Butler County Symphony Orchestra opens its 60th anniversary "Diamond Jubilee" season with a "Hometown Gems" concert on Saturday.

Concerts this year start at 7:30 p.m., a new time for the symphony.

The shows are still held in the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium.

Tickets for adults are $15 in advance or $18 at the door; students pay $5.

For more information, call the symphony office at 724-283-1402.

The Maridon Museum will host "White Elephant: Treasure or Trinket?" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at the museum, 322 N. McKean St.For the event, verbal appraisals of antiques will be conducted by six qualified antique dealers for $5 per item with a limit of 10 items. Anyone having an appraisal done will also receive free same-day admission to the museum.For more information, call 724-282-0123.

Author Randall Silvas will read passages and sign copies of his book "In a Town Called Mundomuerto" on Oct. 17, as sponsored by the Butler Little Theatre at One Howard St.Silvas is the author of 13 books, including "On Night's Shore" and "Disquiet Heart."He also is a playwright who has garnered three National Showcase Awards for shows that have been presented in NYC's off Broadway.His screenplays have also brought him awards and attention. "An Occasional Hell" was released in 1999 and he presently has another feature film script in production, "The Algerian."Refreshments will be served. Admission is $5 at the door. With the purchase of a book, admission is free.For more information, call 724-287-6781.

SAXONBURG — Rock at Knoch will take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 7 at Knoch High School.A limit of seven bands will be accepted for this battle of the bands. Bands with Knoch students will be given preference. All band members must be younger than age 21 the day of the show. Application deadline is Oct. 27.There is no fee to enter, but if bands want to sell merchandise, they will have to rent table space.Voting in the battle of the bands will take place the night of the show via ticket boxes.Fans can purchase tickets for $1 and place the tickets in the band box of their choice. The winner will be determined by greatest number of tickets in the box and will take home half of that money.Admission will be $5 and will be open to all ages. Refreshments will be available.For an application, call 724-352-3119.

Historic re-enactors from the frontier, Civil War and World War II eras are just some of the events planned for the 24th annual Country Fall Festival.The festival will take place Saturday and Sunday in Zelienople and Harmony and includes entertainment, food booths and vendors.The festivities, sponsored by the Zelienople-Harmony Business Association, will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Four Corners Park and along Main Street in Zelienople and Mercer Street in Harmony.The campsite of the 4th Armored Division from World War II will feature the group's vehicles, tents, gear and firearms.The historic encampment of the Independent Mountain Men, who portray the frontiersmen who trapped for furs in North America in the late 1700s and early 1800s, reflect those times by sharing the skills of knife throwing, cooking and tools of their trade.For the third year, the chili cook-off will begin at noon Saturday, with judging at 4 p.m. Judges will award prizes to the top three recipes. To apply, call Mary Lou Barud at 724-452-9261 or 724-316-1073.

ZELIENOPLE — Neil Simon's comedy "The Odd Couple" will be performed on Nov. 7, 8, 14 and 15 in the Bergman Events Center of St. Gregory School, 115 Pine St.This is a professional show with ticket prices including hors d'oeuvres, dessert and beverages for the over-21 attendants.Doors open at 7 p.m. each night, and shows start at 8 p.m.Tickets are available for $25 for a single, $45 for a couple, and $20 for a senior citizen. For reservations, call Jeanne Marino at 724-432-2300. All proceeds benefit St. Gregory School.

GROVE CITY — This year the Grove City Fall Fest will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Grove City Park, marking its 11th year.The United Way will host games in addition to a pie baking contest and a chili cook-off.Hayrides will be offered and there will be free pumpkins for children.A pet show will begin at 12:30 p.m. in which children can bring in any animal they consider a pet. The winners of the scarecrow competition will be announced at the pet show.

Harmony — A new gallery and boutique featuring local artwork will open Friday in Harmony, with an open house from 4 to 8 p.m.The Bottlebrush Gallery & Shop highlights locally designed and produced pottery, glass, ceramics, sculpture, photography, paintings, textiles, soaps and jewelry.The gallery and shop are on the Square in Harmony, in a 200-year old building.

The annual benefit concert for the Multiple Sclerosis Club of Butler will be held Oct. 24.Phil Stacey, a finalist on the 2007 American Idol show, will perform at the Butler Days Inn in Holiday Hall. He is a country western performer who does a little bit of contemporary Christian music, too.For ticket information, call 724-287-5845.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts hosts jazz musician Rudresh Mahanthappa and his world premiere of "Samdhi: Diasporic Connections" for performances at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East.Tickets at $20 and are available at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., online at the Web site, www.pgharts.org, or by calling 412-456-6666.

FOXBURG — The fifth annual Fall Art, Wine and Food Festival is planned for Sunday, a day filled with food and wine, musical performances, arts and crafts, and the natural beauty of the Allegheny River.Pre-festival events on Saturday include a clambake at the Allegheny Grille and a Karaoke Contest at Foxburg Wine Cellars. For reservations, call 724-659-5701."Foxburg's Idol" will be selected through a contest running from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

PITTSBURGH — "Mama Mia," the hit musical based on the songs of ABBA, returns in November to the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.Performances will run from Nov. 5 to 9. The performance schedule is: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 8 p.m. Nov. 7, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 8, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9.Tickets range from $23.50 to $66.50. Tickets are available at the box office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave; by calling 412-456-6666 or by visiting the Web site, www.pgharts.org. Groups 15 or more can order tickets by calling 412-471-6930.

PITTSBURGH — Idina Menzel of "Wicked" fame will perform in support of her album "I Stand" at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.Tickets range from $27 to $41 and available at the box office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave.; online at www.pgharts.org or by calling 412-456-6666. Groups of 10 or more can order tickets by calling 412-471-6930.