Friday, Oct. 2
• Bluegrass picker Don Lewis of Sons of Ralph takes part in the Front Porch Series at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial (52 North Market St., Asheville, 253-8304). Bring a bag lunch or snack and hang out — this is the last of these concerts for the season. 2-4 p.m., free.
• Art, culture, cheese cubes: The final downtown Asheville Studio Stroll of the season kicks off at 5 p.m. New exhibits include “Vanishing Scenes” at Vadim Bora Gallery (30 1/2 Battery Park Ave., 254-7959), “The long awaited return of Jose Parra’s enchanting paintings” to Gallery Minerva (8 Biltmore Ave., 255-8850) and the paintings of Brian Mashburn (oil painting “Ratgirl” pictured) at Woolworth Walk (25 Haywood St., 254-9234). Free.
• Celtic/roots duo Fireseed performs the pre-show concert at Montford Park Players rendition of Macbeth. Shows are held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre behind the Montford Community Center (Pearson Dr., Asheville, 254-5146). Bring a lawn chair and picnic. Concert is at 7:30 p.m.; play at 8 p.m. Donations.
• Though the MySpace page of Asheville’s Buffalo (pictured) claims they play thrash and French pop, expect rowdy Americana at the group’s Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550) gig. They open for Paleface. 9 p.m., $5.
• Bluegrass faves Dehlia Low will be at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445). 9:30 p.m., $5.
• The Native Sway (pictured), from Boone, join Wilmington’s SmoothOp for a show at the Hookah Bar (38-B N. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 252-1522). 10 p.m., $5.
Saturday, Oct. 3
• Get out of town for the annual John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival (Brasstown, 800-365-5724), which runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A couple hundred crafters show their wares, along with music, dancing (garland dancers, pictured) and kids’ activities. $5 adults, $3 children.
• Honky-tonkers the Good Old Boys will be playing outlaw country (Waylon, Willie, Merle, etc.) at the Town Pump on Saturday at 10 p.m., featuring members of the Blue Rags, Sons of Ralph and Custard Pie.
• The 3rd Annual Mail Art Show at the Courtyard Gallery (9 Walnut St., Asheville, 273-3332) opens with a 1-8 p.m. exhibit and reception. Free.
• Local songstress Nikki Talley (pictured) plays for the happy hour crowd at French Broad Brewery (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222). 6 p.m., tips.
• Head to Flat Rock for the final installment of the Summer Music outdoor series. Country blues musician Rock Killough performs on Little Rainbow Row’s back deck (behind the colorful shops on the corner of Greenville Hwy. and West Blue Ridge Rd., 697-7719). Bring a lawn chair. 6-8 p.m., free.
• Also country blues: The Honeycutters (pictured) take the stage at Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782) at 9 p.m. $5.
• Garage/glam band The Sexpatriates put in a rare appearance at New French Bar (12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 225-6445). Mocknbird from Chattanooga and Jail share the bill. 9:30 p.m.
• Fusion-rockers Wayfarers All will be at Stella Blue (31 Patton Ave., Asheville, 236-2424) for a 10 p.m. performance with Summertime Whisky Band. $5.
— Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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