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, January 23, 2020
Jeff Anders & Jesse Barry – Acoustic Rock
Jan 23 @ 8:00 pm
Pack's Tavern

Live Music – never a cover charge!

Nicholas Jamerson
Jan 23 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Ambrose West

Worthwhile Sounds presents: Nicholas Jamerson

“With his dreamy acoustic picking and a voice that runs molasses-thick, old-soul Nicholas Jamerson writes earnest songs that are filled with heart. His songs spin tales of southern gothic drama woven with an intricate emotional framework, underscored with delicate Americana instrumentation and country-folk melodies.

Slim Gambill, Guitarist for Lady Antebellum: “Fake Jazz & Theme Songs” LP Launch Tour
Jan 23 @ 8:30 pm
Isis Restaurant and Music Hall

Slim Gambill, Guitarist for Lady Antebellum: "Fake Jazz & Theme Songs" LP Launch Tour

Fresh off of features in ROLLING STONE, BILLBOARD, PARADE, JAZZ GUITAR TODAY, Lady Antebellum guitarist Slim Gambill is making his Asheville debut with his instrumental jazz/rock/jam band project!

Main Stage Seated :: Limited Tables Available with a Dinner Reservation :: All Other Seating is First Come First Serve General Admission :: Please Call Venue for Dinner Reservations

Jesse Malin Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts Kelley Swindall
Jan 23 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
The Grey Eagle

Jesse Malin

Who’s Bad Presents THE EVOLUTION OF POP
Jan 23 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Like its name implies, “The Evolution of Pop” is a visionary musical continuum saluting the icons of the past who paved the way for the Jumbotron-sized pop stars of today. As the musical landscape constantly shifts, “The Evolution of Pop” boasts years of performance experience at the world’s most renowned stadiums and pavillions, leaving international audiences awed and yearning for more. This assembly of superior performers provides hardcore fans a seamless bridge between James Brown’s signature funk; Earth, Wind, and Fire’s energetic soul, the sick choreography of the Black-Eyed Peas, and the “24 karate magic” of Bruno Mars. With a single cue, “The Evolution of Pop” brings together some of America’s most outstanding musicians to offer epic renditions of the most timeless and recognizable pop favorites. “Who’s Bad 20/20” binds music’s past, present, and future to deliver the most mind-blowing tribute to pop music’s infinite canon.

Friday, January 24, 2020
An Evening with Edwin McCain, Maia Sharp, and Jason White
Jan 24 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Center

The Peace Center’s Songwriters Concert Series returns! Led by Greenville favorite Edwin McCain and accomplished songwriter Maia Sharp, each concert brings a new guest singer-songwriter to the Upstate for a one-of-a-kind listening room experience in Genevieve’s theater lounge.

Deep River Presents the Eagles’ 20 Greatest Hits in Songs and Stories
Jan 24 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Ambrose West

Deep River, Asheville’s Premier Country Vocal Group, will pay homage to the Southern California band that started the country rock genre, the Eagles, by telling their story in words and songs, album-by-album, from their debut album in 1972 simply called ‘Eagles’ to their ‘Hell Freezes Over’ album of 1994. The three women who front Deep River will provide all the vocals, and the Band will add a keyboardist for a total of seven pieces in order to create that iconic Eagles sound, and take the audience on an unforgettable American musical journey.

Jake Shimabukuro
Jan 24 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Jake Shimabukuro

Almost everyone in Hawaii has strummed a ukulele at one time or another. But at the age of 14, Jake Shimabukuro realized that he was doing something a little different with the four-stringed instrument – OK, a lot different.

Shimabukuro’s wholly unique approach to the ukulele started early. As a youngster growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, Shimabukuro started playing the instrument at the age of four, learning the basics from his mother, Carol, and then developing his craft further by studying the likes of musical masters such as Eddie Kamae, Ohta-San and Peter Moon. As he matured, Shimabukuro also found inspiration from guitar players, drummers, pianists, and singers. Even athletes helped fuel the intensity of his artistic fire.

