The Laurel of Asheville

A Swannanoa Solstice
2025-12-21 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Sun, Dec 21 • 2 pm & 7 pm
Celebrate the season at the beloved local tradition that has captivated audiences for over 20 years! Experience a dynamic mix of new and returning artists, bringing you a festive variety of Celtic, American roots, and world-influenced music. This winter, join a heartwarming tribute to Appalachian culture, filled with holiday cheer.
Featured artists:
John Doyle & Mick McAuley
Becky Stone, emcee
Zoe & Cloyd
Josh Goforth
EJ Jones & the Piper Jones Band
Elizabeth McCorvey
Spotlight on A Swannanoa Solstice:
John Doyle was a founding member of the Irish-American supergroup Solas where Mick McAuley became a long-standing member of the band
Elizabeth McCorvey—a musician and mental health therapist—is making her A Swannanoa Solstice debut
Emcee Becky Stone has performed various Chautauqua characters including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Josephine Baker

The Airing of Grievances Comedy Showcase
2025-12-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy brings the best comedians from all over the country to Asheville, NC and this is an extra special and a little angry comedy show
On this special Festivus Showcase each comedian will be airing their grievances for 2025. Join us as we say our piece and goof on this past year
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $15

Asheville Jazz Orchestra Christmas show
2025-12-21 19:30 - 21:30 | The White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
Big Band Yuletide Bash, Asheville Jazz Orchestra’s Christmas Show, featuring Wendy Jones.
Get ready for classic holiday tunes, bold brass, smooth swing, and festive cheer—all wrapped up in one unforgettable night. Whether you’re a jazz lover, a holiday music fan, or just looking for a joyful way to celebrate the season, this bash is the perfect place to be!

Don't Tell Comedy West Asheville
2025-12-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins, 9 Midnight Drive, Asheville, NC, 28806
Show Details
This show will be at an indoor location.
No Outside Food or Drinks permitted.. Drinks will be available for purchase. Small snacks available for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available.
This show will have chairs provided.
♿︎ This show is wheelchair accessible.
21+ show.
About Don’t Tell Comedy
Secret Locations.
Shhh…it’s a surprise. As you can see, we only advertise the general area or neighborhood for each show. The precise location and other important show details will be sent to you at 8:00 AM the day of the show. If you don’t see it in your inbox you can find the info on show day right here.
Secret Comedians.
No spoilers! All comedians remain unknown until the moment they take the stage. But don’t fret, we carefully curate lineups of 4-7 different comics to create a hilarious and diverse show. The best part is—you never know who might show up!
You might discover your next favorite underground comedian or see a fan favorite. We specialize in introducing audiences to the best-emerging talent from cities around the world through a mix of the best local and nationally touring comedians.
Unique Live Experience.
Honestly, we’re over the whole debt-inducing two-drink minimum thing. We’re dedicated to providing you with a unique and fun live comedy experience—one which doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage. We thrive on good vibes and welcome you to be a part of the DTC community.
Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm

Crisp Comedy live in Leicester featuring The Grinch
2025-12-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Noble Cidery and Taproom, 356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville, NC, 28806
Crisp Comedy takes place once a month in Leicester, NC at Noble Cider and hosted by Leicester’s own Clay Jones! A fresh batch of comics each month so no two shows are the same! This months headliner is The Grinch from above Whoville!!!
The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbors in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. The disgruntled Grinch realizes there is one way to gain peace and quiet and with help from Max, the green grump hatched a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all.
As seen on Netflix, Disney+, HULU and more!
ages 18+
Show is free with a suggested donation of $12

Unwrap the Funk w/ Anne Combs & Company Funk
2025-12-26 19:30 - 21:30 | White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd , Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
The day after Christmas, we’re keeping the celebration rolling with Anne Coombs and Company Funk!—the powerhouse, female-centric ensemble formerly known as Company Swing. Get ready to peel back the wrapping paper and reveal a night stacked with funk-a-licious grooves, soaring vocals, and the kind of infectious energy that’ll have you moving and grooving from the first beat to the last.
Bringing a fresh, dynamic spin to funk classics from the late ’60s to today, Company Funk! showcases the exceptional talents of seasoned musicians who know how to light up a stage. Their chemistry is electric, their rhythms tight, and their sound unmistakably their own. With vibrant presence and impeccable musicianship, they turn every show into an immersive, high-vibe experience.
If you love funk, blues, swing, or just great music played with passion, this is the show you don’t want to miss. Come unwrap the funk—and keep the holiday spirit going strong!

