Hayley Benton

hbenton@citizen-times.com

1. Frankie Cosmos lights up The Mothlight.

Indie-folk artist and singer-songwriter Greta Kline is better known, these days, by her stage name Frankie Cosmos — and her latest album, "Next Thing" released April 1, has been praised by the critics, including those at Pitchfork Media. Cosmos plays The Mothlight at 9:30 p.m. July 29 with Warehouse and Aunt Sis, and the venue advises anyone interested to act fast: Tickets to the show are dwindling. Tickets are $15 at the door and $13 in advance at themothlight.com.



2. Hillbilly Jam celebrates Appalachia.

For two days this weekend, the festival formerly known as Hillbilly Woodstock will jam out at Maggie Valley's festival grounds — a true celebration of everything Appalachia. Held in Maggie Valley on June 29 and 30, Hillbilly Jam features local, regional and national acts like Raymond Fairchild, All My Rowdy Friends, Neon Truckers and Joe Lasher Jr. Music is just one of the many attractions at the jam, which also features crafts, food and other entertainment. The festival opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. both days — and admission is $10 per day, per person.

3. LEAF branches out in downtown Asheville.

From July 30 to 31, LEAF will take over the streets of downtown Asheville. This year's theme, “Soultown,” brings in the very best of soul, funk, R&B and world music. And it's all for free! Across three stages, local regional and national talent will perform for festival-goers as they sample from the 80-plus local culinary and crafts vendors curated by Asheville Grown. Streetside performances will entertain guests away from the stage, and dozens of family adventures and activities will be available. Before the fest even starts, don't miss out on the official pre-party at New Mountain with psychedelic band Papadosio, 6:30 p.m. July 29. For more information on LEAF and its lineup, head to theleaf.org/downtown.

4. Feast to the Beat and Jam in the Van.

This road-tripping tour of feasts and jams will stop by Asheville for a two-night soiree: the first, a ticketed event at Highland Brewing Company and the second, a free show, lunch and jam at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in East-ish Asheville. At 7 p.m. Aug. 4, Balsam Range will headline the stage at Highland in support of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership and the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina. Standing tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day-of-show, and seated tickets are $20 or $23 day-of. Tickets can be purchased at highlandbrewing.com. The next day, Aug. 5, the free show on the parkway starts at 10 a.m. (ending at 4 p.m.) and features five bands, including The Broadcast and The Fritz, all recording live from a solar-powered mobile studio. Local chefs Ally Phillips and Arlene Cotler will be serving up dishes between sets.

5. Mountain Folk Fest begins at the Diana Wortham Theatre.

Like Shindig on the Green? Well here's how you can support the free, downtown summer music series: Attend the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival on Aug. 4, 5 and/or 6. Each year in the middle of Shindig's season, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival comes to celebrate another year in the mountains. In 2016, performers will take to the stage for the 89th time at Diana Wortham Theatre. The nation’s longest running folk festival features a different show each night, showcasing the best of the region’s old-time and bluegrass musicians, big circle mountain dancers, cloggers, mountain string bands and ballad singers. The three-day event begins just before 7 p.m. each night, and tickets cost $22 for adults and $12 for children. Head to folkheritage.org for more information or dwtheatre.com for tickets.