SLIPPERY ROCK — The Old Stone House hosts "Spooky Stories" and Halloween festivities from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28 and 29 at the historic house on Route 8 near the intersection with Route 173.

The traditional program offers interactive storytelling, historical reenactments and paranormal investigation.

A "haunted trail" set up behind the house will feature a walk through the woods where ghosts and goblins may lurk.

The opening day event will also feature a costume contest. Participants can register on site from 5 to 7 p.m.; judging will be at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first and second places.

The family-focused tour of the restored 1822 inn, run by Slippery Rock University, is free. Donations will be accepted to help cover the cost of the event and benefit the facility. SRU student groups will sell concessions.

For more information, visit the website, www.oldstonehousePA.org.

Northern Nightmares celebrates its sixth anniversary of family-friendly Halloween in Zelienople and Harmony on Friday and Saturday nights in October.The "Nightmare Tour" costs $15 per adult and $9 per child age 12 and younger. Patrons will board a bus to visit locales between Zelienople and Harmony. A ghoulish tour guide will spin stories based on the various stops along the way. The final stop will be at the Strand Theater to visit the Ghost of the Strand.Scheduled departures are Friday and Saturday nights at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes.Tickets are available at the Strand box office at 119 N. Main St., Zelienople, on a first-come, first-served basis, although reservations for groups of 10 or more are available. Tickets include one free pass to any Strand film program through the end of December.A Halloween parade and Trick-or-Treat are also planned.Visit www.NorthernNightmares.com.

The Butler County Symphony Association's 21st annual Holiday Tour of Homes will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 20. This is a self-guided tour.The sites include:• Joe and Gerri Paulisick, 608 N. McKean St.• Daryll Datz and Mike Gimigliano, 521 N. McKean St.• Leslie and Kevin Vinroe, The Inn at Mt. Chestnut, Patriot Lane.• John and Joni Kepple, The Fairways, 208 Tudor Drive.• Lorain and Jeff Hesidenz, 101 LeMont Drive.• Lowrie/Shaw House, 123 W. Diamond St.A cookie reception will be held at Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Second St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a fundraiser, the Hill Youth Chorale will be selling soup and salad lunches for $5 each from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Entertainment is included.The house tour is a major fundraising event for the symphony association. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 on the day of the tour. Tickets will be available after Nov. 1 at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St., and at May's Music Shoppe, The Thinking Cap, Meridian Gift Shop and Truly Yours.For more information, call 724-283-1402.

PITTSBURGH — "The Art of Caroll Spinney," an upcoming exhibit at the ToonSeum, explores the life one of the world's best-loved puppeteers through his original paintings and sketches.Spinney, best known for his portrayal of Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird, has been with Sesame Street for more than 40 years.During his puppetry career, he never lost sight of his first passion, the art of cartooning. Spinney brings his beloved characters into new realms through elaborate fantasy paintings, greeting cards and book illustrations.The exhibit will offer insight into the life of Spinney and his work — from his early comics as a child and fanciful car designs as a teen, to his comic strip work in the Air Force.The exhibit will run from Nov. 6 through Jan. 30 at the ToonSeum, 945 Liberty Ave.Spinney will be in Pittsburgh the evening of Nov. 6 for the ToonSeum's annual fundraiser "Ka-Blam! The Return of Saturday Mornings."For more information, visit the website, www.toonseum.org.

PITTSBURGH — Tickets for Pittsburgh CLO's "A Musical Christmas Carol" are available now.The all-ages show will go on Dec. 9 to 23 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.Shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23, at 4 and 8 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18, at noon Dec. 18, and at 2 and 6 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, plus daytime student matinees.Tickets range from $26.75 to $46.75, with half-priced tickets available for children ages 3 to 14. Call 412- 456-6666 or visit www.pittsburghCLO.org.

PITTSBURGH — Local experimental theater company Quantum Theatre continues its 20th season with "When the Rain Stops Falling" Oct. 28 to Nov. 21 at Iron City Brewery, 3340 Liberty Ave.Quantum Theatre is known for staging its shows in unique places that aren't theatres.This new play is by Andrew Bovell, author of "Speaking in Tongues."Curtain will be at 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and at 7 p.m. Sundays.Tickets range from $30 to $45, with a limited number of $16 tickets available for students. Call 888-718-4253.

PITTSBURGH — The national tour of The Lincoln Center Theater production of "South Pacific" will run from Nov. 2 to 7 at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices.The show will start at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 to 4, at 8 p.m. Nov. 5, at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 6 and at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7.Tickets start at $20 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or online at www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — The Broadway musical "Wicked" returns to Pittsburgh for a run from Sept. 7 to Oct. 2, 2011 at Benedum Center.The show, which has won 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, is the untold story of the witches of Oz.Tickets will range from $35.25 to $138.25 and will be available to the public next year. PNC Broadway Across America subscribers may purchase tickets in advance by calling 412-471-1390. Visit pgharts.org for more information.