Thursday, March 25
• Newly formed Nataraj plays its first show at BoBo Gallery (22 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3426). here’s what the band says about its sound: “We all are members of Arundas and have put this group together to expand our understanding of this vast musical universe. Our vision is to retain much of the improvisational and eastern elements of the music we created together with Arundas, but to mix in new and vibrant elements.” 8 p.m. — seems that there is a sliding scale at the door, beginning at $5.
• The all-female, Americana music trio Amelia’s Mechanics is currently on tour in support of debut release North, South produced by Jim Avett. (Who isn’t in the Avett Brothers, but he knows them really well, being their dad and all.) Catch the group at MoDaddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550) 9 p.m. Asheville’s Firefly Revival opens.
• Thursday late night: DJ Kri brings Electro, Dubstep & Psytrance to Scandals (11 Grove St., Asheville, 252-2838). 10 p.m.-2 a.m., $5.
Friday, March 26
• Photographer Rebecca D’Angelo launches her new Studio 103 Fine Art Gallery (103 West St., Black Mountain, 357-8327) with a grand opening and art reception. The gallery’s inaugural exhibit is the work of Chris Milk, “a self-taught artist whose work resembles a commingling of Klimt and Chagal.” Reception 5-8 p.m. (Exhibit runs through Wednesday, April 28.)
• Local singer/songwriter/radio host Aaron LaFalce plays an early-ish set at Black Forest Restaurant (2155 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, 687-7980). 8 p.m.
• Honky tonk artist Brody Douglas Hunt plays “the songs of the street, the honky tonks, curbsides, basements, and dive bars of the forgotten and the tumble down. The real country music of America.” For real. Mike’s Side Pocket (375 Haywood Rd., Asheville, 281-3096). 8 p.m.
• The Sweethearts—members of John Howie Jr. (of Two Dollar Pistols fame), the Rosewood Bluff (Chapel Hill/Durham) and The Darnell Woodies (Winston-Salem)—come together at The Back Room at Flat Rock Wine Shoppe (2702 Greenville Hwy., Suite C, Flat Rock, 697-6828). The trio is described as “nothing short of captivating. With true country and rockabilly influences, the Sweethearts will leave you begging for more.” 9 p.m.
• Happy birthday Aries! You (and your non-Aries friends) are invited to a celebration at New French Bar (12 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 225-6445). The details: “DJs: Tag team set by Gilbot (Jeremy Gilley) and Rasa (Rick Malone) all night long! Musical stylings: Tribal,progressive, tech house/Techno/Trance on CDs, vinyl, MIDI! Costume encouraged!” 9 p.m., $3 donation.
• Local R&B/blues outfit Bluestopia Highway performs at Sports Zone (2310 Hendersonville Rd., Arden, 684-2646). 9:30 p.m., $5.
• Brushfire Stankgrass rounds out the evening at a rather unlikely juncture — Wild Wing Cafe (161 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-3066). 10 p.m.
Saturday, March 27
• Okay, so it’s not exactly costume season. (Unless you like to dress up for Palm Sunday. Or Easter. Or Anzac Day.) But you might as well do some advanced planning for Halloween or any upcoming masquerade balls, because ACT holds its excellent Theatrical Rummage Sale. Head to the
lobby of Asheville Community Theatre (35 E. Walnut St., Asheville, 253-4931) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Men’s and Women’s clothing – dresses, accessories, hats, vests, shirts, skirts. Adult and children’s costumes. Fun accessories, jewelry, books and scripts, oriental-type rugs.
• The Grand Expansion Celebration at the Downtown Market (45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 255-8858) kicks off as Amazing Savings Grocery re-opens in the Market’s 6,000 sq ft warehouse becoming downtown Asheville’s only full-sized grocery store. Join them as they grill (FREE) hot dogs and hamburgers from noon to 3 p.m.
• The Wellhouse Band plays roots music. They have an EP in the works, but you can hear the real thing at Blue Mountain Pizza (55 N. Main St., Weaverville, 658-8777). 7 p.m., free.
• Brooklyn’s St. Bernadette is all vintagey-rockery-cool. Or, as Bust put it, “”sweet as an angel and edgy as hell.” The play Broadways (120 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-0400) with Connecticut-based Joe Roberto and Poverty Hash. Show time is listed as 8 p.m. I’m guessing later. Much later.
• Mikal Shapiro makes those scratchy old-timey recordings that sound like they come from far away and way back when, yet the ache in her voice and slow twang of her guitar is immediate and relatable. She stops by Firestorm (48 Commerce St.,
Asheville, 255-8115) at 8 p.m.
• The Mantras, a rock-fusion outfit from Greensboro, perform at Pisgah Brewing (150 Eastside Dr.,
Black Mountain, 669-0190). 8 p.m., free.
• Asheville based eclectic prog-jazz-funk-band Discordian Society announces the CD release party for their sophomore album, Primordial Soup. Mo Daddy’s, 9 p.m.
• Free local rock: Ritual, US Christmas and Shadow of the Destroyer play the Grotto at UNC-A’s Highsmith Center (1 University Heights, Asheville, 251-6600).
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