This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Aug. 18

• ”Sharkwater takes you into the most shark-rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world’s shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador,” reads a synopsis for the documentary. “In an effort to protect sharks, [filmmaker Rob Stewart] teams up with renegade conservationist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Their unbelievable adventure together starts with a battle between the Sea Shepherd and shark poachers in Guatemala, resulting in pirate boat rammings, gunboat chases, mafia espionage, corrupt court systems and attempted murder charges, forcing them to flee for their lives.” Experience the adventure as Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., 255-8115) presents a screening of the film. 8 p.m.

• Capitalize on the cool, misty August mornings with a short but steep half-mile hike to the summit of Devil’s Courthouse, led by a Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger. From there, hikers can enjoy a panoramic view that includes four different states. Hike begins at the Devil’s Courthouse Overlook, MP 422. Bring water, good shoes and be prepared for inclement weather. 10 a.m. Info: 298-5330.

• Learn about the life and times of an iconic American writer as Flat Rock Cinema (2700 Greenville Highway, 697-2463) presents a screening of The Day Carl Sandburg Died. According to the film’s website, “The Day Carl Sandburg Died revisits the impressive range of his work through modern-day celebrities, scholars, artists, family and friends. A strong, succinct biographic thread connects his life story to his most significant works and how his life, in turn, influenced events. Abundant archival film clips and television appearances re-introduce the iconic Sandburg with all his nuances.” 4 and 7 p.m. $7.

• “Taking a diverted path from the more rock-sensible Party Dress, Pierce Edens has lead the Dirty Work into a darker area of life, exploring the depths in between this world and the next,” reads the gravelly-voiced roots rocker’s bio. Edens performs at Highland Brewing Company (12 Old Charlotte Highway # H, 299-3370). 6 p.m. Free.

• Netherfriends are a three-piece experimental, psychedelic pop band,” reads the trio’s website. “The project originally began as a solo project for Shawn Rosenblatt (while attending Columbia College, where he currently is enrolled). Shawn recorded all the instruments himself and started being offered shows. He quickly realized that he needed other members to be able to perform the heavily layered songs. After auditioning a few musicians, Shawn (guitar, keys, vocals) found Angie Kang (synth, flute, melodica, glokenspiel and vocals) and Paul Newmann (percussion: pots, pans, snare). Together they quickly formed a set to perform live. The three members attend different schools in Chicago and record all the Netherfriends’ songs themselves in Shawn’s bedroom.” The band visits Asheville for a performance at Tolliver’s Crossing (733 Haywood Road, 505-2129).

Saturday, Aug. 20

• Explore the creations of more than 20 local artists working in scenic Leicester on the self-guided Come to Leicester Studio Tour. Featured galleries will offer paintings, jewelry, pottery, fiber, woodwork, sculpture and more. Detailed maps are available at each stop. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Enjoy the sounds of Royal We, The Alarm Clock Conspiracy, Chalwa and more at “One Degree of Separation,” a benefit for Operation TSHIRT, an organization which provides games and toys to children at Mission Hospital. Held at The Garage at Biltmore (101 Fairview Road, 505-2663). 4:45 p.m.-1 a.m. $10.

• According to Xpress‘s own Alli Marshall, local producer/electronic musician dep is “prolific, proficient, innovative, introspective, timeless, cinematic … His compositions are ‘a blend of techniques involving digital/analogue sounds, field recordings, circuit bending and basic sequencing all wrapped up in to melodic explorations in electronica,’ but the compelling beauty of his work shares as much, aesthetically, with harpsichords and violins as with synthesizers and Moogerfoogers.” He celebrates the release of his latest effort, Defiant Heart, with a performance at BoBo Gallery (22 Lexington Ave., 254-3426). Clemency and Kie open. 9 p.m. Free.

• “Schwervon! is Matt Roth and Nan Turner,” begins the band’s bio. “They are a duo on stage and in life, sharing an apartment in the lower east side of NYC with their cat, Gummo. Their music is a celebration of imperfect love through jagged rock minimalism … They go to couple’s therapy. They don’t always leave their baggage at the door. Sometimes they write lyrics on the train. Sometimes they steal lines from eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. They were DIY long before it was a marketing strategy, mixing and recording the bulk of their music in their cramped Manhattan apartment.” See the duo at The LAB (39 North Lexington Ave., 252-0212). 10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21

• “Sarah is a nice Jewish girl whose parents want her to marry a nice Jewish boy, preferably, a doctor,” reads a synopsis for Beau Jest. “But, she has no one who fits the specifications. So, Sarah hires a young man from an escort service to meet her parents and introduces him as Dr. Steinberg. Her parents are enchanted; Sarah is, too! That he definitely isn’t Jewish poses a big roadblock.” See how it all plays out as Asheville Community Theatre‘s Autumn Players perform the comedy at UNCA’s Reuter Center. 2:30 p.m. $5.