SUNDAY, OCT. 18
GARDEN IN THE WOODS, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, celebrates the fall foliage season with a Fall Family Festival featuring a scavenger hunt, leaf rubbing, garden tours and more from noon-4 p.m. The event is free with garden admission is $8-$4. Call 508-877-7630 or visit newenglandwild.org.
BOSTON CIVIC SYMPHONY FAMILY CONCERT, led by Max Hobart, takes place at Regis College's Fine Arts Center, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, at 2 p.m. The program, narrated by Joyce Kulhawik, features "Peter and the Wolf" and Ed Mascari's "Meet the Orchestra." Tickets are $20/$10. An Instrument Petting Zoo will be held at 1 p.m. Call 671-923-6333 or visit mktix.com.
'THE RAT PACK,' a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., takes place at the Robinson Theater, 617 Lexington St., Waltham, at 3 p.m. Call 781-781-5600 or visit reagleplayers.com.
NATICK ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS, featuring more than 60 artists, takes place from noon-5 p.m. For a brochure and map visit natickartists.com.
THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK, 14 Summer St., kicks off its Chamber Music Series with the Beantown Brass Quintet at 4 p.m. The group performs music by Gershwin, Sousa, Haydn and others. Admission is $16-$8. Call 508-647-0097 or visit natickarts.org.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER, 160 Hollis St., Framingham, presents "The Guys," a play by Anne Nelson set in New York City shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18-$15. Call 508-405-2787 or visit amazingthings.org.
PIANO RECITAL The Rev. Bob Congdon performs music by Bach, Liszt, Debussy and Poulenc at the Church of Christ, 142 Exchange St., Millis, at 6 p.m. Admission is $10/$5. Call 508-376-2536.
'SNOOPY' will be presented by Concord Youth Theatre's Young Adult Performance Company at 50 Beharrell St., Concord, Oct. 18 and 25 at 2:30 p.m., Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 24 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $13. Call 978-371-1482 or visit concordyouththeatre.org.
THE COLONIAL INN, 48 Monument Square, Concord. Ken Selcer hosts an acoustic open mic from 7-11 p.m. No cover. Casual dining available. Call 978-369-9200 or visit concordscolonialinn.com.
STONES PUBLIC HOUSE, 176 Main St., Ashland. Pete Henderson and friends lead a Blues Jam from 8-midnight. No cover. Call 508-881-1778.
MONDAY, OCT. 19
ENTER STAGE LEFT THEATER, 30 Main St., Hopkinton, holds a Pumpkin Carving Contest for kids. Entries should be dropped off Oct. 19-21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 508-435-2114 or visit enterstagelefttheater.com.
THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK Phil and Trisha Knudsen host a Folk Open Mic featuring John Schindler at 8 p.m. Admission is $5 for nonmembers. Call 508-647-0097 or visit natickarts.org.
COMEDY CONNECTION WILBUR THEATRE 246 Tremont St., Boston. Join David Cross at 7 and 9:45 p.m. Tickets are $29/$39. Call 800-745-3000 or visit thewilburtheatre.com.
PARADISE ROCK CLUB, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, welcomes Vertical Horizon featuring Worcester native Matt Scannell at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18/$20. Call 617-562-8800 or visit livenation.com.
TUESDAY, OCT. 20
LOCAL HISTORY Fred Wallace gives a free talk on "The Early History of Saxonville: 1645-1850" at the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington St., at 7 p.m. Visit framinghamlibrary.org.
RIVER'S EDGE CHORALE, led by Paul Johnson, begins rehearsals at Hudson High School's Chorus Room (C110), 69 Brigham St., from 7-9 p.m. Interested singers are invited to attend. Call 978-562-1646 or visit upwitharts.org.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER Join John Funkhouser for a Jazz Jam at 8 p.m. Admission is $6/$5. Call 508-405-2787 or visit amazingthings.org.
'AVENUE Q,' the Broadway hit musical, makes its debut at the Providence Performing Arts Center Oct. 20-25. Tickets are $36-$63. Call 401-421-ARTS or visit ppacri.org.
'GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL' comes to Boston's Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave., through Nov. 22. Tickets are $55. Visit girlsnightthemusical.com.
SHERBORN INN, routes 16 and 27, welcomes the Blue Horizon Jazz Band from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Call 508-655-9521.
BRITISH BEER COMPANY, 120 Worcester Road (Rte. 9), Framingham. Join Brogue for a Home Grown Music Night at 10 p.m. No cover. Call 508-879-1776.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21
CONCORD FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS opens with a talk by Howard Dean, author of "Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform" at Emerson Umbrella, 40 Stow St., Concord, at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. The festival continues in Concord and Lowell through Nov. 8. Visit concordfestivalofauthors.com.
SHAKESPEARE'S 'HAMLET' is discussed by Helen Heineman, past president of Framingham State College, Oct. 21 and 28 at 10 a.m., at the Costin Room at Framingham Public Library. Visit framinghamlibrary.org.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER Jean Schwartz leads a children's sing, at 9 a.m. Admission is $8/$6 for families. Call 508-405-2787.
WELLESLEY BOOKSMITH, 82 Central St., Mary Mitchel, author of "Americans in Space," speaks and signs books at 7 p.m. Call 781-431-1160.
ORPHEUM THEATER in Boston. It's Lenny Kravitz with K'naan at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $49.50 and $45. Call 866-448-7849 or visit livenation.com.
CENTRAL SQUARE THEATER, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. The Nora Theatre Company stages Harold Pinter's "The Caretaker" Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 1. Tickets are $35-$20. Call 866-811-4111 or visit centralsquaretheater.org.
THE COLONIAL INN Jimmy Mazzy and the Last Minute Men perform from 8-11 p.m. No cover. Casual dining available. Call 978-369-9200.
THURSDAY, OCT. 22
SYNDICATED POLITICAL COLUMNIST Dave Granlund presents a talk titled "Drawing Fire: The Art of Political Cartooning" at the Spellman Museum, Regis College, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
ENTER STAGE LEFT THEATER stages "Twelve Angry Men" Oct. 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15/$12. Call 508-435-2114.
JAZZ VIOLINIST Regina Carter performs African folk melodies and more at Jewett Auditorium, Wellesley College, 106 Central St., at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call 781-283-2028 or visit wellesley.edu.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER Dan Cloutier hosts a Folk Open Mic featuring Mike Morris at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $6/$5. Call 508-405-2787.
BOSTON BALLET presents "World Passions," featuring premieres of works by choreographers Pino Alosa and Helen Pickett and more, Oct. 22-Nov. 1, at The Opera House in Boston. Tickets start at $25. Visit bostonballet.org.
COMEDY CONNECTION WILBUR THEATRE Join Bill Maher Oct. 22 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. Tickets are $49/$72. Call 800-745-3000 or visit thewilburtheatre.com.
THE COLONIAL INN John Fitzsimmons and Friends perform traditional pub songs from 8-11 p.m. No cover. Casual dining available. Call 978-369-9200.
BRITISH BEER COMPANY It's Ladies Night with DJ "Big Daddy" Ray at 10 p.m. No cover. Call 508-879-1776.
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
'THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT,' a mystery tour led by costumed actors in a spooky setting, will be held at Gore Place, off Rte. 20, Waltham, Oct. 23 and 24 from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $20/$15. Reserve at 781-894-2798.
'GHOSTS IN THE THEATRE' a family Halloween performance featuring dance numbers from such scores as "Thriller," will be staged at the Milford Performing Arts Center, 150 Main St., Oct. 23, 24 and 30 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 25 and 31 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5. Call 508-473-1684.
WORLD MUSIC The 35th Parallel performs "MediterrAsian jazz," music from regions along the 35th latitude, at the Hudson Town Hall, 78 Main St., at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$7. Visit wupwitharts.org or call 978-562-1646.
KEITER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER at Walnut Hill School, 12 Highland St., Natick, presents "Smoky Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller" Oct. 23 at 8 p.m., Oct. 24 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20/$15. Visit walnuthillarts.org.
THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK Rock Off Main Street at 7:30 p.m., with Erroneous Decision, Behind the Barrier, Glowing and Vitamin Seed. Tickets are $8. Call 508-647-0097 or visit natickarts.org.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER It's rock with The Love Dogs at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$12. Call 508-405-2787.
'FASTER THAN A FAX MACHINE,' a documentary following an aspiring singer/songwriter and rapper as they set out to make it in the music industry, will be screened at the Sorenson Center for the Arts, Babson College, Wellesley, at 7 p.m. A live music performance follows. Visit grayfilms.com.