In 2005, Shimabukuro’s touring career really came to life with a video on YouTube. “I didn’t even know what YouTube was at the time, so I was totally surprised when people started telling me they’d seen a video of me playing ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,'” he says. “Before I got a chance to check it out myself, the video had gone viral and a lot of music industry folks seemed to know about it. It was crazy!” Shimabukuro’s deeply beautiful and original take on George Harrison’s love ballad, one which captured colors and moods never associated with the ukulele before, opened the floodgates – now legions of new music lovers had to hear this instrumental marvel – and the 2006 release of Gently Weeps (produced by Mac McAnally), which mixed his own originals with equally adventurous versions of “Ave Maria” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” was an unqualified success.

An Evening with the Bumper Jacksons
Jan 24 @ 8:30 pm
Isis Restaurant and Music Hall

An Evening with the Bumper Jacksons

Like an old-time barn dance in downtown New Orleans, the Bumper Jacksons pull together a vast array of early American traditions into a deliciously high-spirit sound.

Main Stage Seated :: Limited Tables Available with a Dinner Reservation :: All Other Seating is First Come First Serve General Admission :: Please Call Venue for Dinner Reservations

Saturday, January 25, 2020
Are You Registered to Vote?
Jan 25 all-day
Not sure if you’re registered to vote in the upcoming primary, local and general election? Take one minute to check by clicking the button below!

 

Kindly provided by MANNA Food Bank!

Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA) 12 week course
Jan 25 all-day
City Municipal Building

Police-Hat

Applications are due Feb. 21.

The Asheville Police Department (APD) is now inviting residents to apply for the spring semester of the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA). Participants in this free course will learn about the daily work and operations of APD, while also giving the department an opportunity to obtain valuable feedback from the community.

 

The course will begin on March 5. Sessions are held each Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for 12 weeks. The course is held at the Municipal Building, 100 Court Plaza, in downtown Asheville. Dinner is provided.

 

The course consists of basic classroom instruction, presentations and demonstrations of topics such as criminal investigations, constitutional and criminal law, use of force, departmental structure and defensive tactics. Participants will also be given the opportunity to ride along with an officer.

Those wishing to participate must apply and be accepted. You can submit an application online at this link. Applications are due Feb. 21.

 

LEAF Volunteers is now LEAF WeX
Jan 25 all-day
LEAF
We’ve opted to shift the name and give some different benefits.
WHAT is changing? The name, WeX Star Crew benefit, & Festival HQ
– Regular Volunteers are now WeX. Work 10 hours in exchange for Weekend (Fri to Sun) Ticket
– Plus Volunteers are now WeX Plus. Work 15 hours in exchange for a Weekend Plus (Thu to Sun) Ticket
– Star Volunteers are now WeX Star. Work 20 hours in exchange for a Weekend Plus (Thu to Sun) Ticket AND a Culinary Passport -OR- a Star Guest Pass Ticket (Thu to Sun). Guest passes are LIMITED.

We’ll update our Auto-Reply as well as make a note on the website when the guest pass is no longer an available option. Those who have submitted completed applications prior to the cut off will have the guest pass option.

WeX Headquarters (HQ) will now be located under the Ship with a designated lounging area for WeXs. Make sure to come by and say hello!! You’ll pick up official schedule cards and culinary passes here as well.

RiverLink’s Art & Poetry Contest Grades PreK-12
Jan 25 all-day
online
Seeking Nominations: Griffin Awards
Jan 25 all-day
Buncombe County
Each year, PSABC presents awards to outstanding projects and individuals that further our goals of historic preservation in Asheville and Buncombe County for our Griffin Awards.  Nominations for the 2020 awards to be held on May 28th are now open to individuals, companies and organizations in the following categories:
  • Restoration
  • Rehabilitation
  • Adaptive Re-use
  • In-fill Construction in Historic and Traditional Neighborhoods
  • Research, Publication and Education
  • Stewardship
  • Preservation
Seeking nominees for Neighborhood Hero Award
Jan 25 all-day
City of Asheville

community volunteers photo

 

Many things make a good neighborhood: sidewalks, shady trees and manageable car traffic come to mind. But most of all, it’s the people who take time to know each other, who care about the health, safety and rights of their neighbors, who help and look out for children, elders and others in need. These are the neighbors who show they care by maintaining their homes, gardens and public spaces, who participate and are connected to organizations that focus on neighborhoods.

