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.

Friday, June 9, 2023
AIN’T DONE BAD
Jun 9 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts

Ain’t Done Bad is a momentous, yet achingly vulnerable piece of Contemporary Dance Theatre created by “So You Think You Can Dance” star, Jakob Karr. Featuring the vivid, revelatory music of Orville Peck, seven of the most sought-after professional dancers in the industry, bring Jakob’s story to life in this utterly seamless, hour long work of art. Ain’t Done Bad explores the experience of growing up, coming out and finding love, using dance to celebrate the journey of leaving shame behind to embrace your authentic, vulnerable voice, all without speaking a word. 35th Parallel Productions proudly shares this exciting new work with the world!

Saturday, June 10, 2023
Roundtable Sessions for Women Entrepreneurs
Jun 10 @ 10:00 am
Adler Building

Join us in this inclusive and supportive environment as we all take turns in the “hot seat” where the focus is on getting insight and solving problems.

Not only will your challenge be addressed, but you get to learn from what others are bringing to the table too. And it’s a great way to meet other entrepreneurs who are on a similar journey.

Friday, June 16, 2023
Melvin AC Howell Juneteenth Dance
Jun 16 @ 7:30 pm
Marshall High Studios

Melvin AC Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPOs, are immersive dance theatre explorations of issues related to Black history and contemporary Black culture. In addition to a live performance integrating dance, music and theatrical elements, EXPOs include a visual arts installation that creates a setting for the performance and organically submerges the audience in the environment.

JUNETEENTH, the newest in Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPO series, is inspired by the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.

Saturday, June 17, 2023
Melvin AC Howell Juneteenth Dance
Jun 17 @ 7:30 pm
Marshall High Studios

Melvin AC Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPOs, are immersive dance theatre explorations of issues related to Black history and contemporary Black culture. In addition to a live performance integrating dance, music and theatrical elements, EXPOs include a visual arts installation that creates a setting for the performance and organically submerges the audience in the environment.

JUNETEENTH, the newest in Howell’s MOVE;MEANT A.R.T EXPO series, is inspired by the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that enslaved people of Texas, then the most remote region of the Confederacy, finally learned slavery had been abolished and that they were free.

GIMME GIMME DISCO A DISCO DANCE PARTY INSPIRED BY ABBA
Jun 17 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
Ages 18+

Calling all Dancing Queens! Here we go again! If you can’t get enough ABBA then do we have a dance party for you. We are a DJ based dance party playing all your favorite ABBA hits, plus plenty of other disco hits from the 70s & 80’s like The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, & Cher (DISCO ATTIRE ENCOURAGED). So honey honey, take-a-chance and you’ll be dancing all night long. Grab tickets, bring your friends, and have the best night of your life!

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Biz + Bites: Boomers to Gen Z: Closing the Generational Divide
Jun 20 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Focal Point Coworking

Focal Point Coworking and Biz Radio.US are proud to present Biz & Bites, a monthly event series!

Join us each month for a short talk with some of Asheville’s leading business thinkers, to meet and socialize with other local professionals, and to enjoy some of the tastiest treats Asheville has to offer!

June: Boomers to Gen Z: Closing the Generational Divide

Generational stereotypes run deep. Join us for an impactful panel discussion hosted by Biz Radio Host, Hank Elder, as we explore how Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z conduct business differently and find ways to come together as one.

Location

Focal Point Coworking is located at 125 S Lexington Avenue, Suite 101. The entrance is on Hilliard Avenue, across from the Bhramari parking lot. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.

Cost: $5 per person

Free for Focal Point Co-Working Members

Please pre-register to reserve your seat!

Thursday, June 22, 2023
City Dance
Jun 22 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Friday, June 23, 2023
Hello, Daddy
Jun 23 @ 7:30 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Fresh off her performance as the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which Broadway World said was, “Simply Outstanding,” and star turn in The Legend of Georgia McBride, Delighted Tobehere is out to prove she is the ultimate Broadway baby. Delighted is celebrating two decades of drag, and after 20 years of delighting audiences worldwide – and on America’s Got Talent – she is ready for her big break on Broadway!

In Hello, Daddy!, Delighted is pulling out all the stops to prove she has what it takes and will even do WHATEVER it takes to get the role – any role. Even if that means showing you some of her special skills. *wink wink* She won’t quit until she is a star…on Broadway! Hello, Daddy! will feature songs from Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Wicked, La Cage Aux Folles, and more! All of your favorite Broadway hits combined with Delighted’s signature talent, wit, and charm, makes this a show you will not want to miss! Get your tickets today! You’ll be DELIGHTED you did!

Approximate Run Time: 90 minutes
Rating: PG-13 due to adult content

Saturday, July 1, 2023
West Coast Swing Night
Jul 1 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Continuum

Check out the relaunch of the Westie scene in a premier venue right in Downtown
Hendersonville, from 7-8pm, take an beginner swing dance class with Rachel Harris or an intermediate swing dance class with
instructor Ryan Pflumm, then from 8-10pm, enjoy a social dance with everyone, dress is casual and no partner is needed BYOB

Thursday, July 6, 2023
AYPROS Arts + Entertainment Crew: Blue Spiral 1 Preview Party
Jul 6 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Blue Spiral 1

Join us on Thursday, July 6th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, located downtown on Biltmore Ave, for an exclusive preview party of their upcoming gallery opening, Summer Salon, on July 7th! This event is hosted by Michael Manes (co-owner/Executive Dir.) and Blair Guggenheim (Asst. Dir.), two dynamic young professionals who run the gallery.

The Summer Salon exhibition will be showcasing vibrant new works by a selection of esteemed BS1 artists. This diverse group exhibition features artists working in various mediums, including glass, painting, collage, basketry, metal, and mixed media sculpture. Come celebrate and explore the unique styles, techniques, and concepts expressed in the artists’ latest creations.

The Summer Salon will be held on the main level gallery, featuring works by talented artists such as Alex Bernstein, Robert Burch, Clay Burnette, Thomas Campbell, Andrew Hayes, Duy Huynh, Isaac Payne, Jeremy Russell, and Jon Sours. Their captivating pieces will be on display from July 7th to August 23rd, 2023.

During the preview party, we’ll provide complimentary drinks and food for you to enjoy as you immerse yourself in the artistic ambiance of one of Asheville’s finest galleries. It’s an excellent opportunity to network, meet new people, and appreciate the local art scene. There is no specific dress code, but most attendees will likely be coming from work in business attire.

Please RSVP so we can ensure we have enough bubbly and food for all attendees. We look forward to seeing you there for an unforgettable evening of art and connection!

Arts & Entertainment Crew

Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Ribbon Cutting for Hopscotch Health
Jul 11 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Hopscotch Health

At Hopscotch, their mission is to transform rural health in America through advanced primary care for Medicare patients. To make this happen, they knew they were going to have to build something that did not already exist: a company built with purpose and mission, that leverages the strength of communities they seek to serve, combined with incredible skill and expertise around operations and technology to enable better things for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and communities.

 

Come join them for their Grand Opening of their Asheville clinic! Enjoy light refreshments, tour the clinic and meet their team all while learning more about the new level of primary care they are offering the Asheville community!

Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Celebration of the Ancients Terpsicorps’ 20th Anniversary Party 
Jul 12 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Grove Arcade
Christian Faur, Projection Artist
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Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a ‘When in Egypt’ celebration for the ages at our 20th Anniversary Bash! This celebratory event will feature:

  • an improvisational dance performance by the cast of Cleopatra
  • music by DJ Molly Parti
  • a cornucopia of snacks by Grove Arcade restaurants
  • goblets flowing with goodness from Battery Park Champagne Bar and Carmel’s
  • a runway preview of the Cleopatra costumes
  • and more!

This historic event will be at the Grove Arcade in Asheville on July 12, from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 for two people. 20 year anniversaries don’t happen every day… make sure to get your tickets below!

Friday, July 14, 2023
Rooftop Summer Dance Party
Jul 14 @ 11:00 pm
The Social Lounge
The Social Lounge

For the first time in years, The Social Lounge will be open late for a rooftop summer dance party featuring DJ Lil Meow Meow. Cocktails available at the bar. Open to ages 21 and older.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
YPA Professional Development: What is the Economic Development Coalition?
Jul 20 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
YPA Professional Development: What is the Economic Development Coalition?

 

Members of YPA are invited to this professional development session to hear an overview of the Asheville Metro Economy and the role of the Chamber’s Economic Development Coalition in driving sustained economic growth in Western North Carolina. The presentation and open Q&A will detail the organization, mission, strategies and impacts of economic development here in Asheville and Buncombe County.

Presenters:  Keevon Baten, director of business recruitment and Clark Duncan, senior vice president for economic development

 

5:30-6:30 – Social Hour (snacks and beverages provided)

6:30-7:30 – PD Session

 

 

The Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking for Asheville professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. For more information or to join, please visit Young Professionals

Friday, July 21, 2023
Beginner Dance for Musical Theatre
Jul 21 all-day
Hendersonville Theatre

Class cost: $180

Min students: 5

Max students: 10

Class Dates: July 17-21

Time: 12 pm-3 pm

Rising 7th-12th grade (11-17 years old)

We do not offer refunds or cancellations for any reason other than medical or family emergencies. If your reason for refund is approved, a $25 cancellation fee will apply.

Class Description
New to dance, but looking to develop some musical theatre skills? Then look no further than our Beginner Dance Musical Theatre Camp (rising 7th-12th). Learn how to survive a musical theatre dance call with this introductory course, focusing on musical theatre history, basic movement steps, and tips and tricks for picking up movement quickly. This camp will have you ready to dance through a musical in no time.

Saturday, July 22, 2023
Roundtable Session for Women Entrepreneurs
Jul 22 @ 10:00 am
Downtown Asheville

In a collaborative and supportive environment, each attendee will have a chance in the hot seat where all the brainpower at the table is focused on solving your problem, issue, or question.
At our Roundtables, women entrepreneurs gather to deal with real issues. Let’s face it, entrepreneurship has its ups and downs, with very specific challenges. It’s so refreshing to brainstorm with others who get that.
Imagine being able to tap into the knowledge of women with a variety of skill sets, talents, and backgrounds! So whether you need a sounding board for your ideas or some advice on marketing, these sessions will help you tremendously.
Come join other women with vision and energy and let’s work on making your dream a success.
Tickets and more information available at plrconnectevents.com/event-tickets

Cajun Dance with Zydeco Ya Ya
Jul 22 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Big Barn at Hickory Nut Gap Farm

We will have a will-call list at the Admission Cabana, the purchaser will be the name on the ticket. If you buy multiple tickets the tickets will be under the same name. Please check in together if possible! When you check out you will see “FARM STORE PICKUP” please ignore for admission purchases.

It’s time to catch a show in the Big Barn here at Hickory Nut Gap Farm in gorgeous Fairview, NC! Come out from 6pm-9pm to see a favorite of ours, ZYDECO YA YA! A powerhouse band from the Piedmont area of the Carolinas and Georgia that play high energy Louisiana sound of Zydeco.

What goes better with high stepping, blaring accordion, the rhythm of a washboard and a cold brew better than traditional Cajun food- we’ll have VOODOO ROUX food truck, Cajun cuisine by cousins and business partners Emanuel Nunez and Brian Richards out of Black Mountain, NC. Can I get a beignet, Mon Cher?

Hickory Nut Gap will have a bar serving local beers, ciders, seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages to slake your thirst between reels. We cannot wait to dust off our good boots and dance again with y’all.

PET POLICY: While we normally allow leashed pets on the grounds, we ask you leave your furry friends at home for the Barn Dances & Shows.

Learn more about the Band & their music HERE

Learn more about the Food Truck & their food HERE

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
AYPROS July Pub Club at The Draftsman Bar + Lounge
Jul 25 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
The Draftsman Bar + Lounge

Join us for our July Pub Club at The Draftsman Bar + Lounge Asheville on July 25th at 5:30 PM. It’s the perfect opportunity to socialize, unwind, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of one of Asheville’s newest hotspots.

