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BIG SHOTS BAR: 2520 N. Verity Parkway, Middletown, (513) 424-9270.

BOGART'S: Unearth with Protest The Hero, The Acacia Strain, Gwen Stacy and White Chapel, 7 p.m. Oct. 4, $16 in advance, $19 day of show; Relient K with special guests Ludo, The Providence and House of Heroes, 7 p.m. Oct. 9, $16 in advance, $19 day of show. 2621 Vine St., Cincinnati, (513) 872-8801.

BRENDA'S DOUBLE DEUCE: Karaoke 9 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays, 4304 Tytus Ave., Middletown, (513) 217-4712.

BUCKS BAR AND GRILL: Karaoke with Joey, Saturdays, 1300 Central Ave., Middletown, (513) 423-9111.

CARDI'S BAR & GRILL: Benefit Concert for Parker, Enjoy music from seven bands during the indoor and outdoor event. Beer girls and Marlboro girls vending. Food and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the Parker Kahle Medical Fund, to assist with medical bills associated with his autism. Donations may also be made at any US Bank, 11 a.m. Oct. 5, $10; 101 Bacher Square, Fairfield, (513) 889-3952.

CAROL'S SPEAKEASY LOUNGE: Live trivia, Mondays; karaoke with Joe Cross, Tuesdays; DJ, Thursdays; 4440 S. Dixie Highway, Middletown, (513) 424-9243.

COUNTRY FOXES LOUNGE: DJ Wild Will, Friday and Saturdays, 9 p.m.; 444 N. Fair Ave., Hamilton, (513) 867-1876.

EASY'S IN THE VILLAGE: NFL Ticket; 241 N. Third St., Hamilton, (513) 893-3279.

THE FARM BEER GARDEN: The Scott Broering Benefit, noon to midnight, Oct. 4, $10 donation includes food, live music, games, raffles and door prizes; 2461 Ross-Millville Road, Ross, (513) 896-9051.

FROGGY BLUES CAFE: Neurotic, Oct. 3; Forthrite, Oct. 4; Karaoke Wednesdays, no cover for Thursday night bands; live bands Friday and Saturday. 10 S. American Way, Monroe, (513) 539-7150.

GILBY'S IRISH PUB: Bonzai Karaoke, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, free. 5555 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Liberty Twp., (513) 777-9898.

THE GRUB PUB: DJ Friday and Saturday nights; corner of Maple Avenue and Ohio 4, Hamilton, (513) 856-9302.

KATMANDU'S: Live music or DJ on Friday and Saturdays, 1701 Germantown Road, Middletown, (513) 423-9528.

LIGHTHOUSE CAFE: Karaoke with Bonnie, 10 p.m., Sundays, 6151-B Dixie Highway, Fairfield, (513) 942-7955.

MAJOR LEAGUES: DJ on Fridays, 611 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, (513) 892-1284.

MANCHESTER ROOM: The Ralph Barker Band every Friday and Saturday, The Manchester Inn, 1027 Manchester Ave., Middletown, (513) 422-5481.

MAYORS PLACE: Music and karaoke with Shelley, 114 E. State St., Trenton, (513) 988-9029.

MUSTANG SALLY'S BAR: Karaoke Thursday through Saturday; Bluegrass on the patio 6 to 9 p.m., Thursdays; 2104 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, (513) 894-5616.

MUTT'S BREWERY LOUNGE AND RESTAURANT: Live music every Friday and Saturday, 3056 Wayne Madison Road, Trenton, (513) 988-0007.

P' DUBS: Karaoke with Priscilla, Fridays and Saturdays; 1103 Dayton St., Hamilton, (513) 894-4713.

REFLECTIONS NIGHTCLUB: DJ Jayson, Friday and Saturdays, 1200 Elliott Drive, Middletown, (513) 424-9447.

RE-PETES: O Towne Entertainment at 9 p.m. every Friday, DJ/dancing with Mike "Big O" Ollis, 9 p.m. every Saturday, 1002 Harmon Ave., Hamilton, (513) 737-3500.

RICK'S TAVERN & GRILLE: DJ/karaoke, Thursday; 5955 Boymel Drive, Fairfield, (513) 874-1992, www.rickstavern.com.

WHITEY'S TAVERN: Wednesdays, karaoke; Thursdays, karaoke with Shelly; 301 E. State St. Trenton, (513) 988-2549.

YARDBIRDS BBQ: Live music every Friday and Saturday, karaoke with KC Sounds every Wednesday, weekly specials, 932 W. State St., Trenton, (513) 988-9690.

Music

FIRST FRIDAY CONCERT: "The Might Muskrats Dixieland Band." Lunch available for nominal cost, noon Oct. 3, free, Middletown Senior Citizens, Inc., 3907 Central Ave, Middletown, (513) 423-1734.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: featuring Annette Shepherd, Oct. 3; Miss Lissa & Company, Oct. 4; free, Bar-B-Q Junction, 4750 Roosevelt Blvd, Middletown, (513) 217-0813.

