The 8:15 p.m. concert features 28 UofL music faculty in performance, a pre-concert reception at the courtyard of the music building, and the premiere of the new lighting for the Music School’s iconic sculpture “Effervescence.” 

For years, audiences streaming into Comstock Concert Hall for the Faculty Gala have been greeted to the sounds of bagpipes, and that tradition will continue.

“With an evening that begins with dessert, features bagpipers on the hillside welcoming the concert goers, a veritable host of music faculty performers, and a conclusion to the evening that features an outdoor light show and reception, this is going to be a special event, indeed,” said School of Music Dean Christopher Doane.

The concert is free and open to the public, but the wine and dessert reception is $20 and .Ěý

As usual, the Faculty Gala serves as the gateway into the School of Music’s jam-packed year of performances, which includes world-class visiting artists along with student and faculty performances. Most of these events are free and open to the public.Ěý

Check the  for a full list. Highlights include:

• Sept. 23, , which benefits the piano program at UofL, begins the 2018-19 season with The Paul York and Dror Biran Duo performing the “Five Cello Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven.”
• Sept. 29,  at Cherokee Park.
• Sept. 29, performs in Louisville Orchestra’s International Leonard Bernstein celebration.Ěý
• Oct. 31, University Symphony Orchestra performs 
• Nov. 6-10,  featuring guest composer Amy Williams. Dr. Williams is Associate Professor of Music Composition and Theory at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Nov. 30-Dec. 3, , the familiar story of “The Nutcracker” from the time that Clara starts dreaming of snow and the land of sweets.

The School of Music will also sponsor a series of free concerts at , 3640 River Park Drive, in West Louisville on weekends in September and October. This concert series is a part of the School of Music’s Signature Partnership outreach.Ěý

Tonight, all graduate students are invited to the Graduate Student Council’s Halloween Party at 8 p.m. at Hopcat, 1064 Bardstown Rd. This event includes free food and a costume contest with prizes.

The Student Activities Board is hosting the classic fright film, “Dawn of the Dead” on Saturday beginning with a 2 p.m. showing at The Floyd Theater. The movie follows a growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead.

On Saturday, the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium is hosting its Fright Light Halloween Party from 1-4 p.m. Cost is $5 per person and includes treats for the kids and a laser music show featuring songs such as the “Monster Mash,” “Purple People Eaters” and more. Showtimes are 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Other activities run from 1-3:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, go trick or treating with the Greeks. The fraternity and sorority life community at UofL invites all faculty, staff and students to bring their children to a safe and fun Halloween extravaganza from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Community Park. The event will include food and trick or treating along Greek Row.

Join the University Writing Center and the White Squirrel Literary & Arts Magazine on Halloween night, Tuesday, from 7-8:30 p.m. for an evening of scary stories. This is an “open mic” event in Ekstrom Library’s University Writing Center (first floor), so bring your favorite and original scary stories and poems to share. Costumes are welcome, and candy will be provided. There will also be a six-word scary story contest with a prize.

Also on Oct. 31, the University Symphony Orchestra will host its Halloween Spooktacular. The concert, at 8 p.m. in Comstock Hall, will be directed by Kimcherie Lloyd, and will include a variety of spooky song favorites.

Finally, show off your jack-o-lantern carving/decorating skills for a chance to win a prize. Submissions can be made either by using the hashtag #Cardoween on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or by emailing photos to ultoday@louisville.edu.