ART

• Former Greenville resident and contemporary artist Ed Stitt will show some of his paintings from Nov. 18 through January in the Gallery Grille, 365 Mercer Road, Hempfield Township.

• The Art Outreach Gallery in Youngstown shows “Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society Exhibition,” featuring various watercolor works, through Nov. 8. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 1 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Info: 330-394-3384

• Bottlebrush Gallery and Shop, 539 Main St., Harmony, is featuring the works of Nina Sowiski, Pittsburgh photographer, in the gallery until Nov. 8. Info: 724-452-0539 or visit www.bottlebrushgallery.com

• Alane Jewel’s 12 new zodiac-inspired pieces will be displayed through October at WineStyles in Howland, Ohio. Special wine tastings and appetizers will be offered. The pieces will also be displayed in the Views & Voices office, on the second floor of The Herald, 52 S. Dock St., Sharon, during November. Info: www.alanejewel.com

• The “Touch and Scale” exhibit, open through Nov. 14 at Trumbull Art Gallery on East Market Street in Warren, Ohio, focuses on the creativity of faculty and students at Kent (Ohio) State University. The exhibit includes weaving, sculpture, video and painting. The gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.



CLASSICAL

• Valley Lyric Opera and Sharpsville Historical Society present an opera featuring Francisco Casanova, a tenor performing selections from beloved operas, along with Adam Peterson, Sandra Mercado and Daniel Byerly, at 3 p.m. Nov. 8 in Pierce Opera House, Sharpsville. Info: $25 a person, tickets limited, inquire at 724-962-7896 or sharpsvillehistorical@hotmail.com

• Opera Western Reserve presents Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” at 8 p.m. Nov. 6 in Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown. Tickets: $15, $30, $45 or $60, free on-site parking. Info and reservations: 330-480-0693

• Opera Westminster presents “Wiener Blut” (“Viennese Blood”) at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Orr Auditorium at Westminster College, New Wilmington. Info: 724-946-6045

• The Butler County Symphony Orchestra features its concert “Amber Waves” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the auditorium of Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road. Tickets $15 adults, $5 students Info: 724-283-1402 or www.butlersymphony.org



DANCE

• Join a polka dance with the Del Sinchak Band at 3 p.m. Sunday in Croation Club, 601 E. Poland Ave., Bessemer. Info: 724-667-8997, dinner buffet available

• Dance to the oldies with Eddie & the Edsels at 8 p.m. Friday or try polka with John Lapinski at 8 p.m. Saturday in Kuzman’s Lounge, Girard, Ohio. Catch a jitterbug Wednesday.



DRAMATIC STAGE

• The Victorian Players present Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat,” adapted and directed by J.E. Ballantyne Jr. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. Reservations and info: 330-746-5455.

• Youngstown Playhouse invites area theater-goers to a “bloody good evening with the classic thriller “Dracula,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31, Nov. 6 and 7 and 3 p.m. Nov. 1 and 8. Reservations: 330-788-8739. Info: www.youngstownplayhouse.com

• The Westminster Celebrity Series for Kids presents “The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon” at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 in Orr Auditorium, Westminster College, New Wilmington. Info: 724-946-7354.

ETC.

• “Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries,” is unleashed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History through Jan. 31. Info: www.cmnh.org or 216-231-4600

• Every Monday, Louie Live at Bar Louie in the Cranberry Mall, Butler County, showcases local musical talent. Musicians can compete for an invitation to the semi-finals and cash prizes. Bar Louie will provide the sound equipment. Final showdown is Nov. 11. Proceeds benefit children’s charities. Pre-register at 724-766-9092. Info: www.barlouiecranberry.com or 724-772-9050

• Attend an Italian restaurant in Chicago circa 1930 in “Capisce?” The dinner theater production by Kimberly Mendoza is written in the style of old detective films rife with corruption, cynicism and situations stickier than overcooked pasta. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday in Clarks Mills United Methodist Church. Reservations: 724-253-3670. Donations benefit missions: $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 and older

