All Cities

She redefined what it meant to be a female musician atop the radio charts thirteen years ago. Now, the Canadian rocker is back with a new album and accompanying tour. Oct 24 at 8. $34–$70. alanismorissette.com

Oct 11 at 5; 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars. Oct 12 at 7:30: A Night of Hope with Joel and Victoria Osteen. Oct 16 at 8: Neil Diamond. Oct 19 at 8: New Kids on the Block. Oct 22 at 7:30: Janet Jackson. Oct 24 at 8: Vicente Fernandez. Oct 26 at 7: Tina Turner. For prices call or go to americanairlinescenter.com.

Oct 3 & 4: The Music of ABBA featuring ARRVAL—oh, Mamma Mia! The only ABBA touring group with exclusive rights to the band’s original clothing and likeness is joining forces with the symphony to play all your favorite tunes, including “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “S.O.S.,” and many more. At 8. $27–$48. Oct 5: Halloween Children’s Concert—wearing costumes to this afternoon of holiday fun is strongly encouraged. Let the kids enjoy stimulating sights and musical musts such as Peter and the Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Wizard of Oz. At 2. Gen adm $12, children $8. Oct 17 & 18: Messiaen: L'Ascension. Schumann: Introduction and Allegro appassionato. Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No 1 in G. Respighi: Vetrate di chiesa (Church Windows). Anton Nel, piano. Peter Bay, conductor. At 8. $19–$48. austinsymphony.org

Season Opener—the new season takes flight with the programming equivalent of a grand jeté: three works in one night. Take in a world premiere from artistic director Stephen Mills set to music by Philip Glass; Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs, which was made famous when Mikhail Baryshnikov danced the lead in 1984; and George Balanchine’s Episodes, a rare treat featuring the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Oct 24–26. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 3. $27–$77. balletaustin.org

Oct 3: Aaron Watson; $10 (res $14). Oct 4: Tracy Lawrence; $12 (res $24). Oct 10: No Justice; $10. Oct 11: Darius Rucker; $12 (res $24). Oct 17: Trent Wilmon; $12 (res $15). Oct 18: Joe Nichols; $12 (res $24). Oct 24: $12 (res $24). Oct 25: Willie Nelson; $20 (res $40; sold out). Oct 31: Eli Young Band; $12 (res $16). At 10:30. billybobstexas.com

The Pro Arts Collective presents this performing arts festival featuring spoken word, hip-hop, theater, dance, and music. By inviting the new guard of creatives to present their latest offerings, BAM aims to be an incubator of artistic expression. Oct 3–12. Festival pass $60 ($50 adv by Oct 3); single-event tickets $20 ($15 adv). For schedule & locations call or go to bamaustin.org.

Some of the world’s finest urban artists will take you through an electrifying exhibition of movement—break dancing, popping and locking, bucket drumming, and more—all set to beats provided by live deejays and master percussionists. Oct 18 at 7:30. $17–$37. artssanantonio.com

Oct 4: Mozart in Vienna. Mozart: String Quartet in C Major. Mozart: Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat Major. Krista Bennion Feeney, violin. Laurie Smukler, violin. James Dunham, viola. Daniel Panner, viola. Bion Tsang, cello. At 7:30. $25–$45. Oct 18: Chopin in Paris: Epigraph for a Condemned Book—conceived, directed, and performed by pianist Sarah Rothenberg, this original work interweaves Frédéric Chopin’s music with the provocative writings of Charles Baudelaire and fragments of Eugène Delacroix’s paintings. The resulting performance collage evokes the romantic spirit of nineteenth-century Paris. At 8 (pre-concert talk by Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Richard Howard at 7). $25–$45. Oct 21: Keller Quartet—Hungary’s leading string quartet makes its Houston debut on its way to Carnegie Hall. Mozart: Five Bach Fugues. Kurtág: Officium Breve, in memorian Andreae Szervánsky. Mozart: Adagio and Fugue in C Minor. Kurtág: Six moments musicaux. Schubert: String Quartet No 15 in G Major. At 7:30. $35. (Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross.) Oct 25: The Kenny Barron Trio—lauded by Jazz Weekly as “the most lyrical piano player of our time,” Barron’s infectious melodies have earned him nine Grammy nominations. At 8. $30–$50. dacamera.com