Clean(ish) Comedy Showcase at Ginger's Revenge
2025-12-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Modelface Comedy brings the best comedians from all over the country to Asheville! This week we have another fantastic lineup of local and regional favorites.
Clean(ish) is a silly comedy showcase that is for all. All the jokes, none of the cursing!
Featuring Clay Jones, Danny Felix and more!
ages 16+
Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $18 GA, $23 premium seating

Drunk & Dirty Comedy with Santa
2025-12-27 21:00 - 23:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country!!
Santa is off work for the rest of the year and ready to get drunk and tell some jokes at RAD Brewing. This show is NOT for kids and will be a TON of fun for the rest of us.
Santa will be joined by a gang of some of the funniest and dirtiest comedians in Asheville
ages 18+
Doors at 8:30pm, show at 9pm
Tickets $18

Game Over: End of Year Comedy
2025-12-28 19:00 - 21:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy brings you the best stand up comedians from all over the country and this week with have a special comedy showcase!!
Game Over is a celebration of the end of the year. Maybe your glad it’s over or maybe it was your best one yet but we can all get together to laugh at some of the chaos of the last 365 days.
Featuring a group of your favorite local and regional comedians
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $15

5Rhythms Sweat Your Prayers® on Weds Nights hosted by Karen
2025-12-31 17:00 - 19:00 | Asia Hous 828, 119 Coxe Ave., Asheville, NC, 28806
Fresh Start 2026!
What would you like to manifest for 2026? What are somethings that you need to release and let go of from 2025! What new moves would you like to bring onto the dance floor! Join us to move in community the end of the year 2025 and bring in the New Year of 2026! It is always exciting at the beginning of the New Year to get a fresh start, reset, renew and begin again. We get a chance to breathe, shake off the year of 2025 and see what unfolds in our bodies and lives for the year of 2026! Pic by Jon Tyson
“The dance is not where we lose ourselves. But where we find ourselves! ” Gabrielle Roth
Asia House 828, 119 Coxe Ave. Asheville, NC, 28806, 5:00-7:00pm, $15-25 sliding scale, no one turned away, this is the last day for first time dancers and bring a friend for free admission! The entrance is a side door and you climb stairs.
Parking around Asia House 828, there will be plenty of parking on the street and there are parking garages around in the South Slope area! There will be 8 parking places in the back of the building.
About 5Rhythms®
Created by Gabrielle Roth and practiced by tens of thousands worldwide. 5Rhythms® is a dynamic movement practice rooted in the principles that if you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself.
About Karen:
5Rhythms dance is for everyone. This meditative freeform dancing practice was created by dancer and visionary Gabriellle Roth. Accredited 5Rhythms teacher Karen Chapman has been hosting dances in Asheville and around the country for 9 years. Through the dance, Karen acts as a guide for the dancer on their journey through the rhythms. Karen is interested in how energy moves on the dance floor through the Breath and Body!
Dance movement timeline:
Doors open at 5 PM for warm up and close at 5:45 for the opening circle. The wave is complete at 6:45PM. If you can arrive at 5 PM that is best but you are welcome to come to the dance anytime before 5:45 PM.
5 PM: Warm-up, Meditative stretching and dancing.
5:45 PM: Doors Close, Opening circle
Demonstration of the 5 Rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness.
6 PM: Dancing the wave of the 5Rhythms
6:45: Closing Circle/End
Thank you and see ya on the dance floor soon! Love K

NYE Comedy with Caleb Synan
2025-12-31 19:00 - 21:00 | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have Caleb Synan from Los Angeles for a NYE show!
Caleb Synan is one of the hottest young comics in the country. (Funny AND good looking!) His unique background as a preacher’s kid from a small southern town gives him the ability to relate to any and every crowd — even though he’s a big old millennial who lives in LA. Want proof? He’s performed on CONAN (twice!), Last Comic Standing (once!), and his first Comedy Central special “30” in 2022 (You can watch it on YouTube!)
He’s also entertained our troops in South Korea and Japan. What a guy! It’s no wonder he won the title of “Wittiest” in Franklin County High School’s 2009 Yearbook. He even wrote this bio himself. And he’ll have a margarita with you if you play your cards right.
ages 18+
Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets
$20 advance, $25 day of
$28 premium seating (guaranteed table seating in the front three rows)

3WB Rock-On New Year's Eve
2025-12-31 19:30 - 23:59 | White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd , Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
New Year’s Eve party starts at 7:30 pm with 3WB playing and will end after midnight with house music. 3WB is a multi piece band with a horn section. One of the NC’s most entertaining and unique bands. 3WB mixes a tight rhythm section, soulful horn arrangements, vocal harmonies, artistic solos to entertain you, playing a mix of Rock and Roll, Blues, Funk, and Soul.

New Year's Resolution Run 5k & 10k
2026-01-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Pack Square Park, 121 College St, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Are you ready to hit the ground running in 2026?
The 12th Annual New Year’s Resolution Run 5k & 10k presented by Hunter Subaru is January 1, 2026 at 10am!
What better way to celebrate the start of a new year than running in the heart of downtown Asheville? The race course takes you through the bustling streets of downtown and charming neighborhoods, including the Grove Park area on the 10k route. And, of course, we’ve saved the best for last! The course will take you up North Market Street, the only remaining block of unique, historic, cobblestone brick pavers in Asheville for an exciting finish.
We welcome families and participants of all ages to come walk or run their way to completing their first resolution! Bring warm layers of clothes, lace up your shoes, and make 2026 a year of intention, inner strength and power!

Pop-Up Fundraiser for Penland School of Craft
2026-01-03 | Lucy Clark Gallery, 51 W Main St, Brevard, 28712
Artist R. Melinda Hoffman will join the Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio for a special Pop-Up event featuring her handcrafted leather pieces on Saturday, January 3rd from 11am to 5pm. 10 percent of sales will benefit the Penland School of Craft as it rebuilds its water system following Hurricane Helene.
R. Melinda Hoffman is based in New Mexico where she creates sculptural adornments and hand-stitched leather vessels that blend form and function, often from found objects. This will be her first residency at Penland School of Craft.

Eyes Up Here Comedy: Fresh Vibes Edition
2026-01-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Modelface Comedy presents Eyes Up Here Comedy at Ginger’s Revenge! Fresh Vibes is a celebration of the New Year!
Eyes Up Here Comedy is a night featuring all femme comedians and this month we have a special show featuring comedians from Asheville and around the South East. Hosted by local favorite Erin Terry.
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $18 GA, $23 Premium Seating

Shelley Gruenberg, Attacking the New Year
2026-01-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy brings the best comedians from all over the country to Asheville, NC. This week we are excited to have Shelley Gruenberg from Atlanta!
Shelley Gruenberg is an Atlanta Based standup comedian and sex symbol. You will love her whimsical and surreal style! You may have seen her on dish nation, or roast battling as Atlanta’s champion around the county. See her live at Laughing Skull Lounge or at argosy every Wednesday!
ages 18+
Doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $15

Valentine’s Heart Mosaic Stepping Stones Workshop
2026-01-07 13:00 - 2026-02-08 16:00 | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
Ready for some color in your yard? This class will introduce you to the ancient art form of mosaics through the creation of your own, unique heart-shaped mosaic stepping stone. In the first session, you will learn the basics of mosaic design, select and cut/break tessere (ceramic tiles, plates and other materials) and adhere them to your concrete stepping stone. In the second session, you will learn how to grout your piece and will have a number of colors of grout to choose from. After just two sessions you will leave with a beautiful mosaic heart-shaped stepping stone for outdoor use and the knowledge to make mosaics on a number of substrates. See Michelle’s general guidelines and links for mosaics here.

5Rhythms Sweat Your Prayers® on Weds Nights hosted by Karen
2026-01-07 17:00 - 18:45 | Homewood, 19 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC, 28801
New Beginnings!
We are back at Homewood, 19 Zillicoa St. Asheville, NC 28801, 5pm – 6:45pm. Sliding scale $15-25, no one turned away!
What steps will you take to have more movement or to have a healthier way of life? For 2026, you have the whole year to work on your inspirations, dreams and visions. Let it begin on the dance floor allowing yourself to be home with your body to discover new energy to se the world in a different way!
“Freeing the body invetably leads to freeing the heart.” Gabrielle Roth
We move to the maps created by Gabrielle Roth! Pic is by Manja Vitolic.
About 5Rhythms®
Created by Gabrielle Roth and practiced by tens of thousands worldwide. 5Rhythms® is a dynamic movement practice rooted in the principles that if you put the psyche in motion it will heal itself.
About Karen:
5Rhythms dance is for everyone. This meditative freeform dancing practice was created by dancer and visionary Gabriellle Roth. Accredited 5Rhythms teacher Karen Chapman has been hosting dances in Asheville and around the country for 9 years. Through the dance, Karen acts as a guide for the dancer on their journey through the rhythms. Karen is interested in how energy moves on the dance floor through the Breath and Body!
Dance movement timeline:
Doors open at 5 PM for warm up and close at 5:45 for the opening circle. The wave is complete at 6:45PM. If you can arrive at 5 PM that is best but you are welcome to come to the dance anytime before 5:45 PM.
5 PM: Warm-up, Meditative stretching and dancing.
5:45 PM: Doors Close, Opening circle
Demonstration of the 5 Rhythms of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness.
6 PM: Dancing the wave of the 5 Rhythms
6:45: Closing Circle/End
Thank you and see ya on the dance floor soon! Love K

PERFORMANCE AND FILM SCREENING: Suite for Two (1958)
2026-01-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 120 College Street, Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
Join us at BMCM+AC on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 for a live performance of Merce Cunningham’s Suite for Two (1958) and a screening of the dance film Beach Birds.
___
About the Performance
Suite for Two (1958) is an arrangement of three solos and one duet from the dance Suite for Five (1956). Cunningham made this arrangement for Carolyn Brown and himself for a concert at the University of Pittsburgh in 1958. Suite for Two was subsequently performed on two European tours made by Cunningham, Brown, John Cage, and David Tudor in 1958 and 1960. Chalvar Monteiro dances two solos entitled “At Random” and “Stillness.” Jacquelin Harris dances “A Meander,” a new solo made for Carolyn Brown for the 1958 arrangement. The dance concludes with a duet entitled “Extended Moment.” Renowned pianist Adam Tendler plays John Cage’s Music for Piano.
___
About the Film Screening
“It is all based on individual physical phrasing. The dancers don’t have to be exactly together. They can dance like a flock of birds, when they suddenly take off.”
– Merce Cunningham
A work for eleven dancers, the rhythm for “Beach Birds” was much more fluid than other Cunningham dances, so that the sections could differ in length from performance to performance. John Cage composed the music, and painter Marsha Skinner provided the costumes and décor. The dancers were dressed identically in all white leotards and tights, with black gloves. Skinner’s backcloth was a white scrim on which the light varied in color and intensity, decided by a lighting plot that was devised using chance methods. While the timings did not relate to the dance structure, the gradual changes of light have been interpreted to imitate those that might occur from dawn to dusk on a beach. “Beach Birds” was adapted for film and called “Beach Birds for Camera.”
___
About Merce Cunningham
One of the most transformative figures in modern dance, Merce Cunningham (b. April 16, 1919) brought his radical approach to movement and composition to Black Mountain College during the Summer Sessions of 1948, 1952, and 1953. His time at BMC was pivotal—not only for the young dancer and choreographer himself, but for the College’s vibrant cross-disciplinary community.⁠
At Black Mountain, Cunningham was surrounded by artists like John Cage (his partner and collaborator), Josef Albers, and Buckminster Fuller—artists and thinkers who, like him, were challenging boundaries between disciplines. This creative ecosystem shaped his belief that dance, music, and visual art could exist independently and still create something unified in performance.⁠
In 1953, while still teaching at Black Mountain, Cunningham officially formed the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, marking a turning point in American dance. His classes and performances at the College helped sow the seeds for his revolutionary techniques—emphasizing chance operations, decentralization of the body, and a rethinking of time and space in choreography.⁠

Thomas Wolfe Short Story Discussion: "Fame and the Poet"
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Thomas Wolfe Memorial, 52 N. Market Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Join us in person at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial or via Zoom!
If you have ever been interested in reading Thomas Wolfe, our annual Short Story Discussions are a fantastic opportunity to get acquainted with his work. Join us as we read a curated selection of Wolfe’s short stories, each paired with an engaging and informative discussion led by local experts. No prior experience with Wolfe’s writing needed – just bring your curiosity!
Thursday, January 8th – “Fame and the Poet” with discussion leaders Dan and Ana Clare.
The Thomas Wolfe Short Story Discussions are a partnership between the Wilma Dykeman Legacy and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site. This year’s stories have been chosen to reflect the three core values of the Wilma Dykeman Legacy: the power of the written and spoken word, environmental integrity, and social justice.
To register for zoom or to access pdfs of the 2026 story selections, click here: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/wilma-dykeman-legacy…
Our text is The Complete Short Stories of Thomas Wolfe, edited by Francis E. Skipp with a Foreword by James Dickey (New York: Scribner’s, 1987). If you’d like the full text, this book can be found at local libraries and bookstores, and at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial gift shop.

Art League of Henderson County - Exhibit Opening
2026-01-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Art Place Gallery, 730 Locust Street, Hendersonville, 28782
Art Place Gallery celebrates a new exhibit of 2D and 3D artwork from member artists. These local artists represent a variety of media such as painting, fiber, jewelry, and sculpture. The exhibits also features work created in the Stuart Glassman Ceramic Studio, the Art League’s burgeoning facility for clay workshops, studio and equipment rentals.
The Art Place Gallery is a dynamic visual art center managed by members of the Art League of Henderson County. It’s located in the vibrant, newly renovated historic 7th Avenue District in Hendersonville.

Roll of the Dice Comedy at Ginger's Revenge
2026-01-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Every weekend Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have an extra silly show!
Roll of the Dice is a comedy show of chance. Each comedian will roll a 20 sided die and whatever number it lands on is how much stage time they receive! One minute laughs to 20min sets, anything can happen!!!
Hosted by Clay Jones
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $15 GA, $20 premium seating

Mara Johnson & the Carolina Tumbleweed Band
2026-01-09 19:30 - 21:30 | White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd , Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
Mara Johnson and the Carolina Tumbleweed Band deliver a rich blend of blues, soul, and heartfelt storytelling, wrapped in vibrant instrumentation. Mara’s vocals—warm, expressive, and finely honed—draw listeners into every lyric, while David “Tumbleweed” Robbins’ fiery saxophone brings an edge of raw energy and artistry. Together they create performances that are both intimate and electrifying, rooted in authenticity and groove.

Sirenum: A Lesbian Folk Opera
2026-01-09 20:00 - 21:30, 2026-01-10 20:00 - 21:30 | 35below, 35 E. Walnut Street, Asheville, 28801
In this new musical from Skysail Theatre, siren melodies mingle with an original electronic score to create a unique soundscape spanning folklore and science fiction. Audience members embark on a journey into uncharted galaxies with a young spacefarer seeking to answer an ancient call. Follow as she encounters a mythical oceanic planet with an ominous guardian, and discover what the fates have in store for two unlikely lovers connected by sea, space and song.
Two performances:
Jan 9 at 8pm
Jan 10 at 8pm

Metalsmithing 101: The Basics Intensive Jan 10th and 11th
2026-01-10 09:00 - 17:00 | Ignite Jewelry Studios, 84 W Walnut St Unit A, Asheville, 28801
Want to learn to make jewelry? This beginner friendly introductory metalsmithing course teaches the basics skills involved in making your own jewelry. Learn to use a variety of tools and equipment common in a jewelry studio.
This Intensive 16 hour 2 day workshop will teach many techniques including sawing, filing, polishing, soldering, bezel setting, textures, and more! $499 plus a $55 materials fee (paid separate at class)
Class Times: Saturday Jan 10th 9-5 and Sunday Jan 11th 9-5
Students will also have access to 4 Open Studio sessions to practice their skills (valid for 3 months from last day of class.) A knowledgable instructor is present during these sessions for questions and safety. Current Open Studio time: Wednesdays 10-4pm
Please know this will be a substantial amount of information over the two days and the intensity may not be ideal for everyone. Some jewelry making knowledge may be beneficial, but is not required. The course is designed to teach the skills through a series of jewelry pieces.
It is designed to teach techniques and skills rather than completing actual aesthetically pleasing pieces, but the goal is that everyone can complete 2-3 pieces of finished jewelry or more. Attending some or all Open Studios will absolutely ensure this and likely many more pieces!
*This is the next Metalsmithing 101 offered as an intensive on a weekend format. See February for the next 4-Part Series

