Calendar of Events
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.
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us to book or make a reservation through our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
White Horse is excited to launch a new monthly concert series, BEER AND HYMNS.
Beer & Hymns brings people together to raise our glasses, raise our voices,
and raise funds for organizations that change the world.
The Beer and Hymns concept is simple:
Come together as a community once a month to:
- sing hymns
- drink beer (or other beverages)
- raise money for various nonprofits ( in the Swannanoa Valley in our case)
Group singing is loved and appreciated by many. For some they sing hymns every Sunday with other members of their faith community. Others may not have been inside a church for decade, but they miss the hymns and the sounds of voices joined together in song.
This event is intended for everyone in the community.
The Musical Director for tonight is AARON PRICE of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
and the beneficiary is
THE SWANNANOA VALLEY CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
In addition to the joy of group singing, you’ll be raising money for various charitable organizations in Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley. Each month a different local nonprofit will be selected as the beneficiary of the monthly event.
Lift A Glass
Sing A Song
Help Others
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Story Parlor and Inward & Artward present: an interactive 14-week program on how to create and facilitate unique offerings rooted in the intersection of the creative process, personal stories, and the human condition. Tailored for folks interested in starting a new and fulfilling career path, or simply wanting to deepen and/or refresh their approach to holistic creative facilitation.
Guideposts Include:
-
Identifying creative blocks, obstacles, and breakthrough strategies for self and others
-
How to create and conduct creative-based groups, workshops, classes, and retreats
-
Teaching philosophy and ethics
-
The intersection of mindfulness and the creative process, and how to implement into facilitation
-
Nurturing a sustainable creative lifestyle, personally, professionally, and instructionally
-
Tools to excavate personal stories and ways they can be used for healing, transformation, and creative bounty
-
Marketing, business planning, and logistics
-
Two one-on-one creativity coaching sessions
Early Bird pricing through April 30 | $1250
Regular price effective May 1 | $1400
Class dates include Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm
5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30
Some classes will be conducted over zoom; Final two meetings will go till 9:30pm.
Refund and Covid policies can be found here.
Before registering, prospective participants must first submit the below application. Next steps will be provided thereafter.
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
(Sylva, NC September 2, 2023) Jackson Arts Market, JAM Glass Gallery & Jackson County Arts Council are proud to host the second annual 4M Festival. Attendance is free to this celebration of Blue Ridge mountain culture, art, and nature. The event features 11 hours of live music, 45 live art demonstrations & workshops, speakers & performances, food trucks, bar & restaurant, wild foods, 80+ local artists vending, and much more to discover. Admire the dazzling variety of the Sparkle Glass show, an exclusive exhibit curated inside the JAM Glass Gallery.
This educational event shares a wide array of first hand experiences, guaranteed to delight everyone. Interactive workshops range from paint classes to steel forging to “backyard tea” foraging. Educational lectures by local environmental activists will share ways to help save our planet and preserve mountain heritage. Artisans, modern and traditional, will be there to demonstrate their craft to the public.
In 2022, the 4M Festival was a smashing success, seeing attendance of over 3,000 guests and over 50 vendors and demonstrators. This year the event has expanded. “We aim for 4M to connect guests with opportunities to learn and participate with local organizations, arts, nature, and continue being engaged.” Says Event Organizer Joshua Murch. There will be two stages, one at the Jackson Arts Market for music and the other at the Paper Mill Lounge for educational lectures. Full Event Schedule and Map are available at www.jacksonartsmarket.com/4m .
Don’t miss out on the exquisite craftsmanship of The Sparkle Glass Show. This shimmering exhibit inside the JAM Glass Gallery will feature over 75 glass artists’ glistening pieces. Connected to the gallery is a live glassblowing studio with artists demonstrating throughout the day.
“There really is something there for everybody. And with free admission and a gorgeous mountain view, you can’t beat it.” Says Chloe Burnette-Turner, local forager and assistant coordinator at the Jackson Arts Market. Located in the center of historic downtown Sylva, 4M is in proximity to fantastic restaurants, breweries and shops. Parking for the festival is around the corner at the Sylva First United Methodist Church. Event goes from 10am-6pm on Saturday September 2nd at 533 West Main St, Sylva and adjacent properties.
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Our mission is to bring together, in small, intimate settings, authors, readers of all ages, novice writers, listeners, and learners. We are a festival of readers who appreciate discussing the ideas in literature.
We do not see ourselves as an academic festival, thou
Telling Our Own Story: Cherokee Self-Representation in Contemporary Media
Historically in film, literature, galleries, and textbooks, Native stories have been told by non-Native voices. In this panel, we’ll hear from citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), North Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, who are contributing to the international movement for Indigenous self-representation in media through writing, podcasting, visual art, and cultural perpetuation.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Award-winning Author of Even as We Breathe
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee) lives in Qualla, NC and is the author of Even As We Breathe. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and is President of the North Carolina Writers Network. She is also an Appalachian Futures Series editor for the University Press of Kentucky.
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Executive Director
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee) has worked in the museum and cultural field for over twenty years. As Executive Director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Condill furthers a career-spanning commitment to cultivating Native representation and self-representation in public spaces, advocating for the intentional combining of mainstream best practices with Native best practices in cultural preservation.
Nola Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Lead Cultural Specialist
Nola Pina (Eastern Band Cherokee) grew up and still currently resides in the on the Qualla Boundary. As a Lead Cultural Specialist at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Nola enjoys demonstrating and teaching finger-weaving (she is a first-generation finger weaver herself), as well as storytelling and leading tours through the permanent exhibit.
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo)
Visual artist
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo) employs printmaking, digital design, and basketry techniques in creating her artist’s books, prints, and paper weavings. Both of her Tribal heritages, cultures, and lineages are manifested in her two- and three-dimensional artworks that range in size from a few inches to a few feet.
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Writer/podcaster
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee) is passionate about storytelling and writing to highlight the Indigenous experience. Her work includes publication in National Geographic, NPR, and writing children’s books. In 2021, she became the co-host of “We are Resilient: An MMIW True Crime Podcast,” dedicated to telling the untold stories of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women.gh we seek to advance authors of literary quality. Nor are we a book fair in which the primary objective is to sell books.
One of our goals is to raise awareness of works of literary significance from smaller presses. We do focus on regional writers, though not exclusively. But overall, our aspiration is to create a little literary community which is in dialog with readers, aspiring writers, and established authors about craft and ideas of sustaining merit.
Another goal is to make sure our authors are having good time. In the best scenario, authors leave the festival feeling renewed and rededicated to their work. So frequently when an author writes in isolation, it is hard to believe that his/her work is making an impact on people and society. But situating authors and readers together in close quarters, as our festival does, it is possible for authors to hear stories of how their work has influenced people. It’s not just signing a book, it’s making a human connection.
We hope the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival inspires people to read more, write more, and contribute positively to society through the literary arts.
Our Pecularities
No outside vendors have booths at our festival. In fact, we don’t even sell any litfest paraphernalia. In an attempt to support our quaint downtown, attendees are encouraged to buy souvenirs at the many local shops that host readings. Authors are not tied down to a table all day, but are free to roam the town, attend other sessions, or gab with other authors in more sequestered areas. Some authors spend a full two days attending others’ readings. As festival planners, we thoroughly enjoy this contribution. However, some chose to leave after their sessions, which is equally acceptable.
Our events are spread all over our small town— in galleries, small stores, the Town Center, library, nearby churches, and other various venues. Only a few used primarily for workshops are not within walking distance.
Events are scheduled simultaneously. As many as five different events may be occurring at any one time. (We know that it can be difficult to choose, but we make every attempt to have each author present at least twice during the weekend.) We have a festival bookseller (Malaprop’s) who sells all festival author books – authors do not sell their books on their own. (Therefore, if book sales are high on your list of priorities or you enjoy pitching your books, you may not find this event to your liking—and vice versa.)
Authors gather for morning and afternoon-session book-signings as a group. No individual authors will have their own signings. Author presentations are limited to two consecutive years. Exceptions may be made if an author has a new, significant work. At the same time, we welcome past participants as attendees, or to assist us as session moderators or introducers if they wish.
FOR WORKSHOPS: 2023 Schedule – cmlitfest.org
For 61 years enthusiasts have been gathering at
Roan Mountain during the first weekend after Labor
Day to celebrate the natural world during the Fall
Roan Mountain Naturalists Rally. This event and all
of the Friends of Roan Mountain events would not
be possible without our volunteer field trip leaders,
the support of Roan Mountain State Park and the
Friends of Roan membership.
Consider joining the Friends of Roan Mountain, if
you are not a member. Members get free admission
to all Naturalists Rally events and our newsletter
which is published twice a year.
Evening and lunch programs will take place in Roan
Mountain State Park’s Conference Center. Field
trips will leave from the field on the left beside the
entrance to the park cabins.
Gary Barrigar and Larry McDaniel- Co-Directors
FRIDAY EVENING PROGRAM: “Discovering the Wonders of Parks Through
Interpretation
”
Meg Guy has served Tennessee State Parks first as
Seasonal Interpretive Ranger, then Park Ranger then
Park Manager of Roan Mountain State Park. Now
she supports 19 parks across East Tennessee as the
Regional Interpretive Specialist. She holds a B.S. in
Plant & Soil Sciences from the University of
Tennessee and an M.A. in Appalachian
Studies from East Tennessee State University. Meg
also holds two professional certifications from the
National Association for Interpretation (NAI):
Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified
Interpretive Trainer.
Presentation Description:
The mission statement of Tennessee State Parks
reads:
“To preserve and protect, in perpetuity,
unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic
areas and to provide a variety of safe, quality
outdoor experiences through a well
-planned and
professionally managed system of state parks.”
Visitors to parks are provided opportunities to
connect intellectually and emotionally with unique
resources through a communication process known
as interpretation. Guided hikes and tours, museum
exhibits, living history demonstrations, and
wayfinding signage are all examples of state park
resource interpretation efforts.
In this presentation, Tennessee State Parks’
Regional Interpretive Specialist Meg Guy will draw
upon her own experience working in parks to consider
the importance of interpretation to the
achievement of the agency mission… specifically, how
interpretation enhances a park visit and inspires park
visitors to become stewards of natural and cultural
resources.
SATURDAY AFTER LUNCH PROGRAM
:
“Insects & Traditional Medicine
”
ETSU undergraduate researcher Cade Campbell will
discuss his studies with the Whitaker Lab. He has been
working to document the interactions of native insects
and Appalachian medicinal plants compared to species
unused in the folk tradition.
SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM
:
“Fall Migration: A Fascinating Annual Display of
Nature
”
Ron Hoff moved to Knoxville in October 1973. He
joined the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee
Ornithological Society in January, 1978. He has
volunteered over the years in many positions for both
the local and state TOS organization, culminating as
TOS president in 2013
-2015. He continues as state TOS
bird count compiler, a position he has held for over 20
years.
Ron met his wife, Dollyann Myers, through the TOS
state bird meetings and eventually got married in 1995.
Ron’s first birding trip was to the Big Bend National
Park in Texas in June 1983. He and Dollyann found that
they shared a huge passion for international birding and
they both have now birded in just over 100 countries.
His life list now stands at 8698 species seen.
Ron has also been interested in photography for many
years and this carried over to birding. He has always
wanted to give programs about birds to audiences to
share the beauty and wonderment of birds, in the hopes
that it may, in some small way, help with bird
conservation. Preferring to use his own slides for his
presentations, he has slowly built up his library of bird
photos and has now photographed 5362 species of birds,
nearly half of all the birds in the world.
Presentation Description:
Fall migration is a vast and complicated annual event.
This program will present some grand statistics, minute
details, and current research that will help make sense of
this movement.
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
Our mission is to bring together, in small, intimate settings, authors, readers of all ages, novice writers, listeners, and learners. We are a festival of readers who appreciate discussing the ideas in literature.
We do not see ourselves as an academic festival, thou
Telling Our Own Story: Cherokee Self-Representation in Contemporary Media
Historically in film, literature, galleries, and textbooks, Native stories have been told by non-Native voices. In this panel, we’ll hear from citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), North Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, who are contributing to the international movement for Indigenous self-representation in media through writing, podcasting, visual art, and cultural perpetuation.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Award-winning Author of Even as We Breathe
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee) lives in Qualla, NC and is the author of Even As We Breathe. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and is President of the North Carolina Writers Network. She is also an Appalachian Futures Series editor for the University Press of Kentucky.
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Executive Director
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee) has worked in the museum and cultural field for over twenty years. As Executive Director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Condill furthers a career-spanning commitment to cultivating Native representation and self-representation in public spaces, advocating for the intentional combining of mainstream best practices with Native best practices in cultural preservation.
Nola Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Lead Cultural Specialist
Nola Pina (Eastern Band Cherokee) grew up and still currently resides in the on the Qualla Boundary. As a Lead Cultural Specialist at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Nola enjoys demonstrating and teaching finger-weaving (she is a first-generation finger weaver herself), as well as storytelling and leading tours through the permanent exhibit.
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo)
Visual artist
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo) employs printmaking, digital design, and basketry techniques in creating her artist’s books, prints, and paper weavings. Both of her Tribal heritages, cultures, and lineages are manifested in her two- and three-dimensional artworks that range in size from a few inches to a few feet.
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Writer/podcaster
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee) is passionate about storytelling and writing to highlight the Indigenous experience. Her work includes publication in National Geographic, NPR, and writing children’s books. In 2021, she became the co-host of “We are Resilient: An MMIW True Crime Podcast,” dedicated to telling the untold stories of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women.gh we seek to advance authors of literary quality. Nor are we a book fair in which the primary objective is to sell books.
One of our goals is to raise awareness of works of literary significance from smaller presses. We do focus on regional writers, though not exclusively. But overall, our aspiration is to create a little literary community which is in dialog with readers, aspiring writers, and established authors about craft and ideas of sustaining merit.
Another goal is to make sure our authors are having good time. In the best scenario, authors leave the festival feeling renewed and rededicated to their work. So frequently when an author writes in isolation, it is hard to believe that his/her work is making an impact on people and society. But situating authors and readers together in close quarters, as our festival does, it is possible for authors to hear stories of how their work has influenced people. It’s not just signing a book, it’s making a human connection.
We hope the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival inspires people to read more, write more, and contribute positively to society through the literary arts.
Our Pecularities
No outside vendors have booths at our festival. In fact, we don’t even sell any litfest paraphernalia. In an attempt to support our quaint downtown, attendees are encouraged to buy souvenirs at the many local shops that host readings. Authors are not tied down to a table all day, but are free to roam the town, attend other sessions, or gab with other authors in more sequestered areas. Some authors spend a full two days attending others’ readings. As festival planners, we thoroughly enjoy this contribution. However, some chose to leave after their sessions, which is equally acceptable.
Our events are spread all over our small town— in galleries, small stores, the Town Center, library, nearby churches, and other various venues. Only a few used primarily for workshops are not within walking distance.
Events are scheduled simultaneously. As many as five different events may be occurring at any one time. (We know that it can be difficult to choose, but we make every attempt to have each author present at least twice during the weekend.) We have a festival bookseller (Malaprop’s) who sells all festival author books – authors do not sell their books on their own. (Therefore, if book sales are high on your list of priorities or you enjoy pitching your books, you may not find this event to your liking—and vice versa.)
Authors gather for morning and afternoon-session book-signings as a group. No individual authors will have their own signings. Author presentations are limited to two consecutive years. Exceptions may be made if an author has a new, significant work. At the same time, we welcome past participants as attendees, or to assist us as session moderators or introducers if they wish.
FOR WORKSHOPS: 2023 Schedule – cmlitfest.org
For 61 years enthusiasts have been gathering at
Roan Mountain during the first weekend after Labor
Day to celebrate the natural world during the Fall
Roan Mountain Naturalists Rally. This event and all
of the Friends of Roan Mountain events would not
be possible without our volunteer field trip leaders,
the support of Roan Mountain State Park and the
Friends of Roan membership.
Consider joining the Friends of Roan Mountain, if
you are not a member. Members get free admission
to all Naturalists Rally events and our newsletter
which is published twice a year.
Evening and lunch programs will take place in Roan
Mountain State Park’s Conference Center. Field
trips will leave from the field on the left beside the
entrance to the park cabins.
Gary Barrigar and Larry McDaniel- Co-Directors
FRIDAY EVENING PROGRAM: “Discovering the Wonders of Parks Through
Interpretation
”
Meg Guy has served Tennessee State Parks first as
Seasonal Interpretive Ranger, then Park Ranger then
Park Manager of Roan Mountain State Park. Now
she supports 19 parks across East Tennessee as the
Regional Interpretive Specialist. She holds a B.S. in
Plant & Soil Sciences from the University of
Tennessee and an M.A. in Appalachian
Studies from East Tennessee State University. Meg
also holds two professional certifications from the
National Association for Interpretation (NAI):
Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified
Interpretive Trainer.
Presentation Description:
The mission statement of Tennessee State Parks
reads:
“To preserve and protect, in perpetuity,
unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic
areas and to provide a variety of safe, quality
outdoor experiences through a well
-planned and
professionally managed system of state parks.”
Visitors to parks are provided opportunities to
connect intellectually and emotionally with unique
resources through a communication process known
as interpretation. Guided hikes and tours, museum
exhibits, living history demonstrations, and
wayfinding signage are all examples of state park
resource interpretation efforts.
In this presentation, Tennessee State Parks’
Regional Interpretive Specialist Meg Guy will draw
upon her own experience working in parks to consider
the importance of interpretation to the
achievement of the agency mission… specifically, how
interpretation enhances a park visit and inspires park
visitors to become stewards of natural and cultural
resources.
SATURDAY AFTER LUNCH PROGRAM
:
“Insects & Traditional Medicine
”
ETSU undergraduate researcher Cade Campbell will
discuss his studies with the Whitaker Lab. He has been
working to document the interactions of native insects
and Appalachian medicinal plants compared to species
unused in the folk tradition.
SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM
:
“Fall Migration: A Fascinating Annual Display of
Nature
”
Ron Hoff moved to Knoxville in October 1973. He
joined the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee
Ornithological Society in January, 1978. He has
volunteered over the years in many positions for both
the local and state TOS organization, culminating as
TOS president in 2013
-2015. He continues as state TOS
bird count compiler, a position he has held for over 20
years.
Ron met his wife, Dollyann Myers, through the TOS
state bird meetings and eventually got married in 1995.
Ron’s first birding trip was to the Big Bend National
Park in Texas in June 1983. He and Dollyann found that
they shared a huge passion for international birding and
they both have now birded in just over 100 countries.
His life list now stands at 8698 species seen.
Ron has also been interested in photography for many
years and this carried over to birding. He has always
wanted to give programs about birds to audiences to
share the beauty and wonderment of birds, in the hopes
that it may, in some small way, help with bird
conservation. Preferring to use his own slides for his
presentations, he has slowly built up his library of bird
photos and has now photographed 5362 species of birds,
nearly half of all the birds in the world.
Presentation Description:
Fall migration is a vast and complicated annual event.
This program will present some grand statistics, minute
details, and current research that will help make sense of
this movement.
Our mission is to bring together, in small, intimate settings, authors, readers of all ages, novice writers, listeners, and learners. We are a festival of readers who appreciate discussing the ideas in literature.
We do not see ourselves as an academic festival, thou
Telling Our Own Story: Cherokee Self-Representation in Contemporary Media
Historically in film, literature, galleries, and textbooks, Native stories have been told by non-Native voices. In this panel, we’ll hear from citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), North Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, who are contributing to the international movement for Indigenous self-representation in media through writing, podcasting, visual art, and cultural perpetuation.
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Award-winning Author of Even as We Breathe
Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle (Eastern Band Cherokee) lives in Qualla, NC and is the author of Even As We Breathe. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and is President of the North Carolina Writers Network. She is also an Appalachian Futures Series editor for the University Press of Kentucky.
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Executive Director
Shana Bushyhead Condill (Eastern Band of Cherokee) has worked in the museum and cultural field for over twenty years. As Executive Director of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Condill furthers a career-spanning commitment to cultivating Native representation and self-representation in public spaces, advocating for the intentional combining of mainstream best practices with Native best practices in cultural preservation.
Nola Pina (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian Lead Cultural Specialist
Nola Pina (Eastern Band Cherokee) grew up and still currently resides in the on the Qualla Boundary. As a Lead Cultural Specialist at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Nola enjoys demonstrating and teaching finger-weaving (she is a first-generation finger weaver herself), as well as storytelling and leading tours through the permanent exhibit.
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo)
Visual artist
Rhiannon ‘Skye’ Tafoya (Eastern Band Cherokee and Santa Clara Pueblo) employs printmaking, digital design, and basketry techniques in creating her artist’s books, prints, and paper weavings. Both of her Tribal heritages, cultures, and lineages are manifested in her two- and three-dimensional artworks that range in size from a few inches to a few feet.
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee)
Writer/podcaster
Sheyahshe Littledave (Eastern Band Cherokee) is passionate about storytelling and writing to highlight the Indigenous experience. Her work includes publication in National Geographic, NPR, and writing children’s books. In 2021, she became the co-host of “We are Resilient: An MMIW True Crime Podcast,” dedicated to telling the untold stories of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women.gh we seek to advance authors of literary quality. Nor are we a book fair in which the primary objective is to sell books.
