Thursday, August 9
• Get a peek into the creative process as local author Wayne Caldwell discusses the genesis of his novel Cataloochee at the Haywood County Public Library, 678 S. Haywood St., Waynesville. More, from an event page, “Wayne Caldwell brings to life the community’s historic struggles and close kinships over a span of six decades. Full of humor, darkness, beauty and wisdom, Cataloochee is a classic novel of place and family.” 6 p.m. Free.
• Singer-songwriter Mark Appleford, who performs his rootsy blues, rock and folk tunes every Friday and Saturday night at Athena’s, 14 College St., makes a special appearance on the west side to celebrate the release of his newest EP, Off the Cuff, at Altamont Brewing Company, 1042 Haywood Road. 9 p.m.
• From an Xpress blog by Alli Marshall earlier this year, “‘We are a blues/rock explosion in the vein of The Cramps, The White Stripes, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, etc.,’ writes Austin, Texas band The Ghost Wolves. Even more compelling, the guitar/drum duo (Carley and Jonny Wolf) take their name from their 125-pound arctic wolf-hybrid named Winter, who runs their merch table.” Catch the band (and its furry traveling companion) at The Get Down, 1045 Haywood Road, with Ancient Whales, The Milk Stains and Doomster. 9 p.m. $5.
The Ghost Wolves: Interview from Mountain Xpress on Vimeo.
Friday, August 10
• Summer is drawing to a close, but your fresh veggies don’t have to disappear with the heat. Join John Murphy, director of the Bullington Center, for a presentation on growing vegetables year round at the Henderson County Library, 301 N. Washington St. 2 p.m. Free. Info: 697-4725.
• Downtown Marshall continues its French Broad Friday summer festival series with “Dog Daze,” featuring carriage rides, face painting, photo booths for dog and owner portraits, a pooch parade and much more. 5-10 p.m. Free.
• This week at Disclaimer Underground Comedy, the Friday night stand-up series at Elaine’s Piano Bar inside the Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Cincinnati-based comedian Ray Price. From Price’s website, “I’m not very good at self promotion — my self esteem engine went around the bend years ago, and I haven’t seen it since. Here’s the story: I’m a fat, self-deprecating geek who started doing stand-up a few years back and I’m getting pretty good at it. I make people laugh. Come on out to one of my shows and see for yourself. Bring your friends, that way you can talk about me behind my back.” 8:15 p.m. Free.
• Think you’re funny? Interesting? Insightful? Find out when Anam Cara Theatre Company, 203 Haywood Road, hosts Tales and Ales, a storytelling open mic featuring free admission and a cash bar. 8 p.m.
Saturday, August 11
• “Join the artists of the River Arts District the second Saturday of each month for a day of artist demonstrations, classes, open studios and fun,” invites the collective’s website. “Spend the day hopping from studio to studio to view a range of mediums and an abundance of creativity!” Stroll features more than a dozen galleries. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.
• From an event page, “Now is the time to get your rafts ready for the big event! RiverLink presents its annual RiverFest, a free day-long festival, featuring the ever popular raft competition, kids parade, a kids zone, disc golf, cornhole tournaments, local vendors with food and beverages and live performances by local artists.” The main event, the Anything That Floats Parade, invites the public to build a home-made raft and compete in categories ranging from Most Creative to Ugliest. Rafts launch from the Hominy Creek River Park, 194 Hominy Creek Road, at 10 a.m. $20 per raft team. Free to float if not competing.
” From deep in the Appalachians, where the Great Smoky Mountains meet the Blue Ridge, comes the Balsam Range band, creatively blending bluegrass, folk, gospel and jazz into a new American acoustic music experience,” according to the band’s website. Get a taste when Balsam Range celebrates the release of its fourth album, Papertown, at The Bywater, 796 Riverside Drive. 9 p.m. $5.
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