Jun 05 Friday
HIGH HORSE is a Boston-based progressive-acoustic stringband breathing the energy of alternative rock into an indelible blend of Bluegrass, Old-time, and Folk magic with crisp vocals and virtuosic chops. Four friends with three bows, one pick, and great vibes deliver a rollicking romp as the band High Horse.
Comprised of fiddler Carson McHaney, cellist Karl Henry, guitarist G Rockwell, and bassist Noah Harrington; the band draws from their varied musical backgrounds to explore and perform original compositions and tunes from diverse folk traditions.
Friday, June 5th – 7:30 – We want everyone to access the healing power of music! Perhaps you can only afford a few dollars or maybe you have resources to cover the cost for others. Pay What You Can! You may enter your desired donation amount below. The suggested price per ticket is $22.00.
Jun 06 Saturday
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 Englandand 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 mindBlending 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.
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 finishEach 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 ExperienceThink 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.
Pool Shark is a high-energy Sublime tribute band bringing the raw, raucous spirit of one of Southern California’s most iconic bands to the stage. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Pool Shark recreates the sweaty, bass-thumping, sun-soaked vibe that made Sublime legendary — blending punk urgency, reggae grooves, ska rhythms, and hip-hop attitude into an unforgettable live experience.
From the anthems everyone knows and loves to the deep cuts that true fans crave, Pool Shark delivers an authentic, no-frills tribute that feels more like a backyard party than a concert. Every show is packed with energy, crowd interaction, and the unmistakable sound that defined a generation.
Whether you’re skanking in the pit, singing along to the classics, or rediscovering hidden gems, Pool Shark keeps the legacy of Sublime alive — loud, loose, and unfiltered.
American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor takes you on a magical trip back to the 1970s to experience the timeless music and prolific songwriting of Paul Simon, Jim Croce and James Taylor. Relive the intimate storytelling, intricate chord changes and breathtaking melodies of these gifted artists – their work building on and transcending the more traditional folk-influenced acoustic music of the previous decade.
American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor showcases the songs you know and love from these master craftsmen during this brilliant span, framed in engaging stories about the artists themselves.
Tom Glynn is a John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner and a Boston Music Award nominee for Outstanding Songwriter. A number of his songs have been chosen by NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association) for their coveted Top 40 honor, and his music has been featured on ABC, Fox, Lifetime and Showtime. His recent album “Skylight Intervention” was the most added album to folk radio stations across the country in its first week. The Boston Globe calls Tom “a tunesmith at the top of his game.”
Saturday, June 6th at 7:30 pm – We want everyone to access the healing power of music! Perhaps you can only afford a few dollars or maybe you have resources to cover the cost for others. Donate What You Can! You may enter your desired donation amount below. The suggested price per ticket is $30.00.
PAUL McDONALDBorn in Alabama and baptized in the dive bars of the southeast, Paul McDonald first made noise with the Grand Magnolias, a roots-rock outfit, before catching fire in the public eye during American Idol’s 2011 run. When the bright lights blurred and the cameras turned, the man behind the voice slipped into the shadows where he did what real artists do: he lived, he lost, and he wrote. Retreating to Nashville, that holy city of reinvention, Paul stitched himself back together with worn boots, hard songs, and a new band called the Mourning Doves.
Now, the giant has stirred with the release of So Long to the Dark Side–a gospel-tinged reckoning wrapped in cosmic Americana and lit with songs that sound like they were scribbled on the edge of a breakdown and sung back from the brink. Raised on Petty, Parsons, and pain, Paul McDonald is not chasing trends; he’s conjuring something older and truer. His live performances are equal parts revival and rock séance.
In a breakthrough moment, Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves brought the songs of So Long to the Dark Side and more to the headline stage at the 17th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd that followed him to a couple of evening performances over the weekend and established him as the 2026 Festival buzz band. Throughout 2026, Paul will tour every market in the U.S. in support of the new record.
BLUE ROSESBlue Roses are an indie rock band with an emotive, ethereal edge. Their songs are expansive and immersive, crafted with intensity, artistry, and personal lyricism that makes the listener feel alive, unmistakably present, and deeply human.
“Blue Roses are the real deal, an absolute rare gem… reminded me of working with Sinead O’Connor. The songs have pure emotional poetic honesty that elevates the listener’s soul. Catch them if you can!’ –Kevin Moloney
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