Please note that effective August 19, 2024, you must have either a UNC Asheville 2024-2025 annual parking permit or a visitor’s permit to park on campus 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Visit the Campus Parking for OLLI Members page for instructions on how to purchase an OLLI-subsidized annual parking permit. Daily and monthly visitor permits must be purchased through the UNC Asheville parking site; OLLI does not sell visitor permits.
Asheville Museum of History
The Asheville Museum of History (formerly the Western North Carolina Historical Association) offers lectures on various topics in Western North Carolina history and culture. For more information, visit the Asheville Museum of History’s website.
Asheville Symphony Orchestra
The Asheville Symphony Orchestra performs and promotes symphonic music for the benefit, enjoyment and education of the people of Western North Carolina. Programming includes Symphony Talks, an entertaining and educational way to hear about music to be performed at the upcoming Asheville Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Masterworks Concerts, as well as specialty talks and performances throughout the year. Programs are presented in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102). For more information about the ASO or to find out how to purchase tickets for performances at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, visit the ASO website.
Astronomy Club of Asheville
The Astronomy Club of Asheville presents an interesting lineup of speakers in its monthly meetings. OLLI members may attend the club meetings and stargazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena. The group meets in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102) and via Zoom the first Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. (except for January and July). To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the Astronomy Club of Asheville website.
The Autumn Players/Readers Theatre Showcase
The Autumn Players offers readers theater performances by seasoned actors. Autumn Players’ Friday and Saturday performances take place at Asheville Community Theatre, with Sunday performances in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102). There is a fee to attend performances. For more information, a full schedule of the Readers Theatre Showcase series, or to learn more about upcoming meetings and how to join, visit The Autumn Players’ website.
Blue Ridge Audubon
The mission of Blue Ridge Audubon is to protect birds and the places they depend on. Blue Ridge Audubon schedules educational programs on the third Tuesdays of the month in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102) and via Zoom from 7 to 9 p.m. Programs are free and open to everyone. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the Blue Ridge Audubon website.
Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association
The Carolinas’ Nature Photographers Association-Asheville Region’s goal is to develop a group that will more fully experience the beauty of Western North Carolina through photography. Activities in the Asheville region include monthly meetings, photo outings, seminars, workshops, exhibits, photo contests and image critiques. Monthly meetings are usually held in the Reuter Center Room 206 and via Zoom on the second Sunday of each month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the CNPA website.
Common Word Community Read
The Common Word Community Read brings the UNC Asheville community together each semester around a shared text to engage in a collective educational experience that features lectures and discussions in a welcoming and respectful environment. A different publication is featured each fall and spring semester. For more information, visit the Common Word Community Read website.
Council on Aging of Buncombe County
The Council on Aging of Buncombe County, in conjunction with the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), is hosting classes on Introduction to Medicare: Understanding the Puzzle. The series will explain how Medicare works, the enrollment process, how to avoid penalties, and ways to save money. The classes are held quarterly on a Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Residents who are new to Medicare, caregivers and others who help senior citizens with their Medicare insurance should consider attending this informative class. The information presented is unbiased and accurate; no products are sold, recommended, or endorsed. For more information, visit Council on Aging of Buncombe County website or call 828.277.8288.
Death Café
Death Café is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death-phobic culture. At Death Café, participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones; loss of jobs, relationships or marriages; or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Karen Sanders, Greg Lathrop and Said Osïo from Third Messenger. Death Café meets in the Reuter Center atrium on the third Friday of each month from 5-6:30 p.m. Learn more about Death Café by visiting the Death Café website, the Third Messenger website, or facebook.com/deathcafeasheville.
OLLI Authors
This book-talk series is designed to spotlight the many OLLI members who are talented writers of poetry and prose. Meetings are held at the Reuter Center in room 206 and via Zoom from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on select Thursdays throughout the year.
Science Book Club
Come explore science with the Science Book Club. A reboot of the Greater Asheville Science-for-all Book Club (GASFAB), the Science Book Club offers exciting discussions of readable science books in all fields that broaden perspectives. The approach to book selection is decentralized: members are invited to suggest a book and serve as moderator for a session, responsible for preparing discussion questions to stimulate conversation. The Science Book Club typically meets on the fourth Monday of every other month at the Reuter Center from 6:30-8 p.m. Contact Sue Studlar or Steve Thomas for more information and meeting dates.
STEM Lecture Series
The STEM Lecture Series is interdisciplinary with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. UNC Asheville faculty, OLLI members and scientists from our community present on a variety of topics.
WNC Sierra Club
The WNC Sierra Club is active in educating leaders, the public and the media about environmental issues at the local, state and federal level in order to promote environmental leadership. Sierra Club – WENOCA holds events in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102) and on Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To find out more about upcoming meetings and how to join virtually, visit the Sierra Club website.
World Affairs Council
The World Affairs Council (WAC) organizes fascinating lectures and discussions that aim to advance international awareness and foster Western North Carolina’s global ties. These lectures are sponsored by the WNC chapter of the World Affairs Council, OLLI at UNC Asheville and UNC Asheville Department of Political Science. World Affairs Council holds events in the Reuter Center Manheimer Room (102) and via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Talks are currently free and open to everyone.