The Butler County Symphony Orchestra opens its 62nd season at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium. The theme for the season is "Images" with this concert focused on "Water." Featured performer Jamey Turner is one of only a handful of glass harpists in the world.

Reserved seats are $15 for adults in advance or $18 at the door. Student tickets are $5. Tickets are available at the symphony association office, 259 S. Main St. For information, call 724-283-1402 or visit www.butlersymphony.org.

BUTLER TWP — "An Evening of Short Plays" by former Butler County resident Donald Orwald is planned for 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater.Orwald is a retired Knoch High School English teacher. Three of his award-winning plays will be performed: "Jonny Quest and the Giant Kidney" based on a true story about a skeptical reporter who interviews an imprisoned serial killer; "Jack of Hearts/Knave of Spades," a comedy-drama based on a memoir written by a high school student about her favorite teacher; and "Germs and Jesus," a comedy in which a nun is brought into a small town sheriff's office for trespassing at the local hospital.Reserved seats are $15 in advance or $18 at the door; students pay $10.Proceeds benefit the Mary Jo Mohn Covert Performing Arts Scholarship administered by the BC3 Education Foundation.Call the box office at 724-284-8505 or visit www.bc3.edu/theater.

ZELIENOPLE — The second annual Heroes for Autism: The Variety Show on Oct. 9 will benefit the Parents in Toto Autism Resource Center in Zelienople.The evening begins at 6 p.m. at the Strand Theater, 119 N. Main St. The show featuring comedic magician Cris Johnson and musical entertainment, an auction and refreshments will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets in advance are $15 for adults and $10 for children younger than 12; at the door tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children.Visit www.parentsintoto.org.

CRANBERRY TWP — The eighth annual Projecting Hope Film Festival will be held Oct. 8 to 10 at Cranberry Cinemas and Oct. 15 to17 at Waterworks Cinemas in Fox Chapel.The festival will showcase more than 30 screenings of faith-based and family friendly films from the past year.Previous events have drawn more than 5,000 attendees.Admission is free, though donations will be accepted to benefit Mission Vision, a nonprofit ministry that provides free eye exams, eyeglasses and other supplies to the needy.For information, visit www.ProjectingHopePGH.com.

A benefit concert and memorial poker run will be held Saturday in memory of Logan Beckwith and Hailey Weiland who died in a car accident on the way home from a family summer vacation.The day starts at 9 a.m. at Rock Ann Haven, 141 Greenwood Drive, and finishes at the Lyndora American Legion. Musical performances will be by Ninth Heaven and Donny Eozzo, among others.Cost is $25 per couple, $15 per single, and $10 for food and bands.Call 724-584-4310 or 724-504-0652.

The author and photographer responsible for "Pennsylvania Crude: Boomtowns and Oil Barons" will hold a book signing from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Maridon Museum, 322 N. McKean St. Paul Adomites and Ed Bernik will talk about the making of this book that highlights the region.Refreshments will be served. Call 724-234-4619 or 724-282-0123.

PITTSBURGH — "Vatican Splendors" exhibition tickets are now available. The display opens Oct. 2 at the Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St. in the Strip District, one of only three sites in North America.Original works by Michelangelo, Bernini and Giotto are part of the nearly 200 rare pieces of art and historical objects in the largest Vatican exhibit to visit this continent.Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and students with college ID, $13 for children ages 6 to 13, and free for children 5 and younger. Call 888-582-8422 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.