Discover Why This Asheville Venue Should Be on Your Radar

Imagine a cozy venue featuring a stage perfectly sized for a musician with a portable keyboard, or a poet with a microphone. The historic structure boasts rows of elegant arched windows, creating a stunning backdrop for everyone gathered within. Welcome to Story Parlor, the captivating narrative arts space in West Asheville.

In such an intimate setting, the line between performer and audience completely disappears. It feels as though everyone is there for each other, fully engaged and present. Magic and inspiration fill the air. Beyond the thick, amber velvet curtains that adorn the windows, traffic whizzes along Haywood Road. Yet, inside, something special is happening—an artist is weaving a tale, and the audience is a vital part of it.

While one might think the deep appreciation for the artist-audience connection at Story Parlor implies a serious tone, the performances here are far from solemn. You can expect to see extraordinary talent, but just as likely, you might enjoy spirited musical acts, like the radiant voice of local singer-songwriter Elizabeth McCorvey, blending her original lyrics with hip-hop rhythms as she plays the cello, or pianist Melanie Ida Chopko serenading the audience with a heartfelt love song dedicated to her cat. At the monthly Story Mix nights, prepare for a delightful variety, ranging from narrative dance to prose readings. Story Parlor founder Erin Hallagan Clare expresses her awe: “The local talent has swept me off my feet. Asheville truly delivers!”

An Exciting New Cultural Era Begins

Having previously organized a film festival writer’s conference, Clare recognized that storytelling lies at the core of all art forms, whether it be film, theater, poetry, or dance. In 2015, she launched a story-focused, 'vagabond' initiative that showcased performances in diverse venues, from farms to backyards, while dreaming of a permanent space for her vision. Serendipity struck in Asheville, as it often does.

After relocating to be nearer to her family, Clare spotted a charming 'For Sale' sign on a picturesque property not far from West Asheville’s popular Taco Billy. The nearly century-old brick structure, now vacant, had previously served various purposes, from a doula group to a natural casket business. With approximately 1,000 square feet and a capacity for around 50 audience members, it resembled a cozy 'listening room.' According to Clare, the choice felt completely natural.

Events generated by Story Parlor occur monthly. On other evenings, performances by various arts organizations, such as Asheville Creative Arts or Speakeasy Improv, take the spotlight. The wide array of performances is both unexpected and delightful. Attendees might witness acts ranging from mind reading and classical guitar to poetry and jazz. According to Clare, Story Parlor is 'not only for the community but created by the community.' This latest chapter in Asheville's performing arts scene continues a long-standing tradition of cultural innovation in the area.

The tradition of artistic innovation in Western North Carolina

The Asheville area's commitment to breaking boundaries reaches well beyond the downtown region. The Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center honors the legacy of Black Mountain College, a nurturing ground for some of the most significant artists of the 20th century, including figures like Josef and Anni Albers, Ruth Asawa, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Willem de Kooning, Buckminster Fuller, and Robert Rauschenberg.

{Re}Happening is an annual event that takes place each spring on the original campus site at Lake Eden, continuing its legacy. Featuring cutting-edge dance, music, art installations, and multimedia performances, it attracts both local and national artists eager to venture into new realms of artistic expression. Lake Eden also hosts Asheville’s cherished LEAF Global Arts Festival, which celebrates local artistry across various disciplines and features prominent global acts like Toots and the Maytals and the Indigo Girls.

The ethos of boundary-pushing is alive at the Asheville Fringe Festival and Revolve, a contemporary arts venue that showcases regional visual and performing artists in its intimate Riverside Drive location. Emphasizing experimental contemporary music, multidisciplinary and multimedia creations, and film presentations, it offers an opportunity to experience the unexpected, the intellectual, and the thought-provoking in an intimate setting.

Asheville’s culture of open-hearted and open-minded exploration attracts visitors and new residents from all over the globe. 'People are drawn to Asheville’s cultural heartbeat,' Clare explains. 'We feel a duty to preserve and nurture that creative fabric, and we keep it central to all our initiatives.' Storytelling—in its various forms and across different stages—serves as a key gateway for understanding Asheville’s cultural scene, providing travelers with valuable insights into the city’s dynamic creative community.