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, October 2, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 2 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

Catch the Wave Celebration
Oct 2 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
French Broad River Academy

Join us for a night of celebration and fun October 2nd for our second annual Catch the Wave event hosted by RiverLink! We’ll have live music provided by The Barsters, awesome raffles, food, refreshments, and informational sessions providing updates on the project.

All proceeds from the event will help build the Greenway & Blueway so grab your friends and get ready for a good time!

For more information and tickets please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woodfin-greenway-blueway-2nd-annual-catch-the-wave-celebration-tickets-69998580639

Special thanks to our amazing co-hosts: Asheville GreenWorks, MountainTrue, Connect Buncombe, and French Broad River Academy

RiverLink is the proud fundraising partner of the Town of Woodfin and Buncombe County Greenways.
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AWESOME RAFFLE PRIZES
Grand Prize Items:
Homeslice Whitewater Kayak from Liquidlogic Kayaks
Raft, Zipline, Yurt Package from Wildwater Ltd.
Bike from Motion Makers Bicycle Shop
Jackson Cruise FlexDrive Fishing Kayak from Southern Raft Supply
Alloy Rim Wheelset and stem by Industry Nine

There will also be a dozen additional runner-up prizes

There will be a separate drawings for each. Raffle participants will put their ticket(s) toward whichever item(s) they wish.

**** YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN**** For those unable to attend the event, tickets for the raffle may be purchased online, and we’ll enter them for you. Winners will be notified by email.
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*Children 12 and under may attend at no charge.

Learn more about the project at https://riverlink.org/

Thursday, October 3, 2019
Protect Your Employees & Business Through Insurance Assessment Seminar
Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Chamber of Commerce Board Room
Event Description:
Join Jared Bellmund and Mike Alessi to assess your small business insurance.
Mike will focus on health Insurance plus explore combining health, life, dental and other ancillary benefits. Updates on association health plans (AHP) that is currently in legislation.
Jared specializes in protecting businesses with the following commercial insurances: business liability, worker’s compensation, property, business auto, umbrella, errors and omissions, employment practices liability and directors/officers liability.

Mike Alessi is an independent health insurance agent who represents multiple carriers and plan options.  Exclusively offering health insurance has positioned the agency to be very knowledgeable in the field and up to date with the constant changes in this product offering.

Jared Bellmund is with All Choice Insurance and his goal is to help others grow and prosper.  His passion for helping others translates into work as an insurance agent and he wants to protect the things that matter most to his clients.

Baa’d to the Bone Shakedown Dinner 2019
Oct 3 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Highland Brewing Company

Baa’d To The Bone Shakedown Dinner 2019 -to benefit those living with blood cancers. Come enjoy the greatest tunes of several generations with The Rewind Band, enjoy some of the tastiest beverages from the famous taps of Highland Brewing Company, and fill up with the “baa’d”est of burritos from Baa’d Sheep Burritos Food Truck on October 3, 2019 at the Meadow at Highland Brewing in Asheville, North Carolina AND help those living with blood cancers! This fun, family-friendly event will be the first of many.

Beef Butchering Class
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Chop Shop Butchery

Watch and learn as our Head Butcher breaks down an entire front quarter of dry-aged Apple Brandy beef. In this class – Watch our head butcher completes a live demonstration of breaking down the front quarter of a steer. Learn about different beef cuts, including Denver, Chuck-Eye, Rib-Eye, Skirt Steak, and more! Discover the differences between often-confused names of popular cuts and learn about cuts you’ve probably never heard of-Learn the cooking techniques for different cuts of beef (and as you’ll discover, we’ll teach you how to maximize the meals you can cook from this section of a beef.) Enjoy local and house made charcuterie and cheeses. Sip beer from a local brewery, or enjoy a glass (or two) or our favorite wines. Take home a nice cut of beef just in time for the weekend! Take home PDF notes and recipes from the class. Early Bird Tickets – $100. Class Tickets: $110 VIP Tickets: $140 (Take home a pound of Chop Shop Bacon and your choice of a Chop Shop t-shirt or hat.)

Isis Music Hall Free Music Lawn Series
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Isis Music Hall & Kitchen

Every Wednesday and Thursday (weather permitting) we will be featuring local bands on the Isis Lawn. Music starts at 6pm and ends at 8pm. It’s an evening of community. Bring a chair or blanket or grab one of ours that we offer.

Thursday, Oct 3rd :: 6:00PM :: Matt Fassas Trio
Wednesday, Oct 9th :: 6:00PM :: Upland Drive
Thursday, Oct 10th :: 6:00PM :: Pimps of Pompe
Wednesday, Oct 16th :: 6:00PM :: Queen Bee and the Honeylovers
Thursday, Oct 17th :: 6:00PM :: Fwuit!
SPARC After Dark
Oct 3 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Boathouse at Smoky Park Supper Club

Let your little light shine for The SPARC Foundation as we sparkle and glow (feel free to wear your boldest and brightest) along the French Broad River! Hosted by Asheville Affiliates, SPARC After Dark will light up the night to raise funds for programs working to keep people out of institutional care. Modern Strangers will fill the autumn air with high-energy music… and the event will overflow with tasty local food and drinks from Urban Orchard, Roots Hummus, Catabaw Brewing, Mellow Mushroom, and more. Expect spectacular raffle packages and local prizes.

The SPARC Foundation empowers marginalized people with individualized support; increasing self-sufficiency, family health and community safety. Our mission is to keep residents of Western North Carolina out of institutional care. SPARC’s programs focus on: – keeping adults out of prisons and mental health facilities – keeping children out of foster care or group homes – re-educating domestic abusers; teaching them new methods of interacting with intimate partners and family members – supervising and facilitating DSS court-ordered family visits and coaching parents as they learn new parenting skills – ensuring access to nutritious, free food for low income residents living in designated “food desserts” – offering Family Centered Treatment; in-home therapy designed to support reuniting families – assisting former inmates with employment, education and housing opportunities to increase their chances of success upon re-entering society and decrease recidivism www.thesparcfoundation.org
The Gina Furtado Project Isis Music Hall
Oct 3 @ 7:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

Venue: Lounge

Genre: Acoustic, Bluegrass, Jazz, Swing

Nobuntu
Oct 3 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Nobuntu

Nobuntu — Thursday, October 3, 2019, 8 p.m. The five voices of Nobuntu echo with power and intensity, emanating pure joy while embodying the spirit of the artists’ Zimbabwe home. An all-female a cappella vocal quintet, Nobuntu draws international acclaim for its inventive performances that are accompanied by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments and organic, authentic dance movements

The Reflection Tour with Sarah Clanton & Carrie Welling and special guest Andy Beckey
Oct 3 @ 8:30 pm
Isis Music Hall

Venue: The Main Stage

Genre: Blues, Folk Rock, Pop/Rock

Joseph
Oct 3 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

October 3, 2019 9:00 PM
Doors Open: 8:00 PM
Meet Jo package includes:
-One general admission ticket with early entry to see Joseph live
-Meet & greet / photo opportunity with Joseph
-Invitation to a special pre-show experience, featuring:
-Private 2-song performance
-Q&A session with Joseph
-Access to a cash bar*
-An autographed merchandise gift custom designed by the band
-Early merchandise shopping opportunity before general doors
*Local liquor laws apply

Support:
THAD

Ages 18+

There is nothing like the sound of siblings singing together. Whether it’s the Beach Boys or the Everly Brothers-or, more recently, First Aid Kit-absorbing the same breathing rhythms and speech patterns adds an element to vocal harmonies that can be pure magic. With the release of I’m Alone, No You’re Not, the mesmerizing, hypnotic sound of the trio known as Joseph-made up of sisters Allison, Meegan, and Natalie Closner-joins this elite company.

“It’s just second nature, like a fifth limb that’s already on you,” says first-born Natalie. “There’s an ability to anticipate what’s going to happen and blend with it. When Meegan and Allison sing, they know exactly what I’m going to do and when.”

But the Closners didn’t actually start singing together when they were growing up in Oregon, the children of artistic parents (their dad was a jazz singer and drummer, their mom a theater teacher). Natalie was the performer-“the older sister who stood on the edge of the fireplace and told everyone, ‘Watch me!,'” she says. Twins Meegan and Allison stayed out of her lane, joining in for their mother’s musical theater productions but otherwise avoiding the spotlight.

Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.

Friday, October 4, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 4 all-day
various locations see details

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

RETR3AT Cybersecurity Conference
Oct 4 all-day
Montreat Collge, Anderson Auditorium

On October 4, 2019, Montreat College’s Center for Cybersecurity Education and Leadership will host RETR3AT, a conference designed to engage, educate, and raise awareness about cybersecurity in Western North Carolina and beyond. In its fifth year, RETR3AT goes beyond the “1s and 0s” approach to cybersecurity training, challenging attendees to think about how to lead in protecting their organization’s information within an ethical framework.

StarTribe presents Random Rab with Push/Pull & Astoria
Oct 4 @ 5:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Pack Square Park

 

Prepare for what will be a very special evening with Random Rab at the Pack Square Amphitheater, hosted by StarTribe. This will be a dance journey to remember!

 

– Opening ceremony 6pm. Dance is from 6:05-9pm. Arrive early!

 

– $17 presale, $20 at door. Get your tickets early to guarantee entry and save a few bucks too$

 

– Location: Pack Square Amphitheater, Asheville NC

 

– Kids 12 and under come for free!

 

– 22 Speaker StarTribe Sound System

 

– Find out more about Random Rab at www.randomrab.com

 

– Raw chocolate delights will be provided by Silvermoon Chocolate.

 

– Hot chai provided by Infinity Greens – www.infinitygreens.com

 

– This is an alcohol free event.

 

Thousands of people have participated in StarTribe, and for the real spirit of dance. There’s something especially moving and powerful about an entire community of people coming together for such an experience, and you are warmly invited.

 

The StarTribe Vision:

 

For thousands of years, cultures all over the world have revered dance as a way of opening doorways of the mind, revealing an ancient power unlike anything else. This is why, for StarTribe, dance is a path of personal development, making it an invaluable part of life.

 

In much of the Western world, the scope of dance has become narrow and limited with the theme often being of noisy, unnatural nightclubs and bars. Even music festivals—doling out processed sugar and alcohol—aren’t exactly empowering, relative to what’s possible. But there’s a revival of late towards more meaningful dance—dance that takes place in outdoor settings in beautiful environments within a real sense of community, much like it was for millennia. This is StarTribe.

Burnsville, NC Oktoberfest
Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Garden Deli

Burnsville Can’t Miss! Traditional polka music and dance on the covered deck. Dinner served 5pm-8pm inside at Garden Deli. Snap Dragon will have regular hours. Enjoy great food and super fun entertainment!

Concert featuring Trusty Hucksters Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Oct 4 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm

Live music, family fun and delicious food!

Join us on October 4th for the Trusty Hucksters, an Asheville duo and brain child of Mark Toolan of Halo And The Harlots. This past December Toolan self released “Highways and Area Codes” an album of acoustic driven folksy blues rock.

About our Food:

During the show we serve a complete spread of delicious farm-to-fork dinner options using our own pasture raised meats and locally sourced produce. Meals are prepared fresh by our in-house culinary team and are available for an additional cost along with alcoholic (beer/wine) and non-alcoholic beverage options.  The menu typically consists of 3 meats and 4 sides. The full menu will be advertised on the event Facebook page a few days in advance of the concert.  Be sure to follow us online for the latest updates!

An Evening with Cornflower
Oct 4 @ 7:00 pm – Oct 5 @ 10:00 pm
Violet Owl Wellness

? ASHEVILLE CONCERT THIS FRIDAY!

I am STOKED to bring this transformational music and movement concert experience to the Asheville Community at Violet Owl Wellness in Downtown Asheville!

Asheville was an oasis for me growing up in East Tennessee. I could just drive over the most beautiful mountains to find myself in a fresh new perspective on life. I saw some of the best concerts in Asheville while in high school and it is full circle for me to now bring my music to this beautiful city.

RSVP now @ Cornflower at Asheville NC and tag (or invite) your Asheville friends in the comments below!

See you on the Dance Floor!
ALL LOVE, Cornflower

Rhonda Vincent
Oct 4 @ 7:30 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

A firecracker of talent that powers one of the hottest shows in any genre of music! World Class Musicians, and an Award Winning Voice seamlessly set the stage for a breath-taking, one-of-a-kind, must-see performance; that reaches beyond the boundaries of bluegrass music. Written words can give you but a glimpse of the artist known as The Queen of Bluegrass, as deemed by the Wall Street Journal. But it’s only when you see this artist, that you can feel the energy and experience the excitement of her music, to truly know why she and her amazing band are the “Most Award Winning Band in Bluegrass Music History, with over 100 awards.” Breaking a stereotypical image, Rhonda Vincent takes the stage in designer gowns, stiletto heels, in a take-charge manner, far from the type set that Hollywood has portrayed as the image of acoustic music. “We’re changing the landscape of our music in many aspects; to show we are sophisticated, educated, and hold a deep respect for the tradition of our music, keeping the roots embedded within the perimeters of our songs, to create a balance of tradition mixed with a contemporary flare, and present our own unique brand of music,” Rhonda explains. “We want our listeners to hear with their hearts,” says Rhonda. “Music is a business, but I hope we don’t let it show that much,” she continues, “The business part is a necessity; but most of all it’s the love of the music, that keeps us doing what we do.” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are one of the HOTTEST TICKETS in any genre of music!
Ticket Prices: $23, $28, $32 Priority Seating

Whitey Morgan Orange Peel
Oct 4 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

The history of country music has no shortage of characters hit by hard luck: the hard-working man who can’t seem to make ends meet, the heart-of-gold drunk who just can’t seem to put down the bottle, the woman who wants to do right but ends up, time and again, doing wrong. No matter the tragedies at the center of the songs, in most cases those characters come off like just that — characters; inventions of either a particularly gifted songwriter looking to spin a tall tale or a lazy one looking to pad out an album. But in the case of Whitey Morgan, those characters — the drinker, the troublemaker, the struggling, hard-working man — all seem arrestingly real.

That’s largely because the stories on Sonic Ranch — a big, nasty, whiskey-slugging, bare-knuckle bruiser of a country record — are pulled from Morgan’s own back pages.

A native of the economically depressed city of Flint, Michigan, Morgan practically bleeds straight into each of the album’s 10 songs, making for a kind of rough-and-tumble honky-tonk noir record that can pack the dance floor while doing Bukowski proud. Morgan opens the record at a loss — “I gave up on Jesus/ When momma gave up on me/ So much for the family life/ It’s just me and the whiskey,” he growls in the album’s opening moments — and spends the rest of it fighting to keep the rest from being wrenched away, bottle by his side, fists clenched. “If I’m going down tonight,” he defiantly sings, “I’m going down drinkin.’”

Saturday, October 5, 2019
Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo Volunteers Needed
Oct 5 all-day
various

Call for Volunteers!! We are grateful that the Bookwalter Binge Gran Fondo supports conservation of land and water resources — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Binge volunteers enjoy fun and camaraderie while helping in a variety of ways, from course marshals to Binge party hosting.

Sand Hill Community Garden Workday
Oct 5 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
BC Sports Park

Community Garden located at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The mission of Sand HIll Community Garden is to share in garden space, knowledge, and labor with all members of the community.  Using organic growing practices we promote community health and wellness by providing fresh produce for garden members and local people in need of food.

52nd Bascom Lamar Lundsford “Minstrel Of Appalachia” Festival
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
Mars Hill University

The Lunsford Festival is an all-day festival celebrating regional music and dance traditions. The event is the second oldest folk festival in Western North Carolina and was named in honor of cofounder Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Lunsford was a musician and folklorist who dedicated his life to collecting and promoting the music of the Southern Appalachians. Through his work he became known as the “Minstrel of the Appalachians.” The festival, which is now in its 52nd year, brings out the region’s finest musicians and dancers.  It happens on the same day as the Madison Heritage Arts Festival, so downtown will be abuzz. Join us in honoring the rich cultural traditions of the Southern Appalachians!

10:00-5:00: Concert on the Upper Quad
11:00: Presentation of the Lunsford Award
12:00-1:00: Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Dulcimer, Shaped Note Workshops
1:15-2:00: Open jam (Sunken Garden)
1:30-3:30: Ballad Swap (Blackwell Hall)
5:30-7:30: Community Dance (Chambers Gym)

 

Creating Peace Within and Without
Oct 5 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Unity of The Blue Ridge
Creekside JamFest Pisgah Brewing Co.
Oct 5 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Pisgah Brewing

Swannanoa Valley Montessori School (SVMS) is excited to bring the Inaugural Creekside JamFest to Pisgah Brewing Company (PBC).  This event will be a day filled with great music featuring Larry Keel, Dangermuffin and the Get Right Band in addition to fun family-friendly activities to include Mountain Circus Arts, Asheville Hoops, and Asheville Plays.  There will be food trucks, refreshments for all ages, and craft vendors on site for all your festival needs!

Every year SVMS raises funds to support our scholarship program because our school is committed to diversity and inclusion in the classroom. SVMS believes a school should be reflective of its community. SVMS strives not to turn away students due to socioeconomic status or different learning styles. Over the last 5 years, SVMS has been able to grant financial assistance to a number of families seeking alternatives to public education. With smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and alternately paced curriculum,  SVMS is able to meet their needs and support them as they thrive.

Creating Peace Within and Without
Oct 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Unity of The Blue Ridge
The Blue Ridge Orchestra: The Young Masters
Oct 5 @ 7:30 pm
Lipinsky Auditorium at UNCA

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The Blue Ridge Orchestra opens its 2019-20 season with The Young Masters, featuring compositions by Bach, Beethoven and Weber, written while in their 30’s. This all German program spans across the Baroque, Classical and Romantic musical eras. The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto  No. 5 and Webers Oberon Overture.

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Oct 5 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – Thick As Thieves Fall Tour

October 5, 2019 8:00 PM
Doors Open: 7:00 PM
Support:
DJ Logic

Ages 18+

Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.

Sunday, October 6, 2019
‘Mountain Top Polka Band’ Oktoberfest Tour Dates
Oct 6 all-day
various locations see details

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

Bach Flower Essence Workshop
Oct 6 all-day
Crystal Visions

Flower Essences are energetic remedies and one of Mother Nature’s many healing
gifts to us. As our souls journey through this human experience, we encounter various challenges that require us to evolve beyond our limiting patterns, programs and
beliefs. Flower essences assist us in a gentle and loving way to move beyond our limitations and step into our soul’s greatness. Mental, emotional and spiritual issues
can be transformed through the subtle powers imbued within flowers.

In this workshop we will explore the many aspects of flower essence therapy including:
• Dr. Edward Bach and the history of Flower Essences
• understanding Bach’s 38 remedies
• how to combine flower essences to make effective therapeutic remedies
• working with chronic vs acute conditions
• the art of case taking and finding the key symptoms
• working with intuition, and much more…
• There will also be live case taking with class volunteers
This course is for both lay people and healers who wish to add another powerful therapy to their practice.

Family Friendly West Asheville Oktoberfest
Oct 6 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Emmanuel Lutheran Church & School

There will be a live German Polka Band, real German food (as well as food for kids), contests, games, cake walk, inflatables, etc. Something for everyone!