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, October 31, 2019
Paula Poundstone
Oct 31 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Paula Poundstone, October 31, 2019 at 7:30 PM

Paula Poundstone is a humorist, author and comedian known for her clever, observational humor and spontaneous wit. When she isn’t collecting hotel soaps while on tour or panel-ing on NPR’s #1 show, Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, Paula hosts the popular Maximum Fun podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. Nobody is a comedy field guide to life complete with taste tests, cats of the weeks and leading experts in everything from beekeeping to ping pong to prosopagnosia (say that 3 times fast).

Paula’s stand-up credentials are endless: Cats, Cops and Stuff; Paula Poundstone Goes to Harvard; Look What the Cat Dragged In; and numerous television appearances including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Last Call with Carson Daly and Late Show with David Letterman. Famously, Paula provided backstage commentary during the 1992 presidential election on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and was the first woman to host the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

In 2017, Paula released her second book, The Totally Unscientific Study Of The Search For Human Happiness, in which she offers herself up as a guinea pig in a series of thoroughly unscientific experiments. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “A deeply revealing memoir in which the pathos doesn’t kill the humor—delivers more than it promises.” The book debuted at #1 on the Amazon Bestsellers List in Humor, and the audiobook was one of the five finalists for 2018 Audio Book of the Year. The book was recognized as one of eight semi-finalists for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, the highest recognition of the art of humor writing in the United States.

Paula can be heard on the big screen as “Forgetter Paula” in Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out, winner of the 2017 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. She has also starred in her own series on both HBO and ABC, is included on Comedy Central’s Top 100 Comics of All Time and won an American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand-Up. In February 2019, Paula’s stand-up special, Cats, Cops and Stuff was named by TIME Magazine and Tig Notaro as one of The 5 Funniest Stand-Up Specials Ever.

Saturday, November 2, 2019
Russian Ballet Theatre presents “Swan Lake”
Nov 2 @ 7:30 pm
U.S. Cellular Center Asheville

Swan Lake, which has mesmerized audiences for over a century, is based on a German fairy tale. Tchaikovsky’s score tells the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried and Swan Princess, Odette, who is cursed to be a swan by day but a young woman at night. The Russian Ballet Theatre’s new production will captivate audiences with time-honored Russian traditions while adding new choreography, hand painted sets, radiant hand sewn costumes, artistic hair designs and special effects makeup.

The production’s hand-painted sets and more than 150 hand-sewn costumes were created in the tradition of the great masters by young, accomplished designer Sergei Novikov (Mariinksy Theatre, Omsk State Music Theatre, St. Petersburg State Music Hall). The SFX makeup is done by Award-winning Irina Strukova (Crazy Rich Asians, Netflix, HBO) and will make ballet devotees feel as though they are seeing the beautiful Swan Lake for the first time!

Monday, November 4, 2019
The Grey Eagle’s word-famous Open Mic night
Nov 4 @ 6:00 pm
The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub

The Grey Eagle’s word-famous Open Mic night in Asheville, NC!

  • FREE SHOW
  • 6PM Sign Up — 7PM Music

Perform on the historic stage at The Grey Eagle. This is Asheville’s ultimate variety open mic night. Music, comedy, spoken word — you name it!

Admission is FREE. Signups begin around 6PM and performances will start around 7PM.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Nov 5 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Nov 6 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Friday, November 8, 2019
The Hilarious Big and Tall Comedy Tour Benefit for Veterans
Nov 8 @ 7:00 pm
Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium

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The hilarious Big and Tall Comedy Tour raises money for veterans all across America! A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to American Legion Post 28 and Spartanburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9539!
The show is a hilarious stand-up comedy event featuring comedy veterans Ernesto “Big Ern” Galano and headliner Mike Bova! Big Ern brings 30 minutes of laugh out loud stand-up, and then Mike Bova takes the stage. Mike’s one hour set is a combination of 30 minutes of side splitting stand-up, then he picks up his guitar for the last 30 minutes and sings hysterical parodies, funny songs and adds celebrity impressions. This is a one-of-a-kind show you don’t want to miss and won’t soon forget! Content is R-rated and recommended for adults 18+

LaZoom Comedy: Sofiya Alexandra
Nov 8 @ 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm
LaZoom Room

Sofiya is a writer and comedian who grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 11. You might have seen her on Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening talking about her grandpa’s dick surgery while using some colorful Russian. Sofiya’s written on Amazon’s Danger & Eggs, an Emmy-winning animated series starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant. She’s been featured as a standup at Limestone, Laughing Skull, Women in Comedy, Out of Bounds, and many other comedy festivals.

Sofiya was named one of The Fifty Funniest Women on Twitter by Playboy and one of 18 Funny Women You Should Be Following by Huffington Post. Her tweets regularly appear on Mandatory, Buzzfeed, Splitsider, Funny or Die, and HuffPo. Her mystery-lineup comedy variety show SURPRISE! was featured in LAist, LA Weekly, The Los Angeles Review of Books, OneThingLA, and WeLikeLA.

