EXCELLENT * * * * * VERY GOOD * * * * GOOD * * * FAIR * * POOR * Theatr

CIRCLE WOMEN'S CENTRE Mother St. James Auditorium, Brescia College 432-8353, ext. 28288 By Donation The Women Who Stayed: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

DRAYTON FESTIVAL THEATRE (519) 638-5555; 1-888-449-4463 Tickets $20-$33 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Tonight, 8 p.m.; tomorrow, 2 and 8 p.m.

ELGIN THEATRE GUILD Princess Avenue Playhouse 633-8530 Tickets $12 The Chronicler: Tonight, tomorrow, 8 p.m.

GRAND THEATRE 672-8800; 1-800-265-1593 Tickets $15-$46 The Turn of the Screw: Opens tonight, 8 p.m.; tomorrow, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 1.

LONDON MUSICAL THEATRE 672-8800 Palace Theatre Tickets $17 opening night, advance tickets $22, $25 at the door Kiss Me Kate: Tonight, tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; runs till Oct. 25.

OLD CHURCH DINNER THEATRE Mill Street, Port Elgin (519) 389-5422 Tickets $40 (dinner and show) Spooks (A Haunting Comedy): Tonight, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; runs till Oct. 25.

ORIGINAL KIDS Spriet Family Theatre 672-8800 Tickets $12, students $8 I'm Sorry the Bridge Is Out . . .You'll Have to Spend the Night!: Tuesday, Wednesday, 7 p.m.; runs till Oct. 30. Once Upon a Broomstick/Welcome to My Nightmare: Thursday, 7 p.m.; runs till Oct. 28. Wolf Performance Hall Tickets $15, students $10, preview $8.

PLAID JACKET PRODUCTIONS Pelee Days Inn 1-800-300-2696 Tickets dinner and show $39.50, show only $12.84 A Room With a Revue: Saturdays, 7 p.m., runs till Oct. 25.

SHAW FESTIVAL Niagara-on-the-Lake 1-800-511-7429 Tickets $20-$77 Festival Theatre Misalliance * * * * : Tonight, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; runs till Nov. 2. The Coronation Voyage * * * : Tomorrow, Tuesday, Thursday, 2 p.m.; runs till Nov. 1. The Royal Family * * * * 1/2 : Today, 2 p.m.; tomorrow, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 23. Royal George Theatre On the Twentieth Century * * * : Today, 2 p.m.; tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 2. Blood Relations * * * * 1/2 : Tomorrow, Tuesday, Thursday, 2 p.m.; runs till Nov. 30. Happy End * * * * : Tonight, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; runs till Oct. 31.

STRATFORD FESTIVAL 1-800-567-1600 Tickets $23-$105 Festival Theatre The Taming of the Shrew * * * 1/2 : Sunday, Tuesday, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 1. The King and I * * * * 1/2 : Today, tomorrow, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Thursday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 23. Pericles * * * * * : Tonight, Tuesday, 8 p.m.; runs till Oct. 31. Love's Labour's Lost * * * : Tomorrow, 8 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m.; runs till Nov. 2. Avon Theatre Gigi * * * 1/2 : Tonight, Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Tuesday, 2 p.m.; runs till Nov. 1. The Hunchback of Notre Dame * * 1/2 : Today, Thursday, 2 p.m.; tomorrow, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 2. Present Laughter * * * * : Tomorrow, Wednesday, 2 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 p.m.; runs till Nov. 1.

THEATRE THREE-ELEVEN 311 Main St. E., Listowel 1-877-455-0552; (519) 291-2033 Tickets $15 The Lover and Sure Thing: Tonight, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.

THEATRE WOODSTOCK Market Centre Theatre 537-2582 Tickets $15, youth $10 Office Hours: Tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 p.m.; runs till Oct. 25.

Dancing

DANCELAND: The Scott Woods Band, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; Lakeside; 349-2288.

ELGIN INTERNATIONAL CLUB: Oktoberfest dinner dance with the Frank Stancic Band, Sunday, 2-6 p.m.; admission $17.50 a person; Pioneer Line, between Rodney and West Lorne; 768-2657 or 678-3954.

FOREST CITY MARITIME CLUB: Country Jam, Wednesdays , 7 p.m.; Sergeants Mess, 720 Elizabeth St.; 455-1701.

GERMAN CANADIAN CLUB: International Sound, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; 1 Cove Rd.; 433-2901.

LORD OF THE DANCE: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; tickets $45-$67.50; John Labatt Centre; 488-1012.

OLD TYME DANCE: Ken Scott, tomorrow, 8:30 p.m.; admission $10; Betty Cardno Memorial Centre, 317 Huron St., Clinton; 482-9320 or 482-9264. Wilkesport Community Centre.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BYRON: Gary Boyle, tonight, 8 p.m.; free; 1276 Commissioners Rd. W.; 472-3300.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION VICTORY: Country Rhythm, tomorrow, 2-6 p.m., free; Country Versatiles, 8 p.m., $5; 311 Oakland Ave.; 455-2331.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, WINGHAM: Gordon's Olde Tyme Music, tonight, 8:30 p.m.; $5; 183 Victoria St., Wingham; 357-2126.

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION WYOMING: Carousel, tomorrow, 8:30 p.m.; $9 a person; 493 Erie St., Wyoming; 845-0072.

Et cetera

OPEN HOUSE: Children's activities, dancing, music, foods, entertainment, tomorrow, 4 p.m.-midnight; free admission with food bank donation; the Dutch Canadian Club, 1738 Gord Rd.; 657-6226.

Music

THE BARN DANCE: The original Mercy Brothers, Randy Satchell, Brittany Brodie, the Barn Dance Band and guests South Mountain, Sunday, 2:30 p.m.; tickets $20; Wingham Town Hall Heritage Theatre, (519) 357-4082.

CHARITY CONCERT: Rev. Mark Curtis in concert, fundraiser for the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation Learning Centre for Children, tonight, 8 p.m.; tickets $15; St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond St.; 455-6497.

CHATHAM KIWANIS THEATRE: Harry Manx, folk-blues solo performer, Sunday, 2 p.m.; tickets $25; 75 William St. N., Chatham; (519) 354-3414.

CLASSICAL GUITAR CONCERT: Michael Bracken in concert, tonight, 8 p.m.; tickets $7 advance, $10 at the door, children under 12 free with an adult; Saunders secondary school, 941 Viscount Rd.; 452-2770.

COUNTRY MUSIC CANADA SHOWS: Scott Daniels, Crystal Gauthier, Glen Sturgeon, Country Rhythm, tonight, 9 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 316 William St. S., Exeter, $8; tomorrow, the Crystal Gauthier Family Show with Scott Daniels, 8 p.m., Jed's Country Restaurant, Crediton, $5.

CUCKOO'S NEST FOLK CLUB: Harvey Andrews, Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; $18; advance tickets $15, from Belle Air Music, the Village Idiot or Chapters (Masonville), Chaucer's Pub, 122 Carling St.; 473-2099; www.cuckoosNest.folk.on.ca

GERALD FAGAN SINGERS: Gems for Double Choir, the Elmer Iseler Singers, Lydia Adams, Gerald Fagan, conductors, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; admission $20, seniors/students $18; St. Peter's Cathedral, 196 Dufferin Ave.; 433-9650 or 1-866-244-0762.

GLASSHOUSE RAGTIME CABARET: Voice and piano by David and Martha Mann, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; admission $12; 505 King St., Wallaceburg; (519) 627-8962.

GOSPEL MUSIC NIGHT: Bonds of Love, Oracle and Close Connection, Sunday, 7 p.m.; tickets $6 advance, $8 at the door, children 12 and under free; Komoka Community Centre, Queen Street, Komoka.

HIP HOP CONCERT: Featuring Fabolous and Joe Budden, Tiere, Kimani, Buttafly, tomorrow, 7:30 p.m.; tickets $48.75 and $58.75; John Labatt Centre; 488-1012.

