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.

Sunday, March 17, 2019
Creative Arts Market
Mar 17 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
THE BLOCK off biltmore

Asheville’s newest downtown market!
Featuring Conscious Consumption, Craft & Conversation.

Calling all revolutionary hearts and wild spirited folks! Join us for LIVE music, medicine, and metaphysics. This is an opportunity to get cozy with an amazing community of local vendors in the historic downtown YMI building. Market St. Mimosas with locally fermented blueberry sugar rim and herbal cacao shots will be served and the astrologer and healer tables will be open!!!

Visit us on 2nd & 3rd SUNDAYS 12-4pm after your brunch or church of choice and see what’s happening!

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Mar 17 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Monday, March 18, 2019
Stage Fright Open Mic
Mar 18 @ 8:00 pm
Noble Kava

Do you have an interest in performance but lack experience? Do you want to share your musical abilities but suffer from anxiety? Are you working on some poetry or story telling but haven’t found an outlet that is comfortable enough for your debilitating stage fright?

If so THANK GOODNESS WE FOUND YOU. WE NEED YOU.

Noble Kava hosts the longest running/one of the largest open mics in Asheville (largely thanks to the renowned Caleb Bessiert) and it is our pride and joy. We want to take that format to create a comfortable space where people can begin to overcome the fears that inhibit them from creatively expressing themselves, the way they genuinely wish they could.

As the event organizer I (Delaney Storm Brown) gotta say…. I suffer from hilariously bad stage fright and am looking forward to overcoming that fear with you beautiful creatures.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
ACMS Presents Takács String Quartet & pianist Garrick Ohlsson
Mar 19 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Haydn: String Quartet, Op. 76 No. 1
Mendelssohn: String Quartet, Op. 80
Amy Beach: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 67

The New York Times recently lauded the Takács Quartet for “revealing the familiar as unfamiliar, making the most traditional of works feel radical once more”, and the Financial Times described a recent concert at the Wigmore Hall: “Even in the most fiendish repertoire these players show no fear, injecting the music with a heady sense of freedom. At the same time, though, there is an uncompromising attention to detail: neither a note nor a bow-hair is out of place.” Since his triumph as winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess.

Friday, March 22, 2019
KalimbaMan
Mar 22 all-day
Noble Kava

Considered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears musical gifts have astounded audiences around the world and rewritten what was thought humanly impossible on this exotic musical instrument.

Spears’ blinding skill and musical creativity are often compared to innovative legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix and Les Paul among others and his uncanny ability to play multiple musical and percussive ideas simultaneously in a live setting is iconic, pure and simple…

Spears music is an acoustic electronic mix of funk, afro-beat, latin, trance with a dash of rock that will move your feet and stir your soul.

In addition to making his own instruments, KalimbaMan (as his friends call him) performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Eric Benet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Wudasse, POS (of De La Soul), Arrested Development, Bill Summers (of Herbie Hancock band), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Divinity (bassist for Beyonce).

Rites of Spring Sacred Equinox Sound ATUNEment
Mar 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Academy at Terpsicorps

Enter into the Rites of Spring with us to celebrate the Equinox and the Cycle of Newness. In this Sacred Equinox Sound ATUNEment, immerse into the indigenous, purifying tones of Sacred Voice, Tibetan and crystal bowls, tank drums, and the exquisite frequencies of gongs. We create a Human Mandala of Sacred Sound and chant the ancient sacred seed syllables of the chakras and connect them deeply within us through mudras. We dance into Newness through ecstatic movement, and end the evening in joy, sharing and copious amounts of chocolate.

We will be seated in a star configuration and once again we will be offering the Inner Mandala Healing Circle and the Outer Mandala general seating. The Inner Mandala Healing Circle is near the bowls and gongs, where you will receive individual Sacred Sound with specialty tuning forks, crystal pyramids and vocal tunings.

VERY IMPORTANT: We will be laying on a hard dance floor. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MATS, CUSHIONING and BLANKETS. It is important that you are comfortable to get the most out of this experience. There are very few mats available and NO cushions or blankets on-site.

