The Weekend Ahead: Swan Lake in New Brunswick, Middlesex Borough's First Multicultural Day and Early Voting Opens

Good morning, Middlesex County. New Brunswick has the big stage this weekend: American Repertory Ballet opens its season with a brand-new full-length Swan Lake at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Alton Brown brings his live show to the State Theatre on Saturday, and the New Jersey Symphony plays Beethoven and Schubert there on Sunday. Middlesex Borough holds its first-ever Multicultural Day on Saturday, the Zimmerli marks Día de los Muertos on Sunday, and in-person early voting for the Nov. 3 election opens Saturday at sites around the county.

Friday

• Swan Lake, New Brunswick, 7 p.m. American Repertory Ballet presents the company premiere of its full-length Swan Lake at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Ave. Performances continue through Sunday (see All weekend). Details
• Night of the Living Drag, New Brunswick, 8 p.m. A Halloween drag show at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave. Details
• Toast: The Ultimate Bread Tribute, Carteret, 7:30 p.m. Soft-rock hits of Bread at the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, 46 Washington Ave. Details
• Chamber music at Rutgers, New Brunswick, 7:30 p.m. The Chamber Music Series, hosted by Artisan Music Academy, at the Nicholas Music Center. Details
• Afternoon movies at the library. Highland Park Public Library screens Bugonia (2025) at 1:30 p.m. Details. Woodbridge's Main Library gets into the Halloween spirit with 1408 (2007) at 2 p.m. Details

Saturday

• Multicultural Day, Middlesex Borough, 1 to 3:30 p.m. The borough's first-ever celebration of the cultures, traditions, music and people that make up the community, at the Middlesex Recreation Department, 1200 Mountain Ave. Details
• Alton Brown, New Brunswick, 7:30 p.m. The food television host brings his live show to State Theatre New Jersey. State Theatre
• Youth Biotech Workshop, Monroe, 1 p.m. A hands-on science program for young people at the Monroe Township Public Library. Details
• Embroidery drop-in, Old Bridge, 10 a.m. Bring a project or start one at the Old Bridge Public Library. Details

Sunday

• Último Domingo: Día de los Muertos, New Brunswick, 1 p.m. The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers marks the Day of the Dead. Details
• New Jersey Symphony, New Brunswick, 2 p.m. Opening weekend: Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto and Schubert's "Great" Symphony at State Theatre New Jersey. Details
• Hocus Pocus, Plainsboro, 1 p.m. Sunday at the Movies at the Plainsboro Public Library. Details
• Hawthorne Heights with Letlive, Sayreville, 7 p.m. At the Starland Ballroom. Starland Ballroom

All weekend

• Early voting opens Saturday. In-person early voting for the Nov. 3 general election runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, at the county's early voting locations. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, and any registered county voter can use any site. Locations and hours
• More Swan Lake. After Friday's opening, American Repertory Ballet performs Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at NBPAC. The Saturday matinee offers audio description. American Repertory Ballet
• Friends of Plainsboro Library book sale. The monthly weekend sale opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details
• Rutgers women's volleyball, Piscataway. The Scarlet Knights host Michigan State Friday at 7 p.m. and Illinois Saturday at 7 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena. Schedule
• Take-home Great Pumpkin craft, Old Bridge. Adult craft kits are available at the Old Bridge Public Library through Oct. 31. Details

Around the county

• East Brunswick on the world stage. Singer-songwriter Kathleen Elle of East Brunswick won the global Hard Rock Rising competition. More local news
• A rescue in Colonia. A Woodbridge police officer pulled an elderly woman from a house fire in Colonia this week. Local news
• Student and alumni art at Middlesex College. A new exhibit showcases work by local students and alumni. Local news
• Helping Tommy the Hot Dog Man. A GoFundMe is raising money for Sayreville's well-known hot dog vendor. Local news
• Know your ballot. Sample ballots were mailed Oct. 21, and the county says it has stepped up security ahead of Election Day. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is Oct. 27. Election coverage

Looking for what your town council is deciding? Monday's Middlesex County Town Hall has the meetings ahead and the decisions behind. Browse the full Middlesex County events calendar, or submit an event.