Bele Chere is behind us now, but the weekend unfolds ahead comes jam-packed with enough musical, outdoor, art, literary and general good summery fun to seem like we’re right back in festival mode. Looking for free outing? Check out The Park & Rhythm series at Lake Tomahawk on Thursday or The Rockin’ RiverFest at the at French Broad River Park on Saturday. There are also happenings in Pritchard Park and at Montford Books and, if you have a little pocket money, plenty of low-budget entertainment options around the area.
Thursday, July 30
• Take a long lunch break—Violinist Laurie Fisher performs at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville as part of the Downtown Asheville Residential Neighbors and Asheville GreenWorks partnership cultural programs. Noon-2 p.m., free.
• Americana act Joltwagon will be at French Broad Brewery (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222) starting at 6 p.m. Tips encouraged.
• The Park & Rhythm series at Black Mountain’s Lake Tomahawk (401 S. Laurel Cir., 669-8610) kicks off at 7 p.m. with music by Asheville/Nashville singer/songwriter Eliza Lynn and food from Rollin’ Stone Pizza Company. Bring a lawn chair.
• Industrial/goth act The Death of Analog comes to Emerald Lounge (112 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 232-4372). 8 p.m.
• The Garage at Biltmore (101 Fairview Rd., Suite B, Asheville, 505-2663) hosts Rave.olutioN with Boston-based jam band Strange Brew. Show begins at 9 p.m., cover is $4 which “includes a free glow stick.”
• Indie-poppers The Ringing Cedars (pictured) share a bill with Electrik Manx, Gemini Cricket and Cyrus Atkins at The Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612. 10 p.m., $5.
Friday, July 31
• Head for the hills… well, Black Mountain where Selector Cleofus, Vertigo Jazz Project and Funkuponya rock Pisgah Brewing Company (150 Eastside Dr., 669-2491). 5:30 p.m.
• Local author David Pereda reads from his mystery thriller Havana: Top Secret at Montford Books & More (31 Montford Ave., Asheville, 285-8805). 6:30 p.m., free.
• Athens, Georgia-based funk-pop group BrotherBrother celebrates the release of their newest CD at The Garage (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 505-2663). 9 p.m., $3.
• Funk-fusion act Dashvara puts in an appearance at The Hookah Bar (38-B N. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 252-1522) with Mary Sparks. 10 p.m., $5.
• Now You See Them, fresh off their Bele Chere success, perform at Broadways (107 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-0400). 10 p.m., $5.
• Alt-rockers The Poles play The Rocket Club (401 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 505-2494) with Disguised As Birds and Silver Hand. 10 p.m., $5.
• Bombastic (and ridiculously fun) alt-pop trio Ivan the Terribles (pictured) will be at Fred’s Speakeasy (122 College St., Asheville, 281-0920). 10 p.m., $3.
Saturday, Aug. 1
• RiverLink’s Rockin’ RiverFest runs all day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) with tons of events including a live music competition. Here’s a rundown: Secret B-Sides at noon, Jason Ross Martin at 1 p.m., Blackjack at 2 p.m., Hollowpoint at 3 p.m. and Brushfire Stankgrass at 4 p.m. The free festival is held at French Broad River Park (Amboy Rd. and Riverview Dr., West Asheville, 252-8474).
• Also starting early: Mountain Brew Cafe‘s Art & Music Festival, held in the Cafe’s parking lot (3480 Sweeten Creek Rd., Arden, 687-9009). Music, food and more, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.
• Lark Labs (67 Broadway, Asheville) presents a Clay Play Date with Shay Amber. Amber is a local artist and the author of Ceramics for Beginners: Hand Building. Check out demos at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. and make your own espresso cup during a free workshop with the author.
• Singer/songwriter Bob Burnette performs soulful indie-folk at French Broad Brewery (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222) starting at 6 p.m. Tips encouraged.
• A month-long Movie Night series at Pritchard Park begins with the screening of Tarzan the Ape Man, around 8 p.m. Free.
• Country rockers County Farm take the stage at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445). 10 p.m., $5.
• One Leg Up brings Gypsy jazz to Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782). 10 p.m., $5.
• Round out the night with a free show: Greenville’s rock-pop-funk outfits Retro Vertigo at Wild Wing (161 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-3066). 10 p.m.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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