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.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Discussion Bound Book Club
Mar 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Hosted by the Asheville Art Museum, this monthly discussion is a place to exchange ideas that relate to artworks and the art world. The club typically meets the second Tuesday of every month at noon at Malaprop’s. Click here to view important news and find the selection for this month.

 

Event date:
Tuesday, January 14, 2020 – 12:00pm
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 – 12:00pm
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 – 12:00pm
Thursday, March 12, 2020
St. Patty’s Day Burlesque Show
Mar 12 @ 9:00 pm
The Grey Eagle
BGR Burlesque Presents: St. Patrick's Day
Black Garter Revue is a burlesque troupe bringing you the ultimate St. Patty’s Day show in Asheville.
  • AGES 18+
  • SEATED SHOW
  • 8:30PM DOORS, 9PM SHOW

BLACK GARTER REVUE

While Irish eyes might be smiling your eyes will be delighting! Black Garter Revue is back at The Grey Eagle for a night of St. Patrick’s Day fun that will entice you into loving all things Irish

Saturday, March 14, 2020
Kid Hop Hooray! Indoor Dance Party
Mar 14 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Doors and Event begin at 10:00am til 1:00pm – Open Floor Dance Party for Kids with a Live DJ Oso Rey! Drop in anytime.

Playing Child-Appropriate FUN dance music from the Jackson 5’s “ABC” to “Shake it Off” to old-school hip hop tracks, favorites from 23 Skidoo, and much more!

There will be FREE Glow accessories for your little dancers, plenty of room to run, dance, and get their sillies out while it’s cold outside, and snacks for purchase from Asheville Pizza Co and the Hop Ice Creamery! And of course, The Orange Peel bar will be open for mom and dad’s refreshments (and/or kids’ juice boxes).

Padded area available for crawlers and new walkers to play and explore.

The music will be especially chosen to appeal to kids from ages 2 to 12, but the whole family is more than welcome! 12 and under are only $3 (under 2 years old are free) and everyone else is $5.

2 private rooms available for rent for birthday parties after the dance party ends! Bring decorations and a cake and let the Orange Peel & the Hop help you create a fun and unique birthday experience for your child and their buddies after they dance their booties off! Contact [email protected] for more information and party reservations.

Two Step and Swing Dance Class
Mar 14 @ 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Two-Step & Swing Dance Class

The Grey Eagle hosts Dance For Life and their two-step and swing dance class!
  • ALL AGES
  • DOORS 11:30AM / CLASS 12PM

Have fun dancing anywhere with these popular dances. Taught by UCWDC World Champions Richard & Sue Cicchetti.

No partner needed (Bring one if you can). Both classes are beginner level. Take one or both.

Online discount: 2-hour class $20 or, first hour 12-1 pm

Beginner $10 or, second hour 1-2 pm Level-two $10

At the door: 2-hour class $25, 1-hour class $15.

TICKETS: https://squareup.com/store/dance-for-life?fbclid=IwAR3wYr5ZrbRp34IGDoA14qzMlk6V04C2QcfVHszQwdrekBK6vHubJ1cDNcE

Sunday, March 15, 2020
Burlesque Brunch
Mar 15 @ 12:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Burlesque Brunch

Join us on the third Sunday of every month for Burlesque Brunch!
  • 18 +
  • SEATED SHOW
  • 11 AM DOORS/ 12 PM 

Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and belly dance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join us every month and relax and enjoy our dancing dames and dandies in an up close and intimate setting. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!

Return to the Green – Celtic Celebration
Mar 15 @ 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Fluor Field

Even if green isn’t really your color, you’ll want to get in on all the (free!) fun at Greenville’s longest-running Celtic celebration.

In an era when parents taking their kids downtown feel like walking ATMs, we have worked hard to make sure that this family-friendly event is not just a lot of fun, but also FREE. Yes, there is no admission charge, and all children’s activities are also free! We hope that you find your ‘Return to the Green’ to be festive, family friendly, and a memorable cultural experience. And of course you could be that extra lucky attendee who returns home $500 richer thanks to our cash prize giveaway.

