This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Dec. 3
• Asheville rockers The Blue Dragons (pictured) play Pisgah Brewing Company (150 Eastside Dr., Black Mountain, 669-2491). 7 p.m.

• Selector Cleofus returns to the Hookah Bar (38 N. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 252-1522). “Dropping in to spin everything from downtempo headnodders and psychedelic dub vibrations to boombastic crunkstep and shroomcore,” reports the DJ. 8 p.m., $3.

• Making the trip from Spartanburg, DJ/soul artist Moody Black (below) puts on a free show at Firestorm (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). 8 p.m.

• Singer/songwriter Jonah Michea will be at the Courtyard Gallery (9 Walnut St., Asheville, 273-3332). 9 p.m., free.

Friday, Dec. 4
• Local jewelry maker Joanna Golberg opens her studio (9 Walnut St., Suite 1C, Asheville) for a holiday sale. Seconds and discontinued items at bargain prices (score!) along with new items. 1-5 p.m. (also Saturday, Dec. 5, 1-5 p.m.).

• Brushfire Stankgrass (pictured) plays for the happy hour crowd at French Broad Brewery (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222). 6 p.m., tips.

• The Asheville Area Arts Council Gallery (11 Biltmore Ave., Asheville) holds a group show opening from 5–8 p.m. In the main gallery, check out work from Meg Manderson, Gloria Gaffney and Mark Holland. Heather Lewis is the first artist to show in the newly opened lower area. Says the gallery, “It has an industrial look that suits the large light installations and it has been exciting seeing it come together.”

• Echo Gallery at Biltmore Park (8 Town Square Blvd., Suite 160, Asheville, 687-7761) also hosts a Holiday Open House, with a reception from 6-9 p.m.  This is first art gallery to open in Town Square, and is a co-op run by its members.  Guest Artists for the Holiday Show are ceramic artists Becca Floyd and Heather Tinnaro, furniture maker Alex Stevens, blacksmith/metal artist Tekla, painter Cindy Walton, and Jeweler Klaus Spies. The show will offer a variety of media in many sizes, including small works to fit holiday budgets. Echo donates 5% of all sales to MANNA Food Bank.

• Not to be missed: Clothing store Hip Replacements (72 N. Lexinton Ave., Asheville, 255-7573) hosts Creampuffs and Beaters, an opening for photographer Michael “Flash” Gordon (below). Check out images, browse vintage clothing and more: “We’ll have plenty of refreshments and PBRs. Flash truly cherishes the beauty in all things vintage and has an eye for the juxtaposition of grace in metal and rust,” says Hip Replacements. 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5
• Musician and ceramist Akira Satake holds his annual holiday open studio sale here in Swannanoa. The artist invites, “Come have a cup of tea, sample and purchase some holiday desserts, and check out the latest work from my wood and oil kilns.  Special added attraction: gorgeous textile art to wear and display by guest artist Barbara Zaretsky.” 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (also Sunday, Dec. 6, noon-5 p.m.)

• The mission of Asheville’s Shantavaani (pictured) is “Peace through music – from raga to reggae.” Get with the program at Feed & Seed (3715 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, 216-3492). 6:30 p.m.

• Folk rocker Greg Borom uses interesting rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. He plays a free show at Well Bred Bakery (26 N Main St., Weaverville, 645-9300). 7 p.m.

• Looking for holioday music? The Mistletones (below) take part in Asheville’s Biltmore Village “Dickens in the Village” event. The band performs as roving musicians while shoppers tackle the village’s cute shops. 8 p.m.

• Metal band Orphan, from Brooklyn, performs with Lulo and Child Abuse at Static Age Records (82-A N. Lexington Ave., 254-3232). 8 p.m.

• Local alt-band The Zealots (pictured) make the trip part-way down the mountain to play Saluda’s Purple Onion (16 Main St., 749-1179). 8 p.m.

• Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782) holds a Gram Parsons/Gene Clark tribute show. 9 p.m., $5.

• Late night it’s The Atkins Riots (below) with No Shoulders and Magnificent Tapeworms at New French Bar (12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 225-6445). 10 p.m., $4.

Sunday, Dec. 6
• Children’s Health & Harmony Expo, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville, is a large scale indoor festival with performances and demonstrations by kids for kids. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo performs kid-hop at 12:30 and 4 p.m. The Naturally Hip Kids Fashion Show by Heaven Rains and Honeywear is at 2 p.m. Also, look for Rainbow Mountain Children’s School’s Creation Station, High Flight Gymnastics Tumbling area, Odyssey Community School’s Celebration of Lights, Climbmax Climbing Wall. Events run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., $5 admission (kids under age 3 and grandparents are free).

• Gorgeously photogenic duo Cursillistas (from California; pictured) joins Sugar Town, Layne Garrett (from D.C.), Rafi Bookstaber and P Grimes play a house show at 88 Gudger St, Asheville. 7:30 p.m., $5.

• All slow-core and Sunday evening-like: Pilgrim performs at Posana Cafe (1 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 505-3967). 8 p.m., $5.

—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter