Check out the works of sculptor and muralist Virgil Cantini, listen to talks from authors at City of Asylum’s LitFest or enjoy the classic “La Bohéme” at the Pittsburgh Opera — here’s what to do in the city this weekend.

Visual Art
Pitt’s University Art Gallery opens three exhibits, two of them harkening to Pittsburgh’s bustling mid-20th-century scene. “Wavelengths” honors the work of four late abstractionists from the modernist era, including Aaronel deRoy Gruber and Jane Haskell. “Earth & Ether” explores the oeuvre of local-favorite sculptor and muralist Virgil Cantini and artist and educator Lucille Cantini, his wife. And with “Rethinking the Rotunda III,” local artists José Santiago Pérez and Charmette Young transform the historic rotunda of the Frick Fine Arts Building. The free opening reception is Thu., Oct. 16.

Theater
“Off The Record,” the annual original musical spoofing Pittsburgh news and newsmakers, marks its 25th year with “Burgh to the Future.” The Thu., Oct. 16, evening of skits and songs at the Byham Theater is organized by the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, SAG-AFTRA Ohio Pittsburgh and United Steelworkers. It features live music, KDKA Radio’s Larry Richert as emcee and guest speaker Corey O’Connor, Allegheny County Controller and mayoral candidate. The fundraiser for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has garnered more than $800,000 over the decades.

Words
LitFest returns to City of Asylum, with two full days of free in-person author talks and more at Alphabet City. Headliners include MacArthur “genius” grant winner Anne Carson (“Bringing the Classics to Today”) and Booker Prize winner Kiran Desai (“Love & Family, India & America, Tradition & Modernity”). There’s also a translation slam and programs like “Poetry, Comedy & Storytelling in American Sign Language,” “Books From My Country You Should Know” and “Indigenous Language Acts.” Advance registration is recommended.

Burlesque
From classic vaudeville style to “nerdlesque,” the Smokin’ Betties are Pittsburgh’s longest-tenured burlesque troupe. On Sat., Oct. 18, host Lilith DeVille and performers including Amoxie Villain and DemDare Eyes return to Club Cafe, site of their first performance 10 years ago, for the Halloween-themed show “Return of the Living Betties 2.” Expect special guests and a healthy dose of humor along with the dancing.

Opera
Pittsburgh Opera opens its season with Puccini’s classic “La Bohéme.” The production transports the tragic love story of the poet Rodolfo and the seamstress Mimi to bohemian Paris of the 1930s. Tenor Daniel O’Hearn and soprano Vuvu Mpofu star in this staging of the work that inspired Broadway’s “Rent.” The opera is sung in Italian with projected English subtitles. There are four performances at the Benedum Center, Sat., Oct. 18; Tue., Oct. 21; and Oct 24 and 26.

Music
Chamber Music Pittsburgh’s “Visions of Peace” concert features the acclaimed Detroit-based 18-piece string ensemble Sphinx Virtuosi playing works that meditate on conflicts of the past and present. The program features world-touring cellist Sterling Elliot and includes premieres of commissioned works by U.S.-based composers Jessie Montgomery and Quenton Blache; contemporary and classic works from other composers from across the hemisphere; and new arrangements of works by William Grant Still and Prokofiev. The concert is Tue., Oct. 21, at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.