Thursday, May 24
• “After retiring at 59 years old, Chuck, an Asheville resident, decided to thru-hike the AT in 2011,” reads a page for “Appalachian Trail: 60 is the New 40 Thru-Hiker Presentation” on the Asheville REI website. “Get tips and hear stories about thru-hiking the AT from a different perspective. Chuck will talk about how to start, how to stay, how to keep going and how to finish the Appalachian Trail.” 7 p.m. Free. Register here.
• Sample a variety of yoga classes, including flow, beginner, restorative and more as Asheville Yoga Center‘s donation studio hosts Free Yoga Week at 239 S. Liberty St. See website for a complete schedule of classes.
Friday, May 25
• The Land of Sky Symphonic Band brings its “jazz-inspired music with a symphonic edge” to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, for a free performance to kick off the weekend. 7 p.m. Free.
• Downtown Sylva celebrates the opening of its 2012 Concerts on the Creek series with a performance by The Sundown Band. Held every Friday at Bridge Park. 7 p.m. Free. Info: 962-1911.
• Join botanist, plant ecologist and author Timothy Spira for an audio-visual presentation based on his book Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont at Montford Books and More, 31 Montford Ave. 7 p.m. Free.
• “The Mountain Sports Festival is a weekend music and sports festival that celebrates community, athletics and local business,” begins a website for the three-day event. “The festival showcases the terrain, environment and unique culture of Asheville, N.C. and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community-oriented citizens dedicated to the presenting of a well-balanced series of events that encourage participation on all levels.” Activities include local music, ultimate frisbee, a trail run, yoga, a paddle challenge and activities for kids throughout the day. Held at Carrier Park, Amboy Road at Michigan Avenue. Festival runs through Sunday. See website for a complete schedule. Free.
Saturday, May 26
• More than 250 garden vendors will descend on The Garden Jubilee Festival, held between Sixth Avenue and Caswell Street and at the Lowe’s Expo, 201 S. Main St., in Hendersonville. The festival will include local and regional nurseries, clinics, activities for children and garden advice. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Info: 693-9708.
• The Twin Rivers Multimedia Festival will showcase feature films, documentaries, animation, shorts and more at the Courtyard Gallery, 109 Roberts St., in the Phil Mechanic Studios. Selections include films based in Moscow, Milan, Paris and futuristic Israel. Festival begins Friday and continues through Sunday. Free, but donations encouraged. See website for a complete schedule.
• From the festival’s website, “The Weaverville Roots Festival is a three-day celebration of the culture and heritage of Weaverville, N.C. On Saturday, May 26, Heritage Day will fill the downtown and park areas with music, demonstrations, food and other entertainment. On Sunday, May 27th, we will celebrate our Tree City USA status with Arbor Day activities and ceremonies in the nature park, plus entertain our visitors with gospel music and other sacred music. On Memorial Day, May 28th, our roots will be celebrated by honoring those heroes who gave their lives for our freedom, as well as those heroes who live among us. There will be a comemorative ceremony at Lake Louise that day. There are many other events planned for this exciting weekend, so please check back regularly for updates.” 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. See website for complete schedule.
• “Featuring two full days of great live music, the White Squirrel Festival in Downtown Brevard, N.C. is the perfect way to experience everything this charming mountain community has to offer,” according to a website for the annual event. “Best of all it’s free! Created to enhance and develop the business district of downtown, the event has evolved into one of the premier music festivals in the southeast, featuring national and regional artists like past years performers Edwin McCain, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jupiter Coyote and others. But, it has also earned a reputation for showcasing many undiscovered artists and utilizing the abundant talent in the region. Whether it is jazz, bluegrass, singer-songwriter or rock and roll, the eclectic music in this beautiful setting provides something for everyone.” This year’s performers include the Firecracker Jazz Band, Nikki Talley, Chatham County Line and more. See website for a complete schedule. Festival continues through Sunday. Noon-10:30 p.m.
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