Ensemble Galilei
Concert
March 21st • 7pm
Tickets $15
Ensemble Galilei has been around forever, well not exactly forever, but in the music world, thirty-five years is extraordinary. The guiding principle has remained the same: put a bunch of brilliant musicians in a rehearsal room, ask them what tunes break their hearts or make them smile, and then create an arrangement for the instruments at hand that is absolutely breathtaking. Each musician brings a world of experience, technical mastery, and a deep love of collaborative music making - and it shows. Irish jigs, reels and songs, newly composed music, and a movement from a viola da gamba sonata by Telemann. There is deep intention in every note they play. Unforgettable.
Proceeds from this performance will go to the BMCA class scholarship fund!
Twelve Wild Geese
March 22nd • 2pm
Tickets $15/adult (ages 18+)
$10/child (ages 8-17)
What happens when you put five extraordinary musicians and one legendary storyteller in a room with an overhead projector and paint? Magic. With some of the finest Irish musicians in the world and a long history of blending story and music, Ensemble Galilei brings their virtuosity and passion to this project. In collaboration with David Novak, a master storyteller, these remarkable artists combine their gifts to create so much more than the sum of the parts. There is a princess. A wicked stepmother. Twelve brothers (the wild geese, and that’s not a spoiler.) It is funny. It is harsh. It is beautiful and in the end, all is not lost. We need more of this. The world needs more of this.
A Slice of Life:​
An evening of stories
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March 29th • 7pm
Tickets $18 in advance/$22 at the door
Join nationally celebrated storyteller Connie Regan-Blake as she welcomes her storytelling workshop participants to the stage for “A Slice of Life: An Evening of Stories.” This year's tellers are Donna Catton-Johnson, Linda Chancey Guice, Lara Hope-Gill, Cheri Miller, Andy Russell, Steve Tate, Christine Westfeldt, and Janel Woodland.
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Connie is emceeing this evening of unique voices. The last several “Slice of Life” shows have been sell-outs – so get your tickets early!
Mosaic Stepping Stones
Led By Michelle Bettencourt
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Saturday, April 5th • 3-6pm
AND
Sunday, April 6th • 3-5pm
Ages 12+
Tuition $75 (supplies included)
Ready for some color in your yard? This class will introduce you to the ancient art form of mosaics through the creation of your own, unique mosaic stepping stone. In the first session, you will learn the basics of mosaic design, select and cut/break tessere (ceramic tiles, plates and other materials) and adhere them to your concrete stepping stone. In the second session, you will learn how to grout your piece and will have a number of colors of grout to choose from. After just two sessions you will leave with a beautiful mosaic stepping stone for outdoor use and the knowledge to make mosaics on a number of substrates. See Michelle’s general guidelines and links for mosaics here.
An Artful Journey:
A morning of art, conversation, and gourmet treats
Exploring Great Art Exhibitions with Art Historian Julianna Caro
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Friday, Aprill 11 • 10:30am-12pm
Recent Exhibitions on Women Artists
​Rachel Ruysch
Suzanne Valadon
Elizabeth Catlett
In 2025 several important exhibitions will introduce audiences to the work of three women artists: Rachel Ruysch: Nature into Art at the Alte Pinakothek in Munch, Suzanne Valadon: Model, Painter, Rebel at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and Elizabeth Catlett: Black Revolutionary Artist at the Brooklyn Museum. Join art historian Julianna Caro for her final lecture of the 2024-25 Artful Journey season. In addition to examining these three exhibitions, Caro will explore how women artists have navigated the artworld from the Renaissance period to the present, and introduce some of the major museum’s that celebrate women in art.
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Dutch artist Rachel Ruysch (1664-1750) was the daughter of a botanist and physician. She trained as still life and flower painter, became the first female member of the artist’s society, Confrerie Pictura in the Netherlands, and was court painter to the Elector Palatine, Johan Willem, in Düsseldorf.
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French painter, Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938) modeled for Impressionist and Post Impressionist artists, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot and Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and was an accomplished artist whose innovative paintings explored modernism.
African American and Mexican artist Elizabeth Catlett (1915–2012) was a painter, printmaker and sculptor. Over her six-decade career she portrayed the experiences of black women and contributed imagery to protest movements in the U.S. and Mexico.
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Julianna Caro is an art historian and curator based in Asheville. Formerly professor of Art History and chair of the Art department at Warren Wilson College, she has curated exhibitions for the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Center for Craft. Recently, Caro started The Artisan Tour by Julianna, which offers art, culture, and food tours in downtown Black Mountain and Asheville and week-long cultural and restorative experiences in Italy.
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The Dark City SPeaks
An Evening of Poetry
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April 11th • 7pm
Tickets $10
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A collaboration between the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Friends of the Black Mountain Library and Dark City Poets Society
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This big night of poetry features three published poets, Glenis Redmond, Lee Stockdale and Ugandan poet Mildred Barya. The evening of poetry begins with student poets from the region, followed by poets from the Dark City Poets Society. The evening culminates with readings from our three featured poets.
Book Launch:​
"Jerome v. God"
and
"Perpetuonics"
by Jeffrey Melvin Hutchins
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April 13th • 2pm
Free Event
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This event is a launch party for TWO new novels by local author and Black Mountain resident Jeff Hutchins.
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There will be light hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and a Q&A with the author. At 2:30, there will be a staged performance of “The Compadore,” a 30-minute play lifted from Part 2 of “Perpetuonics. Free entry; no pressure to buy anything. Please come to support the Arts in WNC.
Laura Boswell & Molly Hartwell
in Concert
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April 18 • 7pm
Tickets $18
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Laura Boswell exhibits a poetic and technical depth that has garnered comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, and Nick Drake. She writes intimate folk music with classical influence that has been described as meditative, transcendental, and within the "chamber-folk" genre (Asheville's Mountain Xpress). Along with being a singer-songwriter, Laura has a degree in classical guitar performance and studied piano from a young age. She views music as a bridge to human connection and vulnerability, as well as a powerful tool for fostering community. The multi-instrumentalist has self-released three albums, Counting Eyes (2014), Fall Away (2017), and WellSpring (2022) along with two EP's.
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WellSpring is the musical collaboration of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Molly Hartwell and Laura Boswell. Rooted in strong and subtle two-part harmonies, the duo initially bonded over cover songs by artists like Simon and Garfunkel, Patty Griffin, and Iron and Wine. Working with Dan Shearin (River Whyless) over 2021-2022 in Asheville, NC they recorded and released their first self-titled album.
Let It Be Art!
by Ronald Rand
North Carolina Premiere
25th Anniversary Year
Starring Ronald Rand
April 25 • 7pm
Tickets $20 (adults), $15 (youth, up to 17)
The moment Ronald Rand takes the stage as Harold Clurman in his famous one man play, LET IT BE ART! Harold Clurman's Life of Passion, embodying Harold Clurman, through voice, gesture and size, we are immediately thrust into a world of boundless passion for the theatre, and taken on an inspiring journey that lingers within our consciousness for a very long time.
Mr. Rand as writer and performer captures the essence of who Harold Clurman was and what he stood for. His creation instills in the audience an unforgettable experience of passion, courage and inspiration.
In this inspiring one man show, we follow Harold Clurman from his beginnings on the Lower East Side, through his education at the Sorbonne in Paris with Aaron Copland as his roommate, his initiation into the theatre through The Provincetown Players and The Theatre Guild, his friendship with Lee Strasberg, and their decision with Cheryl Crawford, to found The Group Theatre, as well as his relationships with Stella Adler, Clifford Odets, Edward Gordon Craig, Alfred Stieglitz, Marlon Brando and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, among several others.
Reasonably Priced Babies
improv comedy
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April 26th • 7pm
Tickets $20
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RPB is a formidable improv comedy group consisting of Tom Chalmers, Mondy Carter, Karen Stobbe, Kim Richardson and Josh Batenhorst.
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This is how it works: RPBs will ask the audience for suggestions and then they make that come to technicolor life. Get ready to be a part of the experience because this show will push the envelope of ridiculous fun.
The Art of Transformation
Led By Ronald Rand
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April 27th • 2pm
Ages 16+
Tuition $25
Step into a journey of creativity, self-discovery, and transformation in this dynamic 90-minute workshop. Through a blend of improvisation, poetry, song, and energizing movement exercises, you'll explore the art of acting and uncover the joy of creative expression. Come dressed in comfortable clothing and bring a monologue or a favorite poem to share.
Led by renowned acting teacher and performer Rand, this workshop introduces powerful techniques from Stanislavsky’s original “Method of Physical Actions” acting chart—each participant will receive their own copy. Drawing from the teachings of legendary mentors Stella Adler and Jerzy Grotowski, Rand’s exercises guide you to connect deeply with your creative spirit.
Cee Cee James &
The Mission of S.O.U.L.
May 3 • 7pm
Tickets $15
Cee Cee James and Rob “Slideboy” Andrews play all original songs in a passionate performance that will draw you in as Cee Cee wields her well honed lyrical and vocal craft of creating and giving from the depth of the life that she has lead. She has tasted tragedy, addiction and abuse, as well as the joy and depth of love gained and lost, and this has opened her up to bringing the vulnerability of a fired and understanding heart to her performances.
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Their performances are filled with deep vulnerability, laughter and guaranteed silliness as they weave together the stories of life in a way that they hope will bring you joy.
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Read more about them at: https://www.missionofsoul.com
Red
by John LOgan
May 9-18
Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm
Tickets $20
Set in New York City in 1959, RED is an explosive exploration of the creative process. The play takes place during a crucial moment in the career of renowned Abstract-Expressionist artist Mark Rothko as he prepares for his greatest commission, a series of murals in New York’s prestigious Four Seasons restaurant. A two-person show, RED reveals Rothko and his assistant Ken as Rothko struggles to fulfill his vision of creating a sacred space for his deeply emotional paintings in the temple of “status and conspicuous consumption” that is the Four Seasons. What follows is a series of clashes between the fiery and domineering Rothko and his young, impressionable assistant. RED is produced by Mockingbird Theatre Productions, the company that brought Birds of North America and Popcorn Falls to the BMCA stage. Veteran actor John Hall portrays the combative and creative Rothko!