Alfresco Entertainment

Summer evenings in the mountains provide the perfect atmosphere to take in music and theater under the stars. Mark your calendar for these outdoor performance series.

RiverLINK RiverMUSIC
This summer-long music series sounds amazing: Beer from New Belgium Brewery, hanging out by the French Broad River, and the chance to volunteer with RiverLINK, (a local, nonprofit organization that is working to revitalize the French Broad River). Perhaps the coolest part of the event is that your transportation to the music can be pulling onto shore from your kayak or canoe, or bicycling to Riverside Drive where a bike corral will be free to store your ride while you groove to live music. Officially named RiverLink's RiverMUSIC Presented by New Belgium Brewing, the series consists of five concerts that begin at 5 p.m. at RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 117 Riverside Dr. The lineup includes:

Friday June 29: From Brooklyn, NY, the 10-piece styling of Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, with special guests The Krektones and Mad Tea Party

Friday July 13: Bluegrass on the river with Sanctum Sully and special guests Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils

Friday August 3: An evening with The 42nd Street Jazz Band

Friday August 24: Sirius B. with special guests The Blood Gyspies

Friday September 14: purveyors of the funk Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band with special guests The Fritz

http://www.riverlink.org/

Summer Concert Series in Sylva
This free, family friendly event at Bridge Park Pavilion beside Scott Creek in downtown Sylva happens Fridays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Music ranges from bluegrass, beach, and mountain rock to oldies, country, gospel, and disco beats from the 1970s. The complete 10-week schedule includes: Sundown (May 25), Vinyl Brothers Big Band (June 1), Rafe Hollister (June 8), Balsam Range (June 15), Mountain Faith (June 22), Buchanan Boys (June 29), Johnny Webb Band (July 6), Empty Pockets (July 13), The Elderly Brothers (July 20) and Dashboard Blue (July 27). For info about the concerts, call (800) 962-1911, or go to: www.mountainlovers.com.

Shakespeare in the Park
Asheville’s Shakespearean troupe, The Montford Park Players, present Much Ado About Nothing at  Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre in Asheville's historic Montford neighborhood This play runs from June 1-23 at 7:30 pm. It’s free, but please drop a few dollars in the hat that’s passed around during intermission to keep this tradition of Shakespeare in the Park alive. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs in July, The Merry Wives of Windsor is in August, and Richard II starts at the end of August and closes the summer series September 15. Bring a picnic and wine to make this night fully enjoyable. http://www.montfordparkplayers.org/