Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Sunday, January
21, 2024
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at NC Stage
A Charlotte Comic Takeover!!!
It’s Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! Jan 21, 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get 3-5m, FREE entry and pizza. ]
Morgan Marie is guest hosting, in from Charlotte with some great comic features in tow!! Get Your Tickets Now! https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/buy-tickets/
A Charlotte Comic Takeover!!!
It’s Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! Jan 21, 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get 3-5m, FREE entry and pizza. ]
Morgan Marie is guest hosting, in from Charlotte with some great comic features in tow, Matt Hammy, Thomas Heynan & Christine McLennan!! Get Your Tickets Now!!
Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver
PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY
It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.
Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter
Monday, January
22, 2024
BCAlerts From CodeRED
Stay informed. Get emergency notifications and general Buncombe County information on your smartphone, telephone, or email.
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Flat Rock Playhouse 2024 SEASON
Qualify Free: Vaccination and Testing, Screening Cervical Cancer
Youth + Teen Theatre Classes
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at NC Stage
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Here is what you need to know.
What is CodeRED?
Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert(not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit to sign up for the new system. If residents have previously signed up for Nixle BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June 30.
Alerts to choose from:
- Emergency
- General
- Recreation Services
- Election Reminders
- Governing
- Weather
NOTICE: For CodeRED support, please call 1-866-939-0911. For all other questions email [email protected].
The 2024 SEASON HAS ARRIVED and you’re not gonna want to miss a show!
Subscriptions on sale January 10 / All Tickets on sale January 24.
– The Magic of Live Theatre is alive and well at Flat Rock
Playhouse! Coming off a wildly successful 2023 season, Flat Rock Playhouse, The State
Theatre of North Carolina is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated lineup for the 2024 season.
Subscriptions go on sale January 10 and all single tickets on sale Jan. 24. We can’t wait
to share these incredible productions with our community.
Kicking off the season is our ever-popular Music on the RockTM Concert Series followed by our
Mainstage Series.
Mixtape! The Best of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s – February 22 – 25
It’s February, which means ‘the boys are back!’ From the same outstanding musical talent who
brought you the Music of Queen, the Eagles, and the Beatles, welcome to Mixtape! The Best of
the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Come shake off the winter blues with this red-hot rockin’ playlist
featuring tunes you know and love. It’ll be ‘a gas,’ ‘far out,’ and ‘totally tubular!’
The Music of John Denver – March 8 – 9
Celebrate the Timeless Music of John Denver with this Spectacular Tribute Concert, featuring
national tribute artist, Ted Vigil. An unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia honoring the
legendary singer-songwriter, and you won’t believe the uncanny resemblance to the legend!
From classics like “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My
Shoulders,” this concert will showcase the breadth and depth of John Denver’s musical legacy.
Uptown: The Music of Motown – March 21 – 24
Motown Remixed! From New York City, the epicenter of Soul and R&B, these young men of
‘UPTOWN’ will sing and dance their way into your hearts, and out of your seats in STYLE. With
the class of young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5, vocals like Marvin Gaye and Stevie
Wonder, and the contemporary feel of Bruno Mars … “Everybody’s Going UPTOWN!” It’s old
school soul for a new generation!
Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute – April 4 – 6
Let’s Go Surfin’ Now…you get it! At over 80 shows a year, Sail On is the most booked Beach
Boys Tribute band in the world! Sail On plays all of the Beach Boys’ classic hits, plus some
treasures from the band’s brilliant extended catalog, recreating the soundtrack to an Endless
Summer completely live and in rich detail. If you are looking for an authentic Beach Boys
concert experience, you won’t find one better than Sail On! It’s all Good Vibrations!
Country Gold: Country Music’s Greatest Hits – April 25 – 27
International Recording Artist, Grammy Member, and American Idol Golden Ticket Winner,
Blake Ellege is a generational talent whose unparalleled vocals have transported and enthralled
audiences around the world. Join Blake and his showband: “Saddletramp” on a journey through
Country Music’s Greatest Hits. Come see for yourself why Blake has been named one of the
most prominent and charismatic entertainers on this side of the Mississippi.
Jersey Boys – May 10 – June 1
“The Four Seasons story still hits all the high notes!” Experience the Unforgettable Music and
Untold Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Jersey Boys. This Tony Award-winning
musical, filled with chart-topping hits, captivating storytelling, and electrifying performances, will
have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring iconic songs like “Sherry,” “Big
Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” this musical is a
celebration of the timeless music that defined a generation. Don’t miss your chance to
experience the magic, the music, the story of Jersey Boys.
The Shawshank Redemption – June 14 – 30
Embark on an unforgettable journey of resilience, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit
as the Playhouse proudly presents The Shawshank Redemption. Adapted for the stage by
Owen O’Neil, Dave Johns and based on Steven King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption, and its subsequent 1994 film adaptation, this captivating story has enthralled
audiences around the world. Prepare to be riveted, moved, and inspired by this timeless tale of
hope and reclamation as it comes to life on the Playhouse stage!
*Adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised.
Cabaret – July 12 – August 3
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub! A Berlin Nightclub at the end of the 1920s. Hitler’s totalitarian
regime and the Nazi Party are on the rise. Be transported back in time and welcome for the first
time at Flat Rock Playhouse, Kander and Ebb’s Broadway sensation, Cabaret! Dark and
sensual, it will break your heart and lift your spirits more wildly than anything else you’ll see this
season. “Cabaret is one of the great Broadway musicals and musical scores of all time–an
exhilarating, harrowing masterpiece.” –Time Out New York *Adult language and content.
Parental discretion is advised.
Boeing-Boeing – August 9 – 25
The comedy of the season has landed! Fasten your seatbelts–there’s turbulence ahead in this
laugh-out-loud tour-de-farce! It’s the 1960’s and Bernard, an American living in Paris, has the
perfect setup: three international fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent
“layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down, and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes
bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. Prepare yourself for the
most deliriously funny flight of your life.
Jesus Christ Superstar, In Concert – September 5 – 22
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to
the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics
by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional
musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last
seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all
killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the
final note is sung.
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (The Black Box Series) – October 4 – 13
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to the Lorraine Motel after delivering a history-altering “I’ve
Been to the Mountaintop” speech and encounters Camae, a mysterious maid with some
surprising news. When Camae reveals her true identity, Dr. King must reflect on his legacy and
the challenges facing the civil rights movement, laying bare the leader’s profound humanity.
Hailed as “a thrilling, wild, provocative flight of magical realism…as audacious as it is inventive”
by the Associated Press, Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama reimagines what Dr. King’s
last night on Earth could have been. *Adult language and content. Parental discretion is
advised.
CATS – October 25 – November 10
An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades
with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from
T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway
blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought
cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre
tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!
Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume 3 – The History of Rock and Roll – November 14 – 17
Nat Zegree is back! The inimitable entertainer, (Million Dollar Quartet, Amadeus, Queen,
Macbeth,) returns to The Rock with an all-new musical journey for Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume
3—The History of Rock and Roll! Already known and celebrated for his world-class
musicianship, Nat is also a teacher of distinction whose infectious passion not just for music, but
for the people and histories behind the music make his celebrated concerts second to none.
Join us for this one-week-only event! Don’t be late for class!
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas – November 29 – December 21
Tis the season to be jolly! The tradition continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you
in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh
bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season.
So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of
this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding, y’all!
More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to learn more about cervical health and cervical cancer prevention and take steps to help eliminate this preventable cancer.
The two most important tools to remember when it comes to cervical health are vaccination and testing.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine has been around since 2006. In that time, rates of cervical cancer incidence have dropped significantly among vaccinated women. One study from Sweden looked at 11 years (2006 through 2017) and found 90% reduction in cervical cancer incidence compared with the incidence in women who had not been vaccinated.
HPV vaccines help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low-risk types that cause genital warts.
The CDC recommends all boys and girls get HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is needed.
You can get the vaccine at your doctor’s office or the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville.
Learn more about the HPV vaccine here.
Screening
The goal of cervical cancer screening—Pap tests and HPV tests—is to find problems, like cell changes, so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.
The traditional test for early detection has been the Pap test. For women aged 30 and over, an HPV test is also recommended. HPV tests can find any of the high-risk types of HPV that are commonly found in cervical cancer.
Women should start screening with the Pap test at age 21, according to current guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
Starting at age 30, women have three options available for screening:
- A Pap test alone every three years.
- Co-testing with a Pap and HPV test, every five years.
- An HPV test alone, every five years.
Depending on the results of the Pap and/or HPV tests, a healthcare provider may recommend additional screening or procedures, so some women may be screened more often.
After age 65, women older than 65 who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk can stop screening. Women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) also do not need to be screened, unless they have a have a history of a high-grade precancerous lesions.
To learn more about each type of screening, click here.
Breast And Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)
The Buncombe County Health and Human Services BCCCP is a program serving women and transgender people providing free chest and cervical exams, pap smears and HPV testing, and mammograms. This program is open to those:
- Between the ages of 40-64.
- Who have no insurance.
- Income below 250% of the federal poverty level.
- A Buncombe County resident. Local NC BCCCP contact information can be found here.
- Other women and transgender people ages 21 to 39 may be eligible.
To learn more about eligibility or schedule an appointment, call (828) 250-6006.
Asheville Community Theatre offers after school classes for ages 5-18!
Winter 1 Session (October 23-December 17, week off November 20-26 for Thanksgiving)
Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver
PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY
It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.
Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter
Tuesday, January
23, 2024
BCAlerts From CodeRED
Stay informed. Get emergency notifications and general Buncombe County information on your smartphone, telephone, or email.
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Flat Rock Playhouse 2024 SEASON
Qualify Free: Vaccination and Testing, Screening Cervical Cancer
Kinēsa Class
Auditions: The Importance of Being Earnest
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Auditions: 101 Dalmatians
Matilda: The Musical Adult Auditions
COMPANY
Stomp
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Here is what you need to know.
What is CodeRED?
Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert(not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit to sign up for the new system. If residents have previously signed up for Nixle BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June 30.
Alerts to choose from:
- Emergency
- General
- Recreation Services
- Election Reminders
- Governing
- Weather
NOTICE: For CodeRED support, please call 1-866-939-0911. For all other questions email [email protected].
The 2024 SEASON HAS ARRIVED and you’re not gonna want to miss a show!
Subscriptions on sale January 10 / All Tickets on sale January 24.
– The Magic of Live Theatre is alive and well at Flat Rock
Playhouse! Coming off a wildly successful 2023 season, Flat Rock Playhouse, The State
Theatre of North Carolina is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated lineup for the 2024 season.
Subscriptions go on sale January 10 and all single tickets on sale Jan. 24. We can’t wait
to share these incredible productions with our community.
Kicking off the season is our ever-popular Music on the RockTM Concert Series followed by our
Mainstage Series.
Mixtape! The Best of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s – February 22 – 25
It’s February, which means ‘the boys are back!’ From the same outstanding musical talent who
brought you the Music of Queen, the Eagles, and the Beatles, welcome to Mixtape! The Best of
the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Come shake off the winter blues with this red-hot rockin’ playlist
featuring tunes you know and love. It’ll be ‘a gas,’ ‘far out,’ and ‘totally tubular!’
The Music of John Denver – March 8 – 9
Celebrate the Timeless Music of John Denver with this Spectacular Tribute Concert, featuring
national tribute artist, Ted Vigil. An unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia honoring the
legendary singer-songwriter, and you won’t believe the uncanny resemblance to the legend!
From classics like “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My
Shoulders,” this concert will showcase the breadth and depth of John Denver’s musical legacy.
Uptown: The Music of Motown – March 21 – 24
Motown Remixed! From New York City, the epicenter of Soul and R&B, these young men of
‘UPTOWN’ will sing and dance their way into your hearts, and out of your seats in STYLE. With
the class of young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5, vocals like Marvin Gaye and Stevie
Wonder, and the contemporary feel of Bruno Mars … “Everybody’s Going UPTOWN!” It’s old
school soul for a new generation!
Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute – April 4 – 6
Let’s Go Surfin’ Now…you get it! At over 80 shows a year, Sail On is the most booked Beach
Boys Tribute band in the world! Sail On plays all of the Beach Boys’ classic hits, plus some
treasures from the band’s brilliant extended catalog, recreating the soundtrack to an Endless
Summer completely live and in rich detail. If you are looking for an authentic Beach Boys
concert experience, you won’t find one better than Sail On! It’s all Good Vibrations!
Country Gold: Country Music’s Greatest Hits – April 25 – 27
International Recording Artist, Grammy Member, and American Idol Golden Ticket Winner,
Blake Ellege is a generational talent whose unparalleled vocals have transported and enthralled
audiences around the world. Join Blake and his showband: “Saddletramp” on a journey through
Country Music’s Greatest Hits. Come see for yourself why Blake has been named one of the
most prominent and charismatic entertainers on this side of the Mississippi.
Jersey Boys – May 10 – June 1
“The Four Seasons story still hits all the high notes!” Experience the Unforgettable Music and
Untold Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Jersey Boys. This Tony Award-winning
musical, filled with chart-topping hits, captivating storytelling, and electrifying performances, will
have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring iconic songs like “Sherry,” “Big
Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” this musical is a
celebration of the timeless music that defined a generation. Don’t miss your chance to
experience the magic, the music, the story of Jersey Boys.
The Shawshank Redemption – June 14 – 30
Embark on an unforgettable journey of resilience, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit
as the Playhouse proudly presents The Shawshank Redemption. Adapted for the stage by
Owen O’Neil, Dave Johns and based on Steven King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption, and its subsequent 1994 film adaptation, this captivating story has enthralled
audiences around the world. Prepare to be riveted, moved, and inspired by this timeless tale of
hope and reclamation as it comes to life on the Playhouse stage!
*Adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised.
Cabaret – July 12 – August 3
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub! A Berlin Nightclub at the end of the 1920s. Hitler’s totalitarian
regime and the Nazi Party are on the rise. Be transported back in time and welcome for the first
time at Flat Rock Playhouse, Kander and Ebb’s Broadway sensation, Cabaret! Dark and
sensual, it will break your heart and lift your spirits more wildly than anything else you’ll see this
season. “Cabaret is one of the great Broadway musicals and musical scores of all time–an
exhilarating, harrowing masterpiece.” –Time Out New York *Adult language and content.
Parental discretion is advised.
Boeing-Boeing – August 9 – 25
The comedy of the season has landed! Fasten your seatbelts–there’s turbulence ahead in this
laugh-out-loud tour-de-farce! It’s the 1960’s and Bernard, an American living in Paris, has the
perfect setup: three international fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent
“layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down, and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes
bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. Prepare yourself for the
most deliriously funny flight of your life.
Jesus Christ Superstar, In Concert – September 5 – 22
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to
the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics
by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional
musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last
seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all
killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the
final note is sung.
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (The Black Box Series) – October 4 – 13
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to the Lorraine Motel after delivering a history-altering “I’ve
Been to the Mountaintop” speech and encounters Camae, a mysterious maid with some
surprising news. When Camae reveals her true identity, Dr. King must reflect on his legacy and
the challenges facing the civil rights movement, laying bare the leader’s profound humanity.
Hailed as “a thrilling, wild, provocative flight of magical realism…as audacious as it is inventive”
by the Associated Press, Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama reimagines what Dr. King’s
last night on Earth could have been. *Adult language and content. Parental discretion is
advised.
CATS – October 25 – November 10
An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades
with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from
T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway
blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought
cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre
tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!
Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume 3 – The History of Rock and Roll – November 14 – 17
Nat Zegree is back! The inimitable entertainer, (Million Dollar Quartet, Amadeus, Queen,
Macbeth,) returns to The Rock with an all-new musical journey for Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume
3—The History of Rock and Roll! Already known and celebrated for his world-class
musicianship, Nat is also a teacher of distinction whose infectious passion not just for music, but
for the people and histories behind the music make his celebrated concerts second to none.
Join us for this one-week-only event! Don’t be late for class!
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas – November 29 – December 21
Tis the season to be jolly! The tradition continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you
in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh
bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season.
So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of
this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding, y’all!
More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to learn more about cervical health and cervical cancer prevention and take steps to help eliminate this preventable cancer.
The two most important tools to remember when it comes to cervical health are vaccination and testing.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine has been around since 2006. In that time, rates of cervical cancer incidence have dropped significantly among vaccinated women. One study from Sweden looked at 11 years (2006 through 2017) and found 90% reduction in cervical cancer incidence compared with the incidence in women who had not been vaccinated.
HPV vaccines help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low-risk types that cause genital warts.
The CDC recommends all boys and girls get HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is needed.
You can get the vaccine at your doctor’s office or the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville.
Learn more about the HPV vaccine here.
Screening
The goal of cervical cancer screening—Pap tests and HPV tests—is to find problems, like cell changes, so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.
The traditional test for early detection has been the Pap test. For women aged 30 and over, an HPV test is also recommended. HPV tests can find any of the high-risk types of HPV that are commonly found in cervical cancer.
Women should start screening with the Pap test at age 21, according to current guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
Starting at age 30, women have three options available for screening:
- A Pap test alone every three years.
- Co-testing with a Pap and HPV test, every five years.
- An HPV test alone, every five years.
Depending on the results of the Pap and/or HPV tests, a healthcare provider may recommend additional screening or procedures, so some women may be screened more often.
After age 65, women older than 65 who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk can stop screening. Women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) also do not need to be screened, unless they have a have a history of a high-grade precancerous lesions.
To learn more about each type of screening, click here.
Breast And Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)
The Buncombe County Health and Human Services BCCCP is a program serving women and transgender people providing free chest and cervical exams, pap smears and HPV testing, and mammograms. This program is open to those:
- Between the ages of 40-64.
- Who have no insurance.
- Income below 250% of the federal poverty level.
- A Buncombe County resident. Local NC BCCCP contact information can be found here.
- Other women and transgender people ages 21 to 39 may be eligible.
To learn more about eligibility or schedule an appointment, call (828) 250-6006.
The Kinēsa Process is an advanced form of the Feldenkrais method. This method incorporates slow subtle movements, unravelling years of habitual patterns that can cause not only bad posture, but chronic conditions. Kinēsa not only guides your attention on how your body moves, but brings inner awareness to the entire structure by creating new pathways of organized movements to help relieve and prevent pain. Through the Kinēsa experience you will find improving the body’s flexibility comes not just from the movements but from the mind. What you will receive from Kinēsa; improved posture, balance, ease from stress and fatigue, and the awareness to form healthier movement patterns enabling the body to navigate freely through life. Kinēsa welcomes those that want to prevent chronic conditions as well as those already suffering from chronic pain.
READERS THEATRE SHOWCASE
For Readers Theatre Showcase auditions, there’s no need to make an appointment – we will get you signed in when you arrive! Expect to read from the script. Prepare for your audition by reading the script beforehand.
AUDITION DATES AT A GLANCE
- The Importance of Being Earnest – February 16-18, 2024
- Auditions: January 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
-
The Importance of Being Earnest
Performance Dates: February 16-18, 2024
Auditions: January 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Directed By: Maggie Crowell
Production Assistant: Susan Maley
About The Importance of Being Earnest: Wilde’s most successful and enduring play is a wonderful and witty comedy of deception, disguise and misadventure. Two bachelors, Jack and Algernon, create alter egos in an effort to avoid tedious social obligations and win the hearts of Gwendolen and Cecily, the two women they adore.
additional auditions:
- The Birds – March 22-24, 2024
- Auditions: February 27, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Over the River and Through the Woods – April 26-28, 2024
- Auditions: April 2, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
- Enchanted April – May 31-June 2, 2024
- Auditions: May 7, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver
PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY
It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.
Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter
Youth Production Auditions
This an immersive performance workshop that is specially tailored for young artists who aspire to learn and grow in the performing arts. Read more about Youth Productions HERE.
At the First Cast Meeting, students will be taught a dance combination and song to take home and practice for auditions and parents will receive comprehensive information about the entire Youth Production process.
Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids
Ages: 8-12
Performance Dates: March 8-10, 2024
First Cast Meeting: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM
Auditions: Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:30 PM
About Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids: Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anita’s former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen. Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids is a fur-raising adventure with a high-spirited score and lovable characters that will charm and delight all audiences.
Read more about registering for Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids HERE
Mainstage Auditions
Auditions are held over two nights, and you may choose either night to audition. Please fill out the Audition Form (per show) to secure an audition time. Walk-ups will be asked to fill out the audition form on site and will need to wait until the next available time slot.
For musical auditions: In general, come dressed to dance and prepared to sing 16 bars (30-45 seconds) of a musical theatre song, in the style of the musical. Depending on the show, you may be asked to bring sheet music to be played by an accompanist or you may be asked to bring a backing track (like a karaoke track on your phone) to play on a provided speaker. Please read each show’s audition requirements.
For non-musical auditions: Generally, you will be asked to memorize and prepare a monologue or to read pages from the script in front of the director, the stage manager, and another reader. Please read each show’s audition requirements.
Matilda: The Musical
Performance Dates: April 12-May 5, 2024
Youth & Teen Auditions: January 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Adult Auditions: January 22 & 23, 2024 with time slot
Callbacks (for Youth, Teens, & Adults): January 25, 2024
Rehearsals: February 5, 2024-April 11, 2024
Directed and Choregraphed by: Zoe Zelonky
Music Direction by: Kristen Johnson Dominguez
About Matilda: The Musical: Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of Matilda: The Musical, a delightfully imaginative adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book. This Tony Award-winning musical weaves the story of Matilda, a young girl with a sharp wit, unbounded imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Despite the indifference of her shallow parents and the tyranny of the oppressive headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda discovers the strength within herself to change her story. Infused with dark humor, whimsical storytelling, and dazzling performances, Matilda: The Musical is a testament to the power of imagination, resilience, and the transformative magic of learning. A must-see for audiences of all ages who love heartwarming tales of triumph against all odds.
How to prepare:
Youth & Teens will begin with the dance audition then move into the vocal audition. Please arrive before 1 PM to check in and make sure you are ready to go as auditions will begin promptly. Dance auditions will take about an hour, and vocal & acting auditions will immediately follow in the order in which you check in. After you have completed your vocal & acting audition, you will be free to go.
- Dancing: Please wear clothes that allow full body movement. You will learn a short, upbeat dance combination and perform it in small groups.
- Singing: Please prepare a 1 minute cut of an upbeat musical theatre song. An accompanist will not be provided, so please bring your chosen track with you. This can be a YouTube karaoke track cued up to the correct time on your phone, an mp3 file on a flash drive, etc. We will provide a speaker for playback and will have a laptop available to play your track if needed.
- Acting: Choose one of the following audition sides (it does not have to be memorized, but if it is, that’s great, too!) and prepare to perform it. You may be asked to read another side in the audition room or at callbacks.
Adults:
- Singing: Please prepare a 1 minute cut of an upbeat musical theatre song. An accompanist will not be provided, so please bring your chosen track with you. This can be a YouTube karaoke track cued up to the correct time on your phone, an mp3 file on a flash drive, etc. We will provide a speaker for playback and will have a laptop available to play your track if needed.
- Acting: Choose one of the following audition sides (it does not have to be memorized, but if it is, that’s great, too!) and prepare to perform it. You may be asked to read another side in the audition room or at callbacks.
Audition Time Slots:
- Youth & Teens: Youth & Teens auditions happen at the same time. Fill out the audition form HERE.
- Adults: Please select your time slot and fill out the audition form HERE.
Audition Sides
PHONE RINGS, DOOR CHIMES, IN COMES COMPANY.
Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Three-time Tony® Award-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America) helms this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, Why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st-century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side” and the iconic “Being Alive”. Let’s all drink to that!
“Dazzling! So vibrant, so alive!” – Hollywood Reporter
“GLORIOUSLY TRANSFORMATIVE. A GODSEND.” – The New York Times
“HANDS DOWN THE BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE SEASON!” – New York Post
Single tickets on sale: December 15
About STOMP
STOMP is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique and appeals to audiences of all ages. The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans. As USA Today says, “STOMP finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” STOMP. See what all the noise is about.
Wednesday, January
24, 2024
BCAlerts From CodeRED
Stay informed. Get emergency notifications and general Buncombe County information on your smartphone, telephone, or email.
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Flat Rock Playhouse 2024 SEASON
Qualify Free: Vaccination and Testing, Screening Cervical Cancer
COMPANY
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at NC Stage
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Here is what you need to know.
What is CodeRED?
Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert(not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit to sign up for the new system. If residents have previously signed up for Nixle BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June 30.
Alerts to choose from:
- Emergency
- General
- Recreation Services
- Election Reminders
- Governing
- Weather
NOTICE: For CodeRED support, please call 1-866-939-0911. For all other questions email [email protected].
The 2024 SEASON HAS ARRIVED and you’re not gonna want to miss a show!
Subscriptions on sale January 10 / All Tickets on sale January 24.
– The Magic of Live Theatre is alive and well at Flat Rock
Playhouse! Coming off a wildly successful 2023 season, Flat Rock Playhouse, The State
Theatre of North Carolina is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated lineup for the 2024 season.
Subscriptions go on sale January 10 and all single tickets on sale Jan. 24. We can’t wait
to share these incredible productions with our community.
Kicking off the season is our ever-popular Music on the RockTM Concert Series followed by our
Mainstage Series.
Mixtape! The Best of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s – February 22 – 25
It’s February, which means ‘the boys are back!’ From the same outstanding musical talent who
brought you the Music of Queen, the Eagles, and the Beatles, welcome to Mixtape! The Best of
the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Come shake off the winter blues with this red-hot rockin’ playlist
featuring tunes you know and love. It’ll be ‘a gas,’ ‘far out,’ and ‘totally tubular!’
The Music of John Denver – March 8 – 9
Celebrate the Timeless Music of John Denver with this Spectacular Tribute Concert, featuring
national tribute artist, Ted Vigil. An unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia honoring the
legendary singer-songwriter, and you won’t believe the uncanny resemblance to the legend!
From classics like “Take Me Home Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine on My
Shoulders,” this concert will showcase the breadth and depth of John Denver’s musical legacy.
Uptown: The Music of Motown – March 21 – 24
Motown Remixed! From New York City, the epicenter of Soul and R&B, these young men of
‘UPTOWN’ will sing and dance their way into your hearts, and out of your seats in STYLE. With
the class of young Temptations, moves like the Jackson 5, vocals like Marvin Gaye and Stevie
Wonder, and the contemporary feel of Bruno Mars … “Everybody’s Going UPTOWN!” It’s old
school soul for a new generation!
Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribute – April 4 – 6
Let’s Go Surfin’ Now…you get it! At over 80 shows a year, Sail On is the most booked Beach
Boys Tribute band in the world! Sail On plays all of the Beach Boys’ classic hits, plus some
treasures from the band’s brilliant extended catalog, recreating the soundtrack to an Endless
Summer completely live and in rich detail. If you are looking for an authentic Beach Boys
concert experience, you won’t find one better than Sail On! It’s all Good Vibrations!
Country Gold: Country Music’s Greatest Hits – April 25 – 27
International Recording Artist, Grammy Member, and American Idol Golden Ticket Winner,
Blake Ellege is a generational talent whose unparalleled vocals have transported and enthralled
audiences around the world. Join Blake and his showband: “Saddletramp” on a journey through
Country Music’s Greatest Hits. Come see for yourself why Blake has been named one of the
most prominent and charismatic entertainers on this side of the Mississippi.
Jersey Boys – May 10 – June 1
“The Four Seasons story still hits all the high notes!” Experience the Unforgettable Music and
Untold Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with Jersey Boys. This Tony Award-winning
musical, filled with chart-topping hits, captivating storytelling, and electrifying performances, will
have audiences singing and dancing in their seats. Featuring iconic songs like “Sherry,” “Big
Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” this musical is a
celebration of the timeless music that defined a generation. Don’t miss your chance to
experience the magic, the music, the story of Jersey Boys.
The Shawshank Redemption – June 14 – 30
Embark on an unforgettable journey of resilience, friendship, and the triumph of the human spirit
as the Playhouse proudly presents The Shawshank Redemption. Adapted for the stage by
Owen O’Neil, Dave Johns and based on Steven King’s novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank
Redemption, and its subsequent 1994 film adaptation, this captivating story has enthralled
audiences around the world. Prepare to be riveted, moved, and inspired by this timeless tale of
hope and reclamation as it comes to life on the Playhouse stage!
*Adult language and content. Parental discretion is advised.
Cabaret – July 12 – August 3
Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub! A Berlin Nightclub at the end of the 1920s. Hitler’s totalitarian
regime and the Nazi Party are on the rise. Be transported back in time and welcome for the first
time at Flat Rock Playhouse, Kander and Ebb’s Broadway sensation, Cabaret! Dark and
sensual, it will break your heart and lift your spirits more wildly than anything else you’ll see this
season. “Cabaret is one of the great Broadway musicals and musical scores of all time–an
exhilarating, harrowing masterpiece.” –Time Out New York *Adult language and content.
Parental discretion is advised.
Boeing-Boeing – August 9 – 25
The comedy of the season has landed! Fasten your seatbelts–there’s turbulence ahead in this
laugh-out-loud tour-de-farce! It’s the 1960’s and Bernard, an American living in Paris, has the
perfect setup: three international fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent
“layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down, and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes
bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time. Prepare yourself for the
most deliriously funny flight of your life.
Jesus Christ Superstar, In Concert – September 5 – 22
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar–in concert, is heading to
the Rock. Born of the evocative 1970 concept album, this groundbreaking production, with lyrics
by Sir Tim Rice, is a rock radio play that immerses audiences in a formidable and emotional
musical journey. Electrifying music, and gut-punching vocal stylings unite to help narrate the last
seven days of Jesus’ life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. In music industry parlance, it’s all
killer, no filler. Expect a powerful and unforgettable experience that will resonate long after the
final note is sung.
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (The Black Box Series) – October 4 – 13
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to the Lorraine Motel after delivering a history-altering “I’ve
Been to the Mountaintop” speech and encounters Camae, a mysterious maid with some
surprising news. When Camae reveals her true identity, Dr. King must reflect on his legacy and
the challenges facing the civil rights movement, laying bare the leader’s profound humanity.
Hailed as “a thrilling, wild, provocative flight of magical realism…as audacious as it is inventive”
by the Associated Press, Katori Hall’s Olivier Award-winning drama reimagines what Dr. King’s
last night on Earth could have been. *Adult language and content. Parental discretion is
advised.
CATS – October 25 – November 10
An extravaganza of fantasy and theatre magic, CATS has enchanted audiences for decades
with its fiercely energetic dancing, showbiz razzle-dazzle, and unforgettable lyrics drawn from
T.S. Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. As one of the most popular Broadway
blockbusters of all time and winner of seven Tony Awards, this certified classic has brought
cheer to millions of theatre lovers of all ages! You and your family are sure to leave the theatre
tapping your toes and ‘feline’ groovy!
Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume 3 – The History of Rock and Roll – November 14 – 17
Nat Zegree is back! The inimitable entertainer, (Million Dollar Quartet, Amadeus, Queen,
Macbeth,) returns to The Rock with an all-new musical journey for Mozart to Pop Chart: Volume
3—The History of Rock and Roll! Already known and celebrated for his world-class
musicianship, Nat is also a teacher of distinction whose infectious passion not just for music, but
for the people and histories behind the music make his celebrated concerts second to none.
Join us for this one-week-only event! Don’t be late for class!
A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas – November 29 – December 21
Tis the season to be jolly! The tradition continues with the same great holiday cheer to put you
in the Christmas spirit. All new renditions of your holiday favorites will help you get those sleigh
bells jinglin,’ and chestnuts roasting! There is truly no better way to kick off your holiday season.
So, hurry on over with your family, friends, and loved ones to share in the joy and excitement of
this seasonal spectacular that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Ring-a-ling-a-ding-dong-ding, y’all!
More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to learn more about cervical health and cervical cancer prevention and take steps to help eliminate this preventable cancer.
The two most important tools to remember when it comes to cervical health are vaccination and testing.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine has been around since 2006. In that time, rates of cervical cancer incidence have dropped significantly among vaccinated women. One study from Sweden looked at 11 years (2006 through 2017) and found 90% reduction in cervical cancer incidence compared with the incidence in women who had not been vaccinated.
HPV vaccines help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low-risk types that cause genital warts.
The CDC recommends all boys and girls get HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is needed.
You can get the vaccine at your doctor’s office or the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville.
Learn more about the HPV vaccine here.
Screening
The goal of cervical cancer screening—Pap tests and HPV tests—is to find problems, like cell changes, so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.
The traditional test for early detection has been the Pap test. For women aged 30 and over, an HPV test is also recommended. HPV tests can find any of the high-risk types of HPV that are commonly found in cervical cancer.
Women should start screening with the Pap test at age 21, according to current guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
Starting at age 30, women have three options available for screening:
- A Pap test alone every three years.
- Co-testing with a Pap and HPV test, every five years.
- An HPV test alone, every five years.
Depending on the results of the Pap and/or HPV tests, a healthcare provider may recommend additional screening or procedures, so some women may be screened more often.
After age 65, women older than 65 who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk can stop screening. Women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) also do not need to be screened, unless they have a have a history of a high-grade precancerous lesions.
To learn more about each type of screening, click here.
Breast And Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)
The Buncombe County Health and Human Services BCCCP is a program serving women and transgender people providing free chest and cervical exams, pap smears and HPV testing, and mammograms. This program is open to those:
- Between the ages of 40-64.
- Who have no insurance.
- Income below 250% of the federal poverty level.
- A Buncombe County resident. Local NC BCCCP contact information can be found here.
- Other women and transgender people ages 21 to 39 may be eligible.
To learn more about eligibility or schedule an appointment, call (828) 250-6006.
PHONE RINGS, DOOR CHIMES, IN COMES COMPANY.
Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, COMPANY “strikes like a lightning bolt. It’s brilliantly conceived and funny as hell” (Variety). Three-time Tony® Award-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America) helms this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy, at once boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful, and downright hilarious.
It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, Why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st-century could drive a person crazy.
COMPANY features Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side” and the iconic “Being Alive”. Let’s all drink to that!
“Dazzling! So vibrant, so alive!” – Hollywood Reporter
“GLORIOUSLY TRANSFORMATIVE. A GODSEND.” – The New York Times
“HANDS DOWN THE BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE SEASON!” – New York Post
Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver
PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY
It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.
Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter
Thursday, January
25, 2024
Adult Theatre Classes
BCAlerts From CodeRED
Stay informed. Get emergency notifications and general Buncombe County information on your smartphone, telephone, or email.
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Qualify Free: Vaccination and Testing, Screening Cervical Cancer
Kinēsa Class
Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Qigong with Allen Horowitz
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic
You asked and we delivered! ACT is proud to offer a wide range of classes for adults. We invite you to join us to explore, discover, nurture, and refine your theatrical abilities – your stage is waiting.
Winter 2 Session (January 22-March 10)
Sign up for BCAlerts today
Here is what you need to know.
What is CodeRED?
