BRADY TWP — The Jennings Environmental Education Center staff will help visitors explore the mysterious world of bats at 7 p.m. Oct. 25.

During an indoor introduction, participants will discover the truth about the animals and the benefits they provide as valuable insectivores. Tips will be offered on how to provide optional roosting sites to exclude bats from a home.

The program will conclude outdoors with a venture into the night forest to gain a new appreciation for the adaptations of bats and other nocturnal creatures.

For more information or to confirm programs, call the center at 724-794-6011.

PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble will perform the show "Revealed" at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30 in the Trees Hall Dance Studio on the Pitt campus.The show will include tap, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop dances.Gina Zidek, a 2008 graduate of Freeport High School, will be working backstage as part of her dance production class."Revealed" is the annual informal dance concert produced by Pitt's Dance Ensemble. Since 1954, the group has been performing ballet, jazz and modern dance choreography by students and guests.Admission at the door is $3.

The Butler County Symphony Association's 20th annual Holiday Tour of Homes will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21.The Butler area homes included on this year's tour will be those of John and Linda Buckner, 104 Thornbrook Drive; Dennis and Ann Baglier, 7 Pine Needles; Hollie and Bryan Stevenson, 114 Aubrey Drive; Tom and Stacy Panei, 619 N. McKean St.; Mike and Jen Nanni, 501 N. McKean St.; and Rose Haven Bed and Breakfast, 605 N. Main St.Included is a cookie reception at Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Second St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a fundraiser, the Hill Youth Chorale will sell a lunch of soup and salad for $5 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 and are available at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St. Call 724-283-1402 for more information.

FRAZER TWP, Allegheny County — Colored double stars, craters on the moon and the planets Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune will all be part of the show for the final Star Party of the season sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.The Star Party starts at about 6:25 p.m. Oct. 24, weather permitting, at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory, Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County.Members of the AAAP will be on hand to assist visitors who take telescopes.Call 724-224-2510 for more information.

PITTSBURGH — A free presentation of Opera Up Close will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the performance space at the Pittsburgh Opera headquarters, 2425 Liberty Ave., in the Strip District.The event will begin with an in-depth musical analysis of the opera "Falstaff" with Maestro Antony Walker. Attendees will be informed and entertained as the Maestro plays the piano, sings a few lines and tells anecdotes.After a short intermission where guests can enjoy light hospitality and chat with the Maestro, a moderated discussion panel will conclude the afternoon's events.Opera Up Close is free and open to the public. For more information, call 412-281-0912 or visit the Web site, www.pittsburghopera.org.

MARS — Tickets are still available for the Strand Theater Initiative's annual Taste of the New North, sponsored by Lutheran Senior Life.The dining-out extravaganza is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Sheraton Four Points Pittsburgh North, just off Route 19.The Strand completed it first phase of construction and reopened to the public for the first time in 25 years in July.More than 20 restaurants, caterers and beverage companies will be represented.Tickets are $25 in advance and may be ordered by calling The Strand Theater Initiative at 724-742-0400 or by visiting the Web site, www.thestrandtheater.org. Tickets at the door will be $30.

PITTSBURGH — The 2009 edition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes will return Nov. 12 to Dec. 6 to the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave.Single tickets range from $30.50 to $100.50. Call 412-456-4800 or visit the Web site, www.pct-arts.org.

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Several Butler County artisans will participate in the 15th annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Christmas Festival planned Friday through Sunday and Oct. 24 and 25 indoors at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 N. Main St.County participants include Janet Haugh and Lisa Tracy, both of Butler; Shaun Painter as well as Ann and Carl Johnson, all of Cranberry Township; and Scott Thompson of Petrolia.Admission is $5.50 for adults, $5 for senior citizens age 65 and older, $1 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children younger than 6. Call 724-863-4577.

PITTSBURGH — Music in a Great Space Concert Series presents Ken Medema, singer, songwriter and pianist, at 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Shadyside Presbyterian Church.Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens age 60 and older; students and children are admitted free.For more information, call 412-682-4300 or visit the Web site at www.shadysidepres.org.

PITTSBURGH — The Society for Contemporary Craft is presenting Transformation 7: Contemporary Works in Wood, the Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder's Prize Exhibition, from Friday through Jan. 2.The winner of this competition, as well as the honorable mentions, will be announced at the public reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23.The gallery is at 2100 Smallman St. Call 412-261-7003 or visit the Web site, www.contemporarycraft.org.