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.
Blaring bagpipes, Scottish athletics, Highland melodies, Celtic cuisine, crafts aplenty and a spectacular highland setting make this colorful celebration of Scottish culture one of the most highly acclaimed games in the country. Additional cost. For more information, visit www.gmhg.org.
High in the Mountains of Western North Carolina the ancient Celtic spirit beckons. Answering the call, as hundreds of tartan banners unfurl, are the sounds of bagpipes echoing through the valley, and once again, thousands of kilt-clad Scots make their way to MacRae Meadows for their annual gathering and games. Nowhere in the New World is there a place more reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than the home of America’s grandest Highland Games—Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina.
Here you will be able to register for all events, sponsorship packages, clan tents, and buy general admission tickets.
Choose a category and then begin registering for each person in your group or family one at a time. Keeping in mind that clan tent sponsors and patrons get a package of tickets, and we want to make sure that each ticket holder in those packages has the opportunity to add on a whisky tasting or sign up for a competition.
We encourage you to watch the video tutorials at www.gmhg.org/FAQs before you begin the registration process.
* Please note that as of March 14, 2022 the Camping sites are all sold out.*
The Autumn at Oz Festival is the largest Oz festival in the world! A combination of your standard festival with arts & craft, handmade trinkets, memorabilia, & food vendors, it also includes a completely immersive theatrical experience where guests are engulfed into the classic story as you travel into the Gale Kansas Farm, through the tornado experience, and down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Along the way, meet all of your favorite characters for photo opportunities, see many live performances, and shop for your favorite Wizard of Oz Memorabilia.
The park will be debuting several new components to its immersive walkthrough theatre experience at this year’s Autumn at Oz event including:
Brand new costumes for all main cast members curated by Project Runway Season 1 runner-up, Austin Scarlett.
A restoration of the original 1970s psychedelic artwork inside the interactive “Kansas Twister” scene.
8 enchanting performances along the Yellow Brick Road
The recently-developed Over The Rainbow overlook, showcasing a breathtaking 5-state view.
The refurbishing of one of the park’s original metal balloon set pieces which serves as the park’s only ride.
Guests can also anticipate:
Photos & autographs with characters
Extraordinary sets, including a hand-implemented poppy field, adorned with over 4,000 fake poppies
Live performances by veteran actors
Face painting
Food vendors
Merchandise
Jazz Sunday at One World Brewing West is a modern jazz jam held every Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm. Previously known as Jazz Monday, the jam has been running non stop since July, 2018 at the West Asheville brewery and is hosted weekly by The Fully Vaccinated Jazz Trio, consisting of Ray Ring on guitar, Jason DeCristofaro on drums, piano and vibraphone, and Connor Law on bass. Jazz Sunday typically features a guest artist for a short set and then welcomes jazz musicians of all levels to sit in for the remainder of the afternoon on One World’s spacious outdoor stage.
The number one requested musical from our 2019 show survey: you asked for it, you got it! From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the ‘American’ Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of fear, violence, and prejudice remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is widely regarded as among the best musicals ever written.
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
Raised in Nashville by a background singer mother and session guitarist father, Savannah Conley’s musical education was deeply ingrained from a young age. She started performing at the age of seven and by nineteen she was taking home the John Lennon Songwriting award. Her debut EP, Twenty Twenty, was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Prine) and released in 2018 to critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, NPR, Ones To Watch, and Refinery29. Rolling Stone praised the EP as an “emotionally rich collection of tracks full of moody instrumentation and whip-smart lines” and named Conley as one of their ‘Artists You Need To Know.’
If you’ve ever wondered what the sonic lovechild of Oasis and Dolly Parton would sound like, look no further than Savannah Conley. Combining nostalgic musicality, unavoidable Southern charm, and a healthy dose of cross-genre inspiration, Conley has carved out a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. Her ability to transcend genre boundaries has led to an impressive resume of gigs supporting Ben Folds, Brandi Carlile, The Head and the Heart, Willie Nelson, and Ruston Kelly, just to name a few. As NKD Magazine once aptly put it, Conley’s music “sounds how a worn-in vintage jacket feels.”
