Wednesday, March 10
• Israel Nash Gripka and The Fieros (pictured) tour from New York City to Texas with stops along the route to “locally owned and operated diners and other food joints” where they’ll sing for their supper. According to press, “With guitars, and forks, in hand, both acts will sing a song or three for one free meal, a tour premise not only feeding the bands their much needed daily sustenance, but also presenting a departure from the way individuals hear independent artists.” They’ll be at Burgermeister’s (697 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-2920) at 5:30 p.m. (free) and later at The Garage (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 505-2663). $5 suggested donation.
• Music Video Asheville (read about it here) is billed as a chance to “See 37 local bands in one night and get to know local filmmakers too!” Bands represented in video include, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Paper Tiger, Mad Tea Party, Toubab Krewe/Bob Moog Foundation, Floating Action, Scott Duncan, stephaniesid, Pop Asheville, Hatch Festival, Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed, Rat Jackson, Now You See Them, David Earl of the Plowshares, Modo, Keoki Trask, dep, Icehorse, Rock Eblen, Alien Music Club, Wayne Robbins & The Hellsayers, The Enemy Lovers, Pierce Edens & The Dirty Work, Quetzatl, Pleasure Device, Lindsey Liden, Josh Blake, Eleven & The Falcons, Menage, DJ Mr The Best-Remix, Firefly Revival, Modern Weighues and Silver Machine. Held at Cinebarre (800 Brevard Rd., Asheville, 665-7776) 6-10 p.m., $5.
Thursday, March 11
• Local author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Cathy Mitchell reads from Save a Spaniel at Malaprop’s (55 Haywood St., Asheville,254-6734). 7 p.m., free. (For a review, click here.)
• The White Horse (105C Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, 669-0816) hosts another installation of its Great Blue Ridge Talent Search. Free to the audience. 7 p.m.
Friday, March 12
• Inaugural Carl Sandburg Writer-in-Residence Christina Lovin, author of What We Burned for Warmth, will live in the historic Farm Manager’s House on the grounds of Carl Sandburg Home for three weeks during March. According to press, “She will spend her time using the tranquil and inspirational qualities of Connemara to work on her own original poems. She will also participate in community programs during her residency.” Join a welcoming reception at the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce (corner of Kanuga and Church Streets, Hendersonville, 693-4178) from 5–7 p.m. Poetry + refreshments = awesome.
• Punk trio The Machiavillians play New French Bar (12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 225-6445). 8 p.m., $5.
• World music act Cabo Verde returns to Zambra (85 West Walnut St., Asheville, 232-1060). 8 p.m., no cover.
• Progressive/experimental group Andrew Larson and The Moral Fibers (pictured) will be playing The Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612). Fire Zuave from Athens, Georgia also performs. 9:30 p.m.
• Vertigo Jazz Project (pictured) holds a CD release party for their second full length studio album at Emerald Lounge (112 North Lexington Ave., Asheville, 232-4372). Says the band, “VJP’s new disc Paragon is almost one year in the making and showcases the band’s expansive growth since their debut on the Southeast’s music scene nearly two years ago. Full of original music, this record is VJP’s first real musical statement as a cohesive unit, and they are proud to share it with you.” Taste and Tennessee Jed also perform. 10 p.m., $5.
Saturday, March 13
• Ohio Avenue (tag line: “We’re not from Ohio”) have cute shaggy haircuts, piercings and inspirational Christian songs with super-dancey beats. They play the First Baptist Church of Old Fort (203 E. Main Street, Old Fort, 668-7853). 7 p.m.
• Local singer/songwriter (and sometimes front man for Tennessee-based Creech Holler) Jeff Zentner (pictured) opens for husband/wife duo Arborea at Firestorm Cafe (48 Commerce St., Asheville, 255-8115). 8 p.m.
• Boone-based acoustic rockers Union County will be at the Town Pump (135 Cherry St.,
Black Mountain, 669-4808). 8:30 p.m., $5.
• Americana/rocker/singer/songwriter Angela Easterling writes in, “I wanted to get in touch with you about an upcoming show I have in your area, March 13, at the Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782). I will be performing with my full band, The Beguilers, (Brandon Turner, Jeff Hook and Brandon Gilliard). This is our first full band show in the Asheville area.” 9 p.m., $4.
• Self-described “acoustic punkers” The Hillside Bombers (pictured) play banjos and mandolins with the fervor of the Sex Pistols, the irreverent pop savvy of the Ramones and the politics of Steve Earle. They perform an intimate set at Bobo Gallery (22 North Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3426) with Richmond, Virginia-based Pedals on our Pirate Ships. Says the band, “This show is $5 and it’s worth every penny.” 9 p.m.
• The Corduroy Road, from Athens, Georgia, has mastered the acoustic rock sound, complete with 70s-era organ, hooky lyrics and feel-good driving beats. Catch them at Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550). 10 p.m.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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