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.
Led by vocalist/guitarist/ “industrial re-percussionist” Billy Jonas, the BJB features multi-part vocal harmonies, drums, bass, marimba, and audience-engaging choreography. Featuring Ashley Jo Farmer, Sherman Hoover, and Juan Holladay, they are known internationally for highly engaging and energetic performances. Impossible to categorize, the band combines influences from folk, jazz, nonwestern traditions and one-of-a-kind sources, including the audience’s imagination!
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Shawna Jarrett hails from Charleston SC, where she is the head comic on the Charleston Comedy Bus and the host of The Get Up! comedy night. Her material includes such topics as businesses housed in former Pizza Huts, her home state of Florida, and (related) the time she saw her cousin on COPS.
“Half as famous as me” – Television’s Nick Di Paulo through a mouthful of Doritos
shawnajarrett.com
Twitter and Instagram: Shawna Jarrett
Featuring Jess Cooley and Dana Williams
Hosted by Lily Campbell
ages 18+
Tickets $7: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-shawna-jarrett-tickets-62957266880
VIP Tickets $10: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-shawna-jarrett-vip-ticket-tickets-62957753335
THE ASHEVILLE PERCUSSION FESTIVAL ENCOMPASSES A WHOLE WEEK OF EVENTS -MONDAY, JUNE 24th THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 1st- INCLUDING: immersive workshops in frame drum, doumbek, handpan, djembe, samba, marimba, gamelan, and more, as well as concerts and demos for those who enjoy listening more than playing. Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
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This year’s theme, Rhythms of Diversity, brings percussionists from around the globe to Asheville to share their musical expertise, including four-time Grammy Award winner, Glen Velez; rhythm vocalist, Loire Cotler; and Balinese Gamelan Ensemble from New York, Yowana Sari. We also welcome back Persian daf and tonbak player, Naghmeh Farahmand, and versatile musical prodigy, Adam Maalouf, as well as djembe player, Adama Dembele, from Ivory Coast and members of the Asheville-based Samba group, Zabumba.
Check out the Residency Artists page on our website (http://www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/artists) to learn more about the stellar lineup of talent for the 2019 festival. These inspiring musicians will create original compositions during the week to perform in a Masters Concert on Saturday evening, June 29th. Some of the featured artists will also offer workshops during the week-long intensive program and facilitate a sound meditation together on Sunday, June 30th, while several local musicians will facilitate the free community workshops on Saturday, June 29th.
This year’s Festival events, including the intensive program, are offered à la carte; create your own experience! This flexibility allows you to select the festival events you would like to attend, customized to fit your work and travel schedule.
Complete schedule, details, and ticket sales can all be found at the Info page of our website:
www.ashevillepercussionfestival.com/info
ALL TICKETS ARE DISCOUNTED 15% UNTIL MAY 1.
Please note: separate tickets are required for EACH event, including concerts and free workshops, even for intensive participants.
Get ready for a fun-filled musical journey from Doo Wop to Motown, from Beach Music to Memphis Soul in this free outdoor concert celebrating 10 years of SMCPA. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the kick-off to a spectacular Fourth Of July weekend. Concessions and cookout foods will be available for purchase.
Ticket Prices: FREE
Join the Isaacs, Family and Friends for a fun Country and Bluegrass Independence Day concert at the SMPAC on July 4th! Then break out your instrument and jam with each other and the Isaacs for a Back Lot Barbecue and Pickin Party! (Held in the back of SMCPA with perfect viewing of the town fireworks spectacular!) Bring a lawn chair, enjoy dinner, a fun evening of pickin’ and grinnin’ and activities. Dinner includes: BBQ plate with all the fixings, cookie and beverage (soft drink, tea or water). Picking party is free and open to the public.
Ticket Prices: $25- Includes Concert & Dinner Ticket
Join the Isaacs and a special guest in a time of worship, inspiration and fellowship. This event is free and open to the public.
Ticket Prices: FREE
The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group, features mother Lily Isaacs, and siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical style has been influenced by many genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk and country, contemporary, acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Old Opry, and are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos. Throughout the year, they often perform to welcoming fans in countries such as South Africa, Norway, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Canada and many more. They feel very blessed to be able to share their message of grace through song and story.
When country music lovers talk about the greatest groups in the genre, Shenandoah is always at the forefront of any discussion. Fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, Shenandoah became well known for delivering such hits as “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road” and “Next to You, Next to Me” as well as such achingly beautiful classics as “I Want to be Loved Like That” and the Grammy winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” duet with Alison Krauss. Today that legacy continues as original members Raybon and Mike McGuire reunite to launch a new chapter in Shenandoah’s storied career. “We are really proud of the quality of the material that we have in our catalog and how it’s touched so many people’s lives,” McGuire says. “As far as the future goes, I’m expecting more of the same.”
VIP tickets include seating in the first two rows of the theatre and a backstage meet & greet before the show. Space is limited.
Ticket Prices: $30, $35, $65 VIP
Diego Attanasio is a Detroit based comedian originally from Peru who quickly wins over crowds with his quick wit, likability, and sarcastic observations. His rapid-fire delivery and onstage charisma make Diego one of the most notable acts in the midwest.
Diego has performed stand-up in Alaska, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. He was a semi-finalist in the San Diego Comedy Festival and a finalist in the Laugh Your Bluegrass Off Comedy Festival. Additionally he has performed at the Baltimore Comedy Festival, Cleveland Comedy Festival, Memphis Comedy Fest, North Carolina Comedy Festival, Idaho Laugh Fest, Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival, Beast Village Comedy Festival, Motor City Comedy Festival, Burning Bridges Comedy Festival, Whiskey Bear Comedy Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, Border City Comedy Fest, Windsor Comedy Festival, Let’s Fest, and Fairbanks Funny Festival. Diego has opened for Tig Notaro (Netflix), Robert Kelly (HBO), Matt Braunger (Comedy Central), and Joe List (Netflix).
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-diego-attanasio-friday-tickets-61802141870
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-diego-attanasio-saturday-tickets-61802355509
The Isaacs, a multi-award winning family group, features mother Lily Isaacs, and siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman. Playing their own acoustic instruments and joined by other band members, The Isaacs have a unique style that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation that appeals to a variety of audiences. Their musical style has been influenced by many genres of music including bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk and country, contemporary, acoustic and southern gospel. They perform frequently at the Grand Old Opry, and are active members on the Gaither Homecoming Videos. Throughout the year, they often perform to welcoming fans in countries such as South Africa, Norway, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Israel, Canada and many more. They feel very blessed to be able to share their message of grace through song and story.
One of the top mandolin players in bluegrass music since the early days of his career in the 1960s, Doyle Lawson incorporated traditional gospel quartet singing into his music after forming his own band, Quicksilver, and honed his unique bluegrass-gospel sound to a remarkable intensity.
VIP tickets include seating of the first two rows of the theatre and a backstage meet & greet before the show.
Ticket Prices: $30, $35, $65 VIP
Diego Attanasio is a Detroit based comedian originally from Peru who quickly wins over crowds with his quick wit, likability, and sarcastic observations. His rapid-fire delivery and onstage charisma make Diego one of the most notable acts in the midwest.
Diego has performed stand-up in Alaska, Hawaii, and everywhere in between. He was a semi-finalist in the San Diego Comedy Festival and a finalist in the Laugh Your Bluegrass Off Comedy Festival. Additionally he has performed at the Baltimore Comedy Festival, Cleveland Comedy Festival, Memphis Comedy Fest, North Carolina Comedy Festival, Idaho Laugh Fest, Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival, Beast Village Comedy Festival, Motor City Comedy Festival, Burning Bridges Comedy Festival, Whiskey Bear Comedy Festival, Gilda’s LaughFest, Border City Comedy Fest, Windsor Comedy Festival, Let’s Fest, and Fairbanks Funny Festival. Diego has opened for Tig Notaro (Netflix), Robert Kelly (HBO), Matt Braunger (Comedy Central), and Joe List (Netflix).
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-diego-attanasio-friday-tickets-61802141870
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-diego-attanasio-saturday-tickets-61802355509
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Join us for an intimate evening of eclectic music by this local, powerful duo!
Greenblues brings a message of world thought, and is often seasoned with eastern and African musical stylings. Many traditions are blended into a unique eclectic style, creating a very original kaleidoscope of sound, while maintaining the intimacy of a duet. The group consists of: Ashley Rae – vocals & percussion and Mike Gilmore – guitars, bouzouki & hand drums. Concert is free or $5-10 suggested donation.
Sean Patton is a comedian based in Los Angeles and New York, by way of New Orleans. He began doing stand-up in the Crescent City and have since performed in comedy clubs across the US and Canada, as well as The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2011, 2018), Just for Laughs Chicago (2013), Just for Laughs Toronto (2013), and Just for Laughs Montreal (2008, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018). He’s performed on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham (2009), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2010), and Conan (2011, 2013). 2013 also marked the release of his Comedy Central Half Hour. More recently, He’s been on @midnight (2014, 2015), The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (2015), This Is Not Happening (2015, 2017, 2019), Showtime’s Live from SXSW (2017), TruTv’s Comedy Knockout (2016, 2017, 2018), and This week at the Comedy Cellar (2018). As for acting, He’s appeared on IFC’S Maron, Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer and TruTV’s Those who can’t.
Featuring Becca Steinhoff and Chloë Marie Stillwell
Hosted by James Harrod
ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-sean-patton-tickets-63456370713
Join us for the Maker Fun Factory Family Adventure where families discover together.
Your family will sing, craft, play and learn as a family so that you can take the lessons that you learn and apply them at home. This is a weekend event so you don’t have to take vacation, or be in a rush to get there.
Friday, July 12 5:30pm – 8:30pm (Supper will be served)
Saturday, July 13 9:30am – 12:30pm (Lunch will be served)
Sunday, July 14 9:30am – 12:30pm (Lunch will be served)
Register your family (parents too) at: http://bit.ly/2WhpAS4
Eyes Up Here Comedy is back!!! The amazing Erin Terry is back in Asheville with another group of incredible femme comics from all over the South East!
Featuring Allie Steinhoff, Morgan Bost, Chloë Marie Stillwell and more!
Sponsored by Hi-Wire Brewing & BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair
Don’t forget to bring items to donate to the Homeless Period Project for chances to win great prizes from BRÖÖ and Hi-Wire Brewing!
All VIP tickets will receive a gift bag from BRÖÖ and VIP seating at the shows, but limited number of VIP seats available!
Tickets:
Early Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-tickets-64587077688
Early VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-vip-ticket-tickets-64587138871
Late Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-tickets-64587169964
Late VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-vip-ticket-tickets-64587264246

PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Brevard Music Center Orchestra
Ken Lam, conductor
Vanessa Benelli Mosell, piano
BOULANGER D’un matin du printemps
CHOPIN Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 4, “Italian”
Please note: Auditorium seating is reserved. Lawn seating is general admission.
Ticket holders may attend a free Pre-Concert Talk in Thomas Hall, which begins one hour before the performance.
Eyes Up Here Comedy is back!!! The amazing Erin Terry is back in Asheville with another group of incredible femme comics from all over the South East!
Featuring Allie Steinhoff, Morgan Bost, Chloë Marie Stillwell and more!
Sponsored by Hi-Wire Brewing & BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair
Don’t forget to bring items to donate to the Homeless Period Project for chances to win great prizes from BRÖÖ and Hi-Wire Brewing!
All VIP tickets will receive a gift bag from BRÖÖ and VIP seating at the shows, but limited number of VIP seats available!
