FanFare: Football Isn’t The Only Season Starting in September

September 11, 2025

of Note Phil Vavra

The Carolina Panthers have already done it. Now it’s time for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Theater Charlotte, and the Small Batch Concert Series to kick off their new seasons. Those are just two of the many fun and interesting events coming up during the next week. Your calendar is going to be full after you read this edition of FanFare!

Portable CSO

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is putting on a couple more CSO Roadshow concerts this week. These are free neighborhood performances the whole family will enjoy. Here’s the schedule:

• Friday, September 12^th (Indoor)
  7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
  Amity Presbyterian Church, Charlotte
  
• Saturday, September 13^th (Outdoor)
  6 p.m. – 7 p.m. 
  Our Lady of Guadelupe Catholic Church, Charlotte

Music From the Border

Cabarrus Arts Council is bringing the nostalgic “Bordeño-Soul” sound of Jarabe Mexicano to the Davis Theater (65 Union Street S., Concord) on Friday, September 12^th at 7:30 p.m. Jarabe, which translates to ‘concoction,’ blends Mexican Folk, Latin Rock, Cumbia, and more into an eclectic musical mix featuring Mariachi instruments, Norteño-inspired drums, and bilingual vocals. September 12.

The Secret’s Out

The Showtime Theater Company (Galleria Mall, 2197 Dave Lyle Boulevard, Rock Hill, SC) is presenting The Secret Garden: The Musical, September 12^th through 21^st. Based on the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this production is a collaboration between the Showtime Theater Company and Showtime Academy. September 12-21.

Feed Me, Seymour!

Theater Charlotte* (501 Queens Road, Charlotte) begins its 98^th season with the outrageous and hilarious Little Shop of Horrors, September 12^th through 28^th. Set to a 1960s-inspired rock & roll, doo-wop, and Motown soundtrack, the beloved musical tells the story of hapless florist Seymour Krelborn, who pines for his co-worker, Audrey, while having to contend with the bloodthirsty and carnivorous plant, Audrey II. September 12-28.

UNCSA Presents…

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is featuring two exciting performances over the next week. On Saturday, September 13^th, Michelle Merrill, conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony, leads the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra in a program of works highlighted by Edward Elgar’s famed Enigma Variations at Brendle Recital Hall (1775 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem). Then on Tuesday, September 16^th, the Reynolda Quartet bids farewell to summer with guest violist Scott Rawls. They’ll perform Felix Mendelssohn’s famous String Quartet in A minor Op. 13, and Johannes Brahms’ delightful and tender String Quartet in B flat Op. 67 at Watson Hall (1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem). September 13 & 16.

Symphonic Floyd

It’s not just another brick in the wall. This one has a full orchestra behind it. Foothills Pops: The Music of Pink Floyd will be at J.E. Broyhill Civic Center (1913 Hickory Boulevard S.E., Lenoir) on Saturday, September 13^th at 7:30 p.m. This sonic experience will feature the Western Piedmont Symphony* and Jeans ‘n Classics performing Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon albums. September 13.

Small Town Charm

All are invited to the annual Davidson Fall Arts Festival on Saturday, September 13^th from 4 to 8 p.m. Over 50 participating local artists will be set up in historic downtown Davidson. In addition to the fine art, you’ll be able to purchase handmade gifts, food at local restaurants, make kids crafts, and enjoy live music. Greggie & The Jets (Elton John Tribute Band) will perform on the Green (119 S. Main Street, Davidson) at 6 p.m. September 13.

Celebrating Asian Stories

The third annual Charlotte Asian Film Festival is set for Saturday, September 13^th from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City (320 E. 9^th Street, Charlotte). This is one of the Carolinas’ premier showcases of Asian and Asian American cinema, featuring uplifting film screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, and networking. Maya VP Studios (1891 Scott Futrell Drive, Charlotte) will host a post-event party from 5 to 8 p.m. September 13.

Restock Your Shelves

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is hosting another book sale this Saturday, September 13^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hickory Grove Library (5935 Hickory Grove Road, Charlotte). You can scoop up fiction, non-fiction, young adult, cookbooks, and coffee table books starting at $1. They’ll also have extra children’s books available at this sale. 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 13.

The Organ and the Tramp

Organ at Davidson*, now in its 20^th season, is hosting an afternoon of silent movies at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 14^th at Davidson College Presbyterian Church (100 N. Main Street, Davidson). Organist Dorothy Papadakos will accompany three classic Charlie Chaplin films. Bring your kids and grandchildren to experience what watching movies was like long before Netflix. Admission is free and there will be snacks! September 14.

Four for Borodin

The Providence Chamber Music Series opens its 2025-2026 season on Sunday, September 14^th at Providence United Methodist Church (2810 Providence Road, Charlotte). Musicians Tatiana Karpova, Susan Blumberg, Vasily Gorkovoy, and Oksana McCarthy will perform one of Alexander Borodin’s most celebrated works: Quartet No. 2 in D major for strings. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. September 14.

Art on Wheels

Gas, diesel, hybrid, or electric; cars have had a hold on human imagination since the very first “horseless carriage” came rolling down the road in the late-1800s. Waterworks Visual Arts Center (123 E. Liberty Street, Salisbury) presents The Spark That Drives Us, an exhibition celebrating the passion, design, and drama of the automobile. You’ll see the work of five world-class automotive artists who have reimagined the car as a canvas for creativity through painting, watercolor, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. September 15-February 28.

Circus Journey

Charlotte-based ensemble Nouveau Sud will be performing La Bestia, a contemporary circus arts interpretation of human migration at Blumenthal Arts’* Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), September 15^th and 16^th. The show uses acrobatics, music, and spoken word to spark conversation about the experiences and struggles of migrants traveling through Mexico. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. September 15-16.

A Capella Auditions

Charlotte is getting a new a cappella choir specializing in the rich four- to eight-part harmonies of great choral composers of the late 19th through 21st centuries. Voce Pura will perform music by Rachmaninov, Chesnokov, Barber, Taverner, and others in two to four concerts per year at various venues around the Charlotte metropolitan area, virtually all in English. Voce Pura is currently recruiting voices, and you can apply here. A “meet and greet” for prospective singers is also scheduled for Tuesday, September 16^th at 7 p.m. at the St. Nektarios Fellowship Center (5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte). September 16.

CSO Opening Night

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* launches its 2025-26 season at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Thursday, September 18^th at 8 p.m. Music Director Kwamé Ryan will be conducting his first Charlotte Symphony Gala with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1. Then, world-renowned virtuoso Gil Shaham joins the CSO for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. September 18.

Small Batch is Back!

WDAV’s Small Batch Concert Series kicks off a new season of music and libations at Free Range Brewing (2320 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte) on Thursday, September 18^th at 7 p.m. Join us for an evening of Baroque music played on period instruments with the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra Chamber Players performing “Summer” and “Fall” from Antonio Vivaldi’s timeless Four Seasons. Pay-what-you-can tickets are back and, as always, paying $20 or more includes a souvenir pint glass filled with the Free Range beverage of your choice.September 18.

Orchestral Anime

Blumenthal Arts* presents Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert – The 20^th Anniversary Tour at Ovens Auditorium (2700 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte) on Thursday, September 18^th at 7:30 p.m. This live orchestral performance will be accompanied by a two-hour visual journey on a full-size cinema screen that takes you through all three seasons of the series’ soundtrack. September 18.

Step Right Up to the Side/Show

Join the Western Piedmont Symphony* chamber ensembles and friends in downtown Hickory for their next Side/Show on Thursday, September 18^th from 5 to 8 p.m. These are free live music experiences in partnership with the Downtown Hickory Art Crawl. The series includes five concerts in five different locations. This one will be at 246 Union Square N.W. in Hickory. September 18.

On the Road Again…

• Gallery Crawl: Ashe County Arts Council’s* walking tour of art galleries, shops, and businesses on Friday, September 12th from 5 to 7 p.m. in downtown West Jefferson, NC. September 12.
  
• Stomp & Brew: Two-day craft beer, wine, mead, cider, and music festival in downtown West Jefferson, NC. 21+ only. September 12-13.
  
• St. Anne International Festival: Enjoy the cuisines of different cultures, plus kids’ games, live entertainment, a silent auction, and shopping with local vendors at St. Anne Catholic Church in Rock Hill, SC. September 12-13.
  
• Playwrights Festival: This inaugural event is an exploration into the playwriting process with workshops, panels, and performances. Hosted by PURE Theatre in Charleston, SC. September 12-13.
  
• NC Folk Fest:Free, three-day celebration with over 40 bands playing gospel, funk, global beats, Americana, and more in downtown Greensboro. September 12-14.
  
• Indie Craft Parade: The Makers Collective presents this celebration of all things handcrafted with over 100 makers, craft stations, and local food vendors in Greenville, SC. September 12-14.
  
• Upstate Renaissance Faire: Three days of jousting, live entertainment, food, and artisan vendors in Spartanburg, SC. September 12-14.
  
• Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival: The B3 Beer Garden features craft beers from local and regional breweries. Concert lineup includes Jefferson Starship and Night Ranger at Liberty Park in Mooresville, NC. Plus pork! September 13.
  
• American Craft Walk: Large outdoor art show and sale inHistoric Downtown Wilmington, NC, featuring one-of-a-kind pieces from more than 80 talented local artists. September 13.
  
• Elkin Hispanic Heritage Festival: A new celebration of traditional folklore, dancing, mariachi music, culture, history, and cuisine at Yadkin Valley Heritage & Trails Center in Elkin, NC. September 13.
  
• Haywood County Studio Tour: Two-day, self-guided tour through 20 studios to meet 38 artists working with clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, mixed-media, sculpture, and two-dimensional applications across Haywood County, NC. September 13-14.
  
• Midlands Fall Arts & Crafts Market: Over 150 local artisans, crafters, and vendors at the South Carolina State Farmers Market in West Columbia. September 13-14.
  
• Trucks in the Park: Free event where kids can touch and explore different type of vehicles at Harold Rankin Park in Lowell, NC. September 18.

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: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Theater Charlotte, Western Piedmont Symphony, Blumenthal Arts, Organ at Davidson, and Ashe County Arts Council are WDAV underwriters.