This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Feb. 21

• ”The Interrupters tells the moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed,” begins a synopsis of the film. “From acclaimed director Steve James and bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz, this film is an unusually intimate journey into the stubborn persistence of violence in our cities. Shot over the course of a year out of Kartemquin Films, The Interrupters captures a period in Chicago when it became a national symbol for the violence in our cities. During that period, the city was besieged by high-profile incidents, most notably the brutal beating of Derrion Albert, a Chicago high school student whose death was caught on videotape.” UNCA hosts a free screening of the documentary, followed by a Q&A with co-producer Alex Kotlowitz, in the university’s Highsmith Union, Alumni Hall. 7 p.m.

• Competing in a triathlon takes a lot of preparation, but you’ve gotta start somewhere. REI Asheville, 31 Schenck Parkway, offers potential competitors a free class on triathlon basics like getting started, training and race day preparations. 7 p.m. More info here.

• Arcade Asheville, 130 College St., hosts “The Product of the ‘80s Party,” to benefit Asheville Affiliates, featuring a fashion show and dance party. 8 p.m. $5.

• From the band’s Facebook page, “Take moody mountain music with a splash of funky creole razzmatazz and add a twist of fate. This is The Goodness Graceful, a cocktail of some of Asheville’s finest. ” The self-described “freaky folk, old-time rock ‘n’ roll” outfit plays Emerald Lounge, 112 N. Lexington Ave., with Drunken Prayer and The Dunder Chiefs. 9 p.m. $5.

Friday, Feb. 22

• Get an inside perspective on the entertainment and acting industry as the New York Studio of Stage and Screen, 2002 Riverside Drive, Studio 42-O, hosts a free arts and entertainment talk with actress Sabrina Le Beauf, best known for her work as Sondra Huxtable Tibideaux on The Cosby Show. 7 p.m.

• “Internationally-known youth food advocate Birke Baehr comes to Malaprop’s to present a brief talk on organic food and sustainable farming practices,” according to the bookstore’s website. “Author of Birke on the Farm and presenter for TedX Next Generation, he has also been recognized by treehugger.com as one of six youth environmentalists to make a difference in the world. Birke’s mission is to educate people about their choices by asking vital questions regarding our food systems.” 55 Haywood St. 7 p.m. Free.

• Recently downsized indie rock outfit The Hermit Kings will debut its new lineup during a headlining gig at The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave. According to a recent Facebook post by frontman Zaq Suarez, ” … there’s been some lineup changes for The Hermit Kings. We’re all still close, but the workload ahead is more of a burden than we can ask of everyone involved. That said, this will be the last THK show as a five piece and half of it will be performed as a three piece. … Come see our future and past collide. We’re really excited!” A Ghost Like Me and Shorty Can’t Eat Books open. 185 Clingman Ave. 9 p.m. $7.

Saturday, Feb. 23

• From the Asheville on Bikes website, “That’s right: Bike Love is crossing the French Broad this time around, heading for 742 Haywood Road, and an action-packed evening at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall. Bike Love kicks off at 6pm, with a meeting of the multimodal minds: For the first time ever, every regional bicycle and multimodal transportation plan will be presented under one roof. Come for dinner, drinks and vital information about the future of transportation in Asheville. After you fill your head with the good news, you can feast your eyes on our silent auction items — we’ve got sweet loot rolling in from our amazing sponsors, including an official BMC jersey autographed by George Hincapie, a prize pack from Walz Caps, a sweet rear rack from Arkel and so much more. All proceeds from the silent auction benefit AoB’s after-school bike programs, so don’t be shy with those bids — it’s for the children, remember? Next, buy your raffle tickets, grab a beverage and prepare to move your feet: At 9pm, Jim Arrendell & the Cheap Suits will fill the dance floor with their soulful, old-school R&B groove. At 11pm, DJ Marley keeps the party going into the wee hours. Set your pace, and stay with us until the finish line. Bike Love rolls into Isis on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 6pm until the wheels fall off. Tickets on sale now at local bike shops for $12, or pay $15 at the door. All proceeds support AoB.”

• There’s more science and engineering behind food than most people realize. Learn more as the Waynesville Public Library, 678 S. Haywood St., hosts a screening of Genetic Roulette, a documentary which claims to provide “never-before-seen-evidence that points to genetically engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the U.S. population, especially among children.” Held in the library’s lower level. Q&A will immediately follow. Free.

• Believe it or not, it’s almost time to start think about spring planting. Sow True Seed, 146 Church St., is here to help with Seed Starting 101: Successful Seed Starting and Transplanting for the Home Gardener. Free. Info and registration: 254-0708.