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.
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
With an even keeled delivery belying blistering takes, Norlex Belma has become one of the hottest comics working in New York City. Norlex got his start in one of the nation’s fastest growing comedy scenes, Pittsburgh, after attending Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Music. Norlex now resides back home in his native Brooklyn and has performed at clubs and colleges around the country including UCB NYC, Carolines on Broadway, The Stand, New York Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club, The Comedy Studio in Boston, Pittsburgh Improv, The Grisly Pear, Zanies, The Blue Note, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, SUNY Oswego, and NYU. Norlex has opened for national headliners such as Gary Gulman, Emma Willmann, Jessica Kirson, Sam Tallent, Marina Franklin, Jermaine Fowler, The Lucas Brothers, Liza Treyger, and Rob Schneider.
In 2016, he was featured in the PBS documentary, The Comedy Confluence, detailing the rise of the Pittsburgh comedy scene.
Since then, he has been a part of the New York Comedy Festival, Red Clay Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Pittsburgh Comedy Festival, Oak City Comedy Festival in Raleigh, WDVE Comedy Festival, and the Orlando Indie Comedy Festival. In the summer of 2018, Norlex headlined Carolines on Broadway as a part of the Breakout Artist Series.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-norlex-belma-tickets-71312622975
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
· One general admission ticket
· VIP Early venue entry
· Exclusive pre-show meet & greet with Gin Blossoms
· Personal photograph with Gin Blossoms
· Intimate 2-song acoustic performance by Gin Blossoms
· Limited edition tour poster autographed by Gin Blossoms
· Specially designed Gin Blossoms tote bag
· Official meet & greet laminate
· Merchandise shopping before doors open to the general public – Limited availability
· Download card for Gin Blossoms album Mixed Reality
Support:
Great American Canyon Band
Ages 18+
In the late 80’s, Gin Blossoms started to grow a huge following as the #1 local music draw in Phoenix and certainly were the hometown heroes of their favorite hang, Tempe, Arizona.
Gin Blossoms indelible jangle-pop sound was evolving during radio’s diverse mix of hair bands and grunge music superstars. They qualified to perform at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin Texas in 1989. That same year College Music Journal dubbed them “The Best Unsigned Band In America” and added an invitation to perform on MTV’s New Music Awards in New York City. Their breakout record New Miserable Experience was where their rise to fame began. This album kept the band on the chart for almost 3 years with singles “Hey Jealousy,” “Allison Road,” Until I Fall Away,” “Mrs. Rita,” and “Found Out About You.” The crossover hits on New Miserable Experience played on 4 radio formats and, to date, have sold over 5 million records.
Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.

Come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones! The Education Department staff is visiting public libraries for preschool storytime at locations near your neighborhood.
Storytime & Art takes place at Enka-Candler Library on third Wednesdays at 10:30am.
Our program for preschool-aged students accompanied by an adult is at a library near you! During the school year, come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones.
Every Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting) we will be featuring local bands on the Isis Lawn. Music starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm. It’s an evening of community. Bring a chair or blanket or grab one of ours that we offer.
Visit ha! for Third Thursdays Marshall as we celebrate…so many things! Playful and show-stopping Kantha cloth jackets and vests by local artist Janice Schmidt, needle felted flora and fauna objects by Heidi Bleacher, new works in the shop for fall and holiday and Marshall’s own Walnut Schoolhouse serving up decadent Scandinavian treats. And let’s raise a toast to the a in ha!, Amber M. Jensen, for bringing home the Our State Magazine “Made in NC” win with our Classic Patchwork Pack. We can’t wait to invite you in!

