Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to welcome 4 regional school choral groups to the airport during the holidays. The choirs will perform holiday music for the enjoyment of passengers, visitors and employees. AVL is also pleased to have five local musicians and one local trio as part of the Music in the Airport program performing throughout the month.
“It is a joy to invite our community to participate in the Sounds of the Holidays program at AVL,” said Alexandra Ingle, brand and experience designer. “This program highlights the talent of our region and is a festive way to liven up the halls of the airport during this holiday season.”
Following is a schedule of choral performances:
Thursday, December 7 CANCELLED
11:30am North Henderson High School Advanced Choir
Wednesday, December 13
12:05pm Clyde A. Erwin Combined Choirs
Friday, December 14
11:40am Smoky Mountain High School Choir
Wednesday, December 20
11:30am Candler and Pisgah Elementary School Choruses
Following is a schedule of Music in the Airport performances:
Mike Andersen
Mondays in December at 11am (except 12/25)
Friday December 29 11am
Phil Okrend
Thursday, December 7 at 12pm
Thursday, December 14 at 12:15pm
Thursday, December 21 at 12pm
Thursday, December 28 at 12pm
Bill Cozzens-Bryant
Wednesday, December 6 at 10:30am
Wednesday, December 13 at 9:45am
Wednesday, December 20 at 9am
Wednesday, December 27 at 10:30am
Mari Hashimoto
Tuesday, December 12 at 11am
Tuesday, December 26 at 11am
Jack Victor
Thursday, December 14 at 9:30am
Industrial Coffee Pot
Sunday, December 10 at 10:00am
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to welcome 4 regional school choral groups to the airport during the holidays. The choirs will perform holiday music for the enjoyment of passengers, visitors and employees. AVL is also pleased to have five local musicians and one local trio as part of the Music in the Airport program performing throughout the month.
“It is a joy to invite our community to participate in the Sounds of the Holidays program at AVL,” said Alexandra Ingle, brand and experience designer. “This program highlights the talent of our region and is a festive way to liven up the halls of the airport during this holiday season.”
Following is a schedule of choral performances:
Thursday, December 7 CANCELLED
11:30am North Henderson High School Advanced Choir
Wednesday, December 13
12:05pm Clyde A. Erwin Combined Choirs
Friday, December 14
11:40am Smoky Mountain High School Choir
Wednesday, December 20
11:30am Candler and Pisgah Elementary School Choruses
Following is a schedule of Music in the Airport performances:
Mike Andersen
Mondays in December at 11am (except 12/25)
Friday December 29 11am
Phil Okrend
Thursday, December 7 at 12pm
Thursday, December 14 at 12:15pm
Thursday, December 21 at 12pm
Thursday, December 28 at 12pm
Bill Cozzens-Bryant
Wednesday, December 6 at 10:30am
Wednesday, December 13 at 9:45am
Wednesday, December 20 at 9am
Wednesday, December 27 at 10:30am
Mari Hashimoto
Tuesday, December 12 at 11am
Tuesday, December 26 at 11am
Jack Victor
Thursday, December 14 at 9:30am
Industrial Coffee Pot
Sunday, December 10 at 10:00am
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.
Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.
And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!
The Asheville Art Museum is thrilled to announce a captivating December Live Music Series, bringing a harmonious fusion of art and music to the galleries. This unique series showcases Western North Carolina-based musicians Jessie Meltz, Monique Pinelli, and Laura Boswell.
Audience members are invited to immerse themselves in an unparalleled cultural experience as our galleries transform into an intimate setting for these exceptional live performances. “The December Live Music Series aims to create an ambiance where visual and auditory senses intertwine, providing a memorable and enriching experience for all attendees,” says Adult Programs and Community Outreach Manager Magdalena Van Thienen.
Harpist Jessie Meltz will kick off the series and play a wide repertoire to provide audiences with an eclectic musical experience. Monique Pinelli will perform a diverse set of holiday and classical music on the violin. The series will conclude with an enchanting folk-classical performance on the guitar by Laura Boswell.
The December Live Music Series is free for Museum Members or included in Museum admission. Tickets are available for purchase in advance but are not required.
December Live Music Series Schedule:
Monique Pinelli
Monday, December 11 • 11am–2pm
Wednesday, December 13 • 11am–2pm
On violin, Monique Pinelli will play holiday and classical music in the exhibitions Beyond the Lens: Photorealist Perspectives on Looking, Seeing, and Painting and Intersections in American Art.
Join us at Keynote Speechcrafters and
Discover the
Joy of
Public Speaking!
It’s natural to enjoy things you do well,
and you will get good at this.
Our members are committed to meeting each week because
steady progress
requires
steady practice.
Our motto:
When you show up
You speak
Every meeting
Every week
So come join us at the South Buncombe Library on Wednesday evenings and prepare to become a better you.
Please Click here to let us know you are coming.
Guests are always welcome. We look forward to speaking with you!
We have three opportunities for you to help Connect Beyond AND see some music! We need volunteers to assist with wristbands for three shows this summer at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville in Downtown Asheville, N.C. Shifts are roughly (3) hours and all participating volunteers will also receive (1) free ticket to stay after and watch the show. The following dates and shows are available:
- February 16-18: Billy Strings
- May 16: Amon Amarth
- May 20 & 22: Noah Kahan
- August 30: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is pleased to welcome 4 regional school choral groups to the airport during the holidays. The choirs will perform holiday music for the enjoyment of passengers, visitors and employees. AVL is also pleased to have five local musicians and one local trio as part of the Music in the Airport program performing throughout the month.
“It is a joy to invite our community to participate in the Sounds of the Holidays program at AVL,” said Alexandra Ingle, brand and experience designer. “This program highlights the talent of our region and is a festive way to liven up the halls of the airport during this holiday season.”
Following is a schedule of choral performances:
Thursday, December 7 CANCELLED
11:30am North Henderson High School Advanced Choir
Wednesday, December 13
12:05pm Clyde A. Erwin Combined Choirs
Friday, December 14
11:40am Smoky Mountain High School Choir
Wednesday, December 20
11:30am Candler and Pisgah Elementary School Choruses
Following is a schedule of Music in the Airport performances:
Mike Andersen
Mondays in December at 11am (except 12/25)
Friday December 29 11am
Phil Okrend
Thursday, December 7 at 12pm
Thursday, December 14 at 12:15pm
Thursday, December 21 at 12pm
Thursday, December 28 at 12pm
Bill Cozzens-Bryant
Wednesday, December 6 at 10:30am
Wednesday, December 13 at 9:45am
Wednesday, December 20 at 9am
Wednesday, December 27 at 10:30am
Mari Hashimoto
Tuesday, December 12 at 11am
Tuesday, December 26 at 11am
Jack Victor
Thursday, December 14 at 9:30am
Industrial Coffee Pot
Sunday, December 10 at 10:00am
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.
Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.
And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!
Queer Music Exploration – Students will explore guitar, bass, drums, singing and piano with a focus on learning music by artists from the LGBTQ+ community. Students will have the chance to interact with their peers and share their experiences through music.
Join us for the return of Fireside at The Farm: A Holiday Evening with Mike Kinnebrew. Settle into the magical ambiance of The Farm on Sunday, December 14 and relax into a special evening with the sounds of holiday music filling the pavilion. Mike’s talent for engaging the audience with music from the heart will make for an unforgettable evening. Come experience this charming singer-songwriter and Highlands’ favorite for yourself.
⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More at AyurPrana Listening Room under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info📍 Venue: AyurPrana Listening Room📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector⏳ Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult♿ Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant❓ View the FAQs for this event here🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert (min 15+ people), please click here🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
“The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 1 RV 269: “Spring”” – Vivaldi“The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 2 RV 315: “Summer”” – Vivaldi“Thaïs: Méditation” – Jules Massenet“Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: “Spring 3”” – Max Richter“The Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas: Verano Porteño” – Astor Piazzolla“Libertango” – Astor Piazzolla“The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 3 RV 293: “Autumn”” – Vivaldi“The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 4 RV 297: “Winter”” – VivaldiAlternatives:“Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Summer 1” – Max Richter“The Carnival of the Animals, R 125: XIII. Le Cygne (The Swan)” – Camille Saint-Saëns
Performers
Opal String Quartet
Happens on the following Dates:
Dec 14, 2023, 6:30pm to 8:30pm EST
Dec 14, 2023, 8:45pm to 10:45pm EST
Join us for Jazz Jam Thursday every Thursday from 7-10. There is a suggested donation of $10 and local craft beer and wine for sale. Come as you are or bring an instrument! Open jam starts at 8 after a House Band set guaranteed to fill your soul with groove and joy.
Public parking is available at Marjorie Street, across from Packs Tavern.
Steve Simon & The Kings of Jazz are Brevard’s newest and most exciting and entertaining jazz band with a sound that combines the funkiness of George Benson, the soulfulness of Ray Charles and the smoothness of Diana Krall all wrapped together in big Count Basie style arrangements of American and Latin jazz classics. If you are looking for an amazing live jazz experience then check out the hottest jazz band in the coolest city in North Carolina performing every Thursday at The DFR Lounge from 7pm to 9pm
Celebrating 12 years of successful national touring, Christmas with the Celts performs a wonderful combination of timeless ancient Irish Christmas Carols and lively Irish dance with modern contemporary songs but with Irish instrumentation. New Christmas hits, Celts originals and fresh Irish Dance tunes are added to the show each year so that no 2 years are the same. Always a pleasant surprise.
This year Christmas with the Celts will introduce top Irish musicians Patrick D’Arcy from Dublin and Fiachra O’Regan from Connemara, Ireland. These two have performed with Bono of U2, Sting, Quincy Jones, The Waterboys, Bill Whelan of Riverdance, just to name a few. Also, featured will be the haunting vocals of beautiful singer/fiddler Luisa Marion. And an Irish Christmas would not be complete without the unpredictable Irish jokes (craic) and banter that occurs between band members and the audience every year and the always crowd pleasing fiery Irish dancers.
The high-stepping spirited musical selections have audiences clapping along from the first lively renditions of popular contemporary Christmas classics such as Irish versions of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas”, “White Christmas”, John Lennon’s perennial “Happy Christmas” and many surprises. The show presents a perfect combination of modern Christmas hits, lively ancient Irish Carols, hilarious spontaneous humor, thrilling Irish dancing, a children’s choir and meaningful Christmas ballads with lush string arrangements giving audiences a most memorable interactive Christmas experience.
Show founder, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and film score composer Ric Blair says, “You can’t listen to Celtic music and not be happy. Christmas with the Celts isn’t just a concert; it is a spiritual experience of music and dance uniting communities. It’s about bringing young and old together. It is a music of the people. I think that is why this unique melding of modern Christmas hits and organic Celtic instrumentation continues to resonate and grow in popularity every year with audiences.”
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 7 years since Devon Allman put together a show at the Fillmore in San Francisco to celebrate the life of his father Gregg Allman. What started as one night of the Devon Allman Project featuring Duane Betts along with a bunch of guest artists has turned into a one-night festival visiting 18-20 cities a year.
This year we are especially excited to announce the official rebranding of the Allman Family Revival to the Allman Betts Family Revival. We have programmed an array of guests who will perform two sets – one featuring songs by Gregg Allman and one featuring songs by Dickey Betts. Enjoy listening to the hits along with the deep cuts from their legendary Allman Brothers catalog performed by Anders Osborne, Luther Dickinson & Cody Dickenson (North Mississippi Allstars), Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie), Jackie Greene, Larry McCray, Orbi Orbison, Ally Venable, Devon Allman, Duane Betts, and the Allman Betts Band featuring the Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass (Jeff Beck). There will also be some incredible artists that will join us in select cities including Sierra Hull & G Love with more to be added.
The tour will also welcome back The Brotherhood of Light for the otherworldly visuals Allman Brothers fans experienced at the height of their career.
The Allman Betts Family Revival is nearly three action-packed hours that will leave you with a great musical experience and warmness in your heart. Join us as we celebrate one of the greatest bands in the world.
⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Asheville. Get your tickets now to discover the music of “The Nutcracker” and More at AyurPrana Listening Room under the gentle glow of candlelight.
General Info📍 Venue: AyurPrana Listening Room📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector⏳ Duration: 60 minutes (doors open 45 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted)👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult♿ Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant❓ View the FAQs for this event here🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert (min 15+ people), please click here🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Asheville🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Tentative Program
Holiday Medley – Various“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”“The First Noël”“Deck the Halls”“O Holy Night” – Adolphe Adam“Ma’oz Tzur” – Traditional Hanukkah Song“The Snow is Dancing” – Claude Debussy“The Seasons, Op. 37a” – Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyI. January. “By the Hearth”XII. December. “Christmas”“The Skaters’ Waltz, Op. 183 (Les Patineurs)” – Émile Waldteufel“Greensleeves (What Child is This)” – TraditionalHoliday Medley“Joy to the World”“Angels We Have Heard on High”“Away in a Manger”“The Nutcracker, Op. 71” – Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyMiniature OvertureAct I, Scene II: No. 2, “March”Act II: No. 12d, Divertissement. “Trepak, Russian Dance”Act II: No. 13, “Waltz of the Flowers”Act II: No. 14c, Pas de Deux. Variation II, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”
Performers
Opal String Quartet
Reviews of Candlelight Concerts💬 Angela Z. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: “Absolutely fabulous! Such talent and beautifully played. The musicians dispositions really made the night extra special.”💬 Dixie L. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: “Incredible talented and entertaining. The venue was beautiful:) so thankful for a beautiful experience.”💬 Elizabeth L. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: “absolutely outstanding. extremely intimate experience. 10 out of 10 will repeat”
DATE & TIME
Happens on the following Dates:
Dec 15, 2023, 8:45pm to 10:45pm EST
Dec 19, 2023, 6:30pm to 8:30pm EST
Dec 19, 2023, 8:45pm to 10:45pm EST
Dec 21, 2023, 8:45pm to 10:45pm EST
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.
Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.
And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!
Wanna hear the best local music and drink the best local beers? Hop aboard LaZoom’s Purple Bus and rock out with a local band while we take you on a journey to Asheville’s premiere local breweries.
Get ready to embrace the spirit of Christmas with Elf: The Musical, a heartwarming and hilarious adaptation of the beloved 2003 holiday film. This enchanting musical follows the journey of Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole who embarks on a journey to New York City to find his real father. Through catchy, uplifting songs and zany comedic antics, Elf: The Musical serves a healthy dose of holiday cheer, laughter, and life lessons about identity, family, and the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a magical, festive spectacle guaranteed to light up the holiday season for all ages!
A talkback with the cast & crew of Elf: The Musical will be held following the performances on December 3rd and 10th.
Edvard Tchivzhel, conductor
You’ll be brimming with holiday cheer when you leave this annual seasonal celebration! Gather your family and friends for Greenville’s favorite Christmas spectacular, which always features your favorites combined with fresh, new themes. Whether you’re carrying on a yuletide tradition or feeling inspired to start a new one, this concert is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays.
Join us on Friday, December 15, at 7:30 p.m. for a performance by Kevin Spears — one of the LEAF Global Arts Festival’s crowd favorites and a one-man music ensemble. Suggested donation: $10-$30 at the door.
It is rare and surreal to experience an artist masterfully weave an ecstatic mix of African, Middle Eastern, and Afro-Cuban grooves — along with Southern funk and EDM — that transports you on a musical journey leaving you mesmerized. You’ll be dancing as Kevin plays all the instruments LIVE!
Kevin has traveled the world as a solo artist/inventor/lecturer and has performed with artists including Rising Appalachia, TOUBAB Krewe, Futureman, Victor Wooten, and many more.
Don’t miss this special night of music: It’s going to be a World Dance Party!
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– SEATED AND STANDING ROOM ONLY TICKETS AVAILABLE
After staying close to home for most of 2023 and woodshedding some new material, Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters can’t wait to hit the road and spread some holiday cheer! The band will play new and old favorites, featuring songs from their 2019 EP “Christmas on a Greyhound Bus” as well as a selection of familiar holiday classics and original material from their six studio albums.
all ages
We have three opportunities for you to help Connect Beyond AND see some music! We need volunteers to assist with wristbands for three shows this summer at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville in Downtown Asheville, N.C. Shifts are roughly (3) hours and all participating volunteers will also receive (1) free ticket to stay after and watch the show. The following dates and shows are available:
- February 16-18: Billy Strings
- May 16: Amon Amarth
- May 20 & 22: Noah Kahan
- August 30: King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Ticket price includes applicable sales tax.
Sigal Music Museum’s current special exhibition, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred, highlights items from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, which hails from all over the world. Showing November 2023 – May 2024, Worlds Apart uses a diverse range of historical instruments, objects, and visuals to bring together musical narratives from seemingly disparate parts of the globe.
Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred aims to increase public access to historical instruments from around the world and improve visitors’ understanding of musical traditions at the global level. Expanding beyond the typical parameters of the Western musical canon, Worlds Apart seeks to expose audiences to musical instruments and customs that are often overlooked or exotified. The instruments and other exhibit materials will offer visitors new perspectives on global music and a chance to consider how music is used for prayer and leisure in cultures around the world. By celebrating these stories, the museum intends to further its mission to collect and preserve historical musical instruments, objects, and information, which engage and enrich people of all ages through exhibits, performances, and experiential programs.
Displaying various objects from the JoAnn and Frank Edwinn Collection, Worlds Apart: Musical Instruments from Secular to Sacred focuses on international musical instruments and cultures, celebrating rites and traditions with ancient histories and contemporary legacies. Frank Edwinn, a successful basso in the mid-20th century, studied and toured internationally, eventually settling in North Carolina, where he taught music at the University of North Carolina Asheville. Throughout his life, he purchased various objects from around the world, aiming to expose students, and himself, to the wide and wonderful world of musical instruments. This impressive collection occupies a unique position for educating audiences unfamiliar with the vast scope of global music.
And, UNCA’s Ramsey Library Special Collections is now processing the Edwinn’s papers and a few recordings that will be accessible next semester!