HAWGTOBERFEST: 2 p.m. to midnight, Oct. 4, music all day, Stagger Lee, 8:30 p.m.; all-you-can-eat hog roast, car/bike cruise-in, door prizes, games for children, member $8, nonmember $10, kids 5-12 $5, children 4 and younger free; West Side Eagles 3986, 117 Smalley Blvd., Hamilton, (513) 863-3986.

NATALIE STOVALL: Oct. 4, $15 for members, $17 for nonmembers; Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, (513) 863-8873, www.fittoncenter.org.

OUTDOOR CHRISTIAN CONCERT: Ray Townsend, Nathan Baumgartner, 2 p.m. Oct. 4; Avalon Park, Avalon Circle, Middletown.

JESSIE LYN FISHER AND T-N-T BAND: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, $10, Lebanon Grand Opry House, 114 N. Cherry St., Lebanon, (513) 850-1770, www.countrymusicexplosion.citymax.com.

Exhibits

FITTON CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS: "WovenWorks 08," through Nov. 6, free. 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, (513) 863-8873, www.fittoncenter.org.

GALLERY 42: "Hidden Truths" juried art show, free. 105 E. Main St., Mason, (513) 234-7874, www.gallery42fineart.com.

MIAMI UNIVERSITY MIDDLETOWN CAMPUS: "Plainsights II Exhibit," in the Campus and Community Center Galleria. An exhibit of Andrew Martin, Mondays through Saturdays until Oct. 23, free. 4200 E. University Blvd., Middletown, (513) 727-3200.

MIDDLETOWN ARTS CENTER: American Watercolor Society Exhibit, through Oct. 18, voluntary donation of $10; Raku Workshop, Basic technical skills required, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4, $40, plus firing package; Precious Metal Clay Workshop, Learn the basic skills of rolling and texturing, mold and mold making and slip joining, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4, $100; Basketmaking Workshop, Build a basket using sea grass and natural elements, 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 4-5, $75; Calligraphy Workshop, Learn the basic strokes and letters as a beginner, 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 4-5, $75. 130 North Verity Parkway, Middletown, (513) 424-2417, www.middletownartscenter.com.

Theater

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS "EMMA": Through Oct. 3, $31-$59, Robert S. Marx Theatre, 962 Mount Adams Circle, Cincinnati, (513) 421-3888, www.cincyplay.com.

"THE FULL MONTY": Through Oct. 26, $47-$65, La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, (800) 677-9505, www.lacomedia.com.

"LATE NITE CATECHISM": 8 p.m. Oct. 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17; 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and 19, $45 (Friday and Saturday Evening), $40 (Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinee, Sunday evening), Aronoff Center, Jarson Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, (513) 621-2787, cincinnatiarts.org.

"THE OHIO STATE MURDERS": 8 p.m. Oct. 8-11; 2 p.m. Oct. 12, $9 adult; $8 seniors; $6 Miami students and youth, Gates-Abegglen Theatre, Center for Performing Arts, Miami University, 501 E. High St., Oxford, (513) 529-3200.

"ON GOLDEN POND": Call for reservations. Presented through special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, 8 p.m. Oct. 3-4, 10-11; 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 5; and 2 p.m. Oct. 12, $15, Lebanon Theatre Company, 120 E. South St., Lebanon, (513) 228-0932.

"STEEL MAGNOLIAS": 8 p.m., Oct. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11; 2 p.m., Oct. 5 and 12, $12 adult, $10 senior, student, Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, (513) 867-5348, www.fairfield-city.org/ParksRecreation/cac/index.cfm.

Dance

BALLET TECH CINCINNATI PRESENTS: "EAST VS. WEST SIDE STORY": 8 p.m. Oct. 3, 2 and 8 p.m. Oct. 4, $42-101, Aronoff Center, Procter and Gamble Hall, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, (513) 562-4949, www.cincinnatiarts.org/aronoff.

BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES WITH OHIO BALLROOM: Waltz, rumba, merangue, mambo, cha cha, foxtrot, and swing classes, reserve a spot by calling or e-mailing, 6:50 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 31, Wetherington Golf and Country Club, 7337 Country Club Lane, West Chester Twp., (513) 217-5551, www.ohioballroom.com.

BALLROOM DANCING: 2 p.m. Wednesdays,, $2 for members, $3 for nonmembers, Partners in Prime, Hamilton, 140 Ross Ave., Hamilton, (513) 867-1998, www.partnersinprime.org.

For kids

MOVIES IN THE PARK: All movies begin at dusk. "Peter Pan," Oct. 3, free, Village Green Park, 501 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, (513) 867-5348.

LEARN TO SKATE PROGRAM: Session 1. Skate rental included. Session is 1 hour group lesson and 2 hours of roller skating, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, through Nov. 1, $65 session; $12, one day lesson, Skatetown Skating Arena, 8730 N. Pavilion Drive, West Chester Twp., (513) 874-9855, www.skatetownusa.us.

"RESPECT IS A MAGIC WORD" PERFORMANCE BY MAGICIAN STEPHEN KNIGHT: Recommended for grades kindergarten through eighth, 10 a.m. Oct. 10, free, Miami University Middletown Campus, 4200 E. University Blvd., Middletown, (513) 727-3200.

Festivals

MIDDFEST: Featuring Mongolia. Oct. 3-5, Donham Plaza, Main Street and Reinartz Boulevard, Middletown, (513) 425-7766.

FALL FESTIVAL: Annual Liberty Twp. festival, with food, games, rides, silent auction, raffle. Most rides are free, 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 4, free, Liberty Park, 6703 Yankee Road, Liberty Twp., (513) 759-7500.

OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL: Recreation of 16th century English village with costumed performers, jousting, period foods, stage shows and more than 130 craft shops, 10:30 a.m. Saturday-Sundays, through Oct. 19, $19.99 adult, $9.99 ages 5-12, Renaissance Park, Ohio 73, Harveysburg, (513) 897-7000, ext. 244, ww.renfestival.com.

SAFETY FAIR: Presented by Bridgewater Falls. See fire trucks, life squads, fire and severe weather safety trailer, fire extinguisher demos, police cars, DARE info, helicopter landings, exhibits from other county agencies, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4, free, Bridgewater Falls, Princeton Road and Ohio 4 bypass, Fairfield Twp..

SCOUT DAY: Hosted by the Mason Police Department, event provides opportunity to earn badges. Open to Boy and Girl Scouts groups from Mason area. Includes displays of city vehicles, tours of the court and police department, classes on crime scene processing, drug awareness, gun safety, flag etiquette, water safety, forestry, wildlife conservation, personal finance and more. Hot dogs, chips and drinks served. Contact Scout leaders to attend, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4, free, Mason City Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, (513) 573-0007, www.imaginemson.org.

TASTE OF THE LEVEE: Diverse foods, beer, live music and street performances throughout the day, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 4, $3 per food item, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way , Newport, Ky., (859) 781-5670, www.newportonthe

levee.com.

OHIO SAUERKRAUT FESTIVAL: Food, arts and crafts and more, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 12, free, downtown Waynesville, (513) 897-8855, www.sauerkrautfestival.com.

Fall events

THE CHAMBERS OF HORROR: 8 p.m. to midnight, Fridays; 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturdays, through Nov. 1, $10, Chambers of Horror, 1601 S. University Blvd., Middletown, www.thechambers.org.

DARK PUMPKIN HAUNTED TRAIL: Opens at dark Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 3 through Nov. 1, $10 per person; $2 per car to park (proceeds go to Gratis Volunteer Fire and EMT Department), Dark Pumpkin Haunted Trail, 7039 Preble County Line Road, Germantown, (937) 787-4105, www.darkpumpkin.com.

THE DENT HAUNTED SCHOOLHOUSE: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1, Dent School House, 5963 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati, (513) 598-4600, www.frightsite.com.

FALL FESTIVAL: Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26, free, Barn-n-Bunk, 3677 Wayne Madison Road, Trenton, (513) 988-9211.

FALL ON THE FARM: Seven acre corn maze, pumpkin patch hayrides through Scarecrow Woods, caramel apples, apple cider, mums, straw maze, live goats, food, music and more, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 25, free, Blooms and Berries Farm Market, 9669 SR-48, Loveland, (513) 697-9173, www.fallonthefarm.com.

HALLOWEEN HAUNT AT KINGS ISLAND: Friday and Saturday nights through Nov. 1, Fridays and Saturdays at the gate: $34.99; all day Saturday: $47.99; Fridays (online) $19.99; Saturdays (online): $25.99; free with season pass, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, (800) 288-0808, www.visitkingsisland.com/special/haunt/index.html.

HARVEST MOON MAZE AND FALL FESTIVAL: Features 22 acre maze, pumpkins, animals, play area, horse drawn and tractor hayrides, refreshments and fall decorations. Bonfire and picnic area available. Bring a flashlight, 6 to 10 p.m., Friday; 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday; 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday; through Nov. 1, $8; children 5 and younger free; group rates available, Niederman Family Farm, 4972 LeSourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Twp., (513) 779-6184, www.harvestmoonmaze.com.

HAUNTED WOODS HAYRIDE 2008: Every Friday and Saturday beginning Oct. 3 through Nov. 1 Ticket Sales 6 to 11 p.m. Rides start at dusk, $8 per person, children 3 and younger free, Hamilton Izaak Walton League, 450 Beisinger Road, Hamilton, 513-720-0250.

