Womyn Rising at Hellbender by The Orange Peel

Womyn Rising takes over Hellbender on Saturday afternoon with more than 40 women-led makers, small businesses and nonprofits under one roof. It started after Helene as a way to put real dollars behind the women helping WNC rebuild, and it's free to walk in.

Shop pottery, glass, textiles, jewelry, botanicals and other local goods, then catch soul-roots singer Abby Bryant and her band for two sets, with bluegrass from Sunnie Rae to open the day. There's a relaxation area hosted by Arete, a kids zone, food trucks, and Hellbender's bars stay open.

Mountain Pet Rescue is bringing adoptable dogs too. Come hungry, bring a tote bag, and spend a Saturday supporting the people building WNC back up.

Hellbender is an outdoor concert venue on about three acres along a bend in the Swannanoa River at 151 Thompson Street, on the former Cursus Keme brewery property. The team behind The Orange Peel runs it. It opened in July 2026 with a limited first season, and a permanent stage and full season are planned for spring 2027. There's a general admission lawn, premium and standard seats, bars and food trucks.

Locals say Hellbender is the outdoor show Western North Carolina has been waiting for, with open skies, river air and the same local booking sense that made The Orange Peel a national name. It's named for the hellbender, Appalachia's giant salamander.

Hellbender by The Orange Peel

Looking for live music in Asheville tonight? Find venues and show schedules downtown, on the South Slope, in West Asheville and the River Arts District. Almost all post shows as Scoops on Dig Local, so check a profile before you go. Downtown, The Orange Peel on Biltmore Avenue and Asheville Music Hall on Patton Avenue book touring bands, Jack of the Wood has hosted Celtic and bluegrass nights since 1997, and Hotel Eve does live jazz on Lexington Avenue. The South Slope has Eulogy on Buxton Avenue, Revival on Asheland Avenue and outdoor concerts at Asheville Yards on Coxe Avenue. Along Haywood Road in West Asheville, catch a set at The Odd, Fleetwood's or The Double Crown, or a quieter show at AyurPrana Listening Room and Story Parlor. The River Arts District has The Grey Eagle on Clingman Avenue and full album sides on vinyl at Joyful Noise. Hellbender by The Orange Peel puts outdoor shows on the Swannanoa River. Head east to Black Mountain for White Horse, Town Pump Tavern and Pisgah Brewing's outdoor stage, or north to JuneBug Retro Resort in Weaverville. For theater and orchestra, see the Wortham Center, the Asheville Symphony and free Shakespeare from Montford Park Players.

Live Music in Asheville, NC: Venues, Shows and Events

Looking for the best bars in Asheville? Find cocktail lounges, dive bars, rooftops and live music spots downtown, on the South Slope and in West Asheville. Downtown, Little Jumbo pours cocktails in an old grocery on Broadway, The Crow and Quill stocks more than 800 whiskeys behind an easy-to-miss door on Lexington Avenue, and The Workshop Lounge has jazz inside The Foundry Hotel. Capella on 9 serves drinks with mountain views atop the AC Hotel, District 42 sits on Pack Square, and Cork & Keg pours wine inside The Weinhaus on Patton Avenue. 5 Walnut Wine Bar has live jazz and acoustic sets most nights, and Fitz and the Wolfe runs three rooms on Battery Park Avenue. On the South Slope, Banks Ave. hosts drag shows and DJ nights, and Sovereign Kava pours kava on Biltmore Avenue. Haywood Road in West Asheville has The Low Down under The Hop, wine and vinyl at Potential New Boyfriend, and late shows at The Odd and Fleetwood's. Out east, The Social is a neighborhood pub on Tunnel Road, and Town Pump Tavern and White Horse anchor downtown Black Mountain. When the night's over, call AVL Ride for the trip home.

Womyn Rising at Hellbender by The Orange Peel

The Scoop