Community Calendar

Change of Venue! This event has moved to The Grey Eagle

What: A benefit for Jon Stickley’s son Callum, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called STXBP1. Proceeds from the benefit will go to getting Callum the therapy he needs to learn to walk, communicate, and be independent.

Musicians playing: Sam Grisman, Jon Stickley, Lyndsay Pruett, Matt Smith, Taylor Martin, Josh Phillips and many more.

When: Sunday, March 30th. Doors at 12 pm; Music 1-4 pm

Where: The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., Asheville, NC

A super kid-friendly, outdoor event. Online silent auction with contributions from Billy Strings, Greensky Bluegrass, and many more.

Get ready for the unique experience of big band “in the round” with creative bandleader, composer, arranger, and international performing/recording artist Tish Oney. Bringing classic and contemporary jazz compositions together for one exciting night of music, this all-star band is sure to thrill and dazzle. Great American Songbook, Broadway, and film classics by Gershwin, Mancini, and Rodgers (via Grammy-winning arrangers) are presented alongside modern music by living composers in a spirit of authentic improvisation and virtuosity. Honored as the “Jazz Artist/Group of the Year” by the South Carolina Music Awards, Dr. Oney and her ensemble invite you to an unforgettable evening of artistic beauty.

Join us on Monday, March 31, for a special evening with Squanderers, hot off the band's Big Ears debut. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $15 advance / $20 at the door.

Squanderers first sprung into action as the duo of composer, musician, filmmaker, and multi-instrumentalist Kramer, and composer, guitarist, pianist, and vocalist David Grubbs with the single “Congress of Poodles” b/w “Lendrick Muir Bible Study Weekend,” part of Kramer’s 2023 Shimmy-Disc box set Rings of Saturn. Squanderers now enter the arena of live performance with the addition of bona-fide guitar slayer Wendy Eisenberg, a dream of a foil to Grubbs’ grubbslike guitarisms, setting the scene for Kramer to follow his musical divining rod. Divining urges not dirges.

Join MountainTrue and a panel of experts to discuss recovery in our area after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Panelists will address the impacts of natural disasters, what recovery means for our region and how the community can support these efforts.

This event is free of charge, but if you feel moved to make a donation to support critical work in our area, we invite you to do so when you register. The North Carolina Arboretum is generously donating use of the Education Auditorium for this event. All donations associated with the registration of this event will be split 50/50 with the NC Arboretum. Click here to learn more about the NC Arboretum.

The event will kick-off with social time from 5:30 to 6 pm with snacks and beverages provided for attendees. The panel will run from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Tickets for this event are capped at 160, so you must pre-register to attend. Participants may submit questions to be vetted for the panel through the registration form. Due to time constraints, not all questions will be included.

Nancy Pheasant – Cherokee Storyteller - Thursday, April 3rd 7:00
Weaverville Community Center – 60 Lakeshore Dr.
An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she resides in the Wolftown community of the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, NC. Nancy is an incredibly talented and multifaceted indigenous artist and storyteller. Join her for an evening of traditional legends, creation and nature tales. Sponsored by the Wilma Dykeman Legacy as part of their Mountain Strong series. This program is FREE and open to all ages.

FIRST FRIDAYS
Make GCCA Your First Stop for First Friday
Visit GCCA on the First Friday of the month from 6 – 9 pm to view exhibitions in the Main Gallery and Community Gallery, meet the GCCA Studio Artists, buy local art, and participate in special family art activities! Follow us on social media for updates and more information.

The Dancing Fleas are bringing fun music and dance to FAB Friday in Rutherfordton, where there will also be artisan vendors and food trucks.

Well known Country music artist, Oliver Anthony, will headline the "Rural Revival" fundraiser to help rebuild local businesses in downtown Spruce Pine which was flooded by over 20' of water during Helene. Other performers include The Davisson Brothers Band, Willa May, Little Ozzy and Leeds Lyric Jones.
Over six hours of live music on two stages as well as: vendors, food tucks, and demonstrations from blacksmiths, quilters, and various artists.
For more information, visit discoversprucepinenc.com

Pinnacle String Ensemble Presents Mountain Life Concert April 6

CULLOWHEE – The Pinnacle String Ensemble, the School of Music newest ensemble at Western Carolina University is preparing a concert in the spring taking place at the Coulter Recital Hall at Western Carolina University on Sunday, April 6 at 3 pm featuring the music of Aaron Copland, Frederick Delius, Mark O’Connor, Chris Thile and traditional fiddle tunes. Special guest performers include local musicians Lisa Gaetano and Bruce Buchanan. Faculty member Leonidas Lagrimas will also perform with the ensemble.
The Pinnacle String Ensemble was organized this year to bring together students and community members who play string instruments in a more intimate chamber string orchestra setting. Kim Neidlinger is the conductor. Pinnacle refers to the area’s panoramic views and the ensemble’s goal to develop and achieve musical excellence. The ensemble offers community engaged learning experiences for the university students through a new program at Western Carolina University’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. Several ensemble members are non-music majors and local community members from Sylva, Franklin, Andrews and Maggie Valley, but desire a space to learn and perform music written for chamber and string orchestra. The theme of their first concert is based on the campus theme Mountain Life and is focused on music from or about Appalachia. Western Carolina University School of Music is proud to present this event for the first time. The concert is free and open to the public.