This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Dec. 17
• Singer/songwriter Allison Weiss (below, photo by Shervin Lainez) says her songs “sound like your saddest memories sung to the tune of your happiest.” Touring in support of her new album, Allison Weiss Was Right All Along, Weiss stops by Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). 8 p.m.

• Folk-rockers Jen & the Juice (below) play the Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave., Asheville, 232-5800) with The Galen Kipar Project. 8:30 p.m., $5.

• I don’t know what it is about bands with the word “robot” in their names—someone should cross reference the lot of them. I also don’t know what Asheville’s Big eye, small robot sounds like (their Myspace player is empty), but they have one hell of a cool poster. Says the band, “Our sound can be described as Big Rock, Loud Pop! Well crafted, high energy rock songs that are laden with Infectious hooks and harmonies.” While waiting on a demo, check them out along with Surf Church, The Alarm Clock Conspiracy and Go Go Under Ground Dancers at The Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612). 9 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18
• Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night (pictured; happening since 1992) is kinda hard to explain, but it’s seasonal and celebratory. Show up at Asheville’s City-County Plaza at 7 p.m. dressed warmly and carrying a boombox. Here’s how organizers describe the experience: “a free outdoor participatory sound sculpture of many individual parts, recorded on cassettes, CDs and mp3s, and played through a roving swarm of boomboxes carried through city streets annually. People bring their own boomboxes and drift peacefully through a cloud of sound which is different from every listener’s perspective.”

• Americana musician Flint Zeigler (below) returns to Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). Cafe owners report Zigler “has consistently put on awesome shows.” Not to be missed! 8 p.m.

• Country/folk musician Angela Easterling (below) performs at the Saluda Inn’s Wine Cellar (229 Greenville St., Saluda) at 8 p.m., free.

• Jam-band Chesterface (below) rocks for a cause: It’s the band’s 2nd annual Manna Food Bank Feed Your Face Jam at The Root Bar (1410 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, 299-7597). 8:30 p.m. Bring 5 cans of non-perishable food or pay $5 at the door.

• Local reggae band Satta Lions will be at Grey Eagle (185 Clingman Ave., Asheville, 232-5800) as part of the 4th Annual End of the Year Reggae Party. Chalwa, The Dub Brothers, and Lady DJ Betty Toker also perform. 8:30 p.m., $5.

• Knoxville vintage folk/swing act Christabel & the Jons is set for a Christmas Show at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445). 9 p.m., $5.

Saturday, Dec. 19
• Afternoon delight: Shod My Feet (below) brings indie-pop to Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). It’s at 3 p.m. It’s free (tips encouraged). Even better: bring three friends and get a free t-shirt.

• The Machiavillians take the stage at Mike’s Side Pocket (375 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 281-3096), along with Mosquito Bandito and Where the Buffalo Roamed. 8 p.m., $3.

• Let your inner outlaw out to play: The Good Old Boyz (below) bring outlaw country to Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782). 9 p.m., $5.

• More country: Brian McGee & the Hollow Speed will be at Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445). 9 p.m., $5.

• Cute/talented duo The Stereofidelics (below) can do some crazy things with a fiddle, some percussion and their own voices. See ‘em at Beacon Pub (201 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa). 9:30 p.m., $5.

• A Social Function gets al funky-like at Magnolia’s (26 Walnut St., Asheville, 251-5211). 10 p.m., $5.

—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter