What's happening around Lancaster this week?

On Sunday, November 2nd, the instrumental ensemble Trans Siberian Orchestra comes to the Giant Center in Hershey. The concert is at 3:00 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50. Visit http://www.hersheypa.com/events/giant_center for further information.

On Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 5:00 p.m., "Find out how public art can play a key role in creating a vibrant community in Downtown Lancaster. Be the first to hear about the Public Art Action Plan proposed for the City of Lancaster. A presentation will be made by Renee Piechocki, artist and public art consultant and founding director, Office of Public Art, Pittsburgh. Free. 5 p.m. Pennsylvania College of Art & Design Atrium, 204 N. Prince St. 717-396-7833. www.pcad.edu"

Also happening Tuesday: "With heat prices expected to jump this winter, consider attending the Energy Solutions for City Homes workshop presented by L.I.V.E. Green. This workshop was created to help urban homeowners create an action plan to use energy more efficiently and cut costs. Bring your energy costs for at least 12 months. $5 donation requested. 6 - 8 p.m. Southern Market, 100 S. Queen St."

Or, during the same time slot Tuesday evening: Enjoy a "lecture by David Lahti titled, 'The Better Angels of Our Nature: Evolution and Morality' at Bonchek Lecture Hall, Barshinger Life Sciences and Philosophy Building, Franklin & Marshall College. Free. 7:30 p.m. Lahti discusses, 'are we, as humans, essentially altruistic beings whose natural state is to care for others--or is socialization the only thing holding us back from utter selfishness?'"

On Thursday, Oct. 30, "Noted biographer and novelist Francine du Plessix Gray, widow of post Abstract Expressionist artist Cleve Gray, will give a gallery talk on the exhibition, 'A Considered Life: Large Format Paintings by Cleve Gray' at the Dana Gallery (Steinman College Center), Franklin & Marshall campus. 4:30 p.m. Free. Francine donated 'Jonquil,' a painting Gray created in 1976, to the Phillips Museum of Art."

On Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7:00 p.m., "Catch a film that is part of the 4th Annual Festival of French and Francophone Films...'Molière' (2007) by Laurent Tirard, (French with English subtitles) is about the life of the famous French playwright known as Molière. Stahr Auditorium, Stager Hall, Franklin & Marshall Campus. 7 p.m. Free. For details, call 717-239-4296."

Also Thursday at 7:00 p.m., Millersville University is showing the film "Returned" for free in Myers Auditorium of McComsey Hall as part of its Humanities Film Series. "‘Returned’ is a feature length documentary video that follows several Nepali youths as they attempt to reintegrate back into civil society after their association with armed groups linked to the ‘People’s War.'"

"Billed as 'seedy and sensual,' 'Cabaret' takes you to a place you will not soon forget.' Join the Kit Kat Klub boys and girls on a wild, deliciously decadent romp through 1930s Berlin. The Green Room Theatre, Franklin & Marshall College. Tickets are available at the Roschel box office, or at 717-358-4858. Through Nov. 2. $5 for students or seniors; $10 for F&M employees; $15 for off-campus patrons." Showtimes are Thursday, Oct 30 at 8 p.m., Friday, October 31, 8 p.m. & Midnight, Saturday, November 1 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 2 at 2 p.m.

The Leola Freeze & Frizz will be showing free movies at 7:00 p.m. on both Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The titles are to be announced horror flicks. Bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Food is available for purchase but outside food is not permitted on the premises. The Leola Freeze & Frizz is located at 2250 New Holland Pike in Leola.

October 31 is "Greek Day" at The Red Rose Restaurant in Lancaster. "Opa! The Red Rose Restaurant offers Greek Day the last Friday of every month! Originally started in 2004 to commemorate the return of the Olympic games to Athens, Greek Day has become a mainstay of the Red Rose calendar. Enjoy home-cooked authentic Greek food, such as spanakopita and mousaka (to name a few) and yummy pastries!" Hours are 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Red Rose Restaurant is located at 101 E. King St.

This weekend (Oct. 31 to Nov. 2) is the "Keestone Katz Club Cat Show" at the Lancaster Host Inn & Resort. "Cat show exhibiting over 200 cats on international competition. Bring a can of cat food and get one dollar off." Admission is $4 for children and seniors, $6 for adults. For a past account of the fun, read the Intelligencer Journal article posted here. For more information, call 717-299-5500 or e-mail Judy Bernbaum.

November 1 is the Millersville Community Parade. "Visit downtown Millersville to view the exciting community parade, featuring 20-25 bands, clowns, community groups, high school and college organizations, floats, fire trucks, Victorian high wheelers, pogo squad, baton groups, sports mascots and more." Starts at 9:00 a.m. Visit http://parade.millersville.edu for further information.

Saturday, November 1 is "Roll Hunger Out The Door" at The Castle roller skating rink. "From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. "Roller skating party to benefit the Central PA Food Bank. All donations help fight hunger locally. Come have fun and support a good cause." Admission is $2 or a canned good donation. The Castle is located at 1400 Elm Ave. For more information, call 717-291-3232.

Starting Saturday, November 1 is "The 2008 Christmas Show" at the American Music Theatre (AMT). "Constantly compared to Radio City Music Hall, AMT’s Christmas Show is widely hailed as one of America’s best. Enjoy a variety of secular and sacred Christmas songs, and delight in fun comedy sketches. Make this holiday season the most memorable with Lancaster's Christmas show. Prices and times vary, see website for details." The American Music Theatre is located at 2425 Lincoln Highway East.

The Wine & Cheese train at the Strasburg Railroad runs on Saturday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. For a $30 fare, you can take a scenic 45-minute train ride through the countryside while sampling fine wines and cheeses. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/wine-and-cheese.php.

On Sunday, Nov. 2 at 4:00 p.m., the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will present music by its Baroque Chamber Ensemble. "The comnemplative beauty of this time of year is well suited for a baroque chamber ensemble. Strings, oboe, trumpet, recorder, and harpsichord will fill the nave with the works of Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Couperin, and others." There is no charge for admission. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is located at 750 Greenfield Rd.

Also November 2, there is a lecture and performance at the Pennsylvania Academy of Music as part of their Beethoven Piano & Colloquia Series. "2 pm lecture, 3:30 pm concert. Beethoven Piano Sonatas Op. 26; Op. 81a (Les Adieux); Op. 10, No. 1; Op. 110. Pre-Concert lecture, Performance Practice Problems in Beethoven, by Dr. Immanuel Willheim." Tickets or membership required. Visit http://www.pamusacad.org for additional information.

Nov. 2 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is "Empty Bowls" at Kevin Lehman Pottery in Lancaster. "Empty Bowls is an grass-roots event, organized locally, to fight hunger. The proceeds for the Empty Bowls event, held at Kevin Lehman Pottery will be donated to the Crispus Attucks Community Center in Lancaster. Please come and join us, help fight hunger in Lancaster, take home a hand-made bowl and hear a rarely-heard local musical talent." Admission is $15. Kevin Lehman Pottery is located at 560 S. Prince St. For more information, visit http://www.emptybowls.com.

Sunday Nov. 2 is also "Family Science Sunday" at the North Museum of Natural History and Science in Lancaster. "Science fun for everyone! Explore the Museum and participate in the hands-on activities, science demonstrations, interactive events and more. Family Science Sunday is included in admission." Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is "$7 for adults & $6 for juniors (3-12) and seniors (65+). Planetarium shows are an additional $1.50 to the price of admission. Free for children under 3." The North Museum is located at 400 College Ave.