This weekend on a shoestring

My dad was complaining this week about how my 15 year-old brother seems to be spending the summer locked in his room with his computer and iPod. “You weren’t like that,” Dad said.

“Yeah,” I pointed out, “In 1987 I had a decrepit 8-Track player and a rotary phone in my room.” Not a lot of motivation for staying in.

Here’s my suggestion: Get out into the wide, sunny (or, after hours, dark but pleasantly warm) world. Enjoy live music (your iPod’s got nothing on the real thing), visual art and bad films—all on a 1987-type budget.

Friday, July 10
• Bluegrass and country artist Ric Ledford plays The Feed & Seed (3715 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, 216-3492) for tips. 7 p.m.

• Check out “Bad Movies and Good Beer” at Asheville Community Theatre’s 35 Below (35 Walnut St., Asheville, 254-1320). Robot Monster screens at 8 p.m.; Plan Nine From Outer Space is at 10 p.m. $5.

• Eclectic, experimental alt-rockers The South French Broads (pictured) hold a CD release party for new album Factory at Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). 8 p.m. The show is free, CDs are half-price.

• Singer/songwriter Ben Hallman performs at The Encouraging Cup (3099 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, 329-8210). 8 p.m., $3.

• Buffalo, N.Y.‘s hauntingly lovely Mock Syringa performs at Downtown Books & News (67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 253-8654) with Asheville’s Pilgrim (Jaye Bartell, Shane Perlowin and Patrick Kutcher). 8 p.m.

• One-handed blues-rock guitar wiz Jason “Lefty” Williams performs with full band at Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550). 9:30 p.m., $5.

• Roots-reggae-bluegrass fusion Soulgrass Rebellion takes over the Rocket Club (401 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 505-2494). 9:30 p.m., $5.

• Classic rock act Large Lewis is at College Street Pub (4 College St., Asheville, 232-0809). 9:30 p.m., $2.

Saturday, July 11
• The 2nd Saturday Artist Market takes place from 1-4 p.m. on Domino Lane in East-West Asheville, and in Christopher’s Garden on Waynesville Ave.

• The Beaverdam Gallery hosts an all-day opening reception for an exhibit featuring handmade tables, furniture pieces, paintings and photography by five emerging artists. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• The Do Tell Storyfest (Hendersonville Courthouse, Main St., Hendersonville, 388-0247) kicks off at 11 a.m. with storytelling, food, children’s events, poems and music. Concert begins at 7 p.m., event runs to 9:30 p.m. Free.

• One day, 15 artists: The 5th annual Behind the Apron – Artists of the Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company opens at Satellite Gallery (55 Broadway St., Asheville). 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; DJ Anwar Brown spins.

• Indie-experimental group Pistol Creek Catch of the Day (enough name for two bands!) make the drive from Maryville, Tenn. to play Mast General Store (15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 232-1883). 5 p.m., free.

• Shindig on the Green brings live bluegrass and old-time music and dance to Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Asheville. 7 p.m., free.

• Indie-rockers The Steves and local punk/indie rockers Wooden Toothe team up for a Stella Blue show. 9 p.m., “minimal” cover charge.

• Brittany Reilly & The Almost Acoustic Band play country and bluegrass at Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782). 9 p.m., $5.

• An all-too rare local hip-hop act: Motorskills stops by BoBo Gallery (22 Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3426): “Makin’ it funky for ya’ll once again.” 10 p.m., $5.

• Catch a late-night double-bill with Silver Hand and The Gin Fits at Fred’s Speakeasy (122 College St., Asheville, 281-0920). 10 p.m.

—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter