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.
Learn about how to grow mushrooms at home, basic fungal biology, and the top wild mushrooms to collect in the forest. Presented by Steve Pettis, Henderson County Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show,
– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM
– PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT ASHEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL
COVERFEST III
Sunday January 14th, the Grey Eagle will host Coverfest III: “A Benefit for Asheville Middle”. This special community event will raise funds for Asheville Middle School’s annual 8th Grade capstone trip to Washington DC. Several of Asheville’s amazing bands will donate their time & talent to perform mini-sets of covers throughout the day. Come hungry and get dinner at the Grey Eagle Taqueria as this year’s Coverfest promises to be a uniquely entertaining night of music & community all for a great cause. Doors 4pm, show 5pm till 10pm.
FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM:
Drunken Prayer
Dulci Ellenberger
Fashion Bath
Hearts Gone South
Jeff Santiago y Los Gatos
Kid Billy
Krave Amiko
Scott Stetson’s Stink Bug Band
Tin Roof Echo
Upland Drive
his year, the keynote speaker is Atlanta Braves’ legendary pitching coach Leo Mazzone. Whatever advance coverage you can provide is much appreciated, as UNCA baseball has a limited operational budget which needs the revenues created through ticket sales to this important event. Thanks so much for your consideration. Here’s a quick bio on Leo:
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Member of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame
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Member of the 1995 World Series Champions and a Braves team that won 14 consecutive division titles.
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ESPN.com lists him No. 1 on its list of “Top 10 Assistant Coaches of All-Time”
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He worked for the Braves’ organization for 26 years (1979-2005)
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Coached future Baseball Hall of Fame starting pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz–all were Cy Young Award winners as well–on a starting pitching rotation that was ranked No. 1 (1998) and No. 4 (1993) all-time by ESPN.
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Mazzone’s “accidental trademark” was his rocking back and forth while sitting in the dugout. On television broadcasts of Braves games, the camera would often show him rocking back and forth during the game.
Bonsai is a Japanese term that means “planted in a container.” Bonsai is the art of growing beautiful small trees that actually mimic full-sized trees, and is a tradition that has been carried out for over a thousand years.
Join Bob Thatcher of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society to learn more about the history, care, and appreciation of Bonsai! Bob will talk about how to get started, covering the basics of the cultivation and maintenance of bonsai trees. Thanks to the Friends of the Weaverville Library for sponsoring this program.
This free program will be at the Weaverville Library on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. and everyone is invited.
Benefitting TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions
Fundraiser & Silent Auction, Music
Performances, Cat Clicker-Training, & More!
Join us for the purrfect, cat-filled evening!
This winter and spring join us for an introduction to pollinators presented by Bee City USA Asheville. Pollinators are under threat, but there’s plenty we can do to help right in our backyards.
We’ll talk about:
- What is pollination
- The importance of pollination
- Pollinators & their identification
- The importance of pollinator habitat
The presenter for this program will be Athena Rayne Anderson who holds PhD in Ecology with a focus on native pollinators. Athena is also a Certified Pollinator Steward through the Pollinator Partnership and works with Bee City USA Asheville to promote the value of native pollinator plants.
Our pollinator programs will be:
Fairview Library
Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Swannanoa Library
Saturday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m.
Leicester Library
Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m.
Skyland/South Buncombe Library
Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m.
These programs are free and everyone is invited.
When: January 25th, 7 PM
Where: The Whale, 507 Haywood Rd #10 (Behind Haywood Common)
What: Teams up to 6 members, 7 rounds with 6 words each
How: It’s free – just show up!
Pruning techniques are essential for promoting the health and productivity of plants. Different techniques can control diseases, stimulate new growth, and maintain aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Join us as horticulture expert John Murphy teaches the basics of pruning.
Healthy plants start with healthy soil! In this workshop, learn the basics of how soil works, how to manage weeds with minimal tilling, and the important role of organic matter and diversity in the health and productivity of your soil. Join us to discover:
- five guiding principles of good soil management
- how to implement these principles for a thriving garden
We will be conducting hands-on soil sample tests and discussing how to read a soil report, along with many other useful soil health tips and tricks!
Workshop participants will receive 10% off on same-day purchases at Fifth Season Gardening Asheville.
A portion of the bar proceeds will support the enriching Artists in Schools program. There will also be raffles, including a chance to win a guitar and other exciting prizes!
This is a family-friendly event with something for everyone. Come for the music, enjoy the great food and drinks, and be part of a community that supports arts and education.
This winter and spring join us for an introduction to pollinators presented by Bee City USA Asheville. Pollinators are under threat, but there’s plenty we can do to help right in our backyards.