Tickets:
Early Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-tickets-64587077688
Early VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-vip-ticket-tickets-64587138871
Late Show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-tickets-64587169964
Late VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-vip-ticket-tickets-64587264246
We invite you to bring your family, friends and neighbors to enjoy our first of many musical evenings in Biltmore Park Town Square. This Saturday, grab a blanket and join us in Cecil Park, the green space near Hickory Tavern and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza. BoogiTherapi, the All Star Funk Band, will be bringing all the energy and tunes! Come enjoy two full hours of live music, dancing and fun – free for everyone!
Rain or shine! In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved inside Hickory Tavern.

We invite you to bring your family, friends and neighbors and enjoy a musical evening in Biltmore Park Town Square. Grab a blanket and join us in Cecil Park, the green space near Hickory Tavern and Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, for Concerts in the Park. The annual Concerts in the Park are held once a month, May – September, from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Concerts are FREE and open to the public. Come enjoy two full hours of live music, dancing and fun for the whole family.
***Concerts in the Park will be held rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather the concert will be moved inside Hickory Tavern***

Cultural historian Joseph Horowitz curates a program focusing on the relationship between Aaron Copland and the dynamic Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas. A screening of the emotionally searing film Redes is accompanied by a live performance of the original Revueltas score.
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Brevard Sinfonia
Angel Gil-Ordoñez, conductor
Lorenzo Candelaria, host
COPLAND “Hoe Down” from Rodeo
COPLAND El Salón México
REVUELTAS Sensemayá
REVUELTAS Redes (film with live orchestra)
Please note: Auditorium seating is reserved. Lawn seating is general admission.
Ticket holders may attend The PreConcert, a free recital in Thomas Hall, which begins one hour before the performance.
Jonathan “Jelly” Ellington is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter based in Austin, TX by way of the mountains of Asheville, NC. His vocals are smooth and soulful with an edgy guitar style, chiming in elements of raw and expressive blues-based rock n’ roll. Jelly has developed a reputation for exciting and untamed live performances, and has shared the stage and recorded with Grammy Award-winning artists. He has been making his mark on the Austin scene, voted Top 10 “Best Guitarist” in 2018 and 2019 Austin Chronicle Austin Music Awards.
Brian got his start in DC before moving to New York City, performing on New Faces at Montreal Just For Laughs, and going on to win an Emmy for his writing on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He performs standup in NYC and on the road, hosts one of the hottest monthly comedy shows in Brooklyn, and has been selected to perform at a number of other festivals including Laughing Skull, Laughing Devil, Skankfest, Asheville Comedy Festival, Cinderblock, and the Boston Comedy Festival.
Featuring Erin Terry and Ben Daniels
Hosted by Becca Steinhoff
Doors at 9pm, show at 9:45
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-brian-parise-tickets-64180743331
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Sundays
1 till who knows when?
Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.
Jack of the Wood
95 Patton ave
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 252.5445
Sean Finnerty and Tom Feeney are coming back to Asheville!
After 21 years of growing up in Longford, Ireland, Sean Finnerty decided to move stateside where a series of mature decisions that he failed to make led him to stand-up comedy. Recently he was rewarded for his efforts as he became the first ever Irish comedian to perform on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (2019). Spending his first number of years in comedy based out of Orlando, Sean was selected for Comedy Central’s Up Next competition (2013) and as a semi finalist in Florida’s Funniest Comedian (2014) resulting in him opening for WWE hall of famer Mick Foley.
A breakout year in 2015 saw Sean make his television debut as co-host of Season 9 of Fireball Run on Amazon Prime as well as being to selected to perform at the Boston Comedy Festival.
In 2016 Sean moved to New York where he quickly became known as one to watch, performing at famous venues such as The Comedy Cellar, Gotham Comedy Club, Carolines on Broadway, The Stand and The Friars Club. Recently, he has also performed at several festivals including Laugh Your Asheville Off (2017) Edinburgh Fringe (2018) and Electric Picnic (2018), along with making it to the semi finals of the nationwide talent search Stand Up NBC. A keen eye for detail Sean has also developed a reputation as a Roaster and is currently the number 1 ranked roast comic in New York City.
