May 5

May 5 This Week in Asheville: May 5-11

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.

Asheville Improv Festival

Like so many other events, the local comedy festival originally scheduled for October 2024 got washed away by Tropical Storm Helene. Fortunately, the organizers regrouped and are set to bring the laughs this week with multiple shows each day at a rotating selection of venues. With headline performances from veteran improvisers like Carla & Craig Cackowski, 3Peat, and Jennifer Estlin, along with many local favorites, it should be well worth the wait. —Jonny Leather

at Asheville Music Hall, Asheville Masonic Temple, NC Stage Co., YMI Cultural Center
Wednesday, May 7 - Saturday, May 10
Various Times
[improv comedy]
more info

Florist

On its new album, Jellywish, the Brooklyn-based quartet crafts quiet, contemplative songs that reward close listening — and will be in the ideal setting when they stop through town later this week. Fellow New Yorker and Double Whammy labelmate Allegra Krieger will set a sweet, melancholic mood as the opener. —JL

w/ Allegra Krieger
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Thursday, May 8
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[folk]
more info

Jake Xerxes Fussell

Each of this singer/songwriter’s tunes carries a deep love and reverence for the past. Like the folk musicians who came long before him, the Durham-based artist has a gift for unearthing forgotten treasures and recasting them in a fresh light while retaining the genuine heart of what first captured his interest. —JL

w/ Zoh Amba
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Friday, May 9
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[folk]
more info

Cam Girl

Asheville’s own queercore glam-rock giants are gearing up for a lengthy tour behind their upcoming release, Flesh & Chrome — but not before launching it all with a blowout hometown show. It may be night one, but expect them to play like it’s their last night on Earth.

w/ My Gal Monday
at Fleetwood’s
Friday, May 9
Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
[glam rock, metal, punk]
more info

BadBadNotGood

It's not often you see a jazz group headlining The Orange Peel, but this Canadian trio is anything but ordinary. They've backed Frank Ocean at Coachella, collaborated on an album with Ghostface Killah, and most recently produced and performed on the latest release from neo-soul singer Baby Rose, who will open the show. —JL

w/ Baby Rose
at The Orange Peel
Saturday, May 10
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[jazz]
more info

Alexa Rose + Liv Greene

A pair of honey-voiced Americana singer/songwriters in one of Asheville’s coziest spaces? Sign me up. It’s been a while since Rose played a hometown show, and her insightful lyrics and relaxed tempos share a kinship with the Nashville-based Greene, who’s touring in support of her October 2024 album, Deep Feeler. —Edwin Arnaudin

at AyurPrana Listening Room
Saturday, May 10
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[folk]
more info