One of our goals is to raise awareness of works of literary significance from smaller presses. We do focus on regional writers, though not exclusively. But overall, our aspiration is to create a little literary community which is in dialog with readers, aspiring writers, and established authors about craft and ideas of sustaining merit.
Another goal is to make sure our authors are having good time. In the best scenario, authors leave the festival feeling renewed and rededicated to their work. So frequently when an author writes in isolation, it is hard to believe that his/her work is making an impact on people and society. But situating authors and readers together in close quarters, as our festival does, it is possible for authors to hear stories of how their work has influenced people. It’s not just signing a book, it’s making a human connection.
We hope the Carolina Mountains Literary Festival inspires people to read more, write more, and contribute positively to society through the literary arts.
Our Pecularities
No outside vendors have booths at our festival. In fact, we don’t even sell any litfest paraphernalia. In an attempt to support our quaint downtown, attendees are encouraged to buy souvenirs at the many local shops that host readings. Authors are not tied down to a table all day, but are free to roam the town, attend other sessions, or gab with other authors in more sequestered areas. Some authors spend a full two days attending others’ readings. As festival planners, we thoroughly enjoy this contribution. However, some chose to leave after their sessions, which is equally acceptable.
Our events are spread all over our small town— in galleries, small stores, the Town Center, library, nearby churches, and other various venues. Only a few used primarily for workshops are not within walking distance.
Events are scheduled simultaneously. As many as five different events may be occurring at any one time. (We know that it can be difficult to choose, but we make every attempt to have each author present at least twice during the weekend.) We have a festival bookseller (Malaprop’s) who sells all festival author books – authors do not sell their books on their own. (Therefore, if book sales are high on your list of priorities or you enjoy pitching your books, you may not find this event to your liking—and vice versa.)
Authors gather for morning and afternoon-session book-signings as a group. No individual authors will have their own signings. Author presentations are limited to two consecutive years. Exceptions may be made if an author has a new, significant work. At the same time, we welcome past participants as attendees, or to assist us as session moderators or introducers if they wish.
FOR WORKSHOPS: 2023 Schedule – cmlitfest.org
Join us for the 8th Annual IC Imagine Fine Arts 5k and Fun Run on Saturday, September 9th!
We invite you to attend as a participant, sponsor, volunteer or spectator, and encourage you to share this event with family, friends and business associates. The more the merrier! All proceeds from this annual event benefit our Fine Arts Department.
This race specifically benefits the Fine Arts department at IC Imagine.
When IC Imagine first opened in 2014 our Fine Arts staff consisted of three people and our students were able to put on three public performances throughout the school year – 2 band concerts and 1 chorus concert, all of which only involved students in 5th-10th grades. This year, we have ten Fine Arts staff members and our students are scheduled to particiate in over 50 performances throughout the year. Our Fine Arts programs are growing and thriving and we could not be more proud of our students and teachers that are providing these amazing experiences to our community. We have the opportunity to expand our programs even more with our new building and space, but we need your help. Your support goes directly to providing throwing wheels for our visual arts students to study ceramics, purchasing band instruments, allowing our choral students to sing new music at each performance, and outfitting our new performing arts center with sound and lighting equipment.
Class cost: $150
Min students: 6
Max students: 12
Class Dates: Saturdays, July 22 – September 9 (8 weeks)
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Must be 18+ to attend
The last day to receive a full refund is June 22, 2023. After June 22, 2023, no refund will be issued.
Class Description:
Does tap dancing seem a little daunting? Is it something you always wanted to try but didn’t have the time to commit to months of classes at a time? Whether you are preparing for a show that has tap involved or you are just interested in a new skill for fun, this class is for you. Allison Starling will break down the basics of tap into easy to catch on to moves that build the foundation of any tap number. This 8 week class is a comprehensive basics course that you don’t want to miss!
Join a local naturalist on this waterfall hiking tour and enjoy the best scenery near Asheville. This intimate group tour offers 2-3 stunning waterfalls, local history, wildlife, and edible plants. Transportation included from Asheville! Call us now to book or make a reservation on our website!
For 61 years enthusiasts have been gathering at
Roan Mountain during the first weekend after Labor
Day to celebrate the natural world during the Fall
Roan Mountain Naturalists Rally. This event and all
of the Friends of Roan Mountain events would not
be possible without our volunteer field trip leaders,
the support of Roan Mountain State Park and the
Friends of Roan membership.
Consider joining the Friends of Roan Mountain, if
you are not a member. Members get free admission
to all Naturalists Rally events and our newsletter
which is published twice a year.
Evening and lunch programs will take place in Roan
Mountain State Park’s Conference Center. Field
trips will leave from the field on the left beside the
entrance to the park cabins.
Gary Barrigar and Larry McDaniel- Co-Directors
FRIDAY EVENING PROGRAM: “Discovering the Wonders of Parks Through
Interpretation
”
Meg Guy has served Tennessee State Parks first as
Seasonal Interpretive Ranger, then Park Ranger then
Park Manager of Roan Mountain State Park. Now
she supports 19 parks across East Tennessee as the
Regional Interpretive Specialist. She holds a B.S. in
Plant & Soil Sciences from the University of
Tennessee and an M.A. in Appalachian
Studies from East Tennessee State University. Meg
also holds two professional certifications from the
National Association for Interpretation (NAI):
Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified
Interpretive Trainer.
Presentation Description:
The mission statement of Tennessee State Parks
reads:
“To preserve and protect, in perpetuity,
unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic
areas and to provide a variety of safe, quality
outdoor experiences through a well
-planned and
professionally managed system of state parks.”
Visitors to parks are provided opportunities to
connect intellectually and emotionally with unique
resources through a communication process known
as interpretation. Guided hikes and tours, museum
exhibits, living history demonstrations, and
wayfinding signage are all examples of state park
resource interpretation efforts.
In this presentation, Tennessee State Parks’
Regional Interpretive Specialist Meg Guy will draw
upon her own experience working in parks to consider
the importance of interpretation to the
achievement of the agency mission… specifically, how
interpretation enhances a park visit and inspires park
visitors to become stewards of natural and cultural
resources.
SATURDAY AFTER LUNCH PROGRAM
:
“Insects & Traditional Medicine
”
ETSU undergraduate researcher Cade Campbell will
discuss his studies with the Whitaker Lab. He has been
working to document the interactions of native insects
and Appalachian medicinal plants compared to species
unused in the folk tradition.
SATURDAY EVENING PROGRAM
:
“Fall Migration: A Fascinating Annual Display of
Nature
”
Ron Hoff moved to Knoxville in October 1973. He
joined the Knoxville chapter of the Tennessee
Ornithological Society in January, 1978. He has
volunteered over the years in many positions for both
the local and state TOS organization, culminating as
TOS president in 2013
-2015. He continues as state TOS
bird count compiler, a position he has held for over 20
years.
Ron met his wife, Dollyann Myers, through the TOS
state bird meetings and eventually got married in 1995.
Ron’s first birding trip was to the Big Bend National
Park in Texas in June 1983. He and Dollyann found that
they shared a huge passion for international birding and
they both have now birded in just over 100 countries.
His life list now stands at 8698 species seen.
Ron has also been interested in photography for many
years and this carried over to birding. He has always
wanted to give programs about birds to audiences to
share the beauty and wonderment of birds, in the hopes
that it may, in some small way, help with bird
conservation. Preferring to use his own slides for his
presentations, he has slowly built up his library of bird
photos and has now photographed 5362 species of birds,
nearly half of all the birds in the world.
Presentation Description:
Fall migration is a vast and complicated annual event.
This program will present some grand statistics, minute
details, and current research that will help make sense of
this movement.
Let us help you create a meaningful retirement that matches your values and priorities at the Paths to Creative Retirement (Paths) workshop. This highly interactive three-day workshop helps you achieve your desired personal goals in retirement. With guidance and support from facilitators and other participants, you will discover your values, identity and long-deferred dreams. In the process, you will gain valuable insights and inspiration to create tangible next steps.
Dates
- September 8-10, 2023
If you are unable to attend the upcoming offering of Paths but would like to be informed of future workshop dates and details, please complete the Future Paths Interest Form.
About the Paths Workshop
Paths focuses on the non-financial aspects of life’s second half; decision-making exercises and thought-provoking discussions reveal stimulating opportunities. Transform anxieties about your next chapter of life into a reassuring learning process—Paths is truly a unique retirement workshop.
We invite you to consider questions such as:
- When should I retire?
- How will I spend my time after I stop or reduce my work?
- How will I find purpose and meaning after I retire?
- How will my identity change in retirement?
- How will retirement affect my relationships with family and friends?
- How do I investigate work and volunteer opportunities?