Weekend best bets: World Beer Fest, Porkapalooza

RALEIGH, N.C. — Here our our top picks for the weekend.

N.C. State Fair - It is the opening weekend of the North Carolina State Fair. Preview day is Thursday, so look for our coverage of the new food, rides and more all week.

World Beer Festival Durham - This event will celebrate its 21st year at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday. Sample hundreds of beer from around the world in one of two sessions.

Cary Diwali - Diwali is the most widely celebrated religious and cultural event in India and marks the victory of good over evil, light over dark, and the beginning of the New Year. Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali encourages artistic expression through vibrant performances, unique exhibits, and colorful decorations. Take part in the local Diwali celebration on Sunday at Koka Booth Amphitheater. General admission seating is free and parking is $5 per car.

International Festival of Raleigh - This three-day extravaganza features music, food and dance from around the world. More than 60 ethnic groups, 25 international food vendors, non-stop music and world-bazaar shopping will all be under one roof at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Triangle Veg Fest - This third annual festival will include multiple speakers and more than 90 vegan vendors in addition to yoga and movie viewings. Learn more about plant-based life on Sunday at the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education.

Manifest Music Festival - This new festival is Friday and Saturday at three venues in Chapel Hill. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of.

Porkapalooza - The fifth annual farm dinner will be held Friday at The Root Cellar in Chapel Hill. There will be 12 small plate courses featuring locally raised pork from Seven Springs Farm and beers from Fullsteam Brewery in Durham. Tickets are $65.

Beer Tasting and Food Truck Rodeo - The Club at Flowers Plantation in Clayton will be hosting its second Annual Beer Tasting and Food Truck Rodeo benefiting the Johnston County Special Olympics on Saturday. There will be more than 10 participating breweries and six food trucks at this family-friendly event.

Table's Empty Bowls Fundraiser - The Weaver Street Market in Carrboro will be the site of this fourth annual event on Sunday. Enjoy a hearty bowl of soup made by local chefs, artisan bread, scratch-made dessert and a commemorative pottery bowl handcrafted by local artists. Beer and wine will be for sale. All proceeds will benefit TABLE.

Carrboro Food Truck Festival - Enjoy a variety of food truck cuisine, live music and bounce houses in downtown Carrboro on Sunday during this event.

Rib Cook-Off - The Point on Glenwood Avenue will host its second Annual Rib Cook Off and N.C. State Tailgate party on Saturday. Local teams will be vying for the title of best ribs. There will also be a lemonade stand contest for children.

Wine and Chocolate - Chatham Hill Winery is celebrating National Dessert Weekend by teaming up with Videri Chocolate for wine and chocolate flights all weekend. You get four pairings for $25.

Rent - In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway...and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s "Rent" continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. Now on its 20th anniversary tour, see it at DPAC through Sunday.

Henry Rollins - The former lead singer of Black Flag brings his Spoken Word tour to Carolina Theater of Durham on Sunday. On this tour, fans can expect Rollins to mix timely commentary on the current state of politics with anecdotes on his latest L.A. experiences.

Chick Corea Elektric Band - Chick Corea has attained iconic status in music. The keyboardist, composer and bandleader is a DownBeat Hall of Famer and NEA Jazz Master, as well as the fourth-most nominated artist in Grammy Awards history with 63 nods - and 22 wins, in addition to a number of Latin Grammys. See him Saturday at Carolina Theater of Durham.

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox - Created by Bradlee, the rotating collective of Postmodern Jukebox has spent the past few years amassing more than 450 million YouTube views and 1.9 million subscribers. As NPR put it, they’ve done this by “taking current Top 40 hits and re-imagining them as coming from older eras of popular music.” See them Friday night at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.

NC Symphony plays Blockbuster Film Scores - Join the symphony for an epic journey with the great film composers, featuring music from Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Fiddler on the Roof, and more on Friday night at Meymandi Concert Hall.

Don Quixote - Carolina Ballet presents this production at Fletcher Opera Theater with dates through Oct. 30.

The Muse Masquerade - Conjure your inner muse, don a mask and hit up the second annual Muse Masquerade Friday night at 21c Museum Hotel in Durham. There will be experimental performance, tarot, interactive experiences, live poetry, theater, music, art, drag and dancing in support of The Carrack. Tickets start at $37.

Nightmare at the Museum - Can You Escape Kidzu museum in Chapel Hill? You can try on Friday during this after-hours adult night at the museum. The haunted escape room will pit teams against each other to see who has the skill and wit to beat the escape countdown clock. Get in the spirit with beer flights for YesterYears Brewery, cocktail tastings by Fair Game Beverage Company and food from Al's Burger Shack. Tickets are $30 per person and $50 per couple.

Oktoberfest 8K - The nOg Run Club, creators of the fairly epic St. Paddy's 8K, host this fifth annual running of the Oktoberfest 8K on Saturday at Raleigh Beer Garden. Don your lederhosen for a day of running and eco-friendly fun in downtown Raleigh. Every registered runner will receive a tech shirt, Bond Brothers beer, finishers medal and an after party chock full of good music and great times!

Grand Opening for Craft Habit - This holiday pop up shop holds its grand opening on Friday at 17 E. Martin St. There will be lots of craft supplies, sewing and needlework projects and classes.

Le tour de femme - On Saturday, Grab My Wheel will be holding its annual women's only cycling event in Cary. In its 11th year, this event helps raise money to fight cancer. Join WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, who will be the honorary ride leader. This event got rained out last week.

Lemurpalooza - Bring a blanket, enjoy a picnic and meet the lemurs in the Adopt-A-Lemur program at the Duke Lemur Center on Friday afternoon.