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BEST BETS: Sept. 16 to 22, 2011

Frances Paley show
An exhibition of Rochester photographer Frances Paley's most recent work, Adornments, opens at Lumiere Photo's Spectrum Gallery with a free, public reception from 7 to 10 p.m. today. The show features 14 of Paley's large-scale photographs and runs through Oct. 22. "I'm so pleased to debut this work right here in Rochester at the new Spectrum Gallery space," says Paley, a Long Island native who moved to Rochester in 1975 after marrying sculptor Albert Paley. Throughout the '80s, Paley specialized in large-scale, airbrushed watercolors and pen and ink drawings. She rediscovered her love of black-and-white photography in the '90s, when she began utilizing the computer to transform her images. The image shown is called "Two Beauties." Visit spectrumgalleryroc.com.

Oktoberfest in Irondequoit
The annual Oktoberfest at Camp Eastman in Irondequoit is this weekend. Beer and German food, such as potato salad, bratwurst and schnitzel, will be abundant. Music on tap for the weekend includes the Alpine Keys and the Spitze Band. Entertainment for kids also is planned. Admission is $8, free for children younger than 6. Parking is free. The event continues next weekend, as well. The original Oktoberfest occurred in Munich, Germany, in October 1810. Visit irondequoit.org/oktoberfest2011.

Artist Row at Public Market
Artist Row, a juried show that showcases artists, live performances by local and regional musicians, dancers and singers, is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Rochester Public Market. The event features more than 175 artists of all kinds from around the region, plus live performances by musicians, dancers and singers. There will be art for sale, including ceramics and pottery, metalwork, mixed media, fiber art and textiles, paintings, photography, glass pieces, sculpture, wood and jewelry. It's free. Visit marketfriends.org.

On the big screen
"Drive" stars Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stunt driver and "wheelman" who discovers that a contract has been put on him by a local mob boss after a heist goes wrong. In "I Don't Know How She Does It," Sarah Jessica Parker plays a finance executive who juggles it all as the breadwinner for her husband and two kids. Working moms will love this film. In "The Lion King (in 3D)," Simba, Mufasa, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa are back and better than ever in breathtaking 3D. "Straw Dogs," a remake of the 1971 thriller starring Dustin Hoffman, stars James Marsden and Kate Bosworth as out-of-towners who relocate to the deep South and encounter trouble with the locals. Alexander Skarsgard (of HBO's "True Blood") also stars. Find movie times.

Rock the Cans, ROCtoberfest
The Genesee Brewery presents "Rock the Cans" at 4 p.m. Friday. It's a concert featuring national recording acts Buckcherry, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Red, Crossfade, Drive A and Puddle of Mudd. Of course, there will be beer and food. Then on Saturday at 5 p.m., the brewery kicks off "ROCtoberfest," which highlights the region's best local bands, beer and food. Guests will receive free samples of a variety of Zweigle's sausages, Dundee Oktoberfest and other Dundee beers, courtesy of presenting sponsors Zweigle's and the Genesee Brewery. Dundee brewers will lead a free beer and Zweigle's sausage pairing event from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The Genesee Brewery gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday. Visit ticketmaster.com or ticketfly.com.

Katharine Hepburn's life on stage
Blackfriars Theatre is staging "Tea at Five," a one-woman comedy drama about Katharine Hepburn. Jill Rittinger stars in the play, which recounts Hepburn's life from her well-heeled New England upbringing to her four Oscar wins. Written by Matthew Lombardo, the play premiered in 2002 at Hartford Stage and has gone on to regional theaters across the country. John Haldoupis directs. The show runs through Sept. 24. Tickets are $27. Visit blackfriars.org.
 

Harvest Festival at Springdale
Springdale Farm's Harvest Festival, which is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, features hearth cooking, a petting zoo, a hay castle, tours of the robotic milking center, fishing, face painting, children's crafts and games, music, pedal tractors, mascot friends and wagon rides. The 200-acre demonstration farm is owned by Monroe County and operated by Heritage Christian Services. For details springdalefarm.org.

Region goes green
The Greentopia Festival is a two-day, interactive festival in historic High Falls that will show what the region is doing to help the environment. Visitors to the free festival Saturday and Sunday can wander in and out of workshops and demonstrations on topics such as gardening, energy-efficient homes, human-centered cities, wind energy, green roofs, water conservation and waste minimization. Among the speakers is Ed Begley Jr., actor and environmental activist, who will talk via Skype. Roughly 100 vendors will be at the event. Greentopia also includes organic and locally produced food and beverages, hands-on children's activities, a self-guided bike ride along the river, 19 bands on three stages, a show of alternative-fuel vehicles from five makers and chef demonstrations. The festival is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Visit greentopiafest.com.

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