Fri. 10/26 Michael J.P. Williams The author of “Baptism by Green Fire,” “Baby Crib” and “Evolution: Dissolution: Revolution” hosts a reading 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Queer Fear Cabaret A series of provocative and engaging music events is sure to thrill, 7:30-10 p.m. at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Aimee Mann The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Burlesque Showcase: Halloween Edition The live performances start 9 p.m. at Sisters Nightclub, 1320 Chancellor St.; 215-735-0735.
Sat. 10/27 Voices of a People’s History of the United States Howard Zinn’s seminal work about the extraordinary history of ordinary people who built the movements that made the United States what it is today, ending slavery and Jim Crow, protesting war and genocide, advancing gay and women’s rights and struggling to right wrongs of the day, 2 p.m. at South Camden Theater, 400 Jasper St., Camden, N.J.; 866-811-4111.
Emanuel Xavier The author of “Americano” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
The Big Gay Jell-O Wrestling Monster’s Bash The William Way LGBT community Center hosts the Halloween party with girl-on-girl and guy-on-guy wrestling, 8 p.m.-midnight, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Dennis Miller The comedian performs 8 p.m. at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
John Legend The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Sex Dwarf Halloween Party Out DJ Robert Drake provides hits from the ’80s and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is screened 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Sugar Town The monthly show of lady DJs and rockers features performances by Rainbow Destroyer, DJ Grrrl Afraid, KeN and PS XO, 11 p.m. at Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St.; 215-291-4919.
Sun. 10/28 Nosferatu The classic horror film is screened 3 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.
Deftones The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Mon. 10/29 Groove Night Local musicians join forces to bring the R&B, soul, jazz and funk, 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400. Lipstick Mondays A weekly drag show featuring a changing roster of queens takes the stage 9 p.m. at The Raven, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 215-862-2081.
Tue. 10/30 Unlabeled: The Acoustic/Electric Open Mic for Up-and-Comers Sign up and play 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.
Wed. 10/31 Metalocalypse: Dethklok with Machine Head The heavy-metal bands perform 6:30 p.m. at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. 4W5 Blues Jam Local musicians get down 7 p.m. at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.
The Dead Milkmen The punk band performs 8 p.m. at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Welcome To My Face performing “Appetite for Destruction” The tribute band performs the classic Guns N’ Roses album, 8 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Thu. 11/01 Group Love The rock band performs 8 p.m. at Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000. John Legend The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Fri. 11/02 Cypress Hill The rap group performs 8 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Jim Bruer The comedian performs 9 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Return of the Living Dead The zombie film is screened 9:45 p.m. at Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; 610-917-0223.
Opening
Stoker’s Dracula: A Solo Tale of Terror Curio Theatre Company presents this one-man horror story, through Oct. 31 at Calvary Center, 4740 Baltimore Ave.; 215-525-1350 or www.curiotheatre.org.
Sounds of America The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 1-3 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Continuing Collab: Four Decades of Giving Modern and Contemporary Design Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition that includes some of the finest examples of European, American and Japanese design, through fall, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Cooking With the Calamari Sisters The all-singing, all-dancing, all-cooking hit musical comedy, through Nov. 4 at Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St.; 215-923-0210. Cy Twombly: Sculptures Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of works from the Swiss sculptor, through March, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Enchanted Exchanges: Chirps and Chatter ArtStar Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Jordan Elise Perme of Horrible Adorables, through Nov. 18, 623 N. Second St.; 215-238-1557. Hairspray Media Theater presents the musical based on the classic John Waters film, through Nov. 4, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Learning from Frank Furness: Louis Sullivan in 1873 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and furniture by the famed architect, through Dec. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
On My Honor: 100 Years of Girl Scouting The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition highlighting the history, contributions and traditions of Girl Scouts, including entrepreneurship, environmental awareness and civic engagement, through Dec. 31, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6895.
Presidential Artifacts The National Constitution Center presents an exhibition of artifacts from collections around the country, through Dec. 31, 525 Arch St.; 215-409-6895. Ronaldus Shamask: Form, Fashion, Reflection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and sketches by the fashion designer, through March 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100. Shipwreck! Winslow Homer and The Life Line Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of 33 paintings by the American artist, through Dec. 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Stars of David Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the musical adaptation of Abigail Pogrebin’s best-selling book, through Nov. 11 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
This is the Week That Is 1812 Productions presents a special election edition of its smash political satire, through Nov. 4 at Plays and Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.
Closing Bell, Bernstein, and Brahms The Philadelphia Orchestra performs, through Oct. 27 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Giselle The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classical show choreographed by Marius Petipa, through Oct. 28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Prom Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of photographs by Mary Ellen Mark, through Oct. 28, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.