Finer fare

Rooftop views

Low-key locations

Bars and breweries

• July 4th Plus One | Friday, July 5 | 4 p.m. | Sorrells Park, 69 Sorrells St., Canton | Free | Bring your holiday spirit as Canton extends the festivities with another afternoon of games, food, drinks, and fireworks at dusk.
• Summer Skate Series | Friday, July 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville | $0-$3 | Show off your skating skills and jam to the music — rental skates are available.
• Southside Block Party | Friday, July 5 | 6-9 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | Gather with friends and neighbors for a night of music from DJ Audio, food, and family fun.

• Tie-Dye | Saturday, July 6 | 1-3 p.m. | White Labs Brewing Company, 172 S. Charlotte St., Asheville | $30 | Spend some time in the sun, and brighten up your summer wardrobe by tie-dying a White Labs T-shirt.
• What’s Shaking? Music & Dance Party | Saturday, July 6 | 3-4 p.m. | Sweeten Creek Brewing, 1127 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Let the little ones dance, play, and jam out to Mr. Ryan’s original poems, songs, and classic covers.
• Folk Dances | Saturday, July 6 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Kittredge Theatre, 701 Warren Wilson Rd., Swannanoa | $15-$30 | Savor the beauty of traditional songs during the Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas’ season opener.

• Parental Advisory Drag Brunch | Sunday, July 7 | 12-3 p.m. | Scandals Nightclub, 11 Grove St., Asheville | $10-$35 | Watch all the glitz, glamour, and high-energy fun without the filters — the show is 18+.
• Scott Eason | Sunday, July 7 | 6:30 p.m. | Catawba Brewing Company South Slope, 32 Banks Ave., Asheville | $15-$18 | Settle in for laughs from the comedy festival regular and host of the “Going All The Way” podcast.

• Why Vegan? | Monday, July 8 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave., Asheville | Free | Explore the world of veganism during a group discussion on the lifestyle, benefits, and how to make it work for you.

• Following the Buncombe County School Board’s approval of a new electoral map, school board voting districts have changed and new cards will be mailed on Monday, July 8. Voters will now choose from two candidates on their ballot — one to represent their district and one candidate for the whole county.

• We’ve got some delicious news for Neng Jr.'s reservations. To celebrate its second anniversary, the West Asheville restaurant is open for walk-in and to-go orders only tonight, July 5, 5:30-9:30 p.m. and tomorrow, July 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Then join the team at a book talk on Saturday evening. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

• Your summer schedule is about to be fully booked. Asheville author Dale Neal is set to release two new novels, “Kings of Coweetsee” and “The Woman with the Stone Knife.” The former, a story influenced by Neal’s political reporting at Asheville Citizen-Times, will launch at Citizen Vinyl on Tuesday, July 23.

• The secret’s out. Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain is hosting the Big Secret Family Festival to benefit Bounty & Soul and after school program Delta House. On Sunday, July 21, puppeteers + circus acts from Toybox Theatre, storyteller John Grant, musical performers, and vendors will gather at the festival grounds. Get your tickets.

• This cozy home is a gardener’s dream, featuring a lush half-acre-ish lot, a fenced-in backyard, and a spacious back deck. Located ten minutes from Black Mountain and 15 from Downtown Asheville, it’s the perfect balance of private + convenient. See all 20+ photos.*

• What happens when your local furniture store needs to make room for new inventory? They throw one heck of a clearance sale. Stop by Enza Home Furnishings and see the savings for yourself.*