One of the nation’s fringier fringes celebrates its 17th year, Jan. 20-27.
Creative resistance
In Western North Carolina, 2018 held numerous examples of the arts-infused actions aimed at collective liberation.
New Year’s Eve events around WNC
There are countless ways to see out the old year and welcome the new one. Read on for parties, concerts, dances and more.
Smart Bets: Jamie Laval’s Celtic Christmas
The holiday program of music, dance, poetry and stories from Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Iceland returns to Asheville Community Theatre on Dec. 29.
Social dance highlights
The Asheville area is blessed with opportunities to groove and shimmy, nearly every day of the week.
Hex parties create safe spaces and fund threatened nonprofits
In creating a safe space, “we want the queer community to feel at home there, as well as the Latinx community, people of color, older people,” says one of Hex’s organizers.
Smart Bets: The Nutcracker
Asheville Ballet’s take on the seasonal favorite returns to Diana Wortham Theatre, Dec. 7-9.
Smart Bets: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre’s ballet runs Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Diana Wortham Theatre.
Smart Bets: Bannerman Folk Camp
The 49th annual Thanksgiving weekend gathering takes place Nov. 22-25 at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.
Our VOICE hosts its 17th annual Survivors’ Art Show
This year, the 17th for the event, features the work of local designer Denise Carbonell.
Smart Bets: Etude 22
The evening-length work will be performed Nov. 17-19 at Congregation Beth Ha-Tephila.
Miss Gay Latina celebrates culture, community, camaraderie
Extraordinary entertainment aside, “It’s the sense of camaraderie and inclusion that truly sets this pageant apart,” says last year’s winner, Dorae Saunders.
Halloween happenings around WNC
Halloween falls midweek this year, which means while many ghoulish entertainments will take place the preceding weekend, there are still some events to look forward to on Halloween night itself.
The Asheville Butoh Festival readies for its 12th season
The local festival runs Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 25-28, with three performances and two workshops.
Smart Bets: Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival
The 51st annual folk music festival takes place Oct. 6 at Mars Hill University.
Smart Bets: Mountain Heritage Day
The annual celebration of regional culture takes place Sept. 29 at Western Carolina University.
Smart Bets: N.C. Dance Festival
Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater and artists from Durham and Burlington perform Sept. 28-29 at The BeBe Theatre.
Smart Bets: K-Wave
The dual celebrations of Korean culture will be held Sept. 22 at the TC Roberson High School gymnasium.
Smart Bets: The Prevarigator and the Swamp
The “dance theater satire for liberals and their progeny” runs Sept. 7-9 and 14-16 at BeBe Theater.
The East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival celebrates a neighborhood
A new festival, happening Friday-Sunday, Aug. 24-26 in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, offers a space to celebrate local roots while nourishing connections between neighbors.
Smart Bets: Hex Fest
The two days of workshops, music and dance parties take place Aug. 24-25 at Fleetwood’s and The Mothlight.