The Asheville Downtown Association Creates New Media Showcase

The Asheville Downtown Association presents Downtown Digital: A New Media Arts Showcase. Downtown Digital will feature works by digital media artists in a one-night showcase at The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design’s covered parking lot at 67 Broadway on Thursday, April 16 from 7-10 PM.

Student, emerging and professional artists have submitted work including single channel projections, short films and abstract animations for this one-night event. The Asheville Downtown Association worked with the Asheville Area Arts Council, UNCA and The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design to create a concept to display digital media, which may be replicated for future events in Downtown Asheville NC. Downtown Digital is also supported by the Buncombe County Community Recreation Grant Program.

Annual State of Downtown Asheville Luncheon

January 15 from 12-1:30 PM in the Banquet Hall of the U.S. Cellular Center - Annual State of Downtown Luncheon. The State of Downtown Luncheon is an opportunity for Asheville Downtown Association members, elected officials, and key stakeholders to gather for focused discussion on the state of downtown. Hear about the Asheville Downtown Association's program of work, recent achievements and priorities going into 2015. 

The event will also honor the 2014 Downtown Heroes.

Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit Festival this Weekend in Asheville

October 25-27   Mountain Oasis Electronic Music Summit   A 3-day music festival staged in the heart of downtown Asheville NC, celebrating the creative spirit of musical exploration, along with the innovative spark that fuels all of the arts. Woven around the twin threads of contemporary electronic music and the creative use of technology – old meets new – the festival features world-class musical performances by many of the finest artists in contemporary music.

There will also be talks, seminars, and panels by artists and others; interactive experiences for audiences; art installations and exhibitions and more. Held at the Asheville Civic Center (Cellular Center).

Get links for Asheville rentals, attraction and visitor information on the Asheville NC Guide. 

The Fall Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

October 17 - 20, 2013; Thurs - Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM; Sun: 10 AM - 5PM
U.S. Cellular Center, (the Civic Center) inDowntown Asheville
Admission: $8; children under 12 free

Setting the standard for fine craft shows since 1948, the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands takes the stage at the U.S. Cellular Center October 17 - 20.

Over 200 mountain artists who have been juried into the Southern Highland Craft Guild will fill the center selling their works of clay, glass, leather, metal, fiber, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood, and jewelry. Styles range from contemporary to traditional.

The Fair also features craft demonstrations and, beginning on Friday, local musicians share their love of old time and bluegrass music on the arena stage.

Visit the website to view the list of juried artists by media, craft demonstrations, and the entertainment schedule.

Get a link for the Craft Fair and other local Fall events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Asheville Introduces Horse-drawn Carriage Rides

New to the ever evolving and interesting Asheville scene is Silver Lining, a 2,000 pound Percheron Horse who is taking people on a fun and romantic tour of downtown Asheville. This newest addition to Asheville  city streets is a throw back to the early 20th century, when Asheville's elite would parade through what is now Pack Square Park on their horses.

These special tours are available Thursday  through Sunday: Thursday and Friday from 6 {M. through midnight, Saturday from 4 PM. through midnight and Sunday from 2 PM. through 7 PM. Rates are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12.

To book a tour call 828-280-5682.

Find additional downtown Asheville attractions, tours and information on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

Paula Pounstone Performs at Diana Wortham Theatre

November 16, 8 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC - Paula Poundstone, one of today wittiest and most entertaining comedians, can be see for one night only in Asheville's Diana Wortham Theatre.

Appearing on stage with a stool, a microphone, and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula Poundstone is famous for her razor-sharp wit and spontaneity. The Boston Globe said, "Poundstone improvises with a crowd like a Jazz musician...swinging in unexpected directions without a plan, without a net." Paula is so quick and unassuming that audience members at her live shows often leave complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter and debating whether the random people she talked to were "plants".

Poundstone is a regular panelist on NPR's popular "Wait, Wait Don't Tel Me" aired on Saturday mornings in all 50 states.

Asheville Holiday Event: 66th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade

November 17   66th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade   The parade begins at 11 AM with bands, dancing, characters, and of course, our Olympic Silver Medalist Grand Marshals, Lauren Tamayo and Manteo Mitchell. Look for the patriotic float sponsored by Deerfield Retirement Community.

Santa Claus himself will close the parade atop his float sponsored by Express Employment Professionals.

Asheville Art in the Park this Weekend

October 13    Art in the Park   Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park.

The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Asheville Oktoberfest this Weekend

October 13  Asheville Oktoberfest   Downtown Asheville's Wall Street will transform into "Little Germany" for the Asheville Downtown Association's 4th Annual Oktoberfest. Internationally-renowned "oompah" band, The Stratton Mountain Boys, returns to the stage with happy yodeling songs, shoe-slapping dances and lively spirited Polka music sure to incite dancing in the street and rousing cheers of "ein Prosit!"

The event will feature beer tastings from local breweries including Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Craggie Brewing and French Broad Brewing Company. Many brewers are featuring seasonal ales for Oktoberfest, and will be on hand to discuss their beers.  Oktoberfest Games are back as well with some old favorites like the Stein Races and Keg-rolling contests as well as some new ones.

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

Asheville Art Walk this Weekend

October  5   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.

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.

Shindig on the Green this Saturday

July 21  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.
The shows take place on the Bascom Lamar Lunsford stage, named for the founder of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the nation's longest running folk festival.  Bring your instruments, your lawn chair or blanket, family and friends and join the fun eight summer Saturdays.

Get more Asheville events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide

Shindig on the Green Kicks off with a 5K Fundraiser

June 30   5K Run for Shindig on the Green   A special fundraising benefit for Shindig on the Green, the race kicks off the first Shindig evening of 2012. Hosted by the Folk Heritage Committee, the Run will help fund the celebrated heritage event, now in its 46th year.

The two overall race winners will be recognized at this year's first Shindig. The overall male and female winners of the 5K will each receive a beautiful mug with the Folk Heritage Committee logo crafted by Mangum Pottery in Weaverville, N.C.

There will be additional awards for the winners of the Fun Walk/Run and age divisions of the 5K race. Parking is limited to 280 spaces at the Park and carpooling is recommended.  There will be no food vendors but post-race snacks and water will be available. Online registration for this race closed June 9, 2012. T-Shirts will be available only for pre-registered 5K participants.

Art in the Park this Weekend in Asheville

June 16   Art in the Park Artisans working in Glass, Ceramics, Wood, Jewelry, and metal show and sell in a public market setting in the center of Asheville in Pack Square Park. The event takes place on three consecutive Saturdays each June and October. Nationally known artists exhibit at this event and the best part is- they are local. 10% of the proceeds from the event will be donated to a local art non-profit organization.

Get a link for Asheville's Art in the Park and other Asheville events and attractions on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.