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.

Thursday, June 15, 2023
PIEDMONT PASO FINO HORSE SHOW
Jun 15 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Shows begin every morning at 8:00 am and continue until approximately 9:00pm.

FREE ADMISSION!
A four day competition showcasing Paso Fino horses from across the country. Tack, clothing, jewelry, and latin food vendors on-site throughout the event.

Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jun 15 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Friday, June 16, 2023
PIEDMONT PASO FINO HORSE SHOW
Jun 16 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Shows begin every morning at 8:00 am and continue until approximately 9:00pm.

FREE ADMISSION!
A four day competition showcasing Paso Fino horses from across the country. Tack, clothing, jewelry, and latin food vendors on-site throughout the event.

poetry + storytelling open mic night
Jun 16 @ 10:00 pm
The Magnetic Theatre

POETRY & STORYTELLING OPEN MIC NIGHT

Following a performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf

Are you a poet or storyteller? We’d love to hear your work! Come out on Friday, June 16th, at 10pm, following the performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf. We are offering up to 5 minute slots per person and you can sign up that night.

Don’t want to perform but would love to come watch? Please do! Audience tickets are pay what you can, first come, first serve. If you see the performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf that night, you can stay for the Poetry Open Mic for free.

Come help us celebrate the uniquely human gifts of writing, performing and sharing this work in community!

Pay What You Can **Note: Attendees of the June 16th performance of Da Classroom Ain’t Enuf can stay for free!

 

Saturday, June 17, 2023
PIEDMONT PASO FINO HORSE SHOW
Jun 17 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Shows begin every morning at 8:00 am and continue until approximately 9:00pm.

FREE ADMISSION!
A four day competition showcasing Paso Fino horses from across the country. Tack, clothing, jewelry, and latin food vendors on-site throughout the event.

Sunday, June 18, 2023
Asheville Alive Horse Show
Jun 18 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Ag Center
Featuring two AP Shows with 1 judge each, benefit show with Sponsorship Packages available, Piedmont Breeders Futurity classes on June 17-18, fun activities for all youth riders and guests. Stay tuned for more information soon!
PIEDMONT PASO FINO HORSE SHOW
Jun 18 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
WNC Agricultural Center

Shows begin every morning at 8:00 am and continue until approximately 9:00pm.

FREE ADMISSION!
A four day competition showcasing Paso Fino horses from across the country. Tack, clothing, jewelry, and latin food vendors on-site throughout the event.

Monday, June 19, 2023
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “Pride”
Jun 19 @ 7:30 pm
The Grey Eagle
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. 

THE MOTH resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….


PRIDE:  Prepare a five minute story about being proud. The confidence and glory of owning your talents, embracing your identity or, perhaps, flying too close to the sun. Lion-hearted valiance for a job well-done or the stubborn sting of unburied hatchets or unspoken apologies. Staying faithful to values, swallowing pride or admitting you ain’t too proud to beg.
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jun 22 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Sunday, June 25, 2023
Standup Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement
Jun 25 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

We have another great standup comedy show coming up at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Sunday June 25, 6:30 pm. Show is 18+. An always crazy fun comedy open mic with the area’s best comics (performing comics get free pizza & entry)!! Featuring Moira Goree, Ryan Gordan & Ben Atkins
Hosted by Morgan Bost. Morgan is an Asheville based comic capturing the playful and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She co-hosts a weekly comedy open mic called “The Hot Seat,” and writes a monthly humor column, “Best Medicine with Morgan Bost,” for the Mountain Xpress. She’s opened for Rob Delaney, Beth Stelling, and has appeared in several breweries and discount grocery stores across Western North Carolina.
Come get delicious food & drinks while laughing the night away! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Tickets at:
https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/

Thursday, June 29, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jun 29 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Thursday, July 6, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jul 6 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
Jul 6 @ 8:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

7.6.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday July 6, 2023. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Feature comic Katy Hudson!
Katy Hudson is a comedian, lighting designer, and weather forecaster with a knack for finding the silver lining around every storm cloud. Their comedy blurs the lines between science and magic in a quest for collective understanding. But don’t let this intellectual spirituality fool you- Katy uses only the most unhinged examples of the disgustingly divine to draw clouds of laughter from crowds that matter.
We feature the area’s best comics, plus an open mic. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]. For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
Jul 6 @ 8:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

