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.

Saturday, December 2, 2023
Holiday Volunteer + Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County
Dec 2 all-day
Buncombe County

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

 


Participating Organizations:

  • ABCCM South
  • Asheville High School/SILSA
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Erwin Middle School
  • Montmorenci United Methodist Church
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 


 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

  1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
  2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
  3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!
Literacy Together Volunteer Opportunities
Dec 2 all-day
Literacy Together
Old Farmer’s Ball Needs Volunteers
Dec 2 all-day
various locations

We love contra dance, and nobody gets paid for making the dances happen. We all just pitch in. You can too. Here’s how it works:

  • Help us OPEN or CLOSE, and dance for free all night long! It only takes 30 minutes to an hour.
  • Help us at the DOOR, and dance for free half the night AND another whole night!

ALSO – if you want to volunteer on a regular basis, e.g. work the early door every 3rd Thursday, tell us and we’ll set that up!

The Volunteer page on the OFB website has a convenient, easy-to-use sign-up form for each of our dances.

Kayla Birstein is our volunteer coordinator. If you have questions or ideas about volunteering, contact info is on the Volunteer page.

Volunteer Opportunities

Early Host: Arrive by 7:15, greet the sound tech, band, and caller. Get into the safe, take out the starter money, count and fill out pay-out sheet. And advise/supervise volunteers.

Openers (3 people needed): Early Arrive by 7:15 pm, check in with Early Host, sweep the hall, set up chairs, make sure the bathrooms are clean and stocked.

Early Door Person (2 people needed): Arrive by 7:30 check, in with Early Host, work when needed to take money at the door. Alternate with your other door people and Early host to switch off who sits and who dances. Goes ’til 9:00pm.

Closers (3 people needed): Job time: 10 minutes. Break down the hall, put away chairs, tables, sweep the floors, empty and take out trash. Check in with the Late Host to make sure everything is done

Late Host: Arrive by 9:30, check-in with Early Host, the pay-out form should be filled out. Dancers should pay full price until first contra after the waltz break. Count the money, do the payout, supervise breakdown and close the hall.

Sunday, December 3, 2023
Holiday Volunteer + Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County
Dec 3 all-day
Buncombe County

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

 


Participating Organizations:

  • ABCCM South
  • Asheville High School/SILSA
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Erwin Middle School
  • Montmorenci United Methodist Church
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 


 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

  1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
  2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
  3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!
Literacy Together Volunteer Opportunities
Dec 3 all-day
Literacy Together
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred
Dec 3 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Sigal Music Museum

Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.

 

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.

 

Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.

And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!

THE NUTCRACKER: ONCE UPON A TIME IN GREENVILLE
Dec 3 @ 2:00 pm
Peace Concert Hall

It is Christmas Eve and Clara and her brother, Fritz, are excited for the evening’s festivities to begin.  Family and friends arrive in Greenville by train and admire the sights and sounds of beautiful Main Street.  Clara’s magician Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives and brings gifts for everyone.  For Clara, he has a very special nutcracker.  The celebration continues as all enjoy an evening of laughter and dancing.  As one of the maids joins in on the dancing, she bonks Herr Drosselmeyer on the head in her excitement and he is knocked unconscious.

A magical star enters to guide Herr Drosselmeyer on a beautiful journey of Clara’s future.  After all the guests have left, a lonely maid tidies up the room.  She screams in fright as mice invade from every direction.  The nutcracker doll, now life-sized, comes to save the day with an army of soldiers.  A fierce battle between the mice and soldiers ensues.  The Mouse King has The Nutcracker cornered, but Clara strikes the rodent and saves her Nutcracker who is transformed into a handsome prince. Herr Drosselmeyer’s journey continues with visions of beautiful angels and the well known Mice on Main in downtown Greenville.  The city’s rich culture appears through Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, and Candy dancers as well.

Herr Dosselmeyer’s glimpse into Clara’s future happens upon her Debutante Ball complete with elegant waltzing dancers. The loving Godfather has watched his precious Clara’s coming of age and finds himself on her wedding day.  The grown-up Clara is a beautiful bride and marries her dashing Nutcracker Cavalier.  The magical wedding is one only dreams are made of.  Or is it just a dream?


Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky(1840-1893)

The libretto is adapted from E.T.A Hoffmann’s story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Choreography by Hernan Justo is based on the original Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. Additional choreography by Anita Pacylowski Justo

Elf: The Musical
Dec 3 @ 2:30 pm
Asheville Community Theatre

Get ready to embrace the spirit of Christmas with Elf: The Musical, a heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of the beloved 2003 holiday film. This enchanting musical follows the journey of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. Through catchy, uplifting songs and zany comedic antics, Elf: The Musical serves a healthy dose of holiday cheer, laughter, and life lessons about identity, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a magical, festive spectacle guaranteed to light up the holiday season for all ages!

A talkback with the cast & crew of Elf: The Musical will be held following the performances on December 3rd and 10th.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session
Dec 3 @ 3:00 pm
Jack of the Wood

 

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Christmas Program: Featuring Music Club Members and Friends
Dec 3 @ 4:00 pm
First Baptist Church, Weaverville

Christmas Program: Featuring Music Club Members and Friends

The Weaverville Music Study Club is now organized under the direction of a Board with a niece of the late Mrs. Clark, Harriet Holcombe Burnette serving as President. The Music Study Club along with area businesses and organizations sponsor music programs throughout the year. Offerings received at these programs provide scholarships for area high school students who wish to pursue music studies.

SUNN O)))
Dec 3 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Jesse Sykes w/ Phil Wandscher

Ages 18+

Sunn O)))) formed in March 1998 in Los Angeles. A synthesis of diverse: drone, ur, noise, metal, minimalism/maximalism; supported by a cast of collaborators, O))) has two core members: Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson. For twenty years, Sunn O))) have been challenging the way we think about music. From 1999’s The Grimmrobe Demos to 2015’s Kannon, core members Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson have forged connections between the worlds of Metal, Drone, Contemporary Composition, Jazz and Minimalism with startling results while remaining true to the eternal principles of volume, density and weight. Recently, Sunn O))) released their first full-length LP in six years, Kannon (2015), with its roots in recent collaborations with Norway’s Ulver (Terrestrials) and Scott Walker (Soused). The current live line-up, consisting of Stephen O’Malley, Greg Anderson, Attila Csihar, Stephen Moore and Tos Nieuwenhuizen continue live activities with dates across North America, Australia and Europe with remarkable performances at some of their favourite venues, as well as performing in new cultural spaces such as Italy’s impressive cultural complex Labrinto Della Masone, Germany’s Ruhrtriennale Festival of Arts, at The Barbican, London and Manchester International Festival being a few fine examples. All hail.

Monday, December 4, 2023
Holiday Volunteer + Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County
Dec 4 all-day
Buncombe County

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

 


Participating Organizations:

  • ABCCM South
  • Asheville High School/SILSA
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Erwin Middle School
  • Montmorenci United Methodist Church
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 


 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

  1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
  2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
  3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!
Theatre Volunteer Opportunities
Dec 4 @ 10:00 am
Asheville Community Theatre

Volunteer!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, but the best way to get involved at ACT is volunteer! No matter what your skill or experience level, there’s a place for everybody at ACT.

We are currently looking for help in the Box Office and Front of House. The hours of operation are Mon-Thurs, 10 AM-4 PM. Let us know if you’d be interested!

Dogwood Alliance Ambassador Meeting
Dec 4 @ 6:00 pm
online w/ Dogwood Alliance

We need inspired, compassionate Ambassadors. You can help to spread the word and speak truth to power. You can help us grow the movement to protect Southern forests and communities from destructive industrial logging.

By signing up to be an Ambassador, you’ll receive:

  • Regular updates
  • Exclusive event invitations
  • Opportunities to shape this important work
Traditional Irish Music Session
Dec 4 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Trailside Brewing

Come join us for an evening of Jigs, Reels, and Song. No need to travel to Ireland! It’s right here, every Monday night, along with fine brews at Trailside.

SARAH BRIGHTMAN: A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY
Dec 4 @ 7:30 pm
Peace Concert Hall

Sarah Brightman, the world’s best-selling Soprano and UNESCO Artist for Peace Ambassador, has amassed sales of more than 30 million, receiving awards in over 40 countries and garnering over 1 billion streams worldwide. She originated the role of Christine Daaé in the world-renowned The Phantom of the Opera on both West End and Broadway stages and has performed at such prestigious events as the Concert for Diana, The Kennedy Center Honors, and the Barcelona and Beijing Olympic Games.

Sarah’s albums EdenLa LunaHaremSymphony, and Dreamchaser were each chart-topping Billboard hits and were all accompanied by world tours. Her most recent full-length studio album HYMN was released in 2018 and debuted at #1 on the Classical and Classical Crossover Billboard charts. The HYMN World Tour began in South America in September 2018 and concluded in her hometown of London, England in November 2019.

Brightman has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to music and theatre with a ‘STAR’ on the world-renowned, majestic Hollywood Walk of Fame, in addition to receiving an Honorary Doctor of Arts (Hon DArt). In 2022, Sarah entertained her first exclusive 3-night Las Vegas engagement at The Venetian Resort® with “A Starlight Symphony…An Evening with Sarah Brightman” before taking her holiday tour A Christmas Symphony internationally to Japan and Southeast Asia. Now an annual tradition, Sarah’s 2023 A Christmas Symphony tour will come to Greenville, SC for an enchanting show this December.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
DIY River + Road Cleanups
Dec 5 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Holiday Volunteer + Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County
Dec 5 all-day
Buncombe County

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

 


Participating Organizations:

  • ABCCM South
  • Asheville High School/SILSA
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Erwin Middle School
  • Montmorenci United Methodist Church
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 


 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

  1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
  2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
  3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!
Theatre Volunteer Opportunities
Dec 5 @ 10:00 am
Asheville Community Theatre

Volunteer!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, but the best way to get involved at ACT is volunteer! No matter what your skill or experience level, there’s a place for everybody at ACT.

We are currently looking for help in the Box Office and Front of House. The hours of operation are Mon-Thurs, 10 AM-4 PM. Let us know if you’d be interested!

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred
Dec 5 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sigal Music Museum
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.

 

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.

 

Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.

And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!

PARENTS LOUNGE LEAF Global Experience
Dec 5 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
LEAF Global Experience

LEAF isn’t just for kids! Join us in the Mezzanine while you wait for your youth to finish their class or just to hang out!

Seeking Santa’s Helpers
Dec 5 @ 3:00 pm
online

We team up with Claxton Elementary each year to provide gifts for students who would otherwise go without. If you’re looking for a way to give back this season, these children need you!

 

SIGN-UP TODAY.

We have only a few deserving students left!

 

The process is simple:

  • Sign up for a student using the link below
  • We will match you with a child and email you with the child’s information, including their sizes and wish list!
  • Stop by ACT’s Box Office to pick up the bag to fill with wrapped presents
  • When the bag is full, bring it back to ACT’s Box Office

 

ACT staff will deliver the gifts to Claxton Elementary!

WIND ENSEMBLE AND SINFONIA
Dec 5 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Gunter Theatre

The Governor’s School Wind Ensemble and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra will present their Fall concert!

Wednesday, December 6, 2023
DIY River + Road Cleanups
Dec 6 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Holiday Volunteer + Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County
Dec 6 all-day
Buncombe County

To support local nonprofits during this holiday season, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County has compiled a list of volunteer and donation opportunities happening in our community in November and December.

If you are searching for ways to give to folks in need, by making a donation or giving some of your time to help out, please visit: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, and we will get back to you with more information. Our response email will include a link which will give you access to a list with a variety of options you can choose from. Since new opportunities are being added every day, we encourage you to frequently check the list, especially if you did not find what you are looking for at the time.

We appreciate you and all that you do for our community. Please keep it up, especially for this holiday season.

 


Participating Organizations:

  • ABCCM South
  • Asheville High School/SILSA
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Erwin Middle School
  • Montmorenci United Methodist Church
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County

*Note, this list will grow as new opportunities come in! 


 

In order to receive details about these opportunities, simply

  1. Click the blue “respond” button above. visit this site: 2023 Holiday Volunteer & Donation Opportunities for Buncombe County | Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
  2. After responding, you will receive a confirmation email with more information and a link to access the list of opportunities. 
  3. Remember, this list will be updated frequently, so make sure to check back frequently!
Sounds of the Holidays: Music in the Airport
Dec 6 all-day
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to welcome 4 regional school choral groups to the airport during the holidays. The choirs will perform holiday music for the enjoyment of passengers, visitors and employees. AVL is also pleased to have five local musicians and one local trio as part of the Music in the Airport program performing throughout the month.

“It is a joy to invite our community to participate in the Sounds of the Holidays program at AVL,” said Alexandra Ingle, brand and experience designer. “This program highlights the talent of our region and is a festive way to liven up the halls of the airport during this holiday season.”

