Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. String Cheese Incident plays "Independence Incidents" at the U.S. Cellular Center.

It's no incident: The String Cheeses are coming. For the first two nights of July, at the U.S. Cellular Center's arena, the psychedelic funk/bluegrass jam-band will rock out the summer in Asheville. Originating in Colorado's Rocky Mountains in 1993, SCI has since released 10 albums, 6 DVDs and countless live recordings from the band's 20 year history — packed full of surreal experiences. While the band has been around for more than two decades, its vehemently stuck to its independent status, deciding to make music by the members' own terms rather than a label's. The rule-breaking Rocky Mountain jammers will perform at 8 p.m. on July 1 and July 2. For tickets ($50 a piece) or more information, head to uscellularcenterasheville.com.

2. Downtown Asheville's Independence Day spectacular.

From noon to 10 p.m. July 4, the Asheville Downtown Association will host the Ingles Independence Day Celebration in Pack Square Park. The free event features music, food and family activities and ends with a fireworks extravaganza at 9:30 p.m. An Asheville favorite, the Ultimate Air Dogs, will be returning to the event, with competitions at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For the kids, there will be a bounce house, the Splashville fountain and other activities provided by the LEAF Community Arts' Easel Rider from 2-6 p.m. Stage entertainment for the evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with local singer-songwriter Savannah Smith. After Smith's set, Drivin' N Cryin's lead singer Kevn Kinney takes the stage, and headlining outlaw country act Nikki Lane will begin her performance at 8 p.m. Beer and wine will be available, along with a large selection of food vendors, including Appalachian Smoke BBQ, Avery's Hot Dogs, El Kimchi, Gypsy Queen Cuisine, The Hop, Sunshine Sammies and others. No outside alcohol or pets are permitted. A wristband for kids' activities can be purchased for $3, allowing them to jump and race as many times as they'd like.

3. A very 'Merican Fourth of July at Crow & Quill.

For a less-than-family-friendly affair, the Crow & Quill will be celebrating all that's hilarious about America — bald eagles, cheeseburgers and Hulk Hogan 'staches galore. The Facebook event page for the party includes an artistic rendering of Ronald Reagan firing a machine gun atop a velociraptor, who is holding a tattered American flag. Need we say more? Trashy costumes, garbage food and bad fake tans are welcome at the bar, located at 106 N. Lexington Ave., while guests poke fun at everything stereotypically 'Merican. A burlesque performance by Babe Ruthless and Tristin Spits Vitriol will round out the classy evening. The party starts at 7 p.m. July 4.

4. Dawes headlines Pisgah Brewing Company.

Exciting things are happening in July and August at Pisgah Brewing Company, the first of which being a July 6 performance by indie Americana bands Dawes and The Lone Bellow. The two bands represent a joining of the coasts: Dawes from Los Angeles and The Lone Bellow from Brooklyn. But the two will converge in the Appalachian Mountains for an evening of outdoor tunes and brews at the Black Mountain venue. Tickets are available at pisgahbrewing.com for $25 in advance, $30 the day of the show — with special $55 VIP tickets also available. The show starts at 8 p.m.

5. The Coathangers meet The Mothlight.

On July 7, The Mothlight's lineup is all about punk rock. Out of Atlanta, The Coathangers are the act of the evening, playing off their new album "Nosebleed Weekend," which was praised as the group's best album yet by NPR's All Songs Considered. Next up on the lineup is L.A. Witch, another punky all-female band packing a psychedelic punch. Last but not least (and, actually, likely first up on stage) is Charlotte's Paint Fumes, which describes itself on Facebook as panic attack punk. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts an hour later, and tickets are $10 in advance at themothlight.com or $12 at the door. Come prepared for punk.