Oct 1 & 2: Kenny G—the curly-headed saxophonist performs his smooth jazz alongside the symphony. At 8. $35–$100. Oct 3 & 4: Michael McDonald—a former member of legendary groups Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, McDonald is also the king of easy listening. At 8. $33–$110. Oct 9–12: Sibelius: Violin Concerto. Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D. Stravinsky: Scherzo á la russe. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben. Karen Gomyo, violin. Vasily Petrenko, conductor. Thur & Sat at 8, Fri at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. $17–$110. Oct 18: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons—catch the real Jersey Boys as they perform such indelible classics as “Big Girls Don't Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off You.” At 8. $40–$115. Oct 23–25: Brahms: Violin Concerto. Christopher Rouse: Symphony No 2. Wagner: Siegfried Idyll. Midori, violin. Carlos Kalmar, conductor. At 8. $22–$115. Oct 26: Family Concert Series: Thrilling Halloween Adventures—don your spookiest garb as a treasure-seeking emcee narrates a thrilling journey set to music from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Phantom of the Opera, Night on Bald Mountain, El Amor Brujo, Symphonie fantastique, and other symphonic masterpieces. At 2:30. $16–$42. Oct 27 & 28: Tony Bennett—the octogenarian crooner pours out his soulful, swinging pop. At 8. $45–$196. Oct 31–Nov 2: The Magical Music of Walt Disney—tunes from some of Disney’s greatest films, including the Lion King, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, and Tarzan, get the classical treatment as original artwork is projected on the big screen for a truly enchanting night. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. $35–$105. dallassymphony.com

Talent from around the world converges on El Paso every year to pay tribute to the universal appeal of Frederic Chopin, and this year is no exception, with special guest pianists Howard Na, who hails from Taiwan; Misha Dacic, who was born in the former Yugoslavia; and El Paso’s own Lucy Scarbrough, who is a powerful soloist as well as the director of the festival. Because these free concerts are almost always standing room only, you’re advised to come early to snag a seat. Oct 4 at 8. Free. elpaso-chopin.com

Oct 17 & 18: Spanish and Latin Favorites. De Falla: La Vida Breve: Interlude & Dance. Korngold: Violin Concerto in D Major. Revueltas: Sensemaya. Ginastera: Estancia. De Falla: Three Cornered Hat Suite No 2. Chloë Hanslip, violin. Sarah Ioannides, conductor. At 7:30. $11–$37. epso.org

Oct 3–5: Three Phantoms in Concert: Music of the Night—Brad Little, Craig Schulman, and Mark Jacoby have all worn the mask as the lead in Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera. Now, they are combining their smooth tenor voices for three nights of lively Broadway classics. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $26–$78. Oct 10–12: Caminos Del Inka. Alcedo: National Anthem of Peru. Enrique Iturriaga: Sinfonía Junín Ayacucho: 1824. Osvaldo Golijov: Mariel for Cello and Orchestra. Esteban Benzecry: Colores de la Cruz del Sur. Ginastera: Ollantay. Soro: Tres Aires Chilenos. Jesús Castro-Balbi, cello. Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor. Fri at 7:30, Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $10–$78. Oct 31–Nov 2: Pétrouchka. Kodály: Dances of Galánta. Behzad Ranjbaran: Selections from The Blood of Seyavash. Stravinsky: Pétrouchka. Basil Twist, puppeteer. Behzad Ranjbaran, composer-in-residence. Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor. Fri at 7:30, Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $10–$78. fwsymphony.org

Oct 2 at 8: Jeff Dunham. Oct 3 at 8: Carlos Mencia. Oct 8 at 7: The Cheetah Girls. Oct 12 at 7:30: So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2008. Oct 15 at 8: Luis Miguel “Complices Tour 2008.” Oct 17 at 7: Gaither Homecoming “Lovin’ Life” Tour. Oct 20 at 7: Weezer with Angels & Airwaves and Tokyo Police Club. Oct 31 at 7:30: Carrie Underwood with Little Big Town. For prices call or go to uterwincenter.com.

