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.

Friday, May 29, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre: Class Interest Survey
May 29 all-day
Online

We are trying to see if there is enough interest in a Zoom class for Adult Improv, taught by Tom Chalmers. If you would be interested in this, please fill out the interest form. Thank you!

Cold Mountain Music Festival Rescheduled August 14-15
May 29 all-day
Cold Mountain Music Festival at Lake Logan 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane

A message from the founders of Cold Mountain Music Festival:

To our Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan, and Camp Henry families,

In recent weeks, we have stood alongside our nationwide cohort of festival organizers to witness the unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how it would impact our 2020 event schedule. While we originally hoped the situation would be subdued in time for our June gathering, we have also kept a watchful eye on the trajectory of this outbreak and have learned that the likelihood of this occurrence is slim.

In the interest of public safety, the 4th Annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will be postponed until August 14-15, 2020. While we can not yet reveal the exact lineup details, rest assured that we have been able to preserve the majority of originally scheduled artists. The talent team is working diligently to put the finishing touches on the new bill and will be ready to announce next week.

All previously-reserved tickets will be valid for the new festival date. In the event that you are unable to attend this August, you may contact ([email protected]) to secure a refund on your ticket purchase. All refund requests must be made before May 15.

Cold Mountain Music Festival is proud to announce the lineup for its 4th annual event happening June 5-6, 2020 at the picturesque Lake Logan Conference Center in Canton, NC. GRAMMY-winning newgrass pioneer Sam Bush Band will headline the weekend-long retreat, with additional appearances by fast-rising alt-country sensation Charley Crockett, West Coast folk-rock outfit Blitzen Trapper, critically acclaimed troubadour Amythyst Kiah, plus regional powerhouses Futurebirds, Sierra Ferrell, and more.

With less than half a decade of programming under its belt, Cold Mountain Music Festival has already been recognized as one of the Southeast’s best goldmines for live music, outdoor recreation, and family-oriented activities. Located just outside of Asheville in one of Western North Carolina’s most pristine stretches of land, Cold Mountain utilizes the vibrant Pisgah National Forest as its playground, and encourages exploration throughout the two-day immersive experience. At the heart of the festival site is the glistening Lake Logan, which boasts plenty of swimming, paddle-boarding, and fishing. Paired with performances by some of live music’s leading forces on the scene and plenty of kid-friendly offerings, the upcoming Cold Mountain Music Festival will offer the trifecta of rustic summer experiences.

Weekend passes are on sale now on the Cold Mountain Music website. General admission passes are available for $75, and youth passes for those aged 12-17 can be purchased for $40 apiece. Overnight camping spots and catered breakfast meal tickets are also available for $75 (per site) and $12-$15 (per person), respectively. Group discounts may be applied for parties of 15 or more. Enter the code DioWNC at checkout to purchase each pass (minimum 15) for $60 each. Cold Mountain Music Festival is presented by Ingles Markets, with partners iHeartMedia and Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. For more information, visit www.coldmountainmusic.org. A complete lineup can be found below.

Flat Rock Playhouse Cancels 2020 Season
May 29 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

“We are heartbroken to have to make this decision,” said producing artistic director Lisa K. Bryant. “With state-mandated limitations on gathering sizes for the foreseeable future, as well as recent information that union rules for actors returning to work may not even be issued until summer, it is now clear we cannot reopen in mid-July as we had hoped. The right decision for the long-term health of the Playhouse and for our patrons is to move the entire 2020 season to 2021.” This decision was ratified unanimously by the Playhouse Board of Trustees.

Flat Rock Playhouse Lisa K. Bryant Interview on WLOS
May 29 all-day
online

Producing Artistic Director, Lisa K. Bryant, spoke with WLOS regarding our decision to postpone our 2020 season.

Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
May 29 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre: Class Interest Survey
May 30 all-day
Online

We are trying to see if there is enough interest in a Zoom class for Adult Improv, taught by Tom Chalmers. If you would be interested in this, please fill out the interest form. Thank you!

Cold Mountain Music Festival Rescheduled August 14-15
May 30 all-day
Cold Mountain Music Festival at Lake Logan 25 Wormy Chestnut Lane

A message from the founders of Cold Mountain Music Festival:

To our Cold Mountain Music Festival, Lake Logan, and Camp Henry families,

In recent weeks, we have stood alongside our nationwide cohort of festival organizers to witness the unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how it would impact our 2020 event schedule. While we originally hoped the situation would be subdued in time for our June gathering, we have also kept a watchful eye on the trajectory of this outbreak and have learned that the likelihood of this occurrence is slim.

In the interest of public safety, the 4th Annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will be postponed until August 14-15, 2020. While we can not yet reveal the exact lineup details, rest assured that we have been able to preserve the majority of originally scheduled artists. The talent team is working diligently to put the finishing touches on the new bill and will be ready to announce next week.

All previously-reserved tickets will be valid for the new festival date. In the event that you are unable to attend this August, you may contact ([email protected]) to secure a refund on your ticket purchase. All refund requests must be made before May 15.

Cold Mountain Music Festival is proud to announce the lineup for its 4th annual event happening June 5-6, 2020 at the picturesque Lake Logan Conference Center in Canton, NC. GRAMMY-winning newgrass pioneer Sam Bush Band will headline the weekend-long retreat, with additional appearances by fast-rising alt-country sensation Charley Crockett, West Coast folk-rock outfit Blitzen Trapper, critically acclaimed troubadour Amythyst Kiah, plus regional powerhouses Futurebirds, Sierra Ferrell, and more.

With less than half a decade of programming under its belt, Cold Mountain Music Festival has already been recognized as one of the Southeast’s best goldmines for live music, outdoor recreation, and family-oriented activities. Located just outside of Asheville in one of Western North Carolina’s most pristine stretches of land, Cold Mountain utilizes the vibrant Pisgah National Forest as its playground, and encourages exploration throughout the two-day immersive experience. At the heart of the festival site is the glistening Lake Logan, which boasts plenty of swimming, paddle-boarding, and fishing. Paired with performances by some of live music’s leading forces on the scene and plenty of kid-friendly offerings, the upcoming Cold Mountain Music Festival will offer the trifecta of rustic summer experiences.

Weekend passes are on sale now on the Cold Mountain Music website. General admission passes are available for $75, and youth passes for those aged 12-17 can be purchased for $40 apiece. Overnight camping spots and catered breakfast meal tickets are also available for $75 (per site) and $12-$15 (per person), respectively. Group discounts may be applied for parties of 15 or more. Enter the code DioWNC at checkout to purchase each pass (minimum 15) for $60 each. Cold Mountain Music Festival is presented by Ingles Markets, with partners iHeartMedia and Haywood County Tourism Development Authority. For more information, visit www.coldmountainmusic.org. A complete lineup can be found below.

Flat Rock Playhouse Cancels 2020 Season
May 30 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

“We are heartbroken to have to make this decision,” said producing artistic director Lisa K. Bryant. “With state-mandated limitations on gathering sizes for the foreseeable future, as well as recent information that union rules for actors returning to work may not even be issued until summer, it is now clear we cannot reopen in mid-July as we had hoped. The right decision for the long-term health of the Playhouse and for our patrons is to move the entire 2020 season to 2021.” This decision was ratified unanimously by the Playhouse Board of Trustees.

Flat Rock Playhouse Lisa K. Bryant Interview on WLOS
May 30 all-day
online

Producing Artistic Director, Lisa K. Bryant, spoke with WLOS regarding our decision to postpone our 2020 season.

17th Annual Montford Music and Arts Festival RESCHEDULED
May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Historic Montford District

Great food, artist displays and fun activities while mingling with their neighbors.”

 

Perhaps the most family friendly street festival in western North Carolina, the Montford Music & Arts Festival features a special children’s area for face painting, interactive displays, sidewalk chalk art contest and other fun activities.

 

Located on Montford Ave. between Chestnut and Waneta Streets just down the street from downtown Asheville, the Asheville Visitors Center and Chamber of the Commerce, the all-day event will also feature a music stage with another attractive lineup in 2020.   Comprised solely of local musicians, the performing schedule will be announced shortly.

 

Attendees will also be treated to a wide variety of specialty cuisine, courtesy of food booths and food trucks.  In addition, more than 100 booth vendors will be on hand, with various artists, crafts people and nursery plant purveyors selling their merchandise.

 

Featuring turn-of-the-century “Victorian” homes and several bed-and-breakfast inns, a portion of Montford is proclaimed a National Register Historic District.  Many of today’s Montford historic homes were designed by the same architect hired by the Vanderbilt Family to create the Biltmore Estate.

 

World famous authors Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry are buried in Montford at the nearby Riverside Cemetery, while the community’s rich history also dates back to the once thriving African-American community of Stumptown, which ended in the 1960’s.

 

The very first Montford festival was presented as strictly an arts event in 2004, held inside of Pyper’s Place, which is now Nine Mile Restaurant, and Sweet Heaven Ice Cream Shop, now a real estate office.

 

Asheville Community Theatre: Little Women online!
May 30 @ 7:30 pm
online

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When we closed our doors due to COVID-19, we thought we might be closed for 3-4 weeks. We quickly moved to online rehearsals for Little Women and three different Youth Production Classes, thinking that we might be able to get these productions onstage as soon as it was safe to reopen.

But we’ve realized that the better place to present these plays will be online. And so rehearsals shifted: instead of practicing to be on the stage, we started practicing to be on the screen.

Instead of working on stage movement, actors are noting their posture and distance in regards to their webcam. Lighting is asking an actor to re-position a floor lamp instead of having a lighting designer create intricate cues that change at the push of a button. Even in this seemingly disconnected space, actors are connecting beautifully to each other, to the script, and to the characters.

And so, next Saturday, we will present Little Women from the homes of our actors directly to YOUR home! Tickets are free. Once you register for the event, you will receive a unique link to view the livestream! 

Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
May 30 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre: Class Interest Survey
May 31 all-day
Online

We are trying to see if there is enough interest in a Zoom class for Adult Improv, taught by Tom Chalmers. If you would be interested in this, please fill out the interest form. Thank you!

