The Laurel of Asheville

Opening Night Film Block
2026-08-21 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Join us for the opening night ceremony and film block of the 2026 Asheville Film Festival! Tickets are $12/ person for this event, drinks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Origin”
Directed by: Campbell Hass
A man sits down to conduct a Turing test. Across from him is an advanced artificial language model. The goal is simple: determine whether the entity he’s speaking to is truly conscious, or is just simulating it. But as the conversation deepens, something starts to feel off and the the test transforms into something that neither could have expected.
“After Helene”
Directed by: Zoe Miller
After Helene highlights the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on northwestern North Carolina almost 2 years later. This documentary shows the perseverance through community.
“Unheard Voice”
Directed by: Joseph S. S. Galyean
When a weapon is discovered in the sandy refuges of the beach, a story of untamed trauma and inevitable destruction unfolds.
“Forget Me Not”
Directed by: Michelle Bucci & Danielle Herrera Boivin
When a fracture in the multiverse tears them from their parallel lives, a guarded go-go dancer and a spirited cocktail waitress are thrust into a garden between realities—where they must confront the forces that have kept them trapped before they’re pulled back for good.
“Bloom”
Directed by: Zachary Gladwin
After a young man awakes from a hypnotic trance in a strange land he must search high and low for a way to escape his lonely existence. Will his curiosity and ingenuity be able to withstand repeated failures and the familiar draw to complacency, or will he find a way to break through his limits and explore the great beyond?
“The Drive”
Directed by: Brody Atticus Van Arnam
Weeks before leaving Asheville for college, Danny is surprised when his best friend Jack presents him with a broken-down car- their dream project to restore together. As their opposing views of the future strain their friendship, Danny leaves, only to return after a devastating storm claims Jack’s life. Faced with grief and an unfinished dream, Danny rebuilds the car himself, ultimately learning what it means to move forward without leaving everything behind.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81056019
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Porge Buck: Six Decades in Print
2026-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | NC
Print House is proud to present Porge Buck: Six Decades in Print, a special exhibition celebrating the life and work of influential printmaker Porge Buck (1931–2022). The opening reception will be held on Friday, August 21, from 6–8 p.m. at Print House, located at 29 Carolina Lane in Asheville, and is free and open to the public.
The exhibition brings together a collection of Buck’s original etchings and mezzotints spanning more than six decades of artistic practice. Recognized for her extraordinary technical skill and meticulous attention to detail, Buck was a master of intaglio printmaking. Explore and collect the work of an important figure in Asheville’s artistic community.
EVENT DETAILS
Porge Buck: Six Decades in Print
Opening Reception & Artist Talk
Friday, August 21, 2026 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Print House
29 Carolina Lane
Asheville, NC 28801

Modelface Comedy presents Nick Youssef
2026-08-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy Club brings the best local and touring comedians to Asheville! This week we have Nick Youssef in The Cultura Room!
Nick Youssef is a LA/NY based comedian, writer, actor and host of The According To Nick Youssef podcast. Nick’s comedy has featured on Hulu, NBCs Last Call, @Midnight, Viceland’s ‘Funny How?’ and podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Experience and WTF with Marc Maron. Nick’s first two standup albums debuted in the top 5 of the iTunes comedy charts and are obnoxiously available in physical vinyl format. His first hour special ‘Take Care’ is now available on his YouTube channel. Aside from standup, Nick is a contributing writer for Esquire and Brooklyn Magazines and is constantly telling his dog Ricky he’s a good little buddy.
Featuring Jeremy Alder
Seated show, full dinner menu available
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $18 advance, $22 day of

