Thursday, August 1 through Saturday, August 3
The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival
Downtown at the Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets (Regular $20; Children 12 and under $10) for the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival are available from the Diana Wortham Theatre box office: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com. For more information call (828) 258-6101 x345 or visit www.folkheritage.org.
Friday, August 2
Pots That Pour
Opening reception from 6-9 p.m. On display from August 2-31 at the Asheville Area Arts Council Gallery, 346 Depot Street in the River Arts District. For more details call (828) 258-0710 or visit www.ashevillearts.com.
Friday, August 2
Art After Dark
From 6-9 p.m. enjoy a stroll through working studios and galleries along Waynesville’s Main and Depot Streets. Explore the open air and delights of this vibrant community. Galleries will stay open late and a handful of fabulous restaurants will serve up a fantastic evening.
Friday, August 2
Southern Appalachian Photographers Guild Exhibit
Works by five well-respected professional photographers. Opening reception from 6-8 p.m. On display through September 15. Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street. For more details call (828) 669-0930 or go to www.BlackMountainArts.org
Friday, August 2
Scene Around Asheville and WNC
Opening reception for Al Junek from 5 to 8 p.m. Watercolor and pastel paintings. Asheville Gallery of Art, 16 College Street in downtown Asheville. (828) 251-5796, or visit www.ashevillegallery-of-art.com.
Friday, August 2 through Sunday, August 18
Steel Magnolias
Performances on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $22 Adults, $19 Seniors/Students, $12 Children. Asheville Community Theatre, 35 East Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. For more details: (828) 254-1320; www.ashevilletheatre.org.
Susan Reinhardt Readings and Booksignings
The author of Chimes from A Cracked Southern Belle.
Friday, August 2 at 7:30 p.m., before Steel Magnolias. Asheville Community Theatre 35 E. Walnut, downtown Asheville. For information: (828) 254-1320, www.ashevilletheatre.org.
Saturday, August 10 at 7 p.m. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café. For information: (828) 254-6734, www.malaprops.com
Saturday & Sunday, August 3 & 4
Village Art and Craft Fair
On the grounds of the Cathedral of all Souls in Biltmore Village. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. For more information please visit www.newmorningnc.com.
Saturday, August 3
Asheville Masonic Temple Centennial Celebration
Program on the Blue Lodge, which is the core of all Masonry 2 p.m. The presenters include Rick Patton, DDGM, and Shawn Cole, DDGL. The presentation will be followed by a reception and tour of the building. Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway, downtown Asheville.
Saturday, August 3
Anything Goes – Everything Shows
Mail art exhibit. Opening from 6-9 p.m. The Courtyard Gallery, 109 Roberts Street, Asheville’s River Arts District. For more details call (828) 273-3332 or visit www.ashevillecourtyard.com.
Saturday, August 3
Cibele Leonetti Exhibition
Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Breathtaking images of Brazil. The Flood Gallery, in the Phil Mechanic Studios building at 109 Roberts Street, in Asheville’s River Arts District. (828) 254-2166, or www.floodgallery.org.
Monday, August 5
Fundraiser featuring Billy Jonas
A delicious vegetarian buffet dinner and a show featuring award-winning songwriter and whimsical repercussionist Billy Jonas. Activities for all ages. Proceeds go towards the Africa Healing Exchange’s trauma healing pilot program. From 5:30-8 p.m. at Avenue M in Asheville. For more details call (828) 333-4960 or visit www.africahealingexchange.org
Thursday, August 8
LEAF’s Benefit of Culture
6 p.m. at Highland Brewing in Asheville. The Stooges Brass Band and Empire Strikes Brass perform. Additional performances include the LEAF Jazz Band at Delta House, circus acts, and more to create a family-friendly mini-LEAF atmosphere! www.theleaf.org
Thursday August 8
Fundraiser for the Big Love Fest
Live music by Pleasure Chest. Raffle of incredible prizes. 5 p.m. at The Bywater, 796 Riverside Dr., Asheville. Details at www.ashevillegrown.com.
Live Music at Zia Taqueria
Thursday, August 8 – The Hokum High Rollers, 8:30pm
Thursday, August 22 – Yappy Hour – Humaen Society Benefit and live music, 5-12
Thursday, August 29 – Hearts Gone South, 8:30pm
No cover for any of these shows
Zia Taqueria, 521 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806. Call (828) 575-9393 or visit www.ziataco.com
Friday, August 9
Bring Us Your Best Exhibit
The Arts Council of Henderson County presents an all media visual art exhibition. Awards reception from 5-7 p.m. Hosted by Blue Ridge Community College, 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, in the Technology Education & Development Center. Details at (828) 693-8504, or visit www.acofhc.org.
Friday, August 9
Sexy Masquerade Fundraiser
For Trademark Dance Team. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Eleven on Grove in downtown Asheville. Free lesson with Asheville SalsaSuave at 10 p.m. All levels of dancers are welcome. Salsa, Bachata, Merengue. $7, ages 18+. For more details call (828) 674-7062.
Friday, August 9
Jewelry by Jen Doherty
Meet Jen Doherty, Asheville artist and jewelry maker. Reception from 5-7 p.m. Chifferobe Home and Garden, 118 Cherry Street, Black Mt. Visit www.chifferobehomeandgarden.com.
Friday, August 9
Kel Tanner: A Solo Exhibition
Opening reception from 6-9 p.m. On display from August 7 through September 2, 2013. Gallery 86, 86 N. Main St., Waynesville, NC. More details at www.haywoodarts.org.
August 9-11
Activation Music and Arts Festival
At the High Country Motorcycle Camp, 756 Stoney Fork Rd., Ferguson, NC 28624. Tickets are $30 adv. $40 d.o.s. For more information call (828) 406-3500 or visit www.activationfestival.com
Saturday, August 10
Wood Day
Annual celebration of wood crafts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Demonstrations include carving, coopering, wood turning, furniture design, dovetail construction and Shaker-inspired boxes. Hands-on activities for children. Carve-Off Competition 1-3 p.m. Participants have two hours to turn a simple block of wood into a work of art. Sign up by 12:30 to participate. At the Folk Art Center, just north of the Hwy 70 entrance in east Asheville. For more details call (828) 298-7928 or visit www.craftguild.org.
Saturday, August 10
Family Rafting Trip
On the Nantahala River from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants must be at least age seven and weigh at least 60 pounds. $50 per person; $45 for members of the Waynesville Recreation center. Register by calling (828) 456-2030. Visit www.townofwaynesville.org
Saturday, August 10
A Mid-Summer Night’s Mardi-Gras
New Orleans Dixieland in the outdoor courtyard at 5:30 p.m. followed by dance lessons. Lousiana Cuisine served by Trailhead Restaurant from 6 until 8:30 p.m. Lively music, dance, and merriment. $12, all ages. At the White Horse, 105c Montreat Road, Black Mountain. (828) 669-0816, or visit www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
Saturday & Sunday, August 10-11
Sourwood Festival
Black Mountain’s free and family friendly event. Kids Fun Park with rides. 200 Vendors. Live entertainment. Saturday 9-8 p.m. Huge fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Sunday 9-5. Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, (828) 669-2300, visit www.sourwoodfestival.com
August 10 & 17
Intro to NXT Robot Programming
Workshop for students 9-14 and their coaches. Hands-on introduction to programming the Lego NXT robots for the 2013 FLL Robot Competition. No prior experience required. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $25. Attendees must bring pre-built NXT Flex-Bot Robot. For details email olliasheville.com or call (828) 251-6140.
Sunday, August 11
Appalachian Brass Quintet
Part of Pan Harmonia’s Sunday @ 5 series, 5 p.m. at the Altamont Theatre. Vibrant popular music and classics. $12/advance at www.pan-harmonia.org/shop; $15 at the door; $5 students. The Altamont Theater, 18 Church St., downtown Asheville.
Sunday, August 11
Folktales and Foolishness
A tell-off hosted by the Asheville Storytelling Circle. Free and open to the public. 6 p.m. at the Buncombe County Recreation Park, Round Pavilion #3. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. 72 Gashes Creek Road adjacent to the WNC Nature Center. For more details call (828) 581-4603 or (828) 467-9955.
