This weekend on a shoestring

Friday, May 6

• The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, the gardens at Blue Ridge Community College and the N.C. Arboretum will open their doors free of charge in celebration of National Public Gardens Day, so head over and enjoy in the beauty of spring.

Artist Steven Mikel produces stunning, coffe-based watercolor paintings he calls Dark Roast Watercolor. On Friday and Saturday, Mikel will offer free demonstrations of the process at Grand Bohemian Hotel (11 Boston Way in Biltmore Village). 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

• The Thomas Wolfe Memorial (52 N. Market St., in downtown Asheville) kicks off its “Pickin’ on the Porch” summer music series with the old-timey sounds of Carol Rifkin and the Paul’s Creek Band. Noon-2 p.m. Free.

• Local rockers Paul DeCirce and David Dhoop shared the stage nearly a decade ago as Dig and the Dhoop. This weekend, the “musical brothers” will reunite with their new projects, Peace Jones and The David Dhoop Band, respectively, for a “special evening of the best in psychedelic/classic rock,” according to a release for the event. See them at the Emerald Lounge (112 N Lexington Ave., 232-4372). 10 p.m. $5.

• Tired of watching others perform? Think you could do it better? The Magnetic Field (372 Depot St., 257-4003) invites performers of all types to perform their scripts, songs, dances or routines at “Magnetic Midnight,” an evening of original short works. Performances must be no longer than five minutes. Arrive at 10 p.m. to participate, show begins at 11 p.m. $5/free for performers.

Saturday, May 7

• “Spring wildflowers don’t last long!” warns a release for the Laughing Waters Retreat Community’s annual Wildflower Walk. “Come explore the abundant mountain wildflowers on Little Bearwallow Mountain, one of the best examples of a Rich Cove Forest, where there is an unusually diverse and abundant amount of wildflowers.” Led by botanists Marc Williams of Botany Everyday and Josh Kelly of the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition. See website for directions. 11 a.m. Free.

• “May 7th is World Fair Trade Day and this year we are celebrating the colors, patterns and consciousness of Fair Trade fashion!” reads an event page for Old North State Clothing Company and Ten Thousand Villages’ Fair Trade Fashion Show and Consignment Sale, hosted at The LAB (39 North Lexington Avenue, 252-0212). “Join us for a fashion show display of Global Mamas, Mata Traders and more fair trade lines. Those styles (and many more) will be available for purchase immediately following the show. Plus, delicious food and beverages will be available for purchase from the LAB’s kitcken and brewery.” 1 p.m. Free.

• Do a good deed while enjoying great brews at the Hard Hats and High Heels Pub Strut, to benefit Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. Festivities begin at Tolliver’s Crossing (733 Haywood Road) and end with a free concert, featuring Kate McNally, Hannah Levin, Jenna Lindbo and Lyric, at Altamont Brewing Company (1042 Haywood Road). 6-11 p.m.

Photo by sweetashvegas from Flickr.

• Celebrate the spoken word at the Mountain Xpress Poetry Bash, held in conjunction with Asheville Wordfest and featuring music by Ten Cent Poetry, readings by Brian Sneeden, a poetry open mic and Sean Dennis of Asheville FM spinning jazz. Held at the YMI Cultural Center (39 S. Market St.). 10 p.m. Free.

• Shake It Like a Caveman is a one-man-band who makes gritty, howlin’ blues that would fit right in at some dirty backwoods roadhouse with chicken wire covering the stage. Sound appealing? Channel your inner caveman for his visit to The Village Wayside Bar and Grille (30 Lodge St., in Biltmore Village). 9:30 p.m. Free.

Sunday, May 8

• Secret Agent 23 Skidoo‘s family-friendly brand of upbeat, optimistic “kid-hop” has earned him mentions in Time, USA Today, The Washington Post and on NPR‘s All Things Considered, along with three number one singles on SiriusXM Radio. On Sunday, he’ll bring his rhymes to the White Horse Black Mountain (105 C Montreat Road, Black Mountain). 2 p.m.