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!

Raise a glass and join the Asheville Symphony in celebrating the long-awaited return of the Asheville Amadeus Festival. We are kicking off the festival in style at Cursus Kĕmē with the release of an exclusive brew — Das Horner Bier. Das Horner Bier has a special connection to our festival’s namesake, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; a known favorite of his, the beer-loving composer even mentions this beer in a work from 1782! This light and dry oat-based brew has a slightly sweet, citrusy taste with a hint of spice and malt — perfect easy drinking for an early-summer Mozart festival. Join us as we launch the festival with a glass of Das Horner Bier and a snack from a local food truck — cheers to ten glorious days of Amadeus festivities!

WELCOME BACK TO ASHEVILLE AMADEUS

The festival began in 2015 as a week-long event, and in 2017 and 2019 was expanded to a grand 10-day festival bringing together some of Asheville’s most talented musicians, artists, brewers and entertainers for a schedule of performances, education programs, collaborations and social events. Headlining artists have included Emanuel Ax, Midori, Warren Haynes and Garrick Ohlsson.

Building upon the success of our rock-themed Festival in 2019, the 2023 Festival moves in another exciting new direction, this year celebrating all things Americana with theater, art, music, culinary arts, and more. Featuring banjo superstar Béla Fleck as our Festival Headliner, Kishi Bashi as our Festival Opener, and 25+ partner organizations offering 40+ events throughout this extraordinary ten-day Festival, this is the most ambitious Amadeus in Asheville Symphony history!

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

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.

Our jazz trio with Thommy Knoles on keys, Felix Pastorius on bass, and Paul Gladstone on drums will perform an opening set from about 7-8:15 pm.

An open jam session follows. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged for a suggested donation of $10.

Jazz Jam will feature a diverse array of music from jazz’s rich history, ranging from 1940s bebop up to 1970s jazz fusion, as well as material from prominent present-day composers. Bring your instruments and jam with us, or just come and enjoy!

Whether blowing bebop over a Mingus tune or freely improvising with Anthony Braxton, Michael Rabinowitz’s contributions have changed the conception of what the bassoon can do. Since graduating with a BFA in music performance from SUNY at Purchase in the late seventies Michael’s improvisatory skills opened the door for the bassoon to enter a variety of musical environments not traditionally associated with the instrument.

He has recorded with Ira Sullivan, Red Rodney, Wynton Marsalis, John Hicks, Dave Douglas, Chris Potter and Joe Lovano. His festival appearances include Chicago, Montreal, Berlin, Tri-city, Tanglewood, San Francisco and Hollywood Bowl. Michael is a founding member of The Charles Mingus Orchestra which can be heard regularly at the Jazz Standard in NYC. His quartet Bassoon and the Wild has performed at the The Vanderbilt Planetarium, Frick Museum, JVC Jazz Festival, , Penn State, Kavehaz and other venues in NYC. Ocean Eyes is Michael’s 5th CD and documents the development of his quartet with mostly original compositions. The Buffet Group USA has been Michael’s sponsor for the past fifteen years and has supported his participation in performances and master classes at the IDRS most notably the Jazz at June Festival in Oklahoma with oboist Paul McCandless

Michael Rabinowitz is joined by the three of the top jazz musicians in western North Carolina; Michael Jefry Stevens, Zack Page, and Rick Dilling. It promises to be a rare opportunity to hear great world-class jazz music without traveling to New York or Chicago.

• Visit The Artists Website

The FABBA Show – Tribute to ABBA comes to The Orange Peel on Thursday, May 11 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20/$22 and may be purchased by phone at 828.398.1837, at the box office or online at www.theorangepeel.net. The Orange Peel is located at 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. The show is appropriate for all ages.

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

In May the Asheville Symphony will once again present their annual Mozart festival, Asheville Amadeus. The Library will host three kindermusik events at Pack Library, West Asheville and Skyland Libraries in conjunction with the Asheville Amadeus Festival.

Kindermusik educator, Yvette Odell, will present Circle ‘Round the Music for kids, a music and movement program for preschool age children. “Ms. Yvette” — as she is known to many young children in the Asheville area — will introduce a live string quartet at each informal event, a special opportunity for very young children to get an up-close experience with music-making. Ms. Yvette will lead families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers in singing and dancing along with the string quartet.

These events are free and no sign up is required. This program is presented by Weetunes, an education program of the Asheville Symphony, and Buncombe County Public Libraries. Recommended for ages birth to five.

In May the Asheville Symphony will once again present their annual Mozart festival, Asheville Amadeus. The Library will host three kindermusik events at Pack Library, West Asheville and Skyland Libraries in conjunction with the Asheville Amadeus Festival.

Kindermusik educator, Yvette Odell, will present Circle ‘Round the Music for kids, a music and movement program for preschool age children. “Ms. Yvette” — as she is known to many young children in the Asheville area — will introduce a live string quartet at each informal event, a special opportunity for very young children to get an up-close experience with music-making. Ms. Yvette will lead families with babies, toddlers and preschoolers in singing and dancing along with the string quartet.

These events are free and no sign up is required. This program is presented by Weetunes, an education program of the Asheville Symphony, and Buncombe County Public Libraries. Recommended for ages birth to five.

IMIJ OF SOUL

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

Enjoy the WNC Nature Center in the evening with a beer or cider in hand!

Wanna hear the best local music ​and​ drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.

ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY
– RAIN OR SHINE

The Pinkerton Raid is “a towering forest of indie rock with a timbre of folk that shadows Langhorne Slim, Cold War Kids and The Killers,” says THE SPILL. 2022’s THE HIGHWAY MOVES THE WORLD begins two decades ago in Jesse James DeConto’s childhood basement, where he learned The Beatles and first turned a songwriter’s eye on his own rich and complicated family life. “Radiant,” says AMERICAN SONGWRITER. “Poignant,” says ROLLING STONE. “Anthemic,” says AMERICANA-UK. Since the lockdowns, Jesse is back on the road with a totally new lineup, but, as always, a gang of friends with a full-band sound. The Durham, NC-based band has played at festivals from Georgia to Ohio, sharing stages with Liz Cooper, The Bones of JR Jones and The Nude Party. “A sound for dreamers around a campfire,” says GHETTOBLASTER. “Folksy indie rock,” describes FLAGPOLE MAGAZINE, “threads of the quilt of American folklore.”
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Annabelle’s Curse is an electrified indie-folk band from Bristol, TN/VA. The band has developed a reputation for high energy live shows and immersive studio albums. They have released five full-length albums and one EP. Since forming in 2010, Annabelle’s Curse has toured extensively throughout the southeast and mid-Atlantic, developing a devoted fan base. They have had the privilege of supporting acts such as Blues Traveler, Sam Bush, Langhorne Slim, Anderson East, Paul McDonald, The Hackensaw Boys, and Birds of Chicago. The band has been a staple at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, most recently taking the stage for their 10th year, and have been featured at numerous other music festivals including Floydfest, Rooster Walk, Fall for Greenville, Rhythm N’ Blooms, and North Carolina Brewers Fest. The band has also appeared on PBS’s Music City Roots and Song of the Mountains.
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Hailing from North Carolina, two sisters and friends of the Maggie Valley Band came together in the town they now identify themselves with. Each member learned their trade of music in the beautiful mountains of Maggie Valley, NC. Sisters Whitney & Caroline Miller grew up in a home where playing the piano was a daily requirement. Daily requirements turned to passion as they hit the streets to street busk. After years of busking, The Maggie Valley Band was officially formed and decided to take it inside-to venues. TMVB released their album “The Hardest Thing” in 2018 under under the direction of Grammy & Emmy nominated producer, David Mayfield. TMVB comes together to produce a sound affectionately referred to as “Dark Appalachian”, ranging from folk rock to indie rock.

Support your firefighters and paramedics of North Carolina by coming to see the Hottest new artist out of Nashville TN. George Birge with “Give me that drink” song is sweeping the radio stations. Get your tickets now!