Wednesday, Oct. 1

PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, 8 pm., Carol Belke Theater, UNC-Asheville. Take one surfer-girl wannabe turned split-personality dominatrix, mix in a host of whacky seaside characters, and you've got anything but a typical day at the beach with Frankie and Annette. Instead, you've got a certified "Psycho Beach Party." Tickets are $10 general admission with senior and student discounts. To purchase tickets, or for more information please visit www.unca.edu/drama or call 828.232.2291.

Thursday, Oct. 2

BOOK LAUNCH, 5:30 pm., Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, Asheville. The Blue Spiral 1 Gallery is sponsoring and staging a special first-of-its-kind artist/author event launching the publication of a book featuring two prominent western North Carolina residents: artist Robert Johnson and author Thomas Rain Crowe. Johnson, whose work is shown and sold through Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, is noted for his imagistic and imaginary landscape paintings and drawings, and is an ardent environmentalist. Thomas Rain Crowe, also active in regional environmental issues, is an internationally published and acknowledged poet, publisher and non-fiction writer. Free. For more information please call 828.251.0202.

Friday, Oct. 3

SEA OF CORTEZ, 9:30 pm., The Visulite, Charlotte. With The Old Ceremony & Lindsey Horne. Tickets are $8 in advance and on the day of the show. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.carolinatix.org or call 1.800.594.TIXX.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD: THE HIPHOP MUSICAL, 8 pm., Carolina Theatre, Durham. Described as "A Chorus Line" for the hip hop generation, "History of the World" is a celebration of music, dance, language and the human spirit. Tickets are $24 with $5 student tickets available. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.carolinatheatre.org or call 888.241.8132.

Saturday, Oct. 4

BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE OF BURLESQUE, 10 pm, The Visulite, Charlotte. Big Mammas House of Burlesque is the epitome of a classic Burlesque, Vaudeville, and Variety Show. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.carolinatix.org or call 1.800.594.TIXX.

GOTHIC GALA, 7 pm., Warehouse Theatre, Greenville. Dress for a unique evening of food, drinks and dancing. Prepare to have a frightfully good time. $175 per couple or $100 per individual. To RSVP please contact Erin at 864.235.6948.

ASHEVILLE AIDS WALK, 11 am., Ferguson Auditorium, AB Tech, Asheville. Walkers will travel from the college to Pack Square and back again. Join in to promote awareness and testing. The event is free but donations of non-perishable foods or personal care items are appreciated. For more information please visit www.wncap.org or contact Keisha at 828.252.7489 x. 312.

Sunday, Oct. 5

CHRIS & DON: A LOVE STORY, 7 pm., Triad Stage Cabaret, Greensboro. Chris & Don: A Love Story is the true-life story of the passionate three-decade relationship between British author Christopher Isherwood and American Portrait painter Don Bachardy. Tickets are $8. To purchase tickets please visit http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase.

ROMEO AND JULIET, 4 pm., Diana Wortham Theatre, Asheville. The opera Romeo and Juliet will be performed. For more information, please call 828.236.0670.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

TRACES, 7:30 pm, McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, Charlotte. A fantastical blend of circus, physical theater and music opens the 2008-2009 Standford Broadway Series. Tickets begin at $29.50. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.bluementalcenter.org or call 704.372.1000.

A CHORUS LINE, 7:30 pm., The Peace Center, Greenville. Meet the new generation of Broadway's best with a brand new run of A Chorus Line. Winner of nine Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for drama, this singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical in history. Tickets begin at $40. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.peacecenter.org or call 800.888.7768.

Thursday, Oct. 9

THE EVENING MUSE, 8 pm., The Visulite, Charlotte. Featuring Jonathan Richman. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.carolinatix.org or call 1.800.594.TIXX.

COMEDY SHOW, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, Appalachian State University, Boone. The comedy troupe Capitol Steps will perform. For tickets, which are $18 for the general public, $16 for seniors, ASU faculty and staff and $10 for students and children, please call 800. 841.2787.

Friday, Oct. 10

THE PAT MCGEE BAND, 9 pm., The Visulite, Charlotte. McGee and his Virginia-based bandmates John Small, bass; Jonathan Williams, vocals, piano, organ; Al Walsh, vocals, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar; Chris Williams, drums; and Chardy McEwan, percussion recently assembled a team to take them to the next level.Tickets are $15 in advance and at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.carolinatix.org or call 1.800.594.TIXX.

Monday, Oct. 12

AUDITION, 7 pm., Greenville Little Theatre, Greenville. The Greenville Little Theatre will hold auditions for its holiday production, Christmas Spectacular 2008. Roles are available for men and women of all ages and types. Be prepared to sing a verse of a song and bring sheet music if possible. Also be prepared to go through some rudimentary dance steps. Performances will be December 12-21. For more information please call 864.233.6238 or email gltsc@bellsouth.net.

Wednesday, Oct. 15

ROBIN WILLIAMS, 8 pm, The Peace Center, Greenville. Williams is embarking on his first U.S. stand-up comedy tour since his critically acclaimed 26-date tour in 2002. Entitled "Weapons of Self-Destruction," the show will highlight Williams' trademark free associations and riffs on social and political absurdities. Tickets begin at $75. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.peacecenter.org or call 864.467.3000.

PRESENTATION, 11:30 am., MAHEC, Asheville. MAHEC presents, “The Medical Machine: Structural and Unintentional Racism in Medicine.” The speaker is Dr. Liz Herskovits Castillo, Director of the Geriatric Fellowship at MAHEC. Learn in relaxed atmosphere and bring your lunch! Free. For more information, call Jacquelyn Hallum at 828.257.4479.

Friday, Oct. 17

S.E.L.L.O.U.T, 8 pm., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC-Asheville. UNCA’s Cultural and Special Events series will host "S.E.L.L.O.U.T.: A Black and White Comedy in the Grey Area.” Four noted Blackpack comics will take on racial and cultural differences one joke at a time. The word "sellout" may have a negative connotation, but these comedians reclaim it as an acronym for their show: Serious, Educated, Laughing, Learning, Outrageous, Unique and Talented. Tickets are $21 or $5 for area students. Content is appropriate for ages 17 and older. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit www.uncatickets.com or call 828.232.5000.

Tuesday, Oct. 21

FILM SCREENING, 12:20 pm., Laurel Forum, UNC-Asheville. A screening of the film "Building a World Beyond War: Roadmap for Citizens" will be held and followed by a student-led discussion. Free. For more information please contact UNCA’s Center for Diversity Education at 828.232.5024 or email dmiles@unca.edu.

Saturday, Oct. 25

JOE SANTRIANI, 7:30 pm., Carolina Theatre of Durham. Featuring special guest MOUNTAIN including Leslie West and Corky Laing. Since his emergence in 1986, Joe Satriani has received 13 Grammy nominations and sold in excess of 7 million albums worldwide, earning his place alongside the great masters of rock guitar. Tickets start at $45. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.carolinatheatre.org/tickets or call 888.241.8132.

Friday, Oct. 31

SAMHAIN SABBAT, 8 pm., Unity Center, Arden. The 14th Annual Samhain Ritual begins Halloween eve with dance, music and more. The theme this year is masked dancing and divination. Wear black to honor your ancestors and a mask or makeup. Free. For more information, please visit www.oldenwilde.org or contact Lady Passion, the High Priestess of Coven Oldenwilde at 828.251.0343.