7.6.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday July 6, 2023. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Feature comic Katy Hudson!
Katy Hudson is a comedian, lighting designer, and weather forecaster with a knack for finding the silver lining around every storm cloud. Their comedy blurs the lines between science and magic in a quest for collective understanding. But don’t let this intellectual spirituality fool you- Katy uses only the most unhinged examples of the disgustingly divine to draw clouds of laughter from crowds that matter.
We feature the area’s best comics, plus an open mic. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]. For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram

Saturday, July 8, 2023
Grovewood Classic Car Gathering
Jul 8 @ 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Grovewood Village
Calling all auto enthusiasts! Don’t miss this classic car meetup at the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum in Grovewood Village on Saturday, July 8, from 8:30am – 10:30am. Marvel at classic beauties of yesteryear and enjoy complimentary coffee while supplies last. A $10 suggested donation will go towards much-needed maintenance on the museum’s 1959 Edsel Corsair.
Asheville Gun + Knife Show
Jul 8 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Ag. Center-Davis Event Center
Mike Kent and Associates, LLC was founded in 1990 to produce the Franklin (Nashville) Civil War Show, which has grown to become the largest Civil War Show in the world, featuring over 1,000 tables of authentic Civil War weapons and memorabilia. Since 1990, we have produced over 450 shows and have expanded our scope to include Gun and Knife Shows in North and South Carolina as well as Civil War shows in Dalton, GA, and Franklin, TN.

Our goal has always been the production of safe, high quality shows with a family friendly atmosphere offering a wide variety of firearms and related equipment for shooters, collectors, Civil War & Militaria enthusiasts.

We are actively seeking to purchase or manage existing shows and offer substantial finders fees for leads on shows or new venues.

Stop by and visit one of our upcoming events.

Sunday, July 9, 2023
Asheville Gun + Knife Show
Jul 9 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
WNC Ag. Center- Davis Event Center
Mike Kent and Associates, LLC was founded in 1990 to produce the Franklin (Nashville) Civil War Show, which has grown to become the largest Civil War Show in the world, featuring over 1,000 tables of authentic Civil War weapons and memorabilia. Since 1990, we have produced over 450 shows and have expanded our scope to include Gun and Knife Shows in North and South Carolina as well as Civil War shows in Dalton, GA, and Franklin, TN.

Our goal has always been the production of safe, high quality shows with a family friendly atmosphere offering a wide variety of firearms and related equipment for shooters, collectors, Civil War & Militaria enthusiasts.

We are actively seeking to purchase or manage existing shows and offer substantial finders fees for leads on shows or new venues.

Stop by and visit one of our upcoming events.

 

Thursday, July 13, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jul 13 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Thursday, July 20, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jul 20 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
Jul 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel Comedy Basement PULP

7.20.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday July 20, 2023. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Feature comic Petey Smith McDowell!
From Asheville, North Carolina Petey Smith-McDowell has been traveling around the country telling jokes since 2009. He has opened up for Beth Stelling, Hannibal Buress, and Trevor Noah. Just to name a few.
We feature the area’s best comics, plus an open mic. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]. For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Pulp Lounge
Jul 20 @ 8:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

7.20.23 The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement PULP
What: Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday July 20, 2023. 8p-10p, doors at 7:30p
Where: The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $14 (available at door or The Orange Peel website)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Feature comic Petey Smith McDowell!
From Asheville, North Carolina Petey Smith-McDowell has been traveling around the country telling jokes since 2009. He has opened up for Beth Stelling, Hannibal Buress, and Trevor Noah. Just to name a few.
We feature the area’s best comics, plus an open mic. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free snacks at comics table]. For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Host Cody Hughes: Cody is a comedian who cut his teeth in Chicago and Atlanta. He is now based out of West North Carolina and tours the Southeast. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver and Maria Bamford among others and hosts the regular Slice of Life Comedy shows at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge.
About Pulp: The speakeasy inspired hideaway offers a cozy space for show-goers to relax and enjoy a beverage during the concert. Boasting over 200 different Bourbons and Whiskeys, alongside a myriad of other spirits, it is a must-visit for cocktail lovers and Bourbon sippers alike. Pulp will also open various other nights to feature local artists and “Slice of Life” open-mic comedy nights. To stay informed with the happenings at Pulp, visit the Orange Peel’s website, and follow @pulp_avl on Instagram.

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.

Thursday, July 27, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Jul 27 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Friday, July 28, 2023
Blue Ridge Mountain Madness Festival UKI Dog Agility Trial
Jul 28 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
FENCE (Foothills Nature Equestrian Center)

Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. It is highly recommended to bring a chair. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.

Purebred and mixed-breed dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock.

The UKI trial includes the Agility Biathlon, Team Challenge and Masters Series Heat. These titling classes include Agility, ¬Jumping, Gamblers, Snooker and Speedstakes.

The best-scoring dog from each jump height is produced from the overall results in the Agility Biathlon and Masters Heat. The Winner will be granted a bye into Round 2 of the National Championship Class at the 2023 US Open plus an automatic Bye into the West Coast Open Agility Stakes Final.

UK Agility International is an organization that promotes the growth of agility and its standards. Reward-based dog training is encouraged in a competitive arena.

Dogs compete according to their experience level, as the rules and courses become more difficult at the higher levels.

Agility is a competitive team sport comprised of a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps, weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog.

Saturday, July 29, 2023
Blue Ridge Mountain Madness Festival UKI Dog Agility Trial
Jul 29 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
FENCE (Foothills Nature Equestrian Center)

Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. It is highly recommended to bring a chair. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.

Purebred and mixed-breed dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock.

The UKI trial includes the Agility Biathlon, Team Challenge and Masters Series Heat. These titling classes include Agility, ¬Jumping, Gamblers, Snooker and Speedstakes.

The best-scoring dog from each jump height is produced from the overall results in the Agility Biathlon and Masters Heat. The Winner will be granted a bye into Round 2 of the National Championship Class at the 2023 US Open plus an automatic Bye into the West Coast Open Agility Stakes Final.

UK Agility International is an organization that promotes the growth of agility and its standards. Reward-based dog training is encouraged in a competitive arena.

Dogs compete according to their experience level, as the rules and courses become more difficult at the higher levels.

Agility is a competitive team sport comprised of a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps, weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog.

Sunday, July 30, 2023
Blue Ridge Mountain Madness Festival UKI Dog Agility Trial
Jul 30 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
FENCE (Foothills Nature Equestrian Center)

Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. It is highly recommended to bring a chair. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.

Purebred and mixed-breed dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock.

The UKI trial includes the Agility Biathlon, Team Challenge and Masters Series Heat. These titling classes include Agility, ¬Jumping, Gamblers, Snooker and Speedstakes.

The best-scoring dog from each jump height is produced from the overall results in the Agility Biathlon and Masters Heat. The Winner will be granted a bye into Round 2 of the National Championship Class at the 2023 US Open plus an automatic Bye into the West Coast Open Agility Stakes Final.

UK Agility International is an organization that promotes the growth of agility and its standards. Reward-based dog training is encouraged in a competitive arena.

Dogs compete according to their experience level, as the rules and courses become more difficult at the higher levels.

Agility is a competitive team sport comprised of a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps, weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog.

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Jul 30 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

We have another great standup comedy show coming up at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Sunday July 30, 6:30 pm. Show is 18+. An always crazy fun comedy open mic with the area’s best comics (performing comics get free pizza & entry)!! Featuring Hilliary Begley, Chesney Goodson & Jess Cooley!
Hosted by Morgan Bost. Morgan is an Asheville based comic capturing the playful and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She co-hosts a weekly comedy open mic called “The Hot Seat,” and writes a monthly humor column, “Best Medicine with Morgan Bost,” for the Mountain Xpress. She’s opened for Rob Delaney, Beth Stelling, and has appeared in several breweries and discount grocery stores across Western North Carolina.
Come get delicious food & drinks while laughing the night away! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Tickets at:
https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Jul 30 @ 6:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

We have another great standup comedy show coming up at Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company on Sunday July 30, 6:30 pm. Show is 18+. An always crazy fun comedy open mic with the area’s best comics (performing comics get free pizza & entry)!! Featuring Hilliary Begley, Chesney Goodson & Jess Cooley!
Hosted by Morgan Bost. Morgan is an Asheville based comic capturing the playful and often painful parallels between adolescence and “almost-adulthood.” Vibrant yet vulnerable; her high-energy storytelling is influenced by her background as an improviser. She co-hosts a weekly comedy open mic called “The Hot Seat,” and writes a monthly humor column, “Best Medicine with Morgan Bost,” for the Mountain Xpress. She’s opened for Rob Delaney, Beth Stelling, and has appeared in several breweries and discount grocery stores across Western North Carolina.
Come get delicious food & drinks while laughing the night away! Contact [email protected] for more information!
Tickets at:
https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/movies/

Thursday, August 3, 2023
Poetry Open Mic Hendo
Aug 3 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Shakedown Lounge

Poetry Open Mic Hendo is the all-new sister event of Poetry Open Mic Asheville, the
longest-running open mic in Western North Carolina, this weekly event welcomes all people and all forms of creative expression at
Hendersonville’s only Kava lounge.