Oct 3 at 7: New Riders of the Purple Sage and Jones. Oct 4 at 8: Roky Erickson, the Black Angels, and Dove Hunter. Oct 5 at 8: Yngwie Malmsteem and ANJ. Oct 8 at 8: Great White. Oct 9 at 7: Johnny A. Oct 10 at 8: Eleven Hundred Springs, Doug Moreland, and Mama Sweet. Oct 10 at 8: Scott McCurry and nelo. Oct 11 at 8: Dave Mason. Oct 16 at 9: Devin the Dude and Coughee Brothaz. Oct 17 at 9: Outformation and Jonathan Taylor & the Northern Lights. Oct 18 at 7: James McMurtry and Mando Saenz. Oct 22 at 7: Butthole Surfers. Oct 23 at 8: Cas Haley, the Campaign, and Dubconscious. Oct 25 at 8: Ian Moore, Salim Nourallah, and the Lifters. Oct 26 at 7: Sarah Bettens and Carrie Rodriguez. Oct 28 at 8: Horrorpops and 7 Shot Screamers. Oct 29 at 8: Railroad Earth. Oct 30 at 8: Bleu Edmondson and Adam Hood. For prices call or go to granadatheater.com.

Oct 1 at 7: Zack Walther & the Cronkites; free. Oct 2 at 7: Ryan James; free. Oct 3 at 8: Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers; $12. Oct 4 at 1: The Doc Marshalls; free. At 9: James McMurtry; $12. Oct 5th at 12:30: Van Wilks; free. At 5: The Ruby Jane Show; free. Oct 6 at 7: Bret Graham; free. Oct 8 at 7: Zack Walther & the Cronkites; free. Oct 9 at 7: Austin Collins; free. Oct 10–12: The 22nd Annual Gruene Music & Wine Fest featuring the Flatlanders (Friday), Texas Tastings and Tunes (Saturday), and the Texas-style Musicfest (Sunday); call for schedule & prices. Oct 11 at 1: Paula Nelson Band; free. Oct 13 at 7: Bret Graham; free. Oct 15 at 7: Zack Walther & the Cronkites; free. Oct 16 at 7: Robyn Ludwick; free. Oct 20 at 7: Bret Graham; free. Oct 22 at 7: Zack Walther & the Cronkites; free. Oct 23 at 7: Kevin Carroll; free. Oct 25 at 9: Gary Claxton, Erik Hokkanen, and friends; call for price. Oct 26: Dan McCoy; call for time & price. Oct 27 at 7: Bret Graham; free. Oct 28 at 7: Bob Livingston; free. Oct 29 at 7: Zack Walther & the Cronkites; free. For additional dates, call or go to gruenehall.com.

In her one-hundred-minute “concert poem,” as she calls it, avant-garde performance artist Laurie Anderson hits on several “taboo subjects” stewing in many minds these days: the Iraq war, the corrosion of freedoms, the emptiness of consumer culture. Standing behind a keyboard on a votive-strewn stage, she presents her uncensored commentary with the backing of two singers and a chamber-rock ensemble (bass guitarist, cellist, violist, drummer). For full write-up see In the Chute. Oct 12 at 8. Call for prices. laurieanderson.com and titas.org

In her one-hundred-minute “concert poem,” as she calls it, avant-garde performance artist Laurie Anderson hits on several “taboo subjects” stewing in many minds these days: the Iraq war, the corrosion of freedoms, the emptiness of consumer culture. Standing behind a keyboard on a votive-strewn stage, she presents her uncensored commentary with the backing of two singers and a chamber-rock ensemble (bass guitarist, cellist, violist, drummer). For full write-up see In the Chute. Oct 10 at 8. $22–$62. laurieanderson.com and spahouston.org

