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, May 2, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
May 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Thursday, May 4, 2023
14th Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner + Auction
May 4 all-day
Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center

We are thrilled to share the news that bestselling author of Southernmost, Silas House, will keynote Literacy Together’s 14th Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center.

House has authored six novels, a book of creative non-fiction, and three plays. He is the executive producer and one of the subjects of the documentary Hillbilly.

House is a former commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered.” His writing has appeared in Time, The Atlantic, Ecotone, The Advocate, Garden and Gun, and Oxford American. House serves on the fiction faculty at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing and as the NEH Chair at Berea College. Read more about Silas here.

Proceeds from the Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction will benefit programs to help people of all ages reach their personal and educational goals through the power of literacy. Literacy Together provides volunteer tutors to more than 300 students and sends books to over 5,000 preschool children in Buncombe County.

General admission is $95, and a limited number of VIP passes include a meet and greet with the author.

Friday, May 5, 2023
CINCO DE SSOLVR
May 5 @ 3:00 pm
DSSOLVR

This Cinco de Mayo at DSSOLVR brewery, we’re excited to celebrate with…
CINCO DE SSOLVR a Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Join us for the release of our new, Mexican-style lime lager, Ceni Cero Lime, and delicious tamales from Tortilleria Molina, a local Hispanic-owned company. And if you’re trying to get saucy! We’ll have a hot sauce bar on the patio! If it gets too spicy, we’ve got the cure! ….AND NOW INTRODUCING THE NEXT EVOLUTION of SELZTER INGENUITY… SELTZER COCKTAILS!!!! That’s right! We are adding a special patio popup seltzer bar to the mix, serving some killer Mexican inspired cocktails, and dressing our Lime Lager “Ashtray” style to heat things up!

DSSOLVR believes in celebrating culture and supporting our community. That’s why a portion of our proceeds will benefit Pisgah Legal and be donated directly to the Together We Dream Fundraising Challenge. Providing Pisgah Legal with more resources to respond to the critical needs facing immigrant neighbors.
As we raise our glasses to cheers, let’s take a moment to honor the significance of this day.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, where Mexican forces, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, triumphed over French forces on May 5, 1862. This victory was a turning point in Mexico’s history and served as a symbol of Mexican resilience and determination.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the rich history and culture of Mexico while celebrating with our new Mexican lime lager, patio cocktails, and delicious food. We hope you’ll join us in supporting our community and raising awareness for immigrant rights. Salud!

Saturday, May 6, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
May 6 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Sunday, May 7, 2023
7th Annual Filthy Franklin Mud Run
May 7 all-day
The Franklin School of Innovation

Get your old(est) running shoes out and prepare to get seriously muddy! The Filthy Franklin Mud Run happens Sunday, May 7th. Our course is guaranteed to steal at least a few shoes before the day is done!
The races will be a timed trial start and there will be crazy obstacles and lots of mud!! Teen and adult races are approximately 2 miles, children 10 and under run just under a mile. Of course, the army crawl and mud trench will be part of this again, as well as other various challenging obstacles!
The Mud Run raises funds for Bolts Athletics. It helps fund equipment, uniforms and facilities. It is planned and created by Community Council members and student-athletes. OH YEAHHH!
You must register by April 12th to receive a free t-shirt. After the deadline, T-shirts can be purchased the day of the event for $20. Limited quantities.
You can register and purchase tickets at:
https://franklinschoolofinnovation.networkforgood.com/…
We will have race day registration as well!
Kids Race at 2:30pm
Adult Race at 3:00pm
Teen Race at 3:30pm
The event is free to attend, but to race registration is $25 for Kids and $40 for Adults & Teens.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
May 9 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Burton Street Community Center’s Mother’s Day Lunch
May 10 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Burton Street Community Center

All mother and mother figures – please join us for an early Mother’s Day meal celebrating how wonderful all of you are! Call 828-254-1942 for more information.

Free

Friday, May 12, 2023
Breakfast in Bed Mothers Day Brunch
May 12 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grove Street Community Center

No need to shake off your jammies! Take the morning off and join friends for games, prizes, and breakfast at this pajama party.

Mothers Day Lunch
May 12 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Burton Street Community Center

Celebrate all mothers and mother figures a little early with a delicious meal.

Grove Street Community Center’s Breakfast in Bed Mother’s Day Brunch
May 12 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Grove Street Community Center

All mother and mother figures – please join us for an early Mother’s Day meal celebrating how wonderful all of you are! Call 828-254-1942 for more information.

Free

George Birge Live in Concert
May 12 @ 7:00 pm
UNC Asheville at Sherrill Center

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!

