Performing Arts

Asheville draws headliners from around the world.

High-class rock n’ rollers will relish Biltmore’s Summer Evening Concerts, enjoying performances from the likes of Tony Bennett, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers and Three Dog Night.

Area clubs and concert halls are as distinctive and quirky as the bands that perform in them. You will find what you are looking for whether you’re interested in seeing Blondie at The Orange Peel, The Bottle Rockets at The Grey Eagle, or the Western North Carolina Jazz Society’s presentation of Johnny O'Neal Trio at the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place.

When winter dusts the region with snow, the season heats up with the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam. Haynes has a special place in his heart for Asheville. Check out the Grove Park Inn & Spa’s “All that Jazz” series in January, which has featured legends like Dave Brubeck.

There are 17 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.

Asheville Bravo Concerts

For almost eight decades, Asheville Bravo Concerts has brought world-renowned performing artists to Western North Carolina. The area's oldest arts not-for-profit, Bravo presents five shows annually, featuring orchestra, operetta, vocal groups, ballet, choir and dance, among others. Both subscriptions and individual concert tickets are available.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-5887

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Asheville Civic Center
Asheville, NC 28802

Asheville Choral Society

The Asheville Choral Society, 150 voices strong, is in its 31st year of bringing innovative, challenging choral masterpieces to its Western North Carolina audience.

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Phone number and address:

828-299-9063

P.O. Box 7112
Asheville, NC 28802-7112

Asheville Civic Center

Centrally located in downtown Asheville, the Civic Center is Western North Carolina's home to conventions, trade and consumer shows, educational program, and entertainment events. The facility consists of a 25,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, a Banquet Hall, a 7,700 seat Arena and the 2,400 seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

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Phone number and address:

828-259-5736

87 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Community Theatre

For more than six decades, Asheville Community Theatre has been delighting audiences with high quality entertainment, making us the oldest continuously operating theatre in Asheville and one of the oldest community theatres in the nation! In our 63rd season, we offer classic and contemporary comedies, musicals and dramas in both our 399 seat Heston Mainstage Auditorium and our 49 seat black box theatre, 35below.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-1320

35 East Walnut Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre

The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre (ACDT), founded in 1979, is Western North Carolina's first professional modern dance company. The company performs up to 80 times a year in Asheville, the southeastern United States, and abroad (France, Canada, Cuba, Mexico). ACDT's repertoire consists of full length modern dance theatre productions, smaller modern dance works, and educational dance theatre performances for children. ACDT is the producer of several dance and performing arts festivals in Asheville: The Fringe Arts Festival, the North Carolina Dance Festival, the Men's Dance Festival, and the 48 Hour Dance Project. In addition to their regular performance season, ACDT also invites dance companies and artists from around the world to share their talents and enrich the Asheville community.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-2621

20 Commerce Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Lyric Opera

The Asheveill Lyric Opera is the professional opera company of Western North Carolina celebrating its 11th anniversary season. Producing three fully staged operas with world renowned singers, directors, and conductors.

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Phone number and address:

828-236-0670

2 South Pack Square
Diana Wortham Theatre
Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Symphony Orchestra

The Asheville Symphony marks its 49th season with a series of Masterworks concerts featuring the music of Beethoven, Copland, Gershwin, Mozart, and other renowned composers.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-7046

87 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801

Black Mountain Center for the Arts

This community arts facility, housed in the beautifully renovated Old City Hall, has exhibits in the Gallery along with programs in music, visual and performing arts. The Main Floor has monthly Concerts every 4th Friday featuring acoustic musicians from the area. The Gallery exhibits provide a wide array of subject and media, from contemporary and traditional paintings to sculpture, photography, and ceramics. Special events range from theater, storytelling and film, to festivals, concerts, and sing-alongs. Classes and workshops offer everything from belly dance to painting to dry stack stonewall to photography. Behind the main building, a newly renovated Pottery Studio offers a full range of classes for adults and youth, community memberships, and "paint-on" pottery. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts also presents an annual Art in Bloom, a 3-day flowers and art show. There is something for everyone all year round - so You Can Be a Part of the Arts!

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Phone number and address:

828-669-0930

225 West State Street
Black Mountain, NC 28711

Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place

At the center of Asheville's vibrant downtown arts scene is the city's finest theatre, offering the best in live performances of music, theatre and dance throughout the year by professional touring and regional arts groups. The intimate, 500 seat theatre is surrounded by numerous restaurants, museums and galleries, the Diana Wortham Theatre is at the heart of the Pack Square Cultural District.

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Phone number and address:

828-257-4530

2 South Pack Square
Pack Square Cultural District
Asheville, NC 28801

Flat Rock Playhouse

North Carolina's State Theatre invites you to enjoy the finest Broadway musicals, comedy, drama and youth theater. Flat Rock Playhouse's professional company presents each May through December.

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Phone number and address:

828-693-0731

2661 Greenville Highway
Flat Rock, NC 28731

LaZoom Comedy Tour

Definitely not your mamma's typical tour bus experience, LaZoom is Asheville's only rolling comedy tour bus. One of WNC's most unique things to do, LaZoom's 90-minute odyssey through Asheville spells quirky fun for both first-time visitors and long-time residents. Each tour takes you to Asheville's favorite neighborhoods and landmarks and features a knowledgeable and witty tour guide, a heavy dose of corny jokes, and slapstick characters all along the way. So, prepare to laugh your socks off and Get on the Bus! Voted Asheville's #1 attraction by previous LaZoom bus riders on TripAdvisor.com.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-6932

90 Biltmore Avenue, starting location
Asheville, NC 28801

Montford Park Players

The Montford Park Players, North Carolina's longest running Shakespeare Festival, presents free theatre under the stars all summer long. Join us for our summer season and enjoy quality classic drama in a delightful outdoor setting. Our summer season saw a 52% increase in attendance during 2009 - highest among outdoor theatres in the nation. Join us for our 33rd annual presentation of A Christmas Carol, Dec. 3 - 13 at the Asheville Arts Center. Visit www.montfordparkplayers.org for details.

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Phone number and address:

828-254-5146

1 Gay St
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
Asheville, NC 28801

North Carolina Stage Company

Asheville's professional theatre performs in an intimate, off-Broadway style venue in the heart of downtown Asheville. NC Stage has established its reputation for excellence with a diverse lineup of gripping dramas, classics, family plays and outrageous comedies. with exciting productions The theatre has won acclaim for its choice of plays with an edge, from "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," to "Doubt, A Parable."

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Phone number and address:

828-239-0263

15 Stage Lane
Asheville, NC 28801-2835

Orange Peel Social Aid and Pleasure Club

The Orange Peel has developed an international reputation as one of the best live music clubs in the country. Rolling Stone magazine included it in its list of "Top Five Rock Clubs in the County." The club hosts a variety of national music acts from all genres.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-5851

101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center

This vibrant centerpiece of downtown Asheville houses the Asheville Art Museum, Colburn Earth Science Museum, Diana Wortham Theatre and The Health Adventure. A few steps away is the YMI Cultural Center. Pack Place also has five versatile event space for any occasion.

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Phone number and address:

828-257-4500

2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART)

A professional award-winning stage company presenting theatre-lovers "favorites" in plays and musicals, and SART's signature piece – the premiere of a new play.

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Phone number and address:

828-689-1384

Owen Theatre, Mars Hill College
44 College Street
Mars Hill, NC 28754

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium

Proscenium theatre located in downtown Asheville. Resident companies include Asheville Symphony and Asheville Bravo. Also hosts opera, ballet, dance, community events, meetings and conventions, and concerts.

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Phone number and address:

828-259-5736

Asheville Civic Center
87 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801