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.

Saturday, August 3, 2019
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Aug 3 @ 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
UNCA Lipinsky Hall

Folk music and dance of the southern appalachians

Bascom Lamar Lunsford founded the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as a means for people to share and understand the beauty and dignity of the Southern Appalachian music, dance and storytelling traditions that have been handed down through generations in Western North Carolina. He saw the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival grow to be the oldest gathering of its kind in the nation and it continues in this way, a platform for the talented of the high country lying between the Great Smoky and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Come celebrate the 92nd Anniversary of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in our brand new, luxurious venue! Doors open each night at 5:30pm with performances starting promptly at 6:30pm.

If you like Shindig on the Green, you’ll love the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival! Proceeds support Shindig on the Green.

Advanced Purchase through July 31, 2019:

Adults $20.00, Students & Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $15.00/person.

At the Door:

Adults $25.00, Students $10.00, Children (6-12 years) $5.00, 3-night package $50.00, Group (10 or more) $20.00/person

Wednesday, August 7, 2019
13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm
varies--see details

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Comedy Festival Launch Party/Famous Showcase #1
Aug 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Highland Brewing

We kick off the 13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival with a stellar lineup of comics from all over the country!

We are so glad to be returning, and what better way to kick off the 13th year of an amazing festival than by celebrating at Asheville’s best brewery?!

Performer Lineup

Andrew Orolfo

Max Fine

Natalie McGill

Ben Bryant

Lace Larrabee

Dro Knows

Hobert Thompson

Dan Carney

Spencer Dobson

Lindsay Glazer

Jeremy Alder

Thursday, August 8, 2019
13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm
varies--see details

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Asheville Comedy Famous Showcase #2
Aug 8 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

LYAO WEB BANNER SHOWCASE 2 2019.jpg

Kyle Mara – Grisel Cabrera – Carter Deems – Zack Chapaloni – Scott Eason – Becca Steinhoff – Piers Moreton – Dan Drees – Nariko Ott – Ian Aber – Maddie Wiener – Rafe Williams –

Friday, August 9, 2019
13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Aug 9 @ 8:00 pm
varies--see details

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Asheville Comedy Festival Showcase #3
Aug 9 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

LYAO WEB BANNER SHOWCASE 3 2019.jpg

Maya May – David Sitrick – Janet McNamara – Jimmy HVD – Olivia Cathcart – Mike Feeney – Chey Bell – Nat Baimel – Caitlin Checkeroski – Dylan Vattelana – Aviva Siegel – Jeff Zenisek –

Saturday, August 10, 2019
13th Annual Asheville Comedy Festival
Aug 10 @ 8:00 pm
varies--see details

Schedule:
Wednesday, August 7 at Highland Brewing Company
Thursday, August 8 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Friday, August 9 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Saturday, August 10 at Diana Wortham Theatre
Late shows at Lazoom Room Wednesday – Friday
Tickets on Sale now at www.ashevillecomedyfestival.com

Asheville Comedy Festival Showcase #4
Aug 10 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

LYAO WEB BANNER SHOWCASE 4 2019.jpg

Pedro Gonzalez – Lucia Whalen – Ken Garr – Curtis Cook – Linda Belt – Gianmarco Soresi – Pauline Yasuda – Wellington Ojukwu – Gracie Canaan – Chris Flanagan – Winston Hodges – Courtney Gilmour –

Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Auditions: ARMS AND THE MAN
Aug 13 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
ACT

ARMS AND THE MAN

By George Bernard Shaw

Directed by Jim Reid

AUDITIONS: August 13, 2019, 10:30 am-2:30 pm

PRODUCTION DATES: August 30-September 1, 2019

REHEARSALS: August 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29, 2019 from 10:30-2:30

DIRECTOR SEEKS: 3 women, 5 men

Director Jim Reid seeks a cast of 8 (3 women, 5 men) for this comedy that’s often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancee say? The plot, of course, thickens! Performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.

Auditions are open to all in the community; no previous experience required. All audition material provided at the auditions!

