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.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020
FREE Video Course by Wild Abundance: 10 Vegetables that will Really Feed You
Apr 29 all-day
Wild Abundance

Getting started gardening can be exciting, and it can feel daunting.

Your teachers, Natalie Bogwalker and Chloe Lieberman share experience-based, practical instruction for growing their top ten vegetables to really fill your plate, belly, and larder. We put together this class so that you can begin with the crops that are most likely to be successful and rewarding. Or, if you’ve got some experience gardening but want to expand your repertoire, this course will help you do so in a way that makes sense and yields abundantly.

Free virtual counseling for Buncombe County medical personnel and psychotherapists on the front lines
Apr 29 all-day
Online

Care for Corona is a grassroots support system comprised of psychotherapists and healing practitioners who offer short term free virtual counseling and healing sessions for Buncombe County medical personnel and psychotherapists who are on the front lines of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Care for Corona

Get Free Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Apr 29 all-day
Imagination Library Online

Children under 5 years old can receive free, age-appropriate books each month until their 5th birthday! Read more and sign up here.
Grandfather Mountain CLOSED to all activity
Apr 29 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), Grandfather Mountain will close until further notice, effective Sunday, March 15. The closure means the park will prohibit public access, including from the main entrance gate and hiking trails.

In addition, all special events and programs scheduled through Memorial Day have been canceled or postponed.

How to Buy Local While Social Distancing: On-Farm Pickups and More
Apr 29 all-day
NC and SC Farms

Many farms across North and South Carolina have added on-farm pickups, home delivery & online pre-orders to accommodate for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please see the listings below for more information, and check out our interactive Google Map for farm locations near you!

Are you a farmer interested in being listed? Email [email protected]

Please:

  • DO NOT show up at farms without prior permission.
  • Follow specific instructions provided by each farm.
  • Stay home if you are feeling ill.
Jus’ Running’s #digAVL Video: How local businesses are adjusting to the COVID-19 crisis
Apr 29 all-day
online
Luke Paulson, Store Manager at Jus’ Running, explains how the business has pivoted during COVID-19 to continue serving customers; and how they’re navigating their new world of e-commerce.

See the video interview here

While we’ve all had to adjust to the “new normal” (whatever that is) our local business owners and managers each have their own story to tell about how they’ve been affected and what they are doing during these unprecedented times. Dig Local is proud to partner with our friend, Ann Smith, at Leap Frog Tours to interview some of the awesome folks who make Asheville, Asheville.
Kids in Parks: TRACK Trails Online Family Fun
Apr 29 all-day
online

Have Fun Outdoors and Win Prizes

Kids in Parks is an expanding network of family-friendly outdoor adventures called TRACK Trails. Each TRACK Trail features self-guided brochures and signs that turn your visit into a fun and exciting outdoors experience. Best of all, you can earn PRIZES for tracking your adventures!

New!! e-Adventures:

Hide & Seek

Animal Athletes

Flower Power

Forest Bathing

Local Restaurants Providing Takeout/ Delivery
Apr 29 all-day
Online

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10myGYMeN0yovKmwoZgam91TgNDc37huzkqOHOxrg_y0/edit#gid=0

Updated list of restaurants offering takeout and delivery services created by The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR)

Online Resources for caregivers
Apr 29 all-day
Caring Across Generations Online

COVID-19 has disrupted the way we give, provide, and receive care, and left many of us stressed and strained. Though three main relief packages have passed Congress, the #CARINGMAJORITY has largely been left out, with aid for caregivers, comprehensive paid leave, and increased access to supports and services for child care, older adults, and people with disabilities sorely lacking.

While we continue to demand policy solutions to address our needs, in a true show of community care, our partners are pulling together tips for those most at-risk, and compile resources to those most affected by COVID-19. Together, we continue to demonstrate that care is a collective issue, and we all have a role to play in supporting and uplifting one another during this difficult time.

Pandemic of Love: Mutual Aid Community
Apr 29 all-day
Asheville Area

Love is the virus.

