On November 21 and 22, 2025, independent artists and arts organizations across the country will come together under the umbrella of FALL OF FREEDOM, to produce a wave of cultural events, in all disciplines, from music and visual art to theater and comedy. Each event will be independently organized, yet united by the shared value of standing against authoritarian forces, and for the importance of free speech.

In Asheville and surrounding areas, volunteers from the arts community are gathering a list of events that are affiliating themselves with the cause, all events are free unless otherwise listed.

Friday, November 21:

People’s Holiday Parade Against Hunger featuring music by Brass Your Heart-

Join local artists and musicians in community and bring some canned or dried food donations. The parade will march up Lexington Avenue and deliver the food to the BeLoved Asheville food donation box. (5:30pm, meet under the Lexington Avenue Bridge for 6:00pm parade start)

Rats by Jessica C. White & Stand Up Art Stand by Jenny Fares –

A crankie installation with live performance, plus Comb Over, 7:00pm (doors at 6:00) at Revolve Gallery, 821 Riverside Drive #179)

Mythic Tales for Sagittarius Season –

Mica Moon and Josh Fox present mythic and personal stories, reflections on cultural lessons, songs, music and traditional storytelling. This duo of puppeteer, song-leader, healer and sibling clowns combine farces for a dive into grief, fable and fun. (7:30 (doors at 7:00) at Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Road, $25 and can be purchased in advance at https://storyparloravl.com/calendar/micasun-mythic-stories-night )

Saturday, November 22:

Rainbows and Bare Butts – 

A Banned Picture Book Reading: A family celebration of free expression! Featuring puppeteers, local authors, rad librarians, and awesome parents. (2:00 – 3:30 at Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Road)

Re Rioting History –

All are welcome to join artist Anna Hegelson in this national day of solidarity and art making to create a wall size community collage – a re-creation of an historic photograph representing riots, protests, or rebellious good times.(2:00-5:00 at Refinery Studios, 207 Coxe Ave)

Community Story Telling through Post Cards – 

Artists from the Swannanoa Artist Collective will gather to create post cards that capture stories of strength, resilience and mutual aid that will be mailed to our state representatives, to remind them that storytelling and first amendment freedoms are constitutional rights. Appropriate for all ages, materials provided (3:30 – 5:30 – location tbd)

The national organizers of Fall of Freedom, who include visual artist Dread Scott, playwright Lynn Nottage among many others, say that this initial event “is an urgent call to the arts community to unite in defiance of authoritarian forces sweeping the nation. Our Democracy is under attack. Threats to free expression are rising. Dissent is being criminalized. Institutions and media have been recast as mouthpieces of propaganda.”

Events taking place over November 21–22, 2025, will be held in galleries, museums, libraries, comedy clubs, theaters, and concert halls across the country that channel the urgency of this moment. Fall of Freedom is an open invitation to artists, creators, and communities to take part — and to celebrate the experiences, cultures, and identities that shape the fabric of our nation. According to organizers, “Art matters. Artists are a threat to American fascism.”

In Asheville, volunteers are organizing an “after-party” gathering for all Fall of Freedom participants to come together to share their experiences, build community and share resources for continued collaboration and action. Details will be available soon!

Any individuals or groups wishing to enter their own event should register their event at the Fall of Freedom website and download the participant toolkit at https://www.falloffreedom.com/how-to-participate and can contact info@ashevillecreativearts.org to be added to this listing and cross promotion.