Sunday, August 6, 2023
Hybrid | Poet Quartet: Jenny Bates, David Dixon, Kathy Cantley Ackerman, Thomas Alan Holmes
Aug 6 @ 4:30 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Join us for our monthly poetry reading series coordinated by Mildred Barya. This month, we welcome Jenny Bates, David Dixon, Kathy Cantley Ackerman, and Thomas Alan Holmes

This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online. The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.

All featured books will be available for purchase at the event. This event also includes a book signing.

If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. To order Kathy Cantley Ackerman’s Repeat After Me, please call the store at (828) 254-6734.

If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


Jenny Bates is a member of Winston-Salem Writers, NC Poetry Society, and NC Writers Network. Where the Deer Sleep is Bates’ third book with Hermit Feathers Press following Slip (2020) and Visitations (2019). She’s published in numerous journals including Pinesong, Flying South, Wild Goose Poetry Review, and Old Mountain Press. Born and raised in Michigan, she now resides in the foothills of North Carolina.

Where the Deer Sleep is an inspiring call to reverence and wonder. To a place where “directions are not geographical.” To a time life can “go back to being a good dog.” To the church of cats and crows, stars and thunder, patience and grace – where the ordinary is divine. And miracle. I believe Jenny when she tells us she sits with toads – and listens. These poems make no pretense of being the High-Priestess of anything. Instead, they stand quietly by the entrance, bulletin in hand – inviting us in. You will be glad you did.

David Dixon is a physician, poet, and musician who lives and practices in Mount Airy. He is the medical director of Surry Medical Ministries, a free clinic in the area. He has played in several regional bands and remains active in local music. His written work has appeared in Rock & Sling, The Northern Virginia Review, Connecticut River Review, FlyingSouth, The Greensboro Review, and elsewhere. He is the author of The Scattering of Saints (Hermit Feathers Press, 2022).

David Dixon whirls readers through languages of faith, illness, love, loss; lives of apostles, pets, poets, and trees. These poems are a search for what remains and what illuminates when all the lights go out and we’re left to find our way home in the dark, hoping there is a home. Dixon troubles us with all the pesky questions: how to die? how to live? How to bind? Every poem a sign. Each line a constellation.

Kathy Cantley Ackerman was born in coal country West Virginia, grew up in Ohio, and has lived in the Carolinas nearly 40 years.  She has published three poetry chapbooks and three full-length collections, most recently Repeat after Me. Her 2019 collection, A Quarrel of Atoms, received the Lena Shull Book Award from the North Carolina Poetry Society. Ackerman serves as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Isothermal Community College in Spindale and lives on a loblolly farm in Polk County.

How hard it is to keep what lives alive. Kathy Ackerman brings it all to life: love, loss and the fear of loss, revelations about what’s become essential and what no longer is. These poems are ordinary days like the ones we all must hack a path through, but when we look back and consider the way we’ve come an unexpected clarity fills us. Everything ordinary is extraordinary. Repeat after me: so it is with love that lasts, tender and perennial / tender and vulnerable.

Thomas Alan Holmes, a member of the East Tennessee State University faculty, teaches American literature with specialties in Appalachian and Black American literature. His creative and scholarly work has appeared in such journals as Valparaiso Poetry Review, Appalachian Journal, The North American Review, and Still: The Journal. Iris Press published In the Backhoe’s Shadow, Holmes’ first poetry collection, in 2022.

In the Backhoe’s Shadow celebrates the bonds of family in a time of rapid change. The poems display extraordinarily precise, photographic details of work and memory, childhood games and pets, sad country songs. Some are poems of dailiness and humor, and the legacy of a certain time and place. Holmes is a gifted storyteller of the struggle with contemporary uncertainties, of deep kinship, of love.

Mildred Kiconco Barya is a writer and poet. She has written short-stories and essays for various publications, features and travel articles for newspapers. Her first collection of poetry titled: Men Love Chocolates But They Don’t Say won the National Award for poetry publication 2002. She is also the author of the poetry collections The Price of Memory and Give Me Room to Move My Feet. Barya is Assistant professor of Creative Writing and World Literature at University of North Carolina-Asheville. Learn more at http://mildredbarya.com/.