Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. Underhill Rose records new album live at the Altamont Theater.

Fans of the soaring harmonies, charming personalities, and infectious songwriting of all-female “heartfelt country soul” trio Underhill Rose will enjoy a special treat this fall, as the group is recording a new album — with a twist. The set will be completely captured live at both a Sept. 16 show in Asheville, at the Altamont Theatre, and a show over in Lexington, North Carolina the next night. The band will perform alternative takes on favorite songs from the trio’s repertoire.

"The band can't wait to showcase the songs as we play them in a live setting,” said guitarist Molly Rose Reed. “You will hear more stripped-down versions of the songs than on our studio albums, making way for the nuanced vocal harmonies."

In Asheville, the evening will include two performances, one at 7 p.m. and the other at 9:30 p.m. at the Altamont Theatre. Tickets are $10 in advance at thealtamonttheatre.org. The finalized album, with Friday night's recording, is expected to be released in 2017.

2. Catch this summer's final Downtown After 5 with Cracker and his crumbs.

For nearly 25 years, Cracker has brought us alt-rock favorites, from oldies like "Euro-Trash Girl" to new songs like "Almond Grove." And now, they'll be playing on the outdoor stage where North Lexington Avenue meets Broadway at the last Downtown After 5 of the year. Summer is just about over, folks, and it's going out with a bang. Opening up the set that evening is Asheville's own Dirty Badgers, who call their style "the sweet spot where hard mountain blues meets old school CBGBs punk." Downtown After 5 takes over the street for the evening, lining the streets with local food and drink vendors, like Pisgah Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Hi-Wire and (a lot) more, along with Gypsy Queen Cuisine, Kernel Mike's Kettle Corn, Moe's Original BBQ, Taste & See and others. The event is free to attend, though concert-goers will need to buy a $2 wristband to purchase alcohol. Proceeds from the wristband sales go to September's nonprofit partner, the YMI Cultural Center. The fun begins on Sept. 16 just after — you guessed it! — 5 p.m.

3. Schedule in some rides at the Mountain State Fair.

It only comes once a year, and it's not something you'll want to miss! The North Carolina Mountain State Fair will pack up and leave at 9 p.m. Sept. 18, so get your rides, fried-food-eating and entertainment-watching in now. New this year are the Moto Maniacs, with their high-flying, daredevil motorcycle acrobatics and, on the tamer side, an expanded mountain heritage circle, putting on re-enactments of Appalachia's roots via working moonshine stills and campfire cooking demonstrations. Tickets to enter the fair cost $9 for adults, $5 for seniors 65 and older and $5 for children 6-12, with free admission for kids 5 and younger. Ride ticket sheets contain 12 tickets and are $15 per sheet. For more information or special discount information, click here.

4. Keep calm at Widespread Panic.

They're baaaack, and — don't panic! — there are still tickets available for Widespread Panic's Sept. 17 show. The well-loved jam band's fan base, frequently compared with other top-notch jammers like the Grateful Dead and Phish, will fill up the U.S. Cellular Center's arena at 8 p.m. Tickets are $47.50 each and can be purchased at either the box office at 87 Haywood St. or at uscellularcenterasheville.com. The event doubles as a food drive, so bring your nonperishables!

5. The Americans salute rock 'n' roll at Isis.

The Americans perform original rock 'n' roll with deep roots in traditional American music. They've performed on the Late Show with David Letterman, twice joined Grammy and Oscar winner Ryan Bingham on national tours — and they played the first dance at Reese Witherspoon's wedding. On Sept. 22, the band will be headlining Isis Music Hall in West Asheville for a night of great music and dance. Playing with The Americans that evening is Americana quintet Forlorn Strangers out of Nashville. Tickets are available at isisasheville.com for $10 or at the door the night of the event. The show starts at 8:30 p.m.