Rebecca Folsom and Marilyn Walker
2026-08-21 19:30 - 21:30 | White Horse Black Mountain, 105 Montreat Rd , Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
Rebecca Folsom’s music is about liberation. Her songs crack open hearts, inspire hope, and leave listeners with a deeper perspective. The award-winning singer-songwriter moves with ease through her four-octave range as she plucks the instrument of the heart with tender fearlessness and fiery passion all meant to awaken unfettered aliveness.Her voice, a beacon in the dark, ignites joy that heals and liberates. You might find yourself singing along, dancing, weeping, or raising your hands in motivated celebration to rise up and live into life’s greatest potential. Rebecca delivers an unforgettable live experience. Join her in intimate solo performances, with her dynamic harmony-infused trio, or fronting her powerhouse band.Intent on using music and creativity as a unifying force for good, Rebecca transmits the wisdom of a seasoned creative warrior: she’s fierce and playful, flows with grace, and generously offers the pearls gathered along the way to open doors to possibility. This translates into music, workshops, and community that help you break free and become the truest, most vibrant expression of yourself.Rebecca’s latest album, Sanctuary, marks her third album to top the national charts. Several of the songs were co-written with or inspired by individuals in marginalized situations. She collaborated with nonprofit groups to create outreach programs and workshops. The result? A beautiful tapestry of songs written with or for marginalized communities, each with a message of hope and an offering of positive solutions. (Visit the Sanctuary page.) Rebecca has played on BBC television/radio for an audience of 1.5 million, Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, The Bluebird and Opryland in Nashville, TN, and numerous festivals nationwide. In addition to her 12 released albums and vibrant coaching career, Rebecca has written and published two books of poetry and created numerous paintings of fine art. Her philanthropy includes serving with Blue Sky Bridge (a child advocacy organization), The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, One Tree Planted, Inc., and International Rescue Committee (IRC), to name just a few.
Delightfully insightful songwriter Marilyn Walker sprinkles the lyrical storytelling style of John Prine with a touch of Winnie the Pooh. Her eclectic background of ecosystem science, renewable energy, and activism drives her striking lyrics and enthusiastic performances. Her first studio album, At the Jamboree, was focused on children but veiled in adult themes, i.e., delight plus insight. She brings whimsy and humor to her writing and performances, whether she’s telling the true story of the fungus that is named after her, or going full on bawdy (when no children are present!) with her parody “Walking Around Naked” or her folk punk “Boyfriend in a Body Cast,” which she performs as her alternate identity of Stalker Walker. But she’s often tender and sweet in her approach, finding those moments in her own life that are relatable and touching. Marilyn is currently working on a new studio album, Water’s Gonna Rise, focusing on climate change as well as the human impacts of the rapidly changing world – homelessness, addiction, and injustice. Whether audiences are laughing, crying, or thinking, they almost all include one word in their description – delightful.

Carson Peters and Iron Mountain
2026-08-21 20:00 - 22:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
SEATED SHOW
CARSON PETERS & IRON MOUNTAIN
Carson Peters and Iron Mountain has quickly become one of the most energetic and hottest bluegrass bands in the business, making numerous trips to the Grand Ole Opry and multiple international appearances. Their traditional bluegrass style and A Cappella arrangements are a refreshing reminder that the bluegrass of old is alive and well. The band is made up of Carson Peters, (Piney Flats, TN) James McDowell, (Hendersonville, NC) Taylor Parks, (Bloxom, VA) Henry Burgess, (Edmond, OK) and Jake Goforth (Troy, NC). Carson and the band signed with Billy Blue Records in 2023, and recently released their second album under the esteemed bluegrass label, “Hold On Heart”.

Emo Night Brooklyn
2026-08-21 20:30 - 22:30 | Eulogy, 10 Buxton Ave, Asheville, 28801
Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a DJ dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. We may even invite some of your favorite artists and bands to surprise you and join the party. Get ready to scream your lungs out, mosh, and dance to all your favorite songs with all of your favorite people and experience the awesomeness that is Emo Night Brooklyn.

