Here’s a look at some of the top happenings around the Colorado Springs area in the next few days:

ONGOING … AT LEAST FOR A WHILE

– It’s prime viewing time for the changing of fall colors. More details here and click here to see our map of best aspen-peeping locations.

– Most farmers markets are still selling the best of their crops. Full list here.

– Colorado Springs gets into Arts Month with a big event, headlined by Miguel Dakota and the Differents, downtown on Thursday night. The kickoff to the monthlong event is at The Mansion, starting at 6 p.m. More details here.

FRIDAY

– So much to experience at First Friday Downtown you’ll have to hit the ground running. From 5 to 8 p.m. there are art shows, plants that eat things, juried photography, food trucks and a variety of cultural adventures. Ready, set, here are the newbies: Works by Floyd Tunson at The Bridge Gallery, 218 W. Colorado Ave.; Mardosz Gallery, 109 S. Corona, joins First Friday with six local artists; the Colorado Photography School, 14 E. Bijou St., offers “The Language of Photography” by the Broadmoor Garden Club Photo Committee in their first juried show, mentored by photographer Melani Tutt, also Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.; Mission Arts Center, 324 N. Nevada Ave., Shine Like Stars collaborative exhibit, Colleen Briggs and Sanctuary of Hope’s “Children of Kenya”; and those carnivorous plants (we have a society here!) in a combination of live, hungry things and art at The Machine Shop, 4 S. Wahsatch Ave, 6 to 9 p.m. There’s a bunch more: downtowncs.com.

– Bring out your LBD as My99.9 presents the second annual John Jay & Rich Little Black Dress Party, all for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The music should be great since it’s new “American Idol” Nick Fradiani and our homegrown “America’s Got Talent” finalist Miguel Dakota. Hosted by Bob Penkhus Volvo Mazda VW Mitsubishi from 8:30 p.m. to midnight at The Gold Room, 8 S. Nevada Ave., it’s for ages 18 and older. Tickets $9.99 at coloradosouth.info-komen.org or at the door if not sold out.

– Limber up your piano-playing fingers to tickle the ivories on some very special new Pretty Pianos. Come downtown to meet Oliver and Madge, the painted pianos, starting at 6 p.m. Friday at COPPeR, 121 S. Tejon St. First Piano Oliver, and then head to Seeds Community Cafe, 109 E. Pikes Peak Ave., to hear Piano Madge. Real musicians will be playing this time, but these pianos invite everyone to “play me.” The Arc Pikes Peak Region painted Piano Tilly for First and Main Town Center. Follow the fun on Pretty Pianos Project on Facebook and artist Jennifer Ryan’s themuralprojectco.org.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

– Daydreaming about a new motor home, travel trailer or fifth wheel? Check them out at the Great American RV Show. There are 2015 end-of-year closeouts and 2016 models. Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $5 per carload admission.

SATURDAY

– Join Victor, Pedro and Emily Elizabeth as kids are treated to Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog in a fun interactive exhibit opening Saturday and running through Jan. 16 at the Space Foundation Discovery Center, 4425 Arrowswest Drive. It’s a project of the Pikes Peak Children’s Museum, which will host traveling exhibits at the Discovery Center as volunteers work toward a permanent museum in downtown Colorado Springs. Clifford and his big dog bowl will be there from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Ticket info including a $30 family pass: spacefoundation.org/museum, 576-8000.

– The Rockabilly Expo and Rocky Mountain Tattoo Showdown and Body Art Convention will share the space at the Mortgage Solutions Financial Expo Center on Friday and Saturday. One admission price gets you access to both events. Read more here.

– Graceful and healthy aging is informed aging, and to help the adult community engage in those important discussions and prepare for the practical and emotional lifestyle adjustments ahead, The Gazette will host a free, one-day Successful Aging Expo. The expo is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. Visit successfulagingcs.com.

– How could you pass up an evening of “splendor and frolic” hosted by a “Miss Hazel Humdinger?” The Luddites belly dancers and dance company present Zoetrope with Ebony Qualls, with music, poetry, aerial artistry, dancing and, yes indeed, beer. Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday at CityROCK, 212 N. Nevada Ave., $17 in advance, $20 day of, proceeds to earthquake relief in Tibet and the local nonprofit Wild Forever Foundation, zoetrope on Facebook, theludditestroupe.com.

STARTING SATURDAY

– Science can be really cool and here’s a full nine-day Colorado Springs Science Festival with all sorts of intriguing events. The Colorado Springs Science Center kicks it off Saturday with a Rubik’s Cube Challenge at the City Auditorium, Cool Science Carnival Day at UCCS and an adults’ happy hour at Distillery 291; Sunday there’s geocaching for kids in Fox Run Park, birds of prey in Pueblo and Garden of the Gods Visitor Center nature presentations. More: cssciencecenter.org.

SUNDAY

– Third Day brings its 12th studio album, “Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship,” along with more than 20 years of Christian/rock hits to the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., at 7 p.m. Sunday. All we need to say is “Our Deliverer” and “Maker.” Also on the bill are Brandon Heath and Warren Barfield, Tickets $20.25-86.50, ticketswest.com.

– Lots of controversy over the annual High Country Toy Run, but here’s your opportunity to bring the toys for area kids to the Marine Corps League Toys for Tots team from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Pikes Peak Harley Davidson, 5867 N. Nevada Ave. Ride your motorcycle, come in your car, ride your bike – just drop off a new toy for kids. Money’s just fine, too.

MONDAY

– The Colorado College Visiting Film Series spotlights writer-director Dave Boyle and his bilingual mystery “Man from Reno,” about a Japanese crime novelist and a sheriff from a small town pulled into the same crime investigation. It’s the Best Narrative Feature from the 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival and a nominee for the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards. Free. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Cornerstone Arts Center, 825 N. Cascade Ave., 389-6607.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8

– She’s a funny woman, but like most everyone there are things in her past that made her sad. Here’s Chonda Pierce’s take on life in the “Focus on the Funny Tour,” with Lindsay McCaul and Karyn Williams, at 7 p.m. Thursday, First Church of the Nazarene, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd., $25, $60 VIP; 1-800-965-9324, itickets.com Her book “Laughing in the Dark” is now a film opening in late October. Read Jen Mulson’s interview with Pierce in Faith & Values in Sunday’s Life.