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, September 23, 2020
Guest Appreciation Festival Nantahala Outdoor Center NOW ON LINE ONLY
Sep 23 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Online

NOC’s Guest Appreciation Festival has been a staple in Western North Carolina since 1982. Bringing together families, friends and the community to celebrate another season of outdoor adventure. In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, we have made the decision to change up GAF for the 2020 season — with a focus on a virtual appreciation event throughout the month of September and no in-person festival the weekend of September 25th – 27th. The recreational releases on the Cascades and Upper Nantahala are still scheduled as normal.

In 2020 the festival format might change — but the spirit is stronger than ever. Let’s celebrate another summer of (socially distanced) adventure with a month full of deals on new and used gear, apparel from the big brands, and last minute savings on fall adventures in the mountains.

It has been a challenging year, but one that has reminded us that outdoor adventure plays a critical role in a healthy lifestyle. As we “space out” what is normally an action-packed weekend in the gorge, we plan to bring offers throughout the month of September that will keep you outfitted for the next adventure, big or small.

Want to be on the inside track? Sign up below to be added to our #GAF2020 list. We’ll be sharing additional updates soon and subscribers will be the first to know when the big deals hit.

Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks
Sep 23 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

 

Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens
Sep 23 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bullington Gardens

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.

 

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

 

The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Artists Collective | Spartanburg 2020 Juried Exhibition
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

Annual
                                            Juried Exhibition

4 state exhibit – SC, NC, TN, GA

The entries have been chosen for this year’s annual juried exhibition. Thank you to all who entered.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be an awards reception this year, but we will make the awards announcements online at 11:00am on 26 September.

The exhibit can be viewed in our Solomon Gallery 15 September – 17 October, during normal business hours.
Tues – Sat 10am – 4pm

View the list of accepted entries.

THE YEAR 2020 – An Interactive Art Project
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Mountain Made Art Gallery

2020 A YEAR OF COVID, TURMOIL, UNCERTAINTIES, HEROES & HOPE

The year 2020 for better or worse will go down in American history as a pivotal moment. It has been often said that history is written for and by the victors.

But nowadays in a world overwhelmed with 2-second tweets, forgettable social media, conspiracy theories and online rages; modern history seems to be written by the distracted, the delusional and the destructive.

Mountain Made, a local arts & crafts boutique in Grove Arcade, is taking a different approach. We are creating a public history journal of poetry, personal musing, thoughtful insights and yes, rants on “The Year 2020”. They could be funny or serious.

We have setup two interactive art stations inside the gallery:

* The first one is where you can quickly put down your thoughts on some blank paper (the original “i-pad”) and leave it with us.

* The other is a shared, public painting series where you can lay brush to canvas if you are more a visual person.

Using Canva to Create Your Own Marketing Materials
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Online

No cost due to sponsor support

Would you like to have sharp and cleverly designed marketing pieces for your business? Good news, you don’t need experience in graphic design or even an investment in expensive software to do so. This session will show you how to use Canva, a free, web-based resource that will allow you to go from being a beginner to a master at graphics overnight! Learn how to create and publish professional and creative marketing designs that include brochures, flyers, social media graphics, logos, labels and more that would normally cost you a fortune. Turn your imagination into finished designs in minutes!


Speaker(s): TenBiz

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce

Webinar info will be emailed after registration

Carolina Shine Moonshine Experience with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Sep 23 @ 10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.

 

GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.

Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).

Moogseum Store Reopnes
Sep 23 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Moogseum Store 

The Bob Moog Foundation is also excited to welcome shoppers back into the Moogseum Store in downtown Asheville, NC. While the exhibit space will remain closed until North Carolina enters phase 3, the store offers a wide variety of synth-inspired merchandise from magnets, t-shirts and pint glasses, to books, hats and vinyl records. The Moogseum Store will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

To ensure the safety of guests, extensive cleaning measures and CDC guidelines will be followed by staff, and both staff and visitors will be required to wear cloth or disposable face coverings.

                    

Adventure Center of Asheville- Adventure Afterschool
Sep 23 @ 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Adventure Center of Asheville

Adventure Center of Asheville- Adventure Afterschool

Afterschool Fall Fun!  Weekly programs designed to supplement an altered school day by providing outdoor, immersive adventures for your 5-8 or 9-15 year-old student. Under the care of our trained adventure staff, participants will explore over 100 acres of beautiful mountain space, conduct experiments while they traverse high ropes and team-building elements, and climb trees combining experimental science with high adventure. Come join us for an unforgettable fall adventure!

  • $129/week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Ages 5-8 years old: 12:00 pm-2:45 pm
  • Ages 9-15 years old: 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
  • Weekly from August 31-October 2 on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

Limited spaces available!  Reservations are required by calling our welcome center at 828.225.2921

River Arts District Farmers Market
Sep 23 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Pleb Urban Winery

Emergency Action Plan (EAP) / COVID-19
  • No token sales at this time. Unfortunately, this means no EBT sales. Please understand that this is in the best interest of safety to our staff.
  • No vendors are allowed to sample at this time.
  • Face masks are not required, however, all staff & vendors of the RAD Farmers Market are required to wear face masks during operating hours.
  • All vendors have hand sanitizer at their booths, & sanitize their hands between customers & transactions.
  • Please allow the vendor to select your produce for you.
  • Pre-orders are appreciated, as always, however, all vendors also bring goods for sale at market.
  • We love your dogs, but also appreciate if you can leave them home for your safety. It’s hard not to pet the pups, but it’s hard to social distance and do that!
  • If you do bring cash, please bring smaller bills so that you will have an easier time with the exact change policy most vendors have at this time.
  • Be understanding! We miss spoiling you so much!
Youth Theatre Dance – Online Class Ages: 8-12
Sep 23 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Online

For ages 8-12 * Taught by Amanda Klinikowski

Join us for 6 weeks on ZOOM for a fun and interactive Dance class covering the fundamentals of dance for the theater! Each week, we will warm up our bodies, learn new basic jazz, ballet, and musical theatre steps, and work on a fun new dance combination to some of our favorite songs. Some past combinations featured songs from Hamilton, Wicked, The Greatest Showman, Lady GaGa, Trolls and more!

6 Week Session: September 23-October 28, 2020

Free Home Buyer Strategy Session
Sep 23 @ 5:00 pm
Online
Join Pierrette Rouleau and Zachery Adam as they discuss the Asheville market and what that means for current and future homeowners like you ~ In our next Buyer Strategy Session, we’ll cover: • The one step you MUST take before starting your home search in 2020 • How COVID has fundamentally changed the home buying process and what you should do about it • What to expect for home prices for the rest of the year and beyond Come with your questions and concerns about buying a home in the NC mountains! Get ready to walk away feeling confident about the local market and prepared to take the next (or first!) step in your home buying journey. ?? What are you waiting for? Save your seat here: https://www.rouleaurealestategroup.com/Buyer-Strategy-Session-FacebookEvent
Purple People Feeder at Catawba
Sep 23 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South Slope

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A big plate of egg Fried Rice, Mixed Veggies, Sweet Carrots, Your choice of Chicken, Steak, Pork, Tuna, or extra Veggies, served with White and Ginger sauce! NO PLATE IS OVER 10$

Wednesday Night Date Night! UpCountry Brewing Company
Sep 23 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
UpCountry Brewing Company

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We’re starting something new for you all: Wednesday Night Date Night! Join us for dinner from 5-9PM every Wednesday for a fun evening with a great deal.

For $27, you’ll get your choice of two small salads or one large salad, one appetizer, and one pizza (specialty or a 3-topping BYO) from Grata Pizzeria. Add two UpCountry beers for a total of $37.

See you here!

Adult Eating Disorder Support Group
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Online

 

ADULT SUPPORT GROUP
Attending a support group prior to additional therapy or treatment may help an individual begin the recovery process.  Participating in groups may be an important supplement to any type of outpatient eating disorder treatment.  Continuing with support after treatment may help reinforce skills, provide accountability, and increase motivation and commitment to recovery.

Adult Support Group (ASG)
Pro-recovery, gender-inclusive, 18+
Every Wednesday
6:00-7:00 pm
See ADULT SUPPORT GROUP SCHEDULE to reserve your spot and receive the group link!

 

Asheville Art Museum: Drawing Basics Class
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online

September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7 & 14 (make-up, if needed: October 21)—Wednesdays, 6–8pm
Registration deadline: September 2
This program takes place virtually via Zoom. Space is limited; to register, click here or call 828.253.3227 x122.

In this six-part class, explore the fundamentals of drawing. Strengthen your ability to understand the visual language employed by artists, and learn to speak the same language by developing work of your own. Working with both technique and theory, start with proportion, placement, planes, and perspective, then move to shading and measuring before putting it all together in a final copying exercise. Works from the Museum’s Collection serve as examples of key drawing concepts, as well as a model for master copies.

Instructor Tony Corbitt, Jr. is a professional, self-taught artist living, working, and teaching in Asheville. Inspired by the French Masters of the late 19th century, he often favors plein air painting, emphasizing tonal relationships and sound draftsmanship with broad sweeps of a loaded brush. His inspiration is rooted in the American South; be it painting the Gulf Coast, sketching an alligator, or capturing the ever-changing shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, he can usually be found outdoors, fully immersed in his surroundings.

Get Help Registering to Vote
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hillman Beer - Asheville/Biltmore Village

You know you are going to vote this year, but not sure how to get registered? Come hang at Hillman Beer 6-8pm and our friend Rich will be happy to help you. It doesn’t matter what party affiliation you are, just get registered!

Mountain Music Jam Every Wednesday at Oklawaha Brewing
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oklawaha Brewing

A Wednesday tradition at Oklawaha Brewing Company

The French Broad Valley Music Association: FBVMA jam session is focused on regional fiddle tunes and songs. Carol Rifkin and John Mitchell cohost weekly, bring an instrument to play or just enjoy the music, its free, kid friendly, donations encouraged.

Key Players are intermediate to advanced but beginners are most welcome and encouraged to attend to listen, learn/quietly play along. More experienced players sit in the inner circle and take turns choosing fiddle tunes or songs. Guests, families and kids are invited to listen and often sing along. This style of community play has been used to entertain and pass down music to kids for generations.

The French Broad Valley Music Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed to celebrate local musical heritage. “Our community. Our music. Our sense of place.”

New Pop Up 5K at Fletcher Park
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fletcher Park or Online

iDaph Events has a new event series: Pop-up 5k in the Park! This is our newest, creative and
socially distant event. No frills – just running! Our iDaph Team will be at Fletcher Park every 2nd
and 4th Wednesday from July through September to offer participants a bib and a chip timed 5K
event for $10. Sign up for all 6 races for just $50 to receive a super comfy, awesome t-shirt and
a commemorative series medal, and to be included in our series scoring and win prizes.

Location:  (Bill Moore Park is formerly known as Fletcher Park and is located at 85
Howard Gap Road in Fletcher, NC). Virtual option can be run anywhere.
Start Time: 6-8pm Show up anytime

Pardee Bariatrics and Weight Loss Information Session
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Mission Pardee Health Campus

Take the first step toward weight-loss surgery by attending a free, in-person informational seminar led by our bariatric team at Pardee Bariatrics and Weight Loss.

Invite a loved one or friend to this hour-long event, where you’ll:

  • Review each weight-loss procedure, the surgical process and likely outcomes
  • Meet the bariatric surgeon, Dr. Christopher Edwards and learn about his experience and qualifications
  • Discuss payment options, and forms of accepted insurance

Register online at https://pardeebariatrics.org/upcoming-classes-support-groups/

Pub Run with Jus’ Running
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Archetype Brewing

Join us at Archetype Brewing in West Asheville every Wednesday as we kick-off the Jus’ Running Pub Run for 2020!

GUIDELINES: Due to Covid, we have enacted new Pub Run guidelines and will be practicing proper social distancing.
**Rolling Start: Participants will begin their run anytime between 6:00pm and 6:30pm which is meant to disperse runners.**
**Participants must have masks “on-hand” at all times. Masks must be worn when at the brewery (unless at your table). Masks are not required to be worn when actually running, but you must have one in your possession “ready to deploy” if necessary.**

Where: Archetype Brewing West at 265 Haywood Rd

When: Every Wednesday, rolling start from 6pm-6:30pm

What: A casual 4-mile or 2.5-mile jog through West Asheville. Route is similar to last year’s with minor modifications.

All paces are welcome! Please email [email protected] for more information or visit our Pub Run Facebook page.

Teach In Relational Voter Turnout
Sep 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Online

We’ve always got something going on.

Interested in getting involved with Down Home NC? Attend our crash course which will give you the tools to have deep conversations with friends and families about the issues that matter most to you. We will discuss how Down Home NC will be using these tools to win in 2020.

The Essentials of Acting – Online Class
Sep 23 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Online

This online course is offered as a primer in the craft of scripted performance, exploring the steps to submitting audition tapes, sustaining connected scene work through a screen, and creating three-dimensional characters on a two-dimensional medium. Learn how people see you and what you convey when you are on stage, and now on screen. Armed with that awareness, learn how to best choose and deliver the monologue to land you the parts that are perfect for you. If given material to audition with, learn how to break down the sides, how to discover the beats of the scene, and how to offer varied options. And when you land the part, learn how to attack the script, build the arc of your character, and establish the thoughts behind the lines. This course will culminate with a streamed showcase of the best work created in the class.

6 Week Session

Blue Ridge Community College Virtual College Night
Sep 23 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Online

Caption: "Reach your summit with Blue Ridge's Virtual College Night!" image with road signs that say "Financial Aid," "Transfer Options," and "Career Pathways"

Blue Ridge College Night is open to all prospective students. If you are someone in the
community contemplating going back to school, or a high school student considering the
next move after graduation, this is the event for you.
What would normally be an in-person event at Blue Ridge featuring countless visiting
colleges each with their own table has now been changed to virtual due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about all of the programs Blue Ridge has to
offer, including some of the newest, such as Teacher Prep, Graphic Design and Human
Services Technology.
Blue Ridge Transfer Admissions Coordinator Kirsten Hobbs stated, “While Blue Ridge
Virtual College Night is designed for students interested in starting their college career at
Blue Ridge, I also want current students to be aware of the options after Blue Ridge. Any
current student interested in transferring to a four-year university can sign up for their
virtual college presentation as well. With the help of CACRAO, there is a full schedule of
college sessions for students to choose from to help determine the next step. The list and
a link to registration can be found at blueridge.edu/college-night.”
Don’t miss your chance to chat virtually with Blue Ridge staff and learn the steps to reach
your summit!

Outdoor Trivia Night with Bingeable!
Sep 23 @ 7:00 pm
Catawba Brewing Company - South

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, drink, plant, sky, table, outdoor and nature, text that says 'CATAWBA brewing'

Join us and Bingeable Trivia every Wednesday at 7pm for outdoor trivia night!!
-All trivia players must have a seat outside to play. There are a limited amount of tables outside so get here early to claim your seat
-Tables are spread out 6 feet apart for social distancing
-Players will text in their answers instead of turning in sheets
-And masks are required while ordering beers inside

We will have a theme every other week! Trivia is subject to cancellation depending on the weather.

Stay Home and Write(rs) Group
Sep 23 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Firestorm Books & Coffee

No photo description available.

A weekly space for writing in community while practicing social distancing. Join online every Wednesday night in April to increase accountability as it relates to your writing practice, whatever that may be.

We’ll come together once a week to connect and engage in the active writing process. Each session will start by sharing intentions, followed by an agreed upon period of time for silent writing, and wrap with reflections about process and plan for the following week. Casual and seasoned writers alike welcome!

If you are interested in registering, send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Writers Group.” We will send you a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Coheed and Cambria – Neverender: NWFT w/ Special Guests Chon
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm
The Orange Peel Outdoor Stage

All Ages – under 12 requires venue approval
RAIN OR SHINE

Comprised of Claudio Sanchez (Vocals / Guitar), Travis Stever (Guitar), Josh Eppard (Drums) and Zach Cooper (Bass), Coheed and Cambria have gripped listeners and press around the globe with their visionary compositions and conceptual mastery. This past October Coheed and Cambria made a stunning return with their new album THE UNHEAVENLY CREATURES, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s “Hard Rock Albums” chart, #6 current sales and Top 15 on the “Billboard 200” chart. Boasting 15 songs over 78 minutes, THE UNHEAVENLY CREATURES marked Coheed and Cambria’s furious return to concept albums, the ‘First Act’ in a brand-new story arc set within the backdrop of The Amory Wars universe. The acclaimed record is highlighted by standout tracks “The Guker,” “Unheavenly Creatures,” “The Dark Sentencer” (premiered by Marvel Studios) and “Old Flames,” the laker of which features an official music video directed by Charles “Chas” Todd. The cinematic clip features striking choreography masterminded by Broadway luminary Jon Rua who is known for his roles in the 12-time Tony nominated Spongebob Squarepants and the Tony & Grammy Award Winning hit musical Hamilton. Sanchez also just announced in an interview with Kerrang! that he had just inked a collaboration with Neca Toys for a line of action figures featuring characters from The Amory Wars universe.

coheedandcambria.com

Rooftop Stand-Up Comedy Show @ Rabbit Rabbit
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Image may contain: text that says 'Slice of Life Comedy Σ DISCLAIMER T THE STAND-UP LOUNGE'

Rooftop Stand-Up Comedy Show

Brought to you by Slice of Life Comedy and The Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge, featuring 10 of Asheville’s premier comics, hosted by Cody Hughes.

Rabbit Rabbit is an awesome place to safely social-distance. Home of the Asheville Taco truck and Rabbit themed specialty cocktails, this powerhouse of Asheville entertainment will now host THE place to laugh-while-you-cry about the apocalypse.

The comedy show is a ticketed event on Rabbit Rabbit’s outdoor rooftop, with very limited table seating. Come early and get sunset dinner and drinks!

Tables are extremely limited so get your tickets today!
Tickets are $10. Due to limited seating you must purchase 2 Top or 4 Top tables at a time.
Tickets are available at www.rabbitrabbitavl.com

Visiting Writer Series: Creative nonfiction writer Angela Morales
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Online

Upcoming Events in the Fall 2020 Virtual Visiting Writer Series

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. – Creative nonfiction writer Angela Morales.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. – Local Poets/Writers Luke Hankins and Sebastian Matthews.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:00 p.m. – Novelist Xhenet Aliu 

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m. – Poet Melissa Range

Look for log-in links closer to the dates at unca.edu/events.

Houndmouth
Sep 23 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Ages 18+

In late 2011, Matt Myers, Zak Appleby and Shane Cody started playing music together in a historic home in New Albany, Indiana dubbed “The Green House.” Its rooms were adorned with relics from times past, so it was no surprise that songs such as “Penitentiary” bounced off the walls. Nostalgic sounds from their first album seemed to serve as a welcome escape for listeners from the relentless demands of the digital age. But if you asked any one of the guys, they were ‘just having fun.’