3-"A Few Good Men," University Theatre, Stewart Theatre, NCSU, Raleigh. Through Oct. 7.

Duke Symphony Orchestra with Cecilia Yudha, piano, Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University.

4-highlight jazz

Jae Sinnett Quartet with Steve Wilson, Hill Hall Auditorium, UNC-CH.

Sinnett, a drummer who has recorded eight albums as a leader, teaches at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va. Fellow Virginian Wilson plays lead alto saxophone in the Maria Schneider Orchestra, among other high-profile New York gigs. Expect a tasteful and exhilarating session.

"The Comedy of Errors," N.C. Shakespeare Festival, Fletcher Opera Theater, Progress Energy Center. Also Oct. 7.

Byron Cage, gospel, Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center.

Charanga Carolina, Cuban music, Durham Academy, Durham.

Henry Butler, jazz piano, Nelson Music Room, Duke University.

Jai Uttal, Indian devotional singing, with Daniel Paul, ArtsCenter, Carrboro.

5-highlight jazz

Bud Shank with the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra, Temple Theatre, Sanford.

The alto saxophonist, now 81, grew up in Durham, graduated from UNC-CH and wound up as a highly respected studio musician in Los Angeles. In the mid-1980s, he shed his cool, West Coast jazzman image and became a fierce bebop player, a course he pursues avidly today.

N.C. Symphony with pianist Vladimir Feltsman and music director Grant Llewellyn. Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center. Also Oct. 6.

Khmer Arts Ensemble, "Pamina Devi: A Cambodian Magic Flute," opera, Memorial Hall, UNC-CH.

"The Crucible," classic drama, N.C. Shakespeare Festival, Fletcher Opera Theater, Progress Energy Center. Also Oct. 6.

"The Battle of Shallowford," North Carolina-based comedy, Raleigh Little Theatre. Through Oct. 21.

"The Miss Firecracker Contest," Southern comedy, Ghost & Spice Productions, Common Ground Theatre, Durham. Through Oct. 20.

JCC Country Music Showcase, Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, Smithfield. Also Oct. 6.

Carolina Chocolate Drops, string band, American Tobacco Campus Amphitheatre, Durham.

6-highlight theater

"Man of La Mancha," Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center.

It takes a big personality to play the mad knight Don Quixote, and few are as supersized as Ira David Wood III. Best known as the caricaturish Scrooge, Wood has also carved a niche as the imprisoned writer Miguel de Cervantes and his alter ego, Quixote. This will be his third turn playing the role for N.C. Theatre.

Oktoberfest, with Duke University String School, Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University.

Saludos Company, Lise Uyanik & The Mobile City Band with magician Josh Lozoff, ArtsCenter, Carrboro.

Fall Fair of Arts & Crafts, Jordan Hall ArtsCenter, Cary.

World Beer Festival, Historic Durham Athletic Park, Durham. www.allaboutbeer.com.

Selma Railroad Days, Raeford Street, Selma. www.visitselmanc.com.

7-Dianne Reeves, jazz, Memorial Hall, UNC-CH.

Raleigh Symphony Orchestra with Yang Xi, violin, and Nate Leyland, cello, Jones Auditorium, Meredith College.

"Panchavaktram: A Dance Drama on Shiva, Lord of the Five Elements," Indian Classical Music & Dance Society, East Chapel Hill High School.

Celebrate N.C. Wines, JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh. www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.

Beach Music Day, featuring the Greg Woolard Band, Holly Springs Cultural Center, Holly Springs.

Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra, student-community ensemble, Talley Student Center Ballroom, NCSU, Raleigh.

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