Secondhand Sound is a curated collective of indie music, infused heavily with alternative rock. The band elevates modern instrumental sound with interpolated, ironic, and alluring songwriting.
After meeting in college in the fall of 2018, the members officially formed Secondhand Sound and actualized their mission of becoming the biggest band in the world. The Nashville-based band is coming off of their first national headline tour, performing their debut album, “The Best and Worst of Times.” Secondhand Sound complements their discography with inventive visual mediums, including the manifestation of the band’s spirit, the elusive and contemplative Stranger.
Armed with the inspiration of energizing humanity, Secondhand Sound reigns audiences in with their elevated coming-of-age aesthetic. Grounded by their loyalty and reverence to the process, Secondhand Sound is immersed in maturing the style they’ve nurtured as they prepare to shift into high gear and release their third EP in the fall of 2022.
Renowned singer-songwriter and Americana music cult favorite Robert Earl Keen, best known for “The Road Goes On Forever,” will perform on July 10 at Brevard Music Center as a part of his farewell tour.
Americana music cult favorite and renowned singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen comes to Brevard as he begins to wind up his Farewell Tour. Keen has blazed a peer, critic, and fan-lauded trail that’s earned him living-legend status in the Americana music world. Keen made the announcement in January with a personal video posted on his social media accounts. “I’ve been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electrical, magical folks throughout my life,” Keen said. “This chorus of joy, this parade of passion, this bull rush of creativity, this colony of kindness and generosity are foremost in my thoughts today. It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you that as of September 4, 2022, I will no longer tour or perform publicly.”
Abby first started street performing and busking as a means to make money traveling across the United States, primarily hopping freight trains. She taught herself to play the spoons and traveled all over the United States by hitchhiking and railroad. She states that landing in Asheville, North Carolina, was completely an accident and that she took the wrong train. Today she hosts storytelling events where she discusses the lifestyle of the American hobo. She spent a good amount of her time traveling recording the stories, interviews and songs of other American travelers.
Abby is an advocate for street performance and free speech. In 2014, she was instrumental in developing a group called the Asheville Buskers Collective which advocates for street performance within the city of Asheville, North Carolina. She also recorded buskers through a local Asheville program called Busker Broadcast, which included interviews and songs of travelers passing through Asheville.[6]
In 2012, she was filmed in the horror film Jug Face playing spoons, and in 2015 she was filmed for Buskin’ Blues, a documentary about the street performance scene in Asheville.
Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!
The Autumn at Oz Festival is the largest Oz festival in the world! A combination of your standard festival with arts & craft, handmade trinkets, memorabilia, & food vendors, it also includes a completely immersive theatrical experience where guests are engulfed into the classic story as you travel into the Gale Kansas Farm, through the tornado experience, and down the yellow brick road to the Emerald City. Along the way, meet all of your favorite characters for photo opportunities, see many live performances, and shop for your favorite Wizard of Oz Memorabilia.
The park will be debuting several new components to its immersive walkthrough theatre experience at this year’s Autumn at Oz event including:
Brand new costumes for all main cast members curated by Project Runway Season 1 runner-up, Austin Scarlett.
A restoration of the original 1970s psychedelic artwork inside the interactive “Kansas Twister” scene.
8 enchanting performances along the Yellow Brick Road
The recently-developed Over The Rainbow overlook, showcasing a breathtaking 5-state view.
The refurbishing of one of the park’s original metal balloon set pieces which serves as the park’s only ride.
