The Association of the Study of Classical African Civilizations will hold its Eastern Region Conference here in Syracuse on Oct. 21 and 22. This is the first time the historical black study group has held a conference in Syracuse. The two-day event's theme is Rebuilding the Afrikan Kommunity and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Bruce Hakim Cosby. The event will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, and again from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Believers Chapel City Church. To learn more contact Ras Simien Anu at (315) 395-4346 or rassimien@hotmail.com or Bro. Modell Gault at modellgault@yahoo.com or (716) 715-6559. For vending fee contracts, which are $50, contact JoAnn Peters at joannabeena@aol.com or (716) 856-3347.

Join Pirate Dave (aka magician David Moreland) for his family-friendly, not-at-all-spooky 45-minute Halloween magic show. Audience members, young and old, will shiver their timbers laughing at the
magic, balloons, puppets and audience participation. All ages welcome.

An election meeting with Niles Niemuth, SEP candidate for vice president, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Beachamp Branch Library.

Join Beauchamp Branch Library staff for a fun filled night of games, crafts, food and activities for the entire family. Come in costume if you'd like. For more information, call the library at (315) 435-3395 and ask for Christine.

A Haunted Gingerbread House Competition will allow tweens and teens to compete with fellow peers to see who can create the creepiest, spookiest, haunted gingerbread house. All supplies will be provided during the program.

The Halloween Spooktacular concert by Symphoria will be offered from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Inspiration Hall, 709 James St. Costumes are encouraged for ghouls and goblins of all ages for this concert, featuring some of the most frightening sounds of the season. And don't forget to come early for snacks and a special pre-concert instrument petting zoo provided by the Central New York Association of Music Teachers, beginning and 10 a.m.

Enjoy a spooky movie and a Halloween treat in the Community Room at Betts Branch Library will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

The Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse will have a public rally for justice to address issues critical to the community from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, 515 Oakwood Ave. ACTS will ask public officials if they support ending solitary confinement/isolation of children housed at the Justice Center, raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years in New York state and improving access to pre-kindergarten services – all recommendations developed by ACTS’ task forces during the past year. Other issues also will be addressed.

The Syracuse City School District will offer a Safe Kids Halloween Night featuring fun, games and treats from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Dr. King, Dr. Weeks, Delaware, Ed Smith, Franklin and McKinley-Brighton elementary schools.