December 1-30
Toys
Works by Virginia Pendergrass, on display from December 1-30, 2015 at the Asheville Gallery of Art, 16 College Street, downtown Asheville. For more information, visit ashevillegallery-of-art.com or call (828) 251-5796.
through December
Ceramic Art Exhibit
New show celebrating works by Mark Harmon, Ed Rivera, and other gallery members. Odyssey Co-op Gallery, 238 Clingman Avenue in Asheville’s River Arts District. (828) 285-9700, www.Odysseyceramicarts.com.
Extended through December 5
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Written by Christopher Durang, produced by Attic Salt Theatre Company. 7:30 p.m. at 35below, 35 East Walnut St., Downtown Asheville. Asheville Community Theatre. (828) 254-1320, www.ashevilletheatre.org.
Friday, December 4
Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League Exhibits
Artist’s Choice opens Friday, December 4 from 5-7 p.m. On display through February 1, 2016. Fabulous Fakes, on display at the Monte Vista Hotel, runs through January 6, 2016. Both events and parking are free. The Red House Gallery is located at 310 W. State Street in Black Mountain. Winter hours: Monday-Saturday, 11-3 p.m.; Sundays 12-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.svfalarts.org.
Friday, December 4
Art After Dark
Waynesville is decorated for the holidays, and the chill in the air makes it a perfect time to explore our galleries, restaurants, and gift-shops. Downtown Waynesville. For more details, please visit the Waynesville Gallery Association at www.waynesvillegalleryassociation.com
Friday, December 4
Clay Studio Exhibit and Pottery Market
Held in conjunction with Black Mountain’s town-wide Holly Jolly holiday celebration. The event will be held from 5-8 p.m. The diverse Exhibit held in the Upper Gallery will feature the finest work of Clay Studio instructors and students and will be on display until February 29, 2016. In the adjacent room more than 10 resident potters will have smaller, more affordable work for sale. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located at 225 W. State Street. For more information visit www.BlackMountainArts.org or call (828) 669-0930.
Friday, December 4
Asheville Chamber Music Series Benefit Concert
Cellist Gary Hoffman and pianist Cecile Licad will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, at the corner of Edwin Place and Charlotte Street in Asheville. $40. Nathan Shirley, (828) 575-7427, ashevillechambermusic.org.
Friday, December 4
Winter’s Tune
Music to Warm an Appalachian Night. A special evening of traditional mountain music at 7 p.m. in Broyhill Chapel on the campus of Mars Hill University. Advance tickets are $15. $18 at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Contact Hannah Furgiuele for tickets at (828) 689-1571, or at hfurgiuele@mhu.edu.
Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5, and December 11 & 12
Festival of Lights & Luminaries
From 5-9 p.m. Dillsboro is located in WNC at the intersection of US Hwys. 19/74 and 441, about 45 minutes west of Asheville. For more information, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-962-1911 or visit www.mountainlovers.com.
December 4-20
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $22 Adults, $19 Seniors/Students, $12 Children. Asheville Community Theatre, 35 East Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call (828) 254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.
The Asheville Choral Society
Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5
Yuletide Candlelight with the Asheville Choral Society, Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, December 5 at 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street in downtown Asheville. Advance tickets are $20 for adults ($25 at the door) and $10 for students. Purchase tickets by calling (828) 232-2060 or visit www.ashevillechoralsociety.org.
Special preview of the Winter Lights, a three-acre nightly walking tour of the North Carolina Arboretum. The Winter Lights event is open nightly to the public from 6-10 p.m. through January 2, 2016. Purchase tickets for Winter Lights at www.ncarboretum.org.
Blue Ridge Ringers Holiday Concerts
The Blue Ridge Ringers, a community handbell ensemble in Hendersonville NC, will present five free holiday concerts. The fourteen members of the group ring on five octaves of Malmark handbells and Malmark handchimes.
Friday, December 4 – Henderson County Public Library, Hendersonville, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 8 – Transylvania County Public Library, Brevard, noon.
Friday, December 11 – Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville, 7 p.m.
Friday, December 18 – Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Brevard, 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 – Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, 4 p.m.
A freewill offering will be requested at the final two concerts. For more information, please call (828) 692-4910.
Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5
7th Annual WNC Fly Fishing Expo
Friday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15. Free for children 16 years of age and younger. Free admission Saturday with Friday ticket purchase. Details at www.wncflyfishingexpo.com.