Love is infectious.

Love is the CURE.

 

The #pandemicoflove is a mutual aid community of care movement started in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. It humbly began on March 14th, 2020 by one person and was intended to help her own local community. But, like an epidemic, the act of love and kindness spread quickly and is now a beautiful movement helping those in need throughout the world.

What is a mutual aid community? It connects people in need with patrons who can help with that need. This is a tangible way for people to give to each other, quickly, discretely and directly.

What’s the catch? There is none. Kind people are introduced to kind people which results in an act of kindness and human connection.

Peace Center 2020-2021 Broadway Season Tickets (deadline ticket holders renewal is May 9)
Apr 29 all-day
Peace Center

The deadline for current season ticket holders to renew their seats is May 9.

New season ticket orders will be processed in the order they are received.

To purchase season tickets, click the “Renew Your Subscription” or “Become A Subscriber” buttons above or contact us by calling 864.467.3000 or mailing your form to Peace Center Box Office at 101 W Broad 101 W Broad St., Greenville SC 29601.

There’s an incredible Broadway season on the horizon that includes Tony Award®-winners, fan favorites, reimagined revivals, and the hottest Broadway shows straight from New York City. Season ticket holders and Peacekeepers make it possible to bring these exhilarating and fresh productions to Greenville. THANK YOU for your ongoing support of the Peace Center!

Pollinator Garden Certification Program
Apr 29 all-day
GreenWorks Online
Image

As the growing season ramps up and social isolation continues to define our days, gardening is the perfect way to get outside, ease your mind, and support our local ecosystem – all while maintaining appropriate social distance. Whether you’re nurturing a decade old garden or are using your quarantine time to put plants in the ground for the first time ever, our new program has the tools and certifications for all levels of expertise. Certified gardens receive an official certificate and have the option to purchase one of our Certified Pollinator Habitat signs!

 

Find more information about this program along with tons of resources about pollinators and plants that they love!

Take a Virtual Hike for the Smokies!
Apr 29 all-day
Virtual Smoky Mountains National Park
Alum Cave At-Home Adventure is a Virtual Fundraising Hike on one of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most iconic trails. Although the trail will look different for everyone, we’re all going the distance together – 4.6 miles for a roundtrip hike to Alum Cave or 10 miles up to the top of Mount Le Conte and down via Alum Cave Trail. Find your own trail. It could be your yard, your neighborhood or a treadmill in your basement. If a hike isn’t your thing, just choose the Park Bench option! Anyone can join us in solidarity to raise funds for Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register to virtually hike at AlumCaveAtHome.org, and personalize your fundraising page.
2. Ask your family, friends, and coworkers to support you by making a tax-deductible donation to Friends of the Smokies through your personal fundraising page.
3. You have until June 6, 2020 to fundraise and complete your virtual hike, then you will receive your hike swag, including a t-shirt and finishers medal, in the mail!
Over the last few weeks, we’ve become pros at staying home and practicing social distancing. As we take care of ourselves and each other, we hope you’ll also help us take care of the Smokies. The park is closed for the safety of visitors and staff, but critical conservation projects still need funding. It’s up to us to preserve the park for generations to come so we hope you’ll join us.
Take a virtual tour of our gardens and see what’s beautiful today at The North Carolina Arboretum
Apr 29 all-day
The North Carolina Arboretum On Line

Visit Us Virtually

Spring has sprung and we are excited to share with you all the wonderful blooms and plants that are awakening right now. Take a virtual tour of our gardens and see what’s beautiful today at The North Carolina Arboretum.

Teaching Resources: Duke Energy
Apr 29 all-day
Duke Energy Online

Engage. Inspire. Enlighten.

Looking for resources that will get your students excited about science? We can help. Duke Energy provides many valuable teaching materials and lesson plans for use inside the classroom – and out. Download helpful fact sheets, lesson plans, experiments and other fun learning tools.

