The Laurel of Asheville‘s Community Events Calendar
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The Laurel of Asheville is a lifestyle magazine focused on the arts, culture, and communities of Western North Carolina, and submitted events should fall within this context. If your event occurs over several days, please submit multiple events. Events extending beyond a month will not be accepted. All submissions are subject to editorial approval and edits for clarity and style before being published online. If you are going to include a photograph, please be certain that you have the rights to utilize that image. If there is a question about image rights, we may remove the image. Also, images should be no larger than 2000 pixels wide. Large images will prevent the event from being submitted. Please allow up to 5 days for your even to be posted. If you encounter difficulties submitting an event, please email [email protected].
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MatchStrike Youth Arts Showcase
March 4 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Ten years ago, the MatchStrike Youth Arts Showcase brought together dozens of young artists to showcase local talent in a hybrid gallery-concert style event. Many of the artists featured then have gone on to build successful careers for themselves in the arts.
On Wednesday, March 4th, MatchStrike will, for the first time since 2016, once again showcase 20 local young artists. The event will feature spoken word poets, indie singer/songwriters, studio artists, filmmakers, and photographers from the Asheville area.
“I can’t believe it’s been a decade since MatchStrike and that first showcase brought an unmatched talent into one space,” said Heidi Freeman, a teacher at Asheville High School who helped organize the original event. “What made that group great was the way they collaborated. The young artists in Asheville today are just as talented and events like this help them find an audience and a space to create together.”
At 6:30 p.m., doors will open with a gallery of art exhibits from six student artists. At 7:00, the event will transition into a concert that will range from spoken word poetry to alternative rock music — and artists from different groups and genres will collaborate for performances within the show.
“I’ve been playing guitar since I was 11 and singing since I was little,” said Harper Klapheke, one of the featured artists. “I hope to continue to play music in the future…and would really love to be able to share my music and perform.”
Along with showcasing their talents at the event, MatchStrike hopes to help artists create an audience for their works and establish themselves as professionals.
Artists who participate in the event will each be setting a project goal. Tickets must be reserved but are free; instead of an admission price, we are asking audience members to donate directly to artists toward this project goal.
“I’m currently writing and recording my debut album, which will be your go-to for nighttime drives and melancholy moods,” said self-taught guitarist Paul Danko. “My project goal is to complete my album in my home studio.”
Artists donation links will be available and some will be selling art at the event.
Doors open at 6:30 on Wednesday, March 4th and performances begin at 7:00 in the Arts Theater at Asheville High School. Theater space is limited and tickets should be reserved at https://ashevillehstheatre.ludus.com/200520374.
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