• Arts for Lawrence will present The Laramie Project, based on the true story of Matthew Shepherd and his death in Laramie Wyoming. Produced by the Tectonic Theatre Project, the troupe gives a searing portrayal of the events leading up to the young man’s murder. The play will be presented Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Theater at the Fort, 8920 Otis Ave. Tickets are $25 and available online at artsforlawrence.org. Get there early and explore the Cultural Campus behind the theater.
• Taylor Martin’s Magic Monthly will be held Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., featuring Matt Stanley, and John Shore and his Voodoo Magic Show. Tickets are $20 at the door ($15 for seniors) or available at IndyFringe.org. The show will be at the IndyFringe Indy Eleven Theater, 719 E. St. Clair.
• The Department of Natural Resources says we can put our bird feeders and bird baths back up, as long as they are clean. It’s still a mystery what was killing the song birds, but the threat has seemed to pass. Still continue to monitor your feeders for sick or dead birds and report them to the DNR.
• Woodruff Place Flea Market returns Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Think of it as a treasure hunt through the historic neighborhood with lots of surprises. Woodruff Place is located between Michigan and 10th and Woodruff Place East and West Drives. Parking is available in the Teachers Treasures parking lot on 10th St.
• First Friday will include Circle City Industrial Complex, the Harrison, the Murphy Building in Fountain Square, Main St. in Beech Grove, and Irvington. Check out live music at the Irving Theater, happenings at Hampton’s on East Washington, and many more Irvington businesses.
• Don’t forget to stop by Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival now through Sunday, October 2. The annual festival features carnival ride, games of chance and skill and live entertainment.
• Friday, Oct. 1 is the launch release reception of Madge: The life and times of Madge Oberholtzer, who brought down D.C. Stephenson and the Ku Klux Klan at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center, 5350 University Ave. If you pre-ordered the book, it will be held at the front desk for you. Copies will be available during the opening and during open hours at the Bona, Saturday & Sundays 1-4 p.m. Check out the Madge exhibit while you’re there.
• Garfield Park will host Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 4-8 p.m. Visitors to the Sunken Gardens can check out the Biergarten, music, German food and dancing, art activities, and lots more. The Garfield Brewery will unveil their traditional Oktoberfest beer along with wine for non-beer drinkers. The festival will be held at 2505 Conservatory Dr. (Shelby and Southern, just south of Fountain Square).
• Have you registered yet for the Irvington Halloween Festival’s Vampire Run on Saturday, Oct. 30 beginning at 10 a.m.? Visit the Irvington Halloween Web page, irvingtonhalloween, and follow the links to sign up for the 5K run/walk. Registration is only $35 per person.