Asheville Playback Theatre
Taking its material directly from its audience's personal experiences, Asheville Playback Theatre performs personal, improvisational shows. Four upcoming themed performances called Life Stage — Friday-Sunday, Jan. 7-9 —include a children's show (Saturday at 2 p.m.) and an all-women's show (Sunday at 2 p.m.). The 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday shows feature singer/songwriter Danny Ellis, whose "eclectic music paints a rich emotional landscape with songs that elegantly straddle the borders of his Irish roots and the pop and rock that buoyed him as he grew up." N.C. Stage Company. $10 adults, $5 students. ashevilleplayback.org.
New Times Three
Every year at this time, Blue Spiral 1 rolls out its diverse New Times Three exhibition, introducing "artists who have never before exhibited at the gallery." This year's show includes Catharine Brown (clay and glass sculpture), Jeffrey Lloyd Dever (polymer clay sculpture), Andy Farkas (printmaking), Drew Galloway (painting on metal), Lilian Garcia-Roig (printing), Mia Hall (wood and mixed media), Ric Standridge and Thomas Sully (both painters). Also don’t miss the Southeastern Emerging Clay Artists exhibit in the Showcase Gallery. Through March 26, opening reception Thursday, Jan. 6, 5-8 p.m. bluespiral1.com.
Aerial Space winter student showcase
Looking for a new hobby — something more daring, more spectacular, more gravity defying than, say, latch hook? Here's your chance to check out aerial movement (trapeze, lyra, silks, aerial dance, aerial yoga) without actually leaving terra firma. Aerial Space (46 New Leicester Hwy) hosts its Winter Student Showcase and One Year Anniversary Party on Saturday, Jan. 8, 1-5 p.m. (showcase) and 5-7 p.m. (party). $5-$10 donation, proceeds benefit Insurance Fund 2011 for Aerial Space. aerialspace.org.