We’ll talk about:
- What is pollination
- The importance of pollination
- Pollinators & their identification
- The importance of pollinator habitat
The presenter for this program will be Athena Rayne Anderson who holds PhD in Ecology with a focus on native pollinators. Athena is also a Certified Pollinator Steward through the Pollinator Partnership and works with Bee City USA Asheville to promote the value of native pollinator plants.
Our pollinator programs will be:
Fairview Library
Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Swannanoa Library
Saturday, Feb. 3 at 3:30 p.m.
Leicester Library
Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m.
Skyland/South Buncombe Library
Tuesday, May 14 at 6 p.m.
These programs are free, and everyone is invited.
Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Greater Greenville Master Gardener Symposium. Featuring entertaining and informative speakers from near and far, the annual GGMG symposium is held on February 10th. Furthering their mission of educating the public, the symposium provides attendees with an inspiring and engaging day and an introduction to new ideas in the ever-changing world of horticulture.
Parking off of Eisenhower Drive.
Please join us for our next free Community Garden Network Workshop, where we will join Lauren “LB” Bacchus, Executive Director of Kudzu Culture, for a hands-on demonstration teaching how kuzu (kudzu root starch) is made. Kuzu has a long legacy of use in Asia, especially in Japan, as an ingredient in macrobiotic cooking. Kuzu is a strong alkaline, and has been traditionally used to make a soothing gooey drink called kuzuyu, among other foods such as noodles, mochi, breads, and soups. LB is an experimental fiber artist whose sculptural work is made from abundant, often invasive, plant material. LB is passionate about learning from traditional craft, and sharing research and processes with others, and has taught eco-art workshops for children and adults at a variety of schools in WNC. This workshop is presented in collaboration with The City of Asheville. For more info go to https://kudzuculture.net/. Please RSVP via the ticket link, and if you have any questions please contact Ta’rin’ii [email protected] or Isa Whitaker at [email protected].
On Saturday, February 10, 2024, Meals on Wheels of Greenville’s 29th annual Sweetheart Charity Ball will be held at the Greenville Convention Center from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Come on out for an evening out in benefit of the homebound.
Parking off Exposition Drive.
-MIXED SEATED and STANDING SHOW with DANCE FLOOR
Calling all music lovers, dancers, and supporters of a worthy cause! Celebrate Mardi Gras during a singular evening benefitting the Asheville Breakfast Rotary Foundation! Tuxedo Junction covers a HUGE variety of danceable hits from Swing Jazz to Classic Rock, Pop, Funk, Motown, Beach, Country, and Rockabilly! All proceeds go back into the community for charitable organizations and scholarships.
Do you love growing tomatoes but find the variety choices overwhelming? Do you know what new varieties are recommended for WNC? Master Gardener Phil Roudebush and Dr. Reza Shekasteband from the NCSU Horticultural Research Station will discuss tomato types and varieties, culture, and disease resistance. They will also share new varieties and research from the NCSU Tomato Breeding and Genetics program and give you a glimpse into the future of tomatoes in WNC.
Calling all gardeners crazy about growing tomatoes! Learn best varieties to grow, their culture and disease management.
Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina invites Asheville-area design teams to compete in its popular Color Me Goodwill upcycled fashion show, which returns to The Orange Peel on April 19, 2024.
The 8th Annual Color Me Goodwill show will feature six designers and teams. Each will receive $200 to shop at local Goodwill stores, which they will deconstruct and transform into a five-piece collection based on their selected color. Each collection features a past Goodwill program participant as one of its models.
“We often say that Color Me Goodwill celebrates the power of second chances,” said Lance Crawford, Goodwill’s director of workforce development in Asheville. “The stunning runway collections show that it’s possible to repurpose secondhand items into high fashion. At the same time, the Goodwill program participants who model in the show share their powerful, inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles and transforming their lives.”
This year, the cash prizes awarded to the first-place winner and audience choice winner have been increased. The first place-winning design team, based on scores by a panel of expert judges, will receive a cash prize of $1,000. The winner of the audience choice vote receives $500.
“Every year, the designers of Color Me Goodwill somehow reach new heights of innovation and creativity,” Crawford said. “We wanted to reward the time and energy that these design teams put into their collections and continue to showcase the craftspeople that make Asheville’s sustainable fashion community so unique.”
Designers may apply for Color Me Goodwill either as an individual or as a team of up to three people. Designers who work individually may also collaborate with up to two assistants. All levels of design experience are welcome.
To apply, visit https://www.goodwillnwnc.org/cmg-designers-contract/ and complete the application materials by Friday, Nov. 17. Applicants will be asked to submit photos of their work or links to an online portfolio, which should be representative of their design skills.