Saturday, May 13, 2023
Sip + Shop Mother’s Day Pop-Up
May 13 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift for mom or somewhere to celebrate the occasion, shop Cloth’s Mother’s Day Sale at The Omni Grove Park Inn’s “Sip & Shop” Pop-Up. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and up to 50% off multi-season men’s and women’s apparel and merchandise. The sale is from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in the Presidents Lounge of the Sammons Wing. Featured cocktails and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.

Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
May 13 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Blazing Star Flowers Workshops at SAHC Community Farm: Designing Flower Arrangements
May 13 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Blazing Star Flowers SAHC Community Farm

Enjoy a visit to Blazing Star Flowers with an on-farm workshop.

We’ll begin with a tour of our small farm’s specialty cut flower fields, where we grow over 200 varieties of blooms using organic methods.  All materials and tools are provided. You are welcome to take photos. All levels, including beginners, are welcome! Please read all product details before registering.

Mother’s Day Wine Pairing with Plēb Urban Winery
May 13 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Plēb Urban Winery

NC Wine Academy will partner with Plēb Urban Winery to offer appetizers plus five food courses paired with six wines, including wines from Plēb as well as vintages from vintners in other regions.

Sunday, May 14, 2023
Mother’s Day at The Restoration Hotel Asheville
May 14 all-day
The Restoration Asheville

Impress your mom this Mother’s Day with an all-day brunch at The Exchange. Savor one of our signature brunch dishes or try our porkchop or flatbread special! Then leave a lasting impression with a trip to The Observatory where you can sip on our new ‘A Mother’s Love’ cocktail while taking pictures against the backdrop of the city and mountains.

Sip + Shop Mother’s Day Pop-Up
May 14 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Omni Grove Park Inn

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute gift for mom or somewhere to celebrate the occasion, shop Cloth’s Mother’s Day Sale at The Omni Grove Park Inn’s “Sip & Shop” Pop-Up. Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting and up to 50% off multi-season men’s and women’s apparel and merchandise. The sale is from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 in the Presidents Lounge of the Sammons Wing. Featured cocktails and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.

Ladies Who Brunch Mother’s Day Popup
May 14 @ 11:30 am – 3:00 pm
Botanist and Barrel

Moms make the world go round so we are hosting a special Mother’s Day Pop Up with the Ladies Who Brunch!

We are taking reservations for the 11:30am seating only and then we are open for walk-ins from 12-3:00pm or until the food sells out.

Your reservation is held by a purchase of a carafe or a half carafe of cidermosa/mimosa mocktail.

Just select your party size during checkout to reserve your table or seats at the bar!

You will order food a la carte once you arrive.

About Ladies Who Brunch:

Chefs Terri, Beth, Michele are the three who brunch. For y’all that is.

Mother’s Day High Tea
May 14 @ 3:00 pm
Blue Spiral 1

Come join us for a delightful afternoon at Blue Spiral 1. Enjoy a glass (or two) of bubbly while gallery experts guide us through a teapot invitational exhibit that will feature forty functional and sculptural teapots in a variety of mediums. Next, a high tea featuring Asheville’s High Climate Tea Company will be served with a variety of delightful light bites and desserts. 

‘Fire In Her Soul: A Mother’s Day Concert
May 14 @ 7:00 pm
First Baptist Church of Asheville

The Asheville Symphony Chorus is delighted to present a program of music composed by American women, honoring the talent and creativity of female composers in the United States. Featured composers will include Florence Price, Amy Beach, Sarah Quartel, as well as local composer, Jane Roman Pitt. The chorus will be accompanied on organ and piano by Tate Addis. We invite you to join us in celebrating Mother’s Day with the Asheville Symphony Chorus; don’t miss out on this special opportunity to experience the power of choral music and the strength of female creativity!


Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
May 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society Writers Group
May 16 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
online

Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society Writers Group: 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. Email [email protected] for connection details if you want to join the meeting.

Thursday, May 18, 2023
Bridge the Gap! A Fundraiser for SkillSet Scholarships
May 18 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
UNCA STEAM Studio

You’re invited to an evening of food, fun, and fundraising in honor of the UNC Asheville STEAM Studio’s SkillSet Program!

Join us on Thursday, May 18, from 5 – 7 p.m. to tour the studio, take part in a silent auction, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Tickets for the event are $30 through Eventbrite

Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for SkillSet, an outreach program of UNC Asheville’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Studio.
SkillSet provides access to life-changing skills through maker-based education. Through SkillSet, community members of all ages can participate in summer camps and day classes, learning everything from making custom electric guitars to programming robotics and building furniture. Students of all skill levels become familiar with tools and develop the technical skills and resilience to create these objects.

SkillSet primarily serves under-resourced communities, female-identified, and gender-expansive students to ensure visibility of diverse identities in STEAM fields and inspire students to consider new interests and career paths.