The Lion King JR
2026-01-10 14:00 - 18:00 | Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
From the company that brought you Frozen JR., Shrek JR., and The Wizard of Oz: Bluegrass Style! comes our most breathtaking production yet—The Lion King JR.!
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the PrideLands in this professional-caliber musical event that’s perfect for audiences of all ages. With soaring vocals, eye-popping costumes, and powerful performances, this show will wow audiences of all ages.
Follow Simba’s epic adventure as he discovers his courage, faces his destiny, and rises to become king—all set to the timeless songs you know and love, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Along the way, you’ll meet beloved characters like wise Rafiki, brave Nala, the hilarious Timon and Pumbaa, and the villainous Scar in a heartwarming and action-packed story about friendship, responsibility, identity, and the enduring power of the Circle of Life.
This is not just a junior theater production—it’s a full-scale theatrical experience.
Our shows are unparalleled in Asheville. With jaw-dropping costumes, professional staging, and the kind of heart you can only find at Asheville Junior Theater, The Lion King JR. is a must-see.
Tickets WILL sell out.
Don’t miss your chance to see why Asheville families return to our shows again and again.

Exhibition: “Portraits of Dignity: Do You See Me Now?” by Joseph Pearson
2026-01-10 18:00 - 20:00 | YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market Street, Asheville , 28801
Asheville, NC — On January 10, 2026, the historic YMI Cultural Center will open “Portraits of Dignity: Do You See Me Now?,” a compelling new body of figurative work by Asheville-based painter Joseph Pearson. Steeped in empathy, social realism, and decades of artistic discipline, this exhibition invites viewers to reconsider how society sees—or fails to see—the individuals who are so often overlooked.
Rooted in close observation and an unyielding respect for humanity, “Portraits of Dignity” offers a profound encounter with people whom society often consigns to the periphery. Each portrait becomes a moment of connection, asking viewers to slow down, look closer, and witness the dignity, complexity, and presence of individuals too often unseen.
“These are people we see peripherally, people we pass by,” says Pearson. “Doing this work required me to truly see them—to pay attention to their eyes, their expressions, the uniqueness of who they are. The question is simple: Do you see me now?”
Pearson’s mission is to open folks’ awareness to our neighbors, considered on the fringe of our communities. A portion of any sale will be donated to favorite non-profits, like Pisgah Legal Services and MANNA Food Bank. Joseph and his wife Gael hope folks will consider doing the same if they have not already done so.

Don't Tell Comedy, Hendersonville
2026-01-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Trailside Brewing Company Hendersonville, NC, 173 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC
Show Details
This show will be at an indoor location.
No Outside Food or Drinks permitted.. Drinks will be available for purchase. Food is available for purchase. Small snacks available for purchase. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available.
This show will have chairs provided.
♿︎ This show is wheelchair accessible.
21+ show.
About Don’t Tell Comedy
Secret Locations.
Shhh…it’s a surprise. As you can see, we only advertise the general area or neighborhood for each show. The precise location and other important show details will be sent to you at 8:00 AM the day of the show. If you don’t see it in your inbox you can find the info on show day right here.
Secret Comedians.
No spoilers! All comedians remain unknown until the moment they take the stage. But don’t fret, we carefully curate lineups of 4-7 different comics to create a hilarious and diverse show. The best part is—you never know who might show up!
You might discover your next favorite underground comedian or see a fan favorite. We specialize in introducing audiences to the best-emerging talent from cities around the world through a mix of the best local and nationally touring comedians.
Unique Live Experience.
Honestly, we’re over the whole debt-inducing two-drink minimum thing. We’re dedicated to providing you with a unique and fun live comedy experience—one which doesn’t require you to take out a second mortgage. We thrive on good vibes and welcome you to be a part of the DTC community.
Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm

Story Treasures: Gems of the past and present
2026-01-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
This evening of tales celebrates the wonder that comes from spinning our experiences into stories and from listening to the old stories that have guided us through time, attuning us to what it means to be human living in a wondrous world. Wonder is the true treasure that keeps us alert and curious, energetic and attentive even through the toughest times. Cultures have long turned to storytelling in the midst of winter for warmth and community. Also, stories remind us that the wonders of our hearts and imaginations are immune to the ice and chill, and burns forever alight when we listen to one another. This is why stories are our treasure and why in Gaelic culture it is said, that a story well-told is more precious than gold.
