• Mountain Dance and Folk Festival | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7-10 p.m. | UNCA Lipinsky Auditorium, 300 Library Ln., Asheville | $5-$25 | Celebrate Southern Appalachian heritage and culture with bluegrass, storytelling, dancing, and more.
• Bat Boy: The Musical | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St., Asheville | $18-$35 | It’s your last weekend to catch this musical that follows the story of a half boy, half bat creature.
• 4th Annual One Act Play Festival | Friday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 13 | Times vary | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $25 | An incredible lineup of local directors will present their short plays around the theme of home.

• Uncommon Market Summer Extravaganza | Saturday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Dr., Asheville | Free | Shop antiques, art, vintage decor + clothes, jewelry, plants, candles, and more.
• Paper Making and Book Binding with Alyssa Sacora | Saturday, Aug. 5-Sunday, Aug. 6 | 1-4 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S. Pack Square, Asheville | $25-$110 | Take your love of books to the next level with this two-day workshop.
• Silent Disco: Madonna v. Britney | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 9-11:30 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | $5 | Two pop queens go head to head during this disco party (that the neighbors won’t mind).

• Tiny Tykes Triathlon | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 9 a.m. | Pack Square Park, 80 Court Plz., Asheville | $10-$12 | Let the little ones loose during this special race for kids 3-6 years old.
• Daytime Disco Sundays | Sunday, Aug. 6-Sunday, Aug. 27 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Taco Boy, 521 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Disco grooves, margaritas, and more at this inaugural event happening every Sunday in August.
• BIPOC Farmers Market | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 12-3 p.m. | Southside Community Farm, 133 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Support local BIPOC vendors, and get your fill of fresh fruits and veggies.

• AVLFest is on everyone’s mind this weekend. But if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by a huge schedule of shows, venues across the city, shuttles, wristbands, and crowds — we put together something short and sweet to help you get a handle on the basics. We’ll see you there.

• Fishbrains, Asheville’s first inline and roller skate shop, is celebrating their grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 12 to 6 p.m. Stop by for delicious food, music, and plenty of skating. And if you need an activity for the rest of your weekend, the shop offers skate rentals. Time to hit the pavement.

• Experience thousands of vibrant blooms during Carolina Flowers’ annual Farm Day on Saturday, Aug. 5. Snag your ticket and your time slot for a self-guided tour that starts at the flower shop (62 S. Main St., Marshall). Even if you don’t tour the farm, stop by the shop for a special studio sale.

Why go?

• Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art, filled with contemporary, American, and East Asian art, plus run up the famous Rocky steps outside + pose with the Rocky statue.

Act like a local:

• Food: Must-try local specialties include water ice, cheesesteaks, and if you’re really trying to act like a local, a late-night Wawa run. Bonus: Splurge on the most upscale cheesesteak known to man with Barclay Prime’s $140 Wagyu ribeye cheesesteak.

Where to stay:

• Vrbo: Center City/Rittenhouse Square apartment with a walk score of 100 (~$201/night)

• Ditch the hangover without having to ditch your favorite cocktail with Ritual Zero Proof’s award-winning non-alcoholic spirits. Bonus: Get free shipping on two or more bottles.

• Never overpay for flights again when you sign up for a free Going account. You’ll get emails when flights are amazingly cheap — like a $155 roundtrip to Hawaii.

• Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.