Community Calendar

A free lecture series at the tribal museum of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee History & Stories explores culturally significant sites, stories, and figures in Cherokee history. All are welcome to attend, and registration is not required.

Join us for Songwriting Monday! On the First Monday of each month between February and October, join renowned instructor Lauren Hayworth for this class aimed at both beginner and intermediate level students at the Watauga Arts Council in Boone, NC.

Students will explore song structure and fundamentals, as well as learn basic music theory. Techniques for creating effective lyrics will also be explored with writing prompts. Some knowledge of music (especially on a chord-based instrument like guitar, piano, or ukulele) is helpful, but NOT required. Singing ability is useful but not required.

Students are encouraged to bring their own notebooks and instruments.

STANDING ROOM ONLY JERRY’S DEAD Jerry’s Dead pays tribute to the music of Jerry Garcia. Not exactly a Grateful Dead cover band, this quartet from Asheville, North Carolina, shines a spotlight specifically on songs lead by Jerry Garcia, who fronted the Grateful Dead in an alternating fashion with his bandmates. The “long strange list” of Garcia compositions and his own wide range of cover songs comes to life with Jerry’s Dead’s exciting interpretations from this iconic catalog. Further extending their tribute, Jerry’s Dead includes songs lead by Garcia in his many side projects throughout his accomplished career, including the Jerry Garcia Band and his work with mandolinist David Grisman. To date Jerry’s Dead has performed well over 150 different Garcia pieces, reinterpreting each in unique fashion to the delight of their growing fan base. Jerry’s Dead features Tim Marsh on guitar and lead vocals and includes Dan Pederson on bass and vocals, Gus Vigo on keys and vocals, and Lee Kram on drums and vocals. Since their debut on June 21, 2021, at The Straightaway Cafe, Jerry’s Dead has brought Garcia’s music to many of Western Carolina’s well known breweries and music venues, including Highland Brewing Company, The Grey Eagle, Pisgah Brewing Company, The Asheville Music Hall, and The French Broad River Brewing Company, which hosts Jerry’s Dead every Thursday evening for two sets of free music. This weekly residency has become a real draw for the band, creating a space for vendors, dancers, and music lovers to commune regularly. On occasion, Jerry’s Dead has hosted some very special guests, including Rob Barraco of The Dead, Dark Star Orchestra, Phil Lesh Quintet and Zen Tricksters; Lisa Mackey, also of D.S.O.; Julian Pinelli, who played fiddle with Peter Rowan, a bluegrass bandmate of Garcia in Old and in the Way; and Joe Marcinek of the Joe Marcinek Band and Dead Funk Summit, featuring George Porter Jr. of The Meters and Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band. After opening for Joe’ Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit featuring Melvin Seals, it was Tim’s great honor to sit in with Melvin Seals, Joe Marcinek, and Tony Hall of Dumpstaphunk that night.

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)

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 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.

COME JAM ON TUESDAYS!
Fireforge's Open Bluegrass Acoustic Jam with hosts Matt Purinton and Sam Kruer is every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 pm! Everyone with an acoustic instrument is welcome to play. Come jam or listen and request tunes! It’s going to be a ton of picking and grinning . See you there!

MEET THE HOSTS
Matt and Sam are both veterans of the Greenville music scene. While both are steeped in bluegrass, they’re versatile in their ability to play many styles. Matt’s fiery mandolin playing and Sam’s rock solid bass grooves enable them to make an exciting bluegrass sound that you’ll want to rock with!

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)