With Vibrational Alchemists/Sacred Sound Healers Myrrh de Marmion and Wendy Morrison

Sunday, March 24, 2019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Mar 24 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Saturday, March 30, 2019
Echofest 2019
Mar 30 @ 1:00 pm
UNCA Main Quad

Blue Echo Radio’s annual music festival hosted on UNCA campus. All ages & free and open to the community.
16+ Bands including The Love Language, Linqua Franqa, Kitty Tsunami, Infinity Crush, The Eccentrics, and more!
Echofest will also feature food trucks, family friendly activities, and community vendors including Honey Pot Vintage, Word Emporium as well as Tarot and Henna Artists.
More information as well as the full lineup can be found on the Echofest event page via Facebook.
Echofest is hosted by Blue Echo, UNCA’s student run radio station and co-hosted by Asheville FM.

Sunday, March 31, 2019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Mar 31 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Andrew Duhon & Lydia Luce: Follow the River Down Tour
Apr 2 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Andrew Duhon is a songwriter from New Orleans, a teller of stories with an undeniable voice, weighted and soulful. Duhon has released 3 recordings, the latest of which, ‘The Moorings’, was nominated for a Grammy in 2014 for ‘Best Engineered Album’. He has toured solo for much of his career, and that troubadour element is certainly present, an usher of modern day folklore. His current touring group is a trio with upright bassist, Myles Weeks and drummer, Jim Kolacek. Since recording ‘The Moorings’ Duhon has been crossing the American landscape, the thoughtful colors and harmonies of the trio breathing a new musicality and direction into Duhon’s songwriting traditions.

Lydia Luce was born into a musical family, her mother, a gifted organ and piano player, and her brother, a cellist. Luce’s first instrument was viola, and by age 13 she was performing in her mother’s orchestra. Her debut full-length album Azalea, produced by Jordan Lehning and Skylar Wilson, combines her classical training with Americana and folk influences for a collection that feels authentic and comfortable in a way that only lifelong talent can create. Popmatters writes of the debut release that the tunes are, “carefully composed without the sort of pomp that we may have come to expect from classically-trained performers from musical families. Luce forgoes the usual pageantry for something organic and unique that comes from the heart.”
With this compilation of songs born from a collaboration in Nashville, TN, Luce was able to combine what she knew about instrumentation with the fruits of new self-discoveries. Luce says, “Playing strings has been a huge part of my life. On this album, I got to record viola and guitar on my tunes with people that I truly admire. I’m very proud of what we’ve created.” As she continues to write and record, her Spotify streams are climbing to over 17 million and counting, with plans to release an Azalea EP of instrumental and live versions in May of this year.

Open Jam
Apr 2 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Noble Kava

The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).

We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.

This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. Bula!

Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Poetry Open Mic with Caleb Beissert
Apr 3 @ 7:30 pm – Apr 4 @ 12:00 am
Noble Kava

Weekly Open Mic with Caleb Beissert! Sign up at 7:30 pm, Mic starts at 8 pm! All forms of entertainment welcome!! Come get a kava and enjoy the local talent

BULA!!

Thursday, April 4, 2019
KalimbaMan
Apr 4 all-day
Noble Kava

Considered by many as one of the best kalimba players alive today, Kevin Spears musical gifts have astounded audiences around the world and rewritten what was thought humanly impossible on this exotic musical instrument.

Spears’ blinding skill and musical creativity are often compared to innovative legends such as Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix and Les Paul among others and his uncanny ability to play multiple musical and percussive ideas simultaneously in a live setting is iconic, pure and simple…

Spears music is an acoustic electronic mix of funk, afro-beat, latin, trance with a dash of rock that will move your feet and stir your soul.

In addition to making his own instruments, KalimbaMan (as his friends call him) performs internationally including a recent tour of Japan and has worked with and/or opened for artists such as: Victor Wooten, India.Arie, Eric Benet, Col. Bruce Hampton, Toubab Krewe, Wudasse, POS (of De La Soul), Arrested Development, Bill Summers (of Herbie Hancock band), Vinx, Jhelisa Anderson, Divinity (bassist for Beyonce).

Friday, April 5, 2019
Billy Ray Cyrus
Apr 5 @ 7:30 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

Born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his country singing, hunky good looks and mullet hairstyle, has enjoyed a mulit-layed performance career as a multi-platinum selling recording artist. He has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the Billboard Country Songs chart. His most successful album to date is his debut Some Gave All, which has been certified 9 Multi-Platinum in the United States and is the longest time spent by a debut artist at number one on the Billboard 200 and featured the breakout hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” From 2001 to 2004, Cyrus starred in the television show Doc. The show was about a country doctor who moved from Montana to New York City. From 2006 to 2011, he co-starred in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter, Miley Cyrus. Soon after, Cyrus enjoyed an eight-week run on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. In years since, Cyrus has been alternating between making music and acting. In an industry where excesses are the order of the day, Cyrus has retained his humility and morals and continues to be an inspiration and mentor to aspiring musicians all over the world.

