May 2012
Asheville Animal Rights Reading Group
Every fourth Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. Firestorm Books and Cafe. Contact Wendy at simkha@riseup.net or (828) 667-8148.
Missing Your Creative Spark?
Perhaps it is time to strengthen your connection with Creative Source. Time to reconnect with the wellspring of innovation that lies deep within you. Join an intensive weekend workshop devoted to your creativity May 4-6. Experience a series of guided meditations. Gently expand your ability to tap into deeper creative sources. Interpret and express your experiences using provided art materials. Non-artists welcome! Twenty five minutes west of Asheville. Read the full workshop description at www.TheQuietHouse.com.
Summer Music in Flat Rock
Free outdoor concerts held in Flat Rock on Little Rainbow Row’s back deck, corner of Greenville Hwy. and West Blue Ridge Road on the first Saturday of the month through October. Concerts begin at 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 5 – Terry Wetton
June 2 – Annie Lalley and Joe Ebel
This is a casual, family oriented, bring-your-lawn-chair, outdoor event, weather permitting. Great food and beverages will be available from Flat Rock Village Bakery (pizzas) and Hubba Hubba Smokehouse (BBQ). For further information, call Hand in Hand Gallery at (828) 697-7719 or visit www.flatrockonline.com.
May 4 and 5
Womansong CD Release Celebration Concert
I Will Carry You, Songs of Comfort and Healing at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, One Edwin Place, Asheville, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10, Children $5. For more information, call (828) 686-9010 or visit www.womansong.org.
May 4-6
French Broad River Festival
15th annual festival celebrates the river with music, outdoor events including whitewater raft and mountain bike races, food, outdoor gear and prizes, kids village and more at the Hot Springs Campground & Spa. Festival begins at 4 p.m on Friday, May 5 and ends Sunday, May 6. Tickets are $80, available online or at the gate. Visit www.FrenchBroadRiverFestival.com for details or call (828) 230-4054.
Saturday, May 5
Blue Ridge Orchestra Performance
The Blue Ridge Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Milton Crotts, will present a pops concert featuring selections from the Phantom of the Opera, the musical Chicago, and other Broadway tunes. 7:30 p.m. at the White Horse in Black Mountain. Details at www.blueridgeorchestra.org. Tickets are $15 adults; $5 student, available at whitehorseblackmountain@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 5
Turtle Gliding
Mommie, Stay with Me is written by Cindy McFee Brown and illustrated by Micki Parker Sanford. Turtle Gliding is written by Denise Owen and illustrated by Jo Wicker. Meet the author and illustrators from 1 to 3 p.m. at Grateful Steps Publishing House & Bookshop, 159 S. Lexington Avenue, Asheville.
Sunday, May 6
2nd Annual Big Love Fest
Celebrating unchained and independent Asheville. Asheville FM Stage: The Cheeksters, Wooden Toothe, The Critters, John Wilkes Boothe & The Black Toothe. Main Stage: Decent Lovers, Shake it Like a Caveman, Kovacs & the Polar Bear, Pleasure Chest, The Moodees, Floating Action. Big Love Fest, Pack Square Park, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. www.loveasheville.org.
Sunday, May 6
Celebration Singers of Asheville Spring Concert
Supercali-Celebration! concert begins at 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Christ, 20 Oak St., downtown Asheville. The youth chorus will sing a variety of music beginning with a selection from John Rutter’s Mass For The Children, two gospel songs, folksongs from Italy and South Africa, ending with a medley from Mary Poppins. No admission charge, donations accepted at the door. For details call Ginger Haselden (828) 230-5778.
Sunday, May 6
Tell Me on a Sunday
Reuter Center Singers perform songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber including “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The concert, which is free and open to the public, takes place at 3 p.m. in UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center.
Richard Shulman Concerts
Thursdays, May 3, 10, 17, 31 from 8 to 11 p.m. On piano with the Heather Masterton Quartet at Olive or Twist, 81 Broadway, Asheville.
Sunday, May 6 from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Piano with the Heather Masterton Quartet at Barley’s Taproom, 42 Biltmore Ave. Asheville.
Sundays, May 6, 13, 20, 27. Music at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way, Asheville. (828) 253-2325.
Friday, May 11
Téada
With lush orchestration Téada revels in the vibrant, traditional music of Ireland. Joining Téada is accordion player and quintessential Irish musician, Séamus Begley. Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, 8 p.m. Regular $30; Student $25; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com.
Saturday, May 12
Strawberry Fest
Country Breakfast, 7:30-10:45. BBQ Chicken Lunch, 11:30-1:30. Music, lots of vendors, strawberry smoothies, shortcake, face painting and other activities. Come enjoy the cool wonderful mountain air and friendship. Bright Hope Laurel Methodist Church, I-26W exit 3, follow signs.
Saturday, May 12
Hendersonville Chorale
Hendersonville Chorale presents “IPod Shuffle” 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on 5th Washington in Hendersonville. Tickets are $15 or $10 each for a group of 10 or more. Contact Jane Ward (828) 674-4161.
Saturday, May 12
Appalachian Pastel Society Meeting
From 10 a.m. to noon with a free presentation by Peggy Taylor, “Color Theory Made Fun and Real.” Continuing workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Workshop fee: $45 members/$55 non-members. WNC Ag Center, Youth Building, Fletcher, NC. For more information visit www.appalachianpastelsociety.org or call Miriam Hughes at (610) 389-0058.
Saturday, May 12
Family Birding Hike
An in-depth look at our local and migratory species of songbirds at the Cradle of Forestry at 8:30 a.m. Join a walk on our paved trails to find and identify as many species as possible. Please bring a pair of binoculars. Phone (828) 877-3130 for details.
Sunday, May 13
Mother’s Day Greek Luncheon & Bake Sale
Cafeteria Style with a variety of Greek Gourmet dishes. Greek folk dance troop will perform. At the Hellenic Center of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the church office at (828) 253-3754 between 9 a.m and 1 p.m. to place your order, or the Hellenic Center at (828) 254-7424 the day of the luncheon.
Tuesday, May 15
Asheville Quilt Guild Meeting
Prize-winning quilter Betty Suiter speaks on Applique, Stitched By Hand, 10 a.m., Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, Blue Ridge Parkway. www.ashevillequiltguild.org, (828) 665-6786.
May 15-16
Auditions for Good Old Fashioned Variety Show
Calling all singers, dancers, jugglers, musicians, and comedians! Asheville Community Theatre is producing a variety show. Anyone age 18+ is welcome to audition. Winners receive cash prizes! The show will be performed on July 14 as a part of DramaRama, ACT’s fundraising event. Please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org for entry requirements and more information.
Thursday, May 17
Celebrating 50,000 Acres – For You, Forever
Live music by the April Fools Old-Time String Band, local food, and more from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Highland Brewing Company, Asheville. $25, includes food, music and a beverage. Details at www.appalachian.org or www.highlandbrewing.com.
Friday & Saturday, May 18 & 19
Annual Book Sale
Thousands of good-condition used books on sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. For more information call (828) 254-6001.
Saturday, May 19
Nobody Knows You Album Release Concert
A release party for the Steep Canyon Ranger’s 5th album. Held at Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain. Steep Canyon Rangers take the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets available at www.pisgahbrewing.com.
Saturday, May 19
Black Mountain Garden Show and Sale
The 7th Annual Show and Sale will be held from 9-4 on the grounds of the Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St. in Black Mountain. Perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetable plants, native trees, shrubs and garden accessories. There will be children’s activities (1-3 p.m.), a silent auction, and great food. Free event.
Haywood Community Band
The Haywood Community Band will present its 10th Season of free concerts on the third Sunday of each month, May through October. Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. at the pavilion adjacent to the Maggie Valley Town Hall.
Sunday, May 20 “Our Favorites” – Music from Phantom of the Opera, Falling in Love with Love, and Symphonic Beatles. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a beautiful Maggie Valley Sunset.
The next free concert of the Maggie Valley Concert Series will be held on June 17. For more details call Rhonda Wilson Kram at (828) 456-4880, or visit www.haywoodcommunityband.org
Thursday, May 24
The Teetotallers
Marvel at the sound of three world-class musicians when The Teetotallers, featuring John Doyle, Martin Hayes, and Kevin Crawford, delight Asheville with a rare triple threat evening of their combined talents. Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, 8 p.m. Regular $30; Student $25; Children 12 and under $12; Student Rush day-of-the-show $10. (828) 257-4530 or www.dwtheatre.com
Friday, May 25
Ironing Board Sam! Blues Ramble
Ironing Board Sam performs at the historical Grace Hall Ballroom, downtown Greer, SC. www.musicmaker.org/artists_profile/ironing-board-sam.
Thursday, May 31
Dine Out for All Souls Counseling Center
In honor of Mental Health Awareness, Bistro 1896 is partnering with All Souls Counseling Center to raise awareness and funds for the center. On May 31, Bistro 1896 will donate 20% of revenue from their lunch and dinner hours to the center. Dine out between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch, or 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. By treating yourself to a meal out you are supporting affordable mental health services for people in need. Call Bistro 1896 for reservations at (828) 251-1300.
Lichty Guitar Raffle
Specially handcrafted by Jay Lichty and handpainted by Clark Hipolito. Raffle tickets, $10. Winner announced at October LEAF. North Carolina luthier Jay Lichty builds heirloom quality one-of-a-kind handmade acoustic guitars and ukuleles. Value $5,000. NC artist Clark Hipolito has made custom painted guitars for musicians like Michael Franti. Buy your Raffle Ticket Today! All proceeds benefit LEAF Outreach Programs, (828) 686-8742. Visit www.theLEAF.org.
Free Documentary Film Screenings
Saturday, May 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. – The Marketing of Madness: Are We All Insane? Exposes the harmful effects of psychiatric drugs. Haywood County Main Library in Waynesville, 678 South Haywood Street, (828) 452-5169, www.haywoodlibrary.org. Visit www.cchr.org
Saturday, May 12 at 7 p.m. – An Alternative, Finnish Approach to Healing Psychosis. Firestorm Cafe and Books, 48 Commerce Street, Asheville. (828) 255-8115, www.iraresoul.com.
Thursday, May 17 at 5 p.m. – A Documentary: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; Psychiatry’s Deadliest Scam. It’s 943 pages long, lists out 374 mental disorders. Canton Branch Library, 11 Pennsylvania Ave. (828) 648-2924, www.haywoodlibrary.org.
Wednesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. – Healing Homes: An Alternative, Swedish Model for Healing Psychosis. Wall Street Coffee House, 62 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Call (828) 252-2535, or visit www.wallstreetcoffeehouse.webs.com.
Saturday, May 12
Hendersonville Chorale
Hendersonville Chorale presents “IPod Shuffle” 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on 5th Washington in Hendersonville. Tickets are $15 or $10 each for a group of 10 or more. Contact Jane Ward (828) 674-4161.
Painting and Playing in Italy
May 19 – 27
The Fine Arts League of the Carolinas is once again pleased to return to Italy with a trip to Tuscany between May 19 through May 27. Based in Lucignano, a small Medieval hill town located south of Florence, our guests will comfortably lodge just outside the town walls in old world Villas with kitchens, modern rooms with baths, and a swimming pool.
Lucignano is centrally located in the heart of the Chianti region. Guests simply have to open their door and step out each morning to draw or paint the Tuscan landscape surrounded by Olive Groves and overlooking Cortona.
A member of The Fine Arts League staff will lead a daytrip to one of the surrounding towns to draw, paint or sightsee. Morning drawing and painting will be led by Fine Arts League instructors John Dempsey and Christopher Holt. Afternoon drawing or painting sessions with founder Ben Long.
For more information, please contact the Fine Arts League of the Carolinas at (828) 252-5050, or visit www.fineartsleague.org.
June 2012
Thursday, June 7
Divergent Visions
The Bender Gallery will host an opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. for the exhibition “Divergent Visions: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of American Studio Glass.” New works made by over twenty five regional and national as well as Canadian glass artists will be on display. The Bender Gallery, 12 S Lexington Avenue in Asheville. For more details call (828) 505-8341 or visit www.thebendergallery.com.
Friday & Saturday, June 1 & 2
La Fille Mal Gardee 2012!
Ballet Conservatory of Asheville presents La Fille Mal Gardee — the Wayward Daughter, embodies the freshness of young love, ample good humor, and the delightful warmth of a new summer day. One of the most wonderful ballet scores of all time makes for a family-friendly evening.
Friday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Call Diana Wortham Theatre at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com to reserve your tickets. Adults, $20; Children, Students & Seniors, $10. For more details call (828) 255-5777, BalletConservatoryofAsheville.com.
Smoky Mountain Brass Band Concerts
The thirty-member band and conductor John Entzi will perform a variety of musical styles, from Marches to Classical and Classic British Brass Band repertoire, to Jazz, Pops and Hymn tunes. Concerts are free to the public with a free will offering taken.
Saturday, June 2 at 2 p.m. Picnic on the Lawn, Haywood Co. Courthouse in Waynesville.
Tuesday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. Mars Hill College Auditorium. Usher in Independence Day a bit early, and in “Brass-Band style!”
For more information call (828) 551-6839 or visit www.smbrass.com
John Mac Kah Classes
Instructor, Core Program through April 20, 2012. Fine Arts League of the Carolinas, Asheville, NC. (828) 225 5050. Visit www.fineartsleague.org for more information.
Study Abroad Program
June 1-30 – Tuscany Italy: Paint and Play in Italy. Registration deadline: May 11, 2012. Classes by Ben Long, Christopher Holt, and John Mac Kah. Art History excursions to Florence, Rome
Summer 2012: Master/Apprentice Program – Landscape Painting Intensive, Asheville
July 9 – August 10 – Five week intensive Summer Session: Register by May 11 to receive discount. Open Registration deadline: June 29, 2012. John Mac Kah, Instructor.
John Mac Kah Classes, 122 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 225-5000 www.johnmackah.com, mail@jmackah.com
Hard Times Writing Contest
Deadline: Postmarked by June 30, 2012.
Sponsored by the Writers’ Workshop of Asheville, NC. Any writer may enter, regardless of residence or experience.
– 1st Place: Your choice of a 3 night stay at The Mountain Muse B&B in Asheville; or 3 free workshops (online or in person); or 100 pages line-edited and revised by our editorial staff.
– 2nd Place: 2 night stay at the B&B; or 2 free workshops; or 50 pages line-edited and revised by our editorial staff.
– 3rd Place: One free workshop, or 25 pages line-edited and revised by our editorial staff.
In addition, ten Honorable Mentions will also be given. For guidelines and more details visit www.twwoa.org
Call for Artists
Entries must be postmarked by June 1, 2012
Artist applications are available for the 53rd annual juried “Art on Main” fine art and fine craft festival in downtown Hendersonville. Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of $4,500 in cash prizes will be awarded.
Artists may download an application at www.acofhc.org/artmain.htm/. Applications may also be requested by calling The Arts Council at (828) 693-8504. The for applications is (postmark).
The Arts Council of Henderson County, 401 North Main Street, 3rd Floor in Hendersonville, NC.
SART 2012: A Season of Reinvention
June 7 – June 17 • I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro; music by Jimmy Roberts. A musical date night at its finest!
June 21 – July 1 • Harvey – by Mary Chase – Pulitzer Prize Winner!
July 5 – July 22 • The Light in the Piazza – Book by Craig Lucas, music and lyrics by Adam Guettel. Romantic score, passionate music and lyrics, soaring melodies!
July 26 – August 5 • Sweet Water Taste, by Gloria Bond Clunie. World Premiere. SART’s 2010 ScriptFEST Winner!
August 9 – August 19 • Sylvia, by A.R. Gurney. Man’s best friend becomes woman’s too!
For more information or to order tickets, visit www.sartplays.org or call (828) 689-1384. SART performances take place on the campus of Mars Hill College, 44 College Street, Mars Hill, NC.
Appalachian Pastel Society Juried National Exhibition
Deadline: August 1, 2012 – Pastel artists: the 2012 Appalachian Pastel Society Juried National Exhibition will be held October 18 through December 14, 2012 at the Asheville School in Asheville, NC. For prospectus, visit www.appalachianpastelsociety.org.
Arts and Crafts Vendors Wanted
The Mountain Heritage Center is looking for Arts and Crafts vendors for the 38 annual Mountain Heritage Day juried show on September 29, 2012 on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Applications are available at www.mountainheritageday.com or by calling (828) 227-7129.
Oktoberfest Arts and Crafts Applications
Hickory’s Oktoberfest 2012 is now accepting applications for Arts and Crafts vendors. Celebrating its 27th year, this annual festival will be held October 12, 13, and 14, 2012 in Downtown Hickory, NC. Estimated attendance is more than 100,000 for the three day event. Oktoberfest’s Arts and Crafts show is a juried event, with prizes given for the top three artisans. Early registration (postmarked by August 1, 2012) is $100. Regular registration is $150. Electricity is available for an additional $25. Applications are available on line at www.hickoryoktoberfest.com.