Thursday, May 19
• “Tuple is dedicated to exploring and expanding the contemporary repertoire for two bassoons, with a virtuosic repertoire spanning Russian mystical, funk-inspired American and other modern genres, from absurdist to minimalist, electronic to static,” reads the duo’s bio. Catch Tuple (Lynn Hileman and Rachael Elliott) performing new music by composers Michael Daugherty, Marc Mellits, Alex Kotch and Zoe Keating at the Flood Gallery (109 Roberts St., 254-2166) on Thursday. 7 p.m.
• Fred’s Speakeasy (122 College St., 281-0920) will celebrate the life of a punk icon with Joey Ramone’s Birthday Party, featuring music by 220 Short, Vampirates, Thee Loud Crowd, Studz and The Citizens. Proceeds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. All ages. 10 p.m. $5.
• Join local artists, including Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Do it to Julia, Lovett, Josh Oliver and LUZ, for a night of music to benefit victims of the recent tornadoes that devastated the Southeast. All proceeds go directly to affected communities. Held at The Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave., 232-5800). Donations of canned goods, toiletries and linens will be accepted at the door. $7. 7 p.m.
Friday, May 20
• American Babies’ latest release, Flawed Logic, is “an album that talks of change, war, Wall Street, family and the struggle to wade through it all; be it alone or with a partner,” according to the Philadelphia-based Americana outfit’s bio. “These are 10 short stories of different individuals and couples trying to navigate through modern day life hoping to at least break even.” This weekend the band visits Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., 1550) with Sun Hotel. 9 p.m. $5.
• “Encompassing styles of vintage jazz, blues, country and folk, Miss Tess draws comparisons to artists such as Jolie Holland, Madeleine Peyroux, Regina Spektor and Ella Fitzgerald, but maintains a style all her own,” according to the singer’s bio. Or, says Blog Critics, “She’s a musical chameleon, recalling at various moments Tom Waits’ barfly humor, the cabaret-rock of Beirut, or even the wink-wink wit of early Bette Midler.” Catch Miss Tess, with her band The Bon Ton Parade, at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., 252-5445). 9:30 p.m.
Photo by Tim Angle
Saturday, May 21
• Asheville’s historic Montford neighborhood hosts the 8th annual Montford Music and Arts Festival, featuring two stages with continuous live music, more than 100 vendors offering food, arts and crafts and nursery plants, a special children’s area, Shakespearian actors and more. Performers include the Firecracker Jazz Band, Billy Jonas, Free Planet Radio, Free Flow Band, Chompin’ at the Bit, Spicy Moustache and the Flavor Saviors, Leigh Glass and more. All proceeds benefit community projects and activities of the Montford Neighborhood Association. Held rain or shine. 10 a.m. Free.
• Never grew out of your comic book phase? You’re not alone. The Asheville Art Museum (2 S. Pack Square, 253-3227) hosts Fanaticon 2, the second annual “celebration of comic book culture and its fans,” featuring vendors, artists, panel discussions, special guests and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
• “Take a bike ride through Asheville’s core neighborhoods and learn more about green building at the second annual Green Home Bike Tour,” reads a release for the event. “The tour will include a variety of green properties and provide participants information on bicycle routes and alternative transportation options in Asheville.” Green building professionals will also be on hand at select locations to answer questions. Tour begins and ends at BioWheels Bike Shop (81 Coxe Ave., 236-2453). Helmets and registration required. RSVP: justinasheville@gmail.com or 713-9400. Noon. $5-$10 suggested donation.
Photo by Richard Ferrant
• “The Asheville Rites Project is a public performance collaboration between painter Molly Rose Freeman, dancer Garth Grimball and musician Michael Libramento,” reads the installation’s website. Over the past month, Freeman has completed a mural at RiverLink’s Sculpture and Performance Plaza in the River Arts District, and this weekend Grimball’s original choreography will be performed by 10 local dancers, to original music by Libramento, in front of the installation. 7 p.m. Free.
Photo by Bill North
• Jar-e is not a fan of NPR‘s Weekend Edition host Guy Raz. In fact, the local soul man has been rather vocal about his distaste for Raz’s voice, posting a plethora of critical blog comments and tweets, so many that they caught the host’s attention. Surprisingly, Raz became a fan of his detractor’s work and recently invited Jar-e onto the show for a five-minute feature. Find out what Raz saw in Jar-e this weekend when he performs at Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., 258-1550) with Mad Tea Party. 9 p.m. $5.
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