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.
- It’s critical for planners to know how to effectively organize, budget and market a variety of different events to keep the company in the green, out of trouble, and on the minds of donors, business partners, and customers. Earning a certificate in Event Planning will expose you to the many different facets of being an event planner from managing people and projects to increasing exposure and dollars for your organization. Participants can earn a certificate by attending six of the designated event planning workshops (EP), which are offered each semester. Participants do not enroll in the certificate program, but rather complete the workshops at their own pace. Workshops are offered each semester (spring and fall) on either Thursday or Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at WCU at Biltmore Park, Asheville, NC.
Instructors will distribute a case study at the end of each EP workshop, and participants submit the case studies to the program coordinator when all 6 workshops are completed to complete the final requirement for the certificate. The workshop instructors include professionals from the Western North Carolina business and hospitality industry and faculty from Western Carolina University.
Complete 6 of the below EP workshops and earn a certificate.
Fee: $119 per workshop or register for 6 workshops for $640 (a 10% discount!) Workshops include lunch and continuing education credits.
- FIVE-STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Friday, August 16, 2019
- MAKING EVERY PENNY COUNT: EVENT BUDGETING 101 Friday, September 20, 2019
- CURRENT & TESTED SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR DIGITAL MARKETING Friday, October 18, 2019
- ENGAGE, STRATEGIZE, CULTIVATE – THE ART OF SECURING EVENT SPONSORSHIPS Thursday, October 24, 2019
- MAXIMIZING YOUR RETURN FROM TRADESHOWS, EXPOS AND FAIRS Thursday, November 7, 2019
- CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, LIABILITY AND RISK FACTORS Friday, November 22, 2019

Gate 7 opens Thursday. 8AM to 5 PM rain or shine
Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.
– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!
- Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
- Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
- Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+
October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre
This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.
This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.
Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.
Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”
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

Gate 7 opens Thursday. 8AM to 5 PM rain or shine
Adult Admission $8 a day or $20 for 3 days includes ACAETA pulls
Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Unreserved selling spaces $40, free admission to qualified exhibitors,
limited 2 people per registration; 3rd and above pay admission.
– Pulls –
Farm Tractors 1964 & earlier on Saturday at 10:00 am
Tractor Pulls will be under the covered arena – enter through Gate 7.
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! ???
Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.
Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”

It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!
- Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
- Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
- Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!

“It Didn’t Happen” by Judy Calabrese
Ages 18+
October 18-19, 2019 • 8 PM
October 25-26, 2019 • 8 PM
Tina McGuire Theatre
This performance contains nudity and artistic representations of adult themes. Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted.
This raw, darkly comedic exploration of shame and desire takes us on a rollercoaster ride through Judy’s secret sexual relationships with women over a lifetime.
Take a break from the frenzy of everyday life and enjoy Smoke on the Mountain, a wholesome celebration of faith, community, and Appalachian Music. Set in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina around 1938, Smoke on the Mountain brings to life a small-town musical revival featuring the traveling Sanders Family as they play the best of bluegrass, gospel, and hymns. Audiences will recognize beloved songs such as “Rock of Ages”, “The Church in the Wildwood”, “A Wonderful Time Up There,” and more as they are performed by talented actor-musicians. Running October 4th – 19th, Smoke on the Mountain, showcases the power of music to bring us all together and will have audiences singing along.
Director, Amy Jones, describes the experience as, “an entertaining and inspirational evening full of rousing gospel music played by the cast while also getting to know the unique dynamics of the Sanders family through their witnessing. The music is beautiful and heartfelt, and the characters are fleshed out in a very real and relatable way.”
Join local astronomer and author Stephan Martin on a tour of the stars and constellations of the fall night sky above the farm. We’ll discuss some of the myths of the constellations along with the seasonal changes in the sky at this time as well as some of the latest discoveries in astronomy and theories of the universe. All ages are welcome and no background in astronomy or science is required.
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.
It’s not too early to make your plans to travel down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz! We’re deep into the rehearsal process, are building the sets and the costumes, and are hearing LOTS of super cool ideas from the artistic team!
- Opening Weekend and Thursday night tickets are cheaper than other performances ($26 for adults vs $30)
- Tickets for children 17 and under are $15 for any Wizard of Oz performance!
- Keep up with what’s happening in rehearsals with the “We’re Off to See the Wizard” blog series written by our Cowardly Lion, John O’Neil!
This performance takes place in the Tina McGuire Theatre at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts.
With every breath and step of the NAUGHTY World Premier, Bold Mama Elle prods the edge of personal and collective freedom. It’s a spell-binding one woman show that meets at an imagined intersection of humanity and Divinity. Critics have called her ability to captivate and delight, through deep vulnerability, “exquisite.” She is an insightful teacher and entertainer who personifies life without fear. The show blends soul-filled singing, dance and storytelling effortlessly, inspiring the audience to re-imagine what it means to be free.
Bold Mama Elle is a spiritual medium who channels “textured” music and movement. Her activated lyrics deeply awaken inner power. On stage, she tells riveting stories fearlessly with her body and songs. Her “other-worldly” wisdom is both radical and inspiring. The sound of her voice permeates the performance space creating tangible possibility for all. As the sole songwriter, director, choreographer and vocalist for NAUGHTY, Bold Mama Elle personifies what’s possible when we allow ourselves to truly be free!
VIP Tickets ($38 plus tax and fees): Include VIP floor ticket plus Naughty gift bag and guaranteed entry to post-performance reception.
General Admission Souvenir Tickets ($28 plus tax and fees): Include general admission performance ticket plus a show souvenir.
General Admission Tickets ($18 plus tax and fees)