INTIMATE AUTUMN: Rik Emmett, guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter, tonight, 9 p.m.; Carlos del Junco Band, harmonica, and his band, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; advance tickets at the Carpenter Shop, and $25 at the door; Stratford Masonic Hall.

JAZZ VESPERS: Poet Sheila Martindale accompanied by the Stephen Holowitz Trio, Sunday, 4 p.m.; St. James Westminster Church, 115 Askin St.; 432-1915 or 673-3266.

LOBLAWS MASONVILLE: Joe Edmonds Trio, tomorrow, noon-5 p.m.; Sue and George Webber, Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

LOBLAWS WONDERLAND: Sue and George Webber, tomorrow, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Jack Roach, Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

LONDON JAZZ SOCIETY: The Sue J Trio Plus One, Ruby Lee, vocalist, and guests, Sunday, 2-5 p.m.; $10; Mocha Shrine Centre, 468 Colborne St.; 433-4789.

MARIENBAD RESTAURANT: Easy jazz with Alec Richmond, Doug Keenan, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.; 122 Carling St.; 679-9940.

MUSIC WESTERN: French Connection, Fiona Wilkinson, flute, and friends, today, noon, free, von Kuster Hall; harpsichordist Sandra Mangsen & Friends, Richard Semmens, recorder, tonight, 8 p.m., free, von Kuster Hall; UWO Chamber Orchestra, Monday, 8 p.m., free, von Kuster Hall; Symphonic Band, Wednesday, noon, free, Talbot Theatre; Wind Ensemble, Thursday, noon, free, Talbot Theatre; 661-3767.

ORCHESTRA LONDON: Pops, Michael Burgess in concert, tomorrow, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.; Masterworks, Berlioz and the French Connection, Joseph Lanza, violin, Timothy Vernon, conductor, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 p.m.; $60-$159; St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond St.; 679-8778; www.orchestra.london.on.ca

SOUNDS CRAZY: A musical exploration of everyday things by Al Simmons, tomorrow, 2 p.m.; $18, under 17 $12; McManus Studio.

SOUNDS OF THE SIXTIES: Examination of the sixties, music by Oliver Whitehead, Sonja Gustafson, Stephen Holowitz and speakers, today, 9:30 a.m.; tomorrow, 2-4 p.m.; admission $10 at the door; Talbot Theatre, UWO; 850-2955.

TALBOT CENTRE: Ron Fleming, Bill Reid, Joe Gurney, Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.; 142 Fullarton St.; 661-0215.

Other films

RAINBOW CINEMAS: Matchstick Men (PG), Lost in Translation (PG), Open Range (14A), Fighting Temptations (PG), Dickie Roberts Former Child Star (PG), SWAT (14A), Secondhand Lions (PG), Cabin Fever (18A), American Wedding (14A), The Italian Job (14A), Spy Kids 3-D (G), Finding Nemo (G), Seabiscuit (PG), Capturing the Friedmans (14A); Galleria London; 434-3073.

REEL MADNESS FILM SERIES: In conjunction with Mental Illness Awareness Week, the film Falling Through the Cracks, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; free; Wolf Performance Hall, 251 Dundas St.; 455-5110, ext. 47402.

WESTERN FILM: Mambo Italiano (14A), 7 p.m.; Matchstick Men (PG), 9:05 p.m., today till Thursday; $4.25, children 12 and under $2.50; all tickets $2.50 on Tuesdays; McKellar Theatre, UCC, Room 290, UWO; 661-3616.

Outdoors

CIRCLE R RANCH: Horseback trail-riding, pony rides for children; weekdays and holidays, 10 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m.; eight kilometres west of London; call 471-3799 to reserve.

ELGIN HIKING TRAIL CLUB: Hike from Payne's Mills to the trestle bridge, tomorrow, 9 a.m. at the trestle bridge, 631-3527.

LAMBTON OUTDOOR CLUB: Hike the Howard Watson Trail, Sunday, 1 p.m., 541-2376.

LONDON CYCLING CLUB: Sunday bicycle rides multi-gear bicycles, water bottles, spare inner tube, pump, snack recommended, helmets mandatory; begin at 8:45 a.m. from the parking lot, Saturn playground, Greenway Park; short ride (Dorchester, 45 kilometres), medium (Belmont 67), long (Avon 90); $5; 472-0736.

