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, January 7, 2020
Asheville Gem & Lapidary Show
Jan 7 all-day
WNC Agricultural Center Expo Building

G&LW Trade Shows are produced in many major trade centers across the United States for the convenience of wholesale buyers. For the past 43 years G&LW’s multiple show venues have been, and continue to be, a top gem & mineral buyer destination. G&LW exhibitors enjoy world class personal service and exposure to the best customers in the business. Our goal is to create an environment that helps exhibitors connect to the right buyers & build successful relationships.
For more information about this show, please check out www.glwshows.com.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Artist Opportunities: Asheville Area Arts Council
Jan 8 all-day
Asheville NC

Artist Opportunities

The Asheville Area Arts Council is pleased to share the following opportunities for artists that have recently been submitted to us. If you have any questions about an opportunity, please contact the listed organization.

The Asheville Area Arts Council does not endorse or recommend any specific opportunities, but provides this list for information only. We encourage artists to research each opportunity thoroughly before applying.

Call for Artists: NRCC Art Society

The North Ridge Country Club Art Society wishes to promote art and area artists, while also developing increased art appreciation within its membership. The NRCC Art Society continues to expand the permanent art collection in the clubhouse for members …

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January 3, 2020 – January 19, 2020

Call for Musicians: Chamber Music Raleigh

ANNOUNCING THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NC-BASED MUSICIANS   Performance Venue: North Carolina Museum of Art, SECU Auditorium Dates: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 2pm or Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 2pm Artists Fee: up to $2500   Submission Instructions:  …

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January 2, 2020 – January 24, 2020

Call for Artists: Shenandoah National Park

The Shenandoah National Park Artist-in-Residence program offers professional artists focused time to creatively explore the natural and cultural resources of this astounding landscape. It also allows artists the opportunity to share their work through …

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November 25, 2019 – January 31, 2020

Call for Artists: Zapow Juried Show

ZaPow Gallery, the premier Illustration and Narrative Art Gallery in the Southeast, will be hosting its Second Annual Juried Open Show March 2020. If you are an Illustrator or Narrative artist living in the WNC area this is your chance to show your wor …

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December 9, 2019 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Magnetic Theater

SPECIAL EVENT – ONE ACT PLAY FESTIVAL Script Submission Guidelines:   – The submission deadline is Saturday, February 1st at 11:59pm. – Plays should be between 10 and 30 minutes long, though there is a bit of wiggle room. – No more than 10 roles (prefe …

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January 3, 2020 – February 1, 2020

Call for Artists: Chilkoot Trail Residency

The Yukon Arts Centre, the US National Park Service, Parks Canada and the Skagway Arts Council are calling for submissions for the 2021 Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency Program. Participants will combine their artistic abilities with a love of the outdo …

December 9, 2019 – February 11, 2020

Call for Artists: International Artist Residency

Open Call for 2020-21 International Artist Residencies at Farm Studio in Rajasthan, India The deadline for applications is 20th February, 2020. Residencies will take place October, November, December 2020 and January, February 2021. All residency infor …

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Asheville Gem & Lapidary Show
Jan 8 all-day
WNC Agricultural Center Expo Building

G&LW Trade Shows are produced in many major trade centers across the United States for the convenience of wholesale buyers. For the past 43 years G&LW’s multiple show venues have been, and continue to be, a top gem & mineral buyer destination. G&LW exhibitors enjoy world class personal service and exposure to the best customers in the business. Our goal is to create an environment that helps exhibitors connect to the right buyers & build successful relationships.
For more information about this show, please check out www.glwshows.com.

Asheville Mardi Gras Parade Volunteers Needed
Jan 8 all-day
South Slope
Asheville Mardi Gras Parade February 23
The 13th annual Asheville Mardi Gras parade will take place on February 23 in South Slope and we’re looking for parade day volunteers. The Asheville Mardi Gras parade is an all-inclusive, family friendly, full-color spectacle that is fun, entertaining, full of music, floats, dancing and celebrating. Spectators receive beads and candy and the photo opportunities are always amazing.