Flat Rock Playhouse Cancels 2020 Season
May 31 all-day
Flat Rock Playhouse

“We are heartbroken to have to make this decision,” said producing artistic director Lisa K. Bryant. “With state-mandated limitations on gathering sizes for the foreseeable future, as well as recent information that union rules for actors returning to work may not even be issued until summer, it is now clear we cannot reopen in mid-July as we had hoped. The right decision for the long-term health of the Playhouse and for our patrons is to move the entire 2020 season to 2021.” This decision was ratified unanimously by the Playhouse Board of Trustees.

Flat Rock Playhouse Lisa K. Bryant Interview on WLOS
May 31 all-day
online

Producing Artistic Director, Lisa K. Bryant, spoke with WLOS regarding our decision to postpone our 2020 season.

Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
May 31 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Monday, June 1, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre: Peter Pan and the Great Adventure Online!
Jun 1 @ 4:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre Online
#ACTHappyHour Watch Party on Facebook
Jun 1 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
facebook

New Online Programming!

Starting Monday, April 20, we’re launching online programming that anyone can enjoy! And even better – it’s all free! Find this content on Facebook, Instagram or Youtube!

Mondays

11:00 am – My ACT Memory – the craziest, most wonderful, or unbelievable things that have happened at ACT
7:30 pm – Movie Monday! We’ll watch a movie together using Netflix Party!

Tuesdays

11:00 am – ACT Reads: Storytime (for Young Children)
7:30 pm – Living Room Cabaret – A mini-concert from 3 local performers!

Wednesdays

Watch for our next e-newsletter!

Thursdays

11:00 am – Backstage Pass with Amanda and Chanda
7:30 pm – Face With a Name: Brief Interviews with Fascinating People

Fridays

11:00 am – ACT Reads: A Chapter at a Time (for Older Kids)
5:00 pm – #ACTHappyHour Watch Party on Facebook

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre: The Snow Queen and the Impossible Journey Online!
Jun 2 @ 4:00 pm
Asheville Community Theatre Online
Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 2 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 3 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 4 @ 2:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Face With a Name
Jun 4 @ 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm
facebook

Face With a Name

New Episodes Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Hosted by Kelly Shanafelt

Episode 1: Get to Know Jill Summers
Episode 2: Get to Know Carina Lopez

Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 4 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Friday, June 5, 2020
Leap Then Look – Light, Sound, Movement Workshop
Jun 5 @ 10:30 am
online


RSVP Required
FREE + Open to All
Max 30 participants

Join participatory artists Leap Then Look to re-imagine the experimental Light, Sound, Movement workshops that took place at Black Mountain College in the late 40s, led by W.P. “Pete” and Elizabeth Jennerjahn. Little is known of the workshops themselves, except that they continued the college’s approach to interdisciplinary art practice begun with Xanti Schawinsky’s Spectrodrama and prefigured the famous Theater Piece No.1 staged by John Cage at BMC in 1952.

“We do not always create ‘works of art,’ but rather experiments; it is not our ambition to fill museums: we are gathering experience.” Josef Albers

This collaborative workshop will take place via Zoom. Participants will be invited and encouraged to work together to create movement, sound, text, and objects, using a variety of prompts. The work will be brought together for a virtual “performance” using a randomly created time structure, allowing all elements to be included, to have equal weight and for no one “view” or experience of the piece to be the same.

From the fragments of the original Light, Sound, Movement workshop that remain in the archives at BMCM+AC, the strong spirit of experimentation emerges. Eighty years on, we will create a space for improvisation, responsiveness, collaboration, and surprise in the virtual realm.

Participants are asked to familiarise themselves with Zoom in advance of the workshops, to think about the spaces in their home in which they can work (we do not only want shots of head and shoulders, but environments filled with light, objects and bodies!) and to collect together a few materials from home which might be useful – for example, torches (flashlights), coloured plastic, cardboard, tape, string, fragments of text, awkward objects, a desk lamp, paper and pens. Please use a computer rather than a tablet or phone to join the workshop.

This work is part of a practical research project, and we will be posting content on Instagram (via Leap Then Look and BMCM+AC) from June 1st. Follow us @leap_then_look.

REGISTER

Asheville Community Theatre: Carrying On with Murphy
Jun 5 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre Online

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Online Special Event with Asheville Community Theatre

Legally Blonde
Jun 5 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre
Magnetic Theatre Laboratory Online
Jun 5 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Online

MAGNETIC (VIRTUAL) LABORATORY

Virtual Content

SIGN UP BY 7PM TO JOIN US LIVE

If you want to see the show, but can’t attend at 8pm, still sign up and we’ll send out a link to view the show at a later date.

Join us for our second Magnetic Laboratory ONLINE and see local artists experiment with new and original theatrical material. You can join us for the WATCH PARTY, or simply receive a link and watch the video on your own time.

This could be a sketch, a song, a monologue, a poem, a portion of dialogue – anything they’re working on is fair game.

 

Steel Magnolias POSTPONED to 2021 Season
Jun 5 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse