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.
Invoke your imagination and dawn your most creaturely costumes at the Mischief Moon Gala! This evening of ceremony, interactive art, empowered movement, and connection is coming Thursday, December 7th, to the Asheville Masonic Temple. Head to https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/mischief-moon-gala for tickets, and see below for more details!
The Mischief Moon Gala: Thursday, December 7th from 5 – 11 pm at the Asheville Masonic Temple
Join us as we celebrate the power of creativity and community with live music from beloved artists like Holy River, Sarah Louise, and Wild Roots Rising; a community waltz with a live band (waltz class beforehand!); traditional Cherokee foods from Bigwitch Wisdom Initiative, and an entire evening of beautifully bizarre performances, installations, and offerings.
This year, we are delving into the wide world of weird, with an emphasis on the bizarre iterations of creation. Start creating your most captivating costumes as you, The Wanderer, have many adventures into the underworld and beyond soon to come!
Begin your journey in The Underworld, where we’ve curated an assortment of oddities to entertain you, including the Fae Cleaning Crew and the FerryMan. When you need to revive your spirits, journey up the Haunted Staircase to sojourn in the Realm of the Fae, where ethereal music, poetry and the Otherworldly Art Gallery & Cantina await you.
All proceeds for the Gala go toward supporting artists and fundraise for Firefly Gathering’s year-round work to empower the people of the Southeast through earthskills workshops, the Annual Firefly Gathering, and community-building events.
When someone asks if you want to hear a fun fact, is your response “Heck yeah”? Congratulations, nerd! There’s an event just for you! Join us at The River Arts District Brewing Company for a night of outrageously fun facts and tasty beverages.
Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in 100+ cities around the world featuring fun-yet-informative presentations across a variety of subjects.
Featuring:
– Katherine Cutshall: Fictitious “Facts” of Asheville’s Past
– Alyssa Bolter: How COVID Helped HIV Research
– Rich Casella: The AirSynth, Motion Capture Music
– Plus your host Von’s mini-feature, the best celebrity guest stars of Star Trek
Cover $10, ages 21+. RAD Brewing Co. 13 Mystery St, Asheville, NC 28801
Food truck, freshly brewed drinks, and free popcorn! Be there and be square!
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While death is often a taboo topic of conversation, it is inevitable for all of us. A series of award-winning films dealing with end-of-life issues will be shown at Pack Memorial Library on Fridays from October 20 through December 8 from 2:00-5:00 PM. The program is designed to help people better understand and become more comfortable talking about — and perhaps shifting their perspective on — end-of-life experiences. Each film will be followed by in-depth, thought-provoking, and death-positive discussions moderated by Gail Harris, National Emmy Award-winning journalist for PBS and NPR and former correspondent for ABC News Nightline and World News Tonight. These six exceptional films by new and established filmmakers, animators, and actors about death and dying are entertaining and inspiring. Potential discussion topics will include legacy, the spiritual side of death, alternative ways to die, preparedness, facing fear, and finding courage. Films: Oct 27: Saying Goodbye: Preparing for Death: Documentary. Chapter 2: When You Die Trilogy. Director: Johanna Lunn Nov 3: Coco, Pixar Animation about Day of the Dead and keeping ancestral memories alive. Disney Nov 17: Last Ecstatic Days: Documentary about a young man who faces death with courage and even joy. Director: Scott Kirschenbaum Dec 1: Alternative Endings: Six New Ways To Die In America, Documentary about creative ways to prepare for death and honor our dead. Directors: Matthew O’Neill, Perri Peltz Dec 8: The Bucket List, Comedy. Director: Rob Reiner; Cast: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman Register for the series or for individual screenings at: Sponsored by AARP, the series is also supported by Asheville Death Cafe; CarePartners; Center for Conscious Living & Dying; Hola Carolina; OLLI; and Pack Memorial Library. |
FREE | All ages
Take a stroll under festive lights and enjoy a movie on the big screen with light refreshments.
Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get FREE entry and pizza. ]
Get Your Tickets Now!! Hosted Mario Trevizo. Featuring Ryan Cox, Miranda Allison & Art Sturtevant!!
For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get FREE entry and pizza. ]
Get Your Tickets Now!! Hosted Mario Trevizo. Featuring great regional comics!
For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]
Music Movie Mondays:
A Hard Day’s Night
For Immediate Release: The feature film debut from The Beatles,
A Hard Day’s Night captures the humor, exuberance and musical
genius of The group at the height of the Beatlemania
phenomenon. A special December 11 screening as part of the
Music Movie Mondays series at Grail Movie House will be
hosted by Asheville author and music journalist Bill Kopp.
In 1964, pop music wasn’t taken especially seriously (Nor, it should
be emphasized, were pop musicians). Such things were considered
ephemeral. Difficult as it might be to imagine, even The Beatles were
seen as something of a flash in the proverbial pan. Even they thought
so: asked in an interview how long they predicted it would be until
the bubble burst, one of them replied, “Five years.” But as we now know, although The Beatles broke up in 1969, their impact
upon music, pop culture and culture-in-general endures.
Canny observers must have had some sense of all this even in 1964, when The Beatles broke through globally. So it was that the
four – all of them in their twenties – were signed to a motion picture deal. No actors among them, The Beatles were nonetheless
seen as the perfect group to star in a film. And while said film could easily have been a teen-exploitation reel, The Beatles’ film
debut had the good fortune to have been written and directed by people who actually got it.
Screenwriter Alun Owen went so far as to travel with the group from gig to gig, picking up ideas from the whirlwind lives that
John, Paul, George and Ringo were living at the peak of Beatlemania. And director Richard Lester had no interest in making an
empty-headed film. Add to that the fact that the four Beatles – especially drummer Ringo Starr – seemed remarkably natural in
front of the camera. So it was that a classic was made: A Hard Day’s Night.
A Hard Day’s Night manages to be funny, clever, coherent and possessing of an almost documentary level of accuracy with
regard to what Beatlemania was like. But above all, it’s fun. A rousing critical success, the black-and-white film made on a
modest budget quickly became a major box-office hit. Nearly 60 years after its release, A Hard Day’s Night continues to delight
audiences. And this special screening of The Beatles’ first feature film also presents a chance to watch the film with fellow
Beatles fans. And a post-screening discussion led by author and music journalist Bill Kopp provides an opportunity to share
thoughts and insight on the film.
As part of the Music Movie Mondays series, Grail Moviehouse in Asheville hosts a special one-night-only showing of the film.
Presented by Asheville-based speaker, author and music journalist Bill Kopp, the evening will include a screening of the film
followed by an interactive discussion.
“Going to the movies has always been a kind of communal
experience,” says Kopp, host of Music Movie Mondays.
“Especially in this post-lockdown era, the opportunity to not only
watch a film but then to discuss it with others is something even
more special. And music-related films lend themselves
remarkably well to this shared, interactive experience.”
Music Movie Mondays is a monthly series moderated by Bill Kopp, hosted by Grail Movie House
and sponsored by AshevilleFM. Music Movie Mondays presents a special screening of A Hard
Day’s Night on Monday, Dec. 11 @ 7 pm. The program will feature a brief introduction. Then we’ll watch the film together;
afterward, we’ll engage in a moderated discussion.
The one-night-only screening of A Hard Day’s Night is the latest in the ongoing popular series of Music Movie Mondays at
Grail Moviehouse. Every month, we’ll watch and discuss new releases, classics and cult favorites.
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Join us for a winter afternoon screening of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005). An adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved childrens book, the magical 2005 adaptation is the highest grossing film from Walden Media Productions and has won several awards, including an Academy Award. The film is rated PG and the runtime is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Light refreshments will be served.
During this year’s holiday break, forget all the craziness and bring the whole (drinking age) family & friends out to hear tales of triumph (but mostly hilarious tragedy) while drinking heavily. Starting its roots in Chicago, and hosted by the hilarius Alex Joyce, The Blackout Diaries is an interactive comedy show were standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell true drinking stories with photos from the events. Then you, the audience, can ask questions.
The Blackout Diaries has been selected as ‘Critics’ Choice in The Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times and more. Segments from the show have appeared on Comedy Central, NPR, Sirius Radio and more. A review once described the show as “a reverse AA meeting”. We still don’t know if that was a positive review or not, but we feel it sums the show up well.
Alex Joyce has been performing stand up comedy for 13 years. After graduating from The University of Alabama he moved to Chicago where he studied at the Second City Training Center for Sketch Writing. He is co producer and performer in The Blackout Diaries, a weekly show at The Lincoln Lodge Theater where comedians tell wild drinking stories and the audience gets to ask questions. Joyce returns to Asheville regularly to visit family and perform. Joyce lives in Chicago.
Featuring Hilliary Begley. Patey Smith McDowell & Roman Fraden
During this year’s holiday break, forget all the craziness and bring the whole (drinking age) family & friends out to hear tales of triumph (but mostly hilarious tragedy) while drinking heavily. Starting its roots in Chicago, and hosted by the hilarius Alex Joyce, The Blackout Diaries is an interactive comedy show were standup comedians, plus ‘regular’ people (cops, firefighters, teachers, etc) tell true drinking stories with photos from the events. Then you, the audience, can ask questions.
The Blackout Diaries has been selected as ‘Critics’ Choice in The Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times and more. Segments from the show have appeared on Comedy Central, NPR, Sirius Radio and more. A review once described the show as “a reverse AA meeting”. We still don’t know if that was a positive review or not, but we feel it sums the show up well.
Alex Joyce has been performing stand up comedy for 13 years. After graduating from The University of Alabama he moved to Chicago where he studied at the Second City Training Center for Sketch Writing. He is co producer and performer in The Blackout Diaries, a weekly show at The Lincoln Lodge Theater where comedians tell wild drinking stories and the audience gets to ask questions. Joyce returns to Asheville regularly to visit family and perform. Joyce lives in Chicago.
Featuring Hilliary Begley. Petey Smith McDowell & Roman Fraden
Join Bold Rock Mills River for a cinematic experience like no other at the Holiday Movie
Series on Friday nights in December leading up to Christmas! Santa’s helper is coming to town as we show the family-friendly classic
“Elf”. You can expect delicious Bold Rock ciders and hot cocoa to enjoy during the screenings, along with fresh popcorn & great
company to share a night of cinematic fun! Admission is free, RSVP if possible, seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early to
grab the best spots. https://taprooms.boldrock.com/bold-rock-mills-river-cidery-2ae3940fde74
Get ready to bid farewell 2023 a day early. That’s right y’all, we are doing a New Year’s Eve, Eve Party. 24 hours till 2024, get ready for New Year’s Freakout! 🥳 DJ ABUDISARRAY is cranking up the beats starting at 8 PM, and we’ve got a night of non-stop celebration planned just for you.
The party kicks off at 8 PM, and guess what? Free entry!
We’ll also have signature Jello Shots, Specialty Lil Thankies cocktails, and Peppermint Mocha hot drinks!
As the clock inches closer to midnight, we’re treating you to a complimentary champagne toast to ring in the New Year’s.(who parties on a Sunday?)
Bring your party spirit, dancing shoes, and get ready to freak out as we say goodbye to the old and welcome the new in the most epic way possible. See you there!
Adam Chase & Friends presents an All Star 80s tribute to ring in the 2024 new year
A new documentary film shines a light on four behind-
the-scenes L.A. musicians who were responsible for helping make much of the
era’s best music. A special January 8 screening of Immediate Family is the latest
entry in the popular Music Movie Mondays series hosted by author and music
journalist at Grail Moviehouse.
In the early 1970s music scene of Southern California, you couldn’t get a better bunch
of players than the four musicians who wold come to be known collectively as The
Section. Together and on their own, guitarists Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar and Waddy
Wachtel, bassist Leland Sklar and drummer extraordinaire Russ Kunkel played on a
staggering number of recordings made in that era. And an astounding number of those
songs would become hits.
Playing for and with the likes of Carole King, James Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Don
Henley, Keith Richards, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks and other well-known names,
that tightly-knit group of musicians would be responsible for the sound of an era. And today those four are the core of a popular
recording and performing unit, the Immediate Family.
Filmmaker Denny Tedesco (The Wrecking Crew) has dug into the collective history of these important musicians, and the result
is a new motion picture documentary, Immediate Family. Drawing from archival footage and contemporary interview with the
musicians (and the artists for whom they provided their expertise), Immediate Family fills in the blanks of an important – yet
often overlooked part of American popular music history.
And a post-screening discussion led by author and music journalist Bill Kopp provides an opportunity to share thoughts and
insight on the film.
As part of the Music Movie Mondays series, Grail Movie House in Asheville hosts a special one-night-only showing of the
film. Presented by Asheville-based speaker, author and music journalist Bill Kopp, the evening will include a screening of the
film followed by an interactive discussion.
“The End of the Affair” is a poignant and passionate drama film released in 1999, directed by Neil Jordan. Set in London during and after World War II, the film explores the complex and intense love affair between Maurice Bendrix (played by Ralph Fiennes), a writer, and Sarah Miles (played by Julianne Moore), the wife of a civil servant.
“The End of the Affair” is a poignant and passionate drama film released in 1999, directed by Neil Jordan. Set in London during and after World War II, the film explores the complex and intense love affair between Maurice Bendrix (played by Ralph Fiennes), a writer, and Sarah Miles (played by Julianne Moore), the wife of a civil servant.
We are pleased to announce the return of the Asheville 5Point Adventure Film Festival, where art, adventure, film, storytelling, and community come together.
We’ll gather at New Belgium for films on Saturday night. Doors open at 6, films begin at 7. You’ll want to get there early since we will have a super amazing gear giveaway benefitting the G5 Trail Collective, with a chance to win big prizes from our partners and have a beer with your fellow community members.
But wait, there’s more!
The 2024 5Point Asheville includes a full day of programming.
A Charlotte Comic Takeover!!!
It’s Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! Jan 21, 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get 3-5m, FREE entry and pizza. ]
Morgan Marie is guest hosting, in from Charlotte with some great comic features in tow!! Get Your Tickets Now! https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/buy-tickets/
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Join Buncombe County Special Collections and Blurry Pictures for a screening of the new award-winning documentary, ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ / We Will Speak. With only 1500 fluent speakers left, this film follows a small group of activists racing to save the Cherokee language from extinction. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow. The screening will be held in the Lord Auditorium at Pack Memorial Library beginning at 5:30 pm Wednesday January 24, 2024. |
Join us at 6:30pm for this free hybrid event. When storytelling, native wisdom and nature’s intelligence converge, something beautiful can arise. That’s the theme of the new film Nature’s Wisdom Thru Native Eyes by award-winning documentary filmmaker David Weintraub and the Center for Cultural Preservation. Weintraub will be joined by Cherokee elders Davy Arch and Mary Thompson for a screening Thursday, January 25 co-sponsored by Asheville Museum of History and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UNCA. There will be time for audience questions at the conclusion of the film.
More information and tickets: https://www.simpletix.com/e/history-hour-natures-wisdom-thru-native-ey-tickets-153780
Standup Comedy at Pulp featuring Cody Hughes
Stand up Comedy at The Orange Peel’s Pulp Lounge
When: Thursday December 25, 2024.
7p-9p, doors at 6:30p
Where:
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel website https://theorangepeel.net/event/slice-of-life-comedy-open-mic-24/ )
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!! Free snacks while availability lasts!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley, featuring Cody Hughes
Comedy open mic is 3-5m each, comics get in free with free snacks!
Host Hilliary Begley-
Hilliary will make you cry with laughter. With her larger that life personality!! Voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” In Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
https ://youtu.be/legRwEg4j-o
Feature Cody Hughes is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that. Oh well. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver, Maria Bamford, and many others.
Watch his new comedy special:
In celebration of Black History Month this February, you can join a free virtual screening of “The Right to Read” on February 1st. The film will be available for 24 hours, so mark your calendars! Register here.
Impending Joy
The absolutely unfettered energy of Asheville’s psych/garage band Impending Joy begs to be heard live. The driving surf punk-esque sound has to be enjoyed communally. It has the unifying spirit that solidifies what it means to be young or young at heart. It gleefully slams the point home, it rocks no matter what sub-genre you want to call it, somewhere between Surf Curse and OSEES is close enough. Impending Joy’s debut, self titled album is a journey through time carrying a twinge of nostalgic familiarity. The album is a collection of tracks that invites the listener to break free from the mundane and immerse oneself in more. Where truth is not just music; it’s a gateway to joy.
Tongues of Fire
Most bands fit cleanly within a genre but Tongues of Fire don’t. At their heart they are a punk band, their shows are unhinged, the music is straightforward and hard hitting, there is no trace of excessiveness but they are accessible and there is a well crafted feel to what they do.
Rob Robinson
Rob Robinson creates vocal driven electronica, house, and vaporwave sounds inspired by 90s educational aesthetics on his upcoming debut record, “The Worldhouse Collection,” which is imbued with the “rompler” sample-synth sounds of the Roland D-50 and Korg M1 synthesizers.
⚡️Breakin’ hearts and lightin’ candles! 💔 Join us for the ultimate Galentine’s bash – ‘You’re a Heartbreaker’ – where candle making and lip gloss magic collide for the ultimate Galentine’s glam! 💄🕯️
Indulge your senses in an evening of creativity and friendship as we gather at our fabulous Lip Gloss Bar to whip up personalized, custom colored lip glosses. Choose from an array of plumper or flavor add-ons to make your pout pop! Meanwhile, let the cozy glow of candlelight guide you through the art of crafting your own custom scented 10 oz upgrade candle – because your friendship deserves nothing but the best vibes.
FREEBIES! Every guest will be treated to a free gift basket filled to the brim with Galentine’s goodies, including delightful sample candles, luxurious spa products, sweet candies, and so much more – a heartwarming collection valued at $25!
Picture this: beautiful linen-covered tables adorned with lush florals, the soft flicker of candlelight casting a warm glow, and the laughter of best friends filling the air. Capture memories with our Polaroid pictures – an instant keepsake of a night dedicated to celebrating the incredible bonds of friendship.
So, dust off your favorite dress, glam up, and join us for a night of fun, laughter, and love. This Galentine’s we’re breaking hearts in the best way possible – by celebrating the amazing women who make our lives sparkle!
Secure your spot now for only $75 per person – because the best memories are made with the best friends!
Expect the Unexpected!
Rouge features daring aerial acts, thrilling acrobatics and poetic dance that cannot be missed. The Madame of Ceremonies is your guide for a mesmerizing good time that holds audiences spellbound. Rouge is the perfect event for a date night or night out with friends.
EMO NIGHT IS BACK BABY! THIS TIME, WE’RE GOING ON TOUR!
Get ready for…
🖤😭 DSSOLVR’S SUPER EMO VALENTINE’S WEEKEND! 😭🖤
02/10 in Asheville starting at 6pm
Featuring:
-Sing along with DJ XZANEINSANEX @zanebuchholz, @djdeckades, and @dj_sellout
-The Release of Emo Nightmare GF Sour
-Swoopy Hair Photo Booth
-One time only Emo long sleeve shirts
-The Return of L.G. FUAD Jello Shots
-VIP Tour Badges
-Probably more stuff that I forgot
Then the party continues, on Sunday with the BIG GAME playing in both taprooms. 😭💀🏈💀😭💀🏈💀😭💀🏈💀😭
Party on,
xXDSSOLVRXx
Indulge in an evening of passion, connection, and a dash of mystery at our “Eyes Wide Shut: A Blindfolded Affair” Couples Massage Candle Making Event on Saturday, February 10th at 7 PM!
Ignite the flames of love as you and your beloved embark on a tantalizing journey of sensory exploration. Craft your very own 10 oz upgrade massage candle, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary with a blindfolded smelling experience and a touch of DIY romance.
Be swept away in a world of sensuality with our exclusive gift basket, brimming with delightful surprises – from enticing sample candles to sexy spa products, candies to sweeten the moment, mini champagne bottles, all wrapped up in a tempting package valued at $30!
Picture this: beautiful linen-covered tables adorned with lush florals, the soft flicker of candlelight casting a warm glow, and the heady fragrance of specially curated aphrodisiac scents filling the air. Capture the magic with our Polaroid pictures – a timeless keepsake of the moments when love is blind and enchanting.
Blindfold your senses and let the adventure unfold! Dive into our candle library, an array of specially curated aphrodisiac scents, for a blind smelling experience. Let your hearts guide you to the perfect fragrance, creating a candle that mirrors the uniqueness of your love.
We’ll be your guide on this journey, leading you step by step to create not just a massage candle, but a masterpiece that encapsulates the magic of your connection. So, don your most captivating attire, dress up, and join us for a night where every touch, scent, and shared smile becomes a celebration of love.
Secure your spot now for only $110 per couple – because the best stories are written in the language of love. Don’t miss out on the ultimate Valentine’s experience – where every moment is a surprise waiting to be unwrapped