Pan Harmonia at The Altamont

Monthly concerts of premier chamber music, the 2nd Sunday at 5 p.m., in the heart of downtown Asheville. Sunday, March 11 – Music to Welcome Spring. Featuring Kate Steinbeck, flute; Amy Brucksch, guitar; and Elizabeth Gergel, cello.

Pan Harmonia celebrates the global village with a feast of traditions mixing fresh sounds from Brazil, Spain, Macedonia, Argentina, and North America. Music by Piazzolla, Fred Hand, Vivian Fine, and others. Tickets are $12 in advance, available at www.Pan-Harmonia.org or $15 at the door. The Altamont Theatre, 18 Church Street, Asheville. For more information call (828) 254-7123, or visit www.myaltamont.com.

Grammy Winner Mavis Staples at UNC Asheville

Mavis Staples, one of America’s most enduring and best loved vocalists, will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31, in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. Staples made her name as a singer of gospel and rhythm & blues. Her most recent album, “You are Not Alone,” won the 2011 Grammy Award for best Americana Album.

Staples began her career in 1950 as a member of her family’s popular gospel group, the Staple Singers. Her father, Pops Staples, was a close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Staple Singers became a leading musical voice of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, the group merged gospel harmonies with pop and funk sensibilities and reached Billboard Top 40 eight times, including number-one hits “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There.” Tickets are $35; $7 for students. For tickets or more information, visit cesap.unca.edu or call (828) 251-6674.

GeekOut 2012 – Preserving the Spirit of Fanaticon

A celebration of comic books, gaming, costumes, art, and fan culture will take place May 11 through May 12, 2012. The de-centralized convention will take place within a walking radius of dozens of downtown Asheville venues and businesses who will be hosting themed events.Programming will be free of charge for attendees.

Both evenings will feature all-ages activities as well as afterparties geared towards an 18+ audience. Saturday morning and afternoon will focus on programming appropriate for children and families. Participants are encouraged to attend in-costume. Local businesses are partnering with Multiverse Asheville to organize the celebration. For more information please contact Ken Krahl, ken@breakthe4thwall.com, or visit www.multiverseavl.com.

Echo Cooperative Spring Concerts

Sunday, April 1 at 3 p.m.

The Opal String Quartet with Brian Hermanson, clarinet. Clarinet quintets of Mozart and Brahms. Presented at St. Matthias in Asheville just off South Charlotte Street at Max Street, on the hill across from the Asheville Public Works Building (1 Dundee St.).

Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m.

The Renaissonics, internationally acclaimed, Boston-based ensemble. Renaissance and Early Baroque Chamber Music, Dance Music and Improvisations. Held at St. Matthias.

Sunday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Pan Harmonia brings their exciting blend of chamber music to Jubilee! Kate Steinbeck, flute, Rosalind Buda, bassoon, Barbara Weiss, harpsichord, and Byron Hedgepath, percussion.

First Sundays will continue into the summer. For more information on concerts, directions, and how you can support Art Outside the Box, visit www.echocooperative.org or call (828) 545-8865.