No stone unturned. Lora Brueck’s images of her trip to Ireland in 2005 focuses upon a progression of stones – from their geological origins to the many ways the Irish people have used them as a part of their daily lives. Check out Stones of Ireland: Photographs by Lora Brueck through October 31, with the opening reception on October 2 from 6:30 to 7:30pm, at the Jacob Edwards Library, 236 Main St., Southbridge. 508-764-5426 jacobedwardslibrary.org.

Weaving Demystified Mihoko Wakabayashi Saori Hand-Weaving exhibition opens on October 3, 6-8pm and runs through November 15 at the Saori Worcester Free-Style Weaving Gallery and Studio. The show unfurls the spectacular variety of what it is possible to create with “plain” weaving, using the simple yet ingeniously designed Saori 2-harness loom, and the improvisational Saori style. Works will include yarn that Mihoko has spun, woven and dyed by hand. Pieces of old Japanese kimono fabric have been integrated into certain works, as if to unify the traditional Japanese weaving arts with the contemporary Japanese art of Saori. The exhibit includes both tapestries and clothing; most of the works are for sale, the exhibit is free. 131 Highland St., Worcester. 508-757-4646, saoriworcester.com

Dinner scenes. Among the Fitchburg Art Museum’s many exhibits this fall, don’t miss Stephen DiRado’s Dinner Series: How We Lived opening October 5, and running through January 4, 2009. Stephen DiRado’s large format black and white photographs capture the complex and evolving relationships of friends and family at dinner. The photographs reveal the drama of everyday life as it unfolds around the dinner table. Don’t forget that Fitchburg Art Museum is always free on the first Thursday of every month from 4 to 8 pm. $7 per person, seniors, youth 13-17, $5. Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. 978-345-4207, fitchburgartmuseum.org.

Tainted Memories. Join the Worcester Art Museum after work for a casual Members Viewing of the exhibition, Sepia Memories: Nineteenth-Century Photographs and get a first peek at the Museum’s newest exhibit on October 3 from 5-7pm. The exhibition features many of the Museum’s rarely-seen photographic gems - from Civil War images to portraits of Walt Whitman and Dorothea Dix. Also on view is our recent acquisition of our first picture of President Lincoln with General McClellan on the battlefield of Antietam. Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres add to the evening’s festivities. Free for Members; $10 Non-members. 5-7 p.m. Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St. Call 508-799-4406, worcesterart.org.

Engineers are people too. Diran Apelian, WPI’s Howmet professor of mechanical engineering, has a desire to change the image of engineering in America and show that engineers are engaged in culture, societal issues, and in the arts. He does so through the lens at the exhibit titled A Life’s Journey: Photographic Works by Diran Apelian, featuring 36 color images of sites from all over the world that are observations of life, nature, form, and beauty. On view through Sunday, October 12 at WPI’s George C. Gordon Library, Gallery ‘41 - 3rd Floor. 100 Institute Rd, Worcester. Free. wpi.edu.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

Block Party On October 4, from 9am-4pm, stop over to Douglas and help celebrate the season with the Douglas Octoberfest along Main Street (Route 16 between Depot and Cook Streets). This free festival features two stages, with Cathy’s Clown, central Massachusetts’ very own nine piece 50’s and 60’s band headlining. Also featured will be the Bees Knees, the Blackstone Valley Community Chorus and the Douglas High School Band and Chorus. Children’s games and rides will be available, and vendors will line both sides of Main Street. On the second stage, don’t miss children’s entertainer Joel Warren, Todd the Magician, the Blackstone Valley Young Marines, Over the Top Gymnastics, the Douglas High School Cheer Squad, the Blackstone Valley Robotics Team, and the bands Faded Remedy and the highly acclaimed The Accident that Led Me to the World. For a full downloadable brochure and schedule, visit douglasma.org.

Farm and fair trade. Overlook Farm hosts a Harvest Festival on October 4 & 5 from 10am to 4pm. Take a horse-drawn hayride. Purchase local pumpkins & organic produce. Enjoy foods highlighting Overlook Farm products. Visit the gift shop featuring fair-trade crafts from around the world. Activities for the children include bobbing for apples and a hay maze in Heifer’s Global Village. $5/car or $25/bus. 10am to 4pm. Heifer Project International, Overlook Farm, Rutland. Call 508-886-2221 or visit heifer.org/overlook.

THEATER

Take a Moment. What could be better than a musical review that takes you from the joys of childhood to the contemplations of our golden years? Find out at Moments: A Musical Journey Through Life through October 5, presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company, 21 Grandview Ave., Worcester. “Moments” is an original review featuring music from some of Broadway’s most beloved musicals including “The Music Man”, “Rent”, “I Do, I Do”, “Secret Garden”, “Phantom Of The Opera” and many more – all for only $16. An evening of music, laughter and great entertainment is guaranteed. Call 508-753-4383 or visit wcloc.com for more details.

Nuns in Vegas. Praise the Lord and pass the sequins! Those crazy Sisters of Hoboken have gone Vegas in Theatre at the Mount’s performance of Nunsensations: the Nunsense Vegas Revue. In this all-new, 6th edition of the Nunsense series, a parishioner has promised The Little Sisters of Hoboken $10,000 for their school if they will go to Las Vegas and perform at a friend’s showplace. After convincing Reverend Mother that “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” the Sisters are off on another hilarious adventure! Performances run from October 3-12, $20 for evenings; $15 for matinees. Mount Wachusett Community College: Theatre, 444 Green St., Gardner. Visit theatre.mwcc.edu to learn more.

The Full Treatment. The Stratton Players present The Full Treatment by Michael Brett, Directed by Victor Dupuis, through October 12, 8-10pm, Sundays @ 2pm, $12. The decision to turn an elderly couple’s wedding anniversary into the human interest media sensation of the moment becomes the basis for this hilarious and sparkling comedy. The reluctant couple initially agrees to “the full treatment” but there are some bumps along the way and more than a few extremely funny surprises. 60 Wallace Ave. Fitchburg. 978-345-6066, strattonplayers.com.

LECTURE & WORKSHOPS

Fish or Fable? As scholars debate the most appropriate way to teach evolutionary theory, Constance Clark provides an intriguing reflection on similar debates in the not-too-distant past. Set against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, God or Gorilla: Images of Evolution in the Jazz Age explores the efforts of biologists to explain evolution to a confused and conflicted public during the 1920s. Come hear the author talk on October 4 from 4-5pm in the WPI Gordon Library Class of 41 Gallery. 100 Institute Road, Worcester. wpi.edu.

Midas touch. The Museum of Russian Icons is offering a Workshop on Gold Leafing on Saturday, October 4 from 9am-1pm. Decorative painter and mural artist Anne Giancola will teach a workshop on gold leafing. Participants will create beautiful keepsake gold-leafed boxes decorated with paint and decoupage. Limited to 10 participants. Cost: $30 for nonmembers, $25 for members. Museum of Russian Icons. 203 Union St., Clinton. Registration is required, so be sure to call 978-598-5000. museumofrussianicons.org.

MUSIC

The Doctor is in the house. On October 3 & 4, get a dose of the classics — classic rock that is — with Doc Robert at Sakura Tokyo, 640 Park Ave, Worcester, from 9pm -12:30am. Call 508-792-1078 to learn more.

Foot Stompin’ If you are in the mood for some upbeat Irish, Scottish and Atlantic Canadian music, then don’t miss Songs For Ceilidh on October 4 at the Grey Hound Pub (An Cu Liath), 11 Kelley Square, Worcester at 9pm. This free show features a blend of traditional Celtic classics and Cape Breton influenced originals. With a high energy spin, Songs For Ceilidh creates an exciting, energy filled atmosphere for everyone’s enjoyment. Their name says it all; Ceilidh [Káy-Lee], a foot stomping, high energy, rip-roaring good time! Check out SongsForCeilidh.com or myspace.com/songsforceilidh1 for music samples and downloads.

DANCE

Sabor Picante Salsa Evening. Sabor Picante Band will return to Jacob Edwards Library to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening of salsa. Reserve October 2 for an evening of great music and dancing from 6:30-7:30pm. The band has toured in United States, South America, The Caribbean and Europe, and many of the members have also led their own bands. Best of all, its free. Jacob Edwards Library, Main Hall, 236 Main St., Southbridge. Call 508-764-5426.

FAMILY

Keep looking at the stars. View the brilliant night sky of October with only the lights from the stars at the all ages Stargazing and Evening Walk at Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary on October 3 from 6:30-9pm. Stop by Burncoat Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, in Spencer to review constellations and share interesting stories about these sparkling celestial images and why they have been so important to humans for thousands of years. A safe woodland walk will follow to listen for sounds of nocturnal wildlife. Meet at the end of Polar Spring Road, Route 9 (watch for Spencer/Leicester sign; the dirt road is adjacent to the Spencer Country Inn). $6 Adult Members, $8 Adult Non-members, $4 Child Members, $5 Child Non-members. massaudubon.org

The Clayground. Skip the playground on Saturday October 4 and head on over to the grand (re)opening of The Clayground. Under new management, every child paints for free today, plus pottery wheel demonstrations, refreshments and prizes galore. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Clayground, 65 James St., Worcester. Call 508-755-7776 or visit theclaygroundma.com. o