Details include: 

* About 20-25 volunteers needed for this rain or shine event. There will be 2 shifts, estimated to be from approx. 11a to 2/3p, and 2p to 5/6p.
*Setting up, manning and breaking down street barricades
*Assisting with krewe and float line up and timing as the parade begins
*Identifying parked cars that might need to be towed and checking for obstacles to smooth crowd control along the parade route.
*Coordinating with the Parade Logistics manager and city police
*Carrying 1 or 2 parade banners (Costumes optional but always encouraged!)
*Assisting with end of parade float disbursement
*Trash pick up following the parade set up and marching route. This is mostly paper trash and beads.  It’s rarely more than a few bags total.
Returning barricades, cones, etc. to the post-parade collection point
Confirmed Volunteer perks include $10 gift card to Vortex Donuts & Coffee and a free beer at Catawba.  Possibly more perks to come!
Email Dane if you’re interested in helping out, [email protected]
AMG is also seeking a Parade Day Logistics Manager as a PAID POSITION for Sunday, Feb. 23. Ideal person should have outdoor event coordination experience, flexibility and a good sense of humor. Duties include coordinating volunteers, ensuring cones and barricades are in place at all check points, answering any traffic/parked car/pedestrian concerns, acting as parade day primary contact for police and security and Mardi Gras leadership, coordinating compliance with City parade permit requirements, and helping ensure a timely start and finish to the parade. Candidate could plan to cover the parade route via bicycle or scooter or use walkie talkies to accomplish oversight of the .5 mile parade route. This position pays $125 for the day. More details available to any interested candidate. Email Dane if you’re interested in the position, [email protected]
SMALL WORKS | BIG IMPACT AT MOMENTUM GALLERY
Jan 8 all-day
Momentum Gallery

This year’s curated exhibition of intimately scaled works by gallery artists and special guests addresses themes of memory, the passage of time, mortality, and the natural world. Although small in scale, these works have real presence, conveying the sensibility and proficiency of their accomplished makers.

Small Works | Big Impact is an annual exhibition that affords our clientele the opportunity to discover and acquire exquisite original works by artists new to the gallery. They are great options for intimate spaces and make unique holiday gifts.

Re-Gift BINGO! Pack Memorial Library
Jan 8 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

Do you like to play BINGO? Do you have some gifts that you can’t return and just aren’t that into? Come to Pack Memorial with your gift and that unwanted item could be someone else’s treasure! If you win a game, you get to pick a prize from the table. Come join us! All ages are welcome and playing is free.

Prizes this month are donated from the friends of the library and re gifts from anyone who brings something in!

Farm Beginnings Year Long Farmer Training
Jan 8 @ 11:00 pm – Jan 9 @ 2:00 am
Creekside Farm at Walnut Cove

Looking to launch or expand your farming business?
Join this 200+ hour Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training Program!
www.organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings

Many skills are required to start a successful farm: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more. The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training session that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network. Farm Beginnings® is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own land, but some farming or production experience is helpful to get the most out of the class.

2019-2020 Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training is 200+ Hours including:
— Winter Whole-Farm Business Planning Courses – 60 hours (October – March)**
— ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference (February) – 8 hours
— OGS Conferences – 40+ hours
— Mentorship with an experienced Farmer Mentor (March – September) – 15 hours
— Production Training – 45 hours (April – October): WNC CRAFT tours on sustainable farms around WNC & Field Days at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm and Living Web Farms
— One year WNC CRAFT Farmer Network membership – Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
**Location of Winter Sessions: Creekside Farm and Education Center at Walnut Cove at 339 Avery Creek Rd, Arden, NC 28704

https://www.facebook.com/events/624408214665085/?event_time_id=624408247998415

Jus’ Running Pub Run
Jan 8 @ 11:30 pm – Jan 9 @ 1:30 am
One World Brewing West

Join us every Wednesday at 6:30PM at One World Brewing (520 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC) in West Asheville for a community run around West AVL. https://www.facebook.com/groups/988486641322045/ Hang around and grab a drink afterwards. All paces welcome. Well behaved, leashed furry friends welcome.
We will begin with one 4-ish mile route (https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2424498334) through West Asheville, though will expand to include various options in the future.
Food options nearby, including on-site food trucks during warmer weather.

https://www.facebook.com/events/516081612251742/?event_time_id=516081775585059

Charlotte Hornets vs. Toronto Raptors Basketball
Jan 8 @ 7:00 pm
Spectrum Center
Malaprop’s Book Club
Jan 8 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe

The Malaprop’s Book Club, hosted by Jay Jacoby, explores a diverse selection of fiction and nonfiction books determined by member suggestion. 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 will meet at 7:00 PM in the cafe. This is a special date. The club usually meets the first Wednesday of every Month.

