Exhibit Opening: Watercolor From Regional Artists
2026-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Art Place Gallery, 730 Locust Street, Hendersonville, 28782
The Art League of Henderson County is excited to host the Western North Carolina Watercolor Society in featuring beautiful works from talented watercolor artists across the region. The opening reception will showcase the watercolor works, plus a variety of 2D and 3D work from our member artists.

PATIO SHOW: Morgan Bevis of Shed Bugs
2026-05-01 17:30 - 19:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
MORGAN BEVIS OF SHED BUGS
Morgan Bevis is a guitarist and songwriter based in Asheville, NC. Having established himself locally with his jam band ‘Shed Bugs,’ Morgan’s solo repertoire takes a step back from the sonic intensity of psychedelic rock to create a raw & stripped down acoustic experience. Listeners to his live performances can always expect a heavy mix of loops and improvisation in genres ranging from folk, blues, bluegrass, and country.

Stewart/Owen Dance + Guests
2026-05-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Fri & Sat, May 1 & 2 • 7 pm
After a sold-out run in 2024, this curated evening showcases the ensemble alongside guest choreographers, each bringing a distinct voice. Spanning from elegant to electric, the program includes Stewart/Owen’s Asheville premiere of The Front—a sharply charged satire commissioned by the American Dance Festival.
The Front was commissioned by American Dance Festival with support from The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.
Spotlight on Stewart/Owen Dance:
The Front makes its Asheville debut with sharp satire and kinetic energy
Their work bridges dance, film, and music through high-profile collaborations
Recently named WNC’s top dance company for pushing creative boundaries
As Wortham’s Resident Company, they teach community classes and perform
Their 2023 Wortham performances sold out—continuing a streak of high-demand shows

Tryon Little Theater's "Steel Magnolias"
2026-05-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-02 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Tryon Little Theater Workshop, 516 S. Trade St., Tryon, 28782
Theater production

An Evening With Chris Smither
2026-05-01 20:00 - 21:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES FULLY SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE CHRIS SMITHER The sound and imagery of the 20th release by Chris Smither, All About the Bones, (release date: May 3, 2024 on Signature Sounds/Mighty Albert, distributed by Redeye) is as elemental as the inky black shadows cast by a shockingly bright moon. The listener is welcomed into some gothic mansion on an imaginary New Orleans street, and there in the lamplit parlor confronts the band, a minimalist skeleton crew: Smither’s inimitable propulsive guitar and rumbling baritone are joined seamlessly to producer David Goodrich’s carpetbag of instruments, Zak Trojano’s rock-steady, primal drumming, BettySoo’s diaphanous harmony vocals, and the flat, mournful flood of Jazz legend Chris Cheek’s saxophone. Recorded at Sonelab Studios in Easthampton MA by Justin Pizzoferrato (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., the Hold Steady) All About the Bones has a feel that is somehow baroque and austere at once. Smither and his longtime producer David Goodrich have been refining their musical conversation for decades, both in the studio and onstage, and by now, their bond verges on the telepathic. Goodrich plays on nearly every track. His sound is by now so translucent that it seems to function as a swath of silence, allowing the songs to burn like ciphers in the crackling air. And oh, the songs on All About the Bones. Chris Smither, after six decades of sharpening his knife as a songwriter, can at this point open damn near anything with a flick of his wrist. God and the Devil are opened here. Mortality is too. Politics, consciousness, renewal, family, vulnerability, surrender… Smither has sat with these topics like so many Zen koans, for so long, that every line is a pearl. The title track, “All About the Bones,” kicks the record off with “Consider your high station/ think about your fame. All of your creation depended on your frame.” Irony, wit, the double meaning of “depended”… each verse is a master class in songwriting. Yet the stark, elemental sage always has a twinkle in his eye, a light touch at your elbow as he guides you along. From the wickedly funny defense of the Adversary in “If Not for the Devil” to the unsentimental open-heartedness of “Still Believe in You,” he is as human as we all long to be. The disjointed imagery of “In the Bardo” and the dystopian mirror of “Close the Deal” find Smither unflinchingly staring down the mortality of both individuals and republics, and yet he is at peace, among loved ones in his cover of Eliza Gilkyson’s “Calm Before the Storm,” and turning his gaze to the future in “Completion”. As noted by the New York Times, Rolling Stone, MOJO, NPR, and others, in the decades of travels to All About the Bones, Chris Smither has gone from up-and-comer to journeyman to veteran to icon, and yet the whole time his path has more closely resembled Joseph Campbell’s “Hero with a Thousand Faces”- an unblinking, fearless trek into the depths of struggle and revelation, and a return back to the land of the living, to share the hard-won treasures found along the way. His restlessness is long gone, and his eyes are fixed “where the moonlight falls on some never-to-be-seen horizon” (“Still Believe in You”). The light given off from his music casts our own lives into a sublime and welcome clarity.

