Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. Calling all nerds: GeekOut is here.

And we mean that in the very best way, because who isn't a nerd about something or other? GeekOut Asheville, held Aug. 12-13, consists of four separate events: an all-ages promenade and photoshoot, an adults-only Geektastic Burlesque Review, the all-day all-ages convention and festival and the music-filled 18-plus after party later that night. Each year, GeekOut takes on a theme and for 2016, organizers went with technology — robots, circuitry, steampunk, inventive gadgets. Costumes are encouraged (but real weapons of any kind are, for obvious reasons, not permitted). The main day of the festival is Aug. 13 — held at New Mountain, 38. N. French Broad Ave. For more information, check out last week's cover story online at citizen-times.com.

2. Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain.

Welcome to the 39th annual Sourwood Festival in downtown Black Mountain, featuring entertainment for both adults and children. The fun starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 with the Sourwood Idol contest, a free-to-enter, cash prize singing contest (for nonprofessionals) under the big tent at the corner of South Dougherty Street and 100 Sutton Ave. The bulk of the pet/family-friendly festival takes place Aug. 13-14, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. There will be carnival rides, nearly 200 vendors (selling food, nonalcoholic drinks, arts, crafts and more) and music and dance from many local acts. And, of course, there will be gourmet sourwood honey galore, with additional bee demos as well.

3. Anything That Floats down to RiverFest.

Local environmental nonprofit RiverLink's annual party on the French Broad, RiverFest, is the epitome of summer: food trucks, music and beer in the shade of Asheville foliage beside the river. And, depending on how you look at it, the festival is either an after party for the signature event, the Anything That Floats Parade — or the parade is a preparty for the festival. Anything That Floats is a procession of wildly decorated rafts built by the creative minds of Asheville and beyond. The floats launch starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 from Hominy Creek Park, can be viewed floating down the river at Carrier and French Broad River parks and end up at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 144 Riverside Drive, where the festival is held. Participants registered for the event will be eligible to win in these four categories: Most Creative (the most clever and imaginative raft), Green Machine (the best use of recycled and green materials), Funniest (generates the most laughter) and Judge's Choice (the overall best in parade). RiverFest opens its gates at 1 p.m. when the rafts start to arrive, and music begins with Grits & Soul at 2:30 p.m., followed by Sirius.B and Floating action at 5:15 p.m. The party goes until 7 p.m., with refreshments from Sierra Nevada and Highland breweries and food from Chef Daddy, Grateful Roots, Appalachian Chic, Deli Lamma, Belly Up and The Hop.

4. Crimes of the Heart opens at Asheville Community Theatre.

Lenny, Meg and Babe Magrath are three Southern sisters with very different personalities and lives, who have just reunited due to unfortunate circumstances: Babe is out on bail after shooting her husband. "Crimes of the Heart" is warm-hearted and zany comedy, opening Aug. 12 at Asheville Community Theatre and running through Aug. 28. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students and $12 for children and are available online at ashevilletheatre.org, over the phone at 254-1320 or in person at the theater's box office. Opening weekend, adult, senior and student tickets are available for a discounted price of $18.

5. Hi-Wire's first annual Craft Faire.

In Asheville, it's always craft fair season. Whether it's the Big Crafty, Art in the Park, the Flea for Y'all or the Craft Fair of the Southern Appalachians, local residents and visitors are always in for a treat in our little mountain city. Next up on the art fair lineup is the inaugural event of a soon-to-be-annual series: Hi-Wire Brewing's Craft Faire: Celebrating All Things Craft. The event will take place from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 14 at Hi-Wire's Big Top taproom and production facility. The art will be local, as will the beer, and items will include craft, sculpture, jewelry, design and more.