See Roald Dahl’s ‘The BFG’
Magical Theatre Company opens its family-friendly production of The BFG, based on the Roald Dahl novel about a Big Friendly Giant that also inspired a recent movie. It runs through Oct. 23 and showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and this Saturday, 2 p.m. Oct. 22 and Sundays. Tickets are $14-$18 at www.magicaltheatre.org or 330-848-3708. Magical Theatre is at 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton.
Head to Cleveland for a concert
What are the odds he does Cleveland Rocks? Ian Hunter & The Rant Band hit the Beachland Ballroom at 8 p.m., and besides the local anthem he’ll likely draw from his new album as well as his Mott the Hoople catalog. Tickets are $35 at 216-383-1124, www.beachlandballroom.com.
Attend a dance performance
It’s a good weekend for dance in the area:
• Real Edge Dance’s “Prism” program includes two world premieres, Friday through Sunday at Paul A. Daum Theater at the University of Akron. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $20 general admission or $15 for students and senior citizens. For more information, see www.realedgedance.org.
• Canton Ballet presents “Director’s Choice” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Canton Palace Theatre. The pieces include classical ballet, contemporary ballet and modern dance. Tickets are $10 at 330-455-7220 or www.cantonballet.com.
Have a beer at Akron Civic
The fourth annual Akron Craft Beer Festival is set for 8 p.m. Friday at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., featuring more than 40 breweries and meaderies, and the tapping of a special cask beer called The Mighty Wurlitzer created with Heavy Seas. Tickets are $40 at 330-253-2488 or www.akroncivic.com.