LONGWOODS ROAD CONSERVATION AREA: A Taste of Fall, traditional foods, make a clay pot, pumpkin-painting, wagon rides, live performance by the Eagle Flight Drum and Dance, local crafts, Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; admission $8, six to 17, $4; 8348 Longwoods Road, (formerly Highway 2), Mt. Brydges; 264-2420; www.lowerthames-conservation. on.ca

PINERY PROVINCIAL PARK: Fall Colour event, self-guided bike or driving tour, dune grass-planting, presentation on lake effects snow, beach walk and cleanup, campfire ghost stories, pot luck dinner, tomorrow, 10 a.m.; day pass $9; eight kilometres south of Grand Bend on Highway 21; 243-1521; www.pinerypark.on.ca

SATURDAY MORNING WALKS: Good Hearted Living and the Thames Valley Trail Association walks for families, children welcome; Springbank Park, meet at Wonderland Gardens, lower car park; 641-0442.

THAMES VALLEY TRAIL ASSOCIATION: Difficult 18-kilometre hike around Fanshawe Lake, Sunday, 9:30 a.m., meet at Fanshawe Park behind the administration building, 659-6623; easy loop hike along the Thames River north of downtown and through Gibbons Park, Sunday, 2 p.m., meet in front of the bandshell, Victoria Park, 641-4150; Tuesday Morning Ramblers, 681-5864; Thursday Morning Ramblers, 660-8876.

Readings

FOREST CITY GALLERY: Evening of poetry with Nathalie Stephens and Di Brandt, Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; 795 Dundas St.; 434-5875

LANDON BRANCH LIBRARY: Reading and book launch of Apocrypha: Further Journeys, by Stan Dragland, tonight, 7:30 p.m.; 167 Wortley Rd.

ST. THOMAS-ELGIN PUBLIC ART CENTRE: Reading and book-signing by Andrea Curtis, author of Into the Blue, Sunday, 2-4 p.m., free; 301 Talbot St., St. Thomas; 631-4040.

Shows

ART EXHIBIT: Water on Both Sides, by Helen Allen, till the end of November; Home Restaurant, 119 King St.

ART EXHIBIT: The history of art and books from the collection of artist Ron Milton, till Nov. 29; Landon branch library, 167 Wortley Rd.; 439-6240.

ART IN THE HEART OF LONDON: 40th anniversary of the exhibition and sale by more than 50 local artists, opening Thursday, 5-10 p.m., runs till Oct. 25; Cronyn Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond St.

ART SHOW: Exhibit by Synthia Schilder, opening Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., runs till the end of November; Horse and Hound, 1269 Hyde Park Road; 472-6801.

ART SHOW AND SALE: Dorchester Artist Network, tomorrow, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Dorchester United Church, 4100 Catherine St.

BELLAMERE MARKET WINERY: Watercolours by Peter Lam, all month; Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; 1260 Gainsborough Rd.; 473-2273.

CAFE ONE: Cosmos oil painting by Jack Winn, and new works, till Oct. 31; open daily; 551 Richmond St.; 642-4095.

CELEBRATING THE ARTS: Soul Faces/Soul Spaces, the Photographic Art of Simmons and Spalding, today till Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Cronyn Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, 472 Richmond St.

CENTRAL LIBRARY: Watercolours by Max Hollyman, all month; Board Room, 251 Dundas St.; 661-4600.

IMAGES OF LONG POINT: Original watercolours by Sue Goossens, opening Thursday, 4:30-8 p.m., runs till Nov. 13; Hollyhocks, 124 Broadway, Tillsonburg; 842-6602.

MASONVILLE LIBRARY GALLERY: Off on a Tangent, recent works by members of the Uncommon Doll Group, till Thursday; 30 North Centre Rd.; 660-4646.

Family and children

CAPT'N MATT'S TREASURE HUNT: Puppet show with audience as the crew, tomorrow, 2 p.m.; tickets $6; Old Town Theatre, 38 John St. S., Aylmer; 773-8220.

CORN MAZE: Hayride, petting zoo, hiking trail, tomorrow, Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; admission $3, children under 12 $2, family $10, (includes above features); Highway 19 north of Tillsonburg across from Coyles; (519) 842-2671.

CORN MAZE: Haunted mazes, today, tomorrow, Oct. 24 and 25, weather permitting, hours: today, 6-10 p.m.; tomorrow, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday and holiday Mondays, noon-6 p.m.; admission $7, children six to 11 $4.25; five-and-under free; Willsie Bourne Avenue, outside Belmont; 644-1379; belmontcornmaze.com

CORN MAZE: Today, 6-10 p.m.; tomorrow, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; holiday Mondays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, 6-9 p.m., runs till Oct. 31; admission $7, children six to 11 $4.25; five-and-under free; 12768 Longwoods Rd., Thamesville; 692-5451; www.cornfieldmaze.com

FAMILY FUN DAY: Fishing, baking, crafts, wagon rides, pumpkin patch, draws, build a bird feeder, make an angel, fundraiser for P.A.C.E., tomorrow, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; admission $3; V. Wilson Conservation Area, Middlemiss Drive, Muncey; 289-2303.

FANSHAWE PIONEER VILLAGE: The Black Veil haunted hayrides production by the Theatre School, for ages six and up, tonight, tomorrow, Thursday, 7, 8 or 9 p.m., show runs till Oct. 31; tickets $8, children $6, call 457-1296 or 672-8800; enter through Fanshawe Conservation Area, east side of Clarke Road, between Fanshawe Park Road and Huron Street.

LONDON REGIONAL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: World Circus exhibit by the Canadian Museum of Civilization, till Jan. 18; Disney's Jungle Book Safari, tonight, 6-8 p.m.; Val Williams the snake lady, tomorrow, 1 p.m.; Forest City gymnastics, Sunday, 1 p.m.; therapy dogs and paramedics, Sunday, 1 p.m.; daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; admission $5, under two free; 21 Wharncliffe Rd. S.; 434-5726; www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca

McCULLY'S HILL FARM: American Paint Horse riding demonstration, local arts show, tomorrow; tug of war, Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; harvest festival, horse-drawn hayrides, live music, pumpkin catapulting, weekends till Oct. 26; admission $5 a person, $4 families; 284-2564 or info@mccullys.ca; located off Highway 7, between Wildwood Park and St. Marys; www.mccullys.ca

MYSTERY STATION: Haunted house fundraiser for Elgin Association Community Living and On Track, tonight, tomorrow, 6:30-10:30 p.m.; family day, Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; admission $5, children $3, family pass $12; 750 Talbot St., St. Thomas behind Giant Tiger.

PORT STANLEY TRAIN RIDES: Train departs from the Port Stanley station, next to the lift bridge; weekends, noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.; 782-3730; www.pstr.on.ca

STORYBOOK GARDENS: Pirates' Island, Old MacDonald's Farm, the Enchanted Forest, birds, animals, sea lions, Storybook Valley, train rides; winter hours: daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. till Nov. 30; admission till April 30, $3, youth $2.35, child $1.75, family $8.20; Springbank Park; 661-5770; www.storybook.london.ca

HOT TICKET

Stompin' Tom back in town

Canadian icon Stompin' Tom Connors returns to London on Tuesday.

Connors, his stompin' board, gravelly voice and original songs assembled from his store of Canadiana, hit the stage at Centennial Hall at 8 p.m. He is expected to revisit many of the communities he has celebrated in song -- such places as Wawa, Tillsonburg, Leamington and Sudbury.

There is cabaret-style table seating on the mezzanine and theatre seating in the balcony and orchestra levels.

Tickets for the concert are $33.50, plus service charges where applicable. Call 672-1967.

Upcoming Show

The 2004 Canadian Monster Jam Tour will be at the John Labatt Centre April 2-4. The Pit Party will be April 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Free pit passes will be sent with tickets purchased online . Tickets go on sale today at 488-1012 or www.ticketmaster.ca