She currently co-hosts Private Parts Unknown, a comedy-travel podcast that uncovers stories about love and sexuality around the world. It’s dope.

AND she beat breast cancer, but if cancer is listening, THIS IS NOT A CHALLENGE.

Saturday, November 9, 2019
WHITE PARTY the Anniversary
Nov 9 @ 7:00 pm
ASHES & STEEL STUDIO a Salon

Dance the night away at ASHES & STEEL STUDIO’s WHITE PARTY event. It has been a year since we opened our doors and it’s time to celebrate with DJ Dimirti (“Miami Music”) & themed food/drinks! Whether you’re an existing client or just curious you’re invited! White attire is a must for our WHITE PARTY theme. So get dressed and let’s have some fun!

Reasonably Priced Babies (RPB) Comedy Show
Nov 9 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Asheville’s favorite improv comedy troupe comes to the ACT Mainstage for one night only! Reasonably Priced Babies (RPB) consists of the very talented performers Tom Chalmers, Mondy Carter, Karen Stobbe, Kim Richardson and Josh Batenhorst, with Aaron Price providing musical accompaniment. Stay after the show for a first-ever talk-back session with Reasonably Priced Babies – and have a chance to ask RPB any questions and take part in a RPB giveaway!

By purchasing tickets for this fun-filled evening, you will also be supporting your community, as all proceeds from this special production will go to supporting Asheville Community Theatre.

Sunday, November 10, 2019
Comedy at Fleetwood’s: Kelly McInerney & Jon Durnell
Nov 10 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Kelly McInerney has been on the cult podcasts Doug Loves Movies, Getting Doug With High and Doug Stanhope’s podcast. She has been featured on Funny or Die and at clubs throughout the country and North America including Comedy Works, Improv and Punchline. Kelly also been invited to many comedy festivals including Blue Whale Comedy Fest in Tulsa, OK and the Memphis Comedy Fest. You can also check out more info at www.kellymcinerney.net

Jon Durnell grew up in the mean streets of a beautiful suburban community in Nashville, TN. He has performed in colleges, coffeehouses, dive bars, fancy bars, theaters, comedy clubs, backyards, abandoned/condemned buildings, and skateboard shops across the USA. Jon has appeared on Comedy Central and LATV Network. He has also been in many comedy festivals including CROM, Beast Village, Memphis Comedy Fest and Laughing Skull.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-kelly-mcinerney-jon-durnell-tickets-72174809799

Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Live Stand Up Comedy show, “Politely Angry”
Nov 12 @ 7:00 pm
The Block
Described as “dangerously perceptive”, this new hour of Stand Up uses comedy, storytelling & historic anecdotes to address issues and topics that aren’t normally heard or talked about in the mainstream, such as classism, competition, organized religion & more.
I’ve been featured at various Fringe Festivals in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and St. Louis, where my comedy was highly rated and reviewed. I’ve also won the “Audience Choice” Award in the 2018 Pittsburgh Fringe Festival!
This new show has been called “a welcome reprieve from the celluloid black hole of political humor!” The Washington Post has described me as “…frequently clever if not uproariously funny” and NUVO in Indianapolis has said my material is an “honest, funny approach“.
Politely Angry: Krish Mohan explores various social, political and philosophical issues, such as war culture, immigration, economics and more with his quick wit & quirky attitude. Described as “dangerously perceptive and honest, but somehow still loving and inclusive” by venues across the country, Krish’s show will make you think and laugh at the same time.
Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Nov 12 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Nov 13 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Friday, November 15, 2019
A Brother’s Revival (Southern Rock Legacy Band) In Concert
Nov 15 all-day
The Orange Peel

(Asheville, NC) – A Brother’s Revival, an exciting new Southern Rock Legacy Band that includes their fan’s favorite songs in their original format, and featuring former ABB member David ‘Rook’ Goldflies on bass and Mike Kach (Dickey Betts Band) on keyboards and vocals, perform locally at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Friday, November 15. Showtime: 9pm. Tickets: $16. (advance), $18. (day of show). Info: (828) 398-1837 or visit https://theorangepeel.net.

Eyes Up Here Comedy in Asheville (two shows)
Nov 15 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fleetwood's

All femme comedy showcase at Fleetwood’s. This time we have killer comics from all over North Carolina and Georgia!

Featuring Callan McDowell, Lily Campbell, Ol Saheemz, Alyx Libby and Kelsey Rosen!
Hosted by Brittany Spruill

Sponsored by Hi-Wire Brewing and BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair*

Two shows, 7pm & 9pm
Tickets $10, VIP $15

Early Show
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-tickets-76393191091
VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-ticket-eyes-up-here-comedy-early-show-vip-tickets-76393463907

Late Show
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-tickets-76393750765
VIP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vip-tickets-eyes-up-here-comedy-late-show-vip-tickets-76394196097

*VIP tickets receive a BRÖÖ gift bag worth $15

Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Nov 15 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

 Director: Zach Eden When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five year old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In the hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Not included in Season Ticket Subscriptions

Live Music Honey Music Collective
Nov 15 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Alley Cat Social Club

Amazing night of live music and dance at Alley Cat Social Club.

