This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, Aug. 26
• Local musician James Richards (sometimes of Night’s Bright Colors) plays Town Pump (135 Cherry St., Black Mountain, 669-4808) with Nashville-based Kyle Richard Albers. 8:30 p.m.

• Pompadour-wearing bluesman Matt Walsh takes the stage at French Broad Brewery Tasting Room (101 Fairview Rd., Asheville, 277-0222). 6 p.m., tips.

Friday, Aug. 27
• Studio 103 Fine Art Gallery (103 West St., Black Mountain, 357-8327) holds an opening reception for local artist Moni Hill from 5-8 p.m. Says Hill, “My work is about bringing together contrasting colors, patterns and ideas. I believe that harmony and beauty can be found when opposites collide.” The exhibit runs through September 22.

• The Montford Park Players continues its summer season with performances by The Asheville Shakesperience. Shows run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 5. At the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre (100 Gay St., Asheville). Donations accepted.

• Teatro Latino de Asheville presents the North American premiere of Sí, pero no lo soy (“a collection of 15 vignettes that question identities, including those imposed by society and those that we demand and accept from society and others. The play features 38 characters, all of which are performed by a cast of five, further illuminating the subjectivity of identities and the inner struggle of singular and multiple selves”) by Spanish playwright Alfredo Sanzol as the opening production of North Carolina Stage Company’s 2010-2011 Catalyst Series. The show will runs through Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. $5 for students.

• New York’s Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra returns to Asheville — MoDaddy’s (77 Biltmore Ave., Asheville) to be exact — just a quick month after their Bele Chere performance. “Bele Chere just made us want more!!” says the band. With two exclamation points. 9 p.m., $5.

Saturday, Aug. 28
• Blue Ridge Books (152 South Main St., Waynesville, 456-6000) hosts a reading and book signing for the new anthology Echoes Across the Blue Ridge. “The anthology includes a variety of stories, essays, and poems by writers living in and inspired by the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The list of authors includes Kathryn Stripling Byer, Gary Carden, Thomas Rain Crowe, and many others.” 1-2:30 p.m.

• Local singer/songwriter Mark Appleford plays a weekly gig at Athena’s Club (14 College St., Asheville, 252-2456). 8-10 p.m.

• Head over to Fred’s Parkside Pub & Grill (122 College St., Asheville, 281-0920 ) for rock duo Broken Lilacs (pictured; they happen to have super-weird/cute band t-shirts, by the way) and rockers 40 Furies. 9 p.m.

• On Saturday, August 28th, Lexington Avenue Brewery host — according to an email — “the warbly goodness of two local indie-rock bands, If You Wannas and Hello Hugo (pictured). Hello Hugo is a relatively young band on the Asheville scene.  Their instrumental ambiance meanders through keys and time signatures, building intensity and drawing comparisons to Do Say Make Think and the Books. Arrangements feature analog synths and spooky guitar runs. If You Wannas will be playing selections from their upcoming album, Electric Toaster and the Battle Axe.  Sugary chaos caught on a four-minute fishing pole with guest multi-instrumentalist Michael Libramento. Not to be missed.” 9:30 p.m., $5.