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.
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
The Literacy Council of Buncombe County will hold “Beauty and the Bee,” an adult Spelling Bee, on April 3, 2019 at The Mothlight in West Asheville. Beginning at 6 pm, fifteen teams of three adults each will compete in the themed, spirited, and zany word challenge.
While the word list is challenging to even the most advanced spellers, this event is not a traditional, stilted spelling bee. Audience members are encouraged to cheer on their favorite teams and can even purchase opportunities to cheat on the spellers’ behalf. Spellers and audience members are encouraged to wear costumes in homage to this year’s beauty-pageant event theme: Beauty and the Bee.
Spelling Bee teams are fielded by local businesses, non-profits, community associations, colleges, book clubs and friends. This year’s teams include the 2018 winning team, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café; the 2017 highest fundraising team, Chestnut/Corner Kitchen; and more.
Funds raised by the Beauty and the Bee Spelling Bee support the Literacy Council of Buncombe County’s programs that provide basic literacy and English language services to 2,200 people in Buncombe County.
2:00 p.m. Ticketed Magic Show ($8 per person, all ages)
3:00-5:00 p.m. Drop-In Pop-Up Adventure Playground (free and open to the community)
Join us to celebrate the Week of the Young Child and support young children in Buncombe County!
Children ages 2+ will enjoy The Professor Whizzpop Magic Show, which placed in the Mountain Xpress “Best of WNC” poll for 10 years.
Afterward, drop in for a FREE Pop-Up Adventure Playground where kids build their own place space using imagination, loose parts, and in collaboration with their peers. There is no charge to join the playground.
Roots Hummus will be served at no charge and sweet treats from The Hop Ice Cream Cafe will be available for purchase.
P-I-N-G! Paddle on down and have a ball! Ping pong starts at 8 pm! 1st place gets you a FIFTY DOLLAR bar tab. Every second Thursday at Noble Kava! Meet us in the back room!
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
Growing up gay in Fargo, North Dakota was never easy, but it did provide Drew with an abundance of material to sling off about his family, sex education, the big move to NYC, and what it means to be “Midwest nice.” He hosts two monthly shows at West Side Comedy Club in NYC, “Bottomless” and “Homo You Didn’t,” and just premiered a third, “Haus Party,” at Chelsea Music Hall. He’s performed at West Side Comedy Club, Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, and Greenwich Village Comedy Club in NYC, and recently made his international debut at “The Comedy Mix” in Vancouver. When Drew’s not fighting the police with tap shoes, his “easy confidence and stage presence” has been likened to “being on a dinner date that’s going really well.” (Theatre Jones,TX). Credits: Memphis Comedy Festival, Dallas Comedy Festival, Laughing Devil Comedy Festival (NYC), Sacramento Comedy Festival, and The World Series of Comedy at Laugh Boston. (top 6)
Featuring Zac Townsend and Emily Walsh
Hosted by Ryan Cox
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-drew-lausch-tickets-59543576440
In the mountains of North Carolina you’ll find one of America’s hippest cities. On this fun-filled Asheville scavenger hunt, we loop around the city center in search of the city’s best sights and hidden gems.
Does an obelisk impress? Where can you play 75 pinball machines? Find out on this scavenger hunt of Asheville!
At 5’2″, comedian Jenn Snyder packs a whole lot of funny in her one-two punch style of comedy. Topics ranging from her days growing up as a lesbian in a “good ol’ boy” town, to her dealing with the public on a daily basis, this comedian will pull you in with her stories and leave you wanting more with her quick wit and hilarious observations. Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, her ultimate goal is to unite all people through laughter.
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-jenn-snyder-tickets-61201280678
Asheville’s monthly queer stand up comedy show, featuring Annick Adelle from San Francisco/ Germany!!!
ages 18+
Tickets $7: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-annick-adelle-tickets-61326806128
VIP $10: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-annick-adelle-vip-ticket-tickets-61326865305
Geoff Tate is most likely watching “Cheers” right now. A Cincinnati-based comedian, he has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and regularly tours with Doug Benson and Doug Stanhope. He made his television debut on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, and is a regular on Doug Loves Movies, as well as Getting Doug with High. He has performed at music and comedy festivals like Bonnaroo, South by Southwest, Limestone and he has two albums available at the Doug Stanhope store and he’s the host of the popular geofftate’s MSHD PODCASTO, in which he discusses topical Cheers-related issues, gets his dad to try things, talks to people he graduated with, forces Emma Arnold to host her own show and just has a good time.
