Downtown Asheville Blog

The Asheville Antiques Fair in its sixty-third year is one of the oldest Antiques Fair in the Southeast. Upwards of sixty antique dealers from all over the country participate in the Fair annually the first week of August. The Fair also host an “Heirloom Road Show” with expert evaluations of your personal antiques. Plus, expert lectures on a variety of interesing subjects. Summer Garden Cafe with gourmet luncheon selections available during your visit to the Show. The Asheville Antiques Fair is a non-profit organization - volunteer organization. All proceeds from the Fair are donated to historical projects within the Asheville community for conservation, preservation, restoration and education. July 31- Aug 2, Asheville Civic Center

In glitzy jackets, glittering gloves and 80s regalia, Who’s Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, is an infectious party production that takes audiences on a musical expedition spanning three decades of Michael Jackson’s chart-cresting music. From ABC to You Rock My World no song is forgotten in this electrifying revival of Pop Music’s Royal Highness. Founded in 2004 by Vamsi Tadepalli and spearheaded by some of North Carolina’s optimum musicians, Who’s Bad has crafted an intricate performance complete with synchronized dance routines, blaring horn section and down-deep rhythms–each delivered with a precision that could only be superseded by the King himself. Since their first standing-room only concert, audiences have crowned them must-see entertainment singing along as if the moves, the music, and the memories belong to us all. July 31- Aug 1, The Orange Peel download Cougar Club

Start making your “yacht” for this year’s Rockin’ RiverFest, a FREE day long festival sponsored by Asheville Radio Group and RiverLink at French Broad River Park featuring the ever popular raft race, music competition featuring local bands, kids parade, live performances, local food and beverages, corn hole, frisbee golf, kayak demonstrations and much more! There’s something fun for everyone! The deadline for raft race registration is July 31st and is only $15 per raft with the proceeds benefitting RiverLink! All the information can be found at www.riverlink.org. Non profits raft for free so sign up soon and help save the French Broad River! Aug. 1, French Broad River

Warm breezes and stunning sunsets set the stage for music lovers to listen and watch live performances on the South Terrace lawn of Biltmore House during Biltmore’s 13th annual Summer Evening Concerts series, July 23 through Aug. 1. All concerts start at 8 p.m. Biltmore Summer Evening Concert 6: The Oak Ridge Boys and Doc Watson & David Holt

Celebrate the 30th running of the largest road race in Western North Carolina. The Bele Chere 5K is the race everybody runs so come join 1400 of your friends and be a part of the fun. July 25, 2009 8am

Welcome to the 31st Year of the Bele Chere Festival! The Bele Chere Festival is an annual 3-day festival on the streets of historic Downtown Asheville. The festival features four stages of free- live music and an impressive array of arts and crafts; as well as entertainment and activities for children. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains of Western North Carolina- come join us for one of the Southeast’s largest free outdoor street festivals. July 24th-26th 2009 http://www.belecherefestival.com/

The Civic Center in Asheville comes alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts made by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The Fair also features craft demonstrations, regional music and entertainment.
Jul 16, 2009 to Jul 19, 2009

The 2009 Folkmoot Festival will take place on July 16 – 26 in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Folkmoot is one of only three international folk festivals in the United States, where over 300 dancers and musicians from countries throughout the world travel to Waynesville, North Carolina for a two-week show. Traditional performances from nearly a dozen countries will take place throughout nine counties during the eleven-day festival. Held for 25 consecutive years, Folkmoot is North Carolina’s Official International Festival and has been designated “One of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Produced by the Asheville Downtown Association, Downtown After 5 is celebrating its 21st year. The concert series is the 3rd Friday of the month May through September on North Lexington Avenue in downtown Asheville. Music starts at 5:15pm and goes until 9pm. Downtown After 5 is committed to reducing its carbon footprint featuring biodegradable food and beverage containers, compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered stage and complimentary bike corral. For more information, including how to become a volunteer, visit www.AshevilleDowntown.org or call 828-251-9973. July 17 Line Up- Jen and the Juice King, Johnson Hill Country Revue

July 3rd, Looking Back-60 Years at the Asheville Art Museum

As part of the Museum’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, Museum staff is currently working on a new installation of the permanent collection. This exhibition will examine a variety of ways to consider art and the relationship between art and viewer. Looking Back will explore the Museum’s collection of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries with an interest in the art of the Southeast and Western North Carolina and will celebrate the generosity of collectors and community supporters who have helped build this extraordinary resource over the last six decades.

July 4th, Celebration

Starting at 4 pm, the City of Asheville invites you to join us downtown for the 4th of July Celebration. An event for the whole family, the festivities start in the early afternoon and continue throughout the evening. The day will feature live music from some of Asheville’s hottest bands along with a wide range of family activities, a variety of food from area vendors, with a grand fireworks finale.

Shindig on the Green

Bring your instruments, families, friends, lawn chairs and blankets and join us at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, while Pack Square Park is undergoing construction. Enjoy unique music and dance performances on stage, and informal jam sessions. Come celebrate the treasured cultural heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. FREE. Summer Saturday evenings, along about sundown (or 7:00pm for those who wear a watch). For more information please visit the Folk Heritage Committee’s website: www.folkheritage.org.