This weekend on a shoestring

Thursday, May 31

• Join flutist Kate Steinbeck, violinist Amy Lovinger and pianist Kimberly Cann as the trio prepares for a series of upcoming Pan Harmonia performances with a free, open rehearsal at UNCA’s Reuter Center. Noon-3 p.m. More info here or at 251-6140.

• ”Hurray for the Riff Raff is Alynda Lee Segarra, a 25-year-old Puerto Rican from the Bronx,” begins the band’s bio. “After leaving home at an early age to travel the country, she eventually settled in New Orleans where she began to perform and record with a revolving cast of musicians. … In 2011, the UK record label Loose Music released Hurray for the Riff Raff, an album that collected the best songs from [previous] records. The Times of London named Hurray for the Riff Raff one of the Top 10 Albums of 2011. Phil Alexander, Editor-in-Chief of Mojo magazine, raved that they “have immense potential and seductive power” and named them second best band at SXSW 2011. … Back in the States, Alynda met up with a young honky-tonk band called the Tumbleweeds, just as she began to expand her musical palette to include rock ‘n’ roll, pop and soul. In the tradition of Bob Dylan with The Band and Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Alynda recruited the Tumbleweeds to be her touring band, drastically altering the sound of Hurray for the Riff Raff.” Catch Segarra and Co. when the band performs at The Get Down, 1045 Haywood Road. Spirit Family Reunion and The Broken Wing Routine open. 9 p.m. $5.

• From Cobra Horse‘s bio, “The beat of America is more than a musical experience. It finds its pulse and rhythms in the very life of the country: the crack of a bat against a baseball, the spinning wheels and pounding machinery of a modern factory, a swinging crowd in New Orleans at Mardi Gras, a saddle bronc twisting desperately against his rider, a young girl walking. Add the shimmering lights of Times Square, State Street and the Las Vegas strip, the rhythmic churning of a Mississippi paddlewheel, and a man in love with a woman. All these form a small part of the American beat — and the American beat itself merely reflects the life of people from any and everywhere. The tempo of life — as varied and moody, sad and capricious, driving and smooth as the tempo of Cobra Horse. Listen to the beat of people alive — listen to the beat of Cobra Horse.” The band plays The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., with The Critters. 8 p.m. $7.

Friday, June 1

• The town of Marshall kicks off its annual Mermaids in Marshall celebration with a parade of mermaids, mermen and nymphs, live music, local food, children’s activities and open artist studios. Performers include Sarah Tucker, Pleasure Chest and Shake it Like a Caveman. Free. 5-11 p.m. in downtown Marshall.

• ZaPow Illustrative Art Gallery, 21 Battery Park Ave., Suite 101, hosts an opening party for its latest exhibit, Urban, “a show of work by Jenny Schultz as featured in New American Paintings. There will also be a group show featuring ZaPow artists riffing on the same theme.” The reception will include live music by Granpappy and the Bruthaship and complimentary beer from French Broad Brewery. 7-9 p.m. 

• Local Americana and folk outfit Letters to Abigail will mark the official release of its latest, locally-produced music video (which features Steep Canyon Rangers fiddler Nicky Sanders) with a screening party at Black Bear Coffee Shop, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville. The free event will include a champagne toast. 7 p.m.

• Asheville’s favorite indie rock/surf/low-fi/you-name-it outfit, Floating Action, brings its eclectic and effortless tunes to Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave., for an intimate downtown performance with If You Wannas’ Ryan Barrington Cox and Curtains. 8 p.m. $7.

Saturday, June 2

• From a press release, “Take a bicycle tour of Asheville’s urban neighborhoods and visit homes that feature green building and energy conservation construction methods. The tour will feature 6-7 properties that offer a variety of energy conservation techniques and green building principles. The tour will also provide information on energy efficiency upgrades and methods that can be applied to existing homes. Green building professionals will be available at select properties to answer questions and an experienced cyclist will be your guide and provide information on current and developing infrastructure improvements taking place in core areas of the city. The tour is free, and food and refreshments will be provided at the end by Doc Chey’s and Pisgah Brewing.” Tour departs from Mosaic Realty, 797 Haywood Road, at noon. Register here.

• Learn about the benefits of feeding dogs and cats a raw diet and how to safely prepare food at this free course presented by Patton Avenue Pet Company, 1388 Patton Ave. The class will cover basic nutrition and what ingredients are necessary for a balanced diet. Program includes a “doggy bag” of food. 1 p.m.

• According to the band’s bio, “Cusses is a three-piece weirdo rock band consisting of a conjoint, raw, forceful drummer named Brian Lackey, an insane vocal box named Angel Bond and a gargantuan wave of guitar known as Bryan Harder. With a new lease on the vast world of music, the three set out to put a burn, rather than a mark, in an endless music community. They hope to become a home grown affair for the Savannah borough, and then anyone else that follows. The band looks forward to thrive in the live front, so please join them in a defiant release of optimism.” The animated hard rock trio plays The LAB, 39 N. Lexington Ave., with Octopus Jones and Moonlight Bride. 10 p.m. $5.