FanFare: Falling Into a New Season Of Culture

September 18, 2025

of Note Phil Vavra

Fall officially begins on September 22^nd, but the leaves aren’t dropping just yet. So, leave your rake in the shed and check out this edition of FanFare for music, theater, grape stomping, equestrian show jumping, and more.

Afro-Latin Jazz

Eight-time GRAMMY® Award winner Arturo O’Farrill closes Season 22 at JazzArts Charlotte with the explosive sound of his Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, September 19^th and 20^th with two shows per night at the Stage Door Theater (155 N. College Street, Charlotte). A pianist, composer, and cultural ambassador, O’Farrill blends Cuban rhythms, contemporary jazz, and social commentary into each dynamic performance. September 19-20.

Duke and Doris

The North Carolina Transportation Museum (1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer) is hosting the Duke Endowment Centennial Traveling Exhibit through December 31^st.It’s an opportunity to learn about the life and legacy of James B. Duke, and how his generosity continues to impact communities across the Carolinas today. Special tours of James B. Duke’s private railcar, the Doris (named for Duke’s famous daughter), are also available on September 19^th and 20^th. The exhibit is included with museum admission. September 19-20.

Trailblazing Theater

Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts (100 East McDowell Street, Matthews), in partnership with BNS Productions, opens its 30th Mainstage Season with Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking drama, A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Dr. Corlis Hayes. Performances will run from September 19^th through 28^th. When A Raisin in the Sun premiered in 1959, Hansberry became the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway. September 19-28.

Hispanic Heritage on Screen

As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15), the Carolina Theatre (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), the Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas, and Progreso Hispano Media Group are presenting a screening of In the Heights on Friday, September 19th at 7 p.m. The 2021 film adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s electric musical celebrates the lives, loves, and culture of Washington Heights, the largely Dominican American community of New York City. Then, catch Disney’s Encanto on Sunday, September 21^st at 2 p.m. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, who definitely don’t talk about Bruno. September 19, 21.

Rossini + Marsalis + Tchaikovsky

The Winston-Salem Symphony* kicks off its 2025-26 season September 20^th and 21^st at R.J. Reynolds Auditorium (301 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem). Led by conductor Michelle Merrill, the program includes Rossini’s familiar William Tell Overture; Wynton Marsalis’s jazzy Violin Concerto, featuring guest violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins; and Tchaikovsky’s tender and triumphant Symphony No. 5. September 20-21.

Festival of India with the CSO

The two-day Festival of India* begins on Saturday, September 20^th in uptown Charlotte with a celebration of creative culture, artistic performances, and international cuisine. Then, join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* at Ballantyne’s Backyard (11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte) for the festival’s finale at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 21^st. Led by resident conductor Christopher James Lees, and featuring Anjan Shah and The Temporal Tall Collective, the CSO will present a vibrant blend of Hindustani, Western classical, and jazz-inspired music. September 20-21.

Big Beautiful Voices

CLTSings is presenting an uplifting afternoon of performances celebrating the rich diversity of the Charlotte singing community at Covenant Presbyterian Church (1000 E. Morehead Street, Charlotte), 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20^th. Groups include Brighter Day Community Choir, Caritas, Carolina Lady Singers, Carolina Voices Festival Singers, Charlotte Chamber Choir, Charlotte Master Chorale, Charlotte Singers, Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte, Impromptu, One Voice Chorus of Charlotte, Queen Charlotte Chorus, Queen City Groove, Queen City Vocals, and Women’s Chorus of Charlotte. WDAV’s Ted Weiner will be your host. Admission is free but advance registration is encouraged. September 20.

California Quintet

UNCSA presents the wind ensemble Splinter Reeds at Watson Hall (1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem) on Saturday, September 20^th at 7:30 p.m. The California quintet will perform works by Dai Fujikura, Mario Godoy, Niloufar Nourbaksh, Jon Yu, Daniel Coral, and Paula Matthusen. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students. September 20.

Sacred Sounds

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (1400 Suther Road, Charlotte) is hosting an evening of sacred music on Saturday, September 20th. An adult and children’s choir will be singing the movements of Palestrina’s Missa Brevis in F, as well as selections by Tavener, Biebl, Parsons, and Hildegard Von Bingen. The evening will also feature a string quartet performed by priests and seminarians from St. Joseph College Seminary in Belmont. Admission is free, but all donations will benefit the parish’s capital campaign for a new pipe organ. September 20.

Remembering Helene

Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in late September 2024. One year later, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (159 Ginny Stevens Lane, Blowing Rock) is hosting a unique opportunity to share stories about the devastating storm, its aftermath, and the long recovery. On Saturday, September 20^th, the public is invited to participate in 30-minute recorded conversations with someone they know and care about, a friend, family member, or neighbor. Each session will be guided by a trained facilitator. September 20.

Work for Your Wine

It’s time to celebrate the 2025 grape harvest and do some stomping at Childress Vineyards (1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington, NC) on Saturday, September 20^th. Burn some calories in the grape stomp and enjoy live entertainment by Kids in America – Totally 80s Tribute Band, along with food, beer and, of course, wine. The Annual Grape Stomp Harvest Party starts at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the event. 21+ only. September 20.

Kids’ Books and More

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is hosting another book sale this Saturday, September 20^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mountain Island Library (4420 Hoyt Galvin Way, Charlotte). You’ll find fiction, non-fiction, young adult, cookbooks, and coffee table books starting at $1, plus extra children’s books. If you need to make room on your shelves for new purchases, book donations are currently being accepted at all open Charlotte Mecklenburg Library locations. September 20.

Cat on the Mat

Cat Yoga is back by popular demand at the Humane Society of Charlotte (1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte). Spend an hour stretching, bending, and twisting your body, kind of like a cat, alongside adoptable kitties. There will be two sessions, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., on Saturday, September 20^th. You can save 50% off the ticket price with code YOGA50 (one time use per registration). Space is limited so don’t wait to register. September 20.

Saturday Night Lights

Saturday nights are jumping at Tryon International Equestrian Center (25 International Boulevard, Mill Spring) this fall. This popular event showcases equestrian show jumping and so much more. Families can enjoy a great dinner from a choice of on-site restaurants, unlimited free rides on the Venetian carousel, face-painting, and plenty of other kids’ activities before the horses come out at 7 p.m. September 20-October 25.

M@SA Season Opener

Music at St. Alban’s* (301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson) opens its season with the Ciompi Quartet, the string quartet in residence at Duke University, on Sunday, September 21^st at 3 p.m. The quartet will perform a mix of classical and romantic favorites by Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak, and Maximiliano Amici. The concert will be preceded by a young artists’ performance at 2:20 p.m., featuring members of the North Carolina Youth Orchestra. $20 adults, $15 seniors, students & children free. September 21.

Fall Vocal Concert

Vocalists Alexia Della Valle, soprano; Peyton Wheeler, mezzo-soprano; D’André Wright, tenor; and Wilson Mericle, baritone/countertenor, will present an evening of art songs, arias, showtunes, and fun cat-themed pieces at West Market Street United Methodist Church (302 W. Market Street, Greensboro) on Tuesday, September 23^rd. Admission is free, but donations of cat and dog food are encouraged. September 23.

Screen Time

The Independent Picture House* (4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte) is hosting the 2025 Charlotte Film Festival, September 23^rd through 28^th. If you love independent cinema, this annual showcase presents films you won’t see anywhere else. You’ll even have the opportunity to interact with the creative people behind them. September 23-28.

Witch, Please…

What happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in? It was all about the witches. Blumenthal Arts* is bringing the Broadway musical sensation Wicked back to Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), September 24^th through October 26^th. See the origin story of Elphaba and Glinda that has captivated audiences around the world since 2003. September 24-October 26.

Soweto Gospel Choir

The Secrest Artists Series at Wake Forest University presents the multi-Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, Thursday, September 25^th at Wait Chapel (1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem). The electrifying vocal ensemble will perform a program of South African freedom songs, traditional spirituals, as well as the music of Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leonard Cohen, and more. September 25.

Read-a-Palooza

The Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors celebrates its 20th anniversary, September 25^th through 28^th in downtown Winston-Salem. The event showcases books for all ages, with author panels, book signings, and readings across all genres. A dedicated children’s area offers fun activities for younger readers, and visitors can enjoy various exhibitors, vendors, and food trucks. Special guests include keynote speaker Hoda Kotb on September 25^th, and #1 New York Times bestselling authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro to close out the festival on September 28^th. September 25-28.

Are We There Yet?

• Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival: Head to downtown Yadkinville to celebrate the changing of the seasons with the Yadkin Arts Council. The day will include live music, agricultural displays, food vendors, and more. September 20.
• BunFest: The Southeast’s only rabbit-themed festival, it’s an interactive celebration of rabbits, rescue, and community at Winston Junction Market in Winston-Salem with multiple rescue organizations (for all species), adoptable animals, art auction, food trucks, and more. September 20.
• NC Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame Fly-In: Aviation history, antique airplanes, warbirds, home builds, skydiving, and food vendors in Asheboro. September 20.
• Mountain Heritage Days 2025:Week-long tribute to Southern Appalachian traditions, culminating in Saturday’s beloved fair in Cullowhee, NC. Three stages featuring old-time, gospel, and bluegrass music complete with fiddles, banjos, and clogging. Admission and parking are free. September 22-27.
• Mayberry Days: Downtown Mount Airy is transformed into the delightful and simpler world of The Andy Griffith Show. The festival days are filled with music from local bands, exciting games of checkers, pork chop sandwiches, and even a sing-along at the Mayberry Days Chapel. September 22-28.

As always, there’ll be more FanFare coming your waynext week. You can also see what else is happening on the WDAV Events Calendar. Have fun!

*Disclosure: Winston-Salem Symphony, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Festival of India, Music at St. Alban’s, Independent Picture House, and Blumenthal Arts are WDAV underwriters.