This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, March 14

• If the recent meteor that exploded over Russia has you worried the sky is falling, join Bill Cooke, director of NASA’s meteoroid environment office, for a free presentation explaining the science behind that surprising event and why it’s no cause for alarm. Hosted by the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, 1 PARI Drive, Rosman. 6 p.m. Info: 862-5554.

• From a Smart Bet in this week’s Xpress, “Libyan-born globe-trotter Hisham Mayet is (among other things) a founding member of Seattle-based recording label Sublime Frequencies (home of eclectic world music including rock and soul from Saigon, Gnawa music from Essaouira and Bollywood steel guitar). He’s also produced a number of films for the label that ‘have been redefining the nature of ethnographic film.’ Mayet will present and discuss his films Vodoun Gods on the Slave Coast (an exploration of West African possession ceremonies) and The Divine River: Ceremonial Pageantry in the Sahel at Apothecary on Thursday, March 14. 7 p.m. sharp, $5-$7.” More info here.
Story by Alli Marshall

• From The Orange Peel‘s website, “Get ready for another night of fun and hilarity when Slice of Life Comedy once again takes over the mainstage of the Orange Peel. This time they’re importing two hilarious Atlanta comics, Noah Gardenswartz and Gilbert Lawand, both considered favorites in the Southeast and up-and-comers on the national scene. The night will be hosted by Kelly Row, an Asheville comic celebrity who produces the Slice shows along with Michele Scheve. The show will also include a benefit for Asheville FM, a nonprofit community radio station. Both Slice girls are co-hosts of the Asheville FM radio show Michele and Kelly’s Slumber Party, which airs every Wed.” 101 Biltmore Ave. 8 p.m. $8/$10.

Friday, March 15

• The Black Mountain Center for the Arts hosts “Irish Music and Folklore” as part of its ongoing brown bag and books lunch series. From the center’s website, “Join us for our popular brown bag series this month with some great traditional Irish music by Patrick and Cathy Sky, featuring Irish reels, jigs and hornpipes that they play on the fiddle and the Irish Uilleann pipes. Bring your own lunch and beverage. No admission fee, but donations are welcome for this delightful music in our great acoustic room, just in time to celebrate St. Patrick!” 225 W. State St., Black Mountain. Noon.

• Social Justice Film Night will feature Climate of Change, a documentary about the efforts of everyday people to fight global warming. Screened at Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place. 7 p.m. Donations accepted. Info: devwilliams@juno.com.

• The Asheville Community Theatre‘s Youth Production Class presents Into the Woods, the story of “fairytale characters who meet and interact on their journeys,” at 35 E. Walnut St. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat. and Sun., 2:30pm. $5.

Saturday, March 16

• The Brevard Banff Bash, an outdoor festival held in conjunction with the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, will include a used gear sale, adventure olympics, a camp stove cook off and live music. From organizers, “Join us for the first annual Brevard Banff Bash. Set up a table to sell some of your outdoor gear (15 percent of sales go to Mountain Roots). Enter the Crazy Race to win a cash prize (half of all registration fees) — teams of 2-5  compete in an Adventure Olympics including climbing wall, canoe portage, disc golf, adventure trivia and more. And don’t miss the camp stove cook off — prizes for three different categories! Contact Ali Lien (Ali@MountainRoots.org) to learn more. To register, email the names in your group, ages and team name.” Held on Brevard College’s Porter Center lawn. Free. 2:30-6:30 p.m.

• From the Kurva Choir‘s bio, “Intimate, improvised chamber orchestra. Formerly known as Kirtan Choir and The C.J. Boyd Sextet, Kurva Choir is based on the principle of intense listening and radical intimacy through music. Though each recording and each tour tend to vary in the particular constellation of players, the group’s dedication to exploring closeness through sounds and a strong ethic of spontaneous collective creativity are constant.” The current lineup (cello and bass duo) performs this weekend at Firestorm Cafe, 48 Commerce St. Free.

• Can’t make the Asheville Tattoo Fest this weekend? Get a taste of the action during a screening of Color Outside the Lines, a documentary about the world’s top black tattoo artists, at Club Tetris, 130 College St., above Arcade Asheville. $10. 9 p.m.

Sunday, March 17

• Jack of the Wood hosts an all-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring a host of Celtic music including The Pipefitters and The Stillwater Hobos, followed by a late night soul party with The Legendary JC’s. Festivities begin at noon and will go on into the night. Free for early shows; $10 for Legendary JC’s.