RADFORD – The Radford University College of Visual and Performing Arts October performances include sounds and sights to please all tastes.

The Fall Dance Fest begins the month's events with performances tonight and Friday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bondurant Auditorium Preston Hall. In addition, RU faculty member Robert Trent presents a classical guitar concert tonight at 8 p.m. in the Covington Recital Hall. Trent's recent concert tour included performances in Paraguay and Argentina.

Lend Me a Tenor opens Friday, Oct. 2, in Radford University’s Pridemore Playhouse. Performance dates are October 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m.; October 3 and 4, 2 p.m.; and October 7, 10 a.m. (In the photo: A scene from Lend Me a Tenor.) The play is under the direction of theatre faculty Anthony Guest. Tickets for Family Weekend performances (October 2 - 3) are on sale at Hurlburt Student Center. Call (540) 831-5420. Tickets for remaining performances are on sale at the Porterfield Box Office. Call (540) 831-5289. Admission is free for RU students, $5 for faculty and staff and $8 for general public.

Other October events include:

• Monday, Oct. 5, 8 p.m., Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall – Guest artist recital featuring Swiss guest artist Antje Maria Traub performing a piano and organ recital. Traub’s concert will include works by Mozart, J.S. Bach, Haydn, Schumann and Mendelssohn.

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m., Performance Hall in the Covington Center – Faculty recital featuring Christopher White on saxophone;

  • Monday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m., Performance Hall in the Covington Center – Faculty recital featuring baritone David Castonguay and pianist Nitza Kats;

• Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m., Performance Hall in the Covington Center – Fall Choral Concert;

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m., Performance Hall in the Covington Center – RU Jazz Ensemble and Jazztet concert.

Music performances are at 8 p.m., free and open to the public.

Art Exhibitions and Events:

• October 8 - 31, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and weekends, noon - 4 p.m., The Gallery at the Covington Center – “Green Light and Elizabeth Layton”  – VSA arts and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., have partnered to recognize and showcase emerging artists with disabilities, ages 16 - 25, living in the United States. Layton is often referred to as “America’s other Grandma Moses.” Posters and video explore her images and life. A reception is Thursday, Oct. 8, 5 - 7 p.m.

• Continuing through Friday, Oct. 9., Gallery 205, Powell Hall – “Beyond the Tartan” featuring the works of Marion Mercer;

• Wednesday, Oct. 7 , 7 - 9 p.m., Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall –The Art department is hosting an ART-21 premiere event. The department will be screening the PBS film “Transformations,” featuring interviews with world-renowned artists Yinka Shonibare, Cindy Sherman, and Paul McCarthy, followed by an informal discussion.

• Monday, Oct. 12 - Friday, Nov. 6., 8 a.m. - noon, and 1 - 5 p.m. – “Beyond The Tartan” featuring works by RU alumnae Lisa Allen.

Visitor parking permits for music events are free and available at Parking Services in Heth Hall.

Cinema Presentation:

• Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., Pridemore Playhouse, host Ted McKosky – “Son of Ballyhoo II – “Ballyhoo” was the gentle art of luring people to the movies using gimmicks so amusing they wouldn’t be upset when they realized the ruse. McKosky leads an illustrated talk on the colorful history of this practice, which includes the likes of P.T. Barnum, motion picture pioneers, Kroger Babb and William Castle, “Emergo” and “Smell-O-Vision”. The presentation is recommended for mature audience and the strong of heart. Tickets are free and may be picked up at the Box Office in Porterfield Hall during the week of the performance.