Friday 9.28 Fantastic! Stupendous! Astounding! Eh. While all superlatives describe Poor Yorick’s open house, the local art studios had to make up a new word to describe the TWO-DAY FALL EQUINOX SPECTACULAGANZA. It will become apparent at the Spectaculaganza that the quality of work—by regular and new contributing artists—is given much more attention than Poor Yorick’s vocabulary. Music by Mike Crandall Quartet sets the tone for the event—which you might call “fantabulous.” Two-Day Fall Equinox Spectaculaganza @ Poor Yorick Studios, 126 W. Crystal Avenue (2590 South), 759-8681, Sept. 28, 6-10 p.m.; Sept. 29, 1-5 p.m.
• Wasatch Theatre Company is always thinking of ways to get more people involved, from actors to technicians. It’s a sort of an evolving apprenticeship that led to WTC’s 10-year anniversary with the PAGE-TO-STAGE FESTIVAL. Through Oct. 7, enjoy the Short Shorts Festival on odd-numbered dates, featuring the best short plays from the community, while on even-numbered dates, take in the premiere of THAED, a full-length piece by a local playwright about one man’s battle inside his own head. A free directing workshop takes place Saturday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Page-to-Stage Festival @ Rose Wagner Center for the Performing Arts, 138 W. 300 South, through Oct. 7; Thaed, Sept. 28, 30, Oct. 4, 6; Short-Shorts Festival, Sept. 27, 29, Oct. 5, 7, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Directing workshop: Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m. Tickets: 355-ARTS, ArtTix.org
Saturday 9.29 Johann Kepler was one ambitious guy. In addition to discovering what came to be the foundation of planetary movement, he also made connections between the harmony of planetary motions and music. At HARMONICES MUNDI (also the name of one of Kepler’s books), this outer-space/music connection is celebrated in a HARMONY OF THE SPHERES CONCERT. The event features the planets of visual arts, poetry, music, dance, film, science and drama—all perfectly aligned. Harmonices Mundi: Harmony of the Spheres Concert @ Main Library, 210 E. 400 South, 524-8200, 2 p.m.
• Birthday parties can be dangerous once you reach 800 or so. But OCEANS OF RUMI, which celebrates the Sufi mystic poet’s work, is no candle-fire hazard. First off, the poet is dead, but a cake isn’t enough recognition for a man whose philosophies on life and love are translated into some of the most amazing poetry in literary history. Learn about the life and legacy of the poet in the event that features Rumi’s poetry and songs in Persian and English. And leave the fire extinguisher at home. Oceans of Rumi @ Orson Spencer Hall, 260 S. Central Campus Drive, University of Utah, 582-3250, 8 p.m.
Sunday 9.30 For most, witches only come to mind at Halloween. Those who follow the Old Religion are often overlooked, but author CHRISTOPHER PENCZAK hopes to change that. It isn’t everyone’s cauldron of tea, but it’s an opportunity to learn about the teachings—perhaps from one of Penczak’s books that he will sign this weekend. Catch him today at South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society and at other venues during his three-day stay. Christopher Penczak @ South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 6876 S. Highland Drive, 561-0954, 10:30 a.m.; Sept. 28 @ Spellbound, 1433 S. 1100 East, 2 p.m. & South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 6876 S. Highland Drive, 7 p.m.; Sept. 29, Shilo Inn, 206 S. West Temple
Monday 10.1 If the idea of real witches is disquieting, Gardner Village can help. Get BEWITCHED at Gardner Village and stroll through the grounds where comfortably fake witches decorate the grounds. Or, take the family on a horse-drawn wagonette ride with a friendly, so-called “witch” (from 5-8 p.m., through Oct. 31). It might help you convince yourself that witchcraft is just a quaint relic of the past. Bewitched @ Gardner Village, 1100 W. 7800 South, 566-8903, Oct. 1-31. Ride With a Witch: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5-8 p.m. GardnerVillage.com
Wednesday 10.3 Mike Dorrell wants the world to know about his culture. And, judging from Utah Contemporary Theatre’s two successful installments prior to TALKING WALES III, people love to hear about it. The new show features four monologues by Welsh characters, surrounding a central story about shared history and identity. And you can share it with them. Talking Wales III @ Patrick Moore Gallery, 511 W. 200 South, 674-2312, Wednesday-Saturday, through Oct. 6. 7:30 p.m. UtahContemporaryTheatre.org
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