Here’s a quick look at what’s happening this weekend, with a special focus on Monday’s solar eclipse. For detailed information, check out WNC magazine’s special solar eclipse website, which is chock full of great info.
Friday
–Downtown After 5, beginning at 5 p.m. on North Lexington Avenue, music by the Cedric Burnside Project, with openers Lyric and The Stump Mutts of Asheville.
–Doughnut Ice Cream Sandwich Night at The Hop Ice Creamery
Saturday
–River Valley Blues Festival, Saturday and Sunday at The Salvage Station: The event includes two days of music, food, brews, vendors and more. Artists scheduled to appear include The Dirty Badgers featuring Duane “Catfish” Frye, The Zuzu Welsh Band, The Paper Crowns, Ashley Heath, Roots & Dore, Virginia and The Slims, and Moses Jones, and two national headlining acts – Saturday night, Grammy-nominated Janiva Magness, and Sunday evening, the 2010 International Blues Challenge winner Grady Champion. Tickets will be $25 for either day individually, or $40 for the weekend.
Sunday
–The Great American Jerk Off, 4-7 p.m. at Ole Shakey’s on Riverside Drive. This is a contest to taste and determine the best jerky in the land. The event also includes live music and drink specials.
Monday
Monday is the day for the total solar eclipse. The weather is expected to be mostly clear for viewing across Western North Carolina. The path of totality will cut through small Western North Carolina towns such as Sylva, Bryson City and Andrews, with folks in Asheville able to see a 99 percent eclipse. The effects of the eclipse will be visible between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., with WNC areas in the path of totality seeing the full effect around 2:30 p.m. Check out the video for a few tips.
Here are a few events from the WNC magazine eclipse website:
-In conjunction with UNC Asheville, the Asheville Museum of Science, and Asheville City Schools, the city of Asheville will host a viewing celebration from noon-3 p.m. on Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park. Enjoy food, fellowship, free eclipse glasses, and a welcome- back celebration for city students.
-In Brevard, head to Brevard Music Center’s 180-acre campus for a weekend of eclipse entertainment starting with a live performance by Lyle Lovett on Friday, movie showings of Apollo 13 and 2001: A Space Odyssey on Saturday and Sunday, and a Total Eclipse of the Sun BMC fund-raiser on Monday, which will include local barbecue and live music. VIP parking will be included with any ticketed event and eclipse-viewing space is limited. Brevard Music Center, 349 Andante Ln.; Friday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, 8:30 p.m., Monday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Lyle Lovett concert tickets start at $25, movie showings $16, $20 reserved seating, eclipse day fund-raiser $100; (828) 862-2147.
-In Bryson City, await the eclipse with live performances while browsing the many shops and restaurants in downtown Bryson City. RR Depot, 226 Everett St.; Monday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; free; (828) 488-3681.
-In Cherokee, experience “Nvdo walosi ugisgo,” the Cherokee term for eclipse that means “when the frog eats the sun” during this two-day celebration. A concert by The Warriors of AniKituhwa, plus storytellers and craft demonstrations commemorate the eclipse’s cultural significance to the ancient Cherokee. Food vendors will be on hand, and the Museum of the Cherokee Indian will host educational activities. Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, 545 Tsali Blvd.; Sunday, 2-9 p.m., Monday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; free with a $5 purchase of eyeglasses; (828) 788-0034