct 21 all-day
online

Rabbit Rabbit is hosting a Winter Tree Carnival beginning Nov. 8. Businesses and organizations can adopt a tree to decorate or adopt a tree for a nonprofit to decorate. Trees will be on display beginning Nov. 8 through Jan. 3

Winter Tree Carnival w/ Rabbit Rabbit
Oct 21 all-day
Rabbit Rabbit

 

The free display of trees is sponsored + decorated by local community members, nonprofit orgs + bizzes, and a portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit Manna FoodBank.

WINTER TREE CARNIVAL


Reserve your tree today by clicking HERE

 

  • $300 = Adopt a tree to decorate. One tree allowed per business/organization.
  • $600 = Adopt a tree to decorate and adopt an additional tree for a non-profit organization.
DIGITAL MARKETING CERTIFICATE
Oct 21 @ 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
WCU Biltmore Park, Asheville
September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays)

Digital Marketing and Public RelationsCreate an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Biz & Bites Live: 10 Genderless and Ageless 10 Flashes of Unconventional Practices for Highly Successful, Joyful, Ageless, Energetic People
Oct 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Focal Point CoWorking

Upper limits restrict how much success, love, money, energy we allow for ourselves.
Limited beliefs diminish what’s possible for us so we will spend time together “unfixing” your mind, being “irreverent”, “impractical”, “undistractable”, finding your “electricity”, suspending the “how”, making your “move” because you are ready, and most importantly, “staying plugged” in to more possibilities!
Come and recommit to the positive mindset promises you have made to yourself for increased joy, success, and love in the past, and leave with new energy and tools to keep those promises!
Pat Parker is a seeker of paths and human excellence. As a mom, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend, neighbor, writer, speaker, personal development coach, Realtor, and dancer, she discovered the joy of exploring personal paths for herself and others.
As a resident of the later stages of life, Pat is an advocate of changing the collective focus from “anti-age” to “pro-age”; a champion of ageless resilience. Pat uses her coaching and writing skills to take the “bunk” out of stereotyping women and aging and brings attention to unlimited possibilities (personally and professionally) when we shift from a “fixed” mindset to a “growth” mindset.

Invested Course: An Investment Crowdfunding Learning Journey
Oct 21 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
online

The State of North Carolina recently passed legislation (NC PACES) making it possible to take on non-accredited investors for your small business. This allows you to raise funds from your friends, family, and broader community and to offer them a stake in – and a return on – the success that they are helping you to build.

Invested: An Investment Crowdfunding Learning Journey will assist a small cohort of interested business owners who are currently experiencing growth opportunities in preparing for, designing, and launching an investment crowdfunding campaign. The full course will entail five 2.5-hour sessions starting Thursday, September 23rd and running through October 21st.

The 7th Cohort of our Invested Course is coming up! The 5-session VIRTUAL COURSE will take place on the following dates:

  • Sep 23 – Session 1: 3-5pm
  • Sep 30 – Session 2: 3-5pm
  • Oct 07 – Session 3: 3-5pm
  • Oct 14 – Session 4: 3-5pm
  • Oct 21 – Session 5: 3-5pm

In between classes, the Invested program includes several one on one technical sessions with facilitators. Following the course, those that decide to execute investment crowdfunding campaigns will move into launch with the assistance of our BizWorks team and specialist partners.

Add your name to the Cohort 7 Interest Formand we will follow up with a brief consultation and informative call on specifications for the course. The course fee is $100 and $25 for additional participants from the same company. We also have an interest list for potential investors (those of us that may want to participate in a local crowdfunding campaign and attend one of the Invested course pitch events) that you can sign up for here.

A big thanks to our partners Jake Farrar (Van Winkle Law Firm), Annie Milroy Price (Birds Eye), and Jeffrey Scott (Metamorphic) who have assisted in developing and delivering this course.

Jonathan Bidwell Artist’s Reception
Oct 21 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Harmony Interiors

Join us for a wine and art pairing artist’s reception for local artist Jonathan Bidwell, who has a studio in the River Arts District. His work will be paired with wines curated by Melissa Ward of Sips with A Somm and Rustic Grape Wine Tastings. Preview Jonathan’s work at https://www.jonathanbidwell.com/. We will also be having a raffle to raise funds for Save Our Stages!