Thursday, Jan. 10
• From a Smart Bet in this week’s print issue, “According to the Urban Dictionary website, ‘blue comedy’ is ‘off-color, risqué, indecent or profane, largely about sex.’ Worth noting, since Sex and How to Have It, the new offering from The Magnetic Theatre, is billed as light blue. The play (originally produced for two late-night performances last summer) is built around ‘quick, comic looks at sex education, first forays, gay sex, group sex, online sex, loss of libido, visits from the pizza delivery guy, the plumber, the police and The Spouse Whisperer,’ along with songs and more. It’s conceived, written and performed by Brian Claflin, Kathryn Langwell, Glenn Reed and Magnetic Theatre newcomer Valerie Meiss, in collaboration with the theater’s artistic director Steven Samuels and writer Lisa Yoffee.” Catch one of the low-cost previews Jan. 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. 372 Depot St. $8.
Smart Bet by Alli Marshall
• “An astrologer, author and teacher, Eric Meyers offers services through Soul Vision Consulting in Asheville, addressing all aspects of human experience (body, heart, mind and soul) through the corresponding elements of earth, water, air and fire,” according to a Malaprop’s event page. “At Malaprop’s, he will present and sign his most recent book, The Astrology of Awakening: Volume 1 — Eclipse of the Ego.” 55 Haywood St. 7 p.m. Free.
Friday, Jan. 11
• Montford Books and More, 31 Montford Ave., celebrates the weekend with its End of the Week Soirée, featuring folk rock, country and bluegrass by Asheville’s own Jim Taylor. The free performance will include refreshments in a “living room-style atmosphere.” 5:30 p.m.
• “Young patients in Arts for Life’s educational art programs visually explore what HOME means to them in this collaborative and colorful art exhibit,” begins a press release for Home Is Where the Art Is, currently on display at The ARTery. “Kids express their sense of place through painting, sculpture, printmaking, paper and more. A local nonprofit organization, Arts for Life brings art, music and creative writing to kids and their families who are battling cancer and other serious illnesses and disabilities at Mission Children’s Hospital.” The gallery hosts an opening reception for the exhibit from 6-9 p.m. at 346 Depot St. in the River Arts District. Free.
• From Isis Restaurant and Music Hall, “Jim Arrendell and the Cheap Suits is a collection of some of Asheville’s best players, comprised of Rob Geisler on bass, Joey K on drums, Duane Simpson on guitar, Jamar Woods on keys and Jim Arrendell on lead vocals. The high energy show is full of soulful Motown and Stax Records hits, as well as favorites from Van Morrison, Ray Charles, James Brown and more. The combination of expert musicianship, song choice and exuberant showmanship creates the perfect atmosphere for a ‘get lost in the moment’ night of dancing, laughing and romancing.” The band hosts a dance party at the new West Asheville restaurant and venue, beginning at 9:15 p.m. 743 Haywood Road. $5.
• “Forgetters is a band formed by Blake Schwarzenbach right after the short-lived Thorns of Life broke up in 2009,” begins the band’s bio. “It features Schwarzenbach (Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil) on guitar and lead vocals, Kevin Mahon (Against Me!) on drums and Caroline Paquita (Bitchin’) on bass. After the band’s return from a European tour in June of 2011, Caroline quit the band and they subsequently took a hiatus. The band reformed in 2012 with a new bassist: Michelle Proffit. Their eponymous debut album was released on their own label in 2012.” Catch the punk trio at Emerald Lounge, 112 N. Lexington Ave., with Kreamy ‘Lectric Santa and Muscle and Bone. 9 p.m. $8/$10.
Saturday, Jan. 12
• Missing all that fresh summer produce? See what local famers can offer during the colder months at a winter farmers market across from the Black Mountain post office, featuring everything “from meats to jam.” Info: mlsurgi@awnc.org.
• Think your pooch is the cutest around? The Asheville Community Theatre hosts a dog portrait competition at the Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friends Lane, on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12-13. Celebrity judges will select 20 photos to be hung in the theater’s lobby during its production of Bark! The Musical. $15 benefits local rescue organizations. Info: director@bwar.org.
• Full Momentum Wrestling presents an action-packed evening of athletic theatrics to benefit MANNA FoodBank at the Fairview Community Center, 1357 Charlotte Highway. $8/$4 children/5 and under free. 7:30 p.m.
• “Hailing from Fredericksburg, Va., Daniel Bachman utilizes a deft fingerpicking technique on old-time Americana-rooted steel string guitar and banjo, as well as transformative sitar-led ragas, with heady drones, psychedelic experimentation and the occasional heartbreaking Civil War ballad,” according to his bio. “Continuing in the tradition of American Primitivism which saw a revival in the 60s via John Fahey’s Takoma label, Bachman released three albums on minor labels around the world in the last year, which established him as both an ultra-talented guitar savant and a prolific artist. Bachman conjures a bucolic trance with nothing but his guitar, in contrast to his contemporaries who use electronics to enhance their sounds.” Bachman performs at Apothecary, 39 S. Market St., with Ian McColm and Foothills. More info here. 9 p.m. $5.
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