This Week in Asheville: July 28-Aug. 3
Asheville’s wealth of live music, theater, and comedy offerings can leave concertgoers feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking which shows to attend. But have no fear! The Asheville Stages staff is here to help with insights on the week’s most appealing options.
Rich Ruth
Blending the crushing, doom-laden guitars of metal with spiritual jazz saxophone, shimmering vibraphone, and soothing pedal steel, Michael Rich Ruth crafts a singular fusion sound that feels both otherworldly and entirely new. —Jonny Leather
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Tuesday, July 29
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[spiritual jazz, post-rock, ambient]
more info
Asheville Comedy Festival: Opening Weekend
Over its first 16 years, the local fest has featured nearly 700 comedians. Although the lineup doesn’t boast the kind of juggernaut names that can sell out arenas, the organizers put in the hard work to fill the schedule with underground comics that are sure to conjure laughter from the crowds. This year, ACF is split into two weekends: the first will feature a sequence of headline performances with Ben Bailey of Cash Cab fame delivering the goods on opening night, while Jessica Michelle Singleton performs Friday, Aug. 1, and Eleanor Kerrigan will headline Aug. 2. —JL
at Wortham Center for Performing Arts
Thursday, July 31 - Saturday, Aug. 2
Show: 7:30pm
[comedy]
more info
Sarah Louise
The local experimental folk artist will be joined by drummer Ryan Oslance, saxophonist Ashley Paul, guitarist Tashi Dorji, and modular synth player Tony Rolando for what promises to be a beautiful communal experience. —JL
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Friday, Aug. 1
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[folk, experimental, ambient]
more info
Ahleuchatistas
There was a time when you could catch guitar wizard Shane Parish pretty regularly around Asheville. Unfortunately, since he moved to Athens, GA, it’s become a rare treat. This weekend, he returns to town with his beloved experimental rock trio, and will be joined on the bill by avant trio Wind Cults (Brett Naucke, Thom Nguyen, and Adam Lion), as well as Scribblers. —JL
w/ Wind Cults + Scribblers
at Static Age Records
Friday, Aug. 1
Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
[experimental, post-rock, prog]
more info
Louis C.K.
At one point, Louis C.K. was widely considered one of the greatest stand-up comedians alive — but he couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. He was “canceled,” or at least he would have been if cancel culture were real. Case in point: his Asheville show is sold out. Maybe the crowd will get an encore from his willy. —JL
at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sunday, Aug. 3
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[stand-up comedy]
more info
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Christie Lenée (Photo by Allen Clark Photography)
🎤 = comedy; 🎭 = theater
July 29: Jules! at Grey Eagle Music Hall
July 29: Silversun Pickups at The Orange Peel
July 29: Flowers for the Dead + Powder Horns + Soured at Static Age Records
July 30: 20 Watt Tombstone + The Slow Attack at Eulogy
July 30: Bourbon N Beats: NateR + Mikey Rizz + Peter The Poet + Colston at Pulp
July 30: Propolis + Walkhome + Soleil + Rhinestone Pickup Truck at Static Age Records
July 31: Bag of Babydoll Heads + Hopeless Otis + On the Block + Bad Fidelity at 27 Club
July 31: Chinobay + Joel Karabo Elliott at AyurPrana Listening Room
July 31: The Dolltones + My Gal Monday + Karma Kat at Fleetwood's
July 31: The Pinkerton Raid at Grey Eagle - Patio
July 31: Amplify Appalachia: Couch + Members of the Steep Canyon Rangers + Aunt Vicki at Sierra Nevada - High Gravity
July 31: Cookie Tongue ft. Sweet Oddity + The Deviled Eggs at Sly Grog Lounge
July 31: Lone Quail + Oil Derek + Liliana Hudgens at Static Age Records
Aug. 1: Empire Strikes Brass at 185 King St
Aug. 1: DJ Brownie & Friends at Asheville Music Hall
Aug. 1: STS9 + Beats Antique at Asheville Yards
Aug. 1: Wynton Existing + Hex Wizard + 6 Speed + Campanula at Fleetwood's
Aug. 1: Don't Tell Comedy at Modelface Comedy (Secret Biltmore Village location) 🎤
Aug. 2: DJ Logic & Friends at Asheville Music Hall
Aug. 2: STS9 + Emancipator at Asheville Yards
Aug. 2: Occult Resonance: A Ceremonial Sonic Immersion at AyurPrana Listening Room
Aug. 2: The Witching Hour, dark and dirty comedy at DSSOLVR 🎤
Aug. 2: Two Planes + Lawndry + Keepers of the Brink at Fleetwood's
Aug. 2: Vandoliers at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Aug. 2: Foreigner at Harrah's Cherokee Event Center
Aug. 2: LAZR LUVR at The Orange Peel
Aug. 2: Possums + Porcelain Parrot + Sky Witch + Silver Kyrie at Static Age Records
Aug. 3: Moths + Knives and Daggers + Six Year Hex at Fleetwood's
Aug. 3: Christie Lenée with Katie Marie at Highland Brewing - The Meadow
For full events listings check out AVL-Live.com
(Rich Ruth photo by Ryan Hartley)
