Thursday, June 7
• The Hop, 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 103, presents a dog social, featuring prizes for best dog outfit, best trick and best lap dog over 50 lbs. 50 percent of proceeds benefit the Animal Compassion Network. 6-8:30 p.m. Free.
• The LAB, 39 N. Lexington Ave., hosts a benefit for Our VOICE featuring performances by experimental prog outfit Ahleuchatistas, jazzy folk traditionalists Baby Rattlesnakes and lo-fi garage rockers House of Building. All proceeds benefit the local nonprofit, which aims to end sexual violence and provides support to victims. 9:30 p.m. $7.
Friday, June 8
• Join Blue Ridge Parkway Rangers for an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile hike on the Craggy Pinnacle Trail to learn about native plants, including flowering trees, wildflowers and shrubs. Trip departs from Craggy Dome Overlook, MP 364.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bring water and a snack and be prepared for inclement weather. 10 a.m. Free. Info: 298-5330.
• Glass artists Christina Bothwell and Robert Bender will lead a two-part tour of the Asheville Art Museum‘s Fire on the Mountain: Studio Glass in Western North Carolina and Blue Spiral 1 Gallery‘s Glass Secessionism. Tour meets at the Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square. Noon. Free with museum membership or admission.
• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville presents a screening of How to Start a Revolution, a documentary which profiles author and intellectual Gene Sharp and examines his influence on modern day uprisings, as part of its monthly Social Justice Movie Night. Located on the corner of Charlotte Street and Edwin Place. Free. Info: 683-5548.
• From the band’s bio, “The Alarm Clock Conspiracy is a multifaceted indie rock, power pop quartet with musical influences from the ‘60s and ‘70s. … The Alarm Clock Conspiracy has been exciting audiences and steadily building a crowd base of dedicated fans with their high energy performances and genuine musicianship. The Alarm Clock Conspiracy pride themselves on good songwriting with songs that are to the point and infectious. One thing that sets The Alarm Clock Conspiracy apart from most bands out there is their ability to fuse dynamic rock and roll with soulful acoustic music.” The band celebrates the release of its new record with a free performance at Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Highway # H. 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 9
• The city of Hot Springs hosts the 17th annual Bluff Mountain Festival, a family-friendly afternoon of bluegrass, old-time and traditional music with clogging, a cash raffle, art market, silent auction and local food vendors. Dogs and alcohol prohibited. Held on the grounds of Hot Springs Resort and Spa, 315 Bridge St. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. Info: 649-1301.
• From a feature in this week’s Xpress, “Lovers of art and indie business have two things to look forward to the weekend of June 8: the first-ever West Asheville Open Studios, and the perennial favorite River Arts District Studio Stroll. The latter is the original behemoth stroll of Asheville, established more than 15 years ago. … Across the river lies West Asheville’s Haywood Road area, a neighborhood that’s increasingly reputed for its independent businesses and quirky restaurants. Several of the nearly 20 participating artists of the Open Studios art tour have been established in West Asheville for years, such as Steebo Design and Bookworks. Then there are the newbies, such as 7 Ton Letterpress Collective, which became operational this year.” Both strolls run June 9-10 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and are free to attend. See websites for participating locations and details.
Story by Ursula Gullow
• The Artery, 346 Depot St., hosts the latest in its ongoing Eclectricity concert series, a showcase of “live electronic, electro-acoustic and experimental music,” featuring performances by Auracene and Philadelphia producer Ace Paradise. 8 p.m. $5.
• Get a crash course in the local hip-hop scene as One Stop Deli and Bar, 55 College St., hosts a showcase featuring performances by Chief Yahsh, Ken Ken, Ace Shareef and Young Havana. 10 p.m. $5 before 10 p.m./$7 after.
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