HOT RODZ TRAIL OF TERROR: $10 for 6 and older children 5 and younger free with paying adult. $3 parking. Hot food and drinks available, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Oct. 3-Nov. 1, 1760 S. Diamond Mill Road, New Lebanon.

INCREDIBLE MAIZE OF WARREN COUNTY CANCELED: 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday; 1 to 6 p.m., Sunday; through Nov. 1, adults $10.50, children 4-11 $6, children younger than 3 free, seniors 65 and older $8, The Incredible Maize of Warren County, Bunnell Hill Road, Waynesville, (513) 932-6396, www.incrediblemaize.com.

JACK-O-LANTERN JUNCTION: Family-friendly Halloween walk-through. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 2., $8 plus admission, EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester Twp., (513) 898-8000, www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

JUNCTION NIGHTMARE: Features two mazes, Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 2-5. Thursdays and Sundays Oct. 9-30 from 7 to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 10 through Nov. 1 from 7 p.m. to midnight, $15; (fast-pass $25 includes $5 food voucher), EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester Twp., (513) 898-8000, www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

KID'S HOWL-O-FEST: Recommended for ages 3 and older, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 2, $19.99 to $25.99, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, (800) 288-0808, howlofest.visitkingsisland.com.

LAND OF ILLUSION: Includes the Middletown Haunted Trail, Temple of Terror, Dr. Psycho's Haunted Estate and the Killer Klowns, through Nov. 2, Fridays and Saturdays from dark to 2:30 a.m. and Sundays from dark to 11 p.m., $10-$40 per person, plus $3 parking, Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, (513) 423-9960, www.thelandofillusion.com.

MIDGE'S MAZE AT HIGHLAND VIEW FARM (BROSIUS FAMILY): Three acres, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sundays, $3, free for children younger than 3, Midge's Corn Maze, 2450 Stillwell-Beckett Road, Hamilton, home.fuse.net/midgesmaze.

SCREAM FEST AT LAKE BAILEE: Haunted Hayride and Walk of Terror & Maze, 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31, $13, plus $2 parking, Lake Bailee Recreational Park, 2070 Jackson Road, Hamilton, (513) 893-5585, www.lakebailee.com.

"VOTE 08" CORN MAZE: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday; through Nov. 1; after Nov. 1 call for availability, Maze admission $6 for children 12 and older; ages 4-12 $4; 3 and younger are free, Irons Fruit Farm, 1640 Stubbs Mill Road, Lebanon, (513) 932-2853, www.ironsfruitfarm.com.

CHILLING GHOST STORIES: Western Shaker Study presents Kentucky author and storyteller Thomas Freese, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3, free, Phillippi Hall, Otterbein-Lebanon Community, 580 W. Ohio 741, Lebanon, (513) 868-9910, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.

PUMPKIN FEST: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4, free, YMCA Camp Campbell Gard, 4803 Augspurger Road, Hamilton, (513) 867-0600, www.ccgymca.org.

COSTUMES FOR THE CURE: Costume contest, silent and called auctions, raffle, music, haunted spook walk. Dress as your favorite TV or movie star or cartoon character. Enjoy appetizers, desserts, domestic beer and wine. Benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Cincinnati. Order tickets by phone or online. msaunders@customdistributors.com, 8 p.m. Oct. 11, $60 per couple, $35 each, Custom Distributors, 9190 Seward Road, Fairfield, (513) 874-5444, www.customdistributors.com.

GREAT PUMPKIN FEST: Fall festival featuring a costume contest, a not-so-scary haunted trail, a pumpkin patch, horse and wagon rides, inflatable rides, music and food, 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11, free, Keehner Park, 7211 Barrett Road, West Chester Twp., (513) 777-5900, www.westchester.org/parksandrec.

PUMPKIN PATCH EXPRESS: Train ride to Schappacher farms, 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, $15, $18, free 2 younger, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic, Lebanon, (513) 933-8022, www.lebanonrr.com.

PUMPKIN PATCH FRIDAYS: Children in preschool through second grade can celebrate this fall's harvest searching for the perfect pumpkin. Includes a wagon ride to the patch, admission to the Playbarn, juice and cookie snack, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 3-24, $5, Parky's Farm, 10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, (513) 521-3276, www.GreatParks.org.

USS NIGHTMARE HAUNTED STEAMBOAT: Includes exposure to common phobias including fear of heights, creepy crawling creatures, confined spaces, and being eaten alive. 40 minutes long, Wednesdays through Sundays, through Nov. 1. Wed., Thurs. and Sun. 7 to 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., $16 per person, USS Nightmare, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., (859) 802-5826, www.ussnightmare.com/index.html.