1. Meaningful Music

"Imagine waking up / Solidarity is evident / Harmony rules / Time is irrelevant." These lyrics from the song "Saturday Night" by Los Angeles band Ozomatli represent the optimism and idealism that threads through the group's high-energy music. Blending elements of hip-hop, salsa, rock and reggae musical styles, the Grammy Award-winning sextet spreads a message of global unity and equal rights for youth, workers and Latinx people. Dartmouth College's Hopkins Center for the Arts presents a pay-what-you-wish livestream concert to celebrate Día de los Muertos on Thursday, October 29, at 8 p.m.

2. Bursting With Excitement

Rutland's annual Halloween parade may not ramble downtown this year, but southern Vermonters can keep their FOMO at bay. Paramount Theatre and the Vermont State Fair team up to present Boo-m! A Halloween Fireworks Spooktacular. Vermont State Fairgrounds open at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, when attendees can park and settle in to watch glittering sky bursts from their vehicles, starting at 7:15 p.m. Viewers tune their car radios to 89.3 FM to hear a soundtrack created specially for the free, family-friendly show.

3. Food Security

How do Vermont's Latinx farmworkers sustain themselves and their families? University of Vermont associate professor of anthropology Teresa M. Mares seeks to answer this question in her research. The author of the 2019 book Life on the Other Border: Farmworkers and Food Justice in Vermont shares her findings in a virtual talk  as part of Vermont Humanities' First Wednesdays lecture series. Interested individuals should preregister to hear Mares via Zoom on Wednesday, November 4, at 7 p.m.

4. Out of This World

Offbeat musicals such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Little Shop of Horrors are spooky-season staples for many a movie buff. Fans of local music and cinema can add another flick to the list: The Ballad of Ethan Alien, a new rock opera based on the song "Ethan Alien" by Vermont alt country band Western Terrestrials. While its title suggests a level of camp, band member Nick Charyk says the picture addresses hard-hitting topics such as "inclusivity, collective action, diversity, anti-racism and the importance of artistic expression." The Ballad of Ethan Alien debuts this weekend with screenings in Fairlee on October 31 and November 1, and in Montpelier on November 2.

5. Reframing Events

The question mark in the title of the BCA Center show "Unprecedented?" says a lot about the exhibition's aim. As the Burlington gallery's website puts it, "... at this critical moment we must reflect, question and reframe our understanding of these historic times through the lens of visual art." Nine Vermont and New England creatives, including potter Jeremy Ayers and cartoonist Lillie Harris, inspire viewers to think deeply about the wide-ranging impacts of the global pandemic and the movement for racial justice. See the works in person through January 30.

6. It Takes Two

Married couple Alessio Bax and Lucille Chung bring their chemistry to the black and white keys in a remote concert livestreamed as part of the Performing Arts Series of Middlebury College's Mahaney Center for the Arts. Joined by collaborative musicians, including cellist and frequent PAS performer Sophie Shao, the piano duo tickles the ivories in compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Béla Bartók. Hop online at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, October 30, for an opening performance by Shao, followed by the dynamic duo at 7:30 p.m.

7. Hunting and Gathering

Think you're too old for fun and games on Halloween? A themed Adventure "Dinner" scavenger hunt may change your mind. Preregistered participants receive a text message on Saturday, October 31, directing them to a secret check-in location. From there, foodies follow clues to pop-up takeout spots around the Queen City serving specialty pastries and candies. What's more, the hunt highlights women chefs and business owners. Trick or treat!

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This is just a small sampling of the state's in-person and virtual happenings in the coming days. Browse our art, calendar and music + nightlife listings for more.

If you're planning or promoting an event in Vermont, please send details our way for a free online listing. Find our event submission form at sevendaysvt.com/postevent.