D.C. native, John Conroy, brings an everyman’s attitude to smart, sharply written material that runs the gamut from shrewd observations to social satire.
Over the next few years he made a rapid transition from opener to headliner, playing hundreds of shows each year and touring the top clubs throughout the country. Conroy is a jovial iconoclast whose good-humored but aggressive act makes a lasting impression.
Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-john-conroy-tickets-71543148483
Join us for the evening for this practical training organized by Co-operate WNC
(a regional mutual aid network), Transition Asheville, and Lenoir Rhyne University.
A community savings pool is a resource-sharing technique whereby a trusted group of 15-25 people
pool their individual savings and then collectively loan money to each other for personal needs and
goals, community projects, business startups and expansions and so on.
Co-operate WNC has identified savings pools as one of the most powerful strategies to
pursue its mission: empowering a regional society of local organizers to grow a mutual aid
network of physical community centers that meet human needs and act as organizing hubs
for climate resilience.
We’ll play a savings pool game, and briefly discuss other cooperative financial tools and mutual aid
practices to improve your community’s life, respond to climate chaos, and grow a regenerative culture
and economy in our region. This discussion will include considerations around the bigger picture of
equity and access in our region and how our community organizing activities can either reinforce or
transform oppressive historical patterns.
You’ll leave with a tangible sense of how to organize and run a savings pool, the benefits
and risks of participation, tools for doing it successfully, and next steps in your own life for
starting or participating in one.
Please consider attending this event with some friends/family/colleagues, as the hope is that you can
go home and start a savings circle with people you trust.
- It’s critical for planners to know how to effectively organize, budget and market a variety of different events to keep the company in the green, out of trouble, and on the minds of donors, business partners, and customers. Earning a certificate in Event Planning will expose you to the many different facets of being an event planner from managing people and projects to increasing exposure and dollars for your organization. Participants can earn a certificate by attending six of the designated event planning workshops (EP), which are offered each semester. Participants do not enroll in the certificate program, but rather complete the workshops at their own pace. Workshops are offered each semester (spring and fall) on either Thursday or Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at WCU at Biltmore Park, Asheville, NC.
Instructors will distribute a case study at the end of each EP workshop, and participants submit the case studies to the program coordinator when all 6 workshops are completed to complete the final requirement for the certificate. The workshop instructors include professionals from the Western North Carolina business and hospitality industry and faculty from Western Carolina University.
Complete 6 of the below EP workshops and earn a certificate.
Fee: $119 per workshop or register for 6 workshops for $640 (a 10% discount!) Workshops include lunch and continuing education credits.
- FIVE-STAR CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Friday, August 16, 2019
- MAKING EVERY PENNY COUNT: EVENT BUDGETING 101 Friday, September 20, 2019
- CURRENT & TESTED SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR DIGITAL MARKETING Friday, October 18, 2019
- ENGAGE, STRATEGIZE, CULTIVATE – THE ART OF SECURING EVENT SPONSORSHIPS Thursday, October 24, 2019
- MAXIMIZING YOUR RETURN FROM TRADESHOWS, EXPOS AND FAIRS Thursday, November 7, 2019
- CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, LIABILITY AND RISK FACTORS Friday, November 22, 2019
The City of Asheville is moving forward with the creation of a master concept plan for City-owned properties on Haywood Street and Page Avenue. With the help of the award-winning consultant team Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, residents can anticipate up to three conceptual designs for Council consideration for the acre of land at the intersection of Haywood and Page in downtown Asheville.
The two public sessions will take place on October 24 at the , 87 Haywood St., and on site around the property.
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Meeting #1:
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Noon — Food truck lunch at 68 Haywood Street and site walk-throughs
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1:15 p.m. — Presentation at U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall
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Meeting #2:
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5:30 p.m. — Food truck dinner at 68 Haywood Street and site walk-throughs
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6:45 p.m. — Presentation at U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall
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During the meetings the consultant team will walk residents through a mapping exercise, followed by a site walk with community dossiers at key points of interest in and around the site.
During this phase, the primary objective will focus on creating bold and vibrant designs for the Haywood/Page property. Based on the meetings, the City and the consultant team will bring back designs to the community in winter.
Lunch and dinner will be provided. Parking in the Civic Center Garage is free of charge, attendees should see staff for a validation sticker. RSVP is appreciated, but not required. Register here. For more information, please visit ashevillenc.gov.
“The Turn of the Screw”
Prepare yourself for a night of suspense, enchantment, and chills as Flat Rock Playhouse brings to life the psychological thriller: The Turn of the Screw. When a new governess arrives at a remote country estate, she discovers that her employer and his children might not be all that they appear to be. Before long, the governess wonders if there might be more figures wandering around the estate than just the children. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for mystery and thrills.
Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00PM and 7:30PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM and 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM




