It’s the final weekend of October, the last gasp of all things Halloween-related.
Time to get out to the festivals, carve the pumpkins, go in search of haunted happenings, stock up on candy (you know, for the tricker or treaters, right?)
The leaves are glowing, the weather is just right for a brisk walk, or maybe a dance.
Get ready to swing, with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, that is.
And remember to support your local theater company and high school musicals, whose performers and stage crew labor away indoors to bring you some fun, fall entertainment.
Nothing scary here
Downtown Ligonier has a few dozen new, and temporary, residents as the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual scarecrow contest is underway.
Check out the 30 hand-crafted scarecrows, created by local nonprofit organizations, schools, businesses and individuals, through Nov. 2.
But make sure and vote by noon Oct. 28, as the scarecrows’ creators are competing for cash prizes.
“While this is a great fall activity for families, the scarecrows appeal to children of all ages,” says Scott Haines, chamber executive director.
Loyalhanna Realty is contest sponsor, enabling the chamber to offer prizes of $150, first place; $125, second; and $75, third.
In addition to the cash prize winners, a “Community Favorite” will be selected by popular vote.
Details: 724-238-4200 or ligonier.com
Creepy good fun awaits
If you’re a fan of “The Rocky Horror Show,” you probably already know the tale of Brad and Janet discovering the eerie mansion of mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter on a dark and stormy night.
Innocence is lost as they encounter a houseful of characters including a rocking biker, a creepy butler and “Rocky,” Frank-N-Furter’s latest creation.
Stage Right in Greensburg is planning two upcoming performances of the show, always popular around Halloween.
The Lamp Theatre, 222 Main St., Irwin, will stage the show Oct. 25 and 26, followed by performances Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at the Greensburg Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg.
Details: 724-832-7464 or stagerightgreensburg.com
Swing on down with Glenn
Since forming in 1956, the present Glenn Miller Orchestra has been touring constantly, playing an average of 300 dates a year all around the world.
At 2 p.m. Oct. 27, the band will bring its popular jazz sound to The Palace Theatre, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, in a Westmoreland Cultural Trust show.
Tickets are $18, $24 and $29.
Details: 724-836-8000 or palacetheatre.org
Norwin students stage “Sister Act”
The Norwin Theatre Company presents its fall musical, “Sister Act,” at the Norwin High School at 7 p.m. Oct. 25-26 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 27.
The production consists of Norwin High School students as cast and crew. Based on the film version, the play tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, an aspiring singer in Philadelphia who witnesses a murder.
Placed in hiding in a convent by the police, she struggles with the constraints of convent life. Everything changes after she is introduced to the struggling choir, and she finds a bigger purpose in her life.
Tickets are available online, $12 adults and $10 for students/seniors, or at the door for each performance, $8.
Details: nhstheatrecompany.com
“The Fantasticks” is fantastic
Trafford’s The Theatre Factory’s production of “The Fantasticks” continues this weekend, with final performances set for 8 p.m. Oct. 26 and 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at the theater, 235 Cavitt Ave.
The musical, which ran off-Broadway from 1960 to 2002, features the nostalgic song “Try to Remember.”
Both romantic and funny, the storyline follows the efforts of two feuding fathers to keep their offspring, characters Matt and Luisa, away from each other.
Tickets are $20 adults, $18 students and seniors.
Details: 412-374-9200 or thetheatrefactory.org
