Friday, April 30
• The YWCA of Asheville sponsors Stand Against Racism events, including a family-friendly event in Aston Park (South French Broad Ave., Asheville) with music by Mad Tea Party and poetry by Celeste Sherer. 4 p.m. Click here for a complete schedule of events.
• Studio 103 Fine Art Gallery (103 West St., Black Mountain, 357-8327) holds a reception for encaustic painter Tif McDonald. 5-8 p.m.
• Jazz/blues vocalist Peggy Ratusz puts in an appearance at Straightaway Cafe (1722 NC Highway 9, Black Mountain, 669-8856) with Jonathan Pearlman. 6 p.m.
• Nashville-based bluegrass act Backtown Kickback plays the Friday happy hour slot at Highland Brewery (12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville, 299-3370). 6 p.m.
• Singer/songwriter DB Hackett will be at Beacon Pub (204 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, 686-0006). 8 p.m.
• Americana musician Paul Cataldo plays Luella’s BBQ (501 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 505-7427). 8 p.m.
• Chatanooga’s Crunk Bones Jones is more Southern Rock than crunk — at least in the text book sense — but whatever. He’ll be at Mike’s Side Pocket (375 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 281-3096). 9 p.m.
• The N.E.C., an experimental noise band from Atlanta (pictured) share the stage with Asheville’s Soft Opening at Broadways (120 North Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-0400). 10 p.m.
• Atlanta rockers Blue Hotel (who claim their “major influences are The Ramones, Led Zeppelin, and Wilco”) will be at The Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612). 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 1
• The Summer Music in Flat Rock series (free outdoor events; Little Rainbow Row’s back deck corner of Greenville Highway and West Blue Ridge Rd.) begins with a special concert featuring the novelty jazz band Hot Duck Soup. Press for the band says it “follows in the footsteps of Ragtime and Dixieland bands of long ago with an admiring nod to the Hoosier Hotshots, Spike Jones’ City Slickers and Weird Al Yankovik. The band is comprised of five members: John Richards (banjo and vocals), Claudia Dunaway (ukulele, cornet), Rob Levin (guitar and vocals), Tim Clark (washtub bass and musical saw), and Joy Boothe (cacophonium and vocals).” 6-8 p.m., bring a lawn chair. Info: 697-7719.
• Early show: Indie rockers Grammer School will be at Good Stuff (133 S. Main St., Marshall, 649-9711). 6 p.m. Free.
• Sweet, quiet, folky trio Millie & the Sirs play on the UNC-Asheville Quad (1 University Heights) at 6 p.m.
• Finalists for the Great Blue Ridge Talent Search for Singers take the stage at The White Horse (105C Montreat Rd., Black Mountain, 669-0816) at 8 p.m. Leeda Jones Lyric, Aaron LaFalce, Mark Fuller, Jenna Lindbo, Jesse Barry, Clark Spencer, Jennifer Smith and Ginnie Waite compete. $5 to watch.
• Recently relocated to Asheville, indie rockers Archer vs. Gunman (pictured) joins Wax Poets at the Boiler Room (11 Grove St., Asheville, 505-1612). 8 p.m.
• Peace Jones (you know: flutes and funk!) stops by Craggie Brewery (197 Hilliard Ave., Asheville, 254-0360). 8 p.m.
• Singer/songwriter and tireless traveler Angela Easterling returns to Back Room at the Flat Rock Wine Shoppe (2702 Greenville Hwy Suite c, Flat Rock) for a 9 p.m. show. $5.
• The Futurebirds bring their lush harmonies and soaring indie pop from Athens, Georgia to the LAB (39 North Lexington Ave., Asheville, 252-0212). 9 p.m.
• Grateful Dead tribute band Phuncle Sam gets all psychedelic at the Town Pump (135 Cherry St., Black Mountain, 669-4808). 9 p.m.
• If you’re not quite sure what mountain rock entails, the genre’s purveyors, Rafe Hollister, will school you at Westville Pub (777 Haywood Rd., West Asheville, 225-9782). 10 p.m.
• Local indie rockers Open Windows (pictured) join Kovacs & the Polar Bear at Mo Daddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 258-1550). 10 p.m., $5.
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