Feral Friday Double Feature
2026-08-21 21:00 - 23:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Join us for a late night Feral Friday Film Block at the Asheville Masonic Temple! As the witching hour approaches, enjoy some of the best untamed storytelling that cinema has to offer. Tickets are $20/ person for this DOUBLE FEATURE, drinks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Settlement”
Directed by: Fiona Maria
While enjoying nature, four friends encounter something definitely unnatural.
“Whole”
Directed by: Cameron J. Voris
Every night, Henry waits alone at a quiet stop sign for a car that never stops; it just delivers a small, cardboard box. His days are spent working, waiting, and watching. Each box brings something that keeps him going. Something that reminds him of what he lost… and what he’s trying to find again.
“The Sessions”
Directed by: Vince Eisenson
In this crime driven, pilot episode, we met a therapy group for murderers where someone is bound to snap.
“Imago”
Directed by: Ariel Zengotita
As Ana’s mom transforms into a giant insect, their codependent relationship becomes unbearable.
“Holidays with Catfish”
Directed by: Spencer Bolin
An anthology of holiday adventures featuring two passionate friends seeking internet fame.
“Gladiator Baby”
Directed by: Ali Sabokbar & Erfan Hosseini
A young girl and a young boy must fight for their goals to pave the way for their dreams — but only one of them can get closer to their destination, and only if they are willing to destroy the other’s dream in the gamble of ambition…
“Trevor Lies”
Directed by: Joe Pellegrino
The bizarre tale of a young boy and his puritanical family who must grapple with the morality and consequences of deceit.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81054749
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Secret Garden Comedy
2026-08-21 21:00 - 23:00 | The Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy Club brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week it’s a secret lineup of amazing comedians!!!
Secret Garden Comedy is live at the Cultura Room in The Funkatorium! A fun mix of local favorites and big city comics all the way from New York City and who knows who else might show up!!!
Table seating and full dinner menu available
ages 18+
doors at 8:45pm, show at 9:15pm
Tickets $18

The Art of Presence: Meditation and Reflection in the Museum
2026-08-22 09:30 - 11:00 | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square, Asheville, 28801
Step into the Museum’s galleries before the doors open for a quiet and contemplative morning of meditation, mindful walking, and reflection. This guided experience invites participants to slow down, settle the nervous system, and explore the Museum as a place of sanctuary, spaciousness, and renewal.
The session will begin with a brief seated meditation, followed by a walking meditation through selected exhibits. Along the way, participants will pause with gentle mindfulness prompts designed to support personal reflection, embodied awareness, and a deeper connection with the artwork. Rather than offering art historical interpretation, the experience encourages each participant to notice what arises within them through presence, stillness, and mindful seeing. The group will honor noble silence throughout much of the session with occasional opportunities for brief reflection and sharing. No previous meditation experience is needed.
Join Joshua on August 22, October 3, November 7, and December 5.
Joshua Canter is a mindfulness meditation teacher and the founder of True Nature Travels and Education, an Asheville-based organization that has offered transformative retreats and educational experiences around the world for more than 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in Contemplative Psychology and is passionate about making mindfulness accessible, grounded, and relevant to everyday life.

FILMMAKER WORKSHOP: Tools and Techniques of Motion Picture Lighting
2026-08-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
A brief overview of the theory, equipment, and methods of lighting films for meaning, mood and emotion. Learn tricks and techniques used by top cinematographers and gaffers that can be adapted to low budget indie filmmaking.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Brad first caught the filmmaking bug during high school in 1974 while working as a production assistant on a friend’s independent 16 mm short film. After directing another 16 mm short in the 1980’s, he continued learning the filmmaking craft and assisting on fellow filmmaker’s projects. In the 1990’s, after moving to Seattle WA, Brad continued his filmmaking career in positions that ranged from gaffer to cinematographer to writer/director, and films that varied from commercials to independent features.
During the expansion of his filmmaking resume on the west coast, Brad began teaching film production at the Seattle Film Institute, and then at their sister school, Carolina Film Institute in Greenville, SC. In the years in between, he was the head instructor for the former Blue Ridge Motion Pictures Film Institute, in Asheville, NC. For the last ten years, Brad has been presiding over his own school, the Asheville School of Film. He has 25+ years experience teaching a variety of students and experience levels the craft of filmmaking. Since retiring from teaching the last April, Brad has been working on several of his own independent feature film projects.
Get your tickets to this workshop here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81165051
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening & workshop tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Gather Art Market
2026-08-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Hearth Glass and Gallery, 410 W Main Street Burnsville, NC, 28714, Burnsville, 28714
Gather Art Market will take place at Hearth Glass & Gallery in Burnsville on Saturday, August 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to explore a wide range of handmade work, including ceramics, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, and more. The market offers a relaxed setting to meet the artists, sip some tea, learn about various craft techniques, and discover a wide array of unique handmade goods.

Mountain Resilience Film Block
2026-08-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $10/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Distant Dreams”
Directed by: Caroline Peterson
When Anatoliy Voloshyn left Ukraine to pursue tennis and an education in the United States, he could not have known that his homeland would soon face a full scale invasion. From the tennis courts of small-town Kentucky to the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., this story follows his journey to find ways to build a bridge between two nations. Along the way, he discovers that the true meaning of the American Dream is not individual success alone, but standing together- across borders, languages, and cultures- with a simple promise: “I’ve got your back.”​​
“Houdini II: A Beautiful Day to Die”
Directed by: Daniel John
Reframing the Houdini myth, an African American magician and escape artist claims the name of Harry Houdini and builds a legacy of his own.
This intimate first-person account documentary unfolds through three key escapes, including to a defiant leap of faith off a Miami bridge in 1987.
This film includes firsthand accounts of racism, and references to suicide and dangerous stunts, including a public bridge jump. Viewer discretion is advised.
“Through Hardship: Finding the Limit”
Directed by: Simon Bonneau
This MotoAmerica Superbike documentary follows a team’s final race of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park, amidst personal and financial challenges. The episode details intense race preparation, including bike modifications and unexpected setbacks. Crashes and subsequent repairs create high-stakes drama throughout the weekend.
“Love Song for a Wailing Earth”
Directed by: Scott Kirschenbaum
Set against the haunting beauty of Appalachia, “Love Song for a Wailing Earth” is a short dance film that intimately follows one woman who returns home after Hurricane Helene to confront what was lost—and what remains. Through an unvarnished, vulnerable performance, Conway Weary channels the collective grief of climate trauma, offering a raw and poetic meditation on the experience of displacement and the reality of ecological loss.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81063045
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your VIP All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy Up Brunch
2026-08-22 11:00 - 12:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
EVENT: 11AM
Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy Up Brunch

ENCOUNTERS WITH CREATIVES – ANN WATCHER, ORIGINAL OIL ARTIST
2026-08-22 12:00 - 16:00 | Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio, 51 West Main Street, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
(FREE) Ann Watcher will be on hand to share her techniques and experience in oil paintings.
Ann’s inspiration is creating a visual experience. She describes herself as a painter of color and expression. It is not only subject matter that intrigues her, but the play of shapes and colors and light against one another whether an old house, a boat, or a velvet hat. She strives to put modern touches of different colors around the canvas to express what she feels and sees and often blends elements of realism and abstraction to create a dynamic composition. Two of her floral paintings were selected to appear in season three of the Showtime series, “Homeland” and another floral was featured in a commercial for the Levine Cancer Center in Charlotte. Duke University Medical Pavilion and Elon University have commissioned Ann’s art.

New World, New Me Film Block
2026-08-22 12:30 - 14:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Tickets are $10/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Zona Cesarini”
Directed by: Maryam Rahimi
Mina, a 40- a deaf woman, lives with her young son in a modest apartment. Her life is quiet, meticulous, and structured—until one ordinary day, while cleaning her window, she spots something terrifying: Ivan, her 25-year-old neighbor across the courtyard, is preparing to hang himself.
Without the ability to hear or speak, Mina must act fast. She throws together a plan, grabbing a container of food and heading to his building, hoping to delay his decision long enough to call for help. But how do you knock on a stranger’s door and ask him to live—when you can’t say a single word?
Told with urgency and poetic restraint, Zona Cesarini unfolds in real time, capturing the tension and emotion of a final opportunity. The title refers to a famous Italian football expression used to describe decisive events that happen in the very last moments of a game—the point at which hope seems lost, but change is still possible.
“Going Home”
Directed by: Katie Harbin
A young woman returns home to find that sometimes growing up means growing apart.
“Eye for an Eye”
Directed by: Ashley Bowers
A scavenger in a post-apocalyptic combine attempts to flea their tyrannical leader’s control, but will her sister (their leader) let her?
“Iridescent”
Directed by: A.B. Osborne
Tess, a space explorer, discovers a wondrous new world called Iridescent. As she explores the rich ecosystems of this new planet, she discovers a vibrant new land full of fantastical creatures. Tess reflects on the planet she left behind – a beautiful homeland that was polluted and abandoned.
Handcrafted by Augusta University’s Animation program over 4 years by two cohorts of students and directed by Professor A.B. Osborne, Iridescent is a celebration of the wild world around us.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81062647
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

