DANCE Don’t miss this chance to see the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, founded by the late choreographer and modern dance revolutionary, before the troupe disbands on January 1. October 27 & 29.

Velocity Dance Center is also cosponsoring a lot of cool Merce-related events, including an open master class with the dance company on Friday at 9:30am (1621 12th Ave).

BOOKS & TALKS Narrative nonfiction goddess Susan Orlean (The Orchid Thief) comes to SIFF Cinema to discuss her new book, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, and screen one of the dog wonder’s silent films, Clash of the Wolves. October 28.

For the first Hugo Literary Series of the season, The Haves and the Have-Nots, National Book Award winner Charles Johnson, slam poet Tara Hardy, and Fantagraphics cartoonist Megan Kelso create new work on the topic “Does having everything really equal happiness?” David Nixon of “Awesome” adds a live soundtrack. October 28.

SPECIAL EVENT Seattle Art Museum’s always crowded late-night Remix party returns with an Indian influence to celebrate the new Luminous: Art of Asia exhibit. Performers include DJ Aanshul, Das Dhoom, and the Pratidhwani dance troupe. First 50 wearing sequins get in free. October 28.

EAT & DRINK Street food fans will want to block off Saturday: More than 20 food trucks are coming to Fisher Pavilion for Seattle Center Mobile Feast. October 29.

And the first-ever Seattle Cocktail Week kicks off today with 80-some bars promising discounts, special menus, and booze-soaked shenanigans. October 27–30.

RACE Lace up on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the third annual Run Scared 5K through Seward Park. Perks include Halloween goodie bags, a costume contest, and postrace party with pumpkin soup. October 30.

THEATER REVIEW Director Sheila Daniels makes some bold choices that pay off in Seattle Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Atop the list is her decision to cast one of the Athenian couples as same-sex (Lysander is now Lysandra), adding gravitas to Hermia’s dilemma: Marry the man her father chooses, or face death or life in a convent. Naturally, the lovers escape to the woods, but no lithe little sprites live here. These fairies are feral—hissing, leering, shaking rattles. Even Puck growls menacingly. But these shadows don’t offend. It’s an exciting new look to a familiar story. Thru November 13. —Laura Dannen

You didn’t think we’d ignore Halloween, did you? We found 10 scary, semi-scary, and kid-friendly activities for this weekend, including a haunted hotel and a zombie pub crawl. Enjoy the fright fest.