Modelface Comedy Presents Carmen Lagala
2026-05-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country. This week we have Carmen Lagala from NYC in Asheville!
Carmen Lagala masterfully blends silly and confessional humor with an approach that makes you feel like you’re pulling an all-nighter with a best friend. Carmen’s journey from a shy Vermont collegiate hall-of-fame athlete to a well-known New York City stand-up comedian is nothing short of inspiring.
After performing throughout the country for around 15 years, Carmen has developed a fearless approach to comedy. She tackles everything from current events to personal experiences, leaving no topic off limits.
Whether she’s speaking on awkward relationships, mental health, or coming out late in life as pansexual, Carmen brilliantly turns her vulnerabilities into laugh-out-loud material.
You may have seen her on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, from her viral Don’t Tell Comedy set, or in clubs and colleges around the country!
You can find her on Instagram & TikTok, and subscribe to her YouTube channel to catch her debut hour-long special which hit 100k views in its first two months!
PROJECTS
Carmen filmed her debut special, “Sweet Batch” in 2024 and released on it on her YouTube channel, SiriusXM, and all audio platforms. Subscribe to her YT channel CarmenLagalaComedy to watch this tightly packed hour on everything from making dog-fur mittens to a serial killer in her hometown!
Carmen has partnered with OnlyFansTV and has an account dedicated to bonus comedy and behind-the-scenes content. Subscribe on OF to CarmenLagala.
Carmen is a host of one of the longest running indie stand-up shows in the world, Comedians You Should Know. CYSK is every Wednesday at Gutter Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She also hosts the wildly popular and whimsical Zoomies, a cat-filled comedy show every first Friday (and some special Mondays) at Brooklyn Cat Cafe.
Featuring Sarah Love
ages 18+
doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm
This is an outdoor show, food available
Upstairs bar, above the Greenman tasting room
Tickets $18

Mother’s Day Watercolor Workshop | Flower Card Making Class | May 2
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC, 28711, United States
A creative bonding experience for all ages and skill levels. All supplies included!
Celebrate Mother’s Day with creativity at this intimate watercolor workshop on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Led by artist Melanie, this beginner-friendly session guides you through essential techniques to capture the beauty of a live floral still life. You’ll create three unique, professional-grade cards using premium materials provided on-site. Whether you come solo to craft a surprise gift or bring a companion along, it’s a perfect morning of artistic connection in Black Mountain. Space is limited for this $30 session ($50 per pair)—reserve your spot today to give a gift straight from the heart.

COLD WAX ALCHEMY WORKSHOP WITH GINA LOUTHIAN-STANLEY - DAY 1
2026-05-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio, 51 West Main Street, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
Discover the beautiful layers, textures, and marks that only oil and cold wax can achieve finding inspiration within your own marks, compositions and intuition during this three-day workshop with artist Gina Louthian-Stanley. We will explore various techniques such as working methods, substrates, drying times, opaque and transparent color, pigments and powders, blending, color schemes, glazing, solvent reduction, transfer and printmaking techniques, creating textures, adding collage and more. Plenty of demos and individual discussions.
All skill levels would benefit from this class, especially beginners. (Advanced techniques are an option for those who have taken a prior class.)

Blue Ridge Orchestra's "Boom-De-Ay" May 2nd, ACRHS
2026-05-02 15:00 - 17:00 | A.C. Reynolds High School, 1 Rocket Drive, Asheville, 28803
Ta-Ra-Ra, “BOOM-DE-AY”− The Blue Ridge Orchestra echoes its previous program (Ta-Ra-Ra), while celebrating the spirited 26th season finale under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Emily Mariko Eng. The BRO ‘Booms’ with percussive explosions in Natalie Williams’s Sonic Boom, Chaminade’s Callirhoë Suite, Stravinsky’s “Berceuse” and “Finale” from the 1919 version of the Suite from The Firebird, and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
“These works are just thrilling,” says Music Director Emily Eng. “Our program celebrates some of the most percussive moments in the orchestral repertoire. But don’t worry: not everything is loud and booming. Soft and sensitive passages build to the moments of triumph and grandeur. We look forward to bringing you on that journey with us!”
The BRO’s home at UNC Asheville is undergoing a multi-year scheduled renovation. While displaced from Lipinsky Hall, we are thrilled to express reverberating, joyful melodies at venues near you! Our passionate group of volunteer musicians will perform in the historically famous A.C.Reynolds High School Auditorium, east of Asheville, and the renowned Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, 3:00 pm
A.C.Reynolds High School
1 Rocket Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, 3:00 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
18 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
Tickets: Pricing varies per venue. Please visit our event page for accurate rates. Children 6 and under are always free.
Info:https://blueridgeorchestra.org/boom-de-ay-may-2026, Facebook, Instagram, or call 828-782-3354.

PATIO SHOW: Forty Drop Few & Vaiano’s Paisanos
2026-05-02 17:00 - 19:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
– LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
FORTY DROP FEW & VAIANO’S PAISANOS
The “Forty Drop Few” are a trio originally from the southwest that play popular music of the early 1900s. They perform in various styles from the era as a string band and are influenced by nothing other than the old 78 records that they love so well. Their main influences include New Orleans jazz, southwestern fiddle music, classic banjo rags, black string band music, hillbilly harmonies and unique vocals. The trio consists of Ethan Francis, Candra Edwards and Elliot Kennedy who all currently reside in Portland Oregon. The couple, also known as “Stone and Sue” have been playing music together for a decade and met Kennedy who joined them 6 years ago. The three are inseparable and spend all of their time picking apart old tunes, listening to 78s, throwing shows in Portland and traveling around the country together.
Vaiano’s Paisanos, the string band, founded by Rachel Meirs (violin, mandolin); Maxwell Apra(mandolin, tenor banjo, tenor guitar); and Van Burchfield (guitar)—which sometimes balloons to a quintet, thanks to Quentin Bardinet (mandolin, tenor banjo, tenor guitar) and Albanie Faletta (guitar)—is a melting pot of old- instrumentation, with international repertoire gathered from recordings made in New York City. Though the musicians in the band met busking in New Orleans, fiddler in chief Meirs, now based in Louisville, KY, first encountered some of the recordings that inspired this project while working at the Jalopy Theatre over a decade ago. Following in the grand tradition of musical discovery and dissemination by Jalopy Records labelmate and musicological genius Pat Conte, curator of the acclaimed Secret Museum archival reissue series, Vaiano’s Paisanos’ repertoire consists of the masterful melodies immigrants would’ve been humming along and dancing to in the late ’20s and early ’30s. Think Cape Verdean fiddle tunes, Italian mandolin music, pre-Belafonte Calypsos, and Venezuelan waltzes. “Almost everything in our repertoire was originally recorded in New York City,” explains Meirs. “It’s not that we chose to play immigrant music; it’s that we come from a society largely made up of immigrants, and this music is a beautiful byproduct of that melting pot, as are we.” We owe our gratitude to the musicians who originally composed, played, and eventually recorded this music, who all came from different countries and traditions, and all recorded in New York in the 1920’s and 30’s. Of course, we would not have heard any of these songs if not for the people who seek out and and collect old 78’s, and who found ways to share what was on them, so that they eventually made their way to our ears in compilations, blog posts, discord channels, youtube videos, or a CD burned and sent in the mail.

Full Moon Sound Journey in the Salt Cave
2026-05-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Asheville Salt Cave, 12 Eagle St., Asheville, North Carolina, 28801
The Full Moon is a time of illumination, reflection, and release. Join Latoya for a guided sound journey in the tranquil Salt Cave, where meditation and the healing vibrations of sound invite deep relaxation and inner alignment with the rhythms of the lunar cycle.

Hendersonville Ballet presents "The Enchanted Garden of Le Corsaire and other works""
2026-05-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Blue Ridge Community College, Bo Thomas Auditorium, 180 W Campus Dr, Flat Rock, Henderson County, North Carolina 28731, Flat Rock, NC, 28731, United States
Hendersonville Ballet presents “The Enchanted Garden from Le Corsaire” also featuring the music of French artist “Indila” with original choreography by Betsy Dixon and “Reflections on Helene” with original choreography by Joy Shanahan on May 1-2, 2026 at 7pm at the Thomas Auditorium on the Blue Ridge Community College campus. Tickets available online and at the door.

Eyes Up Here Comedy: Mother's Day Edition
2026-05-02 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! We are celebrating Mother’s in Comedy!!
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

The Nude Party
2026-05-02 20:00 - 23:30 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
THE NUDE PARTY
For The Nude Party, nearly a decade has flown by in the blink of an eye. In that time, the New York-based band has released a pair of well-received albums, an EP, and played countless shows. Prior to the pandemic, the band was really starting to hit its stride. They had a system in place and were spreading their brand of melodic rock to the masses. In fact, they could count Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, and Orville Peck as vocal supporters, which led to support slots for each. Soon, incredible live appearances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk Festival, and Shaky Knees became the norm.
Over the course of the last two years, The Nude Party decided to produce their new album, Rides On, themselves. With the help of Matthew Horner, The Nude Party had as much fun creating as they ever had at any other point in their career. Their new album includes 14 songs that dabble in electro-pop and stripped-down country. The Nude Party coalesced and embraced the spirit of collaboration. They’re excited to begin the next chapter of their career.
At a time when it would have been easy to pack it in, the band continues to persevere.
TOBACCO CITY
Tobacco City is a Chicago-based band that blends cosmic country with a mix of psychedelic rock and honky-tonk soul. Their sound captures the essence of small-town nostalgia while embracing modern-day themes, exploring heartache, longing, and the bittersweet nature of life. With their uplifting energy and authentic songwriting, Tobacco City continues to carve out a unique space in the country-tinged Americana scene.

Witching Hour, Dark and Dirty Comedy
2026-05-02 21:00 - 23:00 | Eda Rhyne, 101 Fairview Rd, Asheville, 28803
Modelface Comedy presents The Witching Hour Comedy Showcase at Eda Rhyne Distillery
Witching Hour is a dark and dirty comedy show featuring some of the filthiest comics in the South!! Combining dark humor with hauntingly delicious Appalachian cocktails.
This show is ages 21 and up and NC17
Doors at 8:30pm, show at 9pm
Tickets $15 advance, $18 day of

Yoga Taco Mosa
2026-05-03 10:00 - 11:00 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Join us for Yoga Taco Mosa the first Sunday of every month.
This is a donation based slow flow class lead by the ever so lovely, Clare Desmelik.
Bring your yoga mat, water bottle and an open heart while we honor one another and stretch into our Sunday.
We’ll follow the class with tacos and mimosas at The Grey Eagle Taqueria.