Pub Club is our monthly casual happy hour, designed to bring young professionals like yourself together in a relaxed and enjoyable setting and explore one of Asheville’s many bars and restaurants. As a special treat, your first drink on us! It’s our way of saying thank you for being part of AYPROS.

The Draftsman Bar + Lounge Asheville, located at The Restoration Hotel, provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of connection and camaraderie. They’ve got Golden Tee, Buck Hunter, Pinball Machines and Skee Ball! Whether you’re new to Asheville, a recent returnee, or a lifelong local, you’re sure to meet like-minded professionals and forge valuable relationships.

To keep your taste buds satisfied, The Draftsman kitchen will be serving up a delectable selection of food throughout the event, including vegetarian options. You won’t have to worry about going hungry while you mingle and make new friends! Menu is here

So mark your calendar and get ready for an evening filled with laughter, good times, and the opportunity to expand your friendships. We kindly ask that you RSVP, as it helps us ensure that their staff and kitchen are fully prepared to make this a memorable experience for everyone.

Upcoming Pub Clubs:

8/22 Pub Club: The Easy Tiki Bar

9/26 Pub Club: Mudpuppies Sports & Sushi Bar

New Member Onboarding:

Psst! Are you interested in joining AYPROS and taking your involvement to the next level? We invite you to attend our New Member Onboarding at 5:00 p.m., just before Pub Club begins. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our community, initiatives, crews and how we support our city by making it a better place for young professionals to live, work and play. It’s also the final step in completing your membership initiation. Be sure to RSVP to secure your spot!

Thanks for registering and we are looking forward to seeing you!

Note: Please drink responsibly 🚫🍻 and arrange for a safe and sober means of transportation. 🚗💨

AYPROS IS POWERED BY FIRST BANK .

AYPROS is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming for all members of our community. For questions about accessibility, requests for accommodations, or to inform about dietary restrictions, please contact [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance of the event.

Thursday, July 27, 2023
City Dance
Jul 27 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE PRESENTS Cleopatra
Jul 27 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for ages 12+ (adult content).

Truly a one-of-a-kind dance theater spectacle, Heather Maloy’s ‘Cleopatra’ is the crowning jewel of Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance’s 20th Anniversary Season. Featuring a cast of critically acclaimed dancers from ballet and contemporary companies across the US and abroad, the story of history’s first sex symbol is filled with intrigue, violence, splendor, love and tragedy.

The innovative dance theater’s most lavish production to date, ‘Cleopatra’ embodies the opulence and wonder of Cleopatra’s Alexandria, a city whose riches and scientific innovations were centuries ahead of their time. Runway worthy costumes with a contemporary flair inspired by ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, plus a two story set, multiple projection screens and the incomparable Terpsicorps dancers bring to life a true story more exciting than any piece of fiction.

Originally intending to title the work Antony & Cleopatra, Maloy’s research into the history of Egypt’s last Pharaoh introduced her to a woman much too complex, powerful and brilliant to share a title with any man. A scholar and scientist, diplomat and single mother, lover and calculating strategist… Cleopatra seduced the most powerful men in the world with her wit, intellect and sexuality. Let yourself be seduced. We dare you!

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance has been producing cutting edge, world class dance in Asheville since 2003. Utilizing hand picked professional dancers in the summers when they are off contract from critically acclaimed dance companies, has given the dance lovers in our community the opportunity to enjoy performances of a caliber seldom seen outside of major metropolitan cities.

Friday, July 28, 2023
Intermediate Musical Theatre Dance Camp
Jul 28 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Hendersonville Theatre

Class cost: $180

Min students: 5

Max students: 10

Class Dates: July 24-28

Time: 12 pm-3 pm

Rising 10th-12th grade (14-17 years old)

We do not offer refunds or cancellations for any reason other than medical or family emergencies. If your reason for refund is approved, a $25 cancellation fee will apply.

Class Description
Are you a dancer who wants to get into musical theatre? Then join our Intermediate Dance for Musical Theatre Camp (Rising 10th-12th)! Created for students with an intermediate level of dance training, this camp will teach you how to rock a musical theatre dance call. From an introduction to musical theatre history to popular Broadway dance numbers to tips and tricks for picking up movement fast, this class will prepare you for your first musical theatre audition!

TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE PRESENTS Cleopatra
Jul 28 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for ages 12+ (adult content).

Truly a one-of-a-kind dance theater spectacle, Heather Maloy’s ‘Cleopatra’ is the crowning jewel of Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance’s 20th Anniversary Season. Featuring a cast of critically acclaimed dancers from ballet and contemporary companies across the US and abroad, the story of history’s first sex symbol is filled with intrigue, violence, splendor, love and tragedy.

The innovative dance theater’s most lavish production to date, ‘Cleopatra’ embodies the opulence and wonder of Cleopatra’s Alexandria, a city whose riches and scientific innovations were centuries ahead of their time. Runway worthy costumes with a contemporary flair inspired by ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, plus a two story set, multiple projection screens and the incomparable Terpsicorps dancers bring to life a true story more exciting than any piece of fiction.

Originally intending to title the work Antony & Cleopatra, Maloy’s research into the history of Egypt’s last Pharaoh introduced her to a woman much too complex, powerful and brilliant to share a title with any man. A scholar and scientist, diplomat and single mother, lover and calculating strategist… Cleopatra seduced the most powerful men in the world with her wit, intellect and sexuality. Let yourself be seduced. We dare you!

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance has been producing cutting edge, world class dance in Asheville since 2003. Utilizing hand picked professional dancers in the summers when they are off contract from critically acclaimed dance companies, has given the dance lovers in our community the opportunity to enjoy performances of a caliber seldom seen outside of major metropolitan cities.

80S VS 90S DANCE PARTY
Jul 28 @ 9:00 pm
The Orange Peel

All Ages
SILENT DISCO: ERIC V. ERIK: THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE
Jul 28 @ 9:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Rabbit Rabbit
DJ ERIK MATTOX & DJ ERIC/CAMARO

Ages 18+ (under 18 must be accompanied by a parent)

Saturday, July 29, 2023
Heather Maloy’s Cleopatra
Jul 29 all-day
Dinana Wortham Theatre

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance is a professional contemporary ballet company that has been delighting Asheville with cutting-edge dancing over the summer and is celebrating their 20th Anniversary with Heather Maloy’s Cleopatra.

TERPSICORPS THEATRE OF DANCE PRESENTS Cleopatra
Jul 29 @ 8:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre

Recommended for ages 12+ (adult content).

Truly a one-of-a-kind dance theater spectacle, Heather Maloy’s ‘Cleopatra’ is the crowning jewel of Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance’s 20th Anniversary Season. Featuring a cast of critically acclaimed dancers from ballet and contemporary companies across the US and abroad, the story of history’s first sex symbol is filled with intrigue, violence, splendor, love and tragedy.

The innovative dance theater’s most lavish production to date, ‘Cleopatra’ embodies the opulence and wonder of Cleopatra’s Alexandria, a city whose riches and scientific innovations were centuries ahead of their time. Runway worthy costumes with a contemporary flair inspired by ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt, plus a two story set, multiple projection screens and the incomparable Terpsicorps dancers bring to life a true story more exciting than any piece of fiction.

Originally intending to title the work Antony & Cleopatra, Maloy’s research into the history of Egypt’s last Pharaoh introduced her to a woman much too complex, powerful and brilliant to share a title with any man. A scholar and scientist, diplomat and single mother, lover and calculating strategist… Cleopatra seduced the most powerful men in the world with her wit, intellect and sexuality. Let yourself be seduced. We dare you!

Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance has been producing cutting edge, world class dance in Asheville since 2003. Utilizing hand picked professional dancers in the summers when they are off contract from critically acclaimed dance companies, has given the dance lovers in our community the opportunity to enjoy performances of a caliber seldom seen outside of major metropolitan cities.

Foundy Street Full Moon Dance Party and Market under the Stars
Jul 29 @ 9:00 pm
Wedge at Foundation

Get ready for another epic night of dancing, witchy wonders, mystic vibes, and eclectic energy under the stars at Foundy Street’s next Full Moon Party!

Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Latin Night at Continuum
Aug 2 @ 12:00 am – 2:00 am
Continuum
Have you always wanted to learn Latin dances? Come join us for a fun night of salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, kizomba, and more! A free lesson will be offered in the back room, followed by social dancing on the huge, beautiful wood floors in the main room with an incredible DJ on the stage.

 

No partner or rhythm is needed and dress is casual!

 

This event will begin immediately after Swing night).

 

9:15-10:00pm Salsa lesson by Rafael Torres and Tola Sun (back room)

 

10:00-2:00am Social Dancing (main floors)

 

$10 (cash, card, Venmo, PayPal accepted) on the day of the event.

 

$22 for both events (swing and Latin)

 

This event is BYOB, but liquor and other beverages above 16% alcohol content are strictly prohibited.
Saturday, August 5, 2023
BMC Dance Performances + conversations w/ choreographers Eleanor Hullihan, Rashaun Mitchell, Silas Riener + Mina Nishimura
Aug 5 @ 11:00 am
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center

11am roundtable conversation | 7pm performances

This event brings together accomplished dance artists Eleanor Hullihan, Rashaun Mitchell, Silas Riener and Mina Nishimura for a series of performances and conversations that examine Black Mountain College’s continuing influence on the world of dance. Join us for a roundtable conversation at 11am and dance performances beginning at 7pm.

BMC Dance is curated by Eleanor Hullihan.

Performances:

Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener
Performed by Mitchell and Riener, this performance draws from their embodied “Desire Lines” practice that combines movement, vocalization, and object manipulation into site-responsive, community-oriented performance installations. A desire line in landscape architecture refers to an unofficial route or social trail that breaks protocol with prescribed pathways, sometimes the shortest distance between two points, sometimes simply a good way to follow one’s curiosity. Desire lines represent an accumulated record of transformation in public space, a model for a permissive dance-making process that invites us to reimagine the self and its environment.

Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener are New York-based dance artists who create collaborative performance installations using improvisational techniques, digital technologies, audio scores, and material construction. They use movement to build speculative worlds which expose and reconcile the unfamiliar. Their physical practice synthesizes improvisation, formal dance training, athletic sports, building and construction. Their collaborative process involves the blurring of a professional and romantic relationship. Two very different sensibilities and experiences of race and culture synthesize and clash in ways that suggest comparative models for how to co-exist, assimilate, or reimagine society.

Since 2010 they have created over 25 multidisciplinary dance works including site-responsive installations, concert dances, gallery performances and dances for film. They have been artists-in-residence at Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Mt Tremper Arts, pieter, Jacob’s Pillow, New York City Center, The Watermill Center, MANCC, Headlands Center for the Arts, BOFFO, Center for Ballet and the Arts, Petronio Residency Center, and Baryshnikov Arts Center. Their work has been commissioned by BAM/Next Wave, The Barbican, REDCAT, EMPAC, The Walker Art Center, MCA Chicago, The Wexner, On The Boards, Danspace Project, Madison Square Park Conservancy, The Joyce Theater, The LAB, Marfa Sounding, Gagosian Premieres, SFMOMA, and MoMA PS1. Mitchell and Riener are currently Caroline Hearst Artists in Residence, and inaugural members of NCC Akron’s multi-year Creative Administration Residency.

Photos of Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener by Paula Lobo and Alex John Beck.

Mina Nishimura
Untitled (confined madness / glorious zombie/ colored lines) is a practice of becoming a glorious zombie. No will power. No tangling thoughts. Supported by astral projection practice, peripherals of a performance site and images of marginalized beings, a body will keep being moved around without establishing anything. The work may incorporate colored line drawing in order to dig a well while flying high.

Mina Nishimura is a dance artist originally from Tokyo. Buddhism-influenced philosophical concepts are reflected across her somatic, performance and choreographic practices. She has been performing and collaborating with a number of groundbreaking artists, most recently including John Jasperse, Kota Yamazaki, Dean Moss, Yasuko Yokoshi and Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener. Nishimura is a recipient of Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists Award 2019, and was the 2021-22 Renewal Residency Artist at Danspace Project in NY, where she premiered Mapping a Forest while Searching for an Opposite Term of Exorcist in 2022. She currently teaches at Bennington College where she completed her MFA fellowship in 2021.

