This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Aug. 12
• The Stray Dog Trio  is not (as its profile image suggests) a canine endeavor. Instead, it’s the blues band of guitarist Ty Nemecek, bassist Glenn Reed and percussionist Dylan G. Suter. They take the stage at French Broad Brewery Tasting Room (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222). 6 p.m., tips.

• Temp 25 One Night Only Art Show presents the work of rin Fussell, Emily Baker, Sarah Cavalieri, Ursula Gullow, Courtney Chappell, Alli Good, Sarah Danforth, Steve Spurgeon, Katie Johnson, Leila Amiri, Daniel Abide, Anna Thompson, Andy Herod, Megan McCissick, Virginia Aberle, Marin Mitchell, Butch, Luke and musical installation by Ross Gentry! The invite for the event says, “Theme is ‘touchable’ so please come ready to use your hands, eyes, ears, noses, and every other aspect of your body you see fit to interact with the art.” 7 p.m.

• “I believe that in song we can bring alive the very real textures and colors of life. Aspects and emotional pictures that are, more often than not, most accessible through creative expression,” says Americana musician Alex Krug. She plays French Broad Chocolate Lounge (10 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 252-4181). 8 p.m., tips.

Friday, Aug. 13
• A Benefit for Life O’ Mike takes place at the Downtown Market Asheville (45 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville) with wine and cheese, raffles (tickets are $2, prizes include a painting by Jonas Gerard, private spa pass for two from Shoji, handcrafted jewelry, scarves, hats more. 4-7 p.m.

• French Broad Fridays returns to MAD (Marshall Arts District) in downtown Marshall. Says the blog site, “French Broad Fridays are held the 2nd Friday of each month from June – September in historic downtown Marshall, NC. Join us for our monthly town celebration. Open stores, studios and galleries. Music, dining and more.” The theme for August is “Dog Daze.” 5-9 p.m.

• Indie-rockers Broomstars get the weekend started at Highland Brewing Company (12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville). Music, games, beer, food and lots of grass to hang out with family and friends. Pretty musch the perfect end to a long week. 6 p.m., tips.

• Asheville’s The Archrivals ready for another musical smack down: This time against The Ocean with Sean Mason on drums, Ryan Reardon on bass and Matt Williams on guitar. Mended Heart Records has captured the entire match in a comic series. The drama unfolds here The winner will be determined at the Lab (39 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 252-0212). 10 p.m., $5.

Saturday, Aug. 14
• Black Mountain’s Sourwood Festival returns with a weekend’s worth of alcohol-free fun. (No, that’s not an oxymoron.) Arts, crafts, food, games, music, dancing, vendors, kids’ entertainment, cotton candy and more.  9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday.

• Bluegrass outfit BlueBilly Grit claims humble beginnings: “starting off as family and friends pickin’ in the living room for fun. Realizing that the music being made wanted to be heard, the band moved to the porch and hasn’t looked back since.” The leave the porch for the stage at Feed and Seed (3715 Hendersonville Rd., Fletcher, 216-3492). 7 p.m., free.

• The Rose Familiar calls itself “Marshall’s prog rock troubadours.” The band will be at Good Stuff (133 South Main St., Marshall). 8 p.m., free.