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Each month, we’ll try a new activity that the whole family can enjoy. Activities are geared for people ages 5+ All children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration at AVLREC.com is required.
What better way to spend an evening than fishing? This is a introductory program to teach some basic fishing skills. Fishing poles and bait will be provided. Class size is limited due to equipment. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Thanks to NCWRC for providing a fishing license waiver for participants over age 16 to learn how to fish.
BLUEY’S BIG PLAY THE STAGE SHOW
May 11 @ 6:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall
Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
“A glorious celebration of everything you love about the show.” – The Guardian
Amphitheater Concert Series: Fancy and the Gentlemen
May 11 @ 6:30 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Based out of Asheville, NC, Fancy and the Gentlemen brings an eclectic mix of honky tonk, blues, southern gothic, rock, and classical roots to this americana band. Sensitive and rich harmonies weave through the tapestry of original compositions and carefully curated covers that celebrate the roots of American southern music. Fancy Marie, Katie Leigh, and Craig Kellberg enjoy performing as a full groove-infused band, while staying true to the core that is the artistry that is the songwriting trio.
Spring 2023 Amphitheater Series $45.00
An eclectic mix of music in TFAC’s popular Peterson Amphitheater awaits you this spring! From folk-rock to alternative country to bluegrass to jazz swing, TFAC’s lineup of 90-minute, outdoor concerts will fill the air with music and have you singing & dancing.
Smilo and the Ghost – April 27
Fancy and the Gentlemen – May 11
Darren Nicholson Band – May 18
Christian Lopez and Band – May 25
Queen Bee and the Honeylovers – June 1
All concerts begin at 6:30 PM. Beverages will be available for purchase.
Fancy + the Gentlemen
May 11 @ 6:30 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Based out of Asheville, NC, Fancy and the Gentlemen brings an eclectic mix of honky tonk, blues, southern gothic, rock, and classical roots to this americana band. Sensitive and rich harmonies weave through the tapestry of original compositions and carefully curated covers that celebrate the roots of American southern music. Fancy Marie, Katie Leigh, and Craig Kellberg enjoy performing as a full groove-infused band, while staying true to the core that is the artistry that is the songwriting trio.
Intro to Sketch
May 11 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Whitmire Activity Center
Want to know how to write like they do on SNL? Would you like to level up your comedy knowledge? Learn the basics of sketch comedy writing! We’ll talk about the history of sketch, and the differences between the famous sketch and improv schools based in NYC, Chicago, and LA. Want to learn about the crossover of skills practiced in sketch writing and improv? Are you interested in learning some of the differences between British and American humor? Are you curious about the similarities between sketch and satire? (Think: The Onion.) We’ll talk about it! We’ll read a variety of sketch scripts, break them down into parts, and learn the mechanics. We’ll watch a number of sketches together, practice identifying the formula, and specifically labeling what’s funny about them. We’ll also practice idea generation and pitching. Hold onto your hat!
About the Teacher
Emily Swindal lived in New York City for 8 years as an actor and improv comedian and relocated to Hendersonville during the pandemic. Emily has studied and performed improv and sketch comedy writing at NYC’s Magnet Theater and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre NY. Emily has performed with an assortment of improv teams. Some of her past instructors include Elana Fishbein, Peter McNerney, Ross Taylor, Michael Lutton, and Nicole Drespel. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory. Emily can’t wait to meet you.
Cymbeline
May 11 @ 7:30 pm
The Bebe Theatre
Possibly Shakespeare’s wackiest play, CYMBELINE features a panoply of Shakespeare’s greatest hits: orphaned royalty, mistaken identities, a cross-dressing heroine, a beheading, a war against Rome, poison that doesn’t really kill you, and more! Modern-day added characters Actor 1 and Actor 2 provide much-needed plot recaps and commentary on the action, and a rewritten ending provides some necessary catharsis. This whirlwind performance is one you won’t want to miss!
With: Molly Graves, Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Erin McCarson, Alex McDonald, Jon Stockdale, Eric Vik, and Paul Vonasek.
Written (mostly) by: William Shakespeare.
Directed by: Melon Wedick.
Leah and the Rabbit
May 11 @ 7:30 pm
LEAF Global Arts Experience
Leah and the Rabbit is a story-telling event utilizing puppetry as a compelling visual. Leah and the Rabbit is representative of the many African folktales that were brought to the New World and then retold and elaborated upon by enslaved African Americans living in the southeastern United States. Mikayla Wilson has crafted a story that melds these traditional African folk stories with the life of Leah Erwin, one of the known, twenty-seven people enslaved by the Vance family. As the family’s cook, she survived slavery and lived to see the emancipation of enslaved people. Leah, voiced by Stephanie Hickling Beckman, speaks to the ways that reclaiming narratives from the past can illuminate many of the issues we face today, like ownership and resiliency in the face of adversity.
The Revolutionists (produced by Immediate Theatre Project)
May 11 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company
By Lauren Gunderson
Produced by Immediate Theatre Project
Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
From the people who brought you Silent Sky comes this grand and dream-tweaked comedy about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world.
Discretionary Content: Adult themes and badass ladies
Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.
Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
Antler Hill Village & Winery
Complimentary Wine Tasting
Complimentary Parking
Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
NOC Paddling School
May 12 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Voted “Best Place to Learn” by Outside, NOC Paddling School has taught more paddlers than anyone else, with 50 years of experience going into every class. Our commitment to the sport and to providing the best possible instruction has not waivered. So come and let us be your respected and experienced instructor.
The Education program at Flat Rock Playhouse is undergoing a name change! We are excited to streamline our program and we can’t wait to share the news with you!
Our new name will be Playhouse Jr.!
This new name will encompass many things. You might ask….what is Playhouse Jr.?
• Playhouse Jr. is classes and camps for K-12th Graders and Adults.
• Playhouse Jr. is mainstage shows performed by our Playhouse Jr. students and families.
• Playhouse Jr. is our touring company that visits our local schools and is performed by our fall apprentices.
• Playhouse Jr. is a licensing program for our new and exciting Playhouse Jr. touring shows!
Playhouse Jr. means many things and we are excited to share this news with our community!
We are introducing a new software system for our Playhouse Jr. families! This new system will make your life easier! Once you have registered you are in our system for good. That means that once you register all you have to do is access your account to purchase any classes and camps moving forward. No need to register every time!
Want to register over the phone? No problem! You can call our Education Director, Lauren Hopkins at (828)693-0403 ext. 246 starting Monday March 6!
PUSH Skate Camp Registration Open
May 12 all-day
Asheville Skate Park
Join us this Summer for PUSH Skate Camp at the Asheville Skate Park in downtown Asheville at 50 Cherry St N.
We’re offering 6 weeks of camp, ages 5-15
Monday-Thursday from 9am-12pm.
Skateboarders, sign up for one or more weeks! Dates are as follows:
June 12-15, 19-22,
July 10-13, 17-20,
August 7-10, 14-17.
Rollerskaters, sign up for one or more weeks! Dates are as follows:
June 19-22,
July 17-20,
August 14-17.
Spring Photo Contest: “Spring Trails”
May 12 all-day
Chimney Rock State Park
NC State Parks’ Year of the Trail continues with a celebration of how our trails transform each spring. Bring your camera on your next excursion in the park and capture budding wildflowers, spring hikers, or whatever you encounter along the way. You may even win a prize for your efforts!
GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES
1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for four at the Old Rock Café.
2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive one annual pass to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for two at the Old Rock Café.
3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and lunch for two at the Old Rock Café.
Tryon Fine Arts Center Summer Art Camps Registration Open
May 12 all-day
Tryon Fine Arts Center
Summer Art Series for Youth (SASY) Camp
Summer Art Series for Youth (SASY) 2023
June 19 – 23
Our Summer Arts Camp is a one-week encounter with visual as well as performing arts. Our campers will be given the flexibility to choose their own art experience. They may want to dabble in the performing arts or take part in the visual arts or perhaps do a bit of both.
Students will experience group lessons, jams, music theory, traditional art, songs, stories, and dancing, with an impressive lineup of regular and guest artists. Scholarships and instrument rentals are available.
Presented in collaboration with Tryon Little Theater, the annual Summer Theater Camp allows students to put on a fully-staged production in just one week! Students learn about the ins and outs of theater-from auditions Monday morning to a fully-staged public show with lights, sound, sets,
Wild West Adventure Trips w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
May 12 all-day
various locations
NEW TRIPS FOR 2023!
Paddling on the rivers in the western part of the US offers a truly unique and awe-inspiring experience that can’t be duplicated or found on our Southeast Rivers. The beautiful western landscape boasts towering cliffs, deep red canyons, and breathtaking vistas that will leave you in awe at every turn. If you’ve experienced our home rivers, these should be the next in your river journey!
Experience adventure on the Green River through Lodore Canyon and Dinosaur National Monument! Paddle thrilling rapids, spot amazing wildlife, explore billion-year-old cliffs and geologic features, hike to waterfalls, and camp in lush sites. Choose from a variety of trip options, including a women’s-only retreat!
Paddle through untouched wilderness on the Yampa River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Colorado River Basin. Explore archeological treasures, hike riverside, and enjoy breathtaking views. Choose between 4 or 5-day family-friendly trips or an adults-only 4-day adventure. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience thrilling rapids and diverse wildlife on one of the most coveted rafting trips in the nation!
With no more paddling permits available for 2023, we still have rafting and kayaking spots left for the ultimate adventure through the Grand Canyon! Breathtaking views and thrilling rapids await you. Camp under the stars, hike to waterfalls and relax on pristine sandy beaches. This trip is perfect for both first-time and experienced rafters and kayakers, and offers a unique experience in the backcountry!
Coming this spring! “Bloom with a View,” is an immersive floral installation on the grounds of The North Carolina Arboretum. Throughout the gardens, colorful and festive planters will elevate thousands of blooms to eye-level. Wander, explore and even lose yourself among the flowers!
For its introductory year, “Bloom with a View” will place vibrant bursts of colorful hydrangeas prominently, with appearances by elegant calla lilies, with oriental and Asiatic lilies forecasted! The ocean of color will provide an excellent avenue to wander meditatively, frolic among the flowers or take that uniquely perfect image or video. Be sure to tag your photos with #NCBloomWithAView and share the experience!
Special Event Daily Parking Fees apply to all vehicles entering the property May 1-14. Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enjoy Bloom with a View.
Includes all-day access to gardens, trails and indoor exhibits
Members: FREE
Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $30
Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $75
Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $150
Members of The North Carolina Arboretum Society will have free access!
Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
May 12 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate
Included with admission
Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.
Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.
Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!
Little Shredders at Richmond Hill Park
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Richmond Hill Park
Little Shredders
Come hit the trails and check out the beginner bike skills course while making new friends. This is a a social meet up for our littlest riders who are ready to take on trails and try basic obstacles while having fun with other young bikers. A great chance for grownups to meet other families with little shredders. Participants should be comfortable riding a balance or pedal bike. (Check out Tykes on Bikes for our learn to ride program) Participants should bring their own bike/helmet fit for the rider. A limited number of Strider balance bikes and helmets are available for use during program with advance notice.
ImiJ of Soul (pronounced image) is a celebration of all things Jimi Hendrix! A psychedelic juggernaut playing Jimi with authenticity and reverence. Already noticed by the man who played Jimi’s parts with Billy and Buddy in Band of Gypsys (Andy Aledort) and literally wrote the book on Hendrix, ImiJ brings the Jimi experience live to you.
“ImiJ of Soul play Jimi Hendrix’s music with a truly authentic vibe and attitude, check them out!” – Andy Aledort…Guitar World Magazine, Band of Gypsys
“Some folks just get it, these guys GET it! ImiJ of Soul bring the music of Jimi Hendrix to life, no impersonations, no tricks just rockin the tunes we all grown to love, if you love Hendrix you need to see ImiJ of Soul” – Dustin Brayley…Trans Siberian Orchestra
Bill Altman …guitar and vocal
Fatty Be …bass guitar and vocal
David Cohen …drums
Brews + Bears Summer Event Series
May 12 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
WNC Nature Center
Enjoy the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand!
Willy Wonka KIDS Elementary Community Program
May 12 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Asheville Performing Arts Academy
Roald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir is a golden ticket to adventure.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka KIDS follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats, but the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket, who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather. The children must learn to follow Mr. Wonka’s rules in the factory — or suffer the consequences.
This production is done by our Elementary School Community students in 1st-5th Grade. For more information on the Youth Community Theatre program, please visit our website.
Yoga with a View
May 12 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock State Park
Advance registration required.
Enjoy the quiet of the Park after the gates have closed at this outdoor class led by Namaste in Nature. Enjoy a practice suitable for all levels of expertise as you overlook Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. You won’t find a view like this in any studio! Lightweight yoga mats will be provided by your certified yoga teacher.
Bright Star
May 12 @ 7:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre
Music, Book, & Story by Steve Martin; Music, Lyrics, & Story by Edie Brickell
Set in our very own Blue Ridge Mountains, Bright Star tells the story of Alice at two different points in her life: as a young girl in the mountains, and 22 years later as the well-to-do editor of a successful Asheville magazine. A serendipitous encounter inspires Alice to face her past, and a stunning realization changes her life forever. Bright Star is based on the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass album, Love Has Come for You, and centers particularly on the song “Iron Mountain Baby.” Be sure to listen also for the song with our namesake – “Asheville”!
Content Warning:Bright Star contains swearing, language that some may find blasphemous, incidental drinking and smoking, and kidnapping.
Accessibility:
All performances: Accessible wheelchair/scooter seating available.
Saturday, May 6, 2023: ASL-Interpreted Performance
Cymbeline
May 12 @ 7:30 pm
The Bebe Theatre
Possibly Shakespeare’s wackiest play, CYMBELINE features a panoply of Shakespeare’s greatest hits: orphaned royalty, mistaken identities, a cross-dressing heroine, a beheading, a war against Rome, poison that doesn’t really kill you, and more! Modern-day added characters Actor 1 and Actor 2 provide much-needed plot recaps and commentary on the action, and a rewritten ending provides some necessary catharsis. This whirlwind performance is one you won’t want to miss!
With: Molly Graves, Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Erin McCarson, Alex McDonald, Jon Stockdale, Eric Vik, and Paul Vonasek.
Written (mostly) by: William Shakespeare.
Directed by: Melon Wedick.
Savannah Sipping Society
May 12 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre
By: Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Director: Beth Norris
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours
Rating: PG due to mild adult themes
In this delightful comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by Fate—and an impromptu happy hour—and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jumpstart their new lives. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment—and most importantly, realize it’s never too late to make new old friends.
The cast of Savannah Sipping Society:
Jennifer Treadway: Marlafaye
Joan Rinchisen: Jinx
Natalie Broadway: Randa
Katie Winkler: Dot
The Revolutionists (produced by Immediate Theatre Project)
May 12 @ 7:30 pm
NC Stage Company
By Lauren Gunderson
Produced by Immediate Theatre Project
Four badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
From the people who brought you Silent Sky comes this grand and dream-tweaked comedy about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world.
Discretionary Content: Adult themes and badass ladies
Movies in the Park: DC League of Super-Pets
May 12 @ 8:00 pm
Pack Square Park
A summer tradition returns to Pack Square Park, the popular FREE Movies in the Park series produced by Asheville Parks & Recreation.
.: MOVIE SCHEDULE :.
📽️ May 12 – DC League of Super-Pets, begins around 8:10pm
📽️ June 9 – Cruella, begins around 8:30pm
📽️ July 14 – Top Gun: Maverick, begins around 8:30 pm
📽️ August 11 – Little Giants, begins around 8:10pm
👉 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime with games, giveaways, and other activities for kids and teens.
.: MAKE A PLAN :.
📍 All movies are free and begin at dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. Approximate showtimes are listed, but plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior. Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort.
📍 Asheville Parks & Recreation Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities start an hour before showtime.
📍 Bring money for food and treats from local vendors. Smokee’s Pizza is scheduled for opening night on May 12 while Tin Can Pizzeria is scheduled for the remaining dates. Kona Ice of Asheville and Kernel Mike’s World Famous Kettle Corn will be available at all dates.
📍 Free parking is available in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie Street after 6pm.
📍 Pets, smoking, and alcohol are prohibited.
📍 Have fun! Dress up as your favorite characters, invite friends, and celebrate cool summer nights.
Movies in the Park allows people to enjoy blockbusters on the big screen with a spectacular backdrop – Asheville City Hall’s art decor exterior flanked by the rising mountains and a night sky full of stars. As Asheville’s town square, Pack Square Park’s central location allows community members in nearby neighborhoods including East End, Montford, South French Broad, and Southside to easily walk, bike, or ride to the show. Free parking in downtown after 6pm makes it a low-cost night out for those traveling from further away.
Steel Magnolias
May 12 @ 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
“Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” Written in just 10 days as a tribute to his sister Susan by playwright Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias explores the relationships between a tight-knit group of Louisiana southern ladies who gather in Truvy’s small-town beauty parlor, celebrating the milestones in each other’s lives. Filled with hilarious repartee and humorously acerbic verbal lacerations, the play deepens when the spunky Shelby (who is diabetic) contradicts her doctor’s advice and risks pregnancy. Steel Magnolias exemplifies the universal and unconditional strengths of sisterhood, resilience, and love.
Spring at Biltmore, one of the estate’s most glorious seasons, invites you to experience a spring break mountain escape with all the charm of a European retreat. Immerse yourself in thousands of colorful tulips as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Explore Italian Renaissance Alive and Ciao! From Italy. Savor our Winery’s award-winning vintages and, of course, the timeless elegance of Biltmore House.
Daytime access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, including:
75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens
20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails
Antler Hill Village & Winery
Complimentary Wine Tasting
Complimentary Parking
Gardens & Grounds admission does NOT include Biltmore House entry.
Cinderella Magic Package
May 13 all-day
online w/ Flat Rock Playhouse
We are excited to bring this special package to you and your loved ones. It’s super easy!
Pick your show date – June 14, 17, 21, 24 (Evening only)
PUSH Skate Camp Registration Open
Spring Photo Contest: “Spring Trails”
Tryon Fine Arts Center Summer Art Camps Registration Open
