FESTIVAL: OCT. 10-12

Get your talk on at the 20th Annual Talk Story Festival, with three nights of some of the best storytelling in Hawai'i. The themes this year are: "Spookies," "Milestones" in honor of the festival's 20th anniversary, and "Imagine That!" Storytellers scheduled are Lopaka Kapanui, Makia Malo, Barbara Norfleet, Dann Seki and Mainland storytellers Cathy Spagnoli, Jennifer Cayley and Baba Jamal Koram.

6-9 p.m. Oct. 10-11 and 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 / Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion / Free / www.honoluluparks.com.

EXHIBIT: OCT. 11-JAN. 11

Giant prehistoric sharks invade Bishop Museum in the traveling exhibit "Megalodon: Largest Shark That Ever Lived." Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years, and the exhibit highlights the evolution, biology and misconceptions of these ancient creatures. It's here for a three-month stay.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11, continues through Jan. 11 / Bishop Museum / $15.95 general, $12.95 for those 4-12 and 65 and older; kama'aina and military, $8.95 and $7.95; free for keiki 3 and younger / 847-3511.

COMEDY: OCT. 15

Comic Paula Poundstone will be bringing the funny for two performances at Pipeline Cafe's new weekly Wednesday comedy night. In 2006, she appeared in Bravo's "Look What the Cat Dragged In," a three-part funny girl series, along with Caroline Rhea and Joan Rivers. Poundstone last performed in the Islands in 2004.

6 and 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 / Pipeline Cafe / $25 general, $50 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

DANCE: OCT. 15-18

The UH-Manoa Department of Theatre and Dance kicks off its dance season with "Fall Footholds," right, showcasing works by the program's graduate and undergraduate students. Among them: the thesis work "DOn't!", choreographed by Malia Bowlby; and "Shadows," choreographed by Kelly Wadlegger. Both are MFA candidates.

8 p.m. Oct. 15-18, 2 p.m. Oct. 19 / Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, UH-Manoa / $14 general; $12 UH faculty/staff, seniors, military; $5 UH-Manoa students / 483-7123, www.etickethawaii.com.

FAMILY: OCT. 18-19

Bring the 'ohana down to The Oh Baby! Family Expo, the island's largest baby-and-kids-and-parents event of the year.

The expo features demonstrations and informational booths for parents, costumed-character (such as Dora the Explorer, below) meet-and-greets, activities and play areas for the kids. And there's the fourth annual Baby Crawling Contest, presented by Meadow Gold.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18-19 / Blaisdell Exhibition Hall / $4.50 general, free for kids 5 and younger / 591-2211, www.newbabyandkids.com.

STAGE: OCT. 24-25

Honolulu newspaper, magazine, radio and television staffers take to the stage to present "Gridiron 2008: Predatory Pricing," a popular show with politicos and media watchers. The show tends to skewer the news and newsmakers through song and dance — yes, that's why it's so popular! Proceeds go to the Society of Professional Journalists' Hawai'i chapter to fund student internships and scholarships. Below, a scene from last year's Gridiron, from left: Jodi Leong, Christine Strobel, Lisa Kubota and Gordon Pang.

8 p.m. Oct. 24, 3 and 8 p.m. Oct. 25 / Diamond Head Theatre / $40, $65 / 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.

STAGE: OCT. 27-NOV. 2

"Hedwig and The Angry Inch," the rock musical comedy of love and betrayal, will be back at the Doris Duke Theatre. Once again Hedwig will be played by local musician Otto, and his band The 86 List performs as Hedwig's band, The Angry Inch. The story is the tale of a transgendered man — his rise from poverty to stardom and twists of fate along the way.

7:30 p.m. Oct. 27-30, Nov. 1; 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31; 4 p.m. Nov. 2 / Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts / $20 general, $15 museum members / 532-8768.

SPECIAL: OCT. 30-NOV. 16

Cirque du Soleil's "Saltimbanco" tour makes a stop in Honolulu for a two-week stint at the Blaisdell Arena. "Saltimbanco," Cirque du Soleil's oldest production, is a family-friendly show featuring song, dance, acrobatics, aerial ballets, physical comedy, pole-climbing, juggling, bungee-jumping and more.

Premieres 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30; repeats 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 3:30 p.m.

Fridays-Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 16 / Blaisdell Arena / $40-$95 general, $32-$76 children / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

SPECIAL: OCT. 31

As if the shenanigans on Halloween couldn't get any kook-ier, the boys from BAMP Project are putting on a Hipster Halloween featuring The Kooks. The alternative indie band based in Britain released its latest album "Konk," earlier this year to rave reviews. Left, frontman Luke Pritchard.

8 p.m. Oct. 31 / Pipeline Cafe / $25 general, $50 VIP / 877-750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.

HALLOWEEN: OCT. 31

Get spooked in the Downtown Arts District at the Hallowbaloo Music+Arts Festival. The free event includes a trick-or-treat gallery walk, jack-o-lantern and costume contest, three stages of entertainment, food and more. In addition to street happenings, there are late concerts (admission charged) by Maceo Parker & DJ Logic at The Waterfront at Aloha Tower, Mad Professor Ariwa Dub Posse at Next Door, and The Helio Sequence, right, at The Loft.

6 p.m. Oct. 31; concert times vary / Downtown Arts District / Festival: all ages; concerts: 21 and older / Festival: free; all three concerts: $125 advance, $135 VIP with costume, $150 VIP without costume; one concert:

$25 advance, $30 with costume, $35 without costume / 550-8457, www.honoluluboxoffice.com.