Throughout the pandemic, local arts programs have rallied and adapted to the demands brought about by COVID-19, providing teachers much-needed relief and students a chance to express themselves during these trying times.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival embraces digital format
The festival’s 19th edition features shows designed for online presentation, plus a few socially distanced outdoor events.
Corrective lens: Edwin Arnaudin’s favorite articles in 2020
Our A&E Editor was inspired by creative work from social justice advocates and an increased sense of community.
Asheville stand-up comedians prepare comebacks as COVID-19 restrictions lift
Hilliary Begley, Moira Goree and Peter Smith-McDowell discuss life as a stand-up comic during a pandemic.
Smart Bets: FOIA Love
**POSTPONED** The comedy and bluegrass show stops by Hi-Wire’s Big Top on March 18.
Smart Bets: The Comedy Show
The new monthly series kicks off Feb. 20 at the YMI Cultural Center.
Valentine’s Day happenings in and around Asheville
Asheville’s newest Valentine’s Day soirée doesn’t quite embody traditional romance.
Smart Bets: Shane Mauss
The comedian, science podcaster and psychedelic advocate brings a pair of shows to the Funkatorium on Feb. 6.
Sandlin Gaither shares ‘Crazy Things People Say in a Bar’
Gaither presents a spoken-word-plus jazz performance at The Crow & Quill on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Asheville Fringe Arts Festival returns for its 18th year
More than 40 local and national acts are scheduled for this year’s Asheville Fringe. The four-day ticketed portion of the festival runs Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 23-26, with additional parties and free events taking place now through Sunday, Jan. 26.
Comedy troupe Reasonably Priced Babies keeps the laughs coming
Reasonably Priced Babies return to Ambrose West on Friday, Jan. 17. The troupe also performs at Black Mountain Center for the Arts on Friday, Jan. 24.
Holiday-themed productions around Asheville
Local offerings range from classic ballets, poignant soul searches and snarky send-ups of this month of family drama and heightened emotions.
Comedian Cliff Cash on living his best life
Cash came to realize that some of his challenges, such as insomnia, depression and anxiety, could be harnessed to feed his comedy work and to find meaning in confusion and chaos.
AIC hosts Asheville’s inaugural improv festival
Asheville-based improvisers are a key part of the festival. “You’ll get to see a lot of the talent that’s already here in Asheville,” says Clifton Hall, the dean of AIC. “I would put some of our shows up against any other great show that you might see. There’s great improv here.”
Adventurous entertainment in Asheville
Want to add an extra layer of intrigue to your recreation? Try a costumes community bike ride, an LGBTQ+ walking tour, an escape adventure or a figure drawing salon.
Smart Bets: Bobcat Goldthwait & Dana Gould
**UPDATE: EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED** The revered standups tape a comedy special at The Mothlight on Aug. 17.
Four-day Asheville Comedy Festival returns
The 51 comedians who made the cut for the 2019 Asheville Comedy Festival, previously known as Laugh Your Asheville Off, will perform at three venues (Diana Wortham Theatre, Highland Brewing and LaZoom Room) Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 7-10.
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Smart Bets: Casey Balsham
The New York City-based stand-up performs at LaZoom Room on July 19 and 20.
The wellRED Comedy Tour stops at The Orange Peel
Trae Crowder, aka the Liberal Redneck, Crowder will perform in Asheville with fellow standup artists Drew Morgan and Corey Ryan Forrester on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14.
Smart Bets: More Crimes and Missed Demeanings
The comedy stage show runs July 12-14 at The Magnetic Theatre.