The "Outside the Box" Women's Arts Festival presents new and established women artists of all artistic genres and backgrounds in a diverse lineup of performances and educational programs through Oct. 19. The seventh annual festival is presented by the Black Box of Asbury Park. Free and ticketed events, which feature local New Jersey artists and visiting guest artists, include visual arts, music, stage productions, film, poetry, and networking events. Events are held citywide in Asbury Park. Festival guides are available in libraries, stores and online at www.blackboxap.org. Call 732-455-3060.

The Middletown Arts Center will present Drew Richardson the Dramatic Fool in "Help! Help! I Know This Title Is Long, But Somebody'sTrying to Kill Me!" directed by Avner Eisenberg (Avner the Eccentric) 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, in the MAC theater at 36 Church St. in Middletown. In this one-man show, Drew discovers all the performers in a vaudeville variety show have been murdered. It's up to him to perform all their acts, or he's next! Suitable for families with children age 7 and older. Adult tickets are $20, $15 for students 18 and under and seniors 62 and over, and can be purchased by calling 732-706- 4100. Visit www.middletownarts.org.

The 27th annual Intensive Fall Weekend

Mime/Movement Workshops will take place Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26 at the New Jersey Center for Mime in Montclair. The workshops provide the opportunity to gain physical and mental strength and develop new skills under the direction of Yass Hakoshima, world-touring mime/movement artist. The NJCM provides comprehensive training in all aspects of mime, from theory to technique to performance skills. Classes will meet 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the NJCM Studio, 239 Midland Ave., Montclair. Tuition is $100 for each weekend (Friends of Mime and students receive a 10 percent discount.) Call 973-783- 9845, e-mail: yasshakoshima@verizon.net or visit www.yasshakoshima.com.

A frighteningly good time awaits theatergoers with "The Haunting of Hill House" running Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through Nov. 1, with a Sunday matinee on Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m., at First Avenue Playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. A chilling and mystifying study in mounting terror in which a small group of "psychically receptive" people are brought together in Hill House, a brooding, mid-Victorian mansion known as a place of evil and "contained ill will." Neither the characters nor the audience knows exactly what is happening, adding to the thrills and chills. Playhouse doors open at 8 p.m. with a performance at 8:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee door opens at 2 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. start. Tickets are $20. For information and reservations, call 732-291-7552.

Billy Bragg brings his heartfelt songwriting to Monmouth University at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, in Pollak Theatre. Bragg has recorded hit singles, penned political anthems, kept alive traditional English folk songs, and put his own spin on America's greatest folk catalog. The Watson Twins will be opening for Bragg. A man of the people, he sings with passion, anger and wit while blending elements of folk music and punk rock. Tickets can be purchased online at www.monmouth.edu/arts or by calling 732-263-6889.

New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch will host the third annual fundraiser, An Eclectic Evening: A Food, Wine and Martini Tasting, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20, at Branches, West Long Branch. More than 25 area restaurants will be serving up delectable specialty dishes and a half-dozen local distributorswill pour an array of wines and martinis. Tickets are $95 and available by calling Teresa Staub at 732-229-3166, ext.104.

Compiled by Gloria Stravelli