Thursday, August 15, 2019
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Aug 15 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Friday, August 16, 2019
Dance Party Old School 80’s & 90’s
Aug 16 all-day
Alley Cat Social Club

DJ Drew is having his birthday bash and throwing down 80’s and 90’s hits.
Dance party starts around 9pm and goes all night.

80s vs 90s Dance Party
Aug 16 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

This Friday, August 16th, we are excited to bring back what is becoming a cult favorite this summer! Fave local DJs Molly Parti and DJ Oso Rey will take turns spinning songs from the hits of the 80s vs. 90s, all for your dancing and reminiscing enjoyment. Make plans to get your crew together for a night filled with fun, friends, nostalgia and great tunes and craft beer at the Peel for just $5 in advance! The only decision is whether to wear leg-warmers and jelly bracelets, or bust out your favorite flannel shirt and your Docs.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Aug 21 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, August 22, 2019
City Dance
Aug 22 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic
Aug 22 @ 9:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

Thursday night 8/1 Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic!
Both Professionals and Newbies!
Hosted by Cody Hughes
Doors 8:30p/9:00p show
$5 members/$2 for year membership
Comics get in free
(+free membership)
Free snacks/drink specials

[Comics sign up at door or email [email protected]
New comics to venue get 3-5m
Regular comics get as much time as available. Look for light]

Contact Michele at [email protected] for more info/sign up early or request a feature (paid 20m) spot

Saturday, August 24, 2019
Terpsicorps Open House FREE Classes – From Ballet to B-Boy
Aug 24 @ 10:15 am – 2:00 pm
The Academy at Terpsicorps

Curious about dance classes for your child, but want to be sure? Join us at any of our free classes at our Open House on August 24. Reserve your spot today, or go ahead and register for Fall classes at our website, terpsicorpsacademy.org.

10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
(ages 3-5) Creative Movement

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
(ages 5-6) PreBallet / Tap 2

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
(ages 3-5) Boy’s Creative Movement

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
(ages 7-9) Ballet 1

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
(ages 3-4) PreBallet/PreTap 1

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
(ages 8.5-10) Ballet 2

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
(ages 6-9) B-Boy Break Dancing

Wednesday, August 28, 2019
WNC Declassified: Local History Discoveries in Secret Documents
Aug 28 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

WNC Declassified:Local History Discoveries in Secret Documents

Join WNC Magazine senior editor and Friends of the North Carolina Room board member Jon Elliston as he recaps his yearlong written series with a multimedia presentation in the Lord Auditorium at Pack Memorial Library.

Learn more about:

**Asheville’s Fascist: William Dudley Pelley’s obscure but infamous Silver Shirt movement lives on in his paper trail

**Swannanoa’s Superspy: Carl Duckett’s unlikely journey from small-town roots to top CIA official

**Rosman’s Spy Base: When the National Security Agency set up a mountain espionage station, it was a hard secret to keep

**Senator Sam Ervin’s Secret Wars: He stuck to the Constitution through clashes with McCarthy, the Army, CIA, and Nixon

**School Under Scrutiny: The FBI’s files on Black Mountain College tell a little-known story of art, politics, and surveillance

Local Author Launches Debut Novel at Malaprops Pop-Up
Aug 28 @ 7:00 pm
Malaprop’s Pop-Up in downtown Hendersonville

My name is Meagan Lucas and I am a Hendersonville-based writer. I’m having a book launch for my debut novel, Songbirds and Stray Dogs, at the new Malaprop’s Pop-Up in downtown Hendersonville.

In Songbirds and Stray Dogs, 21 year old Beaufort waitress, Jolene, has spent the majority of her life living in the shadow of the pain her mother caused, and trying to prove herself worthy of her Aunt’s stingy love. Unintentionally pregnant and abandoned again, Jolene tries to outrun her shame in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Penniless, alone, and chased by demons from her past, she is forced to confront her mother’s legacy, and her own fear. Song Birds and Stray Dogs is a Southern story, born of sweet tea and the Bible Belt, chow-chow and cornbread, shot guns and porch rocking. But it is also a universal story of escaping the burden of your past and finding yourself at home in a strange land.

