Annual Asheville Antiques Show this Weekend

August 2-4   Annual Asheville Antiques Show and Sale   Reputable dealers from several states will offer for sale a wide variety of antiques that will appeal to everyone from the beginning collector to the well seasoned investor.

The dealers were selected for this show based on their knowledge, professionalism and overall integrity. Find antique furniture in styles ranging from American country to English formal, hand painted porcelains, art glass, cut glass and pottery.

Idecker Books will have an amazing display of very fine and rare old books. There will be antique prints as well as beautiful old oil paintings and a huge display of oriental rugs. Exquisite antique jewelry, estate jewelry and designer costume jewelry will be offered for sale along with silver holloware and flatware.

The event is held at the downtown Asheville Civic (US Cellular) Center, 87 Haywood Street.

Mountain Dance and Folk Festival this Weekend in Asheville

August 1 - 3   86th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival  The nation’s longest running folk festival. The 86th annual edition of this three-day event showcases the best of the region’s old-time and bluegrass musicians, mountain dance groups, cloggers, and ballad singers. 7:00 PM nightly at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville.

The event showcases performances by hundreds of the Southern Appalachians' best traditional mountain musicians and dancers. Bound by the tradition of "Along About Sundown" these gatherings continue the tradition, of the era when local folks of all ages regularly gathered at the end of the day on front porches and the like, with fiddles, banjos and guitars in hand and dancing feet at the ready.

Come celebrate the treasured cultural heritage of Western North Carolina throughout the summer at these events organized by Asheville's Folk Heritage Committee.


Learn more about Asheville rentals, events and attractions HERE. 

Live Concert in Asheville's Pritchard Park

August 1   Homegrown in Pritchard Park - Ben Wilson. Free performances by local singer/songwriters each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville. Held from 6 PM - 8 PM and sponsored by 98.1 The River radio station.

Biltmore Tickets Summer Special - Save 10 - $15 and Kids are FREE with Adult Admission

Biltmore, "America's Castle", is one of the most popular attractions in North Carolina and even the entire country. Biltmore was built in 1895 by George Vanderbilt and is preserved and maintained today by his descendants. With interior square footage over 4 acres, 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 43 bathrooms and an impressive collection of art and period furnishing it is well worth the admission fee and a day's time.

Once a working dairy farm the estate now includes a winery, 8,000 acres of trails, Antler Village, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green the Farm,  gardens and grounds to explore, an on site Inn and a variety of fine and casual dining.

Recent heavy rains have caused damage to Biltmore's entrance road, but there is a detour in place and the Estate and its component are open as usual for all to enjoy.Repairs are being made as quickly as possible.

CLICK HERE to Save on Biltmore Tickets with our Value Rewards Program

Get complete visitor information on the Asheville NC Guide.

Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk

August 2   Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk    Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running.

25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Get more Asheville arts and crafts information on the Asheville NC Guide. 

Gallery Asheville Participates in this weekend's Bele Chere Festival

July 26 - 28   Gallery Asheville will have a tent in the arts fair at Bele Chere, located in front of the Gallery at 8 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.

Gallery Asheville offers a variety of artists including:

 
Sandee Johnson - An American artist and photographer, Sandee Shaffer Johnson has traveled as a photographer/journalist in over 80 countries. Her styles and techniques are varied but include acrylics, collage, watercolor, printmaking and pen & ink; she prefers mixed media work in both realistic / figurative pieces as well as abstract/loose forms. Sandee Johnson lives and works from her studio in Asheville on Crest Mountain.


Karen Dwyer - Karen’s unique designs are edgy, yet dainty, and when her modern sensibility and continuous evolution are combined with new inspirations and her own powerful vision, the resulting jewelry is unlike anything else.  Inspired by the natural beauty of Asheville, NC and intricacies of the gems themselves, Karen’s work is a genius blend of natural, semi-precious stones and subtly detailed, rich metals.




Mark Bettis - Originally from Chicago, Mark attended Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida where he studied graphic arts. Besides painting, Mark is Artistic Director for Green Festival, a national event in major metropolitan areas.  Mark resides in Asheville, NC and currently paints at his studio in the Wedge Building.

Cozy Asheville Cabin in the Hills Summer Special

Hot Summer Specials - Book THREE nights and get $50 off your total stay. Enter Coupon Code 3WEB50 when booking your reservation online. Or... Book FIVE nights and get your SIXTH night absolutely FREE ! Please call a Vacation Specialist to take advantage of this FREE night special, as the price is not reflected in our online reservation system. 

Asheville cabin in the hills - 1 bedroom, 1 bath, sleeps 2. Renovated with recycled and reclaimed materials. Fireplace, deck, grill. Cozy and loaded with vintage charm. From $113 night, $792-$967 week.  See cabin photos, details and current availability

Get complete visitor information on the Asheville NC Guide.

RiverLink Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities with RiverLink: 

• August 10, 2013 - 14th Annual RiverFest at the French Broad River Park. People are needed to help park cars, drive a a shuttle to and from the event, check IDs, pour beer,  help take rafts out of the river, hang out in the kids area, and pretty much anything else you can think that might happen at a festival. This event requires almost 100 volunteers, so get in touch if you can help!        Shifts are usually 11:00 am.- 2:00 p.m.  and 2:00- 5:00p.m.

Also needed are some safety kayaks to paddle around on the French Broad (from Hominy Creek to the RiverLink Scuplture Plaza) to make sure everyone participating in the  Anything That Floats Parade is safe while on the water. You should be comfortable in the water/paddling and own a kayak and PFD.  

•  August 17, 2013, 10:00-2:00p.m. - RecoverLink Cleanup along the Big Ivy.   RiverLink is partnering with Recover Brands for another river clean up. Meet at the RiverLink offices (170 Lyman Street) and carpool up there.           

• August 19, 2013- This isn't a volunteer opportunity but it will definitely be a good time. Oskar Blues Brewery is donating 10% of beer sales to RiverLink. There's a free shuttle leaving between 430-5:00 if there are at least 25 people. (The date for this event has changed from August 5th). Email  jess@riverlink.org  if you want to take the trolley. 
  
• August 23, 2013 - RiverMusic. We're welcoming Town Mountain (Bluegrass and Acoustic), 23 String Band (Old Time, Roots & Bluegrass), and CaroMia &The Flowers (Americana, Soul, Blues). As always we need people to park cars, sort trash, check IDs, and pour beer.  Shifts are 5:00-7:30 p.m.   and  7:30-9:30 p.m
• August 23, 2013 - RiverMusic. We're welcoming Town Mountain (Bluegrass and Acoustic), 23 String Band (Old Time, Roots & Bluegrass), and CaroMia &The Flowers (Americana, Soul, Blues). As always we need people to park cars, sort trash, check IDs, and pour beer. Shifts are 5:00-7:30 p.m.   and  7:30-9:30 p.m.

September 21, 2013- NC Big Sweep. I'll be sending out an email closer to the date, but just keep this date in mind. This is going to be our BIG watershed cleanup for the fall.  We'll have both walking and paddling teams.      
• September 28, 2013, 7:15-11:45- Asheville Citizen-Times Marathon. We need 10 volunteers to help us work at the Lyman Aid Station. If you want a t-shirt, I need your size by Septermber 1st. 

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

Biltmore Concert Series: Heart Performs this Week

July 25 - The Biltmore Concert Series begins with "Heart".  Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson first showed the world that women can rock when their band, Heart, stormed the charts in the ‘70’s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” and many more.

Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so. Nearly 35 years after their first big hit, Ann and Nancy Wilson were back in the Billboard Top 10 in 2010 with Heart’s “Red Velvet Car” album, and a Top 5 DVD “Night at Sky Church."

The 17th Annual Biltmore Concert Series in Asheville NC continues with performances by award-winning artists at Biltmore in beautiful Asheville, NC. Stunning views of Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains offer a perfect backdrop to see a show under the stars. The concerts continue through the end of August.

Get a link for the Biltmore Concert Series on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Need Biltmore Tickets? Get a $10 - $15 discount and FREE kids admission with our Value Rewards Program. CLICK HERE for details or purchase.

Vote for Asheville in 2013 Online Poll by Blue Ridge Outdoors.

Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine is looking for your input for which mountain towns are the best in a number of different categories. Asheville is among the choices in two categories: Best River Town and Best Beer Town.

Last year Asheville was awarded the top spot in the Best River Town category and is currently ahead by a small margin in this year's poll. Asheville is trailing in the Best Beer Category to Harrisonburg, VA.

VOTE HERE for Asheville for best river town and/or best beet town.

Bele Chere Festival this Weekend in Asheville

July 26-28    Bele Chere Festival   The largest free outdoor street festival in the Southeast. The three-day festival on the streets of Downtown Asheville features live, original music all day and night for 200,000 festival-goers. Bele Chere means "beautiful living" and comes from an ancient Scottish dialect. Bele Chere offers the unique opportunity to see, taste and hear some of the region's finest art, cuisine and music.

Off-road Assault on Mt Mitchell Today Begins and Ends in Old Fort

July 21   Off-road Assault on Mt Mitchell   The assault is a 55-mile, mostly off-road bicycle route with 11,000 feet of accumulated climbing.  From Old Fort the race course climbs over the Blue Ridge Parkway two times and just below Mt. Mitchell on beautiful Forest Service roads and unbelievable North Carolina single track. The route begins and ends in Old Fort climbing to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on to Mt. Mitchell.  Registration is NOT available today.


The 500 participant limit has already been filled with pre-race registrants, so those not racing should encourage the racers through one of the most challenging and rugged courses in the Southeast.

Swanannoa Gathering this Week - Old Time Week

July 21 - 27   Swanannoa Gathering - Old Time Week Explore the rich music, dance, and singing traditions of the southern Appalachian region through a wide variety of classes taught by an experienced and supportive staff. Evening activities include jam sessions, singing, square dances, clogging, concerts, and the popular Late-Night Honky-Tonk Dance.

For those students bringing their families, we also offer a program for kids, but space is limited. The Children's Program for ages 6-12 features kids' activities scheduled during all the daytime class sessions, and evening childcare for ages 3-12 is provided at no additional cost.

Asheville's Aloft Hotel Hosts John Lennon Art Installation and Sale

July 19 - 21 - A special art installation is coming to the Aloft hotel in downtown Asheville this weekend. Yoko Ono is providing limited-edition reproductions of John Lennon's most celebrated work.

Fans will have the chance to purchase these works with prices ranging from $300 to $3,000. Admission to the show is a suggested three dollars which will benefit Manna Food Bank.

Aloft Hotel is located at 51 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville NC.  The hotel offers  115 air-conditioned guestrooms including iPod docking stations, WIFI and safes.  42-inch LCD TVs are equipped with premium digital channels. All accommodations are furnished with desks, ergonomic chairs, speakerphones with voice mail,  in-room refrigerators and coffee/tea makers are provided.

The 3-star hotel includes an outdoor pool and fitness center, and features business amenities including a meeting/conference room and audiovisual equipment. Dining options at this business-friendly hotel include a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli. Additional amenities include tour/ticket assistance, gift shops/newsstands, and a grocery/convenience store. Current rates from $155 per night.

Shindig On the Green in Downtown Asheville

July 20   Shindig on the Green   Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years. Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

Downtown After 5 this Friday in Asheville offers Live Music

July 19   Downtown After 5   The Asheville Downtown Association brings together some of the best musicians in the area and throughout the Southeast. Sol Driven Train and Common Foundation perform this month.  July's event features a well-rounded line up of Asheville's "All-Stars" bringing a mix of both originals and covers with each vocalist leading one or two songs during the set.

Opener Pleasure Chest has quickly become a favorite Asheville band. Their raucous mix of blues and gritty soul with a dash of rockabilly makes for a not-to-be-missed live show.

Diana Wortham Theatre Intersections

July 23, 6:30 PM in the Forum at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square in downtaon Asheville NC  Intersections Book Discussion Group.  The discussion focuses on The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson - Winner of The Pulitzer Prize, and:

• NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST 
• LONGLISTED FOR THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL 
• WINNER OF THE CALIFORNIA BOOK AWARD FOR FICTION 
• NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER




“The single best work of fiction published in 2012 . . . The book’s cunning, flair and pathos are testaments to the still-formidable power of the written word.”—The Wall Street Journal



In this epic, critically acclaimed tour de force, Adam Johnson provides a riveting portrait of a world rife with hunger, corruption, and casual cruelty but also camaraderie, stolen moments of beauty, and love.

NOTE: This novel can be graphic and is not for the faint of heart.

Pre-registration is recommended by calling Rae Geoffrey at 828-210-9837 or by emailing rae@dwtheatre.com.

Asheville Lyric Opera Presents Carousel this Weekend

July 19 - 20   Asheville Lyric Opera  Presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved musical, Carousel at The Diana Wortham Theatre. In 1999, Time Magazine named Carousel the best musical of the 20th century.

What makes Carousel such a compelling work? The music is astonishingly beautiful, verging on operatic. Richard Rodgers’ orchestration propels the characters forward using many compositional techniques found in more modern cinema. The cast of characters is defined by individual musical themes, giving them not only a physical, and textual identity, but also an auditory relationship to one another.

The story is dark, uncomfortable, and generally difficult for the audience to accept. Rodgers & Hammerstein tackle spousal abuse, abandonment, and finally the idea of redemption. The characters are real and their struggles are universal. Pairing hauntingly beautiful music and a true to life story so real it verges on the absurd, Carousel brings difficult issues to the forefront, leaving viewers to form their own conclusions.

July 19 performance is at 8 PM with July 20 offering a matinee at 3 PM and evening performance at 8 PM. Adults tickets are $30-$53, Students $17-$35.

Swanannoa Gathering - Celtic Week egins this Weekend

July 14 - 20    Swanannoa Gathering - Celtic Week   This year’s lineup features present or former members of the supergroups Lúnasa, Danú, Ossian, Solas, Battlefield Band, The House Band, and Cherish the Ladies, several other exciting new faces, and the return of some old friends.

New this year are more song and flute classes, and sean-nós and set dancing. The week will feature classes, potluck sessions, concerts, jams, dances and a ‘Food Songs Night,’ with delicious fare provided by the Seasonal School of Culinary Arts.

The Swannanoa Gatherings are held on the campus of  Warren Wilson College located at 701 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa NC, between Asheville and Black Mountain.

Second Saturday in Asheville's River Arts District this Weekend

July 13   River Arts District Second Saturday    Asheville’s River Arts District Artists open their studios for a day of family friendly fun, educational experiences, live demonstrations and to share their creations. Visit dozens of artists working in all types of media, available for viewing or purchase.

The River Arts DIstrict includes more than 150 artists and crafters, studios, galleries, restaurants, a brewery and more situated along the beautiful French Broad River in Asheville NC.

Shindig on the Green in Asheville this Weekend

July 13   Shindig on the Green   Held outdoors at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown Asheville, this FREE event was voted the #1 Local Outdoor Concert in the Mountain Xpress "Best of WNC" survey for four years.

Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

Carolina Mountain Ribfest this Weekend

July 12 - 14    Carolina Mountain Ribfest   World Class professional barbecue rib vendors from across the country, plus live entertainment, amusement rides, arts and crafts and more. Enjoy mouth watering, award winning BBQ Ribs, Brisket, Pulled Pork and Chicken, with all the traditional side dishes. This year Ribest 2013 celebrate the seventh year at the Western North Carolina Fairgrounds. The festival features competing barbeque Chefs from all over the country. They will be serving mouth watering, award winning BBQ Ribs, Chicken, Brisket, and Pulled Pork with all the traditional side dishes. A variety of scrumptious desserts and specialty comfort foods will also be available.

The festival is packed with fun for the whole family including a full schedule of top name live entertainment daily featuring national, regional and local acts. There's more action with the Ribfest Karaoke Challenge, Piggy's Kids Fun Zone, The Ribfest Arts & Crafts , Commercial Exhibits and the Custom and Classic Car Show (Sun.11am-3pm).

