Calendar of Events

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

About This Trip

Over 90,000 guests rode THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2018 and we hope to see you in 2019! The 1¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS™, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ begins November 8, 2019, and operates through December 31, 2019.

Celebrate the start of 2020 in style at Bold Rock Mills River by dressing in your favorite roaring 20’s themed outfit, enjoy live swing music, fresh hors d’oeuvres, a champagne cider toast at midnight and more. Must be 21+, costumes and tickets required. Tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

? Early Bird tickets are now SOLD OUT. Reserve your spot today!

———-———

This New Years Eve… ?

Join us for a speakeasy-style soirée in the heart of downtown Asheville.

Step back a full century to the decade that brought Asheville the beautiful and historic Grove Arcade. While the building already has the 1920’s feel, the environment will be decorated like a 1920’s underground speakeasy, featuring Grove’s Tonic as a 1920’s prohibited beverage and original Flapper’s walking the party serving various hors d’oeuvres.

Every guest will have the opportunity to step into the 1920’s photo booth and be sent a digital copy of their photo right to their phones. Every guest will also be leaving the party with a secret take home gift to match the era and theme. More information to come!

Featuring:
– Jazz music by Asheville band, Red Echo Lab and Justice Mann of Shabidukah
– Fine hors d’oeuvres (vegetarian options available)
– Apothecary Style Craft Cocktails Curated by Jonny Burritt, 2019 NC Restaurant & Lodging Association Bartender of the Year, and the Bar Manager at Antidote and Drink Mixologist at The Chemist
– Photo booth with themed costumes ?
– Grove Arcade transformed and decorated to feel like the 1920s

TO ENTER:
– Bring your printed or digital ticket to scan at door
– Secret password: “Giggle Water”
(20s slang for alcohol)

Use this ticket link if Facebook is not letting you buy it here:
? bit.ly/GroveArcadeRoarings20sTickets

Ring in 2020 in the clouds!
Join us for our Capella on Cloud 9 New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, extensive hors d’ourves, live music, a champagne toast at midnight and a chance to win a staycation package at AC Hotel Asheville.
No weather refunds will be granted.

We hope to see you at Capella on Cloud 9 for the celebration of the decade!

Ring in 2020 in the clouds! Join us for our Capella on Cloud 9 New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday, December 31 from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, extensive hors d’ourves, live music, a champagne toast at midnight and a chance to win a staycation package at AC Hotel Asheville. No weather refunds will be granted. We hope to see you at Capella on Cloud 9 for the celebration of the decade!

Cover: Three Clubs ~ One Price ~ Only $30 (ages 18+ event)
Pay at the door on the night of the event (or) Save $5 with Advance Tickets
Info: Bring in 2020 with a dazzling soiree’ at the historic YWCA 1924 building (GROVE HOUSE)

~ ONE Combined EPIC NYE Bash
~ THREE Dance Floors, THREE DJ’s, THREE Balloon Drops
~ SIX Bar Tend Stations
~ EIGHT Holiday Themed Areas (‘Pirates That Stole Christmas’, ‘Forest Of Silver & Gold’, ‘Old School Christmas’, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Santa Saloon’, ‘Holiday Hall’, ‘Candy Land’, ‘Ice Palace’)

~ Balloon drops over ALL THREE dance floors, stuffed with OVER $1000 in Cash & Prizes!!!
~ Complimentary party favors (hats, tiaras, noisemakers, horns, leis, etc.)
~ Complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres and desserts
~ Legendary drag show at 12:30am on the BOILER ROOM stage

THREE Venues Combined Into ONE EPIC NYE Bash
*** Club Eleven On Grove *** Scandals Nightclub *** BOILER ROOM ***

Web Page & Video: http://thegrovehouse.com/gh_nye.html

Advance Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4456662
NOTE…Advance Tickets Are Not Required. Pay at the door on the night of the event (or) Save $5 with Advance Tickets.

Come ring in 2020 and dance the night away with the Urban Orchard Fam and DJ Malinalli.  FREE Admission and champagne and cider specials all day!

Imagine yourself enchanted in our book store like never before! This New Year’s Eve, experience a monochromatic masquerade party while enjoying live jazz, champagne and a full breakfast buffet!

For the special New Year’s Eve event, the Battery Park Book Exchange will have extended hours through midnight and features non-stop live music through the night. The shop will be decorated to match the “Black and White” theme and guests are encouraged to join the fun by dressing in black and white and wearing a face mask.  Note: The cafe area will be open to non-ticketed customers.

This will be the Black and White Gala, in the tradition of Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball held for all the swells at the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Capote served Tattinger and all guests came in their finest black and white, and wore elaborate masks. We invite our patrons to do the same, and we will have some masks to loan as well.

⬜⬛ Special Add On ⬜⬛
Advanced VIP tickets available include reserved seating, complimentary drinks, a midnight Taittinger toast, and a late night breakfast buffet inspired by Capote’s original. The store will be decorated lavishly, fascinating guests and taking them back to that elegant place and time.

What’s Included with VIP Tickets:

?Full Breakfast buffet at 11 p.m. following the same menu from Capote’s party at the Plaza Hotel, NYC in 1966.

?Live jazz music all night

?(1) Complimentary welcome sparkling cocktail

?(1) additional drink ticket (followed by cash bar with special sparkling cocktail menu, red and white wine, beer)

?(1) Midnight Tattinger Champagne toast

What’s in a name? Sometimes, everything… Grass is Dead are a bluegrass combo paying homage to the music and cultural legacy of The Grateful Dead, arguably America’s first folk rock band and one of the most influential musical artists of the last 50 years. The catalogue of the Dead’s music is a gold mine for string bands and story tellers, and Grass Is Dead have established themselves far and wide as premiere purveyors of this rich tradition of Americana music. Pickin’ and grinnin’ is what they do best, and they have been adapting Grateful Dead songs in their own bluegrass style since 1998.

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

So many amazing new comics have popped up in Asheville in the last year and we want to celebrate the best way possible, with a giant new faces showcase!!!
Join Kenny Stempien, Derek Boskovich, Marlene Thompson, Corey Smathers, Ben Atkins, Kelsey Rosen and so many more!!!

Sponsored by BRÖÖ Craft Beer Hair

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-year-new-crew-local-comedy-showcase-tickets-83489257617

In our Restorative Chair Yoga class you will work with props and or in a chair to achieve postures that are restful and meditative.  Great for beginners, those seeking relaxation, or participants with joint and mobility limitations.

On holiday break from a 100-city world tour, Justin Ray is home in Asheville for the release of his first big band recording. Join us for this live performance from Justin & his 18-piece orchestra!

The Justin Ray Big Band plays original music deeply rooted in the swing of Ellington and Basie, with lyrical themes that are both current and timeless.

Justin Ray started his musical career as a bebop trumpet player, performing in venues all over the country. In 2003, he began to tour the world with the Michael Bublé band as the trumpet soloist. While with Bublé, Justin was given the opportunity to perform the works of some of the great composers/arrangers of the big band genre (Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones, etc.), and he began working for Bublé in that capacity as well, becoming the primary orchestrator for the band in 2008. In 2015, Justin founded Elephant Sword Studios. The studio’s initial focus was to produce and record original big band arrangements of the standard American songbook repertoire, but that focus changed in 2017. Elephant Sword is now dedicated to original music for big band. Style and swing are still at the center, but no musical or lyrical influence is out of bounds. This is big band music for the millennium.

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

A night of sketch comedy starring Cameron Davis, Carin Metzger, Jared Eriksen, Jessica Barlow, Joe Carroll, and George Awad

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pancake-apocalypse-a-night-of-sketch-comedy-tickets-85835649739

Asheville’s monthly all Queer stand up comedy showcase!
Our Jan. headliner is Dwayne Duke

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Dwayne Duke has honed his craft at venues across the nation. Dwayne’s act is not a leap into debauchery, more a gentle nudge into the profane. He’s been part of multiple comedy festivals including Cleveland Comedy, Broken Record, Burning Bridges, and Whiskey Bear. His second album “Shame Flashbacks” (2018) is available now. Dwayne is also the founder/ executive Producer of the Midwest Queer Comedy Festival.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-comedy-party-ft-dwayne-duke-tickets-84686516651

This group is dedicated to the growing number of people interested in Awakening to their True Nature. We explore the experience of simply Being through:

| Self-Inquiry | Presence | Surrender | Gratitude | Meditation |

• Transcend egoic mind patterns
• See the gift in challenging situations
• Live your Life’s Purpose
• Find lasting Inner Peace

Group meetings consist of Meditation, Video Satsang (watching videos of spiritual teachers) and a Sharing Circle (optional).

Donations of any amount are welcomed. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. (Donate online at https://tinyurl.com/awakeningsupport)

About the Facilitator:

Trey Carland, author of “A Seeker’s Guide to Inner Peace: Notes to Self,” has been hosting Awakening group meetings since 2007. “My passion is sharing the gift of Awakening with the World.”

Comments:

“Trey Carland embodies perfectly the quote, “still waters run deep.” I happened upon Trey several years ago through his spiritual awakening group. From this experience, Trey appeared to me as a wise Sage. Trey is accepting and patient with people. His demeanor is calm and loving. For me, it was evident that the stillness of Trey’s soul, is like a shimmering river that runs endlessly, with much depth. With celebration, I am blessed for having him as a friend. ” ~ John K.

(Read More at http://www.treycarland.com)

Disclaimer Stand-up Lounge is the longest running comedy open mic in Asheville happening every Wednesday night. The show starts at 9:00, and there is no cover. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. Local and not-so-local, professional and not-so-professional comics perform or just anyone wanting to get up in front of people and try to make them laugh. Always fun. Always free.

Meet and greet at 6pm, Pondering starts at 6:30.

Please enter the church through the front door. There is ample parking on the street in front of the church. There will be a $2 per person offering for the use of the church facilities and I think this is very fair. This is in addition to any donation you may wish to give for the expenses of the meetup itself. Feel free to bring any reasonable food or drink for yourself or to share.

RSVPs go live every Friday at 5pm.

When Mo Alexander hits the stage, it’s clear that you’re in the hands of a man who knows what he’s doing. With comedy influences such as Bill Hicks, Paul Mooney, and Richard Pryor, Mo combines intelligence and debauchery into a product that is just as funny as it is important. With an ability to access both the smartest and the stupidest parts of your brain, there’s a reason this comedy phenom has been headlining comedy clubs nationwide for over 20 years.

Mo began his professional full-time comedy career in July 1996 featuring in clubs throughout the United States and by 1999 he was headlining.

After impressing Keenan Ivory Wayans with a good natured roast, Mo was invited to be the opening act on tour with Keenan in 1999.

In 2003 he was given his own Las Vegas show, “The Mo Funny Show” at the Casino Royale.

In the past few years Mo has been on several syndicated radio shows in major markets, such as Bob & Tom (Indianapolis), and Mancow (Chicago). He made his way through the ranks to become a semi-finalist in both the San Francisco Comedy Competition (2012) and the Seattle Comedy Competition (2013) and has been a headliner at a number of comedy festivals such as: Asheville Comedy Fest (2015), Altercation Comedy Festival (2016 & 2018), Hopkins Comedy Festival (2017), Memphis Comedy Festival (2017), North Carolina Comedy Festival (2018), The Lookout Comedy Festival (2019), Eastside Comedy Festival (2019).

On December 15, 2017 Mo’s first national stand-up appearance aired on Comedy Central where he appeared in Kevin Hart’s “Hart of the City: Memphis”

Mo is excited to announce his signing with record label Stand Up! Records owned by Grammy Award Winner producer, Dan Schlissel. In Septemeber of 2019, Mo made history by becoming the first comedian ever to record an album at world famous Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. The album is as yet unnamed and it’s release is to be announced soon.

A BBQ connoisseur, Mo is also currently working on a new web series he co-created called Mo Alexander’s BBQ Beatdown. He plans to determine once and for all just who has the best BBQ and episodes are coming soon.

To say that Mo is funny is like saying that Michelangelo was a good painter. Taking all of life’s absurdities and creating a night of hysterical laughter is why Mo Alexander is one of this industries greats. Mo takes a lifetime of experience and insight and transforms them into some of the most ingenious laugh riots you will ever experience in your life. Not for the faint of heart or mind, intelligent and hard-hitting are two terms that best describe what everyone that has ever been to a Mo Alexander Show will experience. Nothing compares to the energy of a room when Mo is through with it. Watching Mo Alexander is a night of hilarity and mischief that one won’t soon forget. He usually tries to leave you with the underlying message,”I’m trying to save the world, one comedy show at a time.” After a night with Mo you realize that not only were you entertained, you’re changed. You have a mission: “Slap the stupid!”

Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-mo-alexander-tickets-85816466361

Being from Huntsville, Alabama, Scott Eason knows what you’re thinking…and he’s here to shatter the Southern stereotype. Not your typical good ol’ boy, he brings a new sensibility to Southern comedy. He’s been featured on SiriusXM and the Comedy Central Roast Battle Podcast. He performs regularly at clubs across the southeast. Scott’s performed in clubs, bars, basements and comedy festivals all over the country, such as the Altercation Comedy Festival, Asheville Comedy Festival, Flyover Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival and Limestone Comedy Festival. In Spring 2020 you can catch him on Amazon’s new comedy series, Punching Below The Bible Belt.

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-scott-eason-tickets-86080813029

Doors at 8:30, show at 9pm

Join the Western North Carolina based podcasters from Mountain Murders for an afternoon of true crime, comedy, booze and live audience participation!

Heather and Dylan will discuss truly terrifying Appalachian true crime cases!

Come hang out with the biggest creeps in town & Warm up with a hot blooded murder

Carter Deems is a stand up comedian, writer and friendly battle rapper originally from the town of Cartersville, Georgia (for real). He is a cast member on the upcoming Season 14 of the MTV show Wild ‘n Out and his YouTube videos have gained millions of views. Carter was a member of the writing staff for the TV show Drop The Mic on TBS and he is currently a writer on the Emmy nominated series Epic Rap Battles of History. He has made appearances on Funny Or Die, Snoop Dogg’s Gladiator School, Animation Sandwich and he voiced a character for the viral animated short ‘The Rap Off’. His Twitter account was featured in the 50 Funniest Tweets of 2016 on The Daily Dot and he was named the Funniest Battle Rapper of 2015 by Hip Hop DX’s Battlerap.com. Carter is a co-writer and producer for the scripted radio show Live: On Air Comedy on WXRW 104.1 Milwaukee. Carter does standup and battle rap across the country and has performed at the Comedy Store, UCB Franklin, Zanies Chicago, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, and the Asheville Comedy Festival.

Featuring Ryan Cox

ages 18+
Tickets $10 advance, $12 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lazoom-comedy-carter-deems-tickets-86164695925

We are excited to share this new offering. With an orientation in subtle and clinical trauma, this workshop will educate participants about the effects of trauma and stress on the mind and body, along with providing tools for creating relaxation and healing. Each class begins with a lecture of how the nervous system functions in the body including relevant research on the impacts of trauma, moving into how yoga helps us work with trauma through research, and finally learning and practicing some skills that can help anyone to feel more at ease, empowered and in control in any yoga class.

About the instructor: Holly Edmonson is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) who currently teaches yoga at YWCA and the Charles George VA Medical Center.

The Releasing Trauma with Yoga series will be held every third Sunday of the month from November through March, 11:15 am – 1:15 pm in YWCA’s upstairs Group Fitness Studio. This workshop is free for YWCA of Asheville Fitness and Aquatics Members and $5 per session for non-members. Participants can register for the entire series or come to an individual session. All attendees must register in advance at YWCA’s Guest Services, online through this link, via email by emailing Fitness Coordinator Marty Edes at [email protected] or by phone by calling Marty at (828) 254-7206 x 213.

Comedian Michael Palascak
Live at The Mothlight
Sunday, January 19th
Doors 7pm
Tickets: $15

Michael Palascak was named the 2018 Stand-up of the Year by the Late Nite Last Week podcast for his performance on The Late Late Show with James Corden. He’s also done stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Letterman, Comedy Central’s HALF HOUR, was a top 5 Finalist on LAST COMIC STANDING, and this past summer he performed at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival where he taped a set for Kevin Hart’s LOL network. Norm Macdonald said Michael reminds him, “…of a guy that’s just as funny offstage as on, which is like magic.” Michael’s short film You’re Alive was accepted into numerous festivals including the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Festival and was the winner of the Audience Award at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival.

http://www.michaelpalascak.com/

Featuring James Harrod and Kelly Morgan