Saturday, April 6, 2019
Danger Hatt Live at Flood Gallery
Apr 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Join us for this energetic duo from Black Mountain, featuring Randy Sarton (Guitar & Vocals) and Bill Hattori (Cajon Drum, Splash Cymbal, Various Percussion). $5/person suggested donation. Be dangerous!

Sunday, April 7, 2019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Apr 7 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Friday, April 12, 2019
A Glimpse of His Last Days
Apr 12 @ 7:00 pm
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

A musical, pictorial and live stage presentation of Jesus’ last days based on a cantata by Dallas Holmes. The choir and cast of the Tallulah Falls, GA outdoor passion drama bring a glimpse of “His Last Days” from their 35 years of summer enactments of Jesus’ life. Not just an Easter story- but a continual timeless narrative of faith.

Kaizen
Apr 12 @ 9:00 pm – Apr 13 @ 12:00 am
Noble Kava

Kaizen live at The Kava Bar
Mike Barnes -Guitar, Mark McDaniel-Bass, Jeff Sipe on Drums:

Friday, April 12th at 9 PM
Live at The Kava Bar:

Kaizen (改善) is the Japanese word for “improvement”. In business, kaizen refers to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers… In the Music World, with these Top-Tier Musicians, it hard to believe there is little to any room for improvement and yet they strive for excellence and more growth with every performance. If not for themselves, then for the listeners.

Saturday, April 13, 2019
Plywood Cowboy
Apr 13 @ 8:00 pm
Isis Music Hall

When Plywood Cowboy made its debut three years ago, the band was quickly called “one of the best new bands on the Americana scene” by New York Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Chris Bergson. Twelve states of touring, sell-out shows, and many accolades later, Plywood Cowboy makes their Asheville debut on April 13 at Isis Music Hall. Their latest album, “Blue Skies”, earned a spot on the 2018 Grammy ballot in the Best Americana Album and best Americana Song categories. Listen at www.plywoodcowboy.com

Sunday, April 14, 2019
ASPIRE Experience Conference
Apr 14 – Apr 16 all-day
Pack Square Park

AIA South Atlantic’s new ASPIRE EXPERIENCE is a one-of-a-kind conference using Asheville’s art scene, historical architecture, craft breweries, popular parks, and local businesses to create and present a program of education, inspiration, and engagement for the design and construction community. The ASPIRE EXPERIENCE offers designers the opportunity to impact change and make a difference to their community. This is a time for transformation.

Attend this dynamic EXPERIENCE and create new relationships and ideas that can be into your work and daily lives throughout the year. Meet, network, and experience the industry’s leading experts all in one place.

Transform your thinking and ideas with demonstrations of cutting-edge solutions and new, innovative methods. EXPERIENCE how you can help change your community and profession with the leading though innovators in the area.

Look beyond the event as you get inspired to make a difference in your community. Engage with visionaries and walk away with solutions and the understanding of the power you hold to create meaningful change.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Apr 14 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Monday, April 15, 2019
Share The Shame
Apr 15 @ 7:30 pm
Noble Kava

Do you ever think about something you did or said from your awkward pre-pubescence that is SO EMBARRASSING it sends a shiver of shame down your spine? You may not realize it, but the rest of the world is dying to hear it! We’re taking the format of the international art movement – Mortified!

Dust off that diary! Unearth those letters! Share your awkward and embarrassing childhood journals, artwork, letters, poems, lyrics, home movies, and plays. We are always looking for you like you to join our community. Never been on stage? We love that!

Sign up is at 7:30pm, we’ll start at 8:00pm!

Here is a trailer for the film version of the movement, Mortified Nation, currently on Netflix if you want to take a peek and get some inspiration!

Tips for People who Want to Perform!

DO. Earmark 5-8 excerpts that you’re embarrassed to admit you wrote. That way you have a variety to pull from when onstage

DO. If possible, try to find a theme connecting your excerpts (i.e. being boy/girl crazy, hating your parents, trying to look a certain way, etc.) but if it doesn’t, no sweat, this is about having fun.

DO. Look for entries where your writing was very dramatic– whether you were ultra angry or ultra happy. These tend to be funny.

DO. Bring a photo of yourself from that age if you have one! If you can print it out, even better, so we can pass them around for everyone to see how cute your little awkward face looked ;)

DO. Look for entries where your writing was oblivious to an obvious-to-anyone-else reality. (For instance, a closeted teen writing about their love of Broadway musicals.)

DO. Look for entries that make you react, “I can’t believe I actually thought like that.”

DON’T make stuff up. The fun of our show is that people sharing actual mementos from childhood. If you want to write an essay about your childhood, there are plenty of great projects (like the Moth) that are better forums for that.

DON’T censor yourself, we want to hear it raw.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Open Jam
Apr 16 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Noble Kava

The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).

We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.

This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B

Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Poetry Open Mic with Caleb Beissert
Apr 17 all-day
Noble Kava

Weekly Open Mic with Caleb Beissert! Sign up at 7:30 pm, Mic starts at 8 pm! All forms of entertainment welcome!! Come get a kava and enjoy the local talent

BULA!!

Friday, April 19, 2019
Letters From Home: Reviving Patriotism
Apr 19 @ 7:30 pm
Attic Salt Theatre

FREE EVENT supporting veterans, active military and military families on April 19 at 7:30 pm. Don’t miss Letters From Home performing its signature USO-style entertainment, with nostalgic music, singing, and tap-dancing. One of the fastest growing musical acts in the country, Letters From Home seeks to revive patriotism – not politics! – through music!

Saturday, April 20, 2019
AshevilleFairyHair.com at Hemp Fest at Weaver House
Apr 20 @ 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Weaver House

Come celebrate 4/20 and get Sparkled with Finklepott’s Original Fairy Hair!! The MOST MAGICAL Fairy Hair in the World! Not tinsel.

You can wash it,
brush it,
comb it,
curl it,
flat iron, (up to 450°!)
color it,
straighten it,
perm it,
blow it dry, get your haircut, etc.
Do whatever you normally do to your hair, but most of all; ENJOY IT!

?Saturday, April 20th 4:30pm-9:30pm
at
Weaver House Hemp Fest-FREE EVENT!
56 N Main Street, Weaverville, NC 28787

Sign up here to reserve your spot and for more information:
http://bit.ly/hempfest4202019

Sunday, April 21, 2019
Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Apr 21 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Open Jam
Apr 23 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Noble Kava

The Open Jam at Noble Kava welcomes players of all kinds to come explore, push boundaries, step out of comfort zones, gain experience, and meet and play with musicians from Asheville and beyond. There are no genre restrictions, as long as it’s not too loud for the room. All genders and all peoples are welcome (also well behaved animals are welcome, too).

We provide full backline–drum kit, amps, piano, keys, and PA with mics/inputs. The jam is hosted by the house band, the Kavalactones, who play for the first half hour or so, and then the jam opens up. There’s no list. Just show up and let us know you want to play. We recommend bringing your own instrument (guitar, bass, musical saw, ect.), unless you play keys, or sticks if you play kit.

This is a weekly opportunity for experienced musicians to get together, talk, and share ideas in a living room-like setting. No alcohol is served, but players are invited to try kava at the two-fer-one rate, and kavalactone elixir shots are $1 off anytime the Kavalactones are playing at the bar. B

Thursday, April 25, 2019
Corey Smith Live at The Orange Peel
Apr 25 all-day
The Orange Peel

Corey Smith, the fan-made man, has sold over 1 million concert tickets, 1.5 million digital singles and over 220,000 albums. Smith has amassed an unfailingly devout fan base, not only in his native Southeast region, but all around the nation, simply by telling it the way it is. He has released 10 albums—including 2011’s Top 20 release The Broken Record. Corey has written every word on every album himself and he produced 9 out of 10 of the records. In Summer 2015, Corey teamed up with producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) for his album, “While the Gettin’ Is Good,” which was released on Sugar Hill Records. Smith’s concerts, which were documented on his last live record, Live in Chattanooga, regularly sell out, with audiences singing along to such fan favorites as the coming-of-age anthem “Twenty-One,” the nostalgic time warp “If I Could Do It Again” and the group hug “I Love Everyone.” Corey consistently tours, hitting around 120 dates per year and has begun releasing singles from his upcoming project, the Great Wide Underground.

Friday, April 26, 2019
ACMS Presents Ying Quartet & cellist Zuill Bailey
Apr 26 @ 8:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville

Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, S. 1007
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129 (arr. for string quintet)
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D. 956

The Ying Quartet occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world, combining brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in its second decade as a quartet, the Quartet has established itself as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in its tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the premiere cellists in the world, is a Grammy Award winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, artistic director, and teacher.