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.

Thursday, March 28, 2024
City Dance
Mar 28 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Dark City Poets Society
Apr 2 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Black Mountain Library
Dark City Poets Society is a completely free poetry group that is open to writers of all ages and experience levels.
Join us at the Black Mountain Library from 6-7:30 pm on the first Tuesday of every month for our (respectful) feedback group.FREE. Meets in the Community Room.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Blood Drive
Apr 4 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
AdventHealth Hendersonville

We are starting our first full month of Spring which means a few more weeks of spring break. High travel seasons like spring break can lead to increased needs for blood and decreased rates of donations. You can help make sure the blood supply stays at a safe level when you Spring into Life Saving at the AdventHealth Blood Drive. We are excited to partner with The Blood Connection to meet the blood needs for people across our community.

Blood Drive

AdventHealth Hendersonville & The Blood Connection

Thursday, April 4 | 10 am to 3 pm

100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville

Look for The Blood Connection Mobile Donor Unit near the Valet parking lot.

 

All donors will receive a $50 e-gift card!

Children’s Poetry Workshop: Isn’t It a Wonder?
Apr 4 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Pack Memorial Library

In celebration of National Poetry Month and the wonders of the natural world, join local poet Brit Washburn to explore and craft nature poems! Bring your five senses and an open heart! Ages 6-12.

Standup Comedy Contest
Apr 4 @ 7:00 pm
Pulp Lounge

Slice of Life Standup Comedy Contest at The Orange Peel’s Pulp
When: Thursday April 4, 2024.
7p-9p, doors at 6:30p
Where:
The Orange Peel’s Comedy Basement, Pulp Lounge, 103 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville
Tickets: $15 (available at door or The Orange Peel website https://tinyurl.com/2abjkft4)
Cocktails available while you laugh the night away to some of the area’s best Stand Up Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
Free snacks while availability lasts!
Hosted by Hilliary Begley, featuring professional comics.
Comedy open mic is 3-5m each, comics get in free with free snacks!
The show’s Headliner will be selected by audience in an anonymous ballet after comics perform their sets.
They will write down their favorite top comic of the evening who will be paid & brought back to headline the end of the show with a closing 10-15m set!
.
Contact Michele at [email protected] for details
Host Hilliary Begley-
Hilliary will make you cry with laughter. With her larger that life personality!! Voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” In Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime. https ://youtu.be/legRwEg4j-o

Thursday, April 11, 2024
Weaverville WORDPLAY Poetry Workshop
Apr 11 @ 1:17 pm – 2:17 pm
Weaverville Library

Calling all Poets!  The Weaverville Library is collaborating with Weaverville WORDPLAY to host poetry workshops at the Weaverville Library. We will be working on crafting our poetry and offering feedback to writers.

Bring a poem or two that you are working on and join us!

Saturday, April 13, 2024
AVL Clothing Swap
Apr 13 all-day
The Regeneration Station

Join AVL Clothing Swap for our biggest event yet! Now located at the Regeneration Station, the swap works the same as always: purchase your ticket (now a tax-deductible donation!) drop off clothing (clean and in good condition) at Regeneration Station before the event date. On the day of the event, show up to shop the swap!

Sunday, April 14, 2024
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic + Feature Comedy
Apr 14 all-day
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

Sunday April 14 Standup Comedy at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company hosted by Hilliary Begley with Derek Boskovich, James Rocco & Jordan Smith featuring and a professional comedy open mic. Get dinner drinks and laughs. Tickets at https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/buy-tickets

Monday, April 15, 2024
An Evening with the Cowboy Junkies
Apr 15 @ 7:30 pm
Diana Wortham Theatre
In 1988, Cowboy Junkies proved that there was an audience waiting for something quiet, beautiful and reflective. The Trinity Session was like a whisper that cut through the noise — and it was compelling. It stood out in the midst of the flash and bombast that came to define the late 80’s. The now classic recording combined folk, blues and rock in a way that had never been heard before and went on to sell more than a million copies.
Formed in Toronto in 1985 with siblings Michael Timmins on guitar, Margo Timmins on vocals, Peter Timmins on drums, and Michael’s lifelong friend Alan Anton on bass, the band has sparkled over the course of 26 albums. “I’ve known Alan longer than I’ve known Pete,” says Michael. “We were friends before Pete was born.”
Unlike most long-lasting groups, Cowboy Junkies have never had a break up or taken a sanity-saving hiatus. There’s an appreciation of each other that keeps them constantly working. “It’s that intimacy and understanding of what each one of us brings to the table,” says Michael. Cowboy Junkies’ will be performing a career-spanning show, including their new album, ‘Such Ferocious Beauty’, which was released worldwide on June 2, 2023 to universal critical acclaim.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Poetry Night
Apr 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Oak and Grist Distilling Company

 

Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.

The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!

Wednesday, April 17, 2024
UNCA’s Day of giving
Apr 17 all-day
online

🐾 On April 17, We’re All Bulldogs 🐾

Whether you are an alumni, family to a current Bulldog, attending a home game in the Sherrill Center, checking out a lecture on campus, supporting a Bulldog-owned business by getting a scoop of ice cream at The Hop or a cup of coffee at Grind AVL, or strolling the booths of local vendors at the North Asheville Tailgate market — you are a Bulldog.

And the best day to support our Bulldog community, Give UNC Asheville, is right around the corner!

On April 17, from midnight to midnight, our community unites as Bulldogs for the University’s biggest day of giving.

This year marks our fourth annual giving day! Join the hundreds, or better yet, thousands who are giving back to support our incredible students, faculty, and staff as they continue to strive for excellence.

Make your early gift today to give us a head start toward our goal of 800 donors on April 17. Become an advocate to help us spread the word! (YOU are 44 percent more likely to bring in extra support for our Bulldogs when you share with your family and friends why you support UNC Asheville.)

Go to our giving page to learn more and make your donation: http://giving.unca.edu/givingday2024

Every gift counts, and we need you to make it happen.

Donate Today!
Thursday, April 18, 2024
THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “GREEN”
Apr 18 @ 7:30 pm
The Grey Eagle
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
– PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW
– GA SEATING IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED 

THE MOTH

 resumes their recurring monthly Asheville StorySLAM at The Grey Eagle at 7:30pm! This month’s theme is….

GREEN:  Prepare a five-minute tale involving verdant fields, blades of grass, tree-huggers or leprechauns. The bubbling envy over the childhood friend whose sneakers always shone brighter than yours. The excitement of passing “GO” and collecting $200. Stories of the unripe and inexperienced. The time when nature nurtured you, or when you were lost in the forest at nightfall with no flashlight. The grass is always, well… you know.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Spring Clean Coat Drive
Apr 19 @ 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Carolina Furniture Concepts

Thank you to  Carolina Furniture Concepts for hosting our annual coat drive on Friday, April 19 and to WLOS-13 and Two Men and a Truck for sponsoring the event. Our community has always been very generous in donating many great items that keep our neighbors warm this winter.

The coat giveaway will be held on Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 at 23 Hamilton Street, Asheville, NC  28801.

Eco Poetry Creative Writing Event
Apr 19 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Swannanoa Library

For nature and literary lovers, ecopoetry is the perfect collaboration. Taking inspiration from your backyard, a tree you love, the bird that visits your feeder every day, and so much more, we’ll learn how to write about the things in nature that catch our eyes and hearts. Interested in some examples? Check out Drew Lanham, Mary Oliver, and Alice Walker.

Bring a favorite pen and we will have projected images to help your imagination.

A little clip about me:

Donnie Henry is a Creative Writing student at Warren Wilson College. They are a poet, painter, avid reader, river lover, and a fan of all amphibians. They work in their college Herbarium and love talking about it!

Poetry as Prayer
Apr 19 @ 6:00 pm
Asheville Salt Cave | Massage & Salt Spa Therapy
Together we will create a gentle space to nurture ourselves forward this season using breath, slow flow movement, and poetry. No writing experience is necessary, just an open heart, body, mind.
February 23 & April 19th @ 6pm Let’s come together during this full moon with intentions of slowing-in to the senses, nourishing our bodies with gentle sensuous movement and poetry as prayer. Poet, Doula, and Women’s Counselor Tiffany Narron will guide us along in a heart-warming circle to sink into our parasympathetic nervous systems with breath and somatic movement and explore reading and writing poetry as prayer. Together we will move to the rhythm of our breath and explore the language of our bodies in a warm, nourishing flow, reading excerpts of poetry centered on enchantment and the senses to then share and write in response as you feel called, leaving with an intentional poetic prayer of your own for this season. No writing experience is necessary, just an open heart, body, mind. Come as you are, share as you’re comfortable. Nourish your body and harvest your poetic prayer for the season. Reserve your space below. Space is limited.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Canna Comic Cuisine?–Infused Dessert Show
Apr 20 @ 9:30 pm
Rezonanance

Rezonance & Slice of Life Comedy present **Canna Comic Cuisine —4.20 Infused Dessert Comedy Show**! Get ready for a night of laughter, delicious food, and a touch of cannabis-infused fun. Join us on **Sat Apr 20 2024** at **9:30 PM** for a unique experience that combines comedy with a gourmet dinner featuring cannabis-infused dishes. Our talented comedians will keep you entertained throughout the evening, while our chefs prepare a mouthwatering dessert that will tantalize your taste buds. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that promises to be a memorable and hilarious night out!

Saturday 4.20.24

Held at a secret location in downtown Asheville, 21+

Your $42 ticket includes infused dessert and a canned drink. Location given out with ticket purchase. Tickets are very limited so book this date now.

Standup Comedy Hosted by Hilliary Begley (netflix Amazon Prime, Votedt Avl Best Comic 5+) featuring Cayla Clark, Miranda Allison & Cody Hughes

Your Comedy Host Hilliary Begley-

Hilliary will make you cry with laughter with her larger than life personality!! Voted repeatedly Asheville’s Favorite comic in the Mountain Xpress, Hilliary’s reach goes well beyond the city to all over the country. Film debut in the Netflix original Dumplin’ as Aunt Lucy, or “Jennifer Anniston’s fat sister,” and in Austin Film Festival winning movie When We Last Spoke with Cloris Leachman, now streaming on Amazon Prime. https ://youtu.be/legRwEg4j-o

Featuring Cayla Clark-

a California native (through no fault of her own), moved to Asheville three years ago and quickly fell in love with the local comedy scene. She created and co-produces Blind Date Live, a quarterly comedic dating show, Bad Date Mic, and several other dating-related events around town. She is also a playwright, and has had original works in the Fringe Festival for the past three years.

Feature Cody Hughes-

Cody is a comedian from Asheville NC. He’s lived in a few different big cities and a lot of comedians like him and a lot of other comedians have heard good things about him from the comedians who like him. A few comedians don’t like him and he can’t do anything about that. Oh well. He has opened for Lewis Black, John Oliver, Maria Bamford, and many others

Feature Miranda Allison-

Sweet but sassy, Miranda Allison is an up and coming stand up comedian with a timid, yet audacious sense of humor. From right here in Asheville, NC, Miranda is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the comedy scene. You can find her co-hosting The Hot Seat on Mondays and at other comedy shows in the area.

Sunday, April 21, 2024
Tail Chaser 250
Apr 21 all-day
Deerwoode Reserve

Get revved up for best weekend of the year! Join us for the Tail Chaser 250, where you will experience an epic “ride at your own pace” dual sport adventure ride on the best scenic paved, gravel, and back roads in the Southeast. This in-person event is an absolute must for anyone who loves being on the motorcycle, hanging out with good people, and enjoying the beauty of the open road.

We’ll be returning to Deerwoode Reserve, situated along the French Broad River, just outside Brevard, NC, where we’ll gather for meals together in their new event pavilion, enjoy the property’s beauty, and stay both Friday and Saturday nights. We’ll be able to spread out in wide open fields for camping and cabins available for rent, and enjoy the view beyond.

Join Eurosport Asheville and the entire adventure motorcycle community to help raise essential funds for Muddy Sneakers and the Veterans Healing Farm. It’s an honor to donate 100% of the proceeds of Tail Chaser 250 to these organizations doing important work in our communities. We really appreciate your support!

So mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to immerse yourself in a weekend of adventure and being a part of the motorcycle community. The Tail Chaser 250 is waiting for you – suit up and prepare for the best weekend of the year!

Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Dark City Poets Society Publishing Workshop
Apr 23 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Join the Dark City Poets Society for a free publishing workshop from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at the Black Mountain Library,105 N. Dougherty Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711. This workshop will be led by John Himmelheber, editor of Smoky Blue Literary and Arts Magazine, along with Ivy Rosen, editor of Black Mountain Press. Learn tips and tricks on how to get published and what the best practices are for submitting your work for consideration. This workshop is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
Apr 24 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
Apr 25 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

City Dance
Apr 25 @ 7:30 pm
Landmark Hal

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Saturday, April 27, 2024
Food Box Delivery volunteers needed!
Apr 27 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

WNCAP (Western North Carolina AIDS Project) Dedicated to preventing new cases of HIV/AIDS and promoting self-sufficiency in people living with HIV. WNCAP provides HIV-related client support, prevention, education and advocacy activities guided by the belief that all people are entitled to equal access to health care and disease prevention.
WNCAP needs volunteers for the 2nd & 4th Saturday morning Food Box Delivery: 10am-noon. Ride with another team member and deliver pre-packed boxes of food to home-bound, food insecure families living in the Asheville/ Buncombe area. Requires ability to lift 50 pounds, good driving record, and confidentiality. More info at [email protected] , 828-252-7489 ext. 315.

Sunday, April 28, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
Apr 28 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
Apr 30 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Love is Like a Butterfly: A Dolly Parton Poetry Workshop
Apr 30 @ 6:30 pm
Fairview Library

Start off Poetry Month at the Library with a celebration of Dolly Parton’s lyrics at the Fairview Library.

What could the songs of legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton teach us about writing, craft, and perspectives in poetry? In this in-person workshop, poet Dustin Brookshire guides participants through exploring the discography and cultural impact of Dolly Parton. We’ll use this as inspiration for writing new poems via thematic prompts.

This free workshop will be Tuesday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fairview Library.

Our facilitator, Dustin Brookshire is the recipient of the 2024 Jon Tribble Editors Fellowship awarded by Poetry at the Sea and is the co-editor of Let Me Say This: A Dolly Parton Poetry Anthology (Madville Publishing, 2023), which was named to the 2024 Books All Georgians Should Read list by the Georgia Center for the Book.

Thursday, May 2, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
May 2 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES – LINOCUT ART DEMO AT SPECIAL OPEN MIC
May 2 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Flood Gallery Fine Art Center

Printmaker Janette Hopper will be giving a digital presentation on her art of linocut printmaking this Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7pm. She will also demonstrate some of the tools and materials she uses in her process, and be available for Q&A. Afterwards, stay for the gallery’s True Home Open Mic, where performers of all skills and genres (poetry, storytelling, music, song, comedy, etc.) share their art. Janette herself will be getting up on stage again to share some of her poetry! Or stay to browse more of her print artwork: her current exhibit at Flood Gallery, “Agony and Ecstasy: Images of Conscience” which is comprised of more than 60 pieces, all for sale, and will show through June 2.

Sunday, May 5, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
May 5 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Tools to Support Liberation
May 7 all-day
online w/Bountiful Cities

Liberation Tools is a cooperative subset of the 501c3 nonprofit Soul & Soil Project based in the unceded Tsalagi (Cherokee) territory of Western North Carolina.
Our mission is to build a collective that sustainably and skillfully crafts quality tools used for growing food, and freely distributes them to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. To support these efforts, we sell these tools for twice the cost of producing one, thereby allowing people with accumulated wealth to access high quality tools by also paying for an identical tool to be sent to a BIPOC land steward.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/o/tickets/forms/edit?ticketingId=d65860b2-f8dc-4438-bef5-191cf74bb9dc&#advanced-parameters

Davy Knowles / Jeffrey Gaines
May 7 @ 8:00 pm
The Grey Eagle

DAVY KNOWLES
Whether playing acoustic, mandolin, national steel, or screaming electric guitar, Davy Knowles has an unmistakable style.

Knowles has several top-5 Billboard Blues charting albums under his belt, high profile TV appearances (Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Good Morning America among others), and has been praised with high accolades from heroes and press alike – but it’s not just the music industry who has taken note. Knowles was also the very first artist in history to perform live to the International Space Station directly from mission control in Houston TX, and has had his music taken to the Space Station by two astronauts, Nicole Stott and Ron Garan, on their respective missions orbiting Earth.

Never one to be satisfied or to sit still, Knowles has explored multiple genres and styles, from the hard-hitting 70’s classic rock influenced album ‘Three Miles From Avalon’, to the haunting acoustic delta blues of ‘1932’, and the sweet, soul-searching folk of 2023’s ‘If I Should Wander’.

Whether spending an evening onstage armed with just an acoustic guitar, or wielding his well worn and trusty Telecaster while fronting his blues/rock trio – and at any point in between the two – Davy Knowles is one of the most versatile and formidable songwriters, vocalists and musicians in the world today. A true artist in every sense of the word.

JEFFREY GAINES

Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining his audiences worldwide.

Throughout his three-decade recording career, Gaines has maintained an impressive standard for soul-searching, introspective lyrics and catchy, uplifting melodies. Since bursting on the scene with his self-titled 1992 debut album, the charismatic singer-songwriter-guitarist has built a beloved body of recordings that’s won him a large and deeply devoted international fan base.

Gaines has been pursuing musical transcendence for much of his life. Raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, by soul-music-loving parents, he began his musical life playing guitar in local cover combos, before his songwriting muse became too insistent to ignore. He soon landed his first record deal shortly after graduating from high school, and in 1992 released his widely acclaimed debut album Jeffrey Gaines. The eponymous disc won massive amounts of critical and audience acclaim, spawning the hit “Hero in Me.” Somewhat Slightly Dazed (1994) and Galore (1998) further expanded his audience. Interview magazine described Gaines’ work as “soul-searching” and “refreshingly free of jargon, sentiment or cliché.”

With more than a quarter-century of recording and performing under his belt, Jeffrey Gaines is enjoying life and music more than ever. “Nowadays, I know what the job is about so there’s nothing to stress about, he says. “I know that there’s people out there who want it, so I have the opportunity to extend their experience. I guess I could lay my albums all out and see that they tell a story, but personally I prefer to keep looking forward.”