This weekend on a shoestring

This weekend brings Bele Chere around again. Which pretty much everyone knows and revels in/avoids accordingly. Being that the downtown Asheville street festival is all free all the time this year, it seems almost superfluous to compile a Weekend on a Shoestring missive … and yet, there’s something compelling about the challenge. Beyond the snarl of festival crowds and hawkers, what sort of free or low-cost happenings can be found? Here are our budget-friendly suggestions:

Friday, July 24
• Don’t let the name dissuade you: Brother Fatback is not a butcher collective but rather a “pig-chasin’ Gypsy blues” quartet. The fiery-fierce group takes it to the streets this weekend. According to the band’s MySpace page, they “will once again be featured street performers during the 3-day Bele Chere Festival in downtown Asheville. We can be found at the corner of Patton and Biltmore Avenues near Pack Square throughout the weekend.” Showtimes are Friday, noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m., Saturday 2-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m.

• Get away from the heat and/or possible thunder storms, buy an oversized slice of pizza and take in a bluegrass set by Brushfire Stankgrass at Barley’s (42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-0504). 8 p.m., no cover.

• The Back Row Baptists (country-rock from Birmingham) join Asheville’s Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed (pictured; photo by Sandlin Gaither) with Sarah Green for an 8 p.m. show at Mo Daddy’s (77-B Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550). $5.

• The Back Room (Flat Rock Wine Shop, 2702 Greenville Hwy., Suite C, Flat Rock, 697-6828) hosts blues act The Shane Pruitt Band. 9 p.m.

• Wax Poets bring experimental rock to The Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612) at 10 p.m. $5.

• And then there’s this lovingly-writ ode to Ruby’s BBQ (8 Beverly Rd., Haw Creek, 299-3511) by vintage-blues artist Woody Pines: “Located in the heart of Haw Creek, Asheville, lies the best BBQ WNC has to offer. If the hub of this aspiring mini-metropolis of Haw Creek is, as some claim, Ruby’s Tap House,then its heart must be the merrily puffing barbecue drum-smoker. The device sits near the parking area that the bar shares with several other small businesses, busily infusing various cuts of meat– not to mention passersby – with the heavenly flavor and aroma of wood smoke. There’s a reason why Ruby’s is the best BBQ in WNC. Come find out why.” Do just that and check out Pines as well. 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 15
• HellChere, the punk/rock music event that might be more anti than the the anti Bele Chere event at Stella Blue, kicks off at noon, 61 Hill St., behind the Chamber of Commerce building in Montford. Bands on the bills include Charlie’s On Acid, Gut Wrenching Terror, Cardinal Death Match, Soft Opening and Project Lounge Core.

• Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115) hosts a Bele Chere Jam featuring Lyndsay Wojcik at 6p.m., Iridescent at 7:15 p.m., Nikki Talley at 8:30 p.m., Rorey Carroll at 10:15 p.m. and Shift at 11 p.m. B.Y.O.B; cover is $5.

• The Leigh Glass Band puts in an appearance at French Broad Brewery (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222). 6 p.m., free.

• The Space Heaters play vintage swing for the dinner crowd at The Lobster Trap (35 Patton Ave., Asheville, 350-0505).  7 p.m., no cover.

• Pop-piano man Aaron LaFalce performs a “Bele Chere Party” set with Bobby Sullivan at Vincenzo’s (10 Market St., Asheville, 254-4698). 8 p.m., no cover.

• Shelby/Forest City-based King Sized Killers share a “3 Bands for 3 Bucks” bill with Greasy Kitty and The Letdowns at Mike’s Side Pocket (375 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 281-3096). 8 p.m.

• Country + blues = The Honeycutters. At The Rootbar (1410 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, 299-7597). With Alex Krug. And … (wait for it) … local hot dogs! 8:30 p.m., $4.

• Late night: The Secret B-Sides bring funk and soul to Barley’s (42 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-0504). 10 p.m., no cover.

• Wrap up the night at the Moog Foundation benefit show with The Moog Foundation House Band at Mo Daddy’s (77-B Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550). 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5 (proceeds benefit the construction of the Moogseum in Asheville).

—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.