Friday & Saturday, December 4 & 5
Echoview Christmas Bazaar
4th annual Christmas Bazaar. Friday from 2-6, Saturday from 10-4 p.m. About 30 local vendors. Echoview Fiber Mill, 76 Jupiter Road, Weaverville. 855-693-4237, www.echoviewnc.com
December 4-6
Toe River Holiday Studio Tour
Biannual, free open studio tour in Mitchell and Yancey Counties. More than 110 artists, craftspeople, and galleries open their studios to visitors. Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday from 10 to 5 p.m. Reception on Friday, December 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery, 269 Oak Avenue. Call (828) 682-7215 or visit www.toeriverarts.org.
Saturday, December 5
Beautiful Bizarre
Reception from 7-9 p.m. Great gifts. Prices ranging from $5-$5,000. ZaPow! 21 Battery Park Ave., Downtown Asheville. www.zapow.com
Saturday, December 5
The Legend of La Befana
Red Herring Puppets’ present the perfect holiday show for the entire family at 10 a.m. Befana embodies the spirit of goodness and hope. Tickets: $5. Asheville Community Theatre, 35 East Walnut St. (828) 254-1320, www.ashevilletheatre.org
Saturday, December 5
A Handcrafted Christmas
Artisan crafts, food and wine at Addison Farms Vineyard. More than ten local vendors – jewelry, wreaths, art and chocolates. Complimentary wine tasting with every $10 donation at the door to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. 12-5 p.m. 4005 New Leicester Hwy. 581-WINE, www.addisonfarms.net
Saturday, December 5
Clogging & Dance Workshop
The Bailey Mountain Cloggers will offer a Clogging & Southern Appalachian Dance Workshop from 9 a.m. until 12 noon in the studios of McConnell Hall on the campus of Mars Hill University. $10 at the door. All levels of experience are welcome. Pre-registration is not required. (828) 689-1304.
December 5 & 12
Annual Guild Artist Holiday Sale
At the Folk Art Center, December 5 & 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Folk Art Center is located at Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in east Asheville, just north of the Hwy 70. For more information, call 298-7928 or visit www.craftguild.org.
Saturdays, December 5 through May 21, 2016
Family-Friendly Theater
Suitable for children ages 4 and up. $5 per person. 10 a.m. Produced by Attic Salt Theatre Company at Magnetic 375. 375 Depot Street, Asheville. Details: 347-678-9869; www.atticsalt.org.
The Green Room
Live dinner music 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 – Deb Bridges & The Grove
Saturday, December 12 – Norm Cole & Steve Whiteside
Thursday, December 31 – New Years Eve with Mark Lynch
The Green Room Café & Coffeehouse
536 N. Main Street, Hendersonville
828 692-6335, www.TheGreenRoomCafe.biz
Blue Ridge Books
Saturday, December 5 at 3 p.m. Ann Woodford, When All God’s Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African American People in Far Western North Carolina.
Saturday, December 12 at 3 p.m. Carroll Jones will read from the new sequel to his historical novel, Master of the East Fork.
Saturday, December 19 from 10 a.m. – noon, Banned Book Club
Every Thursday – Smoky Mountain Chess Club, 1-4 p.m. Players of all levels are welcomed.
Blue Ridge Books, 152 S. Main Street, Waynesville
(828) 456-6000, www.blueridgebooksnc.com
Sunday, December 6
Brass Quintet Christmas Concert
Christmas music performed by the Pyramid Brass Quintet at 3 p.m. Christmas favorites arranged for brass quintet. Herb Wolf and Bill Shank on trumpets, Bryan Graeber on horn, Keith Poole on trombone, and Zach Taylor on tuba. A free-will offering will be taken for the artists and the restoration fund for the historic church. St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 1 Dundee St., across from the Public Works Building on S. Charlotte and Max Streets.
Sunday, December 6
A Chamber Music Messiah
Baroque keyboard maestra Barbara Weiss leads a merry band of musicians in a rousing instrumental version of Handel’s favorite Christmas tradition. Proceeds to benefit Homeward Bound. 3 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 40 Church Street, downtown Asheville. For tickets and more information, call (828) 254-7123, or visit www.panharmonia.org.
Sunday, December 6
Classical Piano Masterworks
Solo concert by Christopher Tavernier, pianist. 3 p.m. Biltmore United Methodist Church, 376 Hendersonville Road. Free. (828) 274-2379.
Sunday, December 6
Hadaya Toys
A luminous candlelight vigil and fundraiser to benefit Syrian refugee children. 6-8 p.m. at Jubilee on Wall Street in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door or in advance at Malaprops Bookstore. All proceeds will benefit Hadaya Toys.
Sunday, December 6
Cool Vibes
Celebrating The Modern Jazz Quartet, a benefit concert for the Arts Council of Henderson County. 4:30 p.m. at Freeburg Pianos Master Works Theatre, 2314 Asheville Hwy. (Hwy. 25), Suite D, in Hendersonville NC. Reservations are $45 per person, and can be made through the Arts Council by calling (828) 693-8504, or by emailing acofhc@bellsouth.net.
Sunday, December 6
A Big Band Christmas
1:30 p.m. $10 adults; $6 students. For tickets, plus movie showtimes and more, visit 38main.com. The Strand, 38 Main Street in Waynesville.
Sunday, December 6, 13 & 20
Brunch with Santa
Plus Santa’s Horse Drawn Carriage Ride, Sunday, December 6, 13 & 20 at 9 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. All tickets are $58, including childrens tickets. Hosted by Lex 18, 18 North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. Advance registration requested. Call (828) 575-9494 or visit www.lex18avl.com.
December 7 & 8
Auditions for Seussical
6 -9 p.m. Open to all, no previous experience required. Directed by Mark Jones with musical direction by Sarah Fowler. Asheville Community Theatre, 35 East Walnut St. (828) 254-1320. Details at www.ashevilletheatre.org/get-involved/audition.
Tuesday, December 8
One Hike and Three Waterfalls
Hiking guide and author Danny Bernstein will lead the last Classic Hike of the season for Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visit Juney Whank, Indian Creek, and Toms Branch waterfalls. Breathtaking views. The hike is 5.5 miles in length with a total elevation gain of 600 feet and is moderately difficult. Deadline to register is December 6. Cost: $35, includes membership to Friends of the Smokies. Members hike for $10. To register, visit friendsofthesmokies.org/calendar.
Wednesday, December 9
Appalachian Trail Hiker Happy Hour
Hikers and enthusiasts. Door prizes and a raffle. 5 to 7 p.m. at Black Dome Mountain Sports, 140 Tunnel Road in Asheville. Free. Call the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, (828) 254-3708.
December 10-19
The Santaland Diaries
Performances Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $15. Asheville Community Theatre Box Office, 35 East Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call (828) 254-1320 or visit www.ashevilletheatre.org
Friday, December 11
Steve Lippia performs Sinatra’s Classics
The Asheville Symphony presents a concert on the 100th anniversary of Sinatra’s birth with an emphasis on Christmas and holiday-themed works. 8 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville. Tickets: $22-$74. Reduced student pricing. Tickets/Info: (828) 254-7046 or www.ashevillesymphony.org.
December 11 & 12, 18 & 19
Holiday Sip & Shop
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gallery is housed in the historic weaving and woodworking complex of Biltmore Industries, located adjacent to the Omni Grove Park Inn. Free parking is available. To learn more, call (828) 253-7651 or visit grovewood.com.
December 11-13
Christmas Crèches from Around the World
First Baptist Church of Asheville. Hours: Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours can be arranged by calling 916-223-3285. The First Baptist Church of Asheville is located at 5 Oak Street in Asheville. For more information visit www.ashevillenativity.org.
Saturday, December 12
Riverview Station Holiday Market
More than 20 open studios featuring more than 40 artists. 4 to 8 p.m. at Riverview Station, 191 Lyman Street. For more information, contact the Village Potters, (828) 253-2424, www.thevillagepotters.com
Altamont Theatre
Friday, December 11 – Chuck Cannon. Doors at 7 p.m.; Show at 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 17 – Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys . Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Friday, December 18 – Willis Alan Ramsey. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 19 – Byrds of a Feather: A Tribute to Gene Clark & Gram Parsons. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 – Jon Stickley & Travis Book. Doors at 7 p.m. Show 8 p.m.
Altamont, 18 Church Street, Asheville
www.thealtamont.com
Saturday, December 12
Small Jewels
Paintings 12 x 12 in. or Smaller, on display throughout December. Opening reception Saturday, December 12 from 4-8 p.m. at the French Broad Artists studio in Riverview Station, #216 in the River Arts District.
Saturday, December 12
Christmas with Santa
Bright Star Touring Theatre presents a 45-minute, hysterical Christmas-wrapped comedy. Performance begins at 10 a.m. All tickets are $5. Asheville Community Theatre. (828) 254-1320, www.ashevilletheatre.org.
