Asheville’s longest-running live music establishment, The Grey Eagle, is once again ready to open its doors. Venue owner Russ Keith has announced that the iconic River Arts District venue will reopen on April 1st.

“We couldn’t be more excited to get back to it,” Keith said in a press release. “Putting on shows and giving people the opportunity to enjoy live music in a safe environment is the heartbeat of our business; not to mention allowing artists the chance to perform and connect with their fans once again. Our industry has gone through a lot in the past year, but we’re relieved to have made it to this point, and now we’re just looking ahead toward the future.”

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The venue plans to hit the ground running with an extensive lineup of socially distant shows over the next few months. With a calendar of events stretching into June, The Grey Eagle is ready to welcome fans back with enhanced safety measures for both indoor and patio shows. Additionally, the venue will continue to host off-site events, including the upcoming drive-in show at Maggie Valley Festival Campgrounds from BIG Something and Too Many Zooz on May 28th.

On tap for performances at the flagship Grey Eagle location—currently in its 26th year of operation—are Charleston’s Stop Light Observations (4/16), a sold-out double-header evening with Brent Cobb and Kendell Marvel (5/22), and a special Father’s Day performance featuring Firecracker Jazz Band (6/20).

Despite being closed since December, the Asheville mainstay had a year-ending bloom in 2020 with the opening of two new Grey Eagle Taqueria locations by linking with both BearWaters Brewing Company in Maggie Valley, NC and Big Pillow Brewing in Hot Springs for exclusive food programming.

For a full calendar of events at The Grey Eagle head to the venue’s website.