 

Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven
Jan 8 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

Cracker + Camper Van Beethoven

The Justin Ray Big Band CD Release
Jan 8 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Isis Restaurant & Music Hall

On holiday break from a 100-city world tour, Justin Ray is home in Asheville for the release of his first big band recording. Join us for this live performance from Justin & his 18-piece orchestra!

The Justin Ray Big Band plays original music deeply rooted in the swing of Ellington and Basie, with lyrical themes that are both current and timeless.

Justin Ray started his musical career as a bebop trumpet player, performing in venues all over the country. In 2003, he began to tour the world with the Michael Bublé band as the trumpet soloist. While with Bublé, Justin was given the opportunity to perform the works of some of the great composers/arrangers of the big band genre (Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones, etc.), and he began working for Bublé in that capacity as well, becoming the primary orchestrator for the band in 2008. In 2015, Justin founded Elephant Sword Studios. The studio’s initial focus was to produce and record original big band arrangements of the standard American songbook repertoire, but that focus changed in 2017. Elephant Sword is now dedicated to original music for big band. Style and swing are still at the center, but no musical or lyrical influence is out of bounds. This is big band music for the millennium.

DirtyBoys, 10 Cellphones, Kill Marqo, Lil Connie
Jan 8 @ 9:00 pm
The Pulp

Tickets at the door.

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Jan 8 @ 9:00 pm – 11:45 pm
The One Stop

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.

Music Bingo at Banks Ave Bar (Asheville, NC)
Jan 8 @ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Banks Ave.

Come join us for an amazing night of music, prizes, and drink specials. It’s Music Bingo at Banks Ave.. Test your music knowledge and compete against your friends and other patrons. It’s easy to play, and everyone is welcome! We’ll see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/391468795015437/?event_time_id=391468935015423

Thursday, January 9, 2020
Spring LEAF Festival Tickets on Sale Now
Jan 9 all-day
Lake Eden

Spring LEAF Festival Tickets
ON SALE NOW
yayyy!

Ring in the Year with Early Bird Pricing
– & –
Join us in Celebrating 25 Years of
LEAF at the 50th Festival!

MAY 14-17, 2020

Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic
Jan 9 @ 2:00 am – 4:30 am
Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge

Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic every Wednesday 9:(ish)pm at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall.

Fun and free show of hit-or-miss comedy where comics stop by to work on their material or try out new stuff. Anyone wanting to perform needs to sign up by 9pm, and will get five minutes on stage. The order of sign-up is not necessarily the order of the show.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3174166542609086/?event_time_id=3174166665942407

Volunteer Orientation Literacy Council
Jan 9 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Literacy Council

Monday, Jan. 6
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Thursday, Jan. 9 
9:00 am – 10:30 am 
Monday, Feb. 3

9:00 am – 10:30 am

 
Thursday, Feb. 6

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Half Off Thursdays
Jan 9 @ 9:00 pm – Jan 10 @ 1:00 am
Asheville's Fun Depot

Includes All Non Redemption Arcade Games, Activities, and Attractions!

Such as…
Indoor Climbing wall | Indoor/Outdoor Go-karts | Arcade Games | Laser Tag | Bumper Cars | Mini Golf | Mini Bowling | X-Rider Theatre | AeroBall | & More!

https://www.facebook.com/events/323685011602260/?event_time_id=323685168268911

Half Off Thursdays!
Jan 9 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Asheville's Fun Depot

Come in to enjoy creating memories with us during a time that your dollars go farther! Half-off games and attractions after 4pm. See y’all soon!

https://www.facebook.com/events/582585695548471/?event_time_id=582585868881787

City of Asheville: Community Conversation on Hotel Development
Jan 9 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
The Collider

Asheville City Council recently approved a temporary moratorium on the approval of new hotels. To move the process forward, the City will host  a community conversation on Jan. 9 titled “Impacts of Hotels: A Community Discussion.” The Urban Land Institute (ULI) of Charlotte will facilitate the conversation, and then come back on Jan. 30 to present their findings to the community.

Following the public process and analysis, City staff will provide Council with recommendations for development and approval of appropriate land use policies, strategies, tools and regulations. The public can anticipate these recommendations in the summer of 2020.

Community-Led Listening Workshops for the African American Heritage Trail
Jan 9 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Friendship Center

Description

Help shape the themes, content, design and route of Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail

We use stories to make sense of the world. How will Asheville tell an inclusive story of its history?

Dina Bailey has explored that question. She’s an expert on inclusive history. Her experience includes work with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

In January she’ll lead talks about Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. The community is invited to help shape the themes, content, design and route of the trail by participating in one of the sessions led by Bailey.

Attend one of four free community listening workshop sessions

Join one of four free community listening sessions to discuss how and what to feature on Asheville’s first African American Heritage Trail. Choose from one of the following sessions:

  • Friday, January 10, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
  • Friday, January 10, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
  • Saturday, January 11, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Explore Asheville offices (former Allen High School, across from Berry Temple), 27 College Place, Asheville, NC 28801

Free childcare, refreshments and parking are offered at all locations.

More about this project

In addition to attending a listening session, the public is invited to complete an online survey.

The sessions and survey are part of an engagement process with community advocate Kimberly Hunter of Asheville. The trail was featured at the Creative Sector Summit kickoff at the YMI Cultural Center in May and at the African Americans in South Appalachia Conference at UNC Asheville in October. Design and construction are slated for 2020-2021.

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) is funding the project through its Tourism Product Development Fund grant program. River Front Development Group, an African American founded nonprofit, submitted the grant application in 2018. BCTDA will maintain the trail markers as part of its Wayfinding Signage Program. For more information, visit: ashevillecvb.com/african-american-heritage-project.

DIY Sausage & Beer
Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Chop Shop Butchery

What ingredients go into making sausage? How do you grind, mix, and stuff a sausage by hand? What’s the difference between an Italian sausage and a bratwurst?

Learn about these topics and more in one of our most popular classes: DIY Sausage & Beer!

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • MIX & MINGLE: Before the sausage-making begins, we’ll give you an overview of the process while you sample local and house-made charcuterie and sip on beer from a local brewery (TBA) or a glass of wine. You’ll also get to mingle and chat with other students in the class.
  • MIX, GRIND & STUFF: Next, we’ll head into our cut room. (Dress warmly! It’s chilly in there!) You’ll learn about the ingredients and spices that go into different kinds of sausages. Then, our butchers will show you how to mix, grind, and stuff sausages. This is a hands-on class and you’ll get to make your own sausages from start to finish.
  • LEARN: During the class, we’ll explain how to cook sausages and pair them with other foods and beverages. Questions are not only welcome, but encouraged!
  • TAKE IT HOME: Take home the sausage you make, plus PDF notes and recipes from the class.

Where does our pork come from?

We source our pork from two local, North Carolina farms: Warren Wilson Farm and Hickory Nut Gap.

Dr. Kathleen Smith presents Everything Isn’t Terrible
Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Everything Isn't Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down Cover Image

In the spirit of You Are a Badass and The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck, a helpful and humorous guide to shedding our anxious habits and building a more solid sense of self in our increasingly anxiety-inducing world.
Licensed therapist and mental health writer Dr. Kathleen Smith offers a smart, practical antidote to our anxiety-ridden times. Everything Isn’t Terrible is an informative and practical guide — featuring a healthy dose of humor — for people who want to become beacons of calmness in their families, at work, and in our anxious world. Everything Isn’t Terrible will inspire you to confront your anxious self, take charge of your anxiety, and increase your own capacity to choose how you respond to it. Comprised of short chapters containing anecdotal examples from Smith’s work with her clients, in addition to engaging, actionable exercises for readers, Everything Isn’t Terrible will give anyone suffering from anxiety all the tools they need to finally…calm…down.
Ultimately, living a calmer, less anxious life — one that isn’t terrible — is possible, and with this book, you’ll learn how to do it.

