We're heading at light speed straight into July. Are you ready for it? Ease into the new month by celebrating a long holiday weekend. Here's our roundup: Thursday Ben Phan @ Pritchard Park Singer/Songwriter Series 6-8 pm The next installment of this free series in the park features local guitarist and singer Ben Phan. Open to the public; all ages. Thursday-Sunday The 10th Annual Firefly Gathering @ Leicester (featured event of the Weekend Update!) 12 noon Wednesday - 3 pm Sunday The Firefly Gathering celebrates self-sufficiency, DIY culture, homesteading, permaculture, conscious parenting, and more over a weekend of workshops. Camping and community are other big festival focuses. Register and pay on a sliding scale up to the day of the event.  Friday Beats Antique with CloZee @ New Mountain  6:30-11 pm Kick off your weekend properly with the sweet sounds of electronic outfit Beats Antique. French producer CloZee headlines the afterparty. HEX II: A Benefit for Tranzmission Prison Project @ The Mothlight 8 - 11 pm DJ Mallinali, Lamar B, and Durham's DJ Bitchcraft keep the dancefloor hot all night in this benefit for Tranzmission Prison Project. Freaky attire is encouraged. Friday-Sunday Blue Ridge Bal @ various locations 7:30 pm Friday - 11 pm Sunday A weekend-long festival featuring the best in swing bands, dance performances and Balboa workshops, late-night parties, brunches, and more. Locations include the YMI Cultural Center, the BLOCK off Biltmore, and the Mothlight.  The 6th Annual Percussion Festival @ Odyssey Community School and Diana Wortham Theatre 6 pm Friday - 2 pm Sunday The beat comes alive at this weekend-long festival, with a Saturday night performance from instructors and organizers at Diana Wortham Theatre. Pricing varies, with many free events, workshops, and concerts.  Saturday 29th Anniversary Party and Art Exhibit Opening @ Downtown Books and News 6-8 pm Happy birthday to our favorite used bookstore! Downtown Books and News celebrates another year's turning with the a mixed media exhibit featuring owner and local Asheville mover and shaker Emöke B'Racz (also the owner of Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe) and member of the B'Racz family. The exhibit will run through July 31.  Asheville City vs Carolina United Soccer Match @ Memorial Stadium 7:30 - 10 pm If you haven't been to one of the Asheville City Soccer Club's matches yet, come and see what you've been missing. If you're already in the know, you'll be there anyway as they face off Carolina United. Red, White, and Too Many Zooz @ Asheville Music Hall 9 pm - midnight The only thing better than the fact that Too Many Zooz is playing is the fact that local electronic duo Bombassic is opening for them. Go early and get your party on. Sunday Flag of US @ the BLOCK off Biltmore 5:30-8:30 pm The BLOCK off Biltmore celebrates 4th of July weekend through this interactive performance. Participants will arrive, eat, and mingle, and then will paint the flag with each other's faces. The ideas is to create a "flag of us" in this family-friendly activity that's all about inclusion and creative expression. The completed flag will be displayed at the BLOCK. $1-$10 sliding scale cover charge, vegan food and other refreshments available for purchase. Conquest of Canaan: Silent Sunday @ Grail Moviehouse 7-10 pm Catch the lost Asheville classic at the Grail with an introduction and Q&A from film historian Frank Thompson, with live piano accompaniment from Andrew Fletcher.  4th of July July 4th Lake Julian Action @ Lake Julian 12 - 8 pm Join local organizers Clare Hanrahan and Coleman Smith to stand against Duke Power and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on the shores of Lake Julian in South Asheville in this peaceful, nonviolent action. Other related events are happening throughout the weekend; see Facebook for the full schedule.  July 4th @ West Asheville Tailgate Market  3:30-6:30 pm Take in the holiday while shopping for local produce, freshly baked bread, gifts, and more. Because there's nothing more American than a tailgate market. The special edition of this favorite farmers market will include family-friendly activities and games, food trucks, face painting, and more.  Franks on the Fourth @ Sovereign Remedies  9 pm - midnight Eat a hot dog from Pigman Goods and prepared with the love and talent of Sovereign's chefs, have a craft cocktail, and catch the downtown fireworks from one of the best spots in town.  Fire Jam: American Independence Edition @ Salvage Station 10 pm - 2 am Local electronic musicians perform by the river as fire spinners help you celebrate the red, white, and blue.