Class activities & lesson plans

https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/energy-centers-and-programs/energyexplorium-at-mcguire/teaching-resources

Temporary ART bus schedule reductions
Apr 29 all-day
City of Asheville
bus service COVID graphic

 

The health and safety of our community is the City of Asheville’s highest priority. The ART Transit system continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic so we can offer transportation to first responders, health-care workers, other essential workers, and our community for urgent needs.

The ART transit staffing levels are lower than usual and, as such, ART bus system will need to make adjustments to schedules and routes.

 

Starting on Saturday, April 4, the following service reductions will begin:

  • Route 170 will be discontinued.
  • Route S6 will be discontinued.
  • Route WE1 will only provide service once per hour, leaving the station at 40 minutes past the hour.

 

Assessment of the transit system capacity will happen on a day-to-day basis, and be updated as the situation evolves. The City of Asheville and ART are continuing to follow the guidance of local public health officials and the CDC, including following social distancing and cleaning guidelines.

Please, if you are not traveling for work related to an essential business, or for an urgent personal need, such as to go to the grocery store, do not use the bus system. We need to keep our limited capacity available for people who must travel.

To keep up with any changes to ART services, riders can get the most up-to-date information here:

  • Download the Transit app to any smartphone.
  • Check real-time transit information on Google Maps.
  • Dial 828-253-5691 and press #1.
  • Subscribe to iRide Service Alert e-mails here.
  • Go to RideTheART.com under “Service Alerts.”
  • Follow the City of Asheville on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.
The Edible Essay: Writing a Culinary Memoir w/ Recipes with Jennifer Cognard-Black
Apr 29 all-day
via zoom

A recipe is a slice of history—an archival document that offers information about the author-cook’s complex identity. In this workshop, participants will work with Jennifer Cognard-Black to consider the recipe as a form of storytelling and meaning-making all its own—and will also have the opportunity to excavate one of their own recipes to write a culinary memoir or Edible Essay. Bringing in a favorite, cherished, despised, secret, and/or “lost” recipe from their own family or background, participants will discuss what aspects of individual and collective memory are contained within these recipes. Participants will then have the opportunity to engage in writing prompts that will launch their own Edible Essay.

*All events are open to everyone – we have a suggested $5 – $20 pay what you can option, as well as free

The Patchwork Producers Alliance accepting new Producers
Apr 29 all-day
online

A WNC Initiative to Connect Producers, Consumers, Workers, and Service Providers

The Patchwork Alliance is an online market that allows customers to order each week
from Friday-Monday, and pick up their orders on Thursdays at regional pickup sites, and also
offers home delivery to 2880* zip codes. It has over 35 Producer-Owners, and a variety of meat,
dairy, valued added, produce and more. The demand for more remote ways to access local food
has increased due to the pandemic as individuals don’t want to go to stores or farmers markets
as much and existing aggregators aren’t able to keep up (see article on Mother Earth Foods.)

Patchwork Producers’ Alliance

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is a multi-stakeholder Cooperative. Both Producers and Consumers are Owners enjoying PPA services, Equity Stakes, and Governance Roles.

The Patchwork Producers Alliance is still accepting new Producers, and would love for all types of local growers, makers, and service providers to get in touch. Their Grand Opening of Sales is on Friday, May 1st.

To find out more, go online to patchworkalliance.com.

The Social Distancing Festival: Visual Arts, Music, Beer Tent
Apr 29 all-day
The Social Distancing Festival

Welcome to The Social Distancing Festival.

This is a site for celebrating art from all over the world, showcasing amazing talent, and coming together as a community at a time when we need it more than ever.

Social Distancing Festival1.jpg

A NOTE FROM NICK – Thank you so much for checking out The Social Distancing Festival. I can’t believe how quickly this all happened (on so many levels). I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to connect with artists around the world. You have really kept me company during this tough and lonely time.

My small team of AMAZING colleagues and I have been through hundreds of submissions, and are really proud to present you with this collection of art, as well as our ever-growing calendar of live streams from around the world. We’ll keep taking submissions and updating the site, so keep coming back!