Oct 1: Cowboy Mouth. Oct 2: The Kooks with the Whigs. Oct 3: Super Diamond. Oct 4: Jaguares. Oct 5: The Music of Abba. Oct 7: Yelle. Oct 8: The Academy Is… with We the Kings, Carolina Liar, and Hey Monday. Oct 9: Citizen Cope Solo Acoustic Performance. Oct 10: The Presidents of the United States of America with the Black & White Years. Oct 11: Ghostland Observatory. Oct 11: The Walkmen with the Little Ones. Oct 12: Dave Attell. Oct 15: Opeth with High on Fire and Baroness. Oct 16: Hotel Café Tour with Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Erin McCarley, and Brooke Fraser. Oct 17: Pepper with Passafire and Supervillians. Oct 18: The Rocket Summer with Phantom Planet, the Secret Handshake, and the Morning Light. Oct 20: Unearth with Protest the Hero, the Acacia Strain, Gwen Stacy, and White Chapel. Oct 20: Mike Relm with the Sideshow. Oct 22: Sara Bareilles with Marc Broussard and Raining Jane. Oct 23: All Time Low with Mayday Parade and the Maine. Oct 24: Matt Nathanson with Jesse Baylin. Oct 24: MSTRKRFT with LA Riots and Felix Cartel. Oct 25: Rick Springfield. Oct 26: Thievery Corporation. Oct 28: Dar Williams with Shawn Mullins. Oct 29: Silverstein and Chiodos with Escape the Fate. Oct 30: GALACTIC feat. Shamarr Allen and Corey Henry. Oct 31: Los Lonely Boys with Alejandro Escovedo. For times & prices call or go to hob.com/dallas.

Oct 10–12: Wayne Brady—the Emmy Award–winner performs alongside the symphony to pay tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. and Sam Cooke. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30. $29–$110. Oct 11: Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham—you will like it in a box. You will like it with a fox. Sam-I-Am and the Houston Symphony present the musical telling of this treasured rhyming story. At 10 & 11:30. Gen adm $19, youths 16 & under $12. Oct 16, 18, & 19: Beethoven 2 and Tchaikovsky's Rococo. Beethoven: Symphony No 2. Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme. Respighi: Adagio with Variations. Debussy: La Mer. Alisa Weilerstein, cello. James Gaffigan, conductor. Thur & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. $27–$107. Oct 17: Frankie Valli—catch the real Jersey Boys as they perform such indelible classics as “Big Girls Don't Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off You.” At 7:30. $45–$135. Oct 31–Nov 2: Rodgers & Hammerstein: Film and Music—relive the magic of Oklahoma!, The King and I, South Pacific, Carousel, and the Sound of Music with stunning remastered clips paired with original vocals, while the Houston Symphony provides the live soundtrack. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7:30. $29–$114. houstonsymphony.org

The squeezebox shows its versatility during this eighth annual festival, which features performances by Conjunto Ritmos, Santenos de Osvaldo Ayala, Curtis Poullard and the Creole Zydeco Band, Jeremias Martin and Group, and many more, plus workshops taught by the masters, dance classes, and open-mike sessions. Oct 11 & 12 from noon to 10. Free. internationalaccordionfestival.org

Synthesizing music, theater, and dance, this multimedia song cycle, composed by Michael Gordon and performed by members of New York’s Ridge Theater, incorporates the poems and letters of American poet Emily Dickinson. Four women channel the legendary wordsmith as she would have appeared in her Amherst, Massachusetts, home (re-imagined here as projections on moving translucent screens) and reinterpret her words for a modern audience. Oct 29–Nov 1. Wed, Thur & Sat at 8. $10 & $15. mitchellcenterforarts.org

Austin’s newest cultural gem—made up of the 2,400-seat Dell Hall and the 80- to-240-seat Rollins Studio Theater—presents its inaugural season. Oct 1: Patti Labelle—the MTV generation would do well to remember that it was Labelle, the original soulstress, who was singing the saucy hit “Lady Marmalade” long before Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Mya were even born. At 8. $69–$99. Oct 9: Revolution—a sweaty, sultry version of Riverdance, this ten-person ensemble merges Irish dance with tap dance and is backed by a rock band. The New York Daily News described the show as “one part Fred Astaire, one part Jimi Hendrix.” Beat that, Michael Flatley. At 8. $29–$49. Oct 19: 3 Mo' Divas—following in the footsteps of the acclaimed Three Mo’ Tenors, this musical journey celebrates the versatility of the female voice with some of the top performers in the world. At 7:30. $29–$49. For more performances, go to thelongcenter.org.

The Essence of Mercury—experience George Frideric Handel’s Opus 6 played on period instruments, just as it was meant to be heard in the composer’s time. Oct 3 at 8. $20–$47. mercurybaroque.org

You know you’ve made it when you’ve spawned numerous tribute bands—and you’re still alive and touring. But, for millions of Diamondites there’s nothing like hearing the real McCoy. Oct 14 at 8. $55–$120. houstontoyotacenter.com

Europe meets America. Copland: An Outdoor Adventure. Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola. Dvorák: Symphony No 7. Dr. Sergio Espinosa, conductor. Oct 5 at 3:30. $8–$15. irvingartscenter.com

Oct 10 at 7:30: So You Think You Can Dance; $35–$54.50. Oct 11 at 8:30: The Cardinals featuring Ryan Adams; $25–$35. Oct 16 at 8: Luis Miguel; $45–$125. Oct 22 at 7:30: America’s Best Dance Crew Live; $34.50–$54.50. Oct 23 at 8: Jason Mraz with Lisa Hannigan; $29.50–$40. Oct 24 at 8: R.E.M. with Old 97’s; $69.50–$119.50. Oct 25 at 8: Alanis Morissette ; $35–$65. Oct 26 at 7:30: Randy Travis; $49.50–$69.50. Oct 29 at 7:30: Jackson Browne; $35–$66. Oct 30 at 7:30: Carrie Underwood with Little Big Town; $35–$55. nokiatheatredfw.com

Oct 3: Yellowjackets with Mike Stern—the Grammy Award–winning band teams up with jazz titan Stern for an incredible collaboration that combines classic and contemporary jazz, fusion, and hints of R&B. At 7 & 9:30. $31–$71. Oct 4: James and the Giant Peach—only this contemporary classic could succeed in bringing together an orphaned boy, a giant peach, a singing centipede, and other entertaining insects to the delight of children everywhere. Relive the charming redemption tale with this stage adaptation of the popular book. At 11 & 1. $12. Oct 6: The Guess Who—they may have been the first Canadian rock group to have a number one hit in the U.S., but this quintet is best known for coining the likes of “American Woman,” “No Time,” and “These Eyes.” At 7 & 9:30. $56–$96. Oct 10: Keiko Matsui—this internationally acclaimed smooth jazz and new age composer/keyboardist has been named Billboard’s number one independent contemporary jazz artist. At 7 & 9:30. $31–$71. oneworldtheatre.org

Oct 13: The Cardinals featuring Ryan Adams—the alt-country crooner with the uncanny ability to make any hipster cry, is putting his solo-career on the back burner in support of his band, the Cardinals. At 8:30. $40.25–$45.25. Oct 14: The Magnetic Fields—led by frontman Steven Merritt, these talented musicians bring brooding power-pop, featuring banjo and cello, to new heights. At 8. $33.50–$36.50. Oct 25: Ray LaMontagne—on tour for his highly anticipated third album, Gossip in the Grain, this singer-songwriter has a truly unique voice and vision. At 8. $38.50 & $41.50. austintheatre.org.

The Essential Canadian Brass—with dazzling technique, unique performance attire, and generous amounts of humor, this quintet crosses seamlessly between jazz, classical, and popular music for a show that has all the ingredients for a good time. Oct 18 at 8:15. $13–$65. planosymphony.org

Oct 4: Liquid Skin; $8. Oct 10: Satisfaction; $15. Oct 11: Brown Betty; $6. Oct 15: Open Mike Nite; free. Oct 25: Rockland Eagles; $8. Oct 31: The Shades; $7. At 10. railroadblues.com

Great German Classics. Schubert: Symphony No 1 in D. Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of a Theme by Carl Maria Von Weber. Brahms: Concerto No 2 in B Flat. Alexander Moutouzkine, piano. Anshel Brusilow, conductor. Oct 4 at 8. $12–$101. richardsonsymphony.org

Oct 3 & 4: Christopher's Guide to the Orchestra. Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Overture. Mozart: Piano Concerto No 21 in C Major. Brahms: Symphony No 2. Orli Shaham, piano. Christopher Seaman, conductor. At 8. $10–$60. Oct 7, 8 & 10: Classical Fractions—learn about the relationship between musical and mathematical fractions at the opener of the SAS’s Young People’s Concert Series. Ken-David Masur, conductor. At 9:45 & 11:10. $4. (Trinity University campus, Laurie Auditorium, 715 Stadium Dr.) Oct 11: The Music of Pink Floyd—hear seventeen of your Pink Floyd favorites. Randy Jackson, vocalist. Brent Havens, conductor. At 8. $10–$60. (Municipal Auditorium, 1 Auditorium Circle.) Oct 17 & 18: Songs of Destiny. Brahms: Schicksalslied. Mahler: Symphony No 5. San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers. Christoph Campestrini, conductor. At 8. $10–$60. Oct 24 & 25: ¡Viva Maestra! Márquez: Danzón No 2. Golijov: Three Songs for Soprano and Orchestra. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5. Olivia Gorra, soprano. Alondra de la Parra, conductor. At 8. $10–$60. Oct 26: The Composer Is Dead—Nathaniel Stookey has composed a whodunit mystery musical from one of Lemony Snicket’s tales. Come in costume to this pre-Halloween event; the scariest and most creative get-ups will win prizes. Ken-David Masur, conductor. At 2:30 (pre-concert activities begin at 1:30). Call for price. (Trinity University campus, Laurie Auditorium, 715 Stadium Dr.) Oct 31–Nov 2: Doc Severinsen ~ El Ritmo de la Vida—Severinsen, Johnny Carson’s longtime Tonight Show maestro, is back with an all-new show featuring classical Spanish music with a jazz flair, American and Latino ballads, and great movie music. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $10–$60. sasymphony.org

Enjoy a stacked musical lineup—Willie Nelson, Foghat, Ghostland Observatory, Los Lonely Boys, Blue Oyster Cult, Alejandro Escovedo, and Grupo Fantasma, to name a few—at this second annual melodic happening, which features more than fifty musicians and bands from three continents. And the best part? There’ll be nary a Spring Breaker in sight. Oct 31–Nov 2. Call for schedule. $48.50; three-day pass $93. spimusicfest.com

Oct 3 at 7: Gary Allan; $28–$30. Oct 3 at 9:30: Ra Ra Riot with Walter Meego and the Morning Benders; $10–$12. Oct 4 at 7: Clutch with the Sword; $18. At 11:30: Dremnt the End; free with Clutch ticket or $8. Oct 5 at 7: Jaguares; $25. Oct 8 at 7: The President of the United States of America with the Black and White Years; $15–$17. Oct 9 at 9: Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne; $12–$14. Oct 11 at 7: Cat Power with Appaloosa; $25. Oct 17 at 9: The Ars Supernova with Good Luck Academy, Naked Empire, and Under the Green; $10. Oct 18 at 7: Pepper with Supervillians and Passafire; $15–$17. Oct 24 at 6:30: Jason Mraz with Lisa Hannigan; $30–$33. Oct 25 at 7: Ben Folds with Missy Higgins; $35–$40. At 11:30: Smile Smile; free with Ben Folds ticket or $8–$10. Oct 27 at 8: Ingram Hill; $11–$13. Oct 29 at 7: Ozmatli Reunited with Chali 2na; $18–$20. Oct 29 at 10:30: Rose Hill Drive; $10–$12. Oct 30 at 7: TV on the Radio with the Dirtbombs; $20–$22. Oct 31 at 7: STS9; $22.50–$25. Oct 31 at 11:30: Murder by Death with J Roddy Walston & The Business, and William Elliott Whitmore; $13–$15. stubbsaustin.com

Touted as the longest continuously operated free music festival in the country, this three-day weekend attracts more than 65,000 to Heritage Park to listen to the smooth sounds of dozens of bands. In fact, this year's lineup boasts 54 jazz groups, a festival record. Pick up a bottle of the 2008 Texas Jazz Festival wine (produced by Landon Winery of McKinney), ride the downtown trolly, browse eclectic gifts for sale, and catch Sunday's Dallas Cowboys game on big flat-screen TVs. Oct 17–19. For schedule call or go to texasjazz-fest.org. Free.

Oct 10 & 11 at 7: Widespread Panic; $40.50. Oct 12 at 7:30: The Roots and Gym Class Heroes with Estelle; $38. Oct 26 at 3: The Day The Music Stops—Willie Nelson, Ruthie Foster, Grupo Fantasma, Kelly Willis, the Gourds, Carolyn Wonderland, Nakia & His Southern Comfort, Lucky Tomblin Band, and Elizabeth Wills close the Backyard’s final season; $67–$357. thebackyard.net

Oct 2 at 8: Houston Ballet: Classics on Pointe; $10–$15. Oct 3 at 6: The Music Builds Tour with Switchfoot, Third Day, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, and Jars of Clay; $18–$41. Oct 17 at 7:30: Brad Paisley; $29.75–$65. Oct 24 at 7:30: Houston Symphony’s Hocus Pocus Pops; $10–$15. Oct 26 at 10: Fall Buzzfest with the Offspring, Stained, and others; $37.50–$150. woodlandscenter.org

Oct 5 at 6: Jaripeo de la Decada; $55–$95. Oct 6 at 7:30: How Sweet The Sound; $5 & $7. Oct 10 at 7:30: 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars; $29.50–$79.50. Oct 12 at 7: Luis Miguel; $35–$85. Oct 16 at 8: New Kids On The Block; $35–$75. Oct 21 at 7:30: Janet Jackson; $49.75–$250. Oct 22 at 7: The Cheetah Girls; $35 & $45. Oct 26 at 7: Vicente Fernandez; $50–$150. Oct 27 at 7:30: Tina Turner; $59.50 & $166.50. houstontoyotacenter.com

Oct 11: Citizen Cope Solo Acoustic Performance. Call for time. $27. Oct 14 at 8:30: The Cardinals with Ryan Adams, Neal Casal, Chris Feinstein, John Graboff, and Brad Pemberton; $35. Oct 23 at 8: Ray Lamontagne with Leona Naess; $27–$33. Oct 25 at 8: Jason Mraz with Lisa Hannigan; $30. Oct 27 at 7: Rise Against with Alkaline Trio, Thrice, and the Gaslight Anthem; call for price. Oct 28 at 7: Kings of Leon with We Are Scientist and the Stills; $30. Oct 31 at 8 & 10: Cheech and Chong Light Up America; $29.50–$49.50. verizonwirelesstheater.com

Oct 2 at 7: Anberlin with Straylight Run, Jonezetta, and There For Tomorrow; $15. Oct 3 at 8: Jaguares; $35. Oct 4 at 7:30: Second Annual Rock for Houston’s Youth; $11. Oct 7 at 7:30: The Academy Is… with We The Kings and Blake; $17.50. Oct 8 at 9: Shiny Toy Guns; $15. Oct 9 at 6:30: Alex Reymundo; $20. Oct 10 at 8