All events take place on Friday, Jan. 27.
• Author (and owner of Inner Peace & Wisdom in Asheville) Art Ramsay, PhD returns to Malaprop’s with the second book in his fictional Wisdom Stone Trilogy, The Tibetan Wisdom Code. 7 p.m., free.
• Pecha Kucha, Japanese for “chit chat”, is kind of like a speed dating session. Only for ideas. It was actually invented in 2003 by Tokyo-based architects Mark Dytham and Astrid Klein (he’s British, she’s Italian) and this is how it works, according to Wired Magazine: Creative types present “exactly 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each. That’s it. Say what you need to say in six minutes and 40 seconds of exquisitely matched words and images and then sit the hell down.” The fifth installment of Pecha Kucha Night Asheville takes place at the Phil Mechanics Studio. A list of presenters has been established; there will be food and drink for all. 7 p.m., $7. Info: 713-1169 or here.
• Fiddler extraordinaire Casey Driessen concert with local world music super group Free Planet Radio. According to a press release, “With suburb rhythms and grooves coupled with being masters at improvisation, Free Planet Radio and Casey will surely ignite the audience with a unique and unforgettable performance.” At Jubilee, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are available at Malaprops or at the door. Reservations: 225-3232.
• Singer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Jones has revamped his rock project, Rooster Scratch with a full band (Dave Brown on drums, Joe Patteson on guitar and vocals and Jay Mattox on bass) and a new album, Stereo. Rooster Scratch plays a CD release show at Firestorm Cafe at 8 p.m.
• According to a press release, The Winter Sounds from Nashville are “super awesome, they tour their butts off, and they’re coming back to Asheville.” And this, from the band’s bio: “Known for their frenetic live performances, the band blended the danceable post-punk of pioneers like Gang of Four with more contemporary electro-pop to forge their own unique sound.” They play the Emerald Lounge at 9 p.m. $5.