Over 50% of our families receive financial assistance in the form of pay-what-you-can tuition. Monies raised from this event will help send a kid to summer camp! Help us meet our goal of raising $8000 for the summer 2023 scholarship fund.

Learn more about the STEAM Studio SkillSet Program at www.skillset.tools

Saturday, May 20, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
May 20 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Sunday, May 21, 2023
Looking Glass Rock Writers Conference
May 21 all-day
Brevard College--Porter Center

 May 18-21. Nationally renowned writers give public readings of their work and lead workshops in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Begins at 7:30 p.m.

Benefit Concert for the Eric Anderson Weigel Memorial Fund POSTPONED tba
May 21 @ 4:00 pm
St. John in the Wilderness

This recital, which is free and open to the public, will feature a young promising singer and it has the added
purpose of raising funds for his brother’s Memorial Fund.

David Weigel has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “heroic” and “stentorian” possessing an
“imposing mahogany voice” (Opera News). He is a recent graduate of the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric
Opera of Chicago. On May 21, Mr. Weigel will perform art songs in several languages, opera arias and some
well-known music theatre selections.
A native of Asheville, Mr.Weigel holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University. He pursued
graduate studies at UNC-Greensboro, A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the UNC School of the Arts, and
Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Michigan.
“We are thrilled to present Mr. Weigel in concert and recognize that he is destined for a significant career,”
said Dewitt Tipton, Organist, Director of Music for St. John in the Wilderness and creator of Friends of
Music. “We are also pleased to be able to offer this event as a way to contribute to his brother’s Memorial
Fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.”
We cannot adequately express how much we appreciate this effort.  It touches our hearts deeply, and we are
so grateful to you all,” said Larry Weigel, Eric’s and David’s father.
Donations are encouraged. Checks should be made out to St. John in the Wilderness with Eric Weigel
Memorial Fund in the memo line.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Dark City Poet’s Society
May 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library

Great news for poets and poetry lovers: Dark City Poet’s Society is returning to the Black Mountain Library. DCPS is a completely free poetry group that is open to poets of all ages and experience levels. Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) critique group. DCPS will meet at BAD Craft from 6-7 p.m. on the third Tuesday for our monthly open mic Poetry Night. Find out more on Instagram @darkcitypoetssociety or contact the Black Mountain Library.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Tom Tenbrunsel Virtual Writers Workshop: Poetry on my Mind
May 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online w/ Carl Sandburg Home

You will find Tom Tenbrunsel a delightfully refreshing poet with a wide variety of subject matter and a style somewhere between Sandburg, Frost and the late Appalachian poet James Wright. Tom challenges one’s whit with a refreshing array of non-conforming rhyme, structure, rhythm and oft made-up words and hidden meanings. Uniquely Tom includes a photo and Author’s Notes with each poem. Join us in May to engage the spirit and myth of poetry with Tom’s “Poetry on my Mind”

Casual Poetry/Poetry on my Mind. Tom will read a couple poems for fun. He will ask guests to write a
short poem from a prompt with feedback from the group. Tom would like guests to feel free to bring short
poems to read and discuss. He encourages questions about writing poetry, about a poem of his or his
journey as a poet or his Self Help Series. So familiarize yourself with his works by scanning his website,
tenbrunsel.com Comments or questions are welcomed. Or feel free to email him in advance at
[email protected].  Check out his website tenbrunsel.com before the workshop. Send in one of your
poems to be commented on by Tom.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will use Microsoft Teams for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop here!

A writer and a poet, Dr. Tenbrunsel enjoyed a long successful career in Clinical Psychology. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Tom graduated from Bellarmine University, obtained his doctorate from St Louis University in 1969. He taught, published and was in administration at Michigan State University and was VP for Advancement at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He and his wife reside in the Appalachians of Western North Carolina. They have three successful children and eight grand grandchildren. Dr T. enjoys photography, gardening, cycling, hiking, camping and stalking the elusive trout. His writings and publications speak for themselves. He has published numerous books including:  Casual Gardening,  Poetry on My Mind, The Fund Raising Resource Manual,  The Fund Raising Handbook, Fund-Raising and Grantsmanship:  Getting Money from the Community for the Community, The Lansing Area Doctors Directory, 1&2,   Dissertation “A Group Coupon Economy Program in Treating Mental Illness:  An Experiment in Social Innovation”,   A Wrinkle in My Time: My Memoirs (a work in progress)

Thursday, May 25, 2023
Memorial Day Concert
May 25 @ 6:30 pm
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

On Thursday, May 25 we will present our annual Memorial Day concert along with the ACRHS Chorus and ROTC.

Saturday, May 27, 2023
Gatherings of Artists + Writers Coffee
May 27 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community.

The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am.

No RSVP needed, just drop by!

Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.