Community Calendar

You’re invited to the 4th annual Trails & Trains Festival this June 4-6, 2026! Mark your calendar and help us celebrate the Great Trails State by joining us in downtown Old Fort, North Carolina. Come celebrate with us the rich history of our Blue Ridge Mountain community by focusing on its pathways and connections through the town’s notable railroad and Pisgah National Forest history. Keynote Speaker John Kelly, live music from renowned bluegrass musicians, and exhibitor booths from outdoor recreation brands. Vendor Village and Food Trucks.

International circus skills performer and teacher Paolo Garbanzo takes you on a journey, from fundamental whip safety to dynamic techniques for stage. Moving from the basics to more advanced whipcracks, this class progresses at the pace of the students. Some whips will be available for loan and sale.
Whip is LOUD.
➡ About Paolo - Paolo travels the US, UK and Europe performing his juggling, comedy and fire show in three languages. He taught circus arts at the School in Turin, Italy, and leads cultural and D&D tours in both England
and New Orleans.

What happens when stress, emotion, and the nervous system collide?
This engaging talk explores how modern neuroscience explains something many people feel but struggle to name: how life experiences — especially stress and emotional overwhelm — shape the body, influence the brain, and affect our sense of well-being.
Walk away with practical techniques you can use immediately to calm your nervous system, release tension, and restore a sense of balance and clarity.
Long before neuroscience mapped stress responses or trauma patterns, Edgar Cayce - known as the “Sleeping Prophet” - spoke about the deep connection between physical health, emotional balance, and the inner life. Today, discoveries in neuroscience and psychology reveal striking parallels, positioning Cayce as a fascinating Western bridge between older wisdom traditions and modern science.
In this eye-opening session, you’ll learn:
How the nervous system responds to stress and emotional experiences�• Why anxiety, tension, or shutdown can persist�• How stress patterns become stored in the body�• The science behind somatic awareness and regulation�• Simple techniques to calm the body and clear the mind
Blending insights from neuroscience, psychology, and body-based practices, this talk offers a grounded, science-informed perspective on stress, resilience, and self-regulation - delivered in a way that’s clear, relatable, and immediately useful. Perfect for the curious, the creatively minded, the overwhelmed, and anyone ready for both insight and practical tools.

About Nadira - Nadira doesn’t follow straight lines… she follows curiosity.
For over two decades, she has created spaces where artistry, embodiment, and community collide. A research enthusiast with a degree in History, Nadira has a long-standing fascination with how humans make meaning - through the body, the brain, and lived experience. Her academic background fuels her passion for exploring how emerging insights from neuroscience, psychology, and somatic studies can be translated into practical, accessible tools for everyday life.
Today, she works in Community Outreach at the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), bridging science, embodiment, and human experience in ways that are both thought-provoking and immediately useful.

Already know something about tarot and want to read for others? Want to read cards at festivals, parties, and corporate events? There are important legal and ethical considerations to understand before you take your personal passion public. Let’s dive deep into the do’s-and-don’ts of cartomancy for money. We will touch on the history of fortunetelling and also explore spreads for various types of gigs, best practices for tough situations, and have an AMA about the cards in general.
➡About Onca - Onca O’Leary aka Madame Onca is a published tarot artist, author and teacher with decades of experience reading cards both for fun and profit. She is the artist and co-author of the critically acclaimed World Spirit Tarot as well as the Yuletide Monsters Oracle, as well as a dancer, singer, NC, international tour guide and event producer.

Come sass it up in this super fun bellydance/burlesque fusion workshop!
Designed for all levels of movers and shakers, we will be movin’ and shakin’ with absolutely zero judgement, so wear what makes you feel comfortable and unrestricted, and bring plenty of water, a notebook, and a towel if needed!
We’ll do a burlesque movement informed fitness warmup - which may or may not harken to the glory days of 80’s and 90’s workout videos (now with better movement mechanics!). Natasha will guide you through movements that are similar in both dance forms, and some brief history as to the possible why. While we learn a short piece of choreography, we’ll also go over what may or may not be appropriate in certain settings, so that fun can be had by all while revering the history and cultures of the dance. We’ll discuss similarities in costuming as well!
You will leave this workshop with a lil bit of history, a lil choreo that you can use, and a whole lot of SASS!
➡About Natasha - Our glam metal Headliner from Portland! She is a globetrotting, award-winning, event producing powerhouse with decades of experience in bellydance, fitness and burlesque. Natasha has taught and performed at festivals and stages all across the US and is a class favorite with her students.

Old Fort, NC – We are excited to announce that Rails & Rhythms Bluegrass Night is returning to Old Fort! This free public event will close out the Trails & Trains Festival, which highlights the area’s outdoors, history, and heritage. Community members and visitors alike are invited to support local businesses while enjoying regional music on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM in the State Employees Credit Union parking lot, across from the Old Fort Depot.
Live music, presented by Camp Grier and Grier Village, will feature performances by The Hayley King Trio, Zoe & Cloyd, Backline, and Grammy Award–winning Travelin’ McCoury’s. This special evening in downtown Old Fort invites you to join in celebrating musical heritage, strengthening community connections, and supporting local businesses.
Rhythms & Rails Music Director Jordan Laney shares that the team is incredibly excited about this year’s lineup. “It’s huge for Old Fort to host such talented musicians with connections to the area. We have a rich musical heritage in McDowell County, and each of these bands highlights our roots in different ways. It’s going to be a great evening for music lovers!”
This free event encourages attendees to bring their own chairs (no tents, umbrellas, or tented chairs, please). Free parking is available throughout the town and organizers encourage guests to enjoy dinner at one of Old Fort’s local restaurants and stroll through shops and galleries to support downtown businesses as the town continues to rebuild following Hurricane Helene. The Beyond 1842 Project, an initiative of America 250 in McDowell, will have a display on-site highlighting McDowell’s rich musical history.
Music begins at 5:30 PM. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music and community as we continue to support Old Fort’s recovery. More information can be found on the Rhythm and Rails Facebook event page and on www.oldfortfest.com. Bring a chair, a friend, and your dancing shoes!

A brand-new live music experience is coming to the rails June 5 & 6, 2026.

Step aboard a historic steam-powered train for an unforgettable evening of live music and mountain scenery. The Great Smoky Mountains Music Train is a moving musical journey through the heart of the Smokies—traveling alongside the Nantahala River and Fontana Lake.

What to Expect
• 6 live performances throughout vintage railcars
• 2 full bands + 4 solo/duo/trio artists performing live American, Appalachian, folk, country and bluegrass music
• Wander freely between coaches and open-air gondola cars
• Beer, wine and food offerings available for purchase onboard
• Dance, relax, mingle, and enjoy nonstop music
• Stunning mountain views from start to finish
Each music coach offers its own vibe, sound system, and atmosphere. Four enclosed vintage coaches provide seating and room to move, while two open-air gondola cars are dedicated to high-energy band performances and dancing. Two additional quiet coaches are available for conversation and relaxing.

A One-of-a-Kind Experience
Think of it as a jam session in your living room—except your living room is a moving train winding through the Great Smoky Mountains.
Schedule
• Boarding: 6:30 pm
• Departure: 7:00 pm sharp
• Return: Approximately 10:00 pm
• Includes a short intermission during the ride
• Round trip: approximately 3 hours

The train departs from and returns to the Bryson City Depot in downtown Bryson City, NC.

The 30th Annual Upstate Shakespeare Festival in beautiful Falls Park in downtown Greenville, SC features A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM opening May 21st, 2026 and runs through June 21st, followed by THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN running July 9th – 25th. This is not your English teacher's Shakespeare! Bring your dog, your kids, your cousin's wife's best friend, or a bottle of wine and a picnic basket. Admission is free and open to the public, and donations are greatly appreciated. Performances are Thursdays - Sundays at 7pm and run approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, weather permitting.

Our 17th annual Saturday Spectacular is THE Burlesque & Variety Show not to miss in Asheville!
Legendary artists from across the country light up the stage, bringing live music, empowering burlesque, and more. Enjoy our artisanal vendors.
Raffle benefits Sister Kitten animal rescue.
VIPS enjoy preferential seating, vendor access and a charming live music Pre-Show with doors at 6:45pm.
Preferred Seating and General Admission doors at 7:30.
The Spectacular starts at 8:00pm

ABSFest Brunch: Church of Decadence
Doors: 12:00 PM
Show: 12:30 PM
AGES 18+
SEATED SHOW
LIMITED NUMBER OF VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE
Purchase Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/servlet/s/38222123
ABSFEST BRUNCH: CHURCH OF DECADENCE
The brunch show is BACK and hosted by Padre Pavlvs, aka international juggler and comedian Paolo Garbanzo! Join us for a breakfast buffet of empowered debauchery with burlesque, sideshow, and creativity galore. Guaranteed to be uplifting, sexy AF, and more fun than your usual churchgoing experience. Feel free to wear your Sunday best, party hats, or your pajamas.
Raffle benefits Sister Kitten animal rescue.