Saturday, December 12
Second Saturday
Visit Odyssey Co-op Gallery located in the River Arts District at 238 Clingman Avenue for food, music, and artists’ demonstrations. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.odysseyceramicarts.com
Sunday, December 13
View the Geminid Meteor Shower
At PARI from 10 p.m. until midnight. The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is located in the Pisgah National Forest, 30 miles southwest of Asheville. Reservations are required and can be made by calling PARI at (828) 862-5554 or visiting www.pari.edu.
Wednesday, December 16
The Muscle Shoals Music Revue
Featuring Amy Black and Sarah Borges. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this all ages 8 p.m. show. Tickets are priced at $12 in advance and $15 day of. The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville. Call (828) 232-5800 or visit www.thegreyeagle.com
Thursday, December 17
RiverFront Bus Tour
Tour the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers with RiverLink. 11:45 to 2 p.m. Learn some local history and visit surrounding neighborhoods. $20 per person; free for RiverLink members. Reservations required. (828) 252-8474, ext. 10, or www.riverlink.org.
Clarinet Holiday: A Festival of Pipes
Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Isis Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, www.isisasheville.com.
Saturday, December 20 at 3 p.m. at White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain. www.whitehorseblackmountain.com. Children admitted free; must be accompanied by an adult. Music for the clarinet-along will be provided digitally; email steveloew@mris.com to request a copy.
Saturday, December 19
Christmas at Connemara
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s day. For further information, please call (828) 693-4178, or visit www.nps.gov/carl.
Saturday, December 19
Annual Holiday Benefit concert
Featuring Town Mountain & The Larry Keel Experience. Doors 8 p.m.; show 9 p.m. $20. Partial proceeds go to MANNA FoodBank. Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road Asheville. (828) 575-2737, www.isisasheville.com
Sunday, December 20
One-Man Dickens
Actor and Dickensian scholar Jamieson Ridenhour will present a Victorian-style reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, performing each character as Dickens himself did. 3 p.m. at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street. For more information visit www.BlackMountainArts.org or call (828) 669-0930.
Thursday, December 31
stephaniesid and Jon Stickley Trio
Dinner at 8 p.m.; Jon Stickley Trio at 9 p.m.; stephaniesid at 10:30 p.m. Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, 743 Haywood Rd. in Asheville.
For Dinner only, or Dinner + Show Tickets you must call Isis for reservations, (828) 575-2737. More details, full menu and ticketing info at www.isisasheville.com.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Velvet & Lace
Takes place on the first Thursday of each month for the next six months. Katey Ryder of Sovereign Remedies featured in January. Each event showcases craft cocktails made by female bartenders currently working in Asheville, with a focus on smoke, fire, herbs, elixirs, and tinctures. Mary Kelley, a.k.a. DJ Dr. Filth, will be spinning dark classics. Rose Hecht will bring photo booth fun. Food will be served alongside the delicious cocktails. 10% of sales will be donated to Our Voice. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Buxton Hall Barbecue, 32 Banks Avenue, Asheville.
Friday & Saturday, January 8 & 9
Steep Canyon Rangers
CD release concert for Radio. All-original bluegrass/Americana. The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., Asheville. (828) 398-1837, theorangepeel.net.
Saturday, February 6
Romeo and Juliet
The Aquila Theatre company presents William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 8 p.m. at the Diana Wortham Theatre. To obtain more information or to purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com
John Mac Kah Studio
Classes, Workshops, and Private Fine Art Instruction. Enroll now for 2016. Complete schedule at www.JohnMacKah.com.
Drawing or Painting – Monday & Thursday, 9-4 p.m.
Children’s Art with Alisa – Tuesday & Wednesday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Thursday Morning Demos – 10 a.m. to noon
Studio Painting – Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
Landscape on Location – Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
John Mac Kah Studio, 122 Riverside Dr., Studio H, Asheville
(828) 225-5000, www.JohnMacKah.com
Call for Artists
In June 2016 the Haywood County Arts Council will host the Haywood County Master Gardeners’ Exhibit. Interested artists are invited to submit an application by February 1, 2016. For an application and more information, visit www.HaywoodArts.org
Pawsitive Pup Beginnings
Six-week socialization course for puppies 6 to 16 weeks old. Specialized program focuses on building a relationship of trust, positive experiences and education to create a well-rounded dog. Cost: $120. Maple Tree Dog Camp, (828) 246-9770, email campleader@mapletreevet.com