Community Calendar

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 finish
Each 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 Experience
Think 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.

The 30th Annual Upstate Shakespeare Festival in beautiful Falls Park in downtown Greenville, SC features A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM opening May 21st, 2026 and runs through June 21st, followed by THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN running July 9th – 25th. This is not your English teacher's Shakespeare! Bring your dog, your kids, your cousin's wife's best friend, or a bottle of wine and a picnic basket. Admission is free and open to the public, and donations are greatly appreciated. Performances are Thursdays - Sundays at 7pm and run approximately 90 minutes with no intermission, weather permitting.

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.

A Night of Jazz Age History, Literature, and Classical Music in Black Mountain

Experience the life and legacy of Zelda Fitzgerald at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts on Saturday, June 6th. Save Me the Waltz is a unique performance piece that interweaves the dramatic history of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald with world-class, live music from the Cafe String Quartet.

By attending this evocative event, you’ll immerse yourself in the feminine energies of the woman who painted, danced, and wrote her way through the 1920s. This performance honors Zelda’s artistic brilliance and her fight for autonomy against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, offering a deep dive into the true story behind the "Original Flapper" and literary legend. Through a blend of historical narrative and period-specific classical compositions, guests will enjoy a sophisticated evening that celebrates both our regional history and the vibrant local arts scene in historic Black Mountain.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door. Secure your seat today for this magical, untamed journey through art and history.

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 McDONALD
Born 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 ROSES
Blue 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

Enjoy a great night of live bluegrass music at historic Capitol Hall.

This popular shutterbug weekend includes presentations from top nature photographers, hands-on field courses, a friendly contest and the rare opportunity to photograph the mountain’s spectacular scenery before and after regular business hours.

This popular weekend welcomes all levels of photographers, making it fun and engaging no matter what your skill level is – while better connecting participants with the wonders and unique ecology of Grandfather Mountain. This year, more than ever, we hope to not only help participants learn about photography, but to also inspire them to preserve the natural world. Activities begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday midday. Registration opens April 9 at 10 a.m. and closes June 4 at 12 p.m. or when the event sells out. Advance registration required.

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 Yoga Taco Mosa the first Sunday of every month.

This is a donation based slow flow class lead by the ever so lovely, Clare Desmelik.

Bring your yoga mat, water bottle and an open heart while we honor one another and stretch into our Sunday.

We’ll follow the class with tacos and mimosas at The Grey Eagle Taqueria.