Photos of Mina Nishimura by Shane Prudente.

Eleanor Hullihan + Zach Cooper
miniatures 2023
A series of miniature studies performed by Eleanor Hullihan and Zach Cooper.

Eleanor Hullihan is a movement artist living in Asheville after many years dancing, teaching and creating performances in NYC. Her work is a journey of uncovering and physicalizing the delicate and magical internal world. She has performed with John Jasperse, Beth Gill, Andrew Ondrejcak, Sufjan Stevens, Jessica Dessner, Sarah Michelson, Miguel Gutierrez,  Jennifer Monson, Tere O’Connor, The Merce Cunningham Trust and Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener among others. Eleanor makes performances with Katy Pyle, Asli Bulbul, Emma Judkins, Adam Schatz, Zach Cooper and Jimmy Jolliff. She has been a contributing writer and curator for Movement Research. She is a movement coach for musicians and actors and maintains a pilates-based teaching practice for professional dancers and non dancers alike who seek deep and subtle support. Eleanor owned and operated two pilates studios in NYC and was on faculty at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and Sarah Lawrence College. Eleanor attended UNCSA as a high school student and has a BFA from NYU Tisch Dance.

Zach Cooper is a Grammy award winning composer, producer and songwriter based in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He has contributed to works by Leon Bridges, Jazmine Sullivan, Jon Batiste, Moses Sumney, Billy Porter, and Ellie Goulding, among others. Zach is also a founding member of experimental soul group King Garbage. His work has been featured in Pitchfork, The Fader, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World magazine, and he’s released records with RVNG Int’l, Styles Upon Styles and Mike Patton’s Ipecac Recordings.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023
WomanUP Workshop – Embracing Authenticity: Stories of Self-Discovery
Aug 8 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 pm
A-B Tech Conference Center
WomanUP Workshop - Embracing Authenticity: Stories of Self-Discovery

Finding our authentic professional path can take many turns, and the task of embracing our authentic selves is ever unfolding. In this WomanUP Workshop, you’ll find encouragement and inspiration in the stories from three successful, local business women: Leah Wong Ashburn (Highland Brewing Company), Sandar Leung (Manna FoodBank) and Molly Gaffney-Keebler (Spherion Staffing & Recruiting). They’ll share the twists and turns of their on-going journeys to discovering their authentic selves through life, family and career.

About our speakers:

Leah Wong Ashburn is the second-generation family owner of Highland Brewing Company and serves as President and CEO. She has served on several boards including the Asheville Chamber, Buncombe County TDA, Riverlink and A-B Tech and currently serves on the UNC Board of Visitors and the NC Brewers Guild. She is also recipient of the 2019 WomanUP Woman Executive of the Year Award.

Sandar Leung is Director of Operations at MANNA FoodBank. Prior to her role at MANNA, she served as Senior Manager of Fabrication Value Stream at Thermo Fisher Scientific where she was responsible for long-term capacity and technology strategy. She is also a Functional Board Member of the Asian Children’s Mission which advocates for the welfare and education of children in Myanmar.

Molly Gaffney-Keebler is the Spherion Staffing & Recruiting Licensed Franchisee for WNC and Tri-Cities, TN and is president of the Spherion Franchise Advisory Board. In her tenure at Spherion, she has won multiple awards including Rookie of the Year in 2017 and Franchisee of the Year in 2020. Spherion Asheville has been the fastest growing market in Spherion history.

Agenda

8:00 am               Doors Open

8:00-8:50 am       Meet and Mingle, Enjoy a Light Breakfast

8:50-10:10 am     Program

10:10-10:30 am   Q&A with Panelists

 

Breakfast provided by Everyday Gourmet:

Fresh Fruit Platter – GF, Vegan

Open Face Bagels with Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Cucumber Dill Caper Relish (some will be vegetarian)

Yogurt Berry Granola Parfaits – GF, Vegetarian

Sweet Potato Hash with Peppers & Onions – GF, Vegan

Breakfast Sausage – GF

Coffee, Hot Tea, Lavender Lemonade