10/03/08 10 Days Out

Saturday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 5

* Kids and adults who are interested in being part of a growing biennial Christmas tradition are encouraged to audition for the upcoming production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Auditions are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Warehouse Theatre in the Allied ArtsCenter, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave. Parts are available for all ages, and newcomers to the stage are welcome.

Performances are Dec. 6-7 at the Capitol Theatre. This holiday favorite is presented every other year through a joint effort by the Warehouse and the Capitol. This year's production is being directed by Barbara Lund.

For more information, e-mail Melissa Labberton at mlabberton@aol.com.

Saturday, Oct. 4

* This year, the star of the Central Washington State Fair is actor/producer/pop singer Raven-Symoné, who is expected to sell out the main stage.

Known first to TV audiences as the adorable Olivia on "The Cosby Show," Raven-Symoné has appeared in numerous movies ("Dr. Dolittle," "The Cheetah Girls," "College Road Trip") and TV shows, including her award-winning Disney Channel series "That's So Raven."

But the 22-year-old doesn't just act; she's also a singer. Her fourth album came out last spring and features the single "Double Dutch Bus," a remake of the 1981 funk song.

Raven-Symoné plays the fair at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the Budweiser main stage. The concert is free with fair admission, but folks should plan on getting in line 90 minutes to two hours before the show in order to get a space.

Reserve seats -- if there are any left -- cost $25 through TicketsWest, 800-325-7328, or the State Fair ticket office, 248-7160.

Sunday, Oct. 12

* Next week, you can get up close and personal with the mind of politically incorrect comedian Carlos Mencia.

Mencia -- creator of the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," as well as that painfully annoying catch phrase "dee-dee-dee" -- brings his "At Close Range" tour to the Capitol Theatre on Oct. 12. The laughs start at 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $42 and are available through TicketsWest, 800-325-7328, or the Capitol Theatre box office, 853-2787.

(Looking to loosen up before the laughs -- or after? Across the street from the Capitol, the Speakeasy, 104 S. Third St., is hosting a Carlos Mencia pre- and post-party. Call 453-4762.)

Thursday, Oct. 9

* Next week, the Cascade Land Conservancy will host "Flavors of Conservation" at Gallery One in Ellensburg.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, folks can enjoy old-timey banjo and fiddle tunes by Scatter Creek, chocolate desserts and other creations by local bakers, as well as chocolate martinis, wine and conversation.

Several prizes will be awarded, including one for "Tasters' Choice," voted on by those in attendance.

The "friend-raiser" event is in support of the Cascade Land Conservancy's program in Kittitas County. For more information or to purchase tickets, call CLC at 962-1654.