If we’ve learned anything in the year since the AT&T Performing Arts Center opened, it is that the center shines brightest when it serves as the host of multi-disciplinary festivals and events. In other words, it will be vacant, quiet, and lonely unless you program it to death (or life, as it were). That’s why Art In October is such a fantastic idea: it is an annual excuse to play Sorcerer’s Apprentice to the Arts District’s many parks and plazas, nooks and crannies. The month-long festival kicks off this weekend with a day-long opening celebration, featuring free admission to museums, a pay-what-you-can performance of the Dallas Theater Center’s Henry IV, outdoor performances, tours, and various other activities. There’s a lot more information here, and you can download a full calendar here.