There is a covered rain or shine Dining Area and More. Bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets and spend the entire day.

RiverMusic Concert Series this Friday in Asheville's River Arts District

July 12   RiverMusic Concert Series   G.E.D. Soul Records Showcase feat. DeRobert & The Half-Truths (Funk / R&B / Soul), AJ & The Jiggawatts(Electrifying Funk & Timeless Soul), To Be Determined feat. Brass band interludes by Empire Strikes Brass (BRASSFUNKROCK)

This is a Series of five Friday nights of live concerts by the French Broad River in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC. RiverLink has teamed up with Heira Productions to assemble a top-notch mix of quality national acts and local favorites.

Asheville FREE Concert in Pritchard Park

July 11     Homegrown in Pritchard Park - Jeff Santiago/Red Honey.  Free performances by local singer/songwriters each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville. Held from 6 PM - 8 PM and sponsored by 98.1 The River radio station.

Swanannoa Gathering - Traditional Songs begins the Annual Event in Asheville Today

July 7 - 13    Swanannoa Gathering - Traditional Songs    A comprehensive program completely devoted to traditional styles of singing. Unlike programs where singing takes a back seat to the instrumentalists, it is the entire focus of this week, which aims to help restore the power of songs within the larger traditional music scene. This year’s program has several new features.

The week’s first night will feature the Gathering’s own Grand Ole Opry, with folks who have performed regularly on the Nashville stage. “Too Slim” from Riders in the Sky will emcee the evening with his hilarious Opry humor and his upright bass.

Ooh La La Curiosity Market Today in Asheville

July 6   Ooh La La Curiosity Market;   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park featuring works by local painters, leather smiths, jewelry makers, potters ,up-cycled crafters, and other curious delights, all beneath the colored canopies of large market umbrellas. In addition to the artists, the market will also feature live local music with up three musical acts performing each Saturday and will include everything from a solo saxophonist to folk, blues, acoustic, and jazz acts.

What to do this weekendin AsheivlleL Stories on Asheville's Post

July 6   Stories on Asheville's Front Porch   Stories from the Heart: Travel and Travail.  The Tellers are Gwenda Ledbetter, Sherry Lovett, Nancy Reeder, and VixiJill Glenn. This event is FREE!

Rain or Shine and held in Pack Place Rhino Courtyard - enter under the Diana Wortham marquee on Biltmore Avenue. Event Sponsors: Creperie Bouchon, Clark Communications, Asheville Storytelling Circle ,Pack Place, JMonet, White Pine Acupuncture. 10:30 - 11:30 AM

4th of July Weekend Events: Stories on Asheville's Front Porvh

July 6    Stories on Asheville's Front Porch   Stories from the Heart: Travel and TravailThe Tellers are Gwenda Ledbetter, Sherry Lovett, Nancy Reeder, and VixiJill Glenn. This event is FREE! Rain or Shine and held in Pack Place Rhino Courtyard - enter under the Diana Wortham marquee on Biltmore Avenue.  10:30 - 11:30 AM
 
Event Sponsors: Creperie Bouchon, Clark Communications, Asheville Storytelling Circle ,Pack Place, JMonet, White Pine Acupuncture.

Find more Asheville NC events on the Asheville Visitor Guide.

4th of July Weekend Events: Downtown Gallery Art Walk

July 5    Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and crafts of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on of the reasons Asheville has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running.

25 downtown venues participate with a complete Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

Asheville 4th of July Events: Fireworks in Pack Square

July 4    Ingles 4th of July Celebration in Pack Square   Enjoy live music from some of Asheville's most popular bands along with a variety of family activities. The event begins at 4 PM and concludes with an amazing fireworks display at 9:30 PM.

4th of July Events: FREE Concert in Pritchard Park

July 4   Homegrown in Pritchard Park - downtown Asheville. This concert features Juan Holiday. Free performances by local singer/songwriters each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Pritchard Park  from 6 PM - 8 PM and sponsored by 98.1 The River radio station.