 

And these are the extraordinary people the City of Asheville wants to honor as the Neighborhood Advisory Committee seeks submissions to recognize individuals or groups who have made a difference in their neighborhood during 2019. The recipient or recipients will be recognized at an Asheville City Council meeting and be featured in the neighborhood news throughout the year.

So help us find that outstanding person or group and nominate them for Asheville’s Neighborhood Hero Award

 

Share with us the good work going on in your neighborhood! Nominate a deserving recipient. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2020.

 

 

Tax Help at Libraries Runs Feb. 1-April 15
Jan 25 all-day
Buncombe County Libraries

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in cooperation with the I.R.S, N.C. Dept. of Revenue, Buncombe County Library System and Council on Aging, Inc. will again offer free tax Preparations for low and moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Both Federal and N.C. State tax returns will be electronically filed for safe and accurate preparation with faster refunds.

This service will be available from Feb. 1-April 15, at sites listed below. Please note that some locations have different start dates as several libraries will be hosting early voting for the Presidential primaries in February.

Tax help for Weaverville will be held at the Brookstone Baptist Church and tax help for West Asheville will be held at the West Asheville Presbyterian Church. All tax help locations can be found at irs.gov.

Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions Exhibit
Jan 25 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center

Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center celebrated the opening of its newest traveling exhibit, “Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions” on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The exhibit will run through the July 4th weekend at MGM, located at 24 Water Street in Old Fort. Admission is free.

 

Wings for Autism®
Jan 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Asheville Regional Airport

The fifth annual Wings for Autism© at Asheville Regional Airport is Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 9am to noon. The free event provides an immersive, simulated airport experience for people on the autism spectrum and their families or caregivers. Participants will arrive at the airport, check in for their “flight” at the ticket counter, go through airport security, wait at the gate, enjoy a meal, and board the plane for their pretend trip.
Travel is a wonderful experience for many; however, for our autistic friends, the air travel experience can be unfamiliar, potentially stressful, and feel out of reach. We are pleased to partner with The Arc of Buncombe County, Allegiant, Worldwide Flight Service, the Transportation Security Administration and Bojangles’ of WNC to provide a practice airport experience to help our autistic friends and neighbors become more comfortable with the airport and airplane environments.
Pilates with Puppies Asheville Humane Society
Jan 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Asheville Humane Society

Please join us for a fundraiser for the Asheville Humane Society. Pilates with Puppies will be a basic Pilates class, with puppies provided by AHS. Please BYO yoga or Pilates mat and a small towel. Please do not bring your own puppy! $15. Pre-registration required. 

WNC Affordable Housing Fair
Jan 25 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Pack Library

The Buncombe County Public Library System introduces our first ever WNC Affordable Housing Fair. The fair will be held from noon – 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Lord Auditorium on the lower level of Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street, downtown Asheville. Thirteen area agencies will be available to provide information about emergency shelter, rentals, and home ownership for area residents with different types of housing needs, from those experiencing homelessness to renters and individuals who qualify for home ownership assistance programs. Participating agencies include ABCCM, Asheville Housing Authority, BeLoved, Blair H. Clark Respite Center, Council on Aging, Eblen Charities, Givens Gerber Park , Habitat for Humanity, Helpmate Homeward Bound, Justice Resource Center, Mountain Housing Opportunities, and The Real Asheville Initiative.

The Pride of Pripyat: tales from the Chernobyl disaster (premier)
Jan 25 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
the BLOCK off Biltmore

The Perspective Collective presents the world premier of The Pride of Pripyat: tales from the Chernobyl disaster, an opera exploring the lives of everyday people living in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. With a score by Sunny Knable and libretto by Jim Knable, singers Erin Brittain, Rachael Basescu, and Grant Mech bring multiple characters to life in a series of scenes accompanied by pianist Patrick Fink. Presented as part of the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival as a double feature with Biophilia Asheville

Asheville Sister Cities Burns Night Supper
Jan 25 @ 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Country Club of Asheville

A Robert Burns 261st Birthday Celebration Dinner will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Country Club of Asheville. The event is sponsored by the Dunkeld and Birnam Committee of Asheville Sister Cities, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit) which will benefit from the net proceeds of the dinner, optional whisky tasting, and charity raffle & auction.
A formal Robert Burns Dinner Ceremony beginning at 5:30 pm will include a three course meal with Haggis, a piper, poets, dancers and other entertainment. Scottish attire is recommended. Cocktails and other refreshments will be available from a credit card bar. An optional Scotch Whisky Blind Tasting of five single malts will be conducted with a $50 entry fee. Guests may also buy raffle tickets for an assortment of Scottish themed gifts and bid on auction items.
Tickets for the dinner ($100 per person) may be purchased on Eventbrite.com, downloading a registration form from ashevillesistercities.org/burns/, or by sending a check payable to the Asheville Sister Cities, Inc. to 994 Clovertop Lane, Arden, NC 28704. You will receive a follow up letter with additional information.

11th Annual Django Reinardt Birthday Celebration
Jan 25 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

11th Annual Django Reinhardt Birthday Celebration

The Russian Sorcerer & His Apprentices Greenville Symphony Orchestra
Jan 25 @ 8:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall, Greenville

Edvard Tchivzhel, Conductor
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite
Borodin: Symphony No. 2 (“Heroic Symphony”)
Borodin: Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor

It’s an array of dazzling colors with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, followed by the fiery and exotic fantasies of Stravinsky with his Firebird Suite, while Borodin pulls out all the stops with his mighty and wild “Heroic Symphony.”

End Of The Line – An Allman Brothers Tribute
Jan 25 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Sunday, January 26, 2020
Are You Registered to Vote?
Jan 26 all-day
Not sure if you’re registered to vote in the upcoming primary, local and general election? Take one minute to check by clicking the button below!

 

Kindly provided by MANNA Food Bank!

LEAF Volunteers is now LEAF WeX
Jan 26 all-day
LEAF
We’ve opted to shift the name and give some different benefits.
WHAT is changing? The name, WeX Star Crew benefit, & Festival HQ
– Regular Volunteers are now WeX. Work 10 hours in exchange for Weekend (Fri to Sun) Ticket
– Plus Volunteers are now WeX Plus. Work 15 hours in exchange for a Weekend Plus (Thu to Sun) Ticket
– Star Volunteers are now WeX Star. Work 20 hours in exchange for a Weekend Plus (Thu to Sun) Ticket AND a Culinary Passport -OR- a Star Guest Pass Ticket (Thu to Sun). Guest passes are LIMITED.

We’ll update our Auto-Reply as well as make a note on the website when the guest pass is no longer an available option. Those who have submitted completed applications prior to the cut off will have the guest pass option.

WeX Headquarters (HQ) will now be located under the Ship with a designated lounging area for WeXs. Make sure to come by and say hello!! You’ll pick up official schedule cards and culinary passes here as well.

RiverLink’s Art & Poetry Contest Grades PreK-12
Jan 26 all-day
online
Equality NC and Southerners on New Ground: 4th Sundays at Firestorm Books
Jan 26 @ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Firestorm Books & Coffee

Equality North Carolina (ENC) and Southerners on New Ground (SONG) are collaborating on informal meetings on the fourth Sunday of every month at Firestorm Books in Asheville.

This month, we’ll focus on:
-What’s on the ballot
-Voter Mobilization

See you there!

Elisabeth Von Trapp In Concert
Jan 26 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
St James Episcopal Church

The 30th Annual Candlemas Concert at St James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville features Elisabeth Von Trapp, from the family whose story inspired the Sound of Music. Von Trapp is known for her hauntingly clear voice and romantic lyrics. The event is followed by an hors d’oeuvres reception.