I hope that you enjoy the work displayed on this site. I hope that you can get lost in work of all different mediums and styles from artists in all different stages of their careers . I hope you read their stories and feel connected through a shared love of art and creation and life. And I hope that helps to get you through.

That’s really, ultimately, the whole point.

Vessels of Hope Fundraiser for The Village Potters Clay Center
Apr 29 all-day
The Village Potters Clay Center

VESSELS OF HOPE: A CALL FOR HELP FROM THE VILLAGE POTTERS CLAY CENTER

Sarah Wells Rolland is making 500 vessels in fundraiser for TVPCC.

Sustaining TVPCC through this season of closure has become my primary job. I have applied for multiple loans, EIDL, PPP, from my personal bank, and now we wait. I am filled with hope! I believe that what we began here in 2011 is just now becoming fully grown.

So, I asked myself, What can I do? Vessels of Hope came to me immediately and I knew I had to do it. I am personally embarking on a challenging labor of love, making 500 vessels, each unique just like you. I am asking you to become a vessel of hope with me and our wonderful community for The Village Potters Clay Center.”

Sarah will be at the wheel making these Vessels of Hope for the next 12 weeks, and glazing them using a broad palette. Every vessel will vary in shape, surface and color, each one unique. They will be fired regularly as there are enough for a kiln load, expecting at least 4 firings among the large gas kiln, the new Rolland kiln, and the Kazegama wood ash kiln at TVPCC to complete this project.

As this is written, Sarah has made 121 vessels, and 120 are already purchased. During this process, pictures and videos of Sarah making the vessels will be posted to social media and shared with benefactors, so we all feel connected and continue to nurture hope in this time. When the vessels are all completed, The Village Potters team and volunteers will gather and pack them, but there will be no specific allocation of pots to people. Locals will be welcome to come by and pick up their vessel, and whether for shipping or pick up, pots will be distributed from the packed boxes, so nobody will know which pot they receive until the box is opened .

Sarah’s goal is for 500 benefactors, people who believe in the mission at The Village Potters Clay Center, and who are in a position to help. A minimum donation of $100 is asked for each Vessel of Hope, which includes shipping. For those who are able and would like to purchase more than one as gifts, individual pick up or shipping may be arranged. *10% of the proceeds generated through this project will be donated to artists in the River Arts District who are also struggling to stay open.

More from Sarah Wells Rolland: “These “Vessels of Hope” are a joyous creative pursuit for me personally, and you can be a part. I thank you for your love and support!”

The Village Potters Clay Center Team: Sarah Wells Rolland, George Rolland, Lori Theriault, Judi Harwood, Julia Mann, Christine Henry, Tori Motyl, and Lindsey Mudge,

Virtual LEAF Festival on the weekend of: May 15-17, 2020
Apr 29 all-day
LEAF Online
V-LEAF Brings Joy! Save the Date!
LEAF is in the process of creating a virtual LEAF Festival on the weekend of:

May 15-17, 2020

We didn’t know if we had the capacity to create a virtual festival with our core staff on reduced time, but then we really started missing our LEAF friends and said “Let’s give it a go!”. We’ve embraced that “V-LEAF” will be old school creative, authentic, and fun. The CONNECTION and #LEAFLove is the essential ingredient.

The creation phase is happening and YOU are welcome to be apart of this new journey. Have time? We want to hear from you if you’d like to volunteer website or social media support, lead a workshop, zoom w/ LEAF friends or if you have LEAF stories and ideas. Dance, connect, pull out costumes, decorate, camp in the yard – let’s get LEAFy.

CONTEST ALERT! Looking for ways to share your art with the world? V-LEAF may be your moment! Show us how you express your #LEAFLove. Any age, any experience – we are looking for artwork to add to the digital experience. The artwork must embody the spirit of LEAF and feature the LEAF logo. Any “artists” whose graphic is used will win an awesome Vintage LEAF Style packet!

