Community Calendar

With a nod to the past and a wink to the future from behind their sunglasses, Baltimore's The Dirty Grass Players have been pushing the leading edge of bluegrass music since 2015. As convincing on a 10-minute jam as they are on a 2-minute classic, they find an intersection between progress and tradition that in one set could inspire Flatt & Scruggs to reunite and then break up all over again. With harmonies to please any purist, compositions fresh enough to have been written tomorrow, and improvisations that fearlessly stride to the end of every limb, this band can play as clean as anybody but isn't afraid to get a little dirty.

After starting with jams between founders Ben Kolakowski (guitar) and Ryan Rogers (mandolin), DGP quickly made a name in the Baltimore scene before hitting the road. Since then, they've toured the US and Europe and made appearances at festivals like Grey Fox, DelFest, Dark Star Jubilee, ROMP, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, and the Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival. With Connor Murray on bass since 2021 and the addition of Sam Guthridge on banjo in 2024, a reinvigorated lineup is on the road and coming your way.

With two albums and a slew of singles, their latest full-length, “Shiny Side Up”, was produced by Travelin' McCoury's guitarist Cody Kilby and reveals a band probing the possibilities of bluegrass with dark themes and adventurous playing. In its praise of the album, Bluegrass Unlimited says, “Shiny Side Up validates the arrival of the Dirty Grass Players onto the scene and shows bluegrass is in good hands going forward." Their first single with the new lineup, a cover of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” by Jimi Hendrix, reimagines the rock classic with a driving bluegrass arrangement which makes a compelling argument that sometimes looking to the roots is the most inventive approach a band can take.

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All Sales Final. Contact the Reeves for any ticket transfer requests. ID matching the name on the ticket is required at check-in. Do not purchase Reeves tickets from third-party vendors. The Reeves reserves the right to remove patrons who are unruly or fail to respect the venue, make excessive noise or mess, or cause a distraction to other guests.

Back by popular demand, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a sunrise experience in 2026. This special event will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a lovely sunrise from the bridge’s lofty vantage point. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 2 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

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.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the natural community types found on Grandfather Mountain. In this class, you’ll learn to recognize distinct habitats by studying their characteristic flora, fauna and environmental conditions. Guided by ecological principles and scientific tools, we’ll examine how factors such as elevation, topography, soil composition and microclimates shape these unique ecosystems and provide habitats for some of the rare and endangered species that we’ll see during our exploration. This workshop will enhance your ability to classify habitats and deepen your understanding of the complex interplay between species and their environments. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 1 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

Art Bash is our annual celebration. Last year’s Art Bash welcomed over 1,500 guests, and GCCA will be celebrating 11 years of serving the community on August 1, 2026. The day will be free to attend, centered around bringing the community together and showcasing local art, artists, and vendors. Art Bash will feature:

• over 10 performances
• 5 food and beverage vendors
• over 20 artists vendors
• a raffle
• kids activities

and an in depth look at where GCCA has come from and is going. Art Bash will also feature the Members Showcase hosting work from over 90 GCCA members. The 2025-2026 Brandon Fellowship Cohort will have their final exhibition on display and the 2026-2027 Cohort will be announced as well.

"Every story I tell is true...except for the parts I make up" - Donna Washington

Get ready to take an unforgettable journey with Donna Washington! You might visit the North Wind, hang out with an exasperated turtle, find out why Possum plays dead, or find out why the Sun and Moon live in the sky. Audiences will laugh, play along, and leave with a story or two of their own to share.

Donna Washington is an award-winning internationally known master storyteller, artist-educator, and author who has been performing for audiences of all ages for over thirty-six years. She is renowned for her storytelling for both children and adults from poignant & funny fables about the human condition to relationships stories to spine-tingling tales of terror. She has been featured around the world including Canada, Peru, Ireland, Argentina & Hong Kong.

This event is part of our FamilyStage Series! Wiggles & Giggles are Welcome - this series is made for children, youth and families.

All Seats: $13.00

*Above price includes $3 per ticket facility fee
*Plus 6.75% NC sales tax
*All persons, including infants must have a ticket

Appalachian Mountain Health invites families and community members to its 4th Annual Community Health Fair in Asheville. This free event will help families prepare for the upcoming school year while connecting them with healthcare services and community resources.

More than 1,000 Buncombe County residents attended last year's health fair. This year's event will once again offer FREE back-to-school physicals and Pre-K dental screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Families can also receive free backpacks filled with school supplies (while supplies last), enjoy a free lunch (while available), participate in family-friendly activities, and explore health resources, community organizations, and giveaways.

The Community Health Fair brings together local healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to increase access to care and connect families with services available throughout Western North Carolina. Whether preparing children for the new school year or learning more about local resources, attendees will find valuable information, support, and activities for the entire family.

The event is free and open to the public.

Canongate Catholic High School presenting the 2026 Kingfisher Folk Fest Saturday, August 1 at The Oaks at Daniel Ridge in Candler, NC, featuring performances by the Hillbilly Thomists, Colin Cutler and the Hot Pepper Jam, Hightop Mountain Harmony, and more. Tickets available at kingfisherfest.rsvpify.com.