1:00 ~ Event Start
1:00 ~ Live music by the Dunn Sisters  
2:00 ~ Children’s Area Opens (Runs from 2-4)
2:15 Opening Ceremonies: Céad Míle Fáilte
             City of Greenville Pipes & Drums:
          ~ Irish & American National Anthems
             John Hanson/Whitney Bradley
2:30 ~ Irish Youth Hurling/ Gaelic Football Exhibition 
2:30 ~ Irish Dance Performance – Westend Dance Company
3:00 ~ Live Celtic Music – ‘Keltic Kudzu’
5:00 ~ Irish Dance Performance 
5:30 ~ Grand Prize Drawing for $500 Cash Prize 
             Must be present to win
6:00 Return to your House    
Monday, March 16, 2020
This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers
Mar 16 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's

THIS BRILLIANT DARKNESS is a dazzling, genre-defying work, blending memoir with immersion journalism, fusing late-night philosophical musings with an intimacy akin to the work of James Agee and Teju Cole. With radical empathy and striking candor, Sharlet brings attention to lives lived on the margins of society: the elderly, the homeless, the mentally ill, the disabled. Through these illuminating and thought-provoking encounters, Sharlet depicts a society full of suffering and regret—but one which when observed, casts a glimmer of light.

 

This event is free and open to the public. We ask that you purchase the books you want to be signed at our events from Malaprop’s. When you do this you are not only supporting the work it takes to run an events program, you are also telling the publishers that they should keep sending authors here. Can’t make it to the store for the event? Call us or order the book on our website in advance, and we’ll get it signed for you. Make sure you write your preferences in the comments if you purchase online.

Event date:
Monday, March 16, 2020 – 6:00pm
Event address:
Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe
This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers Cover Image
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic
Mar 18 @ 10:30 am
ExploreAsheville.com Arena

10:30am – Buy Tickets
6:00pm – Buy Tickets

Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street!  Join the fun with an interactive show that unfolds on one of the world’s most famous streets at the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood…get ready for Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

Learn new songs and sing along to familiar favorites with Oscar and Cookie Monster; build a snowman with Elmo; flap your wings with Big Bird; marvel at Abby’s magic; be amazed when Super Grover flies, and move to the rhythm with Rosita.

Anything’s possible when everyone who shares something in common gets together.  Kick your feet to the beat at Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic
Mar 18 @ 6:00 pm
ExploreAsheville.com Arena

 

There are two available times for this event:

10:30am – Buy Tickets
6:00pm – Buy Tickets

Jump to the beat with your friends on Sesame Street!  Join the fun with an interactive show that unfolds on one of the world’s most famous streets at the funniest, furriest party in the neighborhood…get ready for Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

Learn new songs and sing along to familiar favorites with Oscar and Cookie Monster; build a snowman with Elmo; flap your wings with Big Bird; marvel at Abby’s magic; be amazed when Super Grover flies, and move to the rhythm with Rosita.

Anything’s possible when everyone who shares something in common gets together.  Kick your feet to the beat at Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party!

 

Thursday, March 19, 2020
Notorious HBC (History Book Club)
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s bookseller Patricia Furnish to discuss a range of books across different periods of history. The club tackles challenging subjects, hence “NOTORIOUS.”  Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets at Malaprop’s on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm.

Event date:
Thursday, January 16, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 20, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 19, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 16, 2020 – 7:00pm
UNCA Visiting Writers Series – Natanya Ann Pulley
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm
Karpen Hall Laurel Forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natanya Ann Pulley, author of “With Teeth,” a Many Voices Project winner in fiction, will read from and discuss her writing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Karpen Hall, Laurel Forum. This event is free and open to everyone with no tickets needed.

 

Saturday, March 21, 2020
Sesame Street Live CANCELLED
Mar 21 @ 1:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Sesame Street Live (March 21-22) ) is cancelled. All tickets purchased at Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded. All other tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

Your favorite Sesame Street friends are back in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! When magician extraordinaire Justin visits the neighborhood to put on a magic show, Elmo wants to join in. But there’s one problem: Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic, so he teams up with Justin, Abby, and friends to practice his trick while discovering the magical moments in everyday life!

Click HERE for our standard arena policies and our most frequently asked questions. Ticket prices are always subject to change without notice. Additional fees apply.

Sesame Street Live
Mar 21 @ 5:00 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Your favorite Sesame Street friends are back in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! When magician extraordinaire Justin visits the neighborhood to put on a magic show, Elmo wants to join in. But there’s one problem: Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic, so he teams up with Justin, Abby, and friends to practice his trick while discovering the magical moments in everyday life!

Click HERE for our standard arena policies and our most frequently asked questions. Ticket prices are always subject to change without notice. Additional fees apply.

Sunday, March 22, 2020
Sesame Street Live CANCELLED
Mar 22 @ 10:30 am
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Sesame Street Live (March 21-22) is cancelled. All tickets purchased at Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded. All other tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

Your favorite Sesame Street friends are back in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! When magician extraordinaire Justin visits the neighborhood to put on a magic show, Elmo wants to join in. But there’s one problem: Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic, so he teams up with Justin, Abby, and friends to practice his trick while discovering the magical moments in everyday life!

Click HERE for our standard arena policies and our most frequently asked questions. Ticket prices are always subject to change without notice. Additional fees apply.

Sesame Street Live CANCELLED
Mar 22 @ 2:30 pm
Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Sesame Street Live (March 21-22) is cancelled. All tickets purchased at Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded. All other tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.

Your favorite Sesame Street friends are back in Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! When magician extraordinaire Justin visits the neighborhood to put on a magic show, Elmo wants to join in. But there’s one problem: Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic, so he teams up with Justin, Abby, and friends to practice his trick while discovering the magical moments in everyday life!

Click HERE for our standard arena policies and our most frequently asked questions. Ticket prices are always subject to change without notice. Additional fees apply.

Thursday, March 26, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre Online Happy Hour Parties  
Mar 26 @ 5:00 pm
ACT Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleCommunityTheatre/

    • We are featuring singers (and dancers!) from the community during our #ACTHappyHour parties M-F at 5:00 pm!
An Evening with N. K. Jemisin, author of The City We Became
Mar 26 @ 6:30 pm
UNC Asheville Lipinsky Auditorium

Join us Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 pm when N.K Jemisin presents her new novel, THE CITY WE BECAME (on sale March 24, 2020).

We are pleased to partner with UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program and English Department for this event, which will be held at in Lipinsky Auditorium on the UNCA campus.

There are two ticket options:

(1) Ticket includes admission for one person and a copy of THE CITY WE BECAME (hardcover)

(2) Ticket includes admission for two people, a copy of THE CITY WE BECAME (hardcover) and a copy of HOW LONG TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH (paperback)

N. K. Jemisin will sign books following reading and audience Q&A. Books will be available to pick up at the event.

***Stay tuned for important details about the event and signing. When purchasing your ticket(s), please make sure you provide an email address where you can receive emails from the Brown Paper Tickets automated system.***

ABOUT THE CITY WE BECAME
Five New Yorkers must come together to defend their city from an ancient evil in this stunning new novel by Hugo Award-winner and NYT bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.

Every great city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? Shes got six.

But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs in the halls of power, threatening to destroy the city and her six newborn avatars unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.

In a starred review, Kirkus calls THE CITY WE BECAME “Fierce, poetic, uncompromising.”

N.K. Jemisin: The City We Became
Mar 26 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Lipinsky Auditorium

 

N.K. Jemisin will present her new book, The City We Became, just two days after its public release. This ticketed event takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, in Lipinsky Auditorium, presented in partnership by Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, and UNC Asheville’s Great Smokies Writing Program and Department of English.

This is a ticketed event with different ticketing/book purchase options, with online ordering at: https://www.malaprops.com/event/ticketed-nk-jemisin-presents-city-we-became-unca

Free tickets (which do not include the book) are available for UNC Asheville students and employees – contact Lilly Augspurger, 828.251.6099 or [email protected].

Living and writing her speculative fiction in Brooklyn, Jemisin’s new novel features five New Yorkers who must come together to defend their city from ancient evil. She is the only author to win three Best Novel Hugo awards in a row, which she did for her Broken Earth trilogy. Jemisin also has won a Nebula Award and two Locus Awards among the many honors for her eight novels, a novella, and two short story collections. A former counseling psychologist and educator, she also covered science fiction for three years for the New York Times Book Review. For more information about Jemisin, her books and this event, visit the Malaprop’s website.

Visitor Parking on the UNC Asheville Campus – Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time. Campus map is here – use menu bars to find parking lot locations.

Building accessibility information is available here.

Accessibility Contact: Highsmith Student Union, [email protected] or 828.251.6990.

Works in Translation Book Club
Mar 26 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookstore Manager Justin Souther to discuss writers — and their literature — in translation and the cultural, political and artistic influences that mold them. Click here to see a list of the monthly selections. Attendees receive 10% off the club’s current selection at Malaprop’s!

The club usually meets the last Thursday of every month at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe.

Event date:
Thursday, January 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, February 27, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, March 26, 2020 – 7:00pm
Thursday, April 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
City Dance
Mar 26 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, March 27, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre Online Happy Hour Parties  
Mar 27 @ 5:00 pm
ACT Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleCommunityTheatre/

    • We are featuring singers (and dancers!) from the community during our #ACTHappyHour parties M-F at 5:00 pm!
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Asheville’s Premier Country Dance
Mar 28 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Asheville Ballroom

Asheville’s Premier Country Dance. Includes Two-Step Lesson from 7 to 8 PM. Join us for a Fun evening 7-10:30 pm at the Asheville Ballroom, 291 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. 7-8pm Two-Step lesson taught by Richard & Sue Cicchetti. 8 to 10:30 dance your favorite dances: Swing, Waltz, Two-Step, Cha-Cha, etc. on a 5,000 sq. ft. wood dance floor with great, modern country music provided by DJ Ricky C. Admission includes dance, dance lesson, bottled water, dessert & raffle ticket for great prizes. Online registration discount by March 27th $11 at www.Danceforlife.dance. After March 27th and at the door $13.

Monday, March 30, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre Online Happy Hour Parties  
Mar 30 @ 5:00 pm
ACT Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleCommunityTheatre/

    • We are featuring singers (and dancers!) from the community during our #ACTHappyHour parties M-F at 5:00 pm!
Online Dance Classes Studio Zahiya
Mar 30 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Studio Zahiya Online

Picture
Question? How are you staying sane during this time.

The way I’m doing that is dancing every single day!

Digital update:

We are in the process of upgrading all tech pieces of the studio to support you at home and keep your hips shaking. Here’s an FAQ on setting up your home studio (insert link)

You’ll also see that we are moving to a more seamless platform and you’ll be getting emails and if you like you can opt into text reminders of classes. YAY!

If you have a studio and you’d like to become part of our digital studio, we can help – reach out!

We are better together : Share this meme on your social and tag us to be entered to win a prize!

5pm Hip Hop Cardio with Marissa
6pm FREE Bhangra with Lisa Zahiya 
7pm Tap with Amanda
8pm Tap 2 with Amanda

Science Fiction Book Club
Mar 30 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join host and Malaprop’s Bookseller Allison Beatty to dive into the wreck of the wily and wonderful world of sci-fi, weird fiction, speculative fiction, literary horror, and disturbing fiction with a healthy mix of underappreciated classic and contemporary books. Click here to see a full schedule of what the club is reading. Club attendees get 10% off the book at Malaprop’s!

The club meets the at Malaprop’s on the last Monday of every month at 7:00pm.

 

Event date:
Monday, December 30, 2019 – 7:00pm
Monday, January 27, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, February 24, 2020 – 7:00pm
Monday, March 30, 2020 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Asheville Community Theatre Online Happy Hour Parties  
Mar 31 @ 5:00 pm
ACT Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleCommunityTheatre/

    • We are featuring singers (and dancers!) from the community during our #ACTHappyHour parties M-F at 5:00 pm!
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Free Online West African Drumming & Dance for Kids Hosted by LEAF
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
LEAF Global Arts Online

Image may contain: 3 people, people sitting, people standing and outdoor

We invite young LEAFers to join LEAF Resident Teaching Artist Adama Dembele for a virtual drumming and dance class for elementary age kids. Adama is a master djembefola (djembe player) from the Ivory Coast, West Africa, and has been a part of LEAF since 2005. He currently teaches year round after school classes with LEAF Schools & Streets, and he is excited to offer video classes in which students can take a journey to explore the sounds, rhythms and movements of West African culture right from their own home!

https://www.facebook.com/events/199994081418039/

Studio Zahiya Hip Hop Cardio Online Class
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Studio Zahiya Online
Kids Hip Hop with Lisa Zahiya
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Studio Zahiya Online