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm
Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones! The Education Department staff is visiting public libraries for preschool storytime at locations near your neighborhood.
Storytime & Art takes place at Skyland/South Buncombe Library on third Thursdays at 10:30am.
Our program for preschool-aged students accompanied by an adult is at a library near you! During the school year, come join in the fun with stories and songs, then make a hands-on art project just for the little ones.
Every Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting) we will be featuring local bands on the Isis Lawn. Music starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm. It’s an evening of community. Bring a chair or blanket or grab one of ours that we offer.
Kevin O’Brien is Brooklyn based comedian, DJ, writer, and overall expressionist. A regular at clubs and colleges across the country he has opened for some of the biggest names in comedy from Dave Chappelle to Irene from “The Real World.” He has been featured on Viceland, the A.V. Club, and NPR. His comedy has been described as, “Very funny, very depressing” by Youtube commenter Ssgt Griggs. He has also appeared at a number of festivals including TruTv’s High Plains Comedy Festival, Laughing Devil Comedy Festival, and Fest in Gainesville.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-kevin-obrien-tickets-70194548785

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm
Sunday, 10 – 5pm

Live music, family fun, and delicious food!
Zydeco Ya Ya, a powerhouse band from the Piedmont area of the Carolinas, and Georgia, delivers a zydeco groove guaranteed to let the good times roll.
About our Food:
During the show we serve a complete spread of delicious farm-to-fork dinner options using our own pasture raised meats and locally sourced produce. Meals are prepared fresh by our in-house culinary team and are available for an additional cost along with alcoholic (beer/wine) and non-alcoholic beverage options. The menu typically consists of 3 meats and 4 sides. The full menu will be advertised on the event Facebook page a few days in advance of the concert. Be sure to follow us online for the latest updates!
Jono Zalay began his standup career in Boston, while simultaneously earning his Doctorate in Neuroscience (he gave cocaine to rats). Since dropping his science hobby to pursue comedy full time, Jono has been named one of Comedy Central’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ and earned international press for his pranks on the DMV. Jono now lives in Los Angeles where he has written comedy for Fox, Amazon, and Comedy Central. He has been featured in over 30 comedy festivals around the country including Bridgetown, Big Sky, Limestone, and New York Comedy Festival.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-friday-tickets-70462791105
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-saturday-tickets-70463025807

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm
Sunday, 10 – 5pm
Grovewood Village will open up their studios to the public, allowing visitors to gain insight into their creative process and view their most recent works. Tours are free and self-guided.

We’re celebrating and learning about human-wildlife coexistence and conservation from trusted organizations, while enjoying lively, family-friendly entertainment, sweet+savory bites, and tasty brews, all in one place.
Join our guest list and spread the word.
We’ll see you there! ???

Join us at Grovewood Gallery on Saturday, October 19 from 2 – 5pm for the opening of Landscapes of Southern Appalachia, a solo exhibition of work by contemporary landscape painter Shawn Krueger. This event is free and open to the public. The show will remain on view through Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Shawn Krueger received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Calvin College in the late 90s. His approach to painting is rooted in the American Arts & Crafts and Tonalist traditions – both based on love and respect for nature, hand-craftsmanship, and good design. Landscapes of Southern Appalachia will feature studio works from plein air studies Krueger did on his recent travels in and around Western North Carolina.