Following is a schedule of choral performances:

Thursday, December 7 CANCELLED

11:30am North Henderson High School Advanced Choir

Wednesday, December 13

12:05pm Clyde A. Erwin Combined Choirs

Friday, December 14

11:40am Smoky Mountain High School Choir

Wednesday, December 20

11:30am Candler and Pisgah Elementary School Choruses

Following is a schedule of Music in the Airport performances:

Mike Andersen

Mondays in December at 11am (except 12/25)

Friday December 29 11am

Phil Okrend

Thursday, December 7 at 12pm

Thursday, December 14 at 12:15pm

Thursday, December 21 at 12pm

Thursday, December 28 at 12pm

Bill Cozzens-Bryant

Wednesday, December 6 at 10:30am

Wednesday, December 13 at 9:45am

Wednesday, December 20 at 9am

Wednesday, December 27 at 10:30am

Mari Hashimoto

Tuesday, December 12 at 11am

Tuesday, December 26 at 11am

Jack Victor

Thursday, December 14 at 9:30am

Industrial Coffee Pot

Sunday, December 10 at 10:00am

Theatre Volunteer Opportunities
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am
Asheville Community Theatre

Volunteer!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, but the best way to get involved at ACT is volunteer! No matter what your skill or experience level, there’s a place for everybody at ACT.

We are currently looking for help in the Box Office and Front of House. The hours of operation are Mon-Thurs, 10 AM-4 PM. Let us know if you’d be interested!

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred
Dec 6 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sigal Music Museum
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.

 

Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.

 

Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.

And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!

Discover the Joy of Public Speaking
Dec 6 @ 6:15 pm
South Buncombe Library

Join us at Keynote Speechcrafters and

Discover the
Joy of
Public Speaking!

It’s natural to enjoy things you do well,
and you will get good at this.

Our members are committed to meeting each week because

steady progress
requires
steady practice.

Our motto:

When you show up
You speak
Every meeting
Every week

So come join us at the South Buncombe Library on Wednesday evenings and prepare to become a better you.

Please Click here to let us know you are coming.

Guests are always welcome. We look forward to speaking with you!

“Music to Your Ears” Discussion Series: Paul McCartney and Wings’ BAND ON THE RUN
Dec 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Guitar Bar

Paul McCartney and Wings’ Band on the Run

Featuring special guest Erik Mattox

The December 6 event is a listening party and discussion focusing on Band on the Run, the classic, Grammy-winning 1973 album from Paul McCartney and Wings.

The fraught circumstances under which the album was made stand in contrast to the power and accessibility of the music. McCartney endured the sudden departure of nearly half his band, armed robbery, accusations of cultural appropriation and – though he didn’t know it at the time – the potential of contracting cholera. But along with wife Linda and band mate Denny Laine, he rallied, creating what today is looked upon as a height – possibly the pinnacle – of his post-Beatles creative output. The album featured three hit singles: “Jet,” “Helen Wheels” and the title track, but the rest of the album is superb as well, showcasing the qualities that have made McCartney one of the most successful songwriters of all time.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Paul McCartney and Wings’ iconic Band on the Run album, Bill Kopp’s Music to Your Ears takes an opportunity to explore this groundbreaking and massively successful album, one that helped get McCartney’s career back on track, setting him up for the globetrotting Wings Over the World Tour just a year and a half later.

Joined by special co-host (and fellow McCartney fanatic) Erik Mattox, Bill Kopp will play key tracks from Band on the Run along with other relevant recordings, helping to place the album in its historical and pop-cultural context. The evening is the latest installment of the popular Music to Your Ears discussion series, hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM.

ABOUT THE DISCUSSION SERIES
Music to Your Ears is Bill Kopp’s monthly discussion series hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM. On the first Wednesday of each month, music enthusiasts gather to discuss an important album, artist or musical movement. An interactive evening, Music to Your Ears isn’t a lecture; it’s a discussion led by experts and designed to enrich the listening experience. The character of each session is defined by the participants (that’s you). The conversation goes where the attendees take it: the person seated next to you might have attended Woodstock or seen The Beatles in concert. The insights of everyone in the room are what make each and every Music to Your Ears a unique experience.

ABOUT BILL KOPP
With over 500 bylines in Western North Carolina publications (Mountain Xpress, Bold Life, WNC Magazine and more), Asheville-based author and music journalist is an acknowledged expert on popular music. Author of two books – Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon and Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave – Bill Kopp writes for publications across the country and abroad. A contributing editor at Goldmine Magazine and contributing writer at GRAMMY.com, he has authored more than 30 album liner note essays and conducted more than 1000 interviews. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance, and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts.