Okay. It’s officially summer as of last Sunday. That means you’re required by the laws of warm weather, long hours of daylight and the woefully short life span of the average firefly to get outside, head out on the town or to a festival, picnic or porch hang. Do it now. Don’t have much money? No problem, the following list means you can spend your nickels and dimes on a 6-pack and a watermelon and still have enough to check out a band or three.
Friday, June 26
• Alt-country singer/songwriter Ang Medlin makes the trip from Cherryville, N.C. to play Picnics (371 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, 258-2858) at 6 p.m. Free show.
• Pop outfit On the Take will be at the Rocket Club (401 Haywood Rd., Asheville, 505-2494) with female-fronted, ‘80’s-style post-punk group Silver Hand and The Fire Tonight at 8 p.m. $5.
• Catch folk-rocker Matt Williams (pictured)—whose style calls to mind Jason Mraz—with members of Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band at Ed Boudreaux’s (48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 296-0100). 8 p.m. Free.
• Celt-rockers The Hooligans take the stage at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445) at 9 p.m. $5.
• Ease into the weekend with Groove Collector, local covers/party music/groovy tunes aces. The band is at Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550) at 9 p.m. $3.
• Asheville’s Project Loungecore doesn’t have tracks up on its Myspace page, but the band does boast an exceptional name and a promise of “Punk / Ska / Grunge”—a fusion arguably born of a 70s-90s underground music progression. But history aside, the band plays for donations at Westside Clippers (755 Haywood Rd. West Asheville, 505-4625) at 9 p.m. Says Project Loungecore: “Ya’ll know the drill, this is our 3rd time here…BYOB and no beers outside the shop. Much love, lets pack this place out again!”
• RBTS WIN brings the electro alt-pop to Hookah Joe’s (38-B N. French Broad, Asheville, 252-1522). Mr. Invisible also plays. 9 p.m., $5.
• Canton’s rock group After Grind will be at Bosco’s Sports Bar (2310 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, 684-1024) at 9:30 p.m. $5.
• Prog-rockers Large Lewis has, ironically, no Lewis among its numbers. The band has existed, in various iterations, for 15 years. Check ‘em out at College Street Bar & Grill (4 Patton Ave., Asheville, 232-0809) at 9:30 p.m. for a mere $2.
• “Lets make a beat,” says Arden’s DJ Den & Rave-O-Lution (whose remixes include Louis Armstrong fading into L’il Wayne). Hear for yourself at The Garage at Biltmore (101 Fairview Rd. Suite B, Asheville, 505-2663). C.R.I.M.E. also performs. 10 p.m., $5.
Saturday, June 27
• Tex-Mex folkie Miriam Allen kicks off the day bright and early (and chock full o’ healthy veggies) at the UNC-Asheville Farmer’s Market (Parking lot C on the UNC-A campus,1 University Heights, Asheville, 712-4644). Starting at 9 a.m., free.
• Singer/songwriter PJ Brunson, from Rock Hill, S.C., provides some dining ambiance for the crowd at Well-Bred Bakery (26 North Main St., Weaverville, 645-9300). 7 p.m., free.
• Athens, Ga.‘s BrotherBrother, a pop-folk duo, heads to the Hendersonville High Auditorium (311 8th Ave W., Hendersonville) to headline PhyllisFest (a benefit concert for Baron and Phyllis Jackson). Start time is 7 p.m., cover is $5.
• Jason Ross Martin (of OddStar) plays a solo set before and between movies at Cinebarre (800 Brevard Rd., Asheville, 665-7776). 8 p.m., free (well, other than the cost of the movie ticket).
• Sweet Water Revolver, a trio of sisters, plays for donations at Firestorm (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115) starting at 8 p.m. The plan is to “celebrate Quetzal’s (our cellist’s) 20th birthday, with music!”
• Folkie Lucas invites listeners to a house show (22 Broad St., Asheville), starting at 8 p.m.
“Come on down for another night of great music,” Lucas says. “We’ve got a band coming from Baltimore, and four or five awesome Asheville acts.” Cover = a canned food donation.
• Asheville’s The Ringing Cedars plays lush 80s-reminiscent synth pop. The band shares the stage with Spy Satellite and The MachiaVillains at Mike’s Side Pocket (375 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 281-3096). 9 p.m., $3.
• Black Mountain’s The Mug has members with names like Bud and D’Bomb and performs jammy-funky-dirty blues renditions of classics like “Who Do You Love.” Guilty pleasures. Take the out of town guests: The Watershed (207 West State Sty., Black Mountain, 669-0777). 9 p.m., $5.
• Also in Black Mountain: rockabilly-Americana artist Matt Rockteacher (who happens to be from Brooklyn, not Nashville) takes over Town Pump (135 Cherry St, Black Mountain, 669-4808). Brian McGee & the Hollow Speed also plays. 9 p.m., $5.
• Wrap up the night with quirk-pop trio Now You See Them at The Root Bar (1410 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, 299-7597). Whiskey Comatose and Adam Reid share the 10 p.m. bill. Best part? It’s totally free.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
Asheville and outta town friends……
Stonewall approaches, are you ready? Do you have your time off work, your fabu outfits, your queer chants? No pressure, if you don’t come anyway, to whatever you can, with your fabulous self and your fabulous friends, family, and allies! TO STONEWALL!!!!!
Here’s the details:
Saturday June 27th!
Day events location: Prtichard Park, downtown Asheville
5:00 Rally with speakers and music
6:00 Permited sidewalk march, we have signs, but you can also bring your own signs and rally cries!
7:00 Ice Cream Social with music at Pritchard Park
Afterparty events location: Hookah Joes (behind Harispray)
Event begins at 9:00 and we can admit under 21 with prior coordination with organizers
Performances include:
Blondie Coverband (Durham, NC with ex-members of Roxotica-long time supporters of Stonewall and Tranzmission events)
Sparkle Rainbow Poines of Death (local rockers!)
Burlesque and Drag Performers by Asheville’s finest Tranzmission Drag Troupe
Talon Dance Troupe
DJ dance party to follow!
for more info: Louise138@gmail.com
Additional info: apparently word on the street is that a bunch of churches met tonight to discuss Stonewall Rally and agreed to not interfere. We’re on to something beautiful! We already knew that, and now others had to have a meeting to agree! All the more reason to show up and make it rulin’