• Sharon’s Bob Golub joins Mike Stankiewicz and David Kaye for Three Poles Walk Into a Bar Friday in The Harv at Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia. They tour, along with accordionist Kevin Solecki. Tickets: $11.95, 800-80-40-HOT, ext. 8297

• Enjoy the 10th Annual Kraut Fest from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8, in the Haus Cider Mill, 6742 W. Calla Road, Canfield, Ohio. Enjoy ethnic food, a magic show, live entertainment, shred-a-head contest, and more. Admission: $4 for adults, $7 for couples Info: www.hausappleorchards.com

HALLOWEEN

• Borders bookstore in Niles is having a Halloween Spooktacular (with games, crafts, spooky stories, more) at 2 p.m. Saturday. Come dressed up if you want. Kids under 13 need to come with an adult.

• Lanigan’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 126 E. Washington St., New Castle, is throwing its third annual Halloween party, beginning Oct. 29 with a pumpkin-carving contest from 6 to 8 p.m. A good/evil party and costume and Fear Factor contests are set for Oct. 30; with The Zoo on stage from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Then on Oct. 31, it’s the Samhain party with prizes for best male and female costume and best group; The Cuzzies perform at 10 p.m. Info: 724-657-3444 or www.lanigansirishpub.com

• Back (from the grave) by popular demand, the second annual Living Dead Festival returns Oct. 30 and 31 to Evans City, filming site of George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead.” Info: www.TheLivingDeadFest.com

• The City of Youngstown, The Oakland Center for the Arts and The Mahoning Valley Historical Society invite you to the first ever Youngstown zombie crawl starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Local make-up artists will be there with zombie make-up ($5) and The Mahoning Valley Historical Society will give free tours of the cemetery. At 6:45 p.m. all zombies will crawl to West Federal Street. At 7:30 the crawl ends and Youngstown zombie madness starts. At 8 p.m. the Oakland will have $10 tickets for the opening night of “The Rocky Horror Show,” all downtown bars will offer drinks specials for zombies and the historical society will host a party at the Burt Building (325 W. Federal); the $10 admission includes a haunted tour through the historic building, local ghost stories, frightful artifacts, a costume contest, dancing and a cash bar.

• The Hartford Optimist Club’s Original Haunted Hayride is 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Oct. 30 and 31 at Storeyland Christmas Tree Farm, state Route 7 in Burghill. Cost is $6 a person. Nonhaunted hayrides are offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for $2 a person. Refreshments available and visitors can cook hot dogs over a roaring bonfire. All proceeds benefit Hartford youth groups and organizations. Info: 330-772-8733 or www.storeyland.com

• Historic Ghost Walk tours of Warren, Ohio, begin at First Presbyterian Church on Mahoning Avenue every 10 minutes from 6:30 p.m. until 9 Friday and Saturday. Info: 330-399-1212.

• There are two HalloWeekends left at Cedar Point. Plan a trip this Sunday for only $25 if you buy online before midnight tonight (Thursday). Season pass holders can bring a friend for only $14.99, Fridays and Sundays through Nov. 1. Also, it’s time to say goodbye to Demon Drop. The thrill ride is dropping out of the ride lineup on Sunday, Nov. 1. This free-fall giant, giving nearly 19 million rides in 27 seasons, is heading to another Cedar Fair park. Info: www.cedarpoint.com

• Fridays and Saturdays in October, Northern Nightmares are happening in Zelienople and Harmony in Butler County with haunted trolley tours, Solid Mold Dancers, haunted film series and more. Info: www.NorthernNightmares.com

• The 2009 Cheeseman Fright Farm continues its haunted wagon rides and haunted house from dark until 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31 at 147 Kennedy Road, Portersville. Info: http://cheesemanfrightfarm.com or 724-368-3233

• Community Library of the Shenango Valley, 11 N. Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, will offer Halloween Haunts for ages 7 and older at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 and a kids Halloween party from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29. Registration and info: 724-981-4360.

