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.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
| Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public. For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org |
What’s better than wildflowers to mark the beginning of spring? Hickory Nut Gorge comes alive as wildflowers emerge. Grab your camera and join a Park naturalist on this moderate hike. The journey will take you along the Hickory Nut Falls Trail and down the Four Seasons Trail, but you won’t have to hike back to the top lot. Transportation will be provided.
This is one special hike you do not want to miss!
After reading and discussing John Ehle’s work of historical fiction The Road, join WNCHA for a special hike exploring the real history of the incarcerated laborers who toiled and often died constructing the Western NC Railroad. We are joined by a special guest presenter, member of the RAIL Project committee and mayor of Marion, Steve Little.
- We will add a second hike Sunday, April 18 at 1pm should there be enough demand.
Where: We will meet at the Ridgecrest Trailhead (Mill Creek Road, Old Fort, NC 28762) near the Ridgecrest Conference Center. Our hike takes place on the Point Lookout Greenway, a paved trail following the route of former U.S Hwy 70.
Length: 2.5 Hours
Distance: 2 Miles
Details: We will hike just over one mile downhill to Point Lookout, and to the High Ridge and Lick Lock tunnels below. We will stop briefly at various points, and discuss along the way the history of the railroad and road construction and the incarcerated laborers who completed the project. We will walk back uphill to the trailhead afterward.
Bring: Sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes or boots, weather appropriate clothing for changing conditions, plenty of water (24+ ounces), a cell phone, sunscreen, snacks as desired
Gather your favorite hiking buddy, canine or human, and explore the amazing trails in our community thanks to the work of Conserving Carolina and support two organizations at one time!
During the week of April 11-18, hit the trails that have been made possible by Conserving Carolina with your favorite two- or four-legged friend and complete additional challenges for prizes from BRHS and Conserving Carolina.
There are three hike options: Bearwallow Mountain, any segment of the Oklawaha Greenway between Jackson Park and Berkeley Mills Park, and the perimeter trail of the Park at Flat Rock.
Complete one or all of the hikes and walks and discover for yourself the work of Conserving Carolina in our community with your furry friend! Proceeds support Conserving Carolina and the programs of Blue Ridge Humane Society that provide new homes for pets in need, support services for local pets and their owners, and more!
To RSVP, click on https://conservingcarolina.org/event/tails-and-trails-3/
This primitive survival skills class provides mental health benefits and builds confidence in a covid-safe environment. For The People Academy, a high-end skills training company, is offering an all day No Budget Camping class. Students will learn how to survive in the wild without expensive gear. Skills taught will be:
How to build a shelter
How to find and purify water
How to start a fire with one match
How to make your own cookware
Basic knife skills
Basic first-aid
April 18th and May 16th from 11am-6pm. Classes will be held in the Asheville area and are open to all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. To ensure participant safety, students will be given the exact class location after registering.
Registration starts at $85 at FTPAcademy.org, but readers can get a 10% discount at checkout by entering promo code ‘CAMPING2021’.
Classes will be led by For The People Academy’s senior instructor Ami Le. Ami is a Primitive Skills instructor at Florida Earthskills gathering as well as a certified NC Concealed Carry and Red Cross First-aid/CPR/AED instructor.
About For The People Academy:
For The People Academy offers classes in gun safety, first-aid, primitive skills, and more. Their goal is to empower regular people to be heroes in their own communities. Classes are designed to be accessible for people of all backgrounds and identities. More information, updates and new classes can be found on their website FTPAcademy.org and on Facebook, Twitter @Ftpacademy1 and Instagram @for_the_people_academy.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
Heidi Nisbett, an accomplished backpacker and talented artist, will not only guide you on a 3-day backpacking trip near Sam’s Knob, she’ll teach you the basics of watercolor painting and painting outdoors along the way. We’ve kept the mileage pretty low – around 14 miles total – to leave a couple hours each day for painting. Highlights of this trip include the Sam’s Knob, Black Balsam Knob, Tennant Mountain, and Laurel Creek. You’ll leave the trip with at least 2-3 finished paintings (and the materials you’ll need to keep painting on your future hikes!), drawing inspiration from subjects including rolling mountain views, rivers and creeks, and early spring flora. This is a beginner-friendly trip, or a chance for more experienced backpackers to try something new! No prior painting experience is necessary.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
Click here to RSVP for this event. On the day of the event, we will send a reminder email with the link required to attend.
Like most of our events, this event is free. If you decide to attend and to purchase the authors’ 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!
A young prince must rely on a mysterious stranger to save him when he is kidnapped during his coming-of-age tour in this swoony adventure that is The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue meets Pirates of the Caribbean.