Saturday, November 16, 2019
Kids at Hart present SEUSSICAL JR.
Nov 16 @ 2:00 pm
Haywood Arts Regional Theater

Book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Co-conceived by Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Shelia Sumpter

The Performing Arts Center Main Stage

Join us as we bring the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life in this hit Broadway Musical featuring our talented KIDS AT HART.

Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Nov 16 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

 Director: Zach Eden When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five year old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In the hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Not included in Season Ticket Subscriptions

LaZoom Comedy: Chanel Ali
Nov 16 @ 9:00 pm
LaZoom Room

Chanel Ali is a standup comedian who blossomed on the Philadelphia circuit before moving to New York City in 2015. Her stage presence and story teller style make her a crowd favorite as she covers her upbringing, her world view and life as a comedian who doubles as a polite person in real life. She was been featured on the following shows:
– MTVs Girl Code 2018
– Laff Mobs Laugh Tracks on Tru TV 2019
– Food Network Digital Series Food Debate

Chanel has opened for nationally touring comedians like Howard Russell, Marc Maron and Michael Che.

Featuring Petey Smith McDowell

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-chanel-ali-tickets-71314853647

Sunday, November 17, 2019
Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Nov 17 @ 2:00 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

 Director: Zach Eden When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five year old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In the hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Not included in Season Ticket Subscriptions

Kids at Hart present SEUSSICAL JR.
Nov 17 @ 2:00 pm
Haywood Arts Regional Theater

Book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Co-conceived by Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Shelia Sumpter

The Performing Arts Center Main Stage

Join us as we bring the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life in this hit Broadway Musical featuring our talented KIDS AT HART.

Queer Comedy Party ft. Bobby Higley
Nov 17 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fleetwood's

Asheville’s monthly all queer stand up comedy showcase! This months headliner is Bobby Higley

“Bobby Higley turns anxiety, depression, and PTSD into comedy Gold.” – Stranger Magazine

Bobby Higley is wild eyed, sassy, gay-ex-Mormon, middle child of 7. Fashionable, dark, & deeply irreverent. Picture abused gender-bent Martha Stuart. Played by a Sassy Stoner Twink, post-prison.

Bobby’s been a participant of both the Midwest and Portland Queer Comedy Festivals, Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival, & the Altercations festival in Austin.

He regularly features & headlines in the PNW & has opened for Sandra Valls, Patti Harrison, Matteo Lane, Derek Sheen, Sabrina Jalees, & BenDeLaCreme. He also runs the successful traveling Kink/Consent comedy show “Safeword” & Gutter Twink Productions.

Bobby is also a recurring personality on Cut Casting, and his Youtube videos have gotten over 34 million views.

Featuring Jenn Snyder
Hosted by Moira Goree

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of; visit www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-bobby-higley-tickets-71315038199.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Open Mic at Vintage Kava every Tuesday
Nov 19 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
Vintage Kava

Open Mic at Vintage Kava

Come share your talent with the community! All acts welcome (music, jokes, dancing, poetry, storytelling, etc)

Stop by to sign up for your slot!

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Nov 20 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Thursday, November 21, 2019
Listen To This
Nov 21 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre-35below

Local actor/comedian Tom Chalmers invites you to take part in one of Asheville’s most popular series, Listen to This. A storytelling format in the vein of “This American Life,” Listen to This is an evening hosted by Chalmers with stories and songs from some of Asheville’s most interesting writers, performers, and citizens.

Real people, real stories, real good times.

Friday, November 22, 2019
Kids at Hart present SEUSSICAL JR.
Nov 22 @ 2:00 pm
Haywood Arts Regional Theater

Book by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Co-conceived by Eric Idle
Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

Directed by Shelia Sumpter

The Performing Arts Center Main Stage

Join us as we bring the magical world of Dr. Seuss to life in this hit Broadway Musical featuring our talented KIDS AT HART.

Readers Theatre: The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Nov 22 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Performed as Readers Theatre by The Autumn Players! Director Wendy Strauss leads a cast of 7 in this play that’s both a comedy and a drama!

Only three performances of this play by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry.

Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Nov 22 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Community Theatre

 Director: Zach Eden When the Soady clan reunites for the opening day of deer season at the family’s Upper Peninsula camp, thirty-five year old Reuben Soady brings with him the infamous reputation of being the oldest Soady in the history of the Soadys never to bag a buck. In the hunting story to beat all hunting stories, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT spins a hilarious tale of humor, horror and heart as Reuben goes to any and all lengths to remove himself from the wrong end of the family record book. Not included in Season Ticket Subscriptions

Judah Friedlander Minori Hinds
Nov 22 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Friday night, November 22nd, we have a seated comedy show! Join us for a night with stand up comic, author, and actor Judah Friedlander (America Is the Greatest Country In the United States is his critic-beloved special on NETFLIX), and you also will recognize him as Frank (with the trucker’s hats!) from 30 Rock, as well as his award-nominated performance in the film, “American Splendor”, as he does a full set of new material & crowd-work!