• The Ghoul Mansion and Carnevil Fear invite the brave to 66 N. Main St. in Sharon. Get advance tickets and save at www.ghoulmansion.com. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Info: 724-734-9199.

• Ghost Lake, the haunted amusement park at Conneaut Lake Park, offers eight levels of fear from 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 11 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1; also open 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 29. Scare sites include Haunted Hotel Conneaut, The Fog, Jeepers Creepers Corn Maze, Tingler’s Funeral Home and more. Info: www.ghostlake.net

• The Canfield (Ohio) Scaregrounds Haunted House and Hayride is open 7 to 11 p.m. today, 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1. There is a free haunted corn maze. Info: www.canfieldscaregrounds.net

• The Seven Floors of Hell at the Cuyahoga Fairgrounds near Cleveland is open 7 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays through Oct. 31. Coupon and info: www.7FloorsofHell.com

• Candlelight ghost tours of Nemacolin Castle, Front Street in Brownsville, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October as well as Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Tours cost $7. For more info: 724-785-6882 and www.nemacolincastle.org

• Lincoln Caverns’ Ghosts & Goblins 2009, Pennsylvania’s most unique haunted house and tour, is open 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31. Daylight activities are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The caverns are on U.S. Route 22, three miles west of Huntingdon. Info: 814-643-0268 or www.lincolncaverns.com

• The story behind The Haunted Mine, at the Tour-Ed Mine, began when a young mining tycoon, J.R. Bailey, bought a mine that was going to be shut down. He overworked the men he hired, and they eventually became entombed in the dark caverns. With their spirits angered, the dead began to rise, and these loyal workers fled the mine never to be heard from again. The Haunted Mine, located off exit 14 of Route 28, Tarentum, is open Thursdays to Saturdays through Oct. 31. Details: 724-224-4720 or www.thehauntedmine.com

• Slippery Rock University’s historic Old Stone House will host Halloween festivities Friday and Saturday and Oct. 30 and 31. “Spooky Stories” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. includes storytelling, re-enactments and paranormal investigation. The “Haunted House Tour,” from 8 to 10 p.m., will offer a frightening walk through the house that was built in 1822. Admission is $5. Info: www.oldstonehousePA.org 

• Admission to the Union Project’s Day of the Dead Community Workshop, from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 in East Liberty, includes materials to create small works of art to remember and celebrate those who have died. Admission is $20. Details: 412-363-1216.

• The Scarehouse, 118 Locust St., Etna, is open. Buy limited-edition tickets at www.scarehouse.com Info: scarehouse.com or 412-781-5885. Use discount code ETNA for the best ticket prices online.



KARAOKE

• Friday: Jim Hicks runs karaoke at 9:30 p.m. in Sidebar & Grille, Mercer; Simply Ed Karaoke plays at 9:30 p.m. in Tully’s Irish Pub in the Quaker Steak and Lube complex, Sharon.

• Saturday: D.J. Party and karaoke is at 9 p.m. in Rock-A-Billies Bar and Grill, Masury.

• Sunday: Sherryokie plays at 9 p.m. Sunday in Jerry’s Tavern, Sharpsville.

• Tuesday: Catch CD’s Karaoke with Dave at 9 p.m. in Rock-A-Billies Bar and Grill, Masury.



LOCAL BANDS

• Stop in at Lanigan’s Irish Pub & Eatery for the best fiddle playing by Corned Beef And Curry Band at 10 p.m. Friday. The pub is at 126 E. Washington St., New Castle. Info: 724-657-3444 or www.lanigansirishpub.com Band info: www.cornedbeefandcurry.com

• One of the most recognizable blues players to call New Orleans home, Braille Blues Daddy Bryan Lee, takes the stage at 9 p.m. Monday in Tully’s Irish Pub, downtown Sharon. Doors open Monday at 4 p.m., no cover

• The Clarks are set to play Oct. 30 at The Cellar, Struthers, Ohio. Doors open at 8 p.m. Info: www.thecellarrocks.com

• Catch Tommy Chris playing Friday in Razzy’s in the Quality Inn, Hermitage. See The Michael Austin Project Saturday and Carl Severino is back for jitterbug night at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Info: 724-528-2501, ext. 420, and www.radisson.com/westmiddlesexpa

• Variety on the Square presents Church Street Blues playing from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in the old G.C. Murphy Building at 110 N. Pitt St., Mercer. There is an admission charge. Take a chair. Info: 724-662-1490

• On Three plays new rock and originals at 9 p.m. Saturday in the Slovak Home, Farrell.

