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.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Tacos + Trivia Tuesday
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog

Tacos & Trivia Tuesday

Join us every Tuesday night for Tacos & Trivia!

Twisted Roots will be cooking up a variety of tacos and authentic sides (vegetarian options available) starting at 5 pm.

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for good food, a good time, and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Trivia Tuesday
Aug 17 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Village Porch

Stop by and play trivia at The Village Porch with Geeks Who Drink and win prizes from our pub and from Wicked Weed!

We aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel, so instead we hired Geeks Who Drink, who provide the coolest wheels *trivia* around! Everything you need to know from the Geeks Who Drink website:

1. Bring a team (up to 6), or join one at the bar
2. It’s free to play (but order something, cheapo)
3. Expect 70-ish questions over 2 hours
Win free pints and other prizes
4. Go on to massive fame, fortune, a happy home life, self-realization, etc.

Aquanet: Goth Night
Aug 17 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 18 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Joe Zimmerman LIVE at The Peel
Aug 18 all-day
The Orange Peel

“The combination of Joe’s calming vocalization and inventive writing is a thing of magic. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable show.

—BuzzFeed

“Spectacular.”
—John Oliver, after seeing Joe at Webster Hall in New York

“Oh, that’s so funny to take an audience through real facts about Andrew Jackson, who’s on no one’s mind…. tell you real things he did and has jokes that are great, and it destroys…. my absolute grand envy.”
—John Mulaney in Vulture

“One of my favorite comedians”
— Brian Regan, before inviting Joe to tour with him

Joe Zimmerman started his comedy career right here in North Carolina. A local Asheville favorite, Joe moved to New York City in 2012 and has since been a comedy darling, appearing on his own Comedy Central Half Hour, The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Late Show, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show and Last Comic Standing. He is a regular at New York’s iconic Comedy Cellar, where one of his sets was featured on Comedy Central’s 2019 series, This Week at the Comedy Cellar. He has performed at The Kennedy Center & Radio City with Brian Regan. And if all that’s not enough Joe is also a writer and has contributed humor pieces to The New Yorker, and The New York Times, and has a popular blog called Humble Visionary.

Featuring and hosting for Joe are his good friends and local stand-up comedian celebrities, Cary Goff and Petey Smith McDowell. Cary, who runs The Disclaimer Standup Lounge (for over 10+ years), and has been co-producing the Slice of Life Comedy shows at Rabbit Rabbit, The Orange Peel Events Outdoor Summer Stage has performed comedy all over the west, north and sometimes east Asheville and as far away as Hendersonville. When he tells a joke at home his family will say ‘oh, I see you’re trying to be funny’,which is almost as good as laughing. Petey is an Asheville native who has been traveling around the country telling jokes since 2009. He has opened for Hannibal Buress, Trevor Noah, and Rory Scovel.

What: Slice of Life Comedy presents Joe Zimmerman LIVE at The Orange Peel
When: Wednesday August 18, 8p, Doors 7p
Where: The Orange Peel,
101 Bilmore Ave, Downtown Asheville
Cost: $25, fully seated show
FB: https://fb.me/e/1fZL5FDbA

Tickets: theorangepeel.net
For more information contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]

Witty Wednesday Trivia
Aug 18 @ 6:30 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing
Scoop: Witty Wednesday Trivia
Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia
Aug 18 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
12 Bones Brewing

Totally Rad Trivia invades 12 Bones South every Wednesday evening for two hours of Pop Culture Trivia. Grab a beer, some BBQ and buckle in for some fun and challenging Trivia.
The SuperHappy Trivia Challenge
Aug 18 @ 7:30 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

A two-year layoff has been just too much for host Adam Arthur and his idiot contestants. But they are back for three months of lukewarm competition and semi-sweet rivalries. Once a staple of the Asheville comedy scene, the return of this pseudo game show will be most welcome.
Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic every Wednesday 8:00pm at The Asheville Music Hall
Aug 18 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Asheville Music Hall

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 8:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 8pm, 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.

Latin Night Wednesday
Aug 18 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
One World Brewing West

Latin Night Wednesday

MTN VIBEZ Presents Latin Night-every Wednesday.  Free Dance Lessons 8:30-9PM-All Skill Levels and All Latin Genres-Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton.

DJ Ephcto spins cultural bass music from 6:30pm-9pm and is a perfect time to come for some dinner prior to the start of Latin night.

Move On Up: Soul/R+B
Aug 18 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 19 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

“Move On Up” is a night of your favorite and forgotten Soul/RB cuts right after Comedy Night.

Thursday, August 19, 2021
Gluten-Free Comedy, open mic at Ginger’s Revenge
Aug 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Ginger's Revenge
Sunset Rooftop Comedy Show
Aug 19 @ 6:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Slice of Life Comedy & Disclaimer Lounge present: Sunset Rooftop Standup Comedy by Local Professional Comics Every Thursday at Rabbit Rabbit

Come grab dinner and a show at Rabbit Rabbit, in Downtown Asheville Outside Theatre Space:
**Great Craft Rabbit-themed cocktails available
**AVL Pizza truck on-site & AVL Pizza full menu available
**Rooftop-seating, depending on weather
**Sanitized Headphones provided so you don’t miss a joke while getting your food & drinks, works anywhere around the venue

Hosted by: Cody Hughes
Featuring: Petey Smith McDowell, Hilliary Begely, Cary Goff, Morgan Bost, Blaine Perry, Marlene Thompson, Ben Sia Hian

 

 

PERFORMANCE: CHRISTOPHER-RASHEEM MCMILLAN
Aug 19 @ 7:00 pm
Online

Thursday, August 19 at 7 PM Eastern

Streaming to the event page, FB live + IGTV (@bmcmuseum)

“The Long Way Home,” a new solo work by Christopher-Rasheem Mcmillan, poses a way of contending with the Black body as a composite body, one that is connected to, affirms, and disrupts the archive and Historiography. Through this solo dance performance, McMillan tracks the Merce Cunningham technique through diaspora, emphasizing that the diaspora is never the homeland: it’s never home, it’s always somehow both exile in migration and in travel; different from, yet somehow always in dialogue with, its genesis.

Christopher-Rasheem McMillan, is a performance-related artist and scholar. He has a joint appointment between Dance and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. McMillan received his BA from Hampshire College, his MFA in Experimental Choreography from the Laban Conservatoire, London, and his PhD in Theology and Religious Studies from King’s College, London (2017).

His interests concern choreography in an expanded field, something that he has approached through experimental practices and creative processes in a multiplicity of formats and expressions. He uses video, performance, photography, and oral storytelling to explore themes of race, memory, queer desire, religion, personal and public mythology. McMillan’s performance works have been seen at venues such as the Bates Dance Festival of Bates College, Providence International Arts Festival (PVD), and The Dance Complex, and Green Street Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in performance platforms such as the 2011 participatory event Beyond Text, London. He was a Five College Fellow for the 2013–14 academic year and the recipient of the McGreggor-Girand Dissertation Fellowship for the 2014–15 academic year. His writing has been published in The Journal of DanceMovement & SpiritualitiesKinebago, and Contact Quarterly. Currently, McMillan is a fellow and visiting assistant professor at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale College’s Theater and Performance Studies department.

Salsa Night Thursday
Aug 19 @ 9:30 pm – Aug 20 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

Spice up your life with Latin sounds by local DJs Nex Millen & Mtn Vibez every Thursday.