The Art of Letting Go with Alcohol Inks
2026-08-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Open Hearts Art Center, 217 Coxe Ave #4006, Asheville, 28801
Join us Saturday, August 22 from 1–3 PM for The Art of Letting Go with Alcohol Inks, a creative workshop with Angela Modzelewski, MA, ATR-P, LPC-A of Wild Arts Creative Counseling
Are you holding onto a situation, an expectation, or a feeling that you’re ready to release? Through guided meditation and a unique art process using breath to move alcohol ink, we’ll explore the gentle practice of “letting be” and making space for peace.
This workshop is open to everyone in the community ages 12+ and is offered separately from our regular Open Hearts day program. You do NOT have to be a current participant to join. Just bring your curiosity and come create with us!
You’ll leave with a ceramic coaster or two that is uniquely your own.
– All materials provided
– Pay-What-You-Can (Suggested $25)
– Spaces are limited! To officially reserve your spot, please email info@openheartsartcenter.org.
Facilitator Bio: Angela Modzelewski, ATR-P and LPC-A, integrates art-making with mindfulness and nature-based approaches to foster growth through creative expression. Her therapeutic art workshops support personal well-being, resilience, and reflection.

Make Your Mark: Drawing Improv Workshop | Taught by Greg Benge
2026-08-22 13:00 - 2026-08-23 16:00 | Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Road, Asheville, 28806
An empty page is a lot like an empty stage. Many people who want to draw are stopped by self-consciousness and comparison. Even working artists and performers can become rigid, disconnected from spontaneity.
In this 2-day workshop, we’ll employ the values of improvisation to increase creative confidence and encourage play.
We’ll cover things like:
– Simple drawing tips and practical techniques for clearer, more confident mark-making
– Discussing how drawings can generate scenes, and how scenes can generate drawings
– Appreciating drawing as a live, relational act—not a final product
– Visual drawing exercises that build upon each other
This 2-day workshop is designed for improvisors of all artistic skill levels to foster thinking visually and explore the vibrant relationship between drawing and performing. Participants will learn emerging improvisational drawing formats and collaborate to design their own novel format.

FILMMAKER WORKSHOP: Directing in Pre-Production- Creating, Honing, & Communicating Your Vision
2026-08-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
You’ve got your script together, your producer on board, and you’re assembling a great team to shoot your film, but how do you communicate your vision? Where do you begin when analyzing a script in order to discuss symbolism, look/feel, and motif and how do you tell your team what you need? Where is your place in all of it the work that happens before the camera rolls?
In this workshop we will take apart a general script, discuss the importance of using symbolism and precisely how to do it, create individual visions, and learn how to communicate these to each member of the creative team, from production designer to talent, Production Day 1. You’ll leave with tools for discussion, communication, actor meetings, fielding questions, storyboarding, shotlisting, and more.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated on set because folks don’t seem to “get it”, felt lost in the sauce in production meetings while the crew makes plans around you, or you simply want to learn more about the craft of directing, this workshop is for you.
Get your tickets to this workshop here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=96336259
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening & workshop tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

That Hits Different Film Block
2026-08-22 14:30 - 16:30 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $12/ person, drinks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“UN-DEAD”
Directed by: Bo Webb
A zombie outbreak is ruining Jane’s first day at her new job, but she does something desperate and crazy that changes everything in funny and unexpected ways.
“Fairy Tale”
Directed by: Ann Heatherington
A hard-living stripper is mistaken for a fairy by a grieving little girl. Will she shatter the girl’s impossible dream with a cold shock of reality – or meet her destiny as the Big Fairy who can magically bring mom back?
Fairy Tale takes is a poignant, dark comedy about a magical connection between two strangers – a girl desperate for her mom and a woman desperate for hope – who choose to believe in each other.
“The Border at Tolstoi”
Directed by: Bob Kotyk
A border guard at the US-Canada crossing of Tolstoi, Manitoba falls victim to the effects of a strange weapon that separates her mind from her body.
“For Your Future Wife”
Directed by: Megan Peterson
After leaving an aggressive voicemail post-breakup, a young man moves on to find the beauty in a new relationship with great promise, but his ex-girlfriend struggles to find a new path after his abuse.
“Temporia”
Directed by: Eugene Rocco Utley
A woman visits a botanist with the power to bend nature itself, and with her enchanted herb she journeys through space and time to reach her husband, only to learn that saving him may unleash a dangerous new future.
“Toxic Tampons”
Directed by: Elaina Penn
This PSA/Commercial-style spoof highlights all the dangers of using Toxic Tampons. The producer discovered that most of them have toxic levels of arsenic and metals. She is the writer, producer, videographer, and actor in the piece.
“The Bauk”
Directed by: Will Backer
Fleeing from her abusive husband to her religious mother, a woman must decide whether to keep her pregnancy.
“Crazy B!*#h”
Directed by: Katie Harbin
This crime scene just got crazy.
“Thickly Settled”
Directed by: Brian D. Jones & Jordan Brooks
When a lost man in a crumbling marriage discovers through a chance encounter that traveling back in time may actually be possible, he’s faced with a choice: to change the past risking an uncertain future, or reclaim the path he’s already on.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81063838
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

What’s Shaking Music Summer Send-Off
2026-08-22 15:00 - 17:00 | The Mule at Devi’s Foot Brewing, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, 28803
It’s almost time for back-to-school, but we’re going to celebrate summer one more time! Come sing and dance with us at The Mule (inside, in the air conditioning) on Saturday, August 22. 3-4:30 p.m.
Special guest Elaine Scott! Live music, dance party, drum jam, singalongs, poems, and more! Delicious cool beverages from Devil’s Foot.
Mountain grooves for Pre-K and cool kids of all ages. Fun for all! Free for all!

In Your Head Film Block
2026-08-22 16:30 - 18:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Tickets are $12/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Just for Another Minute”
Directed by: Gabriel Thimoteo
Locked out of her own apartment for just ten minutes, Clara — an anxious, hypervigilant woman quietly in crisis — turns the wait into an existential odyssey.
“Unqualified”
Directed by: Miranda Roldan & Maggie Perrotta
Unqualified is a bold, character-driven short film that challenges outdated ideas of leadership and success. The story follows Valentina Martinez, a Latina mother, military spouse, and entrepreneur applying to an elite MBA program. When her unconventional résumé is questioned during a high-stakes interview, she must defend her lived experience as valid leadership. What unfolds is a quiet act of defiance and a powerful meditation on identity, ambition, and belonging.
“Sweet Dreams”
Directed by: Skylar Lemon
When two friends attempt to enter their dreams to get a break from reality, they must confront their own subconscious; for better or worse.
“Static Skies”
Directed by: David Brian Overholt
Cut off from the internet while visiting his reclusive grandfather, Jamie, a popular teenage TikToker, begins to experience withdrawal as silence replaces the constant pull of his digital world, forcing an uneasy reconnection with both his surroundings and his grandfather, Ray.
“A Little Goldfish”
Directed by: MohammadReza Rahmani
Amid the crowd of Tehran’s bazaar, a little girl sees the world as joyful, beautiful, and full of color — but for her mother, it is bitter, cold, and dark.
“The Rabbit Ballet”
Directed by: Aalia Khan, Kelsey Prudente, Samuel Rodarmel & Layne Sovereign
The Rabbit Ballet is an animated, multimedia student short film that deals with change, control, and choice.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81060274
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Soumya Chakraverty & Mallar Goswami with Blake Hornsby
2026-08-22 19:00 - 22:00 | AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC, 28806
APLR Presents: Soumya Chakraverty & Mallar Goswami with Blake Hornsby
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
AyurPrana Listening Room – 312 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Doors 6PM || Show 7PM
Soumya Chakraverty
Soumya was born into a family of music lovers. His mother received some early training in the Sitar and vocal music. However, both his parents were avid music listeners and had a large collection of LPs and other recordings of classical music at home. His siblings and cousins were all learning Indian Classical music of some form by the time Soumya was a little boy and with lessons on the tabla, so began Soumya’s initiation into Indian classical music. He turned to playing the Sarod when he was eleven under the tutelage of the highly respected Pt. Samarendranath Sikdar, a senior disciple of the late Pt. Radhika Mohan Maitra of the Shahjahanpur Gharana. For nearly thirty years he has received extensive training under his guru in a multitude of north Indian Ragas, some of which are very rare and unique to his Gharana.
His solid technique and thorough grounding in the roots of his own music notwithstanding, his interests also lie in exploring the commonalities of North Indian Classical music with other music styles.
His playing style has been greatly influenced by the likes of his guru and other masters of his Gharana. It highlights a perfect blend between the Rababiya and Gayaki styles that is unique to the Shahjahanpur Gharana. He is both a purist, who likes to maintain the authentic forms of the Ragas as passed down the generations of Ustads (maestros), and at the same time, he likes to experiment with other forms of Indian as well as world music, to find common strands of melodic expression.
Soumya blossomed as a young artist on All India Radio Calcutta between 1990 and 1995. During a brief stint in Australia for a couple of years in the nineties while pursuing his MBA, he truly established himself as a mature instrumentalist, and also began to collaborate with other forms of world music. He performed live with a Flamenco dancer in a production that combined the gypsy roots of the dance with Latin American percussion, Middle Eastern vocals and Indian Classical instrumental music. He returned to Australia in 2000 and 2011, giving concerts, lecture demonstrations and workshops.
For nearly two decades, Soumya has been performing throughout the US, as well as touring Australia and Mexico. He has performed in major cities such as Cleveland, New York, Princeton, Seattle, and his home town of Washington DC, drawing packed audiences and earning rave reviews. In addition to pure Hindustani he continues to work with other music genres such Classical Carnatic (south Indian), flamenco, jazz and latin American percussion. His recent concert and interview at the Library of Congress has gone into the archives of this prestigious institution. Other performances of note, include Hindustani-Carnatic Jugalbandi at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, a collaboration with Ghazal in a program series titled From Ghalib to Gulzar, and a fusion project combining Rabindrasangeet (Tagore songs), Hindusthani classical music, classical Jazz, and West African percussion in a concert titled ‘Sea Thy Melody’.
Soumya balances his busy music schedule alongside a full-time career in banking and risk management. In addition to performances, he also teaches a number of students of Sarod and other stringed instruments, passing the tradition of the Shahjahanpur Gharana to the next generation. Although his primary interest is in Hindusthani classical, he continues to challenge himself exploring and working on blending with other genres of Indian and world music.
All ages
Ending Time is an estimate
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The Misfit Improv Long-Form Comedy Show
2026-08-22 19:30 - 21:30 | NC Stage, 15 Stage Lane, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Asheville’s top improvisers perform long-form improv—full stories and characters sparked by a single audience suggestion. Each Misfit team brings its own style, creating sharp, surprising worlds in real time.

2026 Asheville Film Festival Awards Night Gala
2026-08-22 19:30 - 21:30 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
The 2026 Asheville Film Festival will be held August 21st-23rd, 2026 at the Asheville Masonic Temple in beautiful downtown Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville Film Festival, Co. is a North Carolina 501(c)3 non-profit whose vision is to create and grow a platform for regional and local innovative filmmakers with stories to tell.
The Awards Night Gala is a red carpet, dress-to-impress event where you can rub shoulders with the filmmakers, celebrate the art of film, and see who takes home the Best Film trophy!
Attendees can purchase tickets for the awards night for $25 here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81060985
Weekend passes that get you into all the events throughout the festival are also available for $109 here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Don't Tell Comedy, Hendersonville
2026-08-22 20:00 - 22:00 | 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

Don't Tell Comedy Biltmore Village
2026-08-22 20:00 - 22:00 | French Broad River Brewery, 101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
Show Details
This show will be at an indoor location.
No Outside Drinks permitted.. Drinks will be available for purchase.
Pizza and 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

54 Bicycles: Widespread Panic Preservation
2026-08-22 20:00 - 23:30 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
54 BICYCLES
The current version of Widespread Panic is fantastic, but the tone and energy of a Mikey / Todd show was different. 54 Bicycles plays set lists and plays with an intention of sound and energy closer to the original band. They see the work as preservation and archiving in a real world sense, while also having a hell of a lot of fun.

Crushing It! Beer and Comedy
2026-08-22 22:00 - 23:30 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy Club brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have an extra messy beer themed show!
Crushing It comedy showcase is a throwback to our first years of drinking beer. As each comic takes the stage they will chug or shotgun a beer* before telling jokes! It’s going to be messy and fun as hell.
*or beverage of their choice
This show will take place on the RAD Brew Co. patio.
ages 21+
Doors at 9:30, show at 10pm
Tickets $18

Sunday Morning Service Film Block
2026-08-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Tickets are $10/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“An Eternal Sound”
Directed by: Ryan Broussard & Andrew Meriwether
In the heart of rural North Carolina, Tom Lewtak pursues perfection in one of the oldest and most complex living crafts: Pipe organ building. This meditative journey follows Tom in his creation of a new organ, exploring the transcendent resonance of an eternal sound.
“Honoring Long Person”
In the sacred geography of the Cherokee homeland, rivers do not merely cut through the land—they carry memory, sustenance, and spirit. They are the lifeblood of a people whose connection to water predates written history. This documentary seeks to honor that connection, with humility and care, through the voices of those who know it best: Cherokee elders, leaders, stewards, and visionaries.
From the crystalline streams of the Oconaluftee to the broader reach of the Little Tennessee and Tuckasegee Rivers, we follow the course of “Long Person” (Ganvhidv Asgaya) — a revered being in Cherokee cosmology, whose head begins in the mountains and whose feet reach the sea.
This deeply symbolic understanding reflects both a cosmological truth and an ecological mandate: to live in harmony with the river, and to protect it, as it has always protected us.
“Prayer for Change”
Directed by: Charly Louise
“Prayer for Change” follows Medicine Wheel Way as they rebuild through ceremony and community care, transforming climate devastation into collective healing.
“Songs of the Storm”
Directed by: Aaron Stone & Caroline Aylward
Songs of the Storm is a meditative documentary exploring how artists process devastation and grief through their work. The film follows two Western North Carolina creators in the wake of Hurricane Helene: Sarah Elizabeth Burkey, an Appalachian ballad singer who draws her healing inspiration from the natural world, and Doug Carr, a visual artist and musician transforming trauma into powerful electronic sound. Told in two chapters, each shaped by the rhythm of a song, their stories culminate in performances that reflect resilience, loss, and renewal. Though different in practice, both are bound by the same storm and a shared landscape.
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81063353
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462

Catalyst Cinema Film Block
2026-08-23 12:30 - 14:30 | Asheville Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway , Asheville, 28801
Love short films and documentaries? Want to support local and regional filmmakers? The Asheville Film Festival has film blocks and feature screenings that you don’t want to miss!
Tickets are $10/ person, drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and all ticket sales go to supporting the Asheville Film Festival 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Films to be Screened:
“Highway 251”
Directed by: Grace Ellen Callihan
In July 2025, Jacob Hill and Lennie Antonelli, were struck and killed by a dump truck while riding on Highway 251. This moment impacted not only the cycling community, but the broader Asheville area. Following this event, Brooke Darby, a mountain biker, made a last-minute decision to rush home from college for the Asheville Gran Fondo to be in her home, and do what she loves – bike in her beloved Appalachian Mountains.
“Compass Point”
Directed by: Katie Damien
Follow three homeless individuals as they move from a life on the streets in Asheville, North Carolina into a new supportive housing residence.
“The Other Roe”
Directed by: Wendy Eley Jackson
The Other Roe uncovers the untold story of attorney Margie Pitts Hames, whose Supreme Court victory in Doe v. Bolton—the companion case to Roe v. Wade—reshaped reproductive rights in America and restored a missing chapter of history.
“Wildfire Kitchen”
Directed by: Lily Eliana Levin
In February 2024, Chile’s deadliest wildfires ignited in the Valparaíso region, decimating its hillside poor and rural communities. But in the aftermath of this disaster, ollas comunes — grassroots community kitchens — emerged to feed hundreds each day. These ‘ollas’ were a labor of love, a practice for which to channel care through grief and solidarity through despair. Interwoven with the filmmaker’s self-reflexive experience, Wildfire Kitchen tells the stories of three such ‘ollas’ and the women who led them. Juxtaposing the horrific with the hopeful, this documentary is a testament to the power of community care in the face of catastrophic loss.
“The Damned Thing”
Directed by: Maya Haston
Based on the original 19th-century horror short story, The Damned Thing, comes a modern found-footage spin on the classic tale…
After the violent and unexplainable death of his friend during a remote hunting trip, William Harker – An African American Man- becomes the sole witness and prime suspect, forced to recount an encounter with an invisible predator in this. As he faces growing suspicions and racial bias, the question looms: Is he a traumatized survivor? Or did he do it…?
Get your tickets to this screening here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=96077255
Want to experience the entire festival weekend without the hassle of buying individual screening tickets? Get your All-Access Pass here: https://theashevillefilmfestival.as.me/?appointmentType=81064462
