CALENDAR, Oct. 17+: Colour of Music and Italian film festivals, more

Colour of Music Festival:  Oct. 19-23, various Charleston venues.  Now in its fourth year, the festival offers a musical kaleidoscope of black classical composers and performers from across the globe.  A highlight will include the debut of Chevalier de Saint Georges’ only opera ever discovered, “The Anonymous Lover.”  Tickets range from $11 to $72.  To learn more or purchase, go online to http://www.ColourofMusic.org.

Dracula, King of Vampires:  Oct. 19-Nov. 6, Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St., Charleston.  Charleston Stage will present an original reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula just in time for Halloween at the Dock Street Theatre.  For tickets and times, click here:  http://www.CharlestonStage.com.

Nuovo Cinema Italiano:  Oct. 20 to Oct. 23, Sottile Theatre, 44 George St., Charleston.  This “New Italian Cinema” Film Festival offers bunches of great Italian films at the College of Charleston.  Cost is $8 per ticket.  For more on an opening reception, films and times, go online to: nuovocinemaitaliano.com.

Distinguished fall speakers:  Two more accomplished speakers will speak at the S.C. Society Hall, 72 Meeting Street, Charleston, in the fall as part of the Drayton Hall Distinguished Speakers Series.  On Oct. 20, curator William M. Kelso of Historic Jamestowne will discuss “The Buried Truth” at the Virginia attraction.  On Nov. 17, historian David S. Shields of the University of South Carolina will discuss “Creating the World Orchard.”  Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with presentations an hour later.  Free.

Museum’s annual family picnic:  1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 23, Dill Sanctuary, 1163 Riverland Dr., Charleston.  The Charleston Museum will host its annual family picnic with lots of Lowcountry food plus music, a nature walk, a Birds of Prey demonstration, games, a touch tank and more.  Tickets are $10 to $30 with kids under five for free.  More.

7th annual Charleston Jazz Jam:  4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oct. 23, Dock House on Bowen’s Island near Folly Beach.  Nationally-known saxophonist Richie Cole will make a special guest appearance at this unscripted, unrehearsed four-hour live jazz concert that will feature over 50 of the greatest jazz musicians in Charleston.  The event is free, but all will be encouraged to support Ohm Radio.  Learn more here: www.facebook.com/chasjazzclub. ; The club is one of the only virtual jazz clubs in the world, according to founder Dennis Fassuliotis.

Litter cleanup:  Nov. 5, across Charleston County.  Adopt-A-Highway will hold its next litter cleanup on county roadsides on Nov. 5, with a bad weather date for the following Saturday. Volunteers can pick up supplies on Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at S.C. Department of Transportation’s Charleston Maintenance facility, 2401 Maintenance Way, North Charleston. In Charleston County, the Adopt-A-Highway program is coordinated by Community Pride, Inc., an organization sponsored by the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service. More info:  Contact Angela Crouch at (843) 730-5203 or at acrouch@clemson.edu.

(NEW) Holiday of Lights Fun Run:  Nov. 9 and 10.  Registration is open for a sneak peek at this year’s Holiday of Lights for participants in a Fun Run, a two-mile, non-competitive event held on these two nights.  Gates close to traffic at 6:30 p.m., so arrive in time.  To register and learn more, click here.

Zombie Race:  10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 12, Mullet Hall Equestrian Center, Johns Island. Charleston’s zombie race 5K run and fall festival, rUNdead, is back from the dead in 2016. This year’s event offers a number of new attractions, plus will benefit Lowcountry Helping Hands and Lowcountry Food Bank.  Learn more:  http://rundead5k.com.

Lowcountry Nosh:  Noon to 4 p.m., Nov. 13, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, 90 Hasell St., Charleston.  The synagogue invites folks to sample a variety of delicious, traditional Jewish foods, enjoy fun activities and tour the site’s historic property during this free event.  Tickets will be sold on site for food.  To learn more about the 2^nd annual Lowcountry Nosh: Charleston Jewish Food & Heritage Festival, click here.

Bird walks: 8:30 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday and Saturday. This is the time of year that a great variety of migrating birds fly through the Lowcountry so what better time to take part in one of the regular early morning bird walks at Caw Caw Interpretive Center in Ravenel. Pre-registration is suggested. Cost is $10. Walks also are conducted on James Island and Folly Beach. Learn more online.

If you have an event to list on our calendar, please send it to editor@charlestoncurrents.com for consideration.  The calendar is updated weekly on Mondays.