Sunday, August 11
Secrets: Freeing the Hidden Story
DVD Presentation, celebration and fundraiser at 6 p.m. at Jubilee! in downtown Asheville. Performance followed by a community dialogue. Proceeds benefit Community Choreography Project. $10 at the door. Call (828) 658-1217 or visit www.communitychoreography.com
Wednesday, August 14
Fred Bahnson Reading & Booksigning
Soil and Sacrament: A Spiritual Memoir of Food and Faith by Brevard resident Fred Bahnson. “Soil is a portal to another world,” Bahnson says, and those of us who believe privately that gardening is our religion agree completely. As if he were walking the liturgical calendar, Bahnson, director of the Food, Faith, and Religious Leadership Initiative at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, spends the revolving seasons in a different kind of growing environment, learning from the various gardeners how many vines lead to God. Meet Fred Bahnson, author of Soil and Sacrament at 7 p.m. Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, (828) 254-6734, www.malaprops.com.
Thursday, August 15
Park Rhythms
Free outdoor concert begins at 7 p.m. at Lake Tomahawk in Black Mtn. Swayback Sisters performi Appalachian Folk, Old School Country Soul. Food available for purchase. Blk. Mtn. Recreation & Parks, (828) 669-8610.
Thursday & Friday, August 15 & 16
DIG Festival
Downtown Independent Groove (DIG) Festival takes place at multiple venues in downtown Asheville. Details and lineup at www.facebook.com/DIGFestival
Friday, August 16
The Revivalists
One of Asheville’s most popular dance parties gets a boost of rhythm and blues when The Revivalists, a seven piece New Orleans based R&B band, plays during Downtown After Five. From 5 to 9 p.m. Where North Lexington Avenue meets I-240. Visit www.ashevilledowntown.org
August 16 – September 1
Dearly Departed
Hard core southern comedy at its best. You will laugh yourself silly with the outrageous antics of the Turpin family. By David Bottrell and Jessie Jones. Box Office Hours Monday-Saturday 1-5 p.m. Call (828) 456-6322 for reservations. Tickets available online by visiting www.harttheatre.com. Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House, 250 Pigeon St., Waynesville, NC.
Wednesday, August 21
Under Construction: Society, Gender, and Body
A participatory exhibition that questions how and why we construct gender. Opening reception at 5 p.m. in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Student Union Intercultural Gallery. On display August 12 to September 13. Hours and more details at cesap.unca.edu or (828) 251-6991.
Thursday, August 22
Black Mountain Center for the Arts Jazz Series
Jazz pianist and composer Michael Jefry Stevens and bassist Zack Page perform George Gershwin, Cole Porter, plus a few original compositions at 7:30 p.m. No reservations. $10 donation at the door. BMCA, 225 W. State Street in Black Mountain. For more details call (828) 669-0930 or go to www.BlackMountainArts.org
Friday, August 23
Superchunk
With opening act The Parting Gifts. Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 day of show for this all ages event. Doors open at 8 p.m., the show starts at 9 p.m. The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. For more information please call (828) 232-5800 or visit www.thegreyeagle.com
Friday, August 23
UNC Asheville Annual Art Faculty Exhibition
Studio art faculty exhibit their current work in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in UNC Asheville’s Owen Hall. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Free and open to the public. Exhibit on display 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through September 17. Call (828) 251-6559 or visit http://art.unca.edu.
Friday & Saturday, August 23 & 24
La Reina
A theatrical production incorporating a collage of ancient texts, modern dance, baroque costuming, puppetry, circus arts, and a live, electronic soundtrack. Performance by nine actors and four musicians under the direction of Aaron Beck. At the Diana Wortham Theater. Tickets at www.dwtheatre.com
Saturday, August 24
Womansong Gets Unhinged!
Womansong, Asheville’s premier women’s chorus, presents “Unplugged & Unhinged,” a cabaret of solos, trios, ensembles, and the entire chorus.
The concert will feature Broadway show tunes, blues, as well as jazz and contemporary pop pieces. The full chorus will perform a few hits from the 60’s and 70’s. 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2 Science of Mind Way in Asheville, NC 28806. Tickets ($12), are available from Womansong members, online at www.womansong. org and at the door.