Gardening tools are key to successful pruning. You need the right tool for the right job, and you need to correctly maintain and care for those tools. Are you sure, for example, when to use your anvil pruners or your bypass pruners instead? This workshop will cover the different kinds of pruning tools, their uses, and their care. Ergonomic pruners and other tools will also be covered.
Bring your pruners, and loopers to learn how to clean and sharpen them.
Two days of educational programs, trade show featuring over 40 vendors and the annual meeting of the NC Tomato Growers Association
This is the largest commercial vegetable grower event in the region with a high quality educational program put together by vegetable extension specialist/agents at NC State University. We hope that you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about current issues associated with vegetables and take time with the representatives from agricultural companies and other businesses that support our industry during our 2-day trade show.
- New education track for small farms/direct market growers/organic production
- A sponsored lunch and awards program will be included at noon on Thursday.
- Pesticide credits will be available for attendees. (X,O, D, N)
- NC Private Applicator Recertification Class (V)
- Fumigation Recertification Class (Z)
- There will be a trade show again this year with a large number of sponsors and exhibitors setting up their displays for attendees to visit. Interested vendors should register early.
SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS
We welcome sponsors for our event. Sponsorships give you the opportunity to showcase your business and allow us to make this a special conference for attendees. Sponsorships also support scholarships. Details are included on the sponsorship ticket descriptions in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].
SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
This year we will be holding a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to support our scholarship fund. Raffle prices are $10/each or 12 for $100. During the conference see the Registration Desk to purchase your raffle tickets or for more information. Drawing will occur at the Tomato Growers Association Luncheon on Thursday. You Must Be Present to Win! If you are not interested in purchasing a raffle ticket or bidding on the silent auction, but would still like to support the scholarship fund, donations are greatly appreciated! Your generosity ensures that NCTGA continues to support future generations of farmers with an endowment fund used to offer merit/need-based scholarships. You can make a donation through this Eventbrite page via the donations ticket button. Details are included in the “get tickets” link above. If you need to be invoiced and send a check, or need a receipt for a tax deduction please contact Ellen Moss at [email protected].
Presenter: Mary Alice Ramsey, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
“As the Garden Sleeps, the Gardener Plans”. Join Mary Alice Ramsey as she presents Planning Your VegeGarden. Mary Alice has been growing vegetables in her home garden for years. She will highlight the basics of vegetable gardening planning, how to create the right-size garden and how to select which vegetables to grow. She will share information on garden tools and structures, seed and plant sources, getting started and keeping records.
Mary Alice’s Garden has been included in the Gardens of Fairview tours each spring and her garden was featured in Southern Living magazine in August of 2017.
Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. This will be an indoor program. Please click on the link below to register. If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522
Presenter: Mary Alice Ramsey, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer
“As the Garden Sleeps, the Gardener Plans”. Join Mary Alice Ramsey as she presents Planning Your Vegetable Garden. Mary Alice has been growing vegetables in her home garden for years. She will highlight the basics of vegetable gardening planning, how to create the right-size garden and how to select which vegetables to grow. She will share information on garden tools and structures, seed and plant sources, getting started and keeping records.
Mary Alice’s Garden has been included in the Gardens of Fairview tours each spring and her garden was featured in Southern Living magazine in August of 2017.
Registration: The talk is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. This will be an indoor program. Please dress appropriate for the weather.
If you encounter problems registering or if you have questions, call 828-255-5522.
Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Casino Night will feature casino games with live dealers, musical entertainment, exciting raffle opportunities, delicious food and locally sourced beer and wine. Proceeds from this year’s event will support Pardee’s growing cardiology program. Casino Games will include: Double Roulette Blackjack Full Size Craps Texas Hold’em Don’t miss out on the action, bring your friends, family or office colleagues to enjoy a unique night of fun all for a good cause! By attending or sponsoring this event you are ensuring access to quality and timely Cardiac care here in Western North Carolina.
The Land Cruise is a fundraiser that transforms the venue into a theme destination and welcomes more than 500 guests. Each year the menu represents the theme with this year being a Taste of Tuscany. For the 3rd year local News 7 anchor Gordon Dill will emcee our event. The Land Cruise Live Auction items range from trips, vacation homes, artwork and lawn equipment. The Silent Auction includes more than 100 items. This event is one local fundraiser you don’t want to miss!
Late winter is the perfect time to start planning for summer gardens and what better way to start than with the Basics of Vegetable Gardening class! Come prepared to learn about what it takes to start growing your own vegetables in our area. Join experienced teacher and former director, John Murphy, as he guides you through vegetable gardening basics.
Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.