FanFare: Beatles, Ballet & Bratwurst

October 1, 2026

Phil Vavra Powered By Bragg Financial

This week’s edition of FanFare has it all, from a festival dedicated to the Fab Four to a Prokofiev ballet to a whole lot of Oktoberfest-ing. Once again, we’re filling your stein with fun events so keep reading and start making your weekend plans.

It’s Your Kids, Marty!

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* has brought back its Movie Series for the 2026-27 season with a screening of the 1985 classic Back to the Future at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, October 2^nd at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 3^rd at 3 p.m. The CSO will perform Alan Silvestri’s score live as Doc Brown and Marty McFly hurtle though time in their DeLorean. October 2-3.

Here Comes the Fun

FabFest, Charlotte’s annual celebration of all things Beatles, returns October 2^nd and 3^rd. It’s two days of Fab Four-inspired fun with the ticketed Tosco Music Beatles Tribute at Knight Theatre (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday night. Saturday’s events at CPCC’s Parr Center (1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte) are free and include live music on two stages, speakers, a Beatles art contest and sale, Beatles cover song contest, Beatles open mic, ‘60s fashion & costume contest, and more. October 2-3.

NCBO at 15

The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra* is celebrating its 15th anniversary with three concerts this weekend. Artistic director Frances Blaker will lead the ensemble performing on Baroque period instruments in a program including a concerto grosso by Geminiani, an oboe concerto by Telemann, a Mozart divertimento, a suite of music by Rameau, J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and more. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, October 2^nd at 7 p.m.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
2310 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC

Saturday, October 3^rd at 7 p.m.
Davidson College Presbyterian Church Congregation House
218 Concord Road, Davidson, NC

Sunday, October 4^th at 3 p.m.
Providence United Methodist Church
2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC

Saturday Night Small Batch

WDAV’s Small Batch Concert Series continues with a performance by Chamber Music for All at Free Range Brewing (2320 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, October 3^rd at 7 p.m. Featuring violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc, along with other musicians from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble will be performing string trios by Schubert, Francaix, and Beethoven, as well as Kodaly’s Intermezzo. Each $20 ticket comes with a souvenir pint glass filled with the Free Range beverage of your choice. Come thirsty and ready to enjoy an evening of fantastic music. October 3.

Opening Night in Greensboro

The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra opens its 2026-2027 season with pianist Jeffrey Biegel joining conductor Chelsea Tipton and the GSO at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (300 N. Elm Street, Greensboro) on Saturday, October 3^rd at 7:30 p.m. The program includes Danzon No. 9 by Arturo Marquez, Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. October 3.

Oom-pah-pah!

The Piedmont Wind Symphony German Band is celebrating Oktoberfest in the Triad this weekend. Dust off your lederhosen and join them for the music-filled festivities complete with beer and brats. Here’s where it’s happening:

Saturday, October 3rd at 1 p.m.
Incendiary Brewing
2001 Yanceyville Street, #105, Greensboro, NC

Sunday, October 4^th at 1 p.m.
Incendiary Brewing
5495 Williams Road, Lewisville, NC

Sunday in the Park with Chris

Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* are giving a free concert at Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Comporium Amphitheater (291 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill, SC) on Sunday, October 4^th at 3:30 p.m. The CSO will perform Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man; Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade in D minor for Winds, Op. 44; Richard Strauss’ Serenade in E-flat major, Op. 7; and more. Did I mention it’s free? October 4.

Take Your Vitamins

The world-renowned ensemble Vitamin String Quartet will be performing with the acclaimed vocal trio Girl Named Tom at the Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Sunday, October 4^th at 7 p.m. You can expect an evening of genre-defying arrangements with reimagined classics and modern hits. October 4.

Hitchcocktober

The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (559 W. King Street, Boone) is remembering the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, with screenings of three of his classic films during “Hitchcocktober,” October 6^th through 13^th. It begins with Shadow of a Doubt (1943) on Tuesday, October 6^th. You can catch North by Northwest (1959) on Thursday, October 8^th. The series wraps up with Notorious (1946) on Tuesday, October 13^th. All screenings begin at 6 p.m. October 6-13.

Caravaggio in Concert

7^th Street Concerts* and the Mint Museum* are presenting Murder, Music & Caravaggio, a theatrical production which explores Caravaggio’s artistic vision and violent life through a newly created pastiche opera assembled from scenes by Monteverdi and other Baroque composers. You can see it as part of Wednesday Night Live at the Mint Museum Uptown (500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, October 7^th at 7 p.m. It will also be performed at St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish Hall (115 W. 7^th Street, Charlotte) on Friday, October 9^th at 7 p.m. October 7 & 9.

The Belle of the Ball

Blumenthal Arts* welcomes the United European Ballet Company’s production of Cinderella to Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Thursday, October 8^th at 7 p.m. Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s lush score, the timeless fairy tale comes to life through stunning choreography, dazzling costumes, and hand-painted sets. October 8.

Feasts for the Senses

• Mecktoberfest: German cuisine, live music, games, and beer at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Ballantyne Biergarten. October 2-4.
  
• Roots + Rhythm: Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s annual fall fundraising dinner with Southern cuisine from Jackson’s Kitchen, live bluegrass, and more. Boots and blue jeans encouraged. October 3.
  
• 2026 K-FEST: Celebrate Korean culture and cuisine with live music, games, tae kwon do performances, plus K-Pop dance and karaoke contests at Seoul Food Meat Company in Charlotte. October 3.
  
• Oktoberfest & Bavarian Street Festival: Live music, German food and beer, kids’ zone, petting zoo, and more at Fountain Park in Rock Hill, SC. October 3.
  
• Red Oak Oaktoberfest: A full day of German-style lagers, entertainment, and food trucks serving bratwurst and pretzels at Red Oak Lager Haus & Biergarten in Whitsett, NC. October 3.
  
• Oktoberfest at Tryon International: Cold beer, Bavarian-inspired food, live music, local market vendors, and family friendly fun with the “Saturday Night Lights” equestrian competition in Mill Spring, NC. October 3.
  
• Art in the Park: Monthly event with 70 juried artists selling jewelry, furniture, lawn ornaments, pottery, textiles, paintings, and more in downtown Blowing Rock. October 3.
  
• Colorfest:Annual arts & crafts festival featuring 40 demonstrating artists and their colorful creations along Front Street in downtown Dillsboro. October 3.
    
• 33^rd Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival: Jousting, mermaids, falconry, musical entertainment, artisan marketplace, turkey legs, and plenty of medieval shenanigans in Huntersville. Weekends, October 3-November 22.

Don’t forget to check out our WDAV Events Calendar for even more activities and opportunities. Have a great week!

FanFare is made possible in part by:

*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Carolina Theatre, 7^th Street Concerts, Mint Museum, and Blumenthal Arts are WDAV underwriters.