Super bonus if you come early and get Dance Lessons from our knowladable instructors and get your body ready with sabor for the night. NO COVER All events 21+

Friday, August 20, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 1 – America’s Reflection in the Funhouse Mirror
Aug 20 @ 8:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Everybody Free Dance Party
Aug 20 @ 10:00 pm – Aug 21 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy

DJ Dance Party with Meseret & Zati 🎧 Every Friday Nigh it’s you, it’s dark house and the dance floor. NO COVER 21+

Saturday, August 21, 2021
A History of Stand-up, Part 2 – PC, Cancel Culture and the Line Dancers
Aug 21 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company

Ritch Shydner’s funny and insightful multi-media presentation about the history of an original American art form, stand-up comedy, and what all the jokes and laughter say about America. The stories of forgotten trailblazers, martyred iconoclasts and familiar stars show how the simple act of one joker taking on a crowd became one of our most popular entertainments, and a cultural
weathervane. Presented in 2 parts, with talk-backs afterward.

Sunday, August 22, 2021
Stories from the MOB (Mother of the Bride)
Aug 22 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
The Park at Flat Rock--the Staton Pavilion

Join us on Sunday, August 22nd as Wells Fargo Advisors presents Stories from the MOB (Mother of the Bride) a comedy, with a little drama and adventure mixed in! Just as each dress has a story to tell, so does every Mother of the Bride! This delightful performance consists of several short monologues of women who will make you laugh, cry, nod in agreement and steal your heart as they share the story of their dress and their expectations for the big day! Written and directed by Doreen Blue and performed by the Pass the Hat Players, Stories from the MOB has become an audience favorite and a joy for the cast of performers!

Monday, August 23, 2021
2021 Street Dances: Blue Ridge Tradition with Southern Connection Cloggers
Aug 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

 

The Street Dances have been a tradition for over 100 years in Downtown Hendersonville! They began in 1918, at the end of World War I, when the city welcomed home its soldiers from the War by celebrating in the streets, and became nationally known after they were included in the guidebook Blue Ridge Music Trails, Finding A Place In The Circle, written by Fred S. Fussell. The guidebook was winner of the first PRESERVE AMERICA Presidential Award for Heritage Tourism.

The sounds of fiddles and banjos playing at the Street Dances have been a part of Henderson County’s heritage for more than 100 yearscalling people of all ages to journey to downtown Hendersonville to enjoy toe-tapping-good mountain music.

Hendersonville comes alive with people listening to the traditional mountain and bluegrass music performed by a live band, square dancing and special appearances are often made by area clogging teams for a foot stomping evening.

Bring a chair and enjoy an evening of live music from 7 pm-9 pm. The audience seating area opens after 5:30 pm, early admission is prohibited.  Admission is free. Alcoholic beverages, backpacks, or coolers are prohibited.

Enjoy free, live music at the Visitor Center every Monday & Friday evening in July and August! Click here to learn more about Monday Night Live! and here to learn more about Music on Main Concerts.

Click to download a copy of the 2021 Summer Music Series brochure.

Stand-Up Comedy Class with Ritch Shydner
Aug 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Attic Salt Theatre Company
Long-time, professional comedian Ritch Shydner passes his wisdom to beginners and intermediate hopefuls. The class culminates with a final performance hosted by Shydner himself!
Class Fee: $250 for 5 weeks (10-person maximum)
Dates: Mondays, 7-9pm
August 9, 16, 23, 30
Sept 13
Performance: September 18 at 8pm
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Magnetic in the Smoky Park OUTDOOR SHOW
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

OUTDOOR SHOW

Join us on Tuesday nights for Magnetic’s signature variety show. There will be an exciting mix of comedy, music, theatre, dance, magic and more! Smoky Park Supper Club is offering us their beautiful outdoor venue, and will be selling food and drinks. The event is BYOC (bring your own chair), and we will, of course, be following strict Covid safety protocols. We can’t wait to see you there!

Smoky Park Supper Club + Magnetic Theatre Outdoor Show
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Park Supper Club

Join us Tuesday nights, beginning April 13th, as The Magnetic Theatre teams up with the wizards at Smoky Park Supper Club to host a live, outdoor variety show. We’ll be filling Smoky Park’s gorgeous, riverside outdoor space with comedy, theatre, music and so much more.

There will be food and beverages available for purchase.

  • This is a BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Chair) event.
  • In accordance with safety guidelines this show will be staged outdoors, with mask and social distancing protocols enforced. There will also be temperature checks and COVID waivers that need to be signed by each attendee at the gate.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the 7pm showtime.
  • We do require that masks be worn at all times unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Tacos + Trivia Tuesday
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Down Dog

Tacos & Trivia Tuesday

Join us every Tuesday night for Tacos & Trivia!

Twisted Roots will be cooking up a variety of tacos and authentic sides (vegetarian options available) starting at 5 pm.

Trivia will run from 7-8:15 pm. We will be capping the teams at 20 and teams will not be able to join after 7 so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

No reservations needed, just grab your thinking caps and get ready for good food, a good time, and a chance to win a $10, $20, or $30 gift certificate to Down Dog!

Trivia Tuesday
Aug 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Village Porch

Stop by and play trivia at The Village Porch with Geeks Who Drink and win prizes from our pub and from Wicked Weed!

We aren’t trying to re-invent the wheel, so instead we hired Geeks Who Drink, who provide the coolest wheels *trivia* around! Everything you need to know from the Geeks Who Drink website:

1. Bring a team (up to 6), or join one at the bar
2. It’s free to play (but order something, cheapo)
3. Expect 70-ish questions over 2 hours
Win free pints and other prizes
4. Go on to massive fame, fortune, a happy home life, self-realization, etc.

STOMP
Aug 24 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

stomp

Explosive. Inventive. Utterly Unique.

STOMP doesn’t have a storyline or dialogue like traditional musicals or plays. Instead, the eight-member troupe uses everything but percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, and hubcaps, to name a few – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

Over the past 20 years, STOMP has grown into an international sensation. A fan-favorite amongst television hosts and audiences, STOMP members have performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “The Today Show.” All the while, the production has accumulated awards and recognition, including an Olivier Award for Best Choreography, a New York Obie Award, and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience (and unique, it is!).

You may have seen STOMP before, but with two new pieces, you’ve never seen it like this! Join in on the journey through sound, a celebration of the every day, and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum. STOMP – see what the noise is all about.

STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” – San Francisco Chronicle

“If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!” – Boston Globe

Official Website

Aquanet: Goth Night
Aug 24 @ 9:00 pm – Aug 25 @ 2:00 am
Asheville Beauty Academy
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Witty Wednesday Trivia
Aug 25 @ 6:30 pm
Sweeten Creek Brewing
Scoop: Witty Wednesday Trivia
Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia
Aug 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
12 Bones Brewing

Totally Rad Trivia invades 12 Bones South every Wednesday evening for two hours of Pop Culture Trivia. Grab a beer, some BBQ and buckle in for some fun and challenging Trivia.
STOMP
Aug 25 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

stomp

Explosive. Inventive. Utterly Unique.

STOMP doesn’t have a storyline or dialogue like traditional musicals or plays. Instead, the eight-member troupe uses everything but percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, and hubcaps, to name a few – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.

Over the past 20 years, STOMP has grown into an international sensation. A fan-favorite amongst television hosts and audiences, STOMP members have performed on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” and “The Today Show.” All the while, the production has accumulated awards and recognition, including an Olivier Award for Best Choreography, a New York Obie Award, and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience (and unique, it is!).

You may have seen STOMP before, but with two new pieces, you’ve never seen it like this! Join in on the journey through sound, a celebration of the every day, and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum. STOMP – see what the noise is all about.

STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” – San Francisco Chronicle

“If you haven’t seen STOMP, GO! If you have seen it, take someone and share the pleasure!” – Boston Globe

Official Website

Latin Night Wednesday
Aug 25 @ 9:00 pm – 11:59 pm
One World Brewing West

Latin Night Wednesday

MTN VIBEZ Presents Latin Night-every Wednesday.  Free Dance Lessons 8:30-9PM-All Skill Levels and All Latin Genres-Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton.

DJ Ephcto spins cultural bass music from 6:30pm-9pm and is a perfect time to come for some dinner prior to the start of Latin night.