Featuring Lily Campbell, Andrew Rudick and Lee Michael Kimbrell
Hosted by James Harrod
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-geoff-tate-tickets-61202697917
The 44th Annual Assaults, presented by Greenville Health System, will be held on Monday, May 20, 2019.
The Assault on Mt Mitchell is one of the most intense, premier cycling experiences that draws a full field of upward of 1,000 cyclists from across the world each year. The Assault on Mt. Mitchell is a 102.7-mile self-paced ride — not race — from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, along the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the summit at Mt. Mitchell State Park in North Carolina —a total vertical ascent of more than 10,000 feet.
The Assault on Marion is a simultaneous 74.2-mile self-paced ride starting from Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina and ending at the 5th rest stop at the Tom Johnson Rally Park Pavilion in Marion, North Carolina.
We are celebrating Memorial Day Weekend the most LaZoom way ever… with silliness!!!
Four nights, four very different and fantastic shows!
5/23 Home Groan Pun Battle with Kelly Morgan and Glenn Reed
8pm free
https://www.facebook.com/events/815196242197824/
5/24 Paul Ollinger, 9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/304240486963098/
5/25 Tim Northern, 9:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/665380333912623/
5/26 Red, White & Boobs, Women of DC Comedy Showcase 9pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/757375191297128/
Click on the individual events for tickets or buy a pass for the whole weekend and get an awesome LaZoom koozie for keeping your beers cold through all four shows and a Modelface Comedy & Events button!!!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-weekend-tickets-61324208358
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
Paul Ollinger is a nationally-touring comedian, podcaster and corporate refugee. After 15 years selling advertising for companies like Yahoo! and Facebook, Paul launched the comedy career that has taken him all over North America, opening for legends like Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Daniel Tosh and Roseanne Barr. He has performed in the Laughing Skull, Asheville, Cleveland, DC, and North Carolina comedy festivals. Earlier this year, he headlined the legendary Carolines on Broadway in New York City. Paul is the host of the Crazy Money podcast in which he interviews celebrities, authors, and everyday people to find out how they think about money. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two kids.
Also featuring James Harrod and hosted by Kelly Morgan
ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-paul-ollinger-tickets-58205311654
Tim Northern is 6’3″, 200 pounds of manly man with what is often described as an obscure sense of humor. He is articulate, smart and deceptively witty, but most importantly he’s funny. The combination of his gruff exterior and his easy on the ears style could be catastrophic, but this mixture works well.
His opening line ‘I love y’all’ leaves audiences wondering what’s next. They soon realize he’s sincere.
Tim is a regular performer on the national comedy club circuit. He performed as the opening act for Rodney Carrington in Honky Tonks all over the country from February 1999 through July 2000.
Tim performed at the Chicago Comedy Festival 2002 as part of the Fresh Mugs Showcase, and showcased for the 2003 Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. In the spring of 2003 Tim was chosen to appear on CBS’s Star Search where he advanced to the Finals.
Also featuring Cary Goff and hosted by Becca Steinhoff
ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $14 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-tim-northern-tickets-61208984721
So excited for the very silly Dan Gill, David Venhuizen, and Eric Dadourian to come to Fleetwood’s!
Dan Gill is an actor and stand-up comedian originally from Coralville, Iowa. He performs infrequently and co-hosts the monthly stand-up show, Idiots, in Los Angeles. Gill is known for his work in films like The Wedding Ringer, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, and Creative Control. He has also appeared in The Office (NBC), The Comedians (FX), & two failed television pilots for FOX. Gill is also featured in dozens of national ad campaigns for companies like State Farm, DirectTV, Honda, and Amazon. Dan currently co-hosts the hit wedding podcast, Groomzillas, on the Forever Dog Podcast Network.
David Venhuizen is a Los Angeles based comedian originally from South Dakota. He has performed on the LA Riot, Moontower, SF Sketchfest, Green Gravel, Crom, Orlando Indie, and Hell Yes comedy festivals. He also runs a stand-up show called Idiots at The Clubhouse in Los Feliz every Wednesday and performs in the sketch group The Fringe Riders with Dan Gill and Colin McCormick. He drives a truck and has recently been trying to get into jazz.
Eric Dadourian is a comedian born and raised in Los Angeles. He has appeared on The Meltdown at Meltdown Comics, in addition to Holy F*ck at the Downtown Independent as well as SF Sketchfest. He is a beautiful boy and went to Julliard.
Hosted by Becca Steinhoff
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chips-a-drink-comedy-at-fleetwoods-tickets-61896891268
It’s AVL Beer Week and we are celebrating local beer the best way possible.. by pairing it with local comedy! Come enjoy a pint or three of Pisgah’s special Blonde Ale (brewed just for this event!) and all your favorite local Asheville comedians.
Featuring Jacob H. Koll, Bethany Kathleen Vance, Jess Cooley, Moira Goree, Blaine Perry and more!
Hosted by Lily Campbell
Tickets $10
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pisgah-ha-ha-comedy-showcase-tickets-61210212393
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
Come and be inspired with new ideas for your garden! Join us for, Beyond the Garden Gate, tour starting at 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Coordinated by Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGV), this year’s self-guided garden tour showcases 5 diverse gardens, including The Learning Garden. The Learning Garden is a newly developed group of gardens established by EMGVs which are intended to demonstrate to the public sustainable gardening practices relevant to our area.
This biennial event features unique home gardens designed and tended by Master Gardener volunteers, as well as The Learning Garden. Learn while you explore the private gardens and educational demonstration sites at The Learning Garden. The Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and provide helpful information.
Tickets for this special event are $20 and available for purchase beginning on April 15th online at buncombemastergardener.org, NC Cooperative Extension Buncombe County Center at 49 Mt. Carmel Rd., and at EMGV events. Tickets may also be purchased on garden tour day at the Tour Registration Table at the Asheville Visitor Center, 36 Montford Avenue in Asheville. The tour is held rain or shine. For more information visit our website or call 828-255-5522.
All proceeds help support EMGV programs, such as School Garden Grants which benefits children in Buncombe County, continued development and maintenance of demonstration gardens at The Learning Garden, and other programs.
Please bring a friend, sun hat, bottle of water, and spend the day enjoying a selection of some of the most beautiful gardens in Buncombe County!
Shari Diaz is a Bronx, NY native who switched up her stomping grounds for Raleigh, NC in 2014 where she got her feet wet in standup comedy. Her crossover appeal, crowd working skills, and Latin flavor has quickly built a platform and a diverse following ranging from hipsters to moms screaming for a night out. With all the positive feedback, she founded Boogie Down South Productions as an avenue for local comedians to collaborate and bring forth gut wrenching shows. Shari Díaz is also a Co-Producer for the first official Raleigh comedy festival called, Oak City Comedy Festival. In 2019, she moved back to the Bronx to pursue comedy where she has been booked consistently on some of the hottest comedy shows in the NYC Comedy scene and produces a monthly comedy show in the Bronx called, “Bodega Comedy”.
Her accolades include opening for one of the original “Latin Kings of Comedy”, Joey Medina. In addition, she has set the stage for comedic geniuses, the Lucas Bros and Maria Bamford. Shari has been performing at comedy festivals around the country, such as, North Carolina’s Comedy Festival 2018 & 2019 in Greensboro, NC, Big Pine Comedy Festival 2018 in Flagstaff, AZ where she won “Best of Fest”, BTF Comedy Festival in Philly 2019 and Dallas Comedy Festival 2019, DC’s Comedy Festival 2019, and will be performing at the Midwest Queer Comedy Festival in August 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. Shari Díaz was also a Finalist on 2018’s NC’s Funniest Contest at the legendary Goodnights Comedy Club in Raleigh, NC.
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-shari-diaz-tickets-61213868328
Chris Charpentier is a stand up comic born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He was a “New Face” at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs in 2015 and was named “One to Watch” at the LA Riot Comedy Festival. Chris has also been in the Bridgetown, High Plains, OddBall and Aspen Comedy Festivals. You can often catch Chris opening the for hilarious Josh Blue, whom he met at their home club, the world famous Comedy Works.
Chris has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has a recurring role in TruTv’s “Those Who Can’t”. He also appeared on Viceland’s “Flophouse” and FuseTV’s “Uproarious”.
Featuring Andrew Michael
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-friday-tickets-61764597574
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-saturday-tickets-61765027861
Chris Charpentier is a stand up comic born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He was a “New Face” at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs in 2015 and was named “One to Watch” at the LA Riot Comedy Festival. Chris has also been in the Bridgetown, High Plains, OddBall and Aspen Comedy Festivals. You can often catch Chris opening the for hilarious Josh Blue, whom he met at their home club, the world famous Comedy Works.
Chris has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has a recurring role in TruTv’s “Those Who Can’t”. He also appeared on Viceland’s “Flophouse” and FuseTV’s “Uproarious”.
Featuring Andrew Michael
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-friday-tickets-61764597574
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-chris-charpentier-saturday-tickets-61765027861
Andy Gold has appeared in festivals and competitions all over the country, including the Boston Comedy Festival, San Diego Comedy Festival, Laugh Your Asheville Off and Comcast’s Trial by Laughter Comedy Festival. Andy’s comedy has also been featured on Hulu and he can be heard regularly on Sirius XM and Audible’s Punchlines. Andy also recorded a full length special for Dry Bar Comedy called Dreamcatcher in which he received an exciting amount of hateful comments from lonely Facebook moms in homemade pants.
Andy draws humor from all parts of his life, especially the nearly 10 years he spent in active heroin addiction which has made Andy is a favorite at treatment centers and recovery events across the country. Andy began his comedy career just six months after a (temporally) fatal overdose prompted Andy’s family to intervene and convince him to go to treatment. A prolific writer, Andy’s material runs the gamut from sharing colorful jokes about life, love, jail, rehab, family and recovery and it’s all tied together by one thing and one thing only: really big laughs.
Featuring Kelly Morgan
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-andy-gold-tickets-58766027771
Joe Zimmerman grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and started his comedy career in North Carolina. While living in the South, his stand-up group the Beards of Comedy landed a record deal with Comedy Central Records. He moved to New York City in 2012, quickly appearing on The Late Late Show and John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, as well as performing at Montreal’s prestigious Just for Laughs festival. His resume has since grown to include The Tonight Show, Conan, Nickelodeon, Last Comic Standing, and his own Comedy Central Half Hour. Joe’s solo album Smiling at Wolves reached number two on the iTunes comedy charts and is played regularly on SiriusXM. (His second, Innocence, is due this summer on Comedy Central Records.) He has also contributed humor pieces to The New York Times.
Joe’s new podcast, “A Great Listening Experience” details his questionable attempts to attain infinite knowledge and power. Among his many podcast & radio appearances, he has recently appeared on 2 Dope Queens, The Dork Forest, Bob & Tom, The Todd Barry Podcast, and The Artie Lange Show. Joe is frequently touring, headlining clubs around the country, and occasionally opening for super stars Brian Regan and Ricky Gervais.
Featuring Cary Goff & Andy Gold
ages 18+
Tickets $12 advance/ $15 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-joe-zimmerman-tickets-61261137712
Ashley Brooke Roberts is standup comedian, writer, and actress based in New York City. She was a staff writer on Nat Geo’s Explorer and currently writes for Ask Me Another on NPR. She’s a house performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre and hosts their popular stand up show Fresh Out! NY in East Village. She’s been featured on Two Dope Queens, in some of your favorite commercials for household products, and co-hosts the podcast Reality Blows.
Nick Maritato is a comedian based in New York City who performs stand up around the country and writes and stars in comedic plays, which have been featured at NYC’s famed Webster Hall. He’s written for the legendary television show TRL on MTV. When he’s not hosting his hit monthly variety show, PIG PILE or his reality TV centric podcast, Reality Blows, he’s teaching kids stand up at Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. Also, his cat is named Lily and she’s so cute!