Thursday, August 29, 2019
Kathy Izard: The Hundred Story Home
Aug 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Kathy Izard: Reading & Signing "The Hundred Story Home" w AHOPE

Teen – (grades 6-12), Adult

Join us at Pack Memorial Library to welcome Kathy Izard, author of “The Hundred Story Home” and children’s book, “A Good Night for Mr. Coleman.” She will be conducting a reading followed by a Q&A with guests from AHOPE Day Center- Homeward Bound of WNC.

Kathy Izard is an award-winning author and speaker who helped bring transformation to Charlotte in homelessness, housing and mental health. Her memoir “The Hundred Story Home” has been featured on NPR and the TODAY Show and inspires people to be changemakers in their communities. kathyizard.com

Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe will be here for book sales and help with the book signing.

Program is free and everyone is welcome. Doors open at 5:30.

Friday, August 30, 2019
Arms and The Man Readers Theatre ACT
Aug 30 @ 2:30 pm
ACT: 35below

This comedy is often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancée say? The plot, of course, thickens! Directed by Jim Reid and performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.

LaZoom Comedy: Mia Jackson (Friday Night)
Aug 30 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that’s Georgian for “native”) and self proclaimed know-it-all. After graduating from the University of Georgia she hit the local comedy scene and has thrilled audiences since day one. To her credit she has appeared on NickMom’s Night Out, Viceland and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. She has appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and the movie Mother’s Day. In 2017, she was named a New Face at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and Atlanta’s Creative Loafing named her the city’s Best Stand-Up. Smart, funny, and versatile, Mia entertains all types of crowds. She just filmed her Comedy Central special at the end of January.

Featuring Petey Smith McDowell
Hosted by Morgan Bost

Sponsored by BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of

FRIDAY: Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mia-jackson-friday-night-tickets-64202408131

SATURDAY: Doors at 9pm, show at 9:45pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mia-jackson-saturday-night-tickets-64203472314

Saturday, August 31, 2019
Arms and The Man Readers Theatre ACT
Aug 31 @ 2:30 pm
ACT: 35below

This comedy is often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancée say? The plot, of course, thickens! Directed by Jim Reid and performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.

LaZoom Comedy: Mia Jackson (Saturday Night)
Aug 31 @ 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that’s Georgian for “native”) and self proclaimed know-it-all. After graduating from the University of Georgia she hit the local comedy scene and has thrilled audiences since day one. To her credit she has appeared on NickMom’s Night Out, Viceland and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. She has appeared on Inside Amy Schumer and the movie Mother’s Day. In 2017, she was named a New Face at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal and Atlanta’s Creative Loafing named her the city’s Best Stand-Up. Smart, funny, and versatile, Mia entertains all types of crowds. She just filmed her Comedy Central special at the end of January.

Featuring Petey Smith McDowell
Hosted by Morgan Bost

Sponsored by BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of

FRIDAY: Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mia-jackson-friday-night-tickets-64202408131

SATURDAY: Doors at 9pm, show at 9:45pm
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mia-jackson-saturday-night-tickets-64203472314

Sunday, September 1, 2019
Arms and The Man Readers Theatre ACT
Sep 1 @ 2:30 pm
Reuter Center on UNCA’s campus

This comedy is often viewed as Shaw’s wittiest play! This is a borderline farce that will stimulate serious thinking about the nature of both romance and war. What is Raina to do when she finds that an enemy soldier has taken refuge in her room? What will her fiancée say? The plot, of course, thickens! Directed by Jim Reid and performed as Readers Theatre as a part of The Autumn Players’ Readers Theatre Showcase Series.