Saturday, August 24
Book Launch and Art Opening for Postcards from Peru
Beginning at 2 p.m. at the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, 38 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. For more details call (828) 251-0202, or visit www.bluespiral1.com.
Saturday, August 24
Blue Ridge Rollergirls
Ranked number 13 in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association South Central region, BRRG’s are gearing up for the WFTDA South Central tournament in November. At the U.S. Cellular Center. Details by visiting www.blueridgerollergirls.com.
Tuesday, August 27
Save the French Broad Concert
Concert featuring Steve Earle. Help clean up and protect the French Broad River. Doors open at 8; show at 9 p.m. Ages 18+. Tickets: $24/advance; $26/day of show. VIP tickets are $50 and include a meet-and-greet with Steve Earle, great local food, SweetWater beer, and a reception in PULP at 6:30 p.m. More details at www.theorangepeel.net and www.wnca.org.
Sunday, September 1
Seventh Avenue Local Farmer’s Market
9-2 p.m. Hendersonville’s local farmer’s market and organic, all natural market held in conjunction with the annual apple festival. Maple Street in front of the Historic Train Depot. The Apple Valley Model RR Club will also be open for tours of the depot and the train displays.
Saturday, September 21
Art in Autumn
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Weaverville. For more information visit www.artinautumn.com.
Works by visionary Sculptor Susan Silver Brown
Through August at The Bender Gallery, 12 S Lexington Avenue in Asheville, next door to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. More information is available at www.thebendergallery.com.
Friday, September 6,
Works by Local Photographer Joye Ardyn Durham
AnTHM Gallery at the Monte Vista Hotel presents the work of award-winning local photographer Joye Ardyn Durham. Joye’s work exemplifies and captures the mood and look of mountain beauty in September and October.
Joye has been involved in photography for over 45 years and is owner of the Gingko Tree Gallery in Black Mountain. Her images are used worldwide in an abundance of uses. She photographs nature, landscapes, and fine art as well as portraits, dogs, and family events. Opening reception from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W State St, (828) 419-0049.
Food Trucks and Vendors Wanted
The Mountain Heritage Center is looking for Food Trucks and Vendors for the 39th annual Mountain Heritage Day on Saturday, September 28 on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. The festival encourages homemade style foods from any cuisine. Applications are available by calling (828) 227-7129 or for more information visit www.mountainheritageday.com.
1st Friday Gallery Walk
Friday, September 6
The Downtown Asheville Arts District hosts First Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. every month through December. More than 25 galleries and museums in downtown Asheville will host receptions and exhibitions. Complimentary trolley service during the event. Park at the Asheville Visitors Center and hop on! www.DowntownAshevilleArtDistrict.org
Ten Cent Orchestra
Contemporary songwriting meets a chamber orchestra. Music by Chelsea Lynn La Bate.
Thursday, August 22 – Pritchard Park, downtown Asheville from 6-8 p.m., free.
Friday, September 27 – Isis Music Hall, 8:30 p.m., $10. 743 Haywood Rd., Asheville. For details call (828) 575-2737 or visit www.isisasheville.com.
YMI Celebration
Since its founding in 1893 as the Young Men’s Christian Institute, the YMI has been a hub of African American culture in Asheville. Next month a celebration will be held for the 120th anniversary of the iconic institution including the following events:
YMI Block Party – August 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., south Market Street “Block” area; DJs, food vendors, dancing and fun, free admission.
Founders Gala – August 24, from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Music and hors d’oeuvres; various descendants of founders of the YMI will be recognized. Call (828) 257-4540 for tickets or visit www.ymiculturalcenter.org
I Am The Appalachian Trail Video Contest
Deadline: Sunday, September 15
A nationwide search for the best fan-made video about the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Contestants will submit video shorts, no longer than three minutes, emphasizing the many ways that they are connected to the Trail. To vote or submit a video, visit www.facebook.com/ATHike. More details at www.appalachiantrail.org.
Artists Wanted
Colorfest! Art & Taste of Appalachia is looking for artists of all mediums to participate in a fine art festival to be held on October 5, 2013 in Dillsboro, NC. Selected works will be displayed from September 5 until October 5 and also featured on colorfestartblog.com. To apply go to www.spiritofappalachia.org or call (828) 631-4587 for more details.