Skip to content

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, April 11, 2023
Indigenous Hip Hop and Activism: Master class with interpreters
Apr 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
UNCA

Free + open to all

Indigenous Hip Hop Banner: woman in headdress holding microphones in each hand

UNC Asheville Cultural Events/Equity & Arts Series

April 11-14, 2023 


About the Festival

During the weeklong residency, hip-hop Indigenous artists, graffiti artists and DJs will meet on the campus of UNC Asheville (Antokiasdiyi, Cherokee territory) to share and exchange their music and language with our community. This is a unique opportunity for the university and community to engage with contemporary Native American and Indigenous musicians. The three main rappers and artists will visit from Chile, Mexico and the US. In decolonizing academia, this week will provide an alternative space to learn about Indigenous land-based ways of being both in North America and Latin America. We are partnering with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and local hip hop artists and community leaders.

Guided Trail Walk
Apr 11 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Leicester Library Book Discussion Group
Apr 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Leicester Public Library

This month we’re discussing The Other Dr. Gilmer by Benjamin Gilmer.   The Leicester Library Book Discussion Group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1 pm in the Community Room at the library. Newcomers welcome!
A Zoom link is available for those who want to attend but cannot make it in person. Email [email protected] for the link.

Spring Break Animal Encounters
Apr 11 @ 2:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Do you know our staff has a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn about the types of wildlife in the area and their jobs. Some of our best educators have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

City Council Meeting
Apr 11 @ 3:00 pm
 Council Chamber – City Hall –

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORKSESSION
(Public comment is not accepted at worksessions)
Tuesday, April 11,  2023 – 3:00 p.m.
Council Chamber – City Hall – 70 Court Plaza

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 143-318.10 this will be an in-person meeting which the public can access by any of the following means found at https://publicinput.com/k5363

**********************************************

FORMAL MEETING
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – 5:00 p.m.
Council Chamber – City Hall – 70 Court Plaza
AGENDA

Orden del día en español

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 143-318.13, this will be a remote worksession which the public can access by any of the following means found at https://publicinput.com/r1147

Hearing Loop technology for assistive listening is available in Council Chambers.

Elementary After-School Volunteer Creative Peacemakers
Apr 11 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Deaverview Apartment Community

We are seeking volunteers to assist us in our small after school program for children in West Asheville in low-income housing.  We provide a safe and nourishing environment, healthy snacks, and creative activities.  Our program currently meets during the school year on most Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00-5:00pm. You may volunteer for one or two days a week. 

Volunteer Responsibilities:

  • Assist with serving snacks
  • Interact with children during activity time
  • Supervise games and outdoor free time
  • For people with background in education, there is also an opportunity to assist with curriculum development and program planning and administration

Requirements:

  • Background check
  • Orientation booklets will be provided
  • Masks are required if unvaccinated
LEAF Instrument Petting Zoo
Apr 11 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
LEAF Global Arts

What is sound? How does a person hear and listen to music? Why is it one of the most powerful expressions of humanity? All that exists creates sound. The tiniest elements of everything on this planet move, vibrate, and therefore create resonance or sound. This powerful force has the ability to heal and create or confuse and destroy. Once we understand what sound truly is, we have the ability to influence our consciousness, as well as our environment. Imagine a space where people of all ages can explore sound, view and play with instruments from around the world, and experience through music the commonalties of cultures. Music influences our social, emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, and creative selves. People will be able to understand the science behind how they listen and enjoy discovering about brainwave states and how sound effects the mechanics and of the body. That’s exactly what you can do in the LEAF Instrument Petting Zoo!

Baby Story Time
Apr 11 @ 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Weaverville Library

Join us for a lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.

LEGO Builders Club
Apr 11 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Come down the Pack Memorial Library and play with LEGOs!
Show off your building skills and make new friends with other LEGO maniacs.

Please leave your personal LEGOs at home, because we’ve got plenty.

School Age – (grades K-5)
West Asheville Tailgate Market
Apr 11 @ 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm
West Asheville Tailgate Market

WATM Flier.png

ABOUT WEST ASHEVILLE TAILGATE MARKET

•  We accept SNAP EBT + Credit Cards  •

At the West Asheville Tailgate Market, vendors’ tables are abundant with an array of goods including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, bread, eggs, cheese, milk, meat, poultry, and fish.  You will also find plant starts for gardens, locally made specialty items, natural beauty products, herbal medicine, and locally made art and crafts. We have live music and free kids activities so there’s fun for the whole family.

Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant
Apr 11 @ 5:00 pm
131 Main Restaurant

Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant

Activating Indigenous Beats: Hip Hop Nativo Festival: Jam Session with Artists
Apr 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
UNCA

Free + open to all

Indigenous Hip Hop Banner: woman in headdress holding microphones in each hand

UNC Asheville Cultural Events/Equity & Arts Series

April 11-14, 2023 


About the Festival

During the weeklong residency, hip-hop Indigenous artists, graffiti artists and DJs will meet on the campus of UNC Asheville (Antokiasdiyi, Cherokee territory) to share and exchange their music and language with our community. This is a unique opportunity for the university and community to engage with contemporary Native American and Indigenous musicians. The three main rappers and artists will visit from Chile, Mexico and the US. In decolonizing academia, this week will provide an alternative space to learn about Indigenous land-based ways of being both in North America and Latin America. We are partnering with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and local hip hop artists and community leaders.

Regional Networking Event
Apr 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Hunter Automotive | Hyundai Dealership
We’re better when we’re together!
Come out and join us for a Regional Networking Event in partnership with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the the Brevard/Translyvania Chamber of Commerce. This event will be hosted at the Hunter Automotive Group in Fletcher. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and possible door prizes!
Dark City Poet’s Society
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Hybrid | Ab(solutely) Normal: Book Launch with Nora Shalaway Carpenter and Rocky Callen
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore and Virtual

This is a hybrid event, meaning there is an option to attend virtually and a limited number of seats are available to attend the event in-store. The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.

Click here to preorder Signed Copies of Ab(solutely) Normal!

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


Channeling their own experiences, sixteen exceptional authors subvert mental health stereotypes in a powerful and uplifting collection of fiction. A teen activist wrestles with protest-related anxiety and PTSD. A socially anxious vampire learns he has to save his town by (gulp) working with people. As part of her teshuvah, a girl writes letters to the ex-boyfriend she still loves, revealing that her struggle with angry outbursts is related to PMDD. A boy sheds uncontrollable tears but finds that in doing so he’s helping to enable another’s healing. In this inspiring, unflinching, and hope-filled mixed-genre collection, sixteen diverse and notable authors draw on their own lived experiences with mental health conditions to create stunning works of fiction that will uplift and empower you, break your heart and stitch it back together stronger than before. Through powerful prose, verse, and graphics, the characters in this anthology defy stereotypes as they remind readers that living with a mental health condition doesn’t mean that you’re defined by it. Each story is followed by a note from its author to the reader, and comprehensive back matter includes bios for the contributors as well as a collection of relevant resources.

With contributions by:
Mercedes Acosta * Karen Jialu Bao * James Bird * Rocky Callen * Nora Shalaway Carpenter * Alechia Dow * Patrick Downes * Anna Drury * Nikki Grimes * Val Howlett * Jonathan Lenore Kastin * Sonia Patel * Marcella Pixley * Isabel Quintero * Ebony Stewart * Francisco X. Stork

Local author Nora Shalaway Carpenter is the contributing editor of the critically acclaimed anthology Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America, which was named an NPR Best Book of the Year, A YALSA Best Fiction YA selection, a TAYSHAS list selection, and a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, among numerous other honors. Her debut YA novel The Edge of Anything was named a Bank Street Best Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best book, and A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year.  Her next novel, Fault Lines, is forthcoming September 2023.

Rocky Callen is the author of the YA novel A Breath Too Late, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year and a Chicago Public Library Best Book and was featured in The Mujerista‘s 2020 list of the ten best young adult books by Latinx authors. A former behavioral coach and a passionate mental health advocate, she founded the HoldOn2Hope Project, which unites creatives in suicide prevention. Rocky Callen lives outside of Washington, DC.

The Asheville Riot of 1868: How Political Violence Undermined Reconstruction in the North Carolina Mountains
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library

The staff and “Friends” of Buncombe County Special Collections are pleased to welcome Dr. Steve Nash of East Tennessee State University to Pack Memorial Library on Tuesday April 11, 2023 as part of a lecture series focusing on racial and social justice.

The event is free, however, seating is limited and registration is recommended.

About the talk:

The 1868 election riot in Asheville was a critical turning point in western North Carolina’s Reconstruction. It revealed the strength of the biracial Republican coalition formed after the Civil War, and the desperate determination of its opponents to defeat it. The violence in Asheville’s public square marked the emergence of the Ku Klux Klan and a reign of terror that threatened the democratic order created in the Confederacy’s wake.

About the speaker:

Steven Nash is a Professor of History at East Tennessee State University. He is the author of Reconstruction’s Ragged Edge: The Politics of Postwar Life in the Southern Mountains (UNC Press, 2016), and the co-editor of Southern Communities: Identity, Conflict, and Memory in the American South (UGA Press, 2019). He is also the president of the Mountain History & Culture Group, the non-profit support board for the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site.

Fairview Library Fiber Arts Club: An Evening of Crafting and Conversation
Apr 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Fairview Library

A monthly gathering of those who enjoy knitting, crocheting, and hanging out with friends!

This is not an instructional group, but newcomers are most welcome. Come ready to meet fun people!

Improv III: The Performance Lab
Apr 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Taught by Tom Chalmers
Ages 18+
Mar 7-Apr 11 | Tuesdays at 6:30-8:30 PM

PREREQUISITE: Improv 1 and Improv 2 (must be pre-approved by instructor)

The Performance Lab works with students to take the skills they have learned in the earlier levels and improve upon them by applying them to structures intended for performance. Students will be instructed on how to make “show-worthy” choices, choosing sustainable characters over quick-laugh caricatures, establishing relationships rather than just spouting punchlines, but at the same time developing instincts as to when a scene needs a spring or a solid blackout line. A final showcase will be held on Friday, April 14th.

**If the class if full, we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist. If there is enough interest, we may add an additional class for the session.**

Registration opens 1/25/2022. Tuition will be $180– Scholarships are available.

NOTE: If applying for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Application INSTEAD of filling out registration. If your application is approved, we will be in touch with you to register.

Stitch n’ Bitch
Apr 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
CONTINUUM ART

Join us for a stitch n’ bitch fiber arts group! Debbie and Alicia are knowledgeable in knitting, crochet, embroidery, and historical fiber techniques including spinning yarn and traditional darning. Ideal for beginners that need guidance or for the seasoned professionally looking for a social group to craft with!
*potluck snacks and beverages always welcome!

Women United Book Launch featuring Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.
Apr 11 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Plēb Urban Winery 

Women United Book Launch featuring Mallory McDuff, Ph.D.

Professor, environmentalist, and author of

Love Your Mother: 50 States, 50 Stories, and 50 Women United for Climate Justice

Love Your Mother brings stories on how women are making a collective difference toward transforming society away from dependence on fossil fuels.

RSVP by emailing: [email protected]

CAPERS + HEISTS FILM SERIES: Inside Man
Apr 11 @ 7:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

Inside Man (DVD), Movies

Join us at TFAC for the 2022/23 Capers & Heists Series, kicking off in October with The StingDoors open at 6:15 p.m. for fun and mingling.

The film starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available to purchase online or at the door and concessions will be available.

Tickets are $8/person per film or $58/Season Ticket.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings
Apr 11 @ 7:00 pm
PNC Arena

See the source image

LAZOOM Tours: GHOST COMEDY BUS TOUR
Apr 11 @ 7:00 pm
LaZoom Room


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.

HOT TUNA (Acoustic Duo)
Apr 11 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

The name Hot Tuna invokes as many different moods and reactions as there are Hot Tuna fans — millions of them. To some, Hot Tuna is a reminder of some wild and happy times. To others, that name will forever be linked to their own discovery of the power and depth of American blues and roots music. To newer fans, Hot Tuna is a tight, masterful duo that is on the cutting edge of great music.

All of those things are correct, and more. For more than four decades, Hot Tuna has played, toured, and recorded some of the best and most memorable acoustic and electric music ever. And Hot Tuna is still going strong — some would say stronger than ever.

Orville Peck The Bronco Tour
Apr 11 @ 8:00 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Orville Peck is country music’s newest outlaw. His handmade, fringed masks, which obscure his features except for a pair of ice blue eyes, belie his deeply personal lyrics, while his ornate Nudie suits recall the golden age of country. Peck’s masks and theatric stage presence immediately grab audience attention, similar to the way Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash’s larger-than-life images captured him as a young man. However, it’s his voice and his songwriting, influenced by Parton, Loretta Lynn, Townes Van Zandt, and Gram Parsons, that have captivated a fan base as extensive and diverse as his musical tastes. Citing artists from Ernest Tubb (the first country artist to use an electric guitar at the Grand Ole Opry) to Kacey Musgraves, Peck says, ”Every decade or so, there comes a new batch of artists that shake up the question of ‘what is country?’ “I’m in the middle of that more often than not these days. I kind of like it, because I think I’m in good company.” Orville Peck is taking his “Bronco Tour” to cities across the U.S. in 2023.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Asheville Community Theatre Raffle: Trip to NYC 2023
Apr 12 all-day
online

Raffle: Trip to NYC 2023

 

 

Enter to win a fabulous trip for two to New York!

Raffle tickets on sale through Sunday, August 6, 2023!


Tickets are $50 and only 500 will be sold.