Prince Tal has long awaited his coming-of-age tour. After spending most of his life cloistered behind palace walls as he learns to keep his forbidden magic secret, he can finally see his family’s kingdom for the first time. His first taste of adventure comes just two days into the journey, when their crew discovers a mysterious prisoner on a burning derelict vessel. Tasked with watching over the prisoner, Tal is surprised to feel an intense connection with the roguish Athlen. So when Athlen leaps overboard and disappears, Tal feels responsible and heartbroken, knowing Athlen could not have survived in the open ocean. That is, until Tal runs into Athlen days later on dry land, very much alive, and as charming–and secretive–as ever. But before they can pursue anything further, Tal is kidnapped by pirates and held ransom in a plot to reveal his rumored powers and instigate a war. Tal must escape if he hopes to save his family and the kingdom. And Athlen might just be his only hope…
F.T. Lukens is the author of four young adult novels published through Interlude Press, and her book Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction, won the ForeWord INDIES Book of the Year Gold Award for YA Fiction, and the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction, and it was also recently named to ALA’s 2019 Rainbow List. F.T. lives in North Carolina with her husband, three kids, three dogs, and three cats. Visit her at FTLukens.com.
C.B. Lee is a Lambda Literary Award nominated writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy. Her works include the Sidekick Squad series (Duet Books), Ben 10 graphic novels (Boom! Studios), Out Now: Queer We Go Again (HarperTeen), Minecraft: The Shipwreck (Del Rey Books), From A Certain Point Of View: The Empire Strikes Back (Del Rey Books) and A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix (Feiwel and Friends). Lee’s work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Wired Magazine, Hypable, Tor’s Best of Fantasy and Sci Fi and the American Library Association’s Rainbow List.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
Chimney Rock’s Spring Homeschool Day is the perfect time to explore the Park and get to know other homeschool families. The morning engages students through hands-on programs designed to help foster their appreciation of the natural world around us. Stay for a fun-filled afternoon with your choice of options. Morning Programs are from 9:30am – 12:30pm; some afternoon times will also be available and may vary based on demand. Program details can be found online. Advance registration required, reserve your spot below. Registration closes April 13.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
Aurality, Wonder, Environment. Musician and environmental soundscape artist Tyler Kinnear takes participants on a Listening Awe Walk designed to deepen an aural connection to the local soundscape. Learn to give your ears priority and listen to the sounds around you.
Click here to RSVP for this event. On the day of the event, we will send a reminder email with the link required to attend.
Like most of our events, this event is free. If you decide to attend and to purchase the authors’ 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!
Siblings Rosie and Baker must pretend their great grandmother is still alive until they can get her will into the right hands. But the lies get bigger and bigger as they try to keep their neighbors from prying, and they know they’re really in trouble once their wicked grandmother shows up! PartLittle Miss Sunshine, part Weekend at Bernie’s, this unexpectedly touching read from North Carolina local Ena Jones remind us that all families are weird and wonderful.
Ena Jones is the author of Clayton Stone series, about which Kirkus Reviews raved “What really makes this take on the kid-turned-spy story special is that it has a heart.” She grew up outside Washington, D.C. and now lives with her family in North Carolina, where she loves to cook a wide range of foods–including noodle casserole. Six Feet Below Zero is Ena’s newest book with Holiday House.
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
| Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public. For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org |
THURSDAY, APRIL 1 – FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The dormancy of winter is coming to an end, and life is beginning to return to the forests. Wildflowers blooming and buds on trees are an indication that spring and warmer weather are right around the corner. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some beautiful images of the Park’s spring blooms and enter them into our “Buds & Blooms” Photo Contest. We’ll use the winning entries on our website and Facebook album, and you’ll win some fun prizes. Photos must be taken within the Chimney Rock section of the Park.
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
| Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a registered non-profit rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing orphaned and injured wildlife, and serving 18 counties across WNC. They provide conservation education to the community, support the wildlife rehabilitation network, and offer a Wildlife Emergency Hotline to the public. For help with wildlife in need, call 828-633-6364 ext 1 and leave a message or email [email protected], and a member of the hotline team will reach out right away. To learn more and support their cause, visit www.appalachianwild.org |
Join professional photographer Buddy Morrison for an interactive session on learning advanced settings and strategies for smartphone photography. Whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, you’re sure to take away some great skills from this three-hour class. This photographic odyssey will take you to various spots in the Park, so be prepared to do some moderate hiking.
This class does require advance registration as space is limited.
Independence for us means locally-owned, human-curated, non-book-devaluing-data-mining-algorithm-driven-giant-corporation, community-minded, warm, friendly, smart and sassy, and downright FUN in the most bookish ways!
About Independent Bookstore Day
Independent Bookstore Day began in California in 2014 and became a national event the next year. A host of publishers and authors such as Neil Gaiman, George Saunders, Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, James Patterson, Stephen King and many others have donated work in support of the event. Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) is produced by writer and former bookseller Samantha Schoech in partnership with the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association. Its sponsors include Penguin Random House, Ingram, and the American Bookseller’s Association. www.indiebookstoreday.com
Follow Independent Bookstore Day:
Facebook at Facebook.com/BookstoreDay
Twitter @BookstoreDay
Instagram @indiebookstoreday
#BookstoreDay
Come observe the Park under a shadow of darkness and watch as it comes alive. Join a Park naturalist as you hike along the Hickory Nut Falls trail, a moderate hike. You never know what nocturnal animals you may hear or see. You will want to bring a headlamp or flashlight, dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring water. Space is limited to 15, and advance registration is required.