Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. Matt Townsend releases "The Drifter & The Dream."

Local folk-rock musician Matt Townsend and his band are releasing "The Drifter & The Dream" on Nov. 11 at The Mothlight. Townsend, whose sound is a bit like Bob Dylan-meets-Neil Young, has been living and performing in Asheville for just more than three years — and, recently, he's started his own record label, Eternal Minds Records, to highlight some of his other favorite local musicians and help get their music out to the world. Recently featured on the Asheville Symphony Orchestra's "Sessions" collaboration album, Townsend is making a name for himself in our mountain home. The show starts at 9 p.m. Nov. 11 and is opened by another local songwriter, Ten Cent Poetry. Tickets are $7 online at themothlight.com and $10 at the door.

2. Asheville Museum of Science soft-opens in its new location.

Following a ribbon cutting and big check ceremony from Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, the Asheville Museum of Science will be officially introduced to the heart of downtown Asheville, under its new name and in its new location. The ceremony will begin at noon Nov. 11, and then visitors are invited to explore the museum’s new exhibits, which includes regional geography, a replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover, a Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton, an exhibit demonstrating the strong winds on Mount Mitchell, an immersive panoramic solar system visualization and a new expansive gift shop. Exhibit installation will continue through the new year. Admission prices will be half price, or $4, until the grand opening in January. The museum is at 43 Patton Ave. in downtown Asheville.

3. Nobel prize-winner Bob Dylan plays the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.

Fresh from his Nobel prize win in October, Bob Dylan will be stopping by the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville for a show that's sure to have Dylan fans on the edges of their seats. See Mr. Tambourine Man himself at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 downtown. Tickets to see the folk legend start at $59.50 and max out at $127.50. For more information or to purchase tickets, head to uscellularcenterasheville.com or ticketmaster.com.

4. Grovewood Gallery showcases handmade cups.

"Vessels of Merriment" is back for another round at the Grovewood Gallery on Nov. 12. This event is celebrating its second run, celebrating the artistic creation of handmade drinking vessels from 3-6 p.m. This invitational exhibition will showcase everything from beer steins and growlers to porcelain sake sets and decorative moonshine jugs. During the opening reception, which is free and open to the public, viewers will have the opportunity to meet some of the participating artists and enjoy wine and local craft beer. This exhibition will remain on view through Dec. 31. To learn more about the exhibit, visit grovewood.com or call 253-7651.

5. Mavis Staples headlines Orange Peel in MountainTrue benefit.

On Sunday, environmental nonprofit MountainTrue will welcome R&B/gospel legend Mavis Staples to Asheville for a concert benefiting the French Broad River. The show, which starts 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, is at the Orange Peel downtown. One hundred percent of the proceeds go toward the work of MountainTrue's French Broad Riverkeeper program. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale at The Orange Peels box office and at theorangepeel.net. For more information, check out the story here.