COLD WAX ALCHEMY WORKSHOP WITH GINA LOUTHIAN-STANLEY - DAY 2
2026-05-03 10:00 - 15:00 | Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio, 51 West Main Street, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States

Blue Ridge Orchestra's "Boom-De-Ay" May 3rd, Diana Wortham Theatre
2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States

JORTS! A Comedy Show in Shorts
2026-05-03 19:00 - 21:00 | The River Arts District Brewing Company, 13 Mystery Street, Asheville, 28801
Modelface Comedy presents JORTS! a stand up comedy showcase featuring hot comedy and even hotter knees!
Put on your best jorts or cut up some jeans and make a new pair because tonight we are rolling knees out!
All the comedians will be rocking their best pair and we want to see y’all in yours.
Daisy duke to John Cena, all jort styles welcome
Prizes for all audience members rocking a pair!!
ages 18+
doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Tickets $15

Cass McCombs + Band: Interior Live Oak Live
2026-05-03 20:00 - 23:30 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
CASS McCOMBS
Over the past twenty plus years, Cass McCombs has journeyed a singular path as an uncompromising song-carver, guitarist and singer.
Along with the finest squadron of collaborators and bandmates, his music travels gracefully over seemingly contradictory terrain, from infectious guitar riffage to intensely personal lyricism.
In August 2025, Cass released his newest album “Interior Live Oak” to rave reviews including 5 stars from the Guardian, an 8.1 from Pitchfork who said “16 songs and not a throwaway among them…,” a 9/10 from Uncut Magazine, and a rave from Mojo magazine who said “…this is the kind of record it’s impossible to be casual about.”
Interior Live Oak is his most personal album to date, and, more than any previous record, shows his vast range as a lyricist and musician. It draws from everything Cass has created over two decades of experimentation to cut through with a direct and clarifying light.
Cass McCombs will embark on his “Interior Live Oak Live” tour over 2026. He lives in New York City.
LAEL NEALE
Lael Neale’s minimalist drone pop draws inspiration from the Transcendentalists, the alienation of modern life, and a rich array of musical influences—ranging from Dionne Warwick and John Lennon to primitive American gospel and Spacemen 3. Her expansive new record, Altogether Stranger, was written and recorded in the early morning quiet of Los Angeles. Clocking in at just 32 minutes, the 9-song LP covers an unexpected breadth of musical and lyrical terrain—from garage rock nursery rhymes and creation myths to Motorik dance dirges and solitary Omnichord meditations. A brilliant lyricist, Neale has a unique ability to uncover the extraordinary within the mundane, tackling themes of polarity that recur throughout her work—country vs. city, humanity vs. technology, isolation vs. society. This album is her third collaboration with producer Guy Blakeslee who helps expand the tonal palette while staying true to Neale’s commitment to the raw immediacy and hand-made intimacy of home recording.

Metalsmithing 101: The Basics 3-Part Series May 4/11/18
2026-05-04 09:00 - 2026-05-18 14:30 | Ignite Jewelry Studios, 84 W Walnut St Unit A, Asheville, 28801
Want to learn to make jewelry? This beginner friendly metalsmithing course teaches the basic skills involved in making your own jewelry. Learn to use a variety of tools and equipment common in a jewelry studio.
This 3 Day Series will teach many techniques including sawing, filing, polishing, soldering, textures, and more!
Included is 4 Open Studio sessions (Wed/Thurs 11-4) valid for 2 months from class start.
Class Times 9am-2:30 pm
Materials Fee: $55 -due at class
Class Times: Mondays 9am-2:30pm May 4/11/18
By the end of the series each students will have at least 2-3 finished jewelry pieces and likely many more!

COLD WAX ALCHEMY WORKSHOP WITH GINA LOUTHIAN-STANLEY - DAY 3
2026-05-04 10:00 - 15:00 | Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio, 51 West Main Street, Brevard, NC, 28712, United States

Butterfly Garden Stakes
2026-05-04 13:00 - 16:30 | Arrowhead Gallery and Studios, 77 Catawba Ave.,, Old Fort, 28762
Create some flutters in your garden!
Students will use pre-cut glass to create their own butterfly; learn how to clean, foil, flux, and solder their creation together.
Copper embellishments and findings can be added to make your butterfly unique. Suitable for outdoor or indoor use.
All materials supplied, including stakes or hardware to hang your piece.

Asheville Symphony Masterworks 7: Unbroken
2026-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Two performances: 2pm and 8pm
Darko Butorac, conductor
Adam Golka, piano
The Asheville Symphony’s season finale opens with RAINN, a newly commissioned work by Karena Ingram, whose music is celebrated for its vivid textures. Mozart’s twenty-third piano concerto follows, balancing sophistication with elegance. Finally, Shostakovich’s striking Tenth emerges from darkness into light; searing drama gives way to triumphant resolution as Shostakovich makes a powerful declaration of personal and artistic resilience.
Ingram: RAINN
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

Free Art Class for Kids!
2026-05-04 14:00 - 2026-12-13 16:00 | Arrowhead Gallery and Studios, 77 Catawba Ave.,, Old Fort, 28762
The Free Art Class for kids happens on the first Sunday of every month from 2 pm to 4 pm. The classes use different media and are taught by volunteer artists who want to share their love of Art with others!
All supplies will be provided.
Join us for an afternoon of fun and learning!
MUST REGISTER ONLINE BEFORE CLASS

Built To Spill w/ The Hypos
2026-05-04 20:00 - 23:30 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
BUILT TO SPILL
Built to Spill was formed in 1993 by Doug Martsch and over the years they have toured extensively and made several albums with a rotating cast of musicians, currently featuring Teresa Esguerra (Prism Bitch) on drums, and Melanie Radford (Blood Lemon) on bass.
THE HYPOS
The Hypos are an Asheville, NC/ Memphis, TN band built around the collaboration of veteran songwriters Greg Cartwright (Reigning Sound, Oblivians) and Scott McMicken (Dr Dog, Ever-Expanding). Their eponymous debut album is a playful blend of sounds and styles that is wonderfully hard to categorize but easy to enjoy. Joined by Evan Martin on drums, Kevin Williams on bass and Krista Wroten on violin, the Hypos world is a lush landscape of bouncing rhythms and Earthy acoustics. Scott’s unmistakable voice, brimming with curiosity and wonder, makes the perfect traveling companion to Greg’s road worn croon as they investigate all the sonic possibilities on their 10 song LP. Also, they like Frogs. A lot. What else do you need to know? Oh yeah, this fine album was lovingly mixed by Matt Ross-Spang.

SPIRITED IMPROV GROUP PLAYSHOP SERIES
2026-05-05 12:00 - 14:00 | Homewood, 19 Zillicoa St., Asheville, NC, 28801
ABOUT SPIRITED IMPROV
Spirited Improv is a unique fusion of expressive arts, spiritual practice, and group play that helps you release fear, trust the unknown, and show up as your truest self.
Spirited Improv is a soul-centered community experience that uses improvisational play as the container for spiritual growth, personal transformation, and authentic connection.
Rather than focusing on comedy or performance, we use improv as a living practice, one that invites presence, trust, curiosity, and responsiveness in the moment.
Facilitated by Jessica Chilton, who brings over 20 years of improvisational performing arts experience and 16 years as an expressive arts therapist, weaving creativity, spirituality, and presence into a safe, transformative group experience.
WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING
“Spirited Improv is authentic, vulnerable and connective. It meets my need to deeply feel, be seen and see others. On my first night I experienced such a profound healing experience after sharing what was on my heart. It was like a sound, healing touch, full moon energy bath that opened my heart. ” ~ Kate
“Spirited Improv is a fun and little bit edgy way of interacting with the mystery of the moment. You decide how much you want to interact or observe from the audience so you never have to do anything you don’t want to do. It is an opportunity to let go of control and explore the spontaneity of life and creativity in a supportive, safe environment..” ~ Kenyon
“I got to play, move my body, laugh, take joy in watching my friends come alive, give and receive big hugs, and feel the presence of the ancestors who always join me. There’s something so sacred about being present with others while we play, witness and embody what is.” ~ Sue
WHO IS THIS FOR
People drawn to spirituality, personal growth, and inner exploration
Those seeking genuine connection, community, and a sense of belonging
Creatives and non-creatives alike – no improv or performance experience needed
Individuals who value compassion, openness, and radical acceptance
People who want to grow in joyful, embodied ways rather than through heavy or rigid processes
Those who want to make a positive impact by starting with inner transformation
If you’re open, curious, and willing to show up as you are—you belong here.

DANCE WITH THE DEAD + MAGIC SWORD: The Face Off Tour 2026
2026-05-05 20:00 - 23:30 | The Grey Eagle Music Hall and Pub, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
ALL AGES
STANDING ROOM ONLY
DANCE WITH THE DEAD
Drawing inspiration from the dystopian and chilling worlds of cult classic horror and science-fiction films, duo Justin Pointer and Tony Kim have spent over a decade crafting a signature fusion of dark electronic music and metal-fueled synth anthems. Hailing from Irvine, California (USA), DANCE WITH THE DEAD continue to push the boundaries of retro-futuristic soundscapes and cinematic storytelling.
The project first emerged on Halloween night in 2013 with their debut release, setting the tone for a career defined by innovation and an ever-evolving sonic identity. Their early work—spanning atmospheric orchestral-leaning pieces and aggressive synth metal—solidified their presence with fan-favorite releases such as Into the Abyss (EP), Near Dark, and crossover hits like “Andromeda” and “Invader.” Their influence within the synthwave world earned them a featured appearance in the acclaimed documentary The Rise of the Synths, narrated by filmmaker John Carpenter.
DANCE WITH THE DEAD’s distinctive sound merges analog synth textures with the raw grit of early heavy metal guitars—a combination shaped by influences such as Hans Zimmer, Justice, Daft Punk, The Misfits, White Zombie, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Kavinsky, Metallica, and John Carpenter. Their catalog has featured notable collaborations as well, including guest contributions from John Carpenter and Cody Carpenter (Driven to Madness), as well as Nick Hipa and professional skateboarder Elliot Sloan (Loved to Death).
MAGIC SWORD
Magic Sword is an ageless tale of good and evil told through an ever expanding graphic novel with each volume accompanied by an original, synth-heavy soundtrack as well as immersive live performances. With the three mediums intertwined from conception, together they create an epic experience for those bold enough to bear witness and come away with a deeper understanding of the ultimate hero’s journey. Armed with a musical and visual aesthetic that has its roots unabashedly buried deep in the golden era of ‘70s and ‘80s fantasy and sci-fi, Magic Sword’s followers are called to another plane of existence where the struggle between light and shadow becomes all too real. The multiverse has aligned to bring the people of the land together for the birth of their album Endless, followed by a tour of the realm searching for the greater good.
MEGAN MCDUFFEE
Megan McDuffee is a Seattle-based award-winning music producer, composer, and recording artist. She grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and always had something musical going on, from taking private lessons to 11 years of participating in world-traveling choirs. Megan graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Scoring and a minor in Electronic Music. With a desire to further her education, she went on to the Berklee College of Music, earning a Master’s Certificate in Orchestration for Film and TV. By day Megan scores video games, TV shows, and movie trailers, and by night she produces dark, moody, edgy electronica and rock that rides the line between dreams and nightmares.