Reach out & share ASAP with [email protected]

WNC Working Together in Times of Crisis Inspirational Video Food Connection
Apr 29 all-day
online
This is what community looks like! Food Connection is so proud to be included alongside all of these amazing efforts by MANNA FoodBank, Sugar Loaf Elementary, Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville Strong, and Jack Frost Dairy Bar. Shout outs to Fiasco Pictures and WLOS ABC 13 for making such an inspiring promo about working together in times of crisis. #WNCtogether.

YWCA instructors: Online Workouts
Apr 29 all-day
YWCA Online

PROMOTING HEALTH AND HEALING

We understand the disruption of daily life and social distancing can be incredibly difficult. For many of us, daily activities, social groups, and routines dissipated overnight.

In an effort to help keep us all connected, our fitness instructors put together a series of home workouts too. Going forward we will be continuing to provide active resources. We hope you enjoy these workouts, made just for you, by your friendly and familiar YWCA instructors.

Energy mover with Virginia

Strength Building with Kai

Senior Exercises with Ellen

Click Here and subscribe to see the full playlist!

For more information contact Membership Coordinator, Emil Gonsalvez, at [email protected].

Ingles Special Shopping Hours, Delivery Options for Vulnerable Populations
Apr 29 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 am
Ingles Grocery Stores

Starting on Tuesday, March 24, Ingles will dedicate the first shopping hour from 7 – 8 am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to senior shoppers and those with compromised immune systems.

 

Publix Markets: Special Shopping Hours, Delivery Options for Vulnerable Populations
Apr 29 @ 7:00 am – 8:00 am
Publix Markets

Publix Markets reserves 7-8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for customers age 65 and older. Home delivery is available through Instacart.

Live Morning Didgeridoo Meditation
Apr 29 @ 7:30 am – 8:00 am
online

Tune in with me on Facebook Live each morning at 7:30am for a 20 minute live meditation with didgeridoo. I’ll be guiding you through simple and effective ways that will help you to:

  • Calm your nervous system
  • Become more resilient to stress
  • Get you ready for the day and evening

The intention is for you to learn this simple skillset quickly and use it right now to stay centered, balanced and show up for yourself, your family, and your community.

The more of us that can do that, the better! I hope to see you soon.  

Warmly, 

Corey Costanzo

ps If you miss the live meditation, check our website later in the day. We will be uploading all recordings. 

YWCA Emergency Childcare: first responders, healthcare workers, and essential personnel
Apr 29 @ 7:30 am – 6:00 pm

NURTURING FAMILIES

In response to the needs in Buncombe County, we have transitioned our services to offer Emergency Childcare services and Community Markets. Our Emergency Childcare services are offered to first responders, healthcare workers, and essential personnel. We are open 7:30am – 6pm, Monday through Friday to serve children 0–12 years and provide a healthy breakfast and lunch.

 

Community Markets, in partnership with Manna Food Bank, offer food packages for those in need. We have hosted them at Issac Dickson, Pisgah View Apartments, and most recently Aston Park Towers and will continue this model until it is safe for vulnerable citizens to go out. 

For more information about either service contact Sala Merritt at [email protected] 

Have COVID-19 Questions? Buncombe County, City of Asheville Launch COVID-19 Call Center
Apr 29 @ 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
COVID-19 Call Center

 

We understand people in our community have many questions about COVID-19 and guidance specific to Buncombe County’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Declaration. To help address your questions, Buncombe County and the City of Asheville are operating the Ready Team call center.

The Ready Team call center is an extension of the Emergency Operations Center and is focused on business and general questions about COVID-19 and can direct you to the best resources available to find answers. To ensure that there are options for Spanish, Russian, and multiple other languages, the Ready Team is working with the United Way’s 211 Call Center. Click here to link to the 211 Resource Guide.

The Ready Team call center operates Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. It can be reached at (828) 419-0095 or by email at [email protected].

Kickback AVL—Local Food Delivery
Apr 29 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Asheville Area Deliveries

KICKBACK. RELAX. WHILE WE DELIVER.

Wednesday Morning Yoga
Apr 29 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am
online

VIRTUAL:

Come and enjoy morning Yoga