Travel package for Thanksgiving 2023, with check-in on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 and check-out on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

Prize includes:

  • Two round-trip Business Class tickets to New York from Asheville Regional Airport
  • Transfers to and from the airport to your hotel
  • Accomodations for four nights in Midtown at The Lotte New York Palace, with a choice of one king bed or two double beds
  • VIP Macy’s Parade Day experience, including brunch and complimentary drinks, access to indoor and outdoor VIP viewing areas, and access to the Inflation Celebration of parade balloons on Wednesday afternoon
  • Orchestra seating tickets to the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
  • Tickets to a Broadway show
  • Up to $500 to spend on guided tours or additional theatre tickets
  • Personal consultation with Foothills Travel to customize your trip
  • On-site concierge provided through MyBucketListEvents

The drawing will take place the week of August 7, 2023. Winner will be notified by phone call and email.

Asheville Regional Airport: art exhibit highlighting local artists
Apr 12 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

Edge, the newest exhibit showing in the airport art gallery, is open to the public now through July 21, 2022. The local art is unique, bold and is sure to capture the imaginations of its viewers.

The local artists’ work featured in this exhibit consist of many different mediums. Diane Bronstein creates complex and mesmerizing pieces with photographs, embroidery floss and other materials. Susan Devitt uses bold colors and vivid details to capture the beauty and possibilities of nature with her acrylic paintings. Jen Pacicci crafts peaceful and majestic collages of landscapes using watercolor and torn paper. Kurt Ross designs clay vessels of varying materials and glazes that are each unique in their thoughtful and clean design. Paul Silverman presents ceramic figures of various tools and vintage items that trick the eye in their realistic appearance and awe with their attention to detail.

 

“The Edge exhibit welcomes travelers and residents to Asheville with a vibrant and unique display this spring at AVL,” said Alexandra Ingle, Brand and Experience Designer at AVL and curator of the gallery. “We are excited at each gallery opening to bring a fresh taste of our talented WNC art community into the airport.”

 

Artwork can be purchased from the gallery by emailing [email protected]. Details about the program and how to apply can be found on the airport’s website at flyavl.com.

Biltmore Blooms
Apr 12 all-day
Biltmore Estate Gardens

Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.

  • Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
    • 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
    • 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
  • Antler Hill Village & Winery
  • Complimentary Wine Tasting
  • Complimentary Parking

Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.

CALL FOR ARTISTS! Story Parlor’s Story/Arts Residency
Apr 12 all-day
online w/ Story Parlor

Offered for BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and individuals from other historically marginalized communities—the residency invites artists to present a three-week performance featuring the core elements of storytelling through art, collaboration, and exploration of the human condition.
Applications due April 30.

About the STORY/ARTS RESIDENCY

Story Parlor’s residencies exist to champion the creative work of locally-based artists and art groups hailing from BIPOC, LGTBQIA+, and other historically marginalized communities in the quest to amplify and bridge together the diverse fabric of voices in Asheville.

Specifically, the Story/Arts residency aims to provide a platform that showcases the transformative and healing powers of storytelling through all art mediums, while tending to the core values of Story Parlor’s mission, which include:

• Connecting audiences and artists from varying creative backgrounds and interests

• Informing, inspiring, and invigorating through the arts

• Promoting and fostering self-inquiry and mindfulness

• Cultivating creative exchange and cultural insight

• Fostering authenticity and inclusiveness

In addition to public performances and/or workshops, artists-in-residence receive dedicated rehearsal time in the space; an artist stipend; creativity coaching sessions; marketing and promotion; and more.

Applications for the 2023 summer residency are below and due no later than April 30, with preference given to applicants who cross disciplines, embrace collaboration, and present a residency proposal that embodies the core elements of storytelling through all art forms.

Chamber Challenge: Asheville’s Annual 5k Celebrating Workplace Wellness Registration Open
Apr 12 – Apr 11 all-day
online
Grab your colleagues, your friends, even your family, and celebrate workplace wellness in this fun 5k. You might walk every step or sprint to the finish – either way we know you’re up to the challenge!

Register by April 2 for early registration rates, and by April 16 to get your race shirt.

Join us for free trainings starting March 21st

Hosted by the YMCA of Western North Carolina
Tuesdays starting March 21st • 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Meet in the Asheville Chamber parking lot top level (36 Montford Ave.)

• Open to everyone: share this info with co-workers or another business and encourage them to join a training.
• All fitness levels welcome: from first-time 5k walkers to active runners who want to improve.

The Chamber Challenge is designed to promote community wellness through friendly competition between businesses in the Asheville area. Encourage your co-workers, family and friends to participate. Whether you walk every step or sprint to the finish, we know you’re up to the challenge!

Register for the 2023 Chamber Challenge

Register by April 16th for your free race shirt. After April 16th, limited quantities of shirts may be available for $10.

Registration fee:

$35 – Early Registration until April 2rd

$40 – April 3-30

$45 – Late Registration May 1-5