Guests can also anticipate:
Photos & autographs with characters
Extraordinary sets, including a hand-implemented poppy field, adorned with over 4,000 fake poppies
Live performances by veteran actors
Face painting
Food vendors
Merchandise
Experience an array of talented music artists on a pleasant summer night at the Monday Night Live! concert series. The concert series features a diverse line-up of folk, country and blues. The eclectic line-up of free live performances happen at the Visitor Center, 201 South Main Street, from 7pm-9pm. Enjoy the fresh air, bring a chair and delight in the one-of-a-kind experience you’ll get from this unique outdoor music venue.
This week, enjoy the music of Nu-Blu, an acoustic bluegrass band.
In case of inclement weather, the concert will be postponed until 8pm. If the weather does not improve by 8 pm the performance will be canceled.
This Concert Series is sponsored by Burger King, Kathy Watkins of Preferred Realty, Firehouse Subs, Blue Ridge Hospitality and Mast General. This event is hosted by the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
BRIAN CONWAY, legendary All-Ireland Fiddle Champion
New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All- Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian’s early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.
BMC Artist Faculty
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Becoming America: Lara Downes and Friends
Program Conceived and curated by Lara Downes
DETT The Place Where the Rainbow Ends, from Magnolia Suite
BURLEIGH From the Southland
BURLEIGH An Ante-Bellum Sermon
IVES In the Mornin’
IVES The Alcotts
JOPLIN The Entertainer
JOPLIN Elite Syncopations; Bethena; Magnetic Rag; Maple Leaf Rag
COPLAND Old American Songs (selected)
HARRIS American Ballads
STILL Miniatures
STILL Summerland
COOKE A Change is Gonna Come
PHILLIPS JR. Never Has Been Yet
MASON The Never-Ending River of Identity
SIMON Like Moons and Like Suns
ELLINGTON New World A-Comin’
Musicians:
Caroline Eva Chin and Margaret Karp, violins
Jenny Snyder Kozoroz, viola
Benjamin Karp, cello
Daniel Gilbert, clarinet
Henning Schroder, tenor saxophone
Dilshad Posnock, flute
Emily Brebach, oboe
Anchal Dhir, vocalist
Robert Chafin, vocalist
Auditorium seating is reserved.
Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!
Musicians will lead the audience in singing along to familiar songs and music from Carl Sandburg’s “The American Songbag.” The event is free and will be held at the amphitheater at 5pm on the second Tuesday of June, July & August.
- June 14 – Carol Rifkin leads a sing and strum along. Bring a string instrument to strum-along or just enjoy the music and sing-along.
- July 12 –Wayne Erbsen leads a fun evening of banjo-led singing.
- August 9 – Carol Rifkin leads a sing and strum along. Bring a string instrument to strum-along or just enjoy the music and sing-along.
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Warmer weather is on its way, and that means its time to start thinking about outdoor gatherings like the much-loved Groovin’ on Grovemont summer concert series in Swannanoa. The series will kick off on Tuesday evening, July 12, in Grovemont Square, adjacent to the Swannanoa Library at . Additional concerts will be held on July 26 and August 9.
This year’s planning committee will begin working soon on a great lineup of musical acts and other entertainment for the whole family, so mark your calendar now for these don’t-miss events. The fun begins around 6 p.m. each evening, and often includes pre-concert programs and activities for the kids.
The Groovin’ on Grovemont outdoor concert series takes place under the beautiful performance pavilion in Grovemont Square, built by community volunteers in 2018, and funded through a mixture of grants and donations. In addition to the musical entertainment, the Groovin’ festivities always include a great selection of food available for purchase.
Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy a delicious meal, terrific free music, and fabulous mountain views with your family and friends!
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The final block party is held in conjunction with the Brevard Police Department and Transylvania County Sheriff’s Department’s National Night Out Celebration.
Attendees can expect a lineup of live music, delicious local food and children’s activities, creating a fun community gathering for all. The June events feature LEAF Global Arts and the July and August events feature our beloved Old Time Street Dances. Block parties will be held weekly from 6-8pm on East Main Street. Many downtown retail businesses and restaurants will also be open for the block party.
