This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, April 21

• The theatre department of Warren Wilson College presents The Cherry Orchard, Anton Chekhov’s final play, which “draws out a wide range of nostalgic emotions where one might laugh or cry, be amused or sit in reverence,” according to a release for the production. 8 p.m. $5/free for area students.

Friday, April 22

• Pick up planting supplies and admire a wide array of herbs, hostas, Japanese maples, irises, annuals and perennial flowers as the Blue Ridge Horticulture Association hosts “Growing in the Mountains,” a spring garden show at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, 570 Brevard Road in West Asheville.

• Don’t miss your chance to take home a signed Picasso etching at the Fourth Friday Gallery Walk in downtown Brevard. Galleries, restaurants and art and retail stores will remain open late for this monthly event. A drawing for the etching, valued at more than $28,000, will be held at the Transylvania Community Arts Council, 349 Caldwell St., at 7:15 p.m. To purchase a raffle ticket, call 844-2787. The Gallery Walk will run from 5-9 p.m.

• The Mountain Feist is commonly known as a particular type of mixed breed dog, but around these parts, it’s also a high-energy bluegrass trio. According to its bio, the band is “a groove-oriented acoustic trio, inspired by traditional bluegrass and shaped by music from around the world. The band plays a fast-paced, interactive show supported by tight three-part harmonies, instrumental features and an eclectic repertoire.” Catch the band at The Root Bar (1410 Tunnel Road, 299-7597). 9 p.m.

Gangstagrass, as its name might suggest, performs a fusion of bluegrass and hip-hop, or as the band calls it, “bluegrass-hip.” According to a release for the band’s current tour, “Gangstagrass is best known for making the theme song to the hit FX Network series Justified, for which they were nominated for an Emmy Award in 2010.” That track, continues the release, “has exposed millions of listeners to the bold sound created by Brooklyn-based music producer Rench when he combined hip-hop beats and rappers with acoustic bluegrass playing to create Gangstagrass.” Intrigued? Skeptical? Confused? See for yourself when the band visits Stella Blue (31 Patton Avenue, 236-2424).

 

Saturday, April 23

• As anyone who lives or works in the area is well aware, West Asheville is blowing up. This weekend, the second annual All Go West Festival will celebrate the neighborhood’s creative inhabitants with local art, fashion, food, beer and, of course, live music. This year’s lineup features a who’s who of local music, including Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Floating Action, Do it to Julia, Uncle Mountain, Sirius.B, The Critters, Doc Aquatic, 10 Cent Poetry and more. Held at the corner of Waynesville Avenue and Westwood Place, in front of Harvest Records. Free. Noon-10 p.m.

• Celebrate Easter weekend in typical, offbeat Asheville style with the Big Bad Bunny Urban Scavenger Hunt, presented by the creators of the Asheville Idiotarod. This event “takes teams on a journey around downtown Asheville as they scavenge through the area’s history, culture, unique shops and community organizations,” according to its website. “Along the way, they will interact with local musicians, merchants and actors as they help you complete your quests through a variety of riddles, a beer tasting, local trivia, really, really, really ridiculously beautiful challenges, chocolate, bad poetry and a few portions of small community service projects.” 2-5 p.m.

• If you haven’t caught one of the upbeat, interactive shows by Now You See Them yet, you must not get out much. If you have, chances are you’re a fan of its optimistic folk-pop. Either way, you can’t go wrong seeing the band again when they perform at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., 252-5445) this weekend. 9:30 p.m. $7.

 

Sunday, April 24

• Every Sunday, Fred’s Speakeasy (122 College St., 281-0920) hosts “Punk Rock Sunday.” This weekend, they’ll offer their take on Easter with “Punk Rock Easter,” featuring an egg hunt, jellybean punch and live music by Alligator Indian and Luke Punk. 6 p.m. Music starts at 10 p.m. $2.

• “In Tall Buildings is the title of this record, the name of the band, and the title of a John Hartford song,” reads the Chicago indie-rock outfits website. “This ‘band’ is really Erik Hall and his songs. This is rock music, informed by Erik’s array of influences. Imagine a Thom Yorke remix of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, or if Gillian Welch were to sit in with Steve Reich & Musicians. Bubbling synth sequences, driving distorted drum beats, interwoven finger-picked guitars, and pulsing woodwind chorales all find their way into the mix.” Hall and his cohorts perform at the back stage of The LAB (39 North Lexington Avenue, 252-0212) with Brenn. 9 p.m. $5.

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