Hosted by Lily Campbell
Featuring Tom Feeney
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-night-sean-finnerty-tickets-64181069306
A beloved, humorous, and fantastical suite with 14 movements, each representing a different animal or group of animals. Join us on a musical zoological journey from the royal lion, through waltzing elephants, to the elegant swan.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
POULENC Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano
RAVEL Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in G major
DEBUSSY Marche écossaise sur un théme populaire
SAINT-SAENS Carnival of the Animals
Please note: All seating is general admission.
| Porter Center at Brevard College

The acclaimed all-female trio noted for their distinct “Chambergrass” sound returns to Brevard and the Porter Center stage to perform their improvisatory-feeling jazz with newgrass, classical, and folk rhythms. Harpeth Rising’s appearance at BMC will be one of its last as an ensemble, as the group has announced it will disband as of August 10 – don’t miss your opportunity to hear this truly unique trio in concert!
Ryan Singer is the epitome of a comic’s comic, all the while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences. He is unlike any other comedian working today – through stories of experiences in his own life, he dares to venture into the world of the esoteric, paranormal, and the mystical seeking ways to make us laugh at ourselves and understand our connectedness. At his core he operates from the viewpoint that, “It is more fun to believe,” and that shines through in his humble and head-on approach of confronting hefty topics and taking counter-culture stances. He beautifully takes the audience on a journey of the mind and through imagination to find the inspiringly funny. With an overall positive message in his material, Singer reminds us to re-embrace our intuition and go with our gut, all the while he’s trying to bust it.
Ryan has released 4 full-length albums FREE LOVE, IMMORTAL FOR NOW, COMEDY WONDER TOWN & HOW TO GET HIGH WITHOUT DRUGS, was a recurring character as himself on IFC’s MARON, been seen on Seeso and is the creator and host of one of the top Science & Medicine podcasts on iTunes, ME & PARANORMAL YOU, conducting in-depth interviews with people who possess paranormal abilities or have had extraordinary experiences. His most recent album FREE LOVE was selected as on of the Top 10 Comedy Albums of 2018 by Vulture.com. He was selected by LA Weekly as one of “10 LA Comics to Watch” for 2014, was mentioned in NY Magazine as a “Comic to Watch,” was one of 4 finalists in the original CMT’s Next Big Comic Contest, is a frequent guest on the WTF Podcast w/Marc Maron and the Bob & Tom Show, and his joke “United Snacks of America” has over 9 million listens on Pandora.
ages 18+
Tickets $8 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-ryan-singer-tickets-64204121255
We’re bringing the beach vibes up to the High Country Wednesday, July 17th!! Come join us down by the river for an evening of music (provided by NC’s premier beach music band The Catalinas), Shag Dancing, fresh seafood and ice cold Sierraveza! Kim from Asheville Fairy Hair-Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hairr will be joining us as well! Grab your dancing partner and make your way to Lower Park!
When: Wednesday, July 17
Where: Lower Park (river front property) at Sierra Nevada
ALL AGES
Doors 6:00pm | Music 6:30-8:30pm
Tickets: $7 in advance | $10 Day of (food not included in ticket price)
Link: https://shagbytheriver.eventbrite.com
BMC ARTIST FACULTY: COPLAND AND THE COLD WAR
| Porter Center at Brevard College
Aaron Copland’s life spanned nearly the entire 20th century – he experienced it all. Here we examine Copland’s musical and social responses to the political landscape facing America’s artists in the period following WWII.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
COPLAND The Cat and the Mouse Piano Variations
COPLAND “Hoe Down” from Rodeo
COPLAND El Salón México (arr. L. Bernstein)
COPLAND Into the Streets May First
COPLAND Piano Quartet
Please note: All seating is general admission.