Featuring Kelly Morgan
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-ashley-brooke-roberts-tickets-61213745962
This tour stays centrally focused around the farm store, visits with the baby animals, and provides an in-depth history of the farm and family. This tour is great for limited mobility guests, those with young children, and anyone who is interested in the historical side of HNG.
Experience firsthand how food is grown and raised in the Southern Appalachian Mountains! Choose from over 20 WNC family farms to visit and encounter the sights, tastes, and stories of working farms through guided tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The tour is family-friendly and a wonderful summer adventure for visitors of all ages and interests. Learn more and purchase your tour pass at asapconnections.org.
Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.
Andy Sandford is a comedian who got funny in Atlanta, GA and is now based out of New York City. Andy has performed his jokes on Conan and The Late Late Show with James Corden, as well as other, less prestigious shows. Andy’s debut album, Me the Whole Time; was one of Splitsider’s “9 Best Standup Albums of The Year.“ His hour special, “Shameful Information,” is currently featured on Amazon Prime. Sandford even played an animated version of himself on Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The Village Voice called him, “one of New York’s comedic gems;” and despite all of this, he has managed to remain humble.
-“It’s a testament to Sandford’s deep well of material that midway through his album, he’s telling stories that most comics would save for their closers” – The Spit Take
-“It’s been said that the best comedy comes from pain. If that’s really the case, then somebody must have kicked the shit out of Andy Sandford…Sandford is a skillful linguist who carefully plays with pitch, tone and timing to spice up his jokes” – Creative Loafing Magazine
Featuring Powell Mansfield, Becca Steinhoff and Sofia Sanchez
Hosted by Jacob H. Koll
ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
TWO SHOWS
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-andy-sandford-friday-628-tickets-59561726728
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-andy-sandford-saturday-629-tickets-59561918301
Wrenegade Sports is very excited to announce another brand new event for 2019: Farm to Fork Fondo – Asheville on June 29 & 30, 2019 in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC!
An organized bicycle ride where you get to choose the distance best for you and stop for chef-prepared bites at farms along the way.
All activities at Hickory Nut Gap Farm, 57 Sugar Hollow Rd. NC 28730
SATURDAY JUNE 29, 2019
• 4 to 6:30pm Packet pickup at Hickory Nut Gap Farm
• 6:30pm Meet the Farmers Dinner (tickets required)
SUNDAY JUNE 30, 2019
• 6:30 to 7:45am Packet Pickup Forto Coffee Station, and Bicycle Tune-Up Station open
• 8am Farm to Fork Fondo (Piccolo, Medio and Gran) departs (pre-registration required)
• 10:30am Ramble Ride departs
• 11:30am to 6pm Post-Ride Farm to Fork Barbecue (tickets required)
• 1 to 5pm Live music
• 5pm Volunteer Competition Awards Ceremony
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to see some of our area’s most inspirational, diverse and beautiful private gardens!
On June 29, 2019 the Garden Club of Weaverville presents the Weaverville Gardens Galore Tour, which will feature seven private gardens and the Weaverville Main Street Nature Park. This self-guided tour opens at 10AM and closes at 4PM. The themed gardens on the tour include an English Cottage Garden, Laughing Crow Ornamental Garden, Whimsical Fantasy Garden, Stone Fire Pit and Garden, Urban Food Garden, Kaleidoscope Garden and a Meandering Mediterranean Garden.
Visit the Garden Club website to view a Tour flier, descriptions of the gardens on the tour, & to pre-reserve a ticket (optional): https://gardenclubofweaverville.org/
Tickets and a Tour map for this fundraising event are available on June 29 at the Weaverville Town Parking Lot on Main Street beginning at 9:30AM. Suggested Adult Donation: $20. Supervised children 12 years and under are admitted free.
The Tour proceeds will support the programs, organizations and scholarships sponsored by the Garden Club of Weaverville, a non-profit organization. The Club is committed to providing gardening-related educational programs and promoting beautification and conservation in the Weaverville community.