Discover the Best Places to Experience Asheville’s Rich Artistic Legacy

“Asheville gave me the ability to soar,” reflects poet Glenis Redmond. After a weekend visit nearly three decades ago, Redmond recognized that the city’s vibrant creative atmosphere was a nurturing ground for the written word. She became a regular at the Asheville Poetry Slam, managed by Allan Wolf, widely regarded as the godfather of slam poetry, and found what she still considers the finest bookstore in the area, Malaprop’s Bookstore, before ultimately making Asheville her family’s home for 17 inspiring years.

“I came to Asheville to pursue poetry.”

“Asheville in the late '90s was incredibly welcoming to the arts,” Redmond recalls. Various art forms, including poetry, dance, mime, puppetry, music, and storytelling, often mingled freely in shared spaces, an ethos that persists to this day. “Art was omnipresent; it felt so natural,” she explains, attributing her journey to becoming a touring artist to the city's influence. “It transformed my life and allowed me to flourish.”

In 2007, Redmond co-founded WordSlam, a poetry competition for teenagers, and received the WNC Best Poet award from local publication Mountain Xpress so often that they eventually honored her with induction into their Hall of Fame.

Ways to Embrace Your Passion for Dance in Asheville

“I truly believe that every surface can become a dance floor,” says the writer. Beyond grooving down the aisles of local grocery stores, Redmond often took her two daughters to various concerts, including a performance by Tracy Chapman at Harrah’s Cherokee Center (previously known as Asheville Civic Center).

“I frequently danced and performed poetry at Jubilee on Sundays,” she explains, noting, “Dance is inherently poetic. It serves as the physical counterpart to poetry. Dance enhances poetry. It is my first love and my native tongue.”

Similar to Redmond, you can find inspiration through the movement showcased by Asheville’s top dance companies. Stewart/Owen Dance, the resident company at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, presents mainstage performances and offers open community classes throughout the year. During the summer, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance takes the spotlight at the Wortham, featuring talented dancers from all over the nation.

Redmond fondly recalls attending her friend Debra Roberts’ unforgettable African dance classes and recommends checking out The Orange Peel (where she once enjoyed a performance by India Arie) and The Grey Eagle for lively nights of dancing. She also points to LEAF Global Arts Experience as a fun spot for releasing your energy during their weekly classes.

Every Friday night from April to October, the Drum Circle attracts hundreds of enthusiastic dancers to Pritchard Park in downtown, where Redmond would sometimes join in. “I’d often find myself downtown on a Friday night, and the rhythm of the drums would draw me in,” she shares.

Discover more venues and dining options in Asheville.

Asheville is alive with music. At Little Jumbo, you can catch live jazz performances on Mondays and experimental sounds by Musica Universalis on Tuesdays. Select Saturdays feature DJ dance parties, and you can find the Taco Billy food truck serving up tacos every night except Sunday. Additionally, The Golden Pineapple hosts monthly dance nights with DJs spinning tracks and a varied food and drink menu perfect for late-night cravings. (Insider tip: don’t miss the delicious wings!)

To refuel before or after your dancing, follow Redmond’s lead and visit her favorite dining spots. “Whenever I’m headed to see a friend or performing, I always make sure to stop by Salsa’s,” she shares. Other favorites include Zambra for Mediterranean dishes and Table for seasonal offerings from restaurateur Jacob Sessoms.

For additional live music experiences, be sure to visit the Asheville Music Hall. Its beloved Shakedown Sunday Family Band Jam is a hit among locals. At Ben’s Tune-Up, a hip brewery and beer garden, you can enjoy live music—often leading to spontaneous dancing—most nights, along with house sakes, craft beers, and a fusion of Japanese-American cuisine.

If you're interested in learning swing dance, Swing Asheville provides weekly lessons for all skill levels at the charming Cork & Keg located inside Weinhaus. For an unforgettable way to ring in the New Year, don't miss the annual Lindy Focus, a world-famous swing dance camp hosted at the Crowne Plaza Asheville, featuring some of the top dance instructors globally.

The vibrant cultural experiences of Asheville initially attracted Redmond, and now she draws her own fans as a beloved figure in the arts community, performing poetry regularly at venues like the new Story Parlor. For enthusiasts of music, dance, and various art forms, it’s this rich and inspiring blend of creativity that makes the city so fulfilling.