This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Sept. 19

• Ahleuchatistas is guitarist Shane Perlowin and drummer Ryan Oslance on a musical odyssey of pure imagination, limitless in influences, combining tight-knit composition with improvisation and delivering powerful live shows,” begins the band’s bio. “The project was founded in 2002 and has evolved organically in its near decade-long history as the muse leads through the creative sonic continuum …  About the name: two words were once married to give an identity and conceptual continuity to a musical enterprise without limits, Ah-leu-cha and Zapatistas. The first is the title of  a Charlie Parker song, the second, that of a revolutionary movement which began in Chiapas, Mexico, in 1994.  Musical revolution and social revolution combined into a single coinage. Movement and the constant outstripping of itself are what unifies all the sounds under this single name.” Catch the experimental local duo at The Odditorium, 1045 Haywood Road, with Cumulus and Bad Fog. 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 20

• Downtown After Five, Asheville’s free summer concert series, closes this weekend with a performance by Truth and Salvage Co. and The Blue Rags. Held on N. Lexington Avenue in front of the 240 overpass. 5 p.m. Free.

• From the band’s bio, “The Moon and You is a touring acoustic duo that ‘blends cello and guitar to craft folk music with a 1970s singer-songwriter feel in the vein of Joan Baez or Harry Nilsson. Together they make tender songs that feel like a warm homemade blanket,’ says Brian Tucker of the Wilmington Star News Online. Rooted in the rich music scene of Asheville, N.C., Ryan Furstenberg and Melissa Hyman began playing together for fun when both were part of successful bands touring the Southeast. When those bands went their separate ways, Furstenberg and Hyman chose to join forces rather than get a job. The result of this collaboration — between an impossibly sassy cellist from New York and a whimsical fingerstyle guitarist from Eastern North Carolina — is hard to forget, but easy to fall for.” Catch the pair at The LAB, 39 N. Lexington Ave. Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray opens. 9:30 p.m. $6.

Saturday, Sept. 21

• The 10th annual Catawba Riverfest invites the community to enjoy a water derby, kayaking, a tree hike, skits, presentations, demos, boat tours and more. Held at Lake James State Park, 6883 N.C. Highway 126, Nebo. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free.

• From an event page for the show, “Lonesome Leash is the solo moniker of New Orleans-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Walt McClements. Known for previous involvement in Dark Dark Dark, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship?, McClements, as Lonesome Leash, channels all of his musical experiences into a lean and gorgeously messy solo affair. Anchored by the sinuous accordion sound that’s become a McClements trademark, Lonesome Leash takes mad aesthetic stabs, incorporating drum loops, lush feedback and brass flourishes, in the end creating a sort of future-rustic musical environment. McClements explains: ‘I’d always been interested in affecting the accordion to make it sound more like a synthesizer, and more than a synthesizer, as well as including drum machines and electronics into what normally would — or could be — very traditional sounding textures.’” McClements plays Apothecary, 39 S. Market St., with Holy Holy Vine. 9 p.m. $5.

Sunday, Sept. 22

• From a webpage for the event, “… The second annual Dog Day Afternoon festival will take place at the East Green of Carrier Park in West Asheville to celebrate all things canine and support local dog rescue organizations. Asheville’s most prominent animal rescue organizations, the Asheville Humane Society and Brother Wolf, will be in attendance and will benefit from different parts of the festival. Each rescue group will have large adoption areas showcasing dogs in hopes of matching these would-be pets with a loving foster or forever home. The event will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a dog-friendly fun run around Carrier Park and will continue until 4 p.m. with live music from the 96.5 House Band and dog contests, including a Weiner Dog Race, Best Bark, Best Pet Trick and the Fastest Dog in Asheville. Get your dog camera ready at the WNC Pet Spa Pretty Pooch Grooming Station before sitting pretty in the Flying Dogs Photography Photo Booth. Need to get your dog microchipped? Take advantage of discounted microchipping from Haw Creek Animal Hospital. In addition to fun and games with your furry best friend, enjoy the walking trails around lush Carrier Park, craft beer from Lexington Avenue Brewery and wine from The Wine Guy. Satisfy your taste buds with food from Farm to Fender food truck, Eddies Dog House, Cecelia’s Kitchen, The Hop Ice Cream and Sweet Treats! The YMCA Kids Fun Zone will feature a bounce house, face painting and other family friendly outdoor activities.” $10 run/$5 per contest.