BEAD AND ART GLASS FEST, Sept. 29-Oct. 2 It might sound hokey, but take a look at some of the classes on offer: Advanced Borosilicate Sculpture? Etching With Dichroic Glass? Compositions in Felt and Glass? This is serious stuff, not just a bunch of bead-stringing, though the exhibition hall will offer loads of pretty trinkets and the tools to make 'em. (registration 8 a.m., classes 9 a.m.; exhibits open noon Friday; Orange County Convention Center; 740-452-4541; www.beadandartglassfest.com; $9 per day; class costs vary)
PARTY FOR THE SENSES, Sept. 30-Nov. 13 This weekly drink and dine event has been added into the 10th annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival schedule. It condenses the experience into a one-evening affair with wines, champagne and beer, and tasty bites from guest chefs and Disney chefs. Cirque du Soleil entertains. (6:30 p.m. at World Showplace, Epcot, also Oct. 8, 15, 22, 30, Nov. 5 and 12; 407-939-3378; www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine; $95)
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS, Sept. 30-Oct. 31 Universal Studios again fills our systems with chainsaw exhaust and dry ice for the 15th annual assaultive extravaganza. (6:30 p.m. nightly at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure; 1-877-717-3318; themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/hhn; $52.75, $59.75)
31ST ANNUAL BICYCLE FEST, Oct. 7-9 Florida's oldest and largest bicycling event attracts 1,500 cyclists to the hills of Lake County to participate in contests for all skill levels and ages. (Friday-Sunday, various locations; 352-383-2165; www.secure.poweroneinternet.com/mountdora/bikefest)
AUTHORS FESTIVAL & BOOK SIGNING, Oct. 8 Gathering of more than 30 Florida authors who've penned books on a spectrum of genres, including science fiction, history, mystery, self-help, romance and chick lit. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Maitland Art Center; 407-331-1485; free)
UMOJA COMMUNITY FEST, Oct. 8 Traditional African celebration, with food, dancers, performers, activities and music by Daniel Joiner Jazz Trio, Mr. Fixxit, Luci Gilles and Ramonia Laureno. (11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the African American Museum of the Arts, DeLand; 386-736-4004; free)
FOLK FESTIVAL, Oct. 8 and 9 Historic downtown Eustis comes alive with more than 80 bands, a green market, art displays and a special art car competition. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ferran Park, Eustis; 352-483-2900; free)
THE CAPOEIRA BRAZILIAN PELOURINHO, Oct. 9 A demonstration of the unique art of capoeira the African system of unarmed combat that is thought to have been developed in the 1500s by African slaves who were taken to Brazil and forced to work in the sugar cane fields as well as other performances. (noon-4 p.m. at Universal DoubleTree Resort; 407-226-3195; $5)
VIVA OSCEOLA FESTIVAL, Oct. 9 Community-flavored outdoor festival celebrating all things Latin with musicians, artists and food. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Kissimmee Lakefront Park; 407-847-3174; free)
SOUTHERN WOMEN'S SHOW, Oct. 13-16 With a reputation that's grown larger than life (without settling on the hips), this annual expo exploits every opportunity to attract women (and the people who love them) with fashions, food, furnishings and fun. (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Orange County Convention Center; 800-849-0248; $8)
COLLEGE PARK MARKET, Oct. 13-May 25 This fabulous organic fruit-and-veggie fair reopens, offering organic produce and coffee, locally baked bread and fresh flowers. (6 p.m.-9 p.m. every Thursday through May; Albert Park on Edgewater Drive in College Park)
CELEBRATION OF FALL FESTIVAL, Oct. 14 and 15 Slip into the illusion of a wholesome family event with folksy entertainment and hayrides. (5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday on Market Street, downtown Celebration; free)
OKTOBERFEST, Oct. 15 The Osceola German-American Club waits all year for this celebration of food, beer and wine, and authentic music by Alpine Trio and Spitze. (3 p.m.-11 p.m. at Osceola Heritage Park; 321-697-3333; $8)
FOSSIL, MINERAL AND GEM SHOW, Oct. 15 and 16 For the 13th year in a row, the education-friendly Florida Fossil Hunters shake the dust off their bones and share their discoveries with the public. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Central Florida Fairgrounds; 407-699-9274; $3)
HITSVILLE SOUL CLUB RECORD FAIR AND ALL-NITER, Oct. 15 and 16 For lovers of great soul music in all its forms Detroit, northern soul, R&B, Motown and other derivations here's where to find those rare albums as well as to dance all night. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. Sunday at Best Western-Lakeside, Kissimmee; 941-266-8783; $25)