HOB and LEAF Global Arts invites everyone to experience a world without borders! From dance, to drumming to arts & crafts, LEAF’s performing artists will bring a new lineup of cultural art experiences and live music to the June block parties. Each week will feature a different band and the LEAF Easel Rider, a mobile arts & crafts lab.
LEAF performances will feature an eclectic mix of music that is different each week, ranging from blues and rock toNew Orleans style jazz.
LEAF resident artist Melissa McKinney kicks off the series on June 14th. “We are so excited to bring the energy of LEAF Global to downtown Brevard,” shares McKinney, “connecting community is part of our mission and we believe downtown Brevard holds the same values. Music is the best way to bring people together.”
Old Time Street Dances, a long-time community favorite, returns to the Heart of Brevard at our July 5th block party. The dances offer free, family-friendly fun that celebrates our Appalachian heritage and is sure to move your feet.
Old Time Street Dances in downtown Brevard are an 80-year tradition. This summer, Whitewater Bluegrass Co. returns to the stage as the host band to lead the crowds in a collection of square dance and contra-style dancing. Evenings will include classic songs, a chance for clogging and traditional Appalachian-called dance. Old Time Street Dances are geared toward participation at every age and skill level.
The Tuesday Night Block Parties are free and open to the public. For more information about LEAF, Old Time Street Dances and other upcoming events, follow Heart of Brevard on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to their newsletter here.
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Heart of Brevard 501(c)(3) is a North Carolina Main Street Community, designated by the NC Department of Commerce and Main Street & Rural Planning Center. Heart of Brevard is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by the National Main Street Center.
BMC Brass Artist Faculty
College Brass Ensembles
Please note: All seating is general admission.
Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!
The number one requested musical from our 2019 show survey: you asked for it, you got it! From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the ‘American’ Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of fear, violence, and prejudice remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is widely regarded as among the best musicals ever written.
A 1970s-inspired folk-pop songwriter, Suzie Brown has chased her unique muse for a decade, making modern-day roots music that nods to the soul singers, heartland rockers, and blues artists who came before her. Gluing the sound together is the unforced voice and honest, autobiographical songwriting of a Renaissance woman who’s not only an acclaimed musician, but also an Advanced Heart Failure cardiologist and mother of two. Her songs have earned recognition from the NewSong Music Competition, International Songwriting Competition, Independent Music Awards, Forbes and People Magazine. “I love everything about you, Suzie — you’re wearing a lot of hats, and wearing them all very well,” said broadcast journalist Gayle King during an episode of CBS This Morning that showcased Brown’s unique balancing act between music, medicine, and motherhood. Brown turns that balancing act into music, rolling with the punches, adjusting to the changing times, and writing the ever-evolving soundtrack to her journey.
Scot Sax knows his way around a solid pop song. He has spent more than 25 years onstage, in the studio, and in the writing room. With his band Wanderlust, he opened for The Who and had a radio hit with his song “I Walked.” Sax later toured with Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, co-wrote a Grammy-winning duet for Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and landed his songs in iconic movies like American Pie. Most recently, he reunited with Wanderlust and released the critically acclaimed album “All A View” that American Songwriter Magazine called “an album for the ages.”
Join us for a weekly mountain music JAM with players in a round, where the session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs! You are welcome to come and listen or to learn and join in. This event supports the Henderson County Junior Appalachian Musician (JAM) Kids Program. Free but donations are accepted. Weekly event takes place at Oklawaha Brewing Company.
Hosted by Richard and Melinda Halford
Sessions are in many ways the heart and soul of Irish traditional music, a place for players to share tunes and socialize. It’s not a performance, but rather an informal situation in which listeners are welcome to participate, whether offering encouragement, singing along on a chorus, or asking questions about the music and instruments. White Horse sessions regularly draws players from as far away as Waynesville, Cullowhee, Rutherfordton and even Clayton, Georgia.
