This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, July 9

• From a Smart Bet in this week’s issue, “The Apothecary and Black Swan Theater are teaming up to support local playwriting. Or, as press for the inaugural meeting of the Eagle Street Playwrights says, ‘to encourage, refine and produce local theatrical work.’ The playwrights group will gather on the first Thursday of each month to workshop and plan for upcoming productions. Sign up for and become acquainted with the collective (who will also be meeting each other for the first time) at a community gala on Thursday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. at Apothecary. Asheville actors Trinity Smith (pictured), Derek Evans, Jack Parsons, Michael MacCauley and Jake Bowden will perform a premiere reading of David Hopes’ Awake! Awake! Deborah, a play set partly in the former Asheville haunt Vincent’s Ear and partly in hell.” 39 S. Market St. Free.
Smart Bet by Alli Marshall

• See what local authors have been up to as Julia Nunnally Duncan (pictured), Celia Miles, Richard Krawiec and others read from and sign their works at the Monte Vista Hotel, 308 W. State St., Black Mountain. The reading will feature free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. 4:30 p.m. Free.

• From a 2012 Xpress review of blues rock duo The Ghost Wolves, “The Ghost Wolves from Austin, Texas, might be a mere duo (Carley plays a vintage hollow-body guitar, Jonny thrashes the drums and they both sing) but they play hard enough for a full band. Performing second in a four-band showcase (including the Krektones, Alligator Indian and ER Airplane) at Jack of the Wood last Friday, the Ghost Wolves had the crowd on its feet. But first they stopped by Dirty Jacks to talk to Xpress about how they met, what inspires them, why they dress in black and white and what it’s like to tour with Winter, their wolf-hybrid.” The band returns to Asheville for a show at The Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Road. Doomster and Pawtooth open. 8 p.m. $5.
Review by Alli Marshall

The Ghost Wolves: Interview from Mountain Xpress on Vimeo.

Friday, July 10

• The latest installment of RiverMUSIC, RiverLink and New Belgium Brewing‘s summer concert series at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 117 Riverside Drive, presents DeRobert and the Half-Truths, AJ and the Jiggawatts, The Coolin’ System and Empire Strikes Brass. New Belgium beer and cuisine from food trucks will be available. 5-10 p.m. Free. Learn more about the artists in “Soul Satisfaction,” a feature in this week’s issue.

• DramaRama, Asheville Community Theatre‘s weeklong series of fundraising events, draws to a close this weekend, but not before a Thursday theater trivia night, Friday sing-a-long movie night and Saturday variety show. See website for details, pricing and locations.

• “The Black Twig Pickers’ Nathaniel Earl Bowles blends his affinity for Appalachian folk music with an interest in sonic experimentation, forging a drone- and trance-based sound that incorporates ‘hyper-nuanced’ percussion and clawhammer banjo,” reveals a Clubland feature in this week’s issue. The Virginia-based performer visits our stretch of the Appalachians for a show at Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave. 8 p.m. Free.

Saturday, July 13

• The YMCA invites the public to a community garden festival, featuring garden projects, vegetable harvesting, seed sharing, tours and more, at the YMCA Youth Services Center, 201 Beaverdam Road. Childcare available with registration. Free. Info: jholt@ymcawnc.org.

• Release your inner artist and your inner child as downtown Hendersonville hosts its annual “Chalk It Up” sidewalk chalk art contest throughout the day on Main Street. Free to participate.

• From the N.C. Arboretum’s event page for the upcoming Bamboo Festival, “The American Bamboo Society’s Southeastern Chapter hosts this extremely popular event celebrating the artistic value and functionality of this remarkable grass. Regional bamboo nurseries will offer plants for sale and bamboo artisans will offer demonstrations. The weekend also includes educational lectures and demonstrations.” Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way. $8 parking fee/free for members.

•  Magnetic Midnight, the self-proclaimed “magical, mysterious” event, returns to Asheville at a new location, downtown’s BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce St. “Arrive at 9:30 p.m. to participate with an original script, song, dance or routine no more than five minutes long, or if you wish to act or direct. Up to 13 acts accepted as they appear. Each month we also have a featured act and an opening song which kicks off the evening.” Show begins at 10:30 p.m. $5.