MAITLAND ROTARY ART FESTIVAL, Oct. 15 and 16 It's the 29th annual show and sale of fine arts and crafts, and while the concept may be old, the creations are still new and surprising. (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Lake Lily Park, Maitland; 407-263-5218; free)
SIMPLE LIVING OUR-LANDO 2005 BENEFIT CONCERT, Oct. 15 A handful of local bands and a host of informational vendors set up outside for this annual fund-raiser for The Simple Living Institute. (6 p.m.-11 p.m. at the Alleyway at DMAC; www.simplelivinginstitute.org)
CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE, Oct. 16 The name is fancy-schmancy, and so is the tone of the atmosphere that surrounds this fourth annual competition and display of 175 exotic and rare automobiles and motorcycles. (10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Central Park, Park Avenue, Winter Park; free)
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF TMDLS, Oct. 19 The Sierra Club hosts a class on what it takes to bring less-than-pristine surface waters back to being swimmable and fishable during a jargon-free explanation of Total Maximum Daily Loads, the EPA and DEP solution to surface water pollution. (7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. at Harry P. Leu Gardens; 407-246-2620; free)
A TASTE OF THORNTON PARK, Oct. 20 Just what it says: Taste specialties from the many notable restaurants in the neighborhood east of Lake Eola. (6 p.m.-9 p.m. at Veranda Bed & Breakfast Inn; 407-765-5050; $25)
BIKETOBERFEST, Oct. 21-23 The city of Daytona Beach roars with the engines of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts who make their way here each fall this is the 13th annual event to take part in the anything-goes revelry that goes on all around town. (www.biketoberfest.org)
CRAFT FAIR, Oct. 22 and 23 When 350 crafters from around the country converge on the streets of downtown Mount Dora, more than 250,000 visitors come calling with an appreciation for the glorious good a glue gun can do. (Friday and Saturday; downtown Mount Dora; 352-735-1191)
AN EVENING OF DANCE, Oct. 22 Performances by members of the Elizabeth Parsons Community Dance Theatre. (7 p.m. at Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park; 407-876-4604; free)
GUAVAWEEN, Oct. 29 Non-traditionalists rule the traditional Halloween street party, with parade, contests, entertainment and music. (3 p.m.-3 a.m. on streets of Ybor City; 813-248-0721; free)
AIA ORLANDO POWWOW, Nov. 4 Tribal families in full traditional costume from toddlers to elders color the 19th annual Native American tribal gathering, with arts and crafts, music, entertainment and demonstrations. (9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at Central Florida Fairgrounds; 407-928-5080; $6)
KRISTALLNACHT (NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS) REMEMBRANCE, Nov. 7 Commemorative event remembers the first act of the Holocaust with a keynote speaker and a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. (7 p.m. at Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center; 407-628-0555; free)
11TH ANNUAL MOUNT DORA PLANT & GARDEN FAIR, Nov. 5 and 6 Area growers offer more than 12,000 plants orchids, native plants, butterfly-attracting perennials, herbs, roses, camellias, begonias and rare and unusual tropical plants. Also for sale are garden furnishings, antiques, flags and planters. (Friday and Saturday; Simpson's Cove, downtown Mount Dora; 352-357-4116; free)
BILL MAHER, Nov. 10 The cute and cutting liberal comedian doesn't hold back much on his HBO show, but just imagine what he can say at a live performance. (7:30 p.m. at Carr Performing Arts Centre; 407-849-2020; $35-$45)
GREAT OUTDOOR FEST, Nov. 12 Two-day family festival isn't necessary green but it is outdoors, with concerts, recreation vendors, wildlife artists, conservation and environmental exhibits, a boat show and cardboard boat races. (Saturday and Sunday at Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee; 321-697-3333; free)
ORLANDO BEER FESTIVAL, Nov. 12 The draw is the beer and there's plenty to chug down at this seventh annual event, but there's a healthy sampling of foods too, as well as music and merrymaking. (3 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday at CityWalk at Universal Orlando; 407-363-8000; $19.96-$34.95)
FLORIDA GEOLOGY FOR NON-GEOLOGISTS, Nov. 16 Sierra Club hosts lecture by Marjorie Heidorn, professional geologist with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (7 p.m.-8:45 p.m. at Harry P. Leu Gardens; 407-246-2620; free)