This performance is free of charge and requires a ticket for admission. Tickets may be reserved online, at the Wortham Center Box Office, or by phone at 828-257-4530 .
The Jazz Ambassadors is the official touring big band of the United States Army. Formed in 1969, this 19-member ensemble has received great acclaim at home and abroad performing America’s greatest original art form, jazz.
Concerts by the Jazz Ambassadors are programmed to entertain all types of audiences. The band’s diverse repertoire includes big band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz, standards, popular tunes, Dixieland, vocals, and patriotic selections, many of which are written or arranged by members of the Jazz Ambassadors.
The Jazz Ambassadors has appeared in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, and throughout Europe. Recent notable performances include concerts at the Toronto Jazz Festival, the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont, the Kennedy Center Honors, the Jazz Education Network Conference, and an appearance on the Colbert Report. Gordon Goodwin, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts, and the Dave Brubeck All-Star Quintet are just a few of the outstanding jazz artists who have shared the stage with the Jazz Ambassadors. The band has been featured in joint concerts with Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Pops, the Colorado Pops Orchestra, and the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. The Jazz Ambassadors’s rigorous touring schedule and reputation for excellence has earned it the title “America’s Big Band.”
Ticketholders should be seated by 3:45 PM
Unclaimed seats will be released to non-ticketholders at 3:50 PM
MA based Folk troubadours Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards will perform Friday October 19 at 7 pm at Isis Music Hall. Mandeville & Richards offer some new material and songs from their CD “Live in Manitoba” featuring original songs and stories recorded live during a two week tour of house concerts throughout the province of Manitoba, Canada.
The duo were invited by the organization Home Routes to complete a route during their fall 2017 season. Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous was initiated by the founders of the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the West End Cultural Centre, (Mitch Podolak and Ava Kobrinsky in collaboration with Tim Osmond) to create new performance opportunities for French and English speaking musicians and audiences in rural, remote and urban, communities across Canada, hosted by volunteers in their homes and other community venues.
Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards have just completed their 10th Annual walking tour of Massachusetts. Each summer since 2010 they have organized the “Massachusetts Walking Tour” where they hike the roads and trails of the Commonwealth, more than 100 miles in less than two weeks, in support of the arts in local communities along the way. Each evening they stop over in yet another Massachusetts town, putting on a free concert there, along with local performers and fellow artists who accompany them on their journey. These annual two-week treks also raise awareness of the trails and greenways in Massachusetts, using music to make important connections. In the fall of 2017 Mandeville and Richards received official recognition before congress and were added to the congressional record by Senator Ed Markey for their efforts in the community through the Massachusetts Walking Tour.
After 8 years together, DEPARTURE has become the most respected Journey tribute band in the nation. DEPARTURE replicates the look, sound and feel of the original 80’s rock super group. The five band members are from the original line-up and have been together from the very beginning. These veteran musicians have developed an amazing on-stage chemistry and pride themselves on giving their audience an incredible high-energy, qualitative stage show from start to finish. DEPARTURE plays all the hit songs that everyone knows and loves and was voted “Best Local Entertainer” for 2011, 2012 and 2014 by Gwinnett Magazine. Performing approximately one-hundred shows annually, DEPARTURE brings the very best of Journey to audiences of all ages.
Ticket Prices: $18, $20

Desert Dwellers is the convergence of music producers Amani Friend and Treavor Moontribe, who honed their individual skills in the mystical deserts of New Mexico and California, long before electronic music reached the mainstream. Amani and Treavor combine the raw sounds of the natural world, wrapped in dance-floor and chill-out productions; blending deep bass, earthy percussion, etheric voices, and cross-cultural instrumentation into a sonic incense for the mind and body. Desert Dwellers’ unique global sounds are a bridge between worlds, and their label Desert Trax has become a platform to spotlight similar alchemical artists.
Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.
Jono Zalay began his standup career in Boston, while simultaneously earning his Doctorate in Neuroscience (he gave cocaine to rats). Since dropping his science hobby to pursue comedy full time, Jono has been named one of Comedy Central’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ and earned international press for his pranks on the DMV. Jono now lives in Los Angeles where he has written comedy for Fox, Amazon, and Comedy Central. He has been featured in over 30 comedy festivals around the country including Bridgetown, Big Sky, Limestone, and New York Comedy Festival.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
FRIDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-friday-tickets-70462791105
SATURDAY: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-jono-zalay-saturday-tickets-70463025807
August 23, Appalachian Ridge Hard Cidery in Hendersonville
August 24, HiWire Brewing Company at the Big Top
Sept. 22, UpCountry Brewing on Haywood Road
Sept. 28, Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville
Oct. 4, Garden Deli in Burnsville
Oct. 6, Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in West Asheville
Oct. 10, Highland Brewing Company and
Oct. 20, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Hendersonville
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The 1st LEAF Festival premiered Fall 1996, and has become a tradition twice a year, May and October. The name Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) was chosen to honor the lake and the former Lake Eden Inn & Resort. “Arts” embraces a broad creative palate and of course it was to be a “festival”. In envisioning LEAF, we sought to embrace world cultures, reflect the creativity of the Asheville area, and to complement the stunning landscape. The location and size, attendance is limited to 6,000 people on site per day, makes LEAF Festival one of the best small festivals in the world. The right place, the right size.

Meet the artisans of the Southern Highlands exhibiting contemporary & traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, & jewelry.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 – 6pm
Sunday, 10 – 5pm
A great afternoon at the vineyards with a German twist! Bring your Lederhosen and Polka shoes. We’ll have the wine and German party atmosphere ready.




