Join us at Little Jumbo for CRAFT: Authors in Conversation, a new series conceived and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan! Little Jumbo, located at 241 Broadway Street in Asheville, features classic and classically-inspired craft cocktails, food, live music and more. Their staff will create a specialty cocktail or mocktail for each event. The doors will open at 2:30 pm and the event will begin at 3:00.  If you are not already a Little Jumbo member, there is one-time $1.00 fee. The event is otherwise free of charge and Little Jumbo offers free parking at the corner of Broadway and Monroe. Visit https://www.littlejumbobar.com/ for more information.

A small number of reserved seats will be available to those who purchase the featured book from Malaprop’s prior to the event. Additional seating and standing room will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Starting off CRAFT’s inaugural year is New York City author Ada Calhoun, who will join Kiernan to discuss, Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis, an expansion of Calhoun’s viral story for Oprah.com about the distinct issues facing Generation X women. She and Kiernan will discuss the book, Calhoun’s inspiration and research, and the craft of writing at the event. 

Calhoun is also the author of Wedding Toasts I’ll Never Give and St. Marks Is Dead. Calhoun has worked as an A-list ghostwriter, collaborating on fourteen nonfiction books, including several New York Times bestsellers. She has written for Time, National Geographic Traveler, O: The Oprah magazine, the Times Literary Supplement, The New Republic, Billboard, Cosmopolitan and Redbook and her national news reporting has won multiple awards. 

Denise Kiernan is an author, journalist and producer whose latest book, The Last Castle, was an instant New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback, as well as a Wall Street Journal bestseller. Her previous title, The Girls of Atomic City, is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NPR bestseller and has been published in seven languages. 

oin us to celebrate the launch of Things That Women Do, by Cynn Chadwick. Marie Hefley, editor of the Great Smokies Review, will moderate a panel discussion between Chadwick and authors Vicki Lane, Mildred Barya, Laura Hope-Gill, Jennifer McGaha, and Ellen J. Perry.

After Anna Shields receives an invitation from her estranged Aunt Lydia, she flies to Tennessee to find a number of older women-Tasha, Sadie, and Chloe-also living on Lydia’s farm. Losing power during a blizzard, the women share dark and startling secrets. Skating between past and present, they reveal frighteningly desperate things that they have done. Anna begins to realize, to her shock, that these things are connected to her own past and become key to her future.

Cynn Chadwick is an author of seven novels: Cat Rising, Girls With Hammers, Babies, Bikes, and Broads, Cutting Loose, Angels, and Manners, As The Table Turns, and That’s Karma, Baby… Her books have been nominated for the Lambda, Golden Crown, and Stonewall Literary Awards. Over the course of her career, she has done readings and speaking engagements including: Saints and Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans, The Authors’ Arena at Book Expo America in Chicago, Human Rights Campaign Headquarters, DC, AWP in Atlanta, Amelia Island Book Festival, FL, Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, Asheville and UNCA are just a few of her past speaking and reading engagements. She holds a BA from Norwich University and both an MA and MFA from Goddard College in Vermont. Over the last, nearly, thirty years, she taught creative writing to fifth-graders and senior citizens, teachers and homeless teens, college students and convicted felons and have been equally touched by each of their stories. She lives with her wife Elenna and their Springer Spaniel, The Amazing Andy, in the Blue Ridge Mountains is where she taught in the English Department and Creative Writing program at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

Jeena Bloom is a transgender comic that SiriusXM once described as “the unicorniest unicorn in New York City.” She brings a wild and profane sense of humor along with bracing honesty to the stage. Jeena has been featured on Comedy Central, Viceland, SiriusXM, Vulture and on the popular podcast Guys We Fucked. She is the winner of the 2018 Harlem Comedy Festival and can now be seen dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York and everywhere in between.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-jeena-bloom-tickets-84782925011

Meetup members pay just $7 at the door

Jeena Bloom is a transgender comic that SiriusXM once described as “the unicorniest unicorn in New York City.” She brings a wild and profane sense of humor along with bracing honesty to the stage. Jeena has been featured on Comedy Central, Viceland, SiriusXM, Vulture and on the popular podcast Guys We Fucked. She is the winner of the 2018 Harlem Comedy Festival and can now be seen dividing her time between Los Angeles and New York and everywhere in between.

Mary Cassatt Miller falls for famous photojournalist Ethan Graham. But it’s complicated. For months at a time, Ethan’s work takes him to Afghanistan, and Cass, who’s passionate about her job in Atlanta, wants a husband who comes home at night. Then, there’s the issue of family–he wants one; she doesn’t.

What they do want is a life together, so Ethan agrees that after three years, he will stop traveling–whether Cass agrees to children or not. But for Cass, who grew up with a mother who didn’t want her and a father who was never home, even thinking about children is troubling.
Now, nine weeks before their third anniversary, Cass wonders whether Ethan will try to squeeze in one final trip to Afghanistan. When he does, she’s unsure if he will ever give up the work he loves. And if he won’t, well, she will not repeat the life her parents had.
As the clock counts down, it doesn’t help that Singer, the artist-bartender, is always in Atlanta, and the enthralling Setara, the subject of Ethan’s most famous photograph, is also his business partner. Then, a new danger in Afghanistan changes everything.
In this elegant and honest debut novel, Cass and Ethan must navigate that fine line between the things they want for themselves and the life they want together, and it appears that Cass will have to choose one or the other.

Cynthia Newberry Martin grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. After first practicing law, she earned an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her website features the How We Spend Our Days series for writers. She lives in Columbus, Georgia, with her husband, and in Provincetown in a little house by the water. Tidal Flats is her first novel.

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.

Join us to kick of the tour for Nick Bruel’s newest book!

See Kitty as you’ve never seen her before: EXERCISING (reluctantly) in the latest installment of the phenomenally successful New York Times–bestelling series. Kitty is terribly out of shape—she can barely torment Puppy without needing a break to huff and puff! When Kitty’s owner catches her wheezing, Kitty is told it’s time to EXERCISE. It takes some serious convincing, a high-stakes competition, and a little bit of trickery but eventually Kitty gets into the competitive spirit . . . albeit reluctantly. What did you expect? Will our favorite feline friend learn what it means to be a good sport? Find out in this hilarious addition to the Bad Kitty series.

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of the phenomenally successful Bad Kitty series, including the 2012 and 2013 CBC Children’s Choice Book Award winners Bad Kitty Meets the Baby and Bad Kitty for President. Nick has also written and illustrated popular picture books, including A Wonderful Year. Nick lives with his wife and daughter in Westchester, New York. nickbruel.com

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.

See Kitty as you’ve never seen her before: EXERCISING (reluctantly) in the latest installment of the phenomenally successful New York Times–bestelling series. Kitty is terribly out of shape—she can barely torment Puppy without needing a break to huff and puff! When Kitty’s owner catches her wheezing, Kitty is told it’s time to EXERCISE. It takes some serious convincing, a high-stakes competition, and a little bit of trickery but eventually Kitty gets into the competitive spirit . . . albeit reluctantly. What did you expect? Will our favorite feline friend learn what it means to be a good sport? Find out in this hilarious addition to the Bad Kitty series.

Nick Bruel is the author and illustrator of the phenomenally successful Bad Kitty series, including the CBC Children’s Choice Book Award winners Bad Kitty Meets the Baby and Bad Kitty for President.

Blaire Erskine is a weekend regular at Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Lounge, where she entertains audiences with silly observations and stories inspired by her eccentric family, rural upbringing, and love for cats. When she’s not telling jokes in Atlanta, you can catch her performing at venues all across the Southeast.

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-blaire-erskine-tickets-86017437471

Meetup members pay just $7 at the door!

Blaire Erskine is a weekend regular at Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Lounge, where she entertains audiences with silly observations and stories inspired by her eccentric family, rural upbringing, and love for cats. When she’s not telling jokes in Atlanta, you can catch her performing at venues all across the Southeast.

Featuring tba

Tickets $7 advance, $10 day of
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-fleetwoods-blaire-erskine-tickets-86017437471

Thursday night Feb 6
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic!
Hosted by Cody Hughes
Doors 8:30p/9:00p show
$7 (+membership)
Professional Features and Newbi comics
Comics get in free (+free membership)
Free snacks/drink specials
Comics sign up at door or email [email protected]
New comics to venue get 3-5m
Regular comics get as much time as available. Look for light]
Contact Michele at [email protected] for more info/sign up early or request a feature (paid 20m)

The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium is proud to welcome comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White to Asheville, NC on February 7, 2020. Ron is a classic storyteller; relaying tales from his real life ranging from growing up in a small town in Texas, to sharing stories of his daily life, to becoming one of the most successful comedians in America. He rose to fame as the cigar-smoking, scotch-drinking funnyman from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon, but since 2004 has established himself as a star in his own right. Over the past nine years he has been one of the top three grossing stand-up comedians on tour in America. Tickets will go on sale Friday, November 22nd at 10am online and at the venue box office. More information available here. 

James Gregory, dubbed “the funniest man in America,” has been performing home-spun comedy to sold-out crowds for over 25 years. Delivering common-sense wisdom, old-fashioned values, and politically-incorrect humor, Gregory is known for rib-tickling reflections on life from the front porch.

Refusing the vulgar and profane, Gregory instead relies on a wry sense of the absurd, a southern accent, and universal storytelling – often drawn from his own life – to create an evening of non-stop laughter. The ridiculous, the common, and sometimes even the simplest events all become hilarious in the hands of this master storyteller and world-class comedian.

Gregory can be heard weekly on syndicated radio shows such as Rick and Bubba, John Boy and Billy, and Bob and Tom.

“The funniest man in America just might be the most successful comic you’ve never heard” — Atlanta Magazine

“James Gregory is in a class all by himself…his humor transcends all barriers: social, economical, racial, or whatever.” – Entertainment Magazine

“James Gregory doesn’t take the stage, he takes the room.” – The Seattle Times

Official Website

VIP Package: $95

• One ticket
• Meet & Greet with photo op
• Crock Pots and Chicken Legs CD

James Gregory, dubbed “the funniest man in America,” has been performing home-spun comedy to sold-out crowds for over 25 years. Delivering common-sense wisdom, old-fashioned values, and politically-incorrect humor, Gregory is known for rib-tickling reflections on life from the front porch.

Refusing the vulgar and profane, Gregory instead relies on a wry sense of the absurd, a southern accent, and universal storytelling – often drawn from his own life – to create an evening of non-stop laughter. The ridiculous, the common, and sometimes even the simplest events all become hilarious in the hands of this master storyteller and world-class comedian.

Gregory can be heard weekly on syndicated radio shows such as Rick and Bubba, John Boy and Billy, and Bob and Tom.

“The funniest man in America just might be the most successful comic you’ve never heard” — Atlanta Magazine

“James Gregory is in a class all by himself…his humor transcends all barriers: social, economical, racial, or whatever.” – Entertainment Magazine

“James Gregory doesn’t take the stage, he takes the room.” – The Seattle Times

Official Website

VIP Package: $95

• One ticket
• Meet & Greet with photo op
• Crock Pots and Chicken Legs CD

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.

Love, Hate and Standup Comedy Revue,
featuring 12 of Asheville’s Sexiest Comics
Thursday February 13, 8p (doors 7p)
Where: The Orange Peel
Cost: $10/$12

Hosted by Cody Hughes, featuring some of Asheville’s funniest and up-and-coming-comics:

Cary Goff
Petey Smith McDowell
Tom Scheve
Hilliary Begley
Moira Goree
Morgan Bost
Justin Blackburn
Jess Cooley
Lilly Campbell
Cory Thompson
Corey Smathers

Brought to you by Slice of Life Comedy. For more info contact Michele Scheve at [email protected]