Along with emergency and critical messages, the CodeRED notification system will also enhance community engagement via the release of important but non-emergency information such as vaccine site notifications, inclement weather closures and schedule changes, and other county service information.
Sign up for BC Alerts by texting BCAlert(not case sensitive) to 99411 or visit to sign up for the new system. If residents have previously signed up for Nixle BC Alerts, they will need to re-register in order to continue receiving notifications after June 30.
Alerts to choose from:
- Emergency
- General
- Recreation Services
- Election Reminders
- Governing
- Weather
NOTICE: For CodeRED support, please call 1-866-939-0911. For all other questions email [email protected].
More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to learn more about cervical health and cervical cancer prevention and take steps to help eliminate this preventable cancer.
The two most important tools to remember when it comes to cervical health are vaccination and testing.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine has been around since 2006. In that time, rates of cervical cancer incidence have dropped significantly among vaccinated women. One study from Sweden looked at 11 years (2006 through 2017) and found 90% reduction in cervical cancer incidence compared with the incidence in women who had not been vaccinated.
HPV vaccines help prevent infection from both high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer and low-risk types that cause genital warts.
The CDC recommends all boys and girls get HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. The vaccine produces a stronger immune response when taken during the preteen years. For this reason, up until age 14, only two doses are the vaccine are required. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45 but for those 15 and older, a full three-dose series is needed.
You can get the vaccine at your doctor’s office or the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department at 40 Coxe Avenue in Asheville.
Learn more about the HPV vaccine here.
Screening
The goal of cervical cancer screening—Pap tests and HPV tests—is to find problems, like cell changes, so they can be treated before they turn into cancer.
The traditional test for early detection has been the Pap test. For women aged 30 and over, an HPV test is also recommended. HPV tests can find any of the high-risk types of HPV that are commonly found in cervical cancer.
Women should start screening with the Pap test at age 21, according to current guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
Starting at age 30, women have three options available for screening:
- A Pap test alone every three years.
- Co-testing with a Pap and HPV test, every five years.
- An HPV test alone, every five years.
Depending on the results of the Pap and/or HPV tests, a healthcare provider may recommend additional screening or procedures, so some women may be screened more often.
After age 65, women older than 65 who have had adequate prior screening and are not otherwise at high risk can stop screening. Women who have had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) also do not need to be screened, unless they have a have a history of a high-grade precancerous lesions.
To learn more about each type of screening, click here.
Breast And Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)
The Buncombe County Health and Human Services BCCCP is a program serving women and transgender people providing free chest and cervical exams, pap smears and HPV testing, and mammograms. This program is open to those:
- Between the ages of 40-64.
- Who have no insurance.
- Income below 250% of the federal poverty level.
- A Buncombe County resident. Local NC BCCCP contact information can be found here.
- Other women and transgender people ages 21 to 39 may be eligible.
To learn more about eligibility or schedule an appointment, call (828) 250-6006.
The Kinēsa Process is an advanced form of the Feldenkrais method. This method incorporates slow subtle movements, unravelling years of habitual patterns that can cause not only bad posture, but chronic conditions. Kinēsa not only guides your attention on how your body moves, but brings inner awareness to the entire structure by creating new pathways of organized movements to help relieve and prevent pain. Through the Kinēsa experience you will find improving the body’s flexibility comes not just from the movements but from the mind. What you will receive from Kinēsa; improved posture, balance, ease from stress and fatigue, and the awareness to form healthier movement patterns enabling the body to navigate freely through life. Kinēsa welcomes those that want to prevent chronic conditions as well as those already suffering from chronic pain.
Directed by Charlie Flynn-McIver
PLAYFUL | COMING OF AGE | COMEDY
It’s 1973 and 19 year old Linda O’Shea has been tasked by her mother with explaining the birds and the bees to her little sister. Things quickly snowball into crisis after the conversation is overheard by the parish priest. As secrets are unintentionally revealed, it takes every member of the modest, Irish Catholic O’Shea family — from Linda’s quirky younger sister to her sassy aunt — to keep the family’s name in good standing.
Content advisory: strong language and sensitive subject matter
|
Qigong is like Yoga but done standing and with more movement so it creates a flow of energy and gently increases circulation throughout your body. The smooth flowing movements are easy to learn as each exercise is performed 8-10 times before proceeding to the next. It is the grandfather of Tai Chi and other martial arts and is the self-help aspect of Chinese medicine. Suitable for all fitness levels, the benefits of well-being, relaxation, calmness and improved balance are often felt often during the very first lesson. And it can be practiced at home in only a few minutes any time you want to improve how you feel. For information email [email protected] |
Standup Comedy at Pulp featuring Cody Hughes
Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday December 25, 2024.
7p-9p, doors at 6:30p
Where:
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel website https://theorangepeel.net/event/slice-of-life-comedy-open-mic-24/ )
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! Free snacks while availability lasts!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley, featuring Cody Hughes
Comedy open mic is 3-5m each, comics get in free with free snacks!
Host Hilliary Begley-
Hilliary will make you cry with laughter. With her larger that life personality!! Voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” In Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
https ://youtu.be/legRwEg4j-o
Feature Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that. Oh well. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver, Maria Bamford, and many others.
Watch his new comedy special: