100 Years of Appalachian Music: Asheville Celebrates the Legendary Sessions

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Thursday, November 6th, 2025. We have a vibrant day ahead in Asheville with a citywide celebration marking the centennial of the legendary Asheville Sessions, the original commercial recordings of Appalachian music. The festivities kick off today and run through Sunday, with concerts, interactive panels, and story sharing at venues across town. Tonight, get inspired with a look back at 100 years of Americana and Appalachian innovation, and don’t miss the Gathering of Descendants at The Venue tomorrow, or Saturday’s immersive events that highlight the influence of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The celebration continues Saturday night with River Whyless, Tyler Ramsey, Toubab Krewe, and Floating Action lighting up the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. There’s even a free community concert on Sunday at Wicked Weed Funkatorium—perfect for music lovers of all stripes. Art fans, this weekend brings the return of RADFest in the River Arts District. Saturday and Sunday from ten to five, the community comes together with live music, DJ sets, art demos, food trucks, and more than 500 studios and galleries open to explore. Over 100 artists who have been displaced by last year’s storm will also be showcasing their work in the outdoor art market. It’s a great chance to connect with Asheville’s creative spirit and maybe bring home something unique. For those who love a bit of history and reflection, head over to the “A Tale of Two Cities” exhibit at NOAFA. This poignant exhibition bridges New Orleans and Asheville’s collective experience and recovery from major climate events, featuring artwork that explores resilience and rebirth. It runs today through Saturday, so you have a few days to explore and reflect on the themes of hope and renewal. In sports, it was a tough night for the UNC Asheville Bulldogs men’s soccer team, who fell to Upstate in the Big South Men’s Soccer Championships. Despite a spirited effort, the Bulldogs lost 5 to 1, with Upstate’s Oskar Kaufmann delivering a record-tying four-goal performance on Asheville turf. On the women’s side, the Bulldogs opened their basketball season with a narrow loss to Mercer, as both teams struggled with turnovers in a low-scoring defensive duel. The Bulldogs will look to regroup for their next matchups. Looking for something a little different tonight? The Grey Eagle features live acts with Dirty French Broads headlining Kate’s Dirty 30 Birthday Boondoggle, bringing in a celebratory crowd, while over at Burial Beer’s Eulogy, the evening’s soundtrack is set by Beach Fossils. Both are known for their immersive community vibes and local spirit, so bring some friends and soak up Asheville’s eclectic nightlife. As colder weather rolls in, the North Carolina Arboretum invites you indoors for their “Snow: Tiny Crystals, Global Impact” exhibit, running through January. Explore the science and wonder of snow with interactive experiences that are perfect for This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.