Community Calendar

Earthy, uplifting, and mystical with focus on rhythms, heartfelt lyrics, and melodies with flavors of Appalachia, Africa and the Middle East.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 17, 2026 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy onsite refreshments on the lawn.

Arbor Evenings is included with the Arboretum's regular parking fee of $25 per vehicle. Members get in free.

DaShawn Hickman and Sacred Steel at Roots in the Garden

The Jazz Showcase is curated by esteemed pianist, scholar, and UNC Asheville music professor Dr. Bill Bares; this showcase series is dedicated to bringing the region’s finest jazz musicians and most compelling sounds to our stage in a true listening room experience.

Thirty years ago, RENT ignited Broadway like a lightning bolt — a raw, raucous, Pulitzer Prize–winning love letter that gave voice to the misfits, the rebels, the ones who loved without permission. Three decades later, its fire still burns.

In the East Village, a patchwork of outsiders fight to create and survive in a city that’s forgotten them. They turn struggle into art and fear into defiance. Through loss, love, and the noise of the city, they find strength together in the face of adversity.

Based on Puccini’s masterpiece, La Bohème, and fueled by its electric rock score and unflinching humanity, RENT is one of the most influential musicals of the 20th century, reimagined this season with the bold artistry of Flat Rock Playhouse. Join the revolution. No Day But Today.

Event Times: 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
TICKETS STARTING AT: $60
Child Pricing Available (17 & under)

The Janiec Opera Company presents An Evening of Lerner & Loewe, celebrating one of Broadway’s most beloved songwriting teams.

Featuring selections from iconic musicals such as My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Brigadoon, the program highlights the duo’s lyrical wit, sweeping melodies, and timeless theatrical magic

SPAMALOT gallops back to the Peace Center in a hilarious new revival direct from Broadway. The side-splitting musical comedy is lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Recommended ages 8+.

Performances July 28-30 at 7:30, July 31 at 8:00, August 1 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm, August 2 at 1:00pm & 6:30pm. Purchase tickets ONLY via this Peace Center official ticketing site:
https://www.peacecenter.org/events/detail/26-spamalot

Join our intercultural summer day camps where children 6-12 years old explore music creation, international dance, music instrument building, and other forms of art in a joyful and supportive environment. Each child receives personal attention and a meaningful creative experience.

The 42nd Annual Grassy Creek Mineral and Gem show will be from July 26th to August 2nd, 2026. There will be over 60 worldwide vendors with all kinds of lapidary related items for sale. There are gemstones, minerals, jewelry, fossils, quartz, lapidary equipment and more for you to see and purchase.
The event is put on by the Parkway Fire and Rescue as a way to make money to purchase new equipment for the fire stations.
There is food available for purchase on site. There are many restaurants very close.
There are now regular restrooms and showers available.
The event is free to the public. Free parking and free admission.
Everyone is welcome. Well-mannered dogs are allowed but must be on a leash with the owner attached to the leash.
Dates are July 26th to August 2nd. Some vendors may be open on Saturday 25th. since they can set up quickly.
Hours are from 9 to 6 daily, with some vendors open earlier and later since they are camping in their booths.
Address is 136 Majestic View, on the hill above Skyview Circle. This is on the hill above the fire station on Hwy 226 South of Spruce Pine.
Contact information is:
http://grassycreekgemshow.org for more info and application.
Phone contact: 828-765-2117
Http://info@grassycreekgemshow.org
Donna Collis collisdonna@yahoo.com 828-765-5519
Roger Frye 828-766-6136

The word craft-itarianism was coined by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez to name artistic projects that generate employment, raise awareness, or offer therapeutic support through craft. These programs provide a space where people affected by addiction, incarceration, and gun violence can find solidarity while learning a skill.

Craft-itarianism: Community Action Through Craft celebrates nonprofits and artists who believe in—and actively practice—the power of craft to support and empower individuals and communities.

This exhibition was curated by 2026 Center for Craft Curatorial Fellow Alyssa Velazquez. Launched in 2017, the Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators exploring new ideas about craft with mentorship, professional development, and a $5,000 honorarium to realize an exhibition.

On view February 27, 2026–September 27, 2026.

This workshop is open to individuals studying for the NC Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification and will focus on bears in North Carolina. Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own Interpretation and Education staff, this workshop will teach participants about the life history and management of black bears, as well as how to incorporate activities about bears into the N.C. Curriculum. Participants will also get to meet the black bears who call Grandfather Mountain home and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy. N.C. EE Certification Credit: Criteria II or III and CEU credit are available upon completion of workshop. Tickets for this event go online on Grandfather Mountain’s website May 29 at 10 a.m.