The sessions are hosted by Richard and Melinda Halford. Drop by for a beer or a cup of tea and get uplifted by some great traditional tunes and a few new songs.
Come join us in a long musical tradition spanning hundreds of years.
DVORAK The American Suite
Douglas Weeks, piano
FARWELL Pawnee Horses and Navajo War Dance No. 2
Donna Lee, piano
FARWELL String Quartet in A major, Op. 65 “The Hako”
Dennis Kim, violin I
Corinne Stillwell, violin II
Derek Hughes, viola
Benjamin Hughes, cello
BURLEIGH Spiritual
George Shirley, tenor
Lara Downes, piano
HAYES Little Boy
George Shirley, tenor
Lara Downes, piano
DAWSON Largo from Violin Sonata
Jason Posnock, violin
Donna Lee, piano
PRICE Fantasy No. 2 for Violin and Piano
Dennis Kim, violin
Lara Downes, piano
BURLEIGH Wade in the Water
George Shirley, tenor
Lara Downes, piano
BONDS Troubled Water
Lara Downes, piano
PRICE Octet for Brasses and Piano
Garth Greenup and Michael Dobrinski, trumpets
Jaclyn Rainey and Hazel Dean Davis, horns
David Jackson and Dan Satterwhite, trombones
Aubrey Foard, tuba
Lara Downes, piano
Angel Gil-Ordonez, conductor
Auditorium seating is reserved
The number one requested musical from our 2019 show survey: you asked for it, you got it! From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the ‘American’ Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of fear, violence, and prejudice remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is widely regarded as among the best musicals ever written.
As an active paramedic, firefighter, and veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Vision Video lead Dusty Gannon has seen more horror in real life than in the classic movies he draws inspiration from. When not saving lives on the front-line, Dusty dons torn fishnets, combat boots and makeup to play post-punk that recalls the genre’s heyday when the lines between goth and pop blurred to create some of the underground’s most beloved acts such as The Cure, The Smiths and Joy Division. But hidden within Vision Video’s catchy hooks and dancy beats is a nostalgic yet desperate message exploring the darker undertones of our existence. At its core, Inked In Red looks inward to understand the effects of war and the global pandemic. Dusty’s experiences in service have imparted an authentic gravitas to the music, revealing a cautionary tale of unhinged mental illness born of trauma. Sonically, this is reflected in every chord and melody through its enticingly gothic yet often upbeat nature. Vision Video’s debut imparts a duality of mania that, simply stated, is real malaise and existential dread that cannot be made facsimile.
When Boise three-piece Blood Lemon — singer/guitarist Lisa Simpson (Finn Riggins, Treefort Music Fest), singer/bassist Melanie Radford (Built to Spill, Marshall Poole) and percussionist Lindsey Lloyd (Tambalka) — formed, in 2018, out of a medley of mutual admiration, a cover band called Mostly Muff and a unanimous love of Kim Deal and 90s Riot Grrrl music, they had no idea they’d be writing a perfect soundtrack to kick off 2021. What they did know was that they were eager to play music with their fellow women; they wanted a sound informed by 90s stalwarts like Pixies, Hole and The Breeders; and they were ready to get political.
Cold Choir launched from the sheer desire to create dark wave, dance music, with irreverent self-expression, poetry, and often-socially conscious subject matter. Mario (synth/production) and Franky M’s (singer/songwriter)music is ingrained in EBM, disco goth, early 80s electro, freestyle, and industrial, accompanied by a stirring vocal.
Welcome to Agrabah and the adventure of the street rat who became a prince!
When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie’s magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love.
Camp features: acting classes, movement and choreography, juggling and magic tricks, miming and more!
The number one requested musical from our 2019 show survey: you asked for it, you got it! From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the ‘American’ Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of fear, violence, and prejudice remains one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story is widely regarded as among the best musicals ever written.