Life is a cabaret: Show Must Go On Productions opens its Cabaret series at the San Diego Hilton/Del Mar tonight, with two showings of Life of the Party, featuring Bettina Warren accompanied by Jim Guerin. The Cabaret is all about great vocalists singing live jazz, blues and pop in an intimate setting. Call (858) 794-9044 for reservations or information.

Dias de los Muertos: Old Town’s Bazaar del Mundo presents authentic displays, demonstrations and workshops of the ancient Mexican folk holiday during its sixth annual Dias de los Muertos celebration, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. today and tomorrow. Artists from Que Milagro will demonstrate how to make sugar skulls from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and children will have the opportunity to decorate their own sugar skulls Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call (619) 296-3266 for information. The event is free, but parents should call to register children for the decorating workshop.

Bill Maher: The creator of “Politically Incorrect” is performing stand-up comedy at The Center for the Performing Arts in Escondido tonight at 8:00 p.m. Maher’s politically astute routines have gained him a large following, and his own HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, launched in February of this year. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office, at (800) 988-4253.

And more stand-up: 6th@Penn Theatre is hosting Hillcrest’s first stand-up comedy venue tonight at 10:00 p.m., featuring host Christian Shirm and some of the most talented female comics from L.A. — Brenna Kelly, Beth Sherman and Amy Anderson. For directions, call (619) 688-9210.

DIVAS…Simply Singing!: See Geri Halliwell, Trencye, Nnenna Freelon, Loretta Devine, Victoria Rowell and Jenifer Lewis at Sheryl Lee Ralph’s annual benefit for the Black AIDS Institute and Project Angel Food. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebel Theatre, 4401 West 8th St. in Los Angeles. Call (310) 248-2660 for more information.

Does ‘She’ find him?: The Asian American Repertory Theatre opens it’s eighth season at 7:00 p.m. tonight with But Can He Dance?, a brand new play from Los Angeles playwright Dorinne Kondo, a professor of Anthropology and American Studies at USC. But Can He Dance? chronicles the romantic adventures of “She,” a thirty-something Asian-American everywoman, as she searches for love and the perfect dance partner. The show runs through Nov. 22. For ticket and show information, call (888) 568-2278.

Bookmobile Arts Show: A touring exhibition of artist books, zines and independent publications. Their mission is to encourage artistic productions and improve self-made bookworks through bookbinding workshops and informal discussion. The presentation will take place from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the World Beat Cultural Center in Balboa Pak. There is a workshop and fundraising party from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. that all are invited to attend. Call (619) 230-1190 for more details.

Fall Back: Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour when you wake up. As of 2:00 a.m., we have an extra hour to sleep.

Her name is Peaches: Venerated by many, reviled by some, Canadian-born, Berlin-based electroclash performer Peaches thrives on shock value, and can rock like Iggy Pop. Choosing her stage name from the Nina Simone song, “My Name Is Peaches,” her performances are an unsubtle barrage of sex, punk-pop and performance art. Tonight at the Casbah. Call (619) 232-HELL for details.

Underwater pumpkin carving: No, really. The 23rd Annual Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest takes place off La Jolla Shores today from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Simply put, the event features scuba divers carving pumpkins underwater, culminating in one lucky diver winning the award for “Best Carved Pumpkin Underwater.” For more information, call (858) 565-6054.

‘NU’ At Sledgehammer: Sledgehammer Theatre presents the premier run of Nu, a three-part series of interrelated stories told with no spoken dialogue. Each tale revolves around a life unraveling. Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Call (619) 544-1484 for information.

Frightmarish haunts: This is the last week to pay money to be scared silly. Frightmare on Market Street and Haunted Hotel end their runs Nov. 1. Hours are Sunday - Thursday, 7:00-11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Call (619) 231-3611 for more information.

Food, Drink and Olé! Equality California presents Olé EQCA! – the 2003 San Diego Equality Awards Celebration at Casa Del Prado, Balboa Park, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Celebrate this year’s historic victories for human rights, and honor GLBT community members who have helped make them happen. There will be themed food, drink, entertainment and a silent auction to benefit American Veterans for Equal Rights. For more information, call (619) 283-3190.

Tune in to the tunesmith: Hailed as a “star in waiting” by Billboard magazine, pop singer-songwriter Skott Freedman performs at the Adams Ave. Studio of the Arts at 8:00 p.m. Freedman, a 24 year-old international recording artist and bisexual activist, recently performed at the North American Conference on Bisexuality held in San Diego in August. He is touring the West coast this month; if you missed him last time, check out the show.

NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner: The San Diego branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is holding their annual Freedom Fund Dinner, “Having Our Say,” tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Mission Valley. Attorney William McCuring, Jr. is the keynote speaker. Call (619) 263-7823 for additional information.