[naviga:h3]PSO kicks off college series[/naviga:h3]

The inaugural season of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Westminster series begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with “Bernstein in Pittsburgh” in the college’s Orr Auditorium.

Manfred Honeck will lead the orchestra in a centennial celebration of the birth of American composer Leonard Bernstein. Mezzo soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano will be featured.

For more information, call 724-946-7354.

[naviga:h3]Festival flurry this weekend[/naviga:h3]

Festivals this weekend include the Living Dead Weekend in Evans City from Friday through Sunday, focused on the celebration of the 50th anniversary of “Night of the Living Dead.”

The Portersville Steam Show Fall Fling is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1512 Perry Highway. Admission is $5 (children 11 and younger are admitted free).

Mars Applefest activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and feature vendors and crafters throughout downtown Mars.

And Concordia Oktoberfest is from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and features German food, music, a petting zoo, pony rides, games and entertainment ending with Zambelli fireworks. Festivities take place at 134 Marwood Road, Jefferson Township.

[naviga:h3]Stone House hosts stories[/naviga:h3]

Spooky Stories are making their return this year to the Old Stone House on Oct. 13. Two storytelling sessions are planned, the first at 6 p.m. with the second at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-spooky-stories-tickets-49987917206.

[naviga:h3]Stephen Foster program slated[/naviga:h3]

A free program about “Stephen Foster — Father of American Music” will be presented at 9:30 p.m. Monday by the Opus I Music Society at LifePointe Alliance Church’s music room, Route 228 in Adams Township.

Tatiana Sinelnikova will use power point and music in this presentation that begins the club’s course of study on “Musicians of Western Pennsylvania.”

[naviga:h3]Show features county kids[/naviga:h3]

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” opening Friday at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, Beaver County, features four Butler County students.

Performing in the ensemble are 10th-grader Kaylee Bechtold and 11th-grader Alexis Walker, both of Mars; 11th-grader Tessa DeJeet of Cranberry Township; and 12th-grader Brianna Kutchko of Valencia.

The Tony Award-winning musical will run weekends through Oct. 21.

Tickets are available by calling the Lincoln Park box office at 724-576-4644.

[naviga:h3]Zelie on Tap offered[/naviga:h3]

The third annual Zelie On Tap is 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 13 at Zelienople Community Park. The event features 24 breweries.

Tickets for each of the two sessions are $40 before the day of the event and $45 on that day.

Tickets, which do not include food, are available at eventbrite.com.

A full band line-up will provide music throughout the day.

Zelie On Tap is a fundraiser that benefits the Zelienople Public Library and the initiative to renovate the Zelienople pool bathhouse.

Participants must be 21 or older.

[naviga:h3]Ghost walks scheduled[/naviga:h3]

A Butler Ghost Walk will be conducted by Bill May at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Stories will include the ghosts of Sam Mohawk, Ghosts of the Old Hospital, the Haunted Elevator, the Chinese Laundry Murder, the Phantom Civil War Regiment, and the Girl Who Heard the Angels Sing, plus see a photo of the Ghost of the Penn Theater.

Tours start in Diamond Park opposite the Butler County Courthouse.

Cost is $15 per person and reservations are required.

Visit ButlerGhostWalk.com or call 724-256-9026.

[naviga:h3]Philharmonic opens season[/naviga:h3]

The Pittsburgh Philharmonic will feature Verdi’s “Force of Destiny Overture,” Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain,” and Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” for a concert Oct. 28 at Butler County Community College.

The Haunted Hertz and Hidden Treasures concert will begin at 2 p.m. in the Succop Theater.

Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 724-284-8505. Tickets also are available at the door.

[naviga:h3]Preston Park tours readied[/naviga:h3]

Butler Township will offer public tours of Preston Park including the residence and the grounds at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 13 and Nov. 24.

This two- to three-hour walking tour is available at no cost, but registration is required.

To register for a tour, call 724-283-3430 or 724-287-7465 or email mlove@butlertwp.org.