Actors perform period dances during the Penn's Colony Festival in Saxonburg

SAXONBURG — The 24th annual Penn's Colony Festival, striving to authentically depict early American life, runs Saturday and Sunday at its permanent site on Pittsburgh Road outside Saxonburg.

With the French and Indian War era, approximately the 1750s, as its framework, the festival celebrates daily life, history, arts and entertainment.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $6.50 for those ages 16 to 59, $5.50 for senior citizens age 60 and older, $4.50 for children ages 8 to 15, and free for children younger than 8. On-site parking is free.

Call 724-352-9922 or visit the festival Web site, www.penns-colony.com.

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — The McConnells Mill Heritage Festival runs Saturday and Sunday at McConnells Mill State Park.The festival depicts the era in which the Old Mill operated, 1852 to 1928. There will be live music, food, crafts, children's activities and the 19th Ohio Light Artillery featuring period weaponry.Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission, parking, tours, and wagon rides to the gristmill are free.Call 724-368-9320.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra will open its 59th season with a concert at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 in the auditorium of Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road.The orchestra is under the direction of Elisabeth Heath-Charles.The theme for the season is "The Symphony Spotlights¿" At this first concert, "Spotlight on the Piano," concertgoers will have an opportunity to hear Butler-born, internationally acclaimed pianist David Syme playing Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor."Syme is known for his exciting performances throughout the United States and in Poland, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Russia, Spain, the Netherlands and Mexico.Seats at $15 for adults and $8 for students are reserved and can be obtained at the symphony association office, 259 S. Main St. At the door, tickets will cost $18 and $9. For more information, call 724-283-1402 or visit the Web site, www.butlersymphony.org.

BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College will host magician Tim Kutch, as well as the Trinity Jazz Orchestra, for a weekend of entertainment on the Succop Theater stage in October.Nationally acclaimed magician and illusionist Tim Kutch will return for a show at 8 p.m. Oct. 6 in a show for the entire family. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and $6 for children age 12 and younger.Trinity Jazz Orchestra will perform an afternoon of smooth jazz standards and new arrangements beginning at 3 p.m. Oct. 7. This locally based band is composed of music instructors and professional musicians focused on entertainment and education. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.To reserve seating, call the Succop Theater Box Office at 724-284-8505 or toll-free at 800-826-2829, or order tickets online at bc3.edu.

BUTLER TWP — A six-band festival to benefit the family of Rene Zarnick-Eury is planned for Oct. 6 at Butler Township Park, South Duffy Road.The concert will run from 1 to 11 p.m. and feature the bands Junkman's Widow, Native Import, Russo Fratto Project, General Butlers Sour Mash Revival, Plastered In Paris and Lost Souls.Admission is 6$ for this all-ages show.

As it begins rehearsals for the new season, the Blazing Star Choral Society welcomes guest conductor Jason Iannuzzi for the first concert of the season scheduled for Dec. 9.Rehearsals have begun from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First English Lutheran Church at the corner of Main and Brady streets. New singers are welcome, especially male voices.At its recent meeting, the board of directors asked Iannuzzi to prepare and direct the chorus for a fall performance of Messiah by G.F. Handel. The concert will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater.Iannuzzi was recommended by Robert Page, director emeritus of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh.Iannuzzi has a master's degree in conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and was Page's assistant director for the Mendelssohn Choir. He has also directed the Bucks County Choral Society in eastern Pennsylvania.For more information on the Blazing Star Choral Society or the upcoming choral season, send e-mail to blazingstarchorus@gmail.com.

The Butler Musical Theatre Guild will have tickets for its production of "Oklahoma" available for the general public beginning Monday at May's Music Shoppe, East Jefferson Street.Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students.The performance will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27 and at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Succop Theater on the Butler County Community College campus.For more information, call 724-287-8243.