'ALL IN THE TIMING,' featuring short comedies by playwright Michael Kimball, will be presented at Theater906, Performing Arts Center of MetroWest, 140 Pearl St., Framingham, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., and Oct. 24 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15/$12. Visit theater906.org or call 339-832-8328.
ORPHEUM THEATER in Boston. Join Rodrigo Y Gabriela at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $25. Call 866-448-7849 or visit livenation.com.
THE COLONIAL INN Italian blues guitarist Robert Morbioli performs with Watertown-based blues artist Diane Blue and the Workingman's Band from 8-11 p.m. No cover. Casual dining available. Call 978-369-9200.
BRITISH BEER COMPANY welcomes Edgewater Road at 10 p.m. No cover. Call 508-879-1776.
DANTE'S AT FIREFLY'S, 350 East Main St., Marlborough. Join Common Coz at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $8. Call 508-357-8883 or visit fireflysbbq.com.
HAPPY SWALLOW CAFE, 398 Waverly St., Framingham. It's Cosmic Igloo at 9 p.m. No cover. Call 508-875-3942.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
HAUNTED HALLOWEEN TROLLEY TOUR, a 45-minute trolley ride showcasing Framingham's mysterious past as recalled by costumed actors from the Framingham Community Theater, leaves from Edgell Memorial Library, 3 Oak St., Framingham, at 5 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $10/$5. Reserve at framinghamhistory.org.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS COFFEEHOUSE It's Gretchen Peters with special guest Michele Kelly at the First Universalist Society Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit circlefolk.org. Call 508-528-2541.
HOLLISTON MILL ARTISTS at Holliston Mill, 24 Water St., hosts its annual Open Studios Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Oct. 25 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy live music and more. A wine tasting will be hosted by The Wine House Oct. 25 from 1-3 p.m. Visit hollistonmill.com.
AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES, hosted by Professor Arthur Nolletti, begins with a screening of "Wendy and Lucy" (2008), starring Michelle Williams, at the Dwight Performing Arts Center, Framingham State College, 100 State St., at 1 p.m. Admission is $5. Call 508-626-4025.
MUSICIANS OF THE OLD POST ROAD presents "A Haydn Celebration" at the First Parish, 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25/$20. Call 781-466-6694 or visit oldpostroad.org.
THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK Jonathan Edwards, best-known for the 1971 song "Sunshine," performs with Taylor Armerding and Stuart Schulman at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35/$30. Call 508-647-0097.
AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER It's a family concert with the Mickey Spain Musical Jamboree at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8. Join The New Familiars at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17-$14. Call 508-405-2787.
CONCORD BAND performs "Music From Across the Pond" at the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St., Concord, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15/$5. Call 978-897-9969 or visit concordband.org.
'IT'S A GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN!' will be performed by actors from Enter Stage Left Theater at Weston Nurseries, Rte. 135, Hopkinton, Oct. 24 and 25 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tickets are $5. Call 508-435-2114.
CHEF FEST, a food tasting and book signing with local cookbook authors and chefs, takes place at Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road, Concord, from noon-2 p.m. Visit concordfestivalofauthors.com.
STUDENT DANCE CONCERT takes place at the Dancing Arts Center, 9 Whitney St., Holliston, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 25 at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $14 at the door. Visit dancingartscenter.com.
M. STEINERT & SONS, Sherwood Plaza., Rte. 9 East, Natick, welcomes Minkyung Oh for a piano concert at 6:30 p.m. A donation of $10 or $25 per family is requested. Reserve at 508-655-7373.
THE COLONIAL INN Vocalist Wendee Glick teams up with the Workingman's Jazz Band from 8-11 p.m. No cover. Casual dining available. Call 978-369-9200.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, 554 Main St., Worcester. Verdi's classic opera "Rigoletto" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $44-$54. Call 877-571-7469 or visit thehanovertheatre.org.
BRITISH BEER COMPANY Join Flydown at 10 p.m. No cover. Call 508-879-1776.
DANTE'S AT FIREFLY'S It's James Montgomery and Ayla Brown at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $20. Call 508-357-8883 or visit fireflysbbq.com.
HAPPY SWALLOW CAFE Join 3rd Degree at 9 p.m. No cover. Call 508-875-3942.
TOM'S EATIN' AND DRINKIN' PLACE, 4 West Main St., Northborough. Ray Mason celebrates the release of his CD "Like Bugs Chewing On Paper" from 6-9 p.m. No cover. Call 508-393-5299.