Friday, September 6, 2019
LaZoom Comedy: Rob Christensen (Friday Night)
Sep 6 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Rob Christensen is a stand up comedian, writer, and actor who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY – when it was still dangerous. He now lives in Los Angeles, CA where he’s all about that salad life. Rob’s unique humor is smart, self-reflective, spirited, and informed by his experiences back in Brooklyn as an illegal graffiti artist, freestyle rap battler, raver, hooligan and eventual U.S. Air Force Sergeant. Overall, Rob is generally known as a bad-ass ruffian, which does not preclude him from regularly cuddling with baby animals.

Rob had one of the best sets of his life taping THIS IS NOT HAPPENING for Comedy Central and one of the best weekends of his life taping ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY for Comedy Central. He had one of the worst sets of his life taping LAST COMIC STANDING for NBC where Roseanne Barr told him, “I didn’t like you from the moment I saw you.”

Follow him @RobLovesBagels on Twitter and Instagram or get more info at BrooklynRob.com

Featuring Jess Cooley

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
Friday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-friday-tickets-67283704371

Saturday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-saturday-tickets-67287882869

Saturday, September 7, 2019
Renaissance Faire at the Farm
Sep 7 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Attention all knights, pages, jesters, jousters, kings, queens, princesses and princes! Get your costumes ready, and come out and have some fun on September 7th! Boys, girls, moms, dads, come one, come all to the First Annual Renaissance Fair at the Farm. We have all sorts of fun demonstrations planned, such as fencing, sword fighting, and juggling. Other activities to be announced, including a costume contest!

LaZoom Comedy: Rob Christensen (Saturday Night)
Sep 7 @ 9:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Rob Christensen is a stand up comedian, writer, and actor who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY – when it was still dangerous. He now lives in Los Angeles, CA where he’s all about that salad life. Rob’s unique humor is smart, self-reflective, spirited, and informed by his experiences back in Brooklyn as an illegal graffiti artist, freestyle rap battler, raver, hooligan and eventual U.S. Air Force Sergeant. Overall, Rob is generally known as a bad-ass ruffian, which does not preclude him from regularly cuddling with baby animals.

Rob had one of the best sets of his life taping THIS IS NOT HAPPENING for Comedy Central and one of the best weekends of his life taping ADAM DEVINE’S HOUSE PARTY for Comedy Central. He had one of the worst sets of his life taping LAST COMIC STANDING for NBC where Roseanne Barr told him, “I didn’t like you from the moment I saw you.”

Follow him @RobLovesBagels on Twitter and Instagram or get more info at BrooklynRob.com

Featuring Jess Cooley

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
Friday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-friday-tickets-67283704371

Saturday: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-rob-christensen-saturday-tickets-67287882869

Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Auditions Readers Theatre Einstein and the Polar Bear
Sep 10 @ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Director Ellen Pappas seeks a cast of 7 (4M, 3W) for this sharp and witty comedy! Auditions are open to all and all audition material is provided at the audition!

By Tom Griffin

Directed by Ellen Pappas

AUDITIONS: September 10, 2019, 10:30 am-2:30 pm

PRODUCTION DATES: September 27-29, 2019

REHEARSALS: September 12, 17, 19, 24, and 26, 2019 from 10:30-2:30

DIRECTOR SEEKS: 4 M, 3 W

About the show: A renowned writer has it all, fortune, fame, women and adoration, when one excruciating miscalculation causes him to lose everything. As penance he hides away in a small New England town where he runs a bookstore in a shambling farmhouse. Then comes a knock on his door. Can the lost be found? Can the sinner gain redemption?

Ninth Street Women: Five Painters and the Movement that Changed Modern Art
Sep 10 @ 12:00 pm
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café

Set amid the most turbulent social and political period of modern times, Ninth Street Women is the impassioned, wild, sometimes tragic, always exhilarating chronicle of five women who dared to enter the male-dominated world of 20th-century abstract painting—not as muses but as artists. These women changed American art and society, tearing up the prevailing social code and replacing it with a doctrine of liberation. In Ninth Street Women, acclaimed author Mary Gabriel tells a remarkable and inspiring story of the power of art and artists in shaping not just postwar America but the future.