Final Week of The Swanannoa Gathering

July 31 - August 6, 2016   Swanannoa Gathering - Mando and Banjo Week and Fiddle Week  One of the finest programs of its kind anywhere, staffed by some of the world’s best players and instructors.  

Mando & Banjo Week features classes in two of the instruments that are at the core of several of the most popular folk genres, including bluegrass, old-time, Irish and Scottish, as well as some of the more adventurous blendings of traditional and jazz flavors known as ‘new acoustic’ music.

photo courtesy of Swanannoa Gathering

Mando & Banjo Week has been paired with our Fiddle Week, offering classes in similar styles, to encourage students from both programs to jam with each other, and with guitar classes in both programs to provide rhythm players, the possibilities for impromptu bands and jam sessions are rich, indeed.

There will be concerts throughout the week featuring our world-class staff, and the optional Student Showcase at week’s end will be an opportunity for students to show what they have learned.

 

LEAF Downtown Returns to Asheville NC this Weekend

July 30 - 31, 2016     Annual LEAF Downtown AVL   Celebrate community, creativity, diversity, and family in the heart of downtown Asheville NC in Pack Square Park. 

Enjoy two days filled with music, art, workshops, great food and drinks and a variety of family activities all with an emphasis on local talent. 

Event hours are 8/1, Noon - 10 PM and 8/2 10 AM - 6 PM. The 5K LEAF Art Dash begins at 9 AM and travels through downtown and surrounding areas while roaming artists perform on the sidelines. 

photo courtesy of LEAF

LEAF Downtown AVL celebrates music, art and culture presenting a powerful “Soultown” theme bringing the very best soul, funk, R&B and world music talent to one and ALL – for FREE! Get ready for a fully immersive experience, welcoming families and all walks of life to gather as one community in rhis beautiful mountain city. LEAF Downtown AVL will feature a wealth of community partner programming including the return of the Voices of Asheville tent, dozens of family activities, three stages featuring local, regional and national talent, 80+ local culinary and craft arts vendors curated in part by Asheville Grown, roaming performers galore, a one-of-a-kind VIP experience and the second annual LEAF Art Dash 5K.

 

Ooh La La Curiosity Market this Saturday in Asheville NC

July 16, 2016  - 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.

Get more Asheville NC weekend events on our Asheville Visitor Guide.

 

Asheville Concerts: Downtown After Five this Friday Night

July 15, 2016   Downtown After Five   Free live music entertainment in downtown Asheville.  The celebration is every third Friday, May through September, with the goal of encouraging locals and visitors to enjoy downtown Asheville and support local businesses and entertainers.  

Opener: Sweet Claudette
These vintage country Asheville ladies will captivate audiences with their 4, 5, and 6-part harmonies. Those harmonies combined with brilliant songwriting and outstanding musicianship set Sweet Claudette apart from the crowd

Headliner: Anderson East
Classic soul mixed with youthful enthusiasm, Anderson’s authentic southern R&B charms audiences across the country. Anderson tours this spring with Grammy winner, Chris Stapleton.

Plenty of local, regional and national beers, as well as wine, water and soda, will be available for purchase. Also, local food vendors will have everything from BBQ to ice cream, boiled peanuts to tacos.

To purchase alcohol, attendees must first purchase a $2 wristband. Proceeds from wristband sales go to an area nonprofit. July's partner is Homeward Bound, a nonprofit that works to end homelessness in Western North Carolina by moving people into housing of their own and providing the support they need to stay housed for good.

The event is located on North Lexington Avenue (between Hiawassee and the I-240 overpass).

Learn more about Asheville NC on our Visitors Guide 

Asheville 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration

July 4, 2016    Ingles 4th of July Celebration in Pack Square  Enjoy live music from some of Asheville NC's most popular bands along with a variety of family activities. The event begins at 2 PM with the Ultimate Air Dogs and live music at 4 PM and concludes with an amazing fireworks display from 9:30 PM to 10 PM. 

photo courtesy of www.asheville.com