See & Do 

Off-Tryon Theatre Company moves Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues from its customary Valentine's Day slot to Halloween week in a timely pre-Election Day rabble-rouser. OTTC managing director John Hartness has gathered a revolving cast of 13 local actresses, including some who have dared to bare in previous V-Day iterations of the script. Sheila Snow Proctor, Polly Adkins, Corlis Hayes, Meghan Lowther, and Carolyn Dempsey are among the notables involved in the sexuality-raising revels through November 13. A portion of ticket sales from this event at 3143 Cullman Avenue will benefit United Family Services' Domestic Violence Prevention programs. All tickets are $15. Call 704-375-2826. (Tannenbaum)

OCTOBER 28 - THURSDAY
With former Rep mainstay Randell Haynes directing, Theatre Charlotte figures to surmount the formidable challenges of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Vito Abate and Allan Todd star in the alternately profound and zany encounter between two of the giants of 20th Century science and art, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, as they casually invent modernity during a chance encounter in pre-WWI Paris. The show runs through November 14 at 501 Queens Road. Tickets are $17 for Thursday performances and the two Sunday matinees on November 7 and 14. Fridays and Saturdays go for $22. Call 704-334-9128. (Tannenbaum)

OCTOBER 29 - FRIDAY
CPCC journeys to N'awlins in A Streetcar Named Desire. Tony Wright is entrusted with the infamous Stanley Kowalski primal scream, paired with up-and-coming Leslie Beckham as Stell-lla! Glenn Hutchinson takes the timorous measure of Mitch Mitchell, and Laurie Riffe makes her Charlotte debut as Blanche DuBois, lapsed aristocrat and melodramatic personification of the American South. Through November 7 at Pease Auditorium. Tickets are $12. Call 704-330-6534. (Tannenbaum)

OCTOBER 30 - SATURDAY
Just the mention of their name probably conjures up the opening riff of their college cult class, "Blister in the Sun," but The Violent Femmes have now been plugging away for two decades and their adolescent angst has matured into an expertly aged cynicism. Of course the trio's odd blend of acoustic-based folk-punk always serves as a healthy foil for Gordon Gano's biting lyrics. Appearing at Dixie's Tavern as part of their Grave-diggers Ball Halloween celebration tonight (see our story in the music section for more holiday choices), tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, which opens at 5pm. For more information, go to www.dixiescharlotte.com or call 704-374-1700. (Schacht)

Looks like Halloween will come a day early this year. One of Charlotte's edgier events, the annual Eat Drink & Be Scary party always draws a huge crowd. This twisted "carnEVIL" showcases fire twirlers, belly dancers and torture artists. Local bands such as Black Lagoon and Babyshaker will provide the live tunes, with guest DJs spinning in the Groove Lounge. The "no costume, no admittance" rule stands with a requested $20 donation benefiting the Sierra Club's Inner City Outings program. Admission includes beer, wine, food and freaky fun. The party starts at 9pm at the Hanford Mill, 1111 Hawthorne Ln. Call Jim McGuire at 704-347-8943 for details. Check out our listings for more Halloween events. (Grossman)

After three away games, the Charlotte Checkers return for their season home opener against the Columbia Inferno tonight at 7pm at Cricket Arena. To kick-off the new season, a pre-game tailgate party will be held across the way in the Charlotte Merchandise Mart from 3-6pm. Individual game tickets start at $9 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 704-522-6500.

Discovery Place gives visitors a glimpse at the imaginative world of invention as it holds its annual Amazing Inventor's Festival which will feature four local inventors featured in a March CL cover story. There will be a number of hands-on activities, including a Kids Construction Zone, where participants can build everything from a robot to a bridge. Discovery Place is at 301 North Tyron St. downtown. The event is from 11am to 3pm, and is free with admission to the Discovery Halls. For more information call 704-372-6261, ext. 300. (Boykin)

NOVEMBER 1 - MONDAY
The annual Latin American Film and Video Festival will be held starting today and running through November 14 at various local venues. Sponsored by UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University, the event will simultaneously take place in the Triangle and Triad areas as well, with a number of guest speakers supplementing the film screenings (note that some titles and speakers will differ from city to city). On the home front, the fest kicks off tonight with the satirical Mexican film Herod's Law at 7pm at UNCC. Upcoming titles include the 1991 documentary Nuestra Comunidad: Latinos In North Carolina, with co-director Penny Simpson in attendance (7pm, November 4 at Johnson C. Smith University), and the dazzling Brazilian import City of God, which was one of the best films of 2003 (7pm, November 9 at Davidson College). Admission to all screenings is free. For a complete schedule or details on the other festivals, go to www.unc.edu/depts/ ilas/LAFF. (Brunson)