Labor Day Weekend Events: Canton Labor Day Festival

September 5 - 6, 2015   Canton Labor Day Festival  (just west of Asheville)  Now in its 109th year this Festival is the oldest in the South.  A celebration of all things made in the mountains the Festival offers a handcrafted expo where you can meet artisans and buy a piece of their passions. 

Visit the Stroll the tailgate Farmers' Tailgate Market at Sorrells Street Park, while enjoying the live bluegrass melodies of the WNC Bluegrass Jamboree. Meet the heroic farmers and food producers of WNC that put the "A" in Appalachian grown. There will be tastings and planting demonstrations throughout the day. 

Soak in an afternoon reminiscent of Labor Days past, complete with 5 bluegrass bands, clogging performances, and dance performances at Turner Stage.  

Find more Labor Day Weekend events on the NC Event Calendar.

 

Ooh La La Curiosity Market in Asheville's Pritchard Park

August 29, 2015    Ooh La La Curiosity Market   Come enjoy this popular outdoor market in Asheville's 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. 

And don't forget - Ooh La La Curiosity Market is also a fundraiser for the East Asheville Animal Shelter, a no-kill facility.

 

 

Shindig on the Green this Saturday at Pack Square

August 29, 2015   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. Performances include Long-standing house band The Stoney Creek Boys Bluegrass and Old-Time String Bands, Big Circle Mountain Dancers, Clog Dancers, Smooth Dancers, Ballad Singers and Storytellers. If you love old time Mountain music and Bluegrass this is the place to be.

Busker Showcase Performs at Homegrown in Pritchard Park

August 27, 2015   Homegrown in Pritchard Park  This performance features Busker Showcase.  Free performances by local singer/songwriters each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville NC. Held from 6 PM - 8 PM and sponsored by 98.1 The River radio station.

This Week's Biltmore Concert Series Features The Four Tops and The Temptations

August 28, 2015    The Biltmore Concert Series:  The Four Tops and The Temptations    Enjoy performances by award-winning artists at Biltmore with stunning views of Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a perfect place to see a show under the stars.

The Biltmore Concert Series is held on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC.

photo courtesy of Biltmore

Adventure Center of Asheville Offers Labor Day Special

Save 50% This Labor Day 

Bring The Family For An End-Of-Summer Adventure and Save Big

School is in session and there are only a couple more weeks of summer. As your schedule starts to fill up there are only a couple days where you’ll have time to get out there and enjoy it. Why not surprise your family and come enjoy all that the Adventure Center of Ashevile has to offer this Labor Day (MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th).

 Take flight on a zipline canopy tour just minutes from downtown Asheville, yet surprisingly set amongst 150+ year old majestic white and red oaks. Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures offers the best of many worlds. It is convenient and exciting, it is urban with views of downtown Asheville, and it is set on a 124 acre resort and designated tree preserve perched in and amongst some of the oldest and largest oak trees in Asheville.

Or explore the Asheville Treetops Adventure Park. This is a new Asheville Attraction comprised of 60 unique climbing, flying, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges anchored to over 30 towering trees and poles tucked into a wooded park just minutes from downtown Asheville. Asheville Treetops Adventure Park has five different adventure trails that allow Park Guests the choice to challenge only the obstacles they feel comfortable with.

While you explore the park you will move at your own pace and tackle challenges as an individual, instead of in a group. Think of it as ski slopes in the trees and a true "Jungle Gym" for all ages, strengths, and adventure levels. Whatever adventure suits your family, this labor day is your opportunity for amazing savings on an unforgettable family adventure. 

Get links for more Asheville Attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide. 

Goldie and the Screamers Perform this week at Homegrown in Pritchard Park

August 20, 2015    Homegrown in Pritchard Park  This performance features Goldie and the Screamers.  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.

Downtown After Five this Weekend

August 21, 2015   Downtown After Five   Free live music entertainment in downtown Asheville NC.  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.  

The event is located on North Lexington Avenue (between Hiawassee and the I-240 overpass). Food and beer vendors will be available.

DID YOU KNOW???  This is a GREEN event - Downtown After Five features a solar-powered stage, complimentary bike corral, compostable food and beverage containers, and staffed recycling and compost bins. The number of bags of non-recyclable trash has been reduced to just a few. What can you do at YOUR event???

The Popular Asheville Wine and Food Festival 2015 This Weekend

August 20 - 22, 2015    Asheville Wine and Food Festival for 2015  Held at the US Cellular Civic Center in downtown Asheville, the festival begins with "Elixir", a craft cocktail experience and mixology competition. 

"Sweet" is a decadent evening of desserts, champagne, wine, spirits and shopping. 

The Grand Tasting offers a delicious celebration and sampling of a wide variety of Asheville's food and beverages. The finals of the WNC Chef's Challenge is the conclusion of this popular competition. 

At this festival you will see why Asheville NC 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.

Asheville's Ooh La La Curiosity Market Open Again this Weekend

August 15, 2015   Ooh La La Curiosity Market   An outdoor market in Pritchard Park, downtown Asheville NC,  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.

Laugh Your Asheville Off this Weekend

August 12-16, 2014   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.

August 12, 8 PM  - FAMOUS SHOWCASE #1 WITH BILLY WAYNE DAVIS at Highland Brewing Company.  Cost: $20.00.  The 9th Annual Laugh Your Asheville Off Comedy Festival kicks off at Highland Brewing Co. with national headliner Billy Wayne Davis.  LINEUP - Tim Messenger, Ed Hill, Dina Hashem, Joe Giarratano, Greg Stevens, Tamer Kattan, Alyssa Cowan, Eric DaSilva, Alvin Irby, Billy Wayne Davis. 

August 13,  8 PM -  FAMOUS SHOWCASE #2 at Diana Wortham Theater.  Cost: $20.00.   Laugh Your Asheville Off presents the Famous Comic Showcase #2 which features 12 comics. LINEUP - Ryan Schutt,  Nick Aragon,  Mark Chalifoux,  Lace Larrabee Michael Magid,  Tom Peters,  Jason Dudey,  Jourdain Fisher Matt Fernandez,  Laura Crawford,  Pete Bladel,  Kenny DeForest.

August 14,  8 PM - FAMOUS SHOWCASE #3 at Diana Wortham Theater.  Cost: $20.00.  Laugh Your Asheville Off presents the Famous Comic Showcase #3 which features 12 comics. LINEUP Greg Wilson,  Lenny Schmidt,  Samantha Ruddy,  Spencer Dobson Chris Milner,  Liz Russo,  Jason Webb,  Sagar Bhatt Dan Weeks,  Ben Rosenfeld,  Drew Morgan,  Brett James.

August 15,  7:00 PM - FAMOUS SHOWCASE #4 at Diana Wortham Theater.  Cost: $20.00.  Laugh Your Asheville Off presents the Famous Comic Showcase #4 which features 9 comics. LINEUP - Art Sturtevant,  Dash Kwiatkowski,  James P. Connolly Craig Todaro,  Josh Johnson,  Jeff Young Emma Arnold,  John Saponaro,  Gordon Baker-Bone.

August 15,   9:30 PM  - FAMOUS SHOWCASE #5 at Diana Wortham Theater.  Cost: $20.00.  Laugh Your Asheville Off presents the Famous Comic Showcase #5 which features 9 comics and headliner Chris Roach. LINEUP -  Zach Peterson,  Bryan McKenna,  Thai Rivera Jay Mandya, | Ali Clayton,  Mo Alexander Marty Archibald,  Kendra Cunningham,  Chris Roach.

Asheville Concerts: Shindig on the Green this Saturday Night

August 15, 2015  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. 

Performances include Long-standing house band The Stoney Creek Boys Bluegrass and Old-Time String Bands, Big Circle Mountain Dancers, Clog Dancers, Smooth Dancers, Ballad Singers and Storytellers. If you love old time Mountain music and Bluegrass this is the place to be!

Natalie Cole and Peabo Bryson Perform at Biltmore Concert Series

August 7, 2015   The Biltmore Concert Series:  Natalie Cole and Peabo Bryson    Enjoy performances by award-winning artists at Biltmore with stunning views of Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a perfect place to see a show under the stars.

Asheville Downtown Association Calls for Volunteers

Volunteer for Race to the Taps: South Slope 

The Asheville Downtown Association needs at least 2 more course marshals and 5 more volunteers for the water stops.

The Asheville Downtown Association is partnering with Asheville Radio Group on the South Slope series of Race to the Taps on August 8, 2015. They are looking for volunteers to help out with the event.  Association members an earn points toward the perks for the end of year volunteer party.

Make note that the volunteer meeting is mandatory for course marshals and water stop volunteers on August 5 at 5:30 PM at Twin Leaf Brewery.

 Details about the different volunteer jobs: On-site registration and Packet Pick up helps participants pick up their bibs and shirts. Food Crew consists of slicing banannas and bagels as well as handing out water to the runners. Course Marshals direct runners to the correct path of the course and stop traffic as runners pass. Water Stop Volunteers hand out water to participants and manage the water stop set up and clean up.

SIGN UP HERE

Last Swanannoa Gathering of the season this Week

August 2 - 8, 2015   Swanannoa Gathering - Mando & Banjo Week and Fiddle Week   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 variously as ‘newgrass’ or ‘new acoustic’ music. 

Mando & Banjo Week has been paired with 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.  

Molly Rose Performs at Asheville's Homegrown in Pritchard Park

August 6, 2015    Homegrown in Pritchard Park  This performance features Molly Rose and Abby the Spoon Lady.  Free performances by local singer/songwriters each Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville NC. Held from 6 PM - 8 PM. 

HomeGrown in Pritchard is presented by 98.1 the River and Musician’s Workshop and is part of the Pritchard Park Cultural Arts Program from the Asheville Downtown Association.