Kathleen Smith is a licensed therapist and mental health writer who lives in Washington, DC. She has written for popular publications such as Slate, Salon, New York Magazine, Lifehacker, Bustle, and Counseling Today, among many others. She is an associate faculty member at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and hosts the show Family Matters, a production of the University of the District of Columbia. She will be in conversation with Joanne O’Sullivan, author of Between Two Skies.

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.

An Evening with Patrick Davis & His Midnight Choir
Jan 9 @ 7:00 pm
The Peace Center

Patrick Davis is a Tennessee-born, South Carolina-raised, Nashville-based singer-songwriter who has had quite the musical run over the past decade. His musical prowess grew from modest beginnings inside his father’s Camden, SC, guitar shop to establishing a name for himself on Nashville’s Music Row. A prolific and versatile songwriter, Davis has penned songs recorded by an array of major artists including Lady Antebellum, Jimmy Buffett, Guy Clark, Jewel, Imelda May, Robert Randolph, Darius Rucker, and many others. After a decade of writing for other voices, he found his own sound and style with the 11-piece band he formed and dubbed his Midnight Choir. The group is currently recording a debut album and will be on the road in 2020 bringing their musical message to the masses.

Davis is also the founder of Songwriters In Paradise, a uniquely crafted singer-songwriter festival designed to bring together the world’s top songwriting and performing talent in the world’s most exclusive and awe-inspiring destinations. Additionally, he is a co-founder of Whiskey Jam Whiskey with South Carolina’s world-renowned Firefly Distillery.

Gorges State Park at 20 years: how it was saved
Jan 9 @ 7:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville

Photo of Bill Thomas in front of waterfall

Beautiful Gorges State Park near Cashiers was narrowly spared from hydroelectric projects planned to create pumped storage for use by Duke Energy. Bill Thomas, former Chair of the North Carolina Chapter of Sierra Club, is widely credited with leading the successful campaign to halt the projects. He was also essential in the creation of Dupont State Forest and the Horsepasture Scenic River. Come see his beautiful photos of the wonders in Gorges, learn how it was preserved and help us recognize a true environmental hero.

Bill will be introduced by Will Harlan, editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors, and by Dan Dewitt, author of “How Gorges was Saved” in the August edition.

Gorges State Park and Bill are also honored in the current issue of The Laurel of Asheville.

JessLee
Jan 9 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

JessLee

Slice Comedy Open Mic
Jan 9 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Pulp Lounge

Thursday night Jan. 9th
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic!
Hosted by Cody Hughes
Doors 8:30p/9:00p show
$7
Professional 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)

Friday, January 10, 2020
Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia at The One Stop
Jan 10 @ 12:00 am – 2:00 am
The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia is a team trivia played in 7 rounds over the course of 2 endlessly entertaining hours. The game covers everything pop culture and is always irreverent by nature. The game is not your average pub quiz as it explores everything from didgeridoo covers of pop songs to bad celebrity tattoos and everything in between. Ever wanted to identify animals by their gonads? Then this is the game for you! Mitch curates a one of a kind trivia smorgasbord of random, unusual, and hilarious subjects. This absurd trivia game is not about historical facts or sports stats, it is all about random movies, unforgettable ear-worms, and the hilariousness of growing up in the 80’s and 90’s. The game starts at 7pm in the cozy One Stop in downtown Asheville. Drink specials include $4 bourbon/$4 Washington Apple Shots and $5 White Russians, and food is available from MOJO Kitchen which offers 1/2 price nachos during the game! Best of all the winning team each week takes home a collection of Totally Rad Prizes including a $35 gift certificate to The One Stop/MOJO Kitchen.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2129604460458895/?event_time_id=2129604590458882

Open Mic Night at Triskelion!
Jan 10 @ 12:00 am – 2:30 am
Triskelion Brewing Company

Triskelion Open Mic Night!
Second and Fourth Thursdays of Every Month
Stage Opens at 7pm…

Come on out and play a song or two… strut your stuff… Have a band? Bring them along too…

Contact Chris for more info…

https://www.facebook.com/events/282524772696058/?event_time_id=282524822696053