French food snob Pierre Geaux (an alter ego of local homesteading authority Bill Whipple) will host Organic Growers School’s upcoming farm-to-table benefit dinner, curated by Meredith Leigh. The event is at UNCA on Saturday, March 12.
Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher performs in Asheville
“Sometimes people ask me, ‘Are you just trying to get a rise out of people, or play Devil’s advocate?’ … I always say exactly what I think, whether my own audience boos me or not,” says Bill Maher, who will share what’s on his mind at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium Saturday, Feb. 20.
A weekend’s worth of Valentine’s Day celebrations
From partner yoga to an adult prom and from self-love workshops to chocolate decadence, there’s something for every kind of Valentine.
Harlem Wizards perform a basketball show to benefit Oakley Elementary
On Friday, Feb. 5, the Harlem Wizards take the court at at the Kimmel Arena against local athletes to raise money for Oakley Elementary School.
Comedian Cliff Cash brings the Sick of Stupid tour to Asheville
Cliff Cash, along with fellow stand-up comedians Tom Simmons and Stewart Huff, has embarked on the eight-stop Sick of Stupid tour, with an Asheville date Friday, Jan. 22 at The Millroom.
The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival defies genres
The Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, which runs Thursday to Sunday, Jan. 21-24, features more than 30 local and imported performing artists.
Smart bets: Best of Asheville Comedy Showcase
Ten local comedians take the stage at the Millroom Saturday, Jan. 9, at 8 p.m.
Smart bets: Sean Patton
The New Orleans-raised comedian shares gems of wisdom at The Odditorium Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m.
Top 5 comedy shows of 2015
From stand-up open mics featuring local talent to national acts, Asheville delivered some big laughs.
Asheville Vaudeville finds a new home at Toy Boat Community Art Space
Dapper and diabolical master of ceremonies Onkel Woland is part of variety show Asheville Vaudeville, which returns to Toy Boat Community Art Space Saturday, Nov. 28 for a night of clowning, comedy, puppetry and burlesque.
Satirist Lizz Winstead bangs the dumb slowly
Political standup satirist Lizz Winstead will make her third appearance on the stage of The Grey Eagle Thursday, Nov. 19, a stop on her Bang the Dumb Slowly tour.
Comedian Joe Zimmerman returns to Asheville
After an inauspicious (but fondly remembered) start in Hendersonville, comedian Joe Zimmerman has built a successful stand-up career based in New York City. His current tour brings him back to Asheville, where he’ll perfom at The Southern Saturday, Nov. 14.
Monthly Super Happy Trivia Challenge is more ’70s game show than pub contest
One Wednesday a month Adam Jack Arthur and his co-host, Troy Burnette, invite local performers to answer questions from a thoroughly researched stack of several hundred topics ranging from beer, superstitions and various geeky minutiae. That event, Super Happy Trivia Challenge, returns Wednesday, Oct. 21.
New Web series Transplanting lovingly satirizes Asheville life
“Transplanting” debuted Wednesday, Sept. 30, on transplantingseries.com, and a new installment will be posted each Wednesday, at 2 p.m., through the end of January. Over the first 10 episodes, main character Maeve interviews for various jobs, goes glamping (glamorous camping) and goes on a bad date with a “brogi” (a man-child who practices yoga).
Magic mind reading and mayhem: A Q+A with mentalist Erik Dobell
Magical comedian Chris Collins and mentalist Erik Dobell recently teamed up to combine their talents into one astonishing show. The result, Impossibilities: An Evening of Magic, Mind Reading and Mayhem, comes to N.C. Stage Company for three nights — Friday, Sept. 4 to Sunday, Sept. 6.
ACT ends 69th season with ’60s farce
The British farce Not Now, Darling, written by by John Chapman and Ray Cooney, seems so fabulously retro now. In reality, it was just another modern play of the era. But these days, thanks to TV shows like “Mad Men,” “Pan Am,” “The Astronaut Wives Club,” and the subsequent wave of nostalgia, audiences are getting a whole new look at that bygone era.
LYAO festival represents Asheville’s growing stand-up scene
Laugh Your Asheville Off isn’t your average comedy fest, says Head of Development Charlie Gerencer. With more than 50 new comics and no repeat performances, each of the four nights of the festival stands on its own, and offers an eclectic assortment of comedy styles.
Looking for something? Best of WNC listings are here!
Our first round of Best of WNC results were released in this week’s print issue. The results are now posted online — in a highly visible and easily accessible format.
Smart bets: Teatro del Gusto
Local bands open and close each segment of this body-inspired entertainment extravaganza, which will be hosted at the Orange Peel on Sunday, July 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Smart bets: Aaron Kleiber
A veteran of the Pittsburgh comedy scene, Kleiber began his entertainment journey with childhood antics, eventually solidifying his place as a professional comedic actor, writer and film producer.
ABSfest plays with traditional burlesque roles
For years, the standard burlesque picture has been a fully clothed man in a suit surrounded by women who are nearly nude. But as the industry evolves and new voices take charge, that image is now in flux.