Through Sunday October 31. Reasons to be Pretty. Trustus Theatre presents this love story about the impossibility of love. The show introduces us to Greg, who really, truly adores his girlfriend, Steph. Unfortunately, he also thinks she has a few physical imperfections, and when he casually mentions them, all hell breaks loose. Greg also learns a shocking secret about his best friend at work and has to wrestle with his involvement. REASONS TO BE PRETTY is a romantic coming-of-age story set in today’s modern dating landscape, and is sure to entertain audiences with its heart and humor. www.trustus.org or call 254-9732

Shows: Thursdays through Sundays only. Friday October 29. Halloween in the Park. Bring your little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treating on our outdoor trick-or-treat trail through Crooked Creek Park in Chapin from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Inside we will have plenty of carnival games and prizes, a costume contest, a moonwalk, an inflatable slide, concessions, and all the fun you can imagine! This is a great safe and fun event for the whole family. Tickets for carnival games are $.25 each. Event goes til 8:30 pm. www.icrc.net/detail.aspx?id=3dde6c83-7a7c-4c5a-8fbb-e3882488526d or call 345-6181.

Friday, October 29. Spirits Tasting You're familiar with wine tastings, but how about trying some new liquors and liquers? Sam's Fine Wine & More in Lexington is offering a tasting of Jameson, Kahlua Coffee, and Absolut Flavors from 5pm-7pm. 5050 Sunset Blvd. www.samsfinewineandspirits.com

Friday, October 29. Beakers and Broomsticks! Slime oozes from glowing cylinders. Colorful liquids bubble up from test tubes in an eerie lab. Strange bugs stare with blinking eyes from the corner of the room. Pumpkins fly through the air. Is this a scene from the latest scary movie? No! It’s this year’s spooktacular Halloween celebration at EdVenture! Wear a costume and bring a friend for a fantastic evening of fun and games mixed with a splash of science. Admission is $7 per person. Meals from Moe’s Southwest Grill will be available for $3 per person. 5:30-8:30 pm at EdVenture, 211 Gervais St 779-3100, www.edventure.org

Friday, October 29. Rockin' at the Raceway. Hijacked plays this last concert of the series at the Historic Columbia Speedway. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening of FREE entertainment by one of the best local bands in town. Free admission and parking. 7pm-10pm. Located at 2001 Charleston Hwy (US 321). www.facebook.com/pages/Reids-Rockn-on-the-Raceway-Concert-Series/103091566411158?ref=sgm

Today through Saturday, Oct. 30. Ballet with a Bite! Columbia City Ballet’s Dracula: Ballet With A Bite returns with new blood for this “must see” Halloween favorite. Count Dracula and his Brides of Darkness are back with new choreography, costumes and palpitating music in this cutting-edge production. Dracula is always a favorite with its haunting visuals, graphic special effects and pulsating rock/jazz musical score composed by the late Thomas E. Semanski. Performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Koger Center, 7:30 pm. Tickets by phone at 251-2222 or online at www.capitoltickets.com

Saturday, October 30. Halloween at Dutch Square Mall. Sign up for the costume contest starting at 4pm at the stage in Center Court. The Haunted House opens at 5:30pm & Trick or Treating starts at 6pm. There will be trivia, stage entertainment, games, prizes & more. It’s Fun For the Entire Family! No masks on adults please. Information can be found under Featured Events on our website at www.dutchsquare.com or facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Dutch-Square-Center/373838308593 or call 772-3864.

Saturday, Oct. 30. Halloween in Five Points. For all things spooky, fun and festive, the place to be this year for Halloween is in Five Points. The annual Halloween in Five Points, presented by Chick-Fil-A Five Points, kicks off on Saturday, October 30 at 4 p.m. in the central Five Points village with Trick or Treating with merchants. Other activities include a pumpkin carving contest at the fountain, bounce house, face painting, ghost stories and more. www.fivepointscolumbia.com/events.php?eID=2

Through Sunday, October 31. Dark Fashion: Victorian Mourning Clothing to Today's Gothic Style. This year, enjoy the macabre with a visit to the Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens at 1615 Blanding Street. View the Historic Columbia Foundation's latest exhibit tracing the Victorian origins of modern Goth fashion. Featuring original Victorian mourning clothing, the exhibit also includes creations by contemporary Gothic designer Kambriel, winner of Gothic Beauty's 2005 Fashion Designer of the Year award. Enjoy Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit across the street at the Robert Mills House as well. www.historiccolumbia.org/site/programs/2010/10/01/events/dark-fashion-victorian-mourning-clothing-to-todays-gothic-style

Tuesday November 2. Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There's a Party in My City! Get your sillies out! Join the cast from Nick Jr's super popular kid's show at The Township for a rockin' fun party your kids will long remember- the one and only DJ Lance Rock headlines, performing kid-friendly DJ sets and dancing with the monster cast of the series. Shows at 2pm and 6:30pm. yogabbagabba.com or www.thetownship.org/