Community Calendar

A 4-Week Journey into Traditional Mountain Ballads with Cary Fridley

Experience the heart of the mountains through song. Join acclaimed folk artist Cary Fridley at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts for a soulful, four-week exploration of Southern Appalachian musical heritage.

Part vocal masterclass and part history lesson, this workshop invites you to go beyond the notes. You’ll receive a curated repertoire of regional songs, complete with lyrics and chord sheets, while learning the stories that shaped them. Cary will provide expert guidance on adapting melodies to your unique vocal range and share professional tips and tricks for musicians looking to sing and play simultaneously.

Details:

When: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (April 21 – May 12)

Where: Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Cost: $80 per student

Who: Open to all levels. Bring your voice, guitar, or banjo!

Sound Effects Benefit Concert for Asheville Music School
Plus, a performance of Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life by Asheville Music School teachers

Benefiting music scholarships and outreach programs at Asheville Music School.

It’s been 50 years since 1976, a year of music that celebrated huge records from Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Queen, ABBA, The Ramones, Heart, and so many more. Each year for their annual benefit concert, Sound Effects, Asheville Music School selects a musical focus. For 2026, students and teachers alike have spent months studying and rehearsing some of the greatest hits of 1976. They've created a huge band - the Asheville Rockestra, made up of dozens of students, and a few teachers, to celebrate (and perform live) the 50th anniversary of that classic year.

Join us at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts on Friday, May 1st, for a soulful evening with the Walker Family Band. Known for their "unbuttoned" blend of Old-Time, Irish, and Jazz traditions, this family ensemble brings a unique, high-energy sound to the BMCA stage.

From Jennie Brunner’s compelling fiddle work and Landon Walker’s transition from the Florida jazz scene to the Irish accordion, to the heart-warming addition of third-generation rising star Claire Brunner, this performance is a true celebration of musical legacy. Drawing from their Suzuki-method roots and decades of collaborative spirit, the Walkers offer a joyful night of original compositions and traditional favorites. Experience the " string wizardry" and family warmth that makes this band a local favorite.

Who: The Walker Family Band

When: Friday, May 1st @ 7:30pm

Where: Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA)

Tickets: Just $15 – An affordable night of world-class music!"

A 4-Week Journey into Traditional Mountain Ballads with Cary Fridley

Experience the heart of the mountains through song. Join acclaimed folk artist Cary Fridley at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts for a soulful, four-week exploration of Southern Appalachian musical heritage.

Part vocal masterclass and part history lesson, this workshop invites you to go beyond the notes. You’ll receive a curated repertoire of regional songs, complete with lyrics and chord sheets, while learning the stories that shaped them. Cary will provide expert guidance on adapting melodies to your unique vocal range and share professional tips and tricks for musicians looking to sing and play simultaneously.

Details:

When: Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (April 21 – May 12)

Where: Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Cost: $80 per student

Who: Open to all levels. Bring your voice, guitar, or banjo!

The Western Piedmont Symphony, the professional orchestra of the western foothills of North Carolina, presents a richly cinematic program spanning drama, romance, and exotic color. Highlights include Goldmark’s Overture to Sakuntala, Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1, Steiner’s sweeping Casablanca Suite, and Saint-Saëns’ evocative Piano Concerto No. 5, “Egyptian”. Acclaimed Canadian pianist Sheng Cai, known for his expressive depth and virtuosic command, brings international flair to this captivating concert experience.