Not surprisingly, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band plays a good bit of

Not surprisingly, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band plays a good bit of patriotic music — all the more fitting as the election draws near. The orchestra is on its annual tour and will make a stop at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown at 7:30 p.m. The free tickets have all been given out, but the doors will open to the public at 7:15; some empty seats will likely be available.

Get all Gothic at The Vampyre’s Harp, a Halloween show featuring creepy music by harpist Kirk Kupensky and readings that revel in madness and decay. It’s at 8 p.m. at Victorian Players Theater, 702 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown (across from Flynn’s Tires, near downtown). Call (330) 746-5455 for tickets.

The stage version of “Night of the Living Dead” continues at the Oakland Center for the Arts, with performances at 8 tonight, Friday and Saturday, and a special midnight show Saturday. The Oakland is at 220 W. Boardman St., downtown. Call (330) 746-0404.

Halloween needs hip-hop like a cackling skeletal ghoul needs a crypt. Thankfully, Girard-based hip-hop duo DaBoondox has put together a show it is calling “Tales from Da Armpit: A Nightmare on Federal Plaza.” The duo — Troy Napier (left) and Jeff Killin — didn’t want to give away too many details, but did reveal that the stage will be a graveyard with some horrifying guests dropping by. The show is divided into three chapters. “It will be hip-hop theater at its finest,” said Napier. “Big-city entertainment brought to the little stage.” Prizes will be awarded to the best three costumes. Opening acts are S-Pomp and Danny Hedrix. Admission is $5 for this 18-and-over show. The show starts at 10 p.m. Friday at Barley’s, 21 W. Federal St., downtown Youngstown. A DVD documenting the event and the work leading up to it will be available later this year. Sneak previews can be seen at myspace.com/daboondoxmusic.

“The Crucible” continues at Victorian Players Theater, with performances at 7:30 tonight and Saturday; midnight Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave., near downtown Youngstown. Call (330) 746-5455.

The Stone City Band, which used to back up the late punk-funk king Rick James, comes to Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., downtown, at 8 p.m. All the old Rick James hits, like “Super Freak,” will be played. Opening act is the Bar-Kays. Tickets are available at the Powers Auditorium box office or by calling (330) 744-0264.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings its metallic-yet-warm arena-rock Christmas show to Chevrolet Centre for two shows: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Check Ticketmaster or the Chevy Centre box office.

j Murphy Sharp, left, and Joe Asente perform a scene in Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater’s “Hansel and Gretel.” The children’s show will be presented at 2:30 p.m. today and Sunday. It will be the last show at the Playhouse before the theater goes dark for the winter months. Admission is $5 for children and $7 for adults. The audience is invited to stay after the show for an autograph party, with cookies and punch.

Youngstown gets its first opportunity to see filmmaker Chris Rutushin’s “Fine-Tune,” which was shot in Youngstown with a local cast. A sneak preview will be at 6 p.m. at the Royal Oaks, 924 Oak St., on the near East Side. Tickets are $10 (hors d’eouvres included) and can be purchased at the bar. Call (330) 744-5501.

Four straight nights of music come to Chevrolet Centre, beginning Nov. 6, when the Vocal Group Hall of Fame holds its induction concerts. The lineups are amazingly star-studded, and include Three Dog Night, The Lettermen, The O’Jays, Sam Moore, Al Jardine, Jay and the Americans, Tony Orlando and many more. Go to vocalhalloffame.com for more information.

Steve Miller, best known for his drawing power at gigantic amphitheaters, comes to the relatively intimate Chevrolet Centre for a Nov. 13 concert. Check Ticketmaster.