Asheville Amadeus Continues through the Weekend

March 10 - 19, 2017 - Asheville Amadeus Festival 2017.    This annual celebration hosted by The Asheville Symphony Orchestra is performed at a variety of Asheville venues over ten days. Featured events include:

March 15 - 16, 8 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre:    The Other Mozart. You’ve heard of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but what about Nannerl Mozart? This is your chance to hear the true and untold story of Maria Anna Mozart, nicknamed Nannerl, the sister of Amadeus. She was a prodigy, keyboard virtuoso, and composer in her own right. Sylvia Milo, the production’s creator and performer, brings Nannerl to life in a fascinating and irresistably intelligent performance featuring a stunning 18-foot gown.

March 15 - April 2 at NC Stage Company: Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins. Florence Foster Jenkins, an eccentric socialite, lives under the delusion that she is an enchanting coloratura soprano when she is actually incapable of holding pitch. After teaming up with a pianist, she begins to hold recitals that spark a unlikely following of cultish fans around New York in the 1930s and 40s. Based on a true story, this beautiful comedy pierces the heart of the hopeful artist that lives in all of us.


March 2 and March 16 at Santé Wine Bar and Tap Room:  Austrian Wine Flight Night. Santé Wine Bar & Tap Room will host consultant Chris Curtis of The Country Vintner to showcase his Austrian wines in its March Flight Night, with a theme of “Mozart Soard in Wine and Song.” Enjoy wine tasting from different regions of Austria, homeland of the great composer. Bring your friends for a fun evening of wine and conversation.


March 17, 8 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre:   Jerusalem Quartet. Founded more than two decades ago, the award-winning Jerusalem Quartet is sure to delight with a program of works by three composers, including Mozart, who were instrumental in the development of the string quartet. BBC Magazine has said of the Jerusalem Quartet, “their playing has everything you could possibly wish for.”

March 17, 7:30 PM at  Central United Methodist Church:  Mozart March Madness. This concert is a dual celebration of the Asheville Choral Society’s 40th season and the Asheville Amadeus festival. With more than 100 voices, the chorus presents Vivaldi’s exuberant Lauda Jerusalem, selections from Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, exciting gospel and American folk favorites, and a newly commissioned work from composer Matt Wetmore. Come share with the powerful voices of the Asheville Choral Society as we celebrate 40 years of incredible music!


March 18, 2 PM at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium:  Midori and the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Verdi Overture to Nabucco;  Bach Concerto for Two Violins, BWV1043* (*Will feature ASYO musicians playing alongside Midori as soloists);  Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition Bruch;  Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 26.   The concert will also include the music of Mozart and many other surprises, and don’t miss the MILK and COOKIES reception following the concert.

March 19, 3 PM at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium: Asheville Amadeus Finale Concert. Daniel Meyer, conductor Midori, violin Asheville Symphony Chamber Chorus.  Stravinsky Concerto in E-flat;   “Dumbarton Oaks” Mozart Symphony No. 35, K. 385;   “Haffner” Fauré Pavane Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Op. 64

 Get details for additional concerts and events Here

Asheville WIne and Food Festival This Weekend

August 19 - 20, 2016    Asheville Wine and Food Festival   The festival begins with "Sweet" on the 19th, a decadent evening of desserts, sparkling wines, and beer at The Historic Grove Arcade. 

The Grand Tasting  is held at the US Cellular Center. Experience a remarkable variety of local and international wineries, local Beer City and area breweries, restaurateurs and chefs, farmers, and artisan food producers. Meet farmers, chefs, cookbook authors, and artisan beverage makers, as well as regional crafters. 

Culinary events will take place throughout the day including Blind Wine & Beer Tasting and Winery Competitions. 

At this festival you will see why Asheville is rated among the best food and wine experiences in the country. The Asheville Wine and Food Festival helps fund the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

May 27 - 29, 2016        Annual Mountain Sports Festival   Experience Springtime in Asheville NC at the 2016 Mountain Sports Festival.

photo courtesy www.explioreasheville.com

Bring your family and friends to Carrier Park and other venues for the outdoor music and sports event of the year. This year promises to build on previous years and bring a wide variety of events in the mountains, throughout town, and on the river with an array of musical talent performing on the Main Stage each day.


The Pisgah Brewing Company craft beer and local food vendors will be available.

NEW Asheville Arts Festival this Weekend

August 1 - 2, 2015     First Annual LEAF Downtown AVL   Celebrate community, creativity, diversity, and family in the heart of downtown Asheville 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. 

LEAF Community Arts (LEAF), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization is comprised of LEAF Festival, LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International. In 2013,  the name Lake Eden Arts Festival was archived, honoring the history and recognizing LEAF arts education programs extend beyond the LEAF Festival.

LEAF connects cultures and creates community through music and arts. Since 2004, LEAF has served more than 42,000 youth in the Asheville Area and 10 international countries. In 2015, LEAF launched two inaugural programs – LEAF Downtown AVL and LEAF Local Events in order to further expand its mission to connect cultures and create community in the greater Asheville area.

Find more Asheville weekend events and festivals on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Asheville Amadeus Festival 2015 Begins Tomorrow

March 17 - 22, 2015   Asheville Amadeus Festival 2015  Enjoy a week-long festival celebrating and exploring the life and works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Asheville Symphony Orchestra will be joined by world renowned pianist Emanuel Ax, the Brentano Quartet with Hsin-Yun Huang, the Asheville Lyric Opera and more extraordinary musicians and performers for this remarkable week of Mozart. 

Concerts and events include: Opening night with the Brentano Quartet; Deconstructing Mozart combining a plated lunch inspired by Mozart’s home country of Austria and prepared by Isa’s executive chef with Mozart’s iconic Serenade No. 13 and exploration of Asheville Symphony Executive Director David Whitehill collection of music letters; Mozart’s The Impresario performed by the Asheville Lyric Opera (debut); Pianoforte: Homages to Mozart; Emanuel Ax in Recital; Mozart Family Concert featuring the Blue Ridge Orchestra; "Amadeus" performed by NC Stage and Asheville Community Theatre;Asheville Amadeus Finale Concert with the Asheville Symphony.

Festival events are performed at a variety of venues and times. Check the website for details. 

Asheville Fringe Arts Festival this Weekend

January 11 - 25, 2014 - Asheville's Fringe Art Festival  serves patrons of art from Asheville and beyond by facilitating the creation and production of avant garde work that may otherwise not find a venue. In past years the artistic mix has included actors, dancers, singers, videographers, painters and musicians, presenting a varied range of interesting work including cross-genre improvisation, Butoh dance, sketch theatre, modern dance, and multi-media performance art. 

The Fringe 2015 schedule is packed with new voices and new work by local and imported artists. All the artists have been confirmed and the Fringe organizers, through the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre, are proud to share some of the highlights for the upcoming 2015 incarnation of the Fringe.

With so many shows to choose from, it is essential to plan ahead. Most shows will be performed at least twice during the four days of the festival. The full schedule of shows is on the website and in the program guide. Tickets are available online.

7th Annual Laugh Your Asheville OFF

August 13-17    7th Annual Laugh Your Asheville OFF   One of the largest and most respected stand-up comedy events in the country. The event attracts top comedy producers and representatives that will be in attendance to scout the hottest new comedic talent.

Get a schedule of the comedy line-up HERE.

Anything That Floats Parade at RiverFest

August 10   Anything That Floats Parade   Teams of adults and/or youths build anything that floats without a motor with creativity, innovation and zaniness are encouraged. Rafts can represent a business, organization, group, or any personal theme. The parade begins at Hominy Creek Park and finishes at Jean Webb Park. The home-made crafts will be competing for the titles of Most Creative, Green Machine, Ugliest, Funniest, and Most Unique Design.

Father's Day Event: Asheville's Father's Fest 2

June 15, 12 PM - 6 PM   Asheville Father's Day Festival is an interactive experience honoring the relationship between Dad and the Kids. The  event's activities include two stages of live music and performances, food demonstrations, games, "man" cave, make up area, balloon artist, massage area, trike demonstrations, speed stack tournament, and more.

The Festival will be held at Highlands Brewery, 12 Old Charlotte Highway in Asheville NC.  Early Bird Tickets are $12.50 per family of 4 and the day of the festival Tickets are $18 per family at the door.

Asheville Holiday Event: Dickens Festival in Biltmore Village

November 30 - December 2    Biltmore Village Dickens Festival   Historic Biltmore Village transforms itself into a quaint Victorian village with entertainment for every age and interest. The main stage will be filled continuously with musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers and the Montford Park Players.

This year the Festival will feature more than 300 performers who, after their stage segments, will rove throughout the Village entertaining on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. Friday and Saturday evenings will feature main stage concerts for the entire family. As dusk turns into evening, more than 250,000 white lights outlining the historic Village buildings will combine with the streetlights to enhance the ambiance. Shops stay open evenings until 7 PM with many of the shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-era garb.

In addition, there will be horse-drawn rides through the tree-lined Village streets all day Saturday and Sunday. Chestnuts roasted on an open fire by chestnut roaster Sakshi Gentenbein will be available next to the main stage.

Find Asheville lodging, attractions and more holiday events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Goombay Festival in Asheville

July 24-26    31st Annual Goombay Festival A three day African-Caribbean festival, located in downtown Asheville, that lives up to its West African name, meaning rhythm or drum, with rhythmic sounds and colorful sights. The Goombay dancers wear colorful costumes and high headdresses topped with feathers. Located on Eagle Street in downtown Asheville.

Get a link for more information about the Goombay Festival  on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

WNC Chefs Challenge Finals this Week

August 23   WNC Chef Challenge Finals   The grand finale will kick off the WNC Magazine Asheville Wine & Food Festival. Chefs battle for the championship and dinner guests will receive six courses (3 from each team) and will participate in scoring the dishes to determine the winner of the Chef Challenge Semifinals. Special wines are selected based on the "Secret" ingredient and are available for purchase along with beers and cocktails. Tickets for the Grand Finale are $99 and include the six plated culinary creations from the chefs and two complimentary drinks (wine or beer.)

First Annual Asheville Percussion Festival

June 8 - 10   Asheville Percussion Festival The first annual Asheville Percussion Festival will take place at the Creative Technology and Arts Center, the Odyssey School, 90 Zillicoa in Asheville, NC. The mission is to provide a creative environment where percussionists of all traditions gather to explore, create and innovate. The festival will be hosted by Asheville's ambassador to rhythm River Guerguerian.

Workshop topics for all levels include performing, improvising, and composing taught by world-renowned teachers such as Jamey Haddad (Paul Simon's percussionist), David Cossin (who tours with STING) and other local and regional teachers. Following the workshops will be concerts for the community on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm.

Get a link for the Asheville Percussion Festival and other Asheville events and festivals on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide

The First Annual Green Swan Fest Today at Warren Wilson College

June 2, 11 AM - 9 PM at Warren Wilson College, 701 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa, NC. The Green Swan Fest is  a full day of music with local and national performers on the main stage. There's something for the entire family with both children's events and environmental activities, plus raffles for great door prizes, local food trucks and micro-brews.

The event celebrates and encourages the work of Asheville GreenWorks, a local environmental non-profit, working diligently for 38 years to "clean & green" Buncombe County.

Asheville Beer Week

May 24 - June 3:  The first ever Asheville Beer Week includes ten days of celebrating beer and Beer City, USA, and will culminate at Asheville's third Beer City Festival on June 2. The Week will offer many different styles of beer and variations on those styles; beer pairings with a smorgasbord of delicious foods; an opportunity to learn about and explore beer in all its delectable complexity; and, most of all, a week of  fun drinking beer in the brewery-centric mountains of Asheville, NC.
The Beer Week events will include seminars, tastings, dinners, and special activities with "beer celebrities" from around the country and the world. More than 40 breweries are slated to appear at Beer City Festival already. Organized by a beer-loving bunch of regional beer industry folks, Asheville Beer Week will offer a variety of events and include as many bars, restaurants and breweries as possible.

Get a link for Asheville Beer Week and other local events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.