• There’s an open jam at 8 tonight in the Gateway Tavern, Vernon Road, West Salem Township. Jam with Jam Jimmy Burns from the Lost Highway Band. PA, mics, drums, amps provided; take guitar, keyboard, etc., and plug in. Info: 724-646-1429

• Steve Vuich plays at 7 p.m. Friday in Combine Bros. Bar & Grille, Hermitage. Catch him and his friends hosting a jam session on Saturday in Nick’s Inn 62, Hermitage. Vuich plays solo at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Combine Bros.

• The Hern Brothers Band plays at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Splitz Bar & Grille, Hermitage. Band info: www.hernbrothers.com

• Jason Hummell and Chappy Chapman play for an open mic night at 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the Royal Cafe, Sharpsville.

• Eric Stevens plays at 8:30 tonight and Friday in JW’s Other Club, in the Radisson Hotel, Shenango Township. Open the Total Package at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Info: 724-528-2501, ext. 420, and www.radisson.com/westmiddlesexpa

• Danny and the Fog plays at 7 tonight for “Ladies Night” in the Rosetta Stone Cafe and Wine Bar, 110 Federal Plaza W., Youngstown. Then catch Ovation at 9 p.m. Friday. Rudy and the Professionals plays at 9 p.m. Saturday. There’s also “An Evening with Frank Sinatra” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Steve Fazzini performs at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.



MUSICAL STAGE

• The musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” celebrates the truths and myths of the contemporary relationship through Nov. 1. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays in the Annex Theatre, 212 E. Long Ave., New Castle. Reservations: 724-657-9369, Info: info@newcastleplayhouse.org or www.newcastleplayhouse.org

• The Mercer County Historical Society’s Chamber Players perform at 4 p.m. Sunday in Helen Black Miller Memorial Chapel, Mercer. Director Dr. Richard Konzen will make his debut,; selections include the music of Felix Mendelssohn, in celebration of the bicentennial of the composer’s birth. Free and open to the public.

• Barbara Knight, a Shenango Township professional jazz singer, will be guest vocalist with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra for, “When Swing Was King,” at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 in Severance Hall in the University Circle area of downtown Cleveland. Tickets: 800-686-1141 or www.clevelandpops.com

• The Warren Civic Music Association presents Rhythm In Shoes at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: 330-399-4885 and www.packardmusichall.com

• Siblings Eric McClellan, Janeen Williams and James McClellan reunite for a Hometown Heroes Encore, where they play sacred and pops music at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 in Eleanor Beecher Flad Pavilion, Ford Family Recital Hall, Youngstown. Info: 330-744-0264 or youngstownsymphony.com



SPOKEN WORD

• Best-selling novelist Tom Wolfe, “the man in the white suit” who has chronicled American culture with wit and foresight for four decades, returns to the Drue Heinz Lectures in Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 with a new novel, “Back to Blood.” Upcoming voices include Junot Diaz on Nov. 16 and Lidia Bastianich on Dec. 7. Tickets: 412-622-8866 or www.pittsburghlectures.org

• Spend “An Evening with Nolan Reimold,” a Greenville native and left fielder for the Baltimore Orioles, who will tell the story of his journey to life in the Big Leagues at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 in William A. Passavant Center, Thiel College, Greenville. Free and open to the public

• Come hear Roland Mesnier, former White House pastry chef, speak at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 4 in W.D. Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio. Tickets: $25, $15 for students, group rates available



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