FanFare: Orchards & Orchestras
September 24, 2026
This is the time of year for apple picking. Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in Morganton, or Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery in York, SC, are all good options. I usually go right for the apple cider donuts and leave the picking to the rookies. This is also another big weekend for orchestras starting their 2026-2027 seasons with a bushel of concerts for you to enjoy in this edition of FanFare.
Introducing QCCM
There’s a new source for live music in town. Queen City Chamber Music* is putting on its inaugural concert, From Court to Cafe: A Musical Journey, at Saint Marks Lutheran Church (1001 Queens Road, Charlotte) on Friday, September 25th at 7 p.m. The evening will feature artists-in-residence ZaRiah, a quintet, performing Mozart’s Serenade in C Minor, plus guitarist Brandon Wong and Austin Fisher, cellist of the Tesla Quartet, presenting works by Astor Piazzolla, Benjamin Verdery, and J.S. Bach. September 25.
King at Queens
North Carolina Baroque Orchestra* is presenting Henry Purcell’s King Arthur, at Queens University’s Belk Chapel (2287 Radcliffe Avenue, Charlotte) on Friday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. The 1691 semi-opera tells the story of the defeat of the invading Saxons by Arthur and his Britons. The musicians of the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will perform on Baroque period instruments and will be joined by professional vocal soloists Kathryn Knauer, soprano; LaDejia Douglas, mezzo-soprano; Charles Humphries, countertenor; James Allen, tenor; and Adrian Smith, bass with the Royal Voices of Charlotte choir. September 25.
Dolly’s Day
With Friday being recognized as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day because it’s 9/25, the Carolina Theatre* is hosting a screening of Dolly’s 1980 workplace comedy, 9 to 5, at 7 p.m. that evening. The beloved film also starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dabney Coleman, and features Dolly’s iconic title track. September 25.
SPLOINK!
If you’re a fan of the Friday Afternoon CarTune with Frank Dominguez, you’ll want to join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony at the Belk Theater on Friday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 26th at 3 p.m. From “What’s Opera, Doc?” to “The Rabbit of Seville,” classic Looney Tunes shorts will spring to life on the big screen with their original scores performed by the CSO. September 25-26.
Salisbury Symphony’s Masquerade
You have two chances to catch the Salisbury Symphony in concert this week as they launch their 2026-27 season with a Masquerade. They’ll be at the Cain Center for the Arts* (21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius) on Friday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. and Catawba College’s Keppel Auditorium (2300 W. Innes Street, Salisbury) on Saturday, September 26th at 7 p.m. Both performances will feature Jean-Baptiste Lully’s Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs, Launy Grøndahl’s Trombone Concerto, and Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from Petrushka. September 25-26.
The Road Home
Caritas A Cappella Ensemble* will be performing at Christ Episcopal Church (1412 Providence Road, Charlotte) on Saturday, September 26th at 7 p.m. Their concert, The Road Home, celebrates the artistry of American choral composers, including William Billings, R. Nathaniel Dett, William L. Dawson, Amy Beach, Samuel Barber, Alice Parker, Randall Thompson, Morten Lauridsen, Stephen Paulus, Jake Runestad, and more. The program also features Craig Hella Johnson’s arrangement of Dolly Parton’s poignant Light of a Clear Blue Morning. September 26.
WSS Season Opener
The Winston-Salem Symphony* kicks off its 80th season with Gershwin, Rachmaninoff & Trane at Reynolds Auditorium (301 N. Hawthorne Lane, Winston-Salem) on Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27th at 3 p.m. Michelle Merrill leads the program that includes music from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, and Guillaume Connesson’s A Kind of Trane, featuring saxophonist Robert Young in a centennial celebration of High Point native John Coltrane. September 26-27.
RHSO’s New Digs
The Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra opens its ninth season at its new venue, Winthrop University’s Byrnes Auditorium (1703 Memorial Circle, Rock Hill, SC), on Saturday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m. Christopher James Lees will direct the concert featuring Charles Ives’ Variations on America, Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story, Andrea Casarrubios’ Herencia, and the Horn Concerto No. 1 by Richard Strauss. September 26.
Celebrating America
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra gets their 15th anniversary season underway with Celebrate America at Community Church at Lake Wylie (104 Hamilton’s Ferry Road, Lake Wylie, SC) on Sunday, September 27th at 3 p.m. The program will include works by George Gershwin, Antonin Dvorak, and Antonio Vivaldi. September 27.
Beyond the Beat
The Davidson College Symphony Orchestra* will perform at the Duke Family Performance Hall (207 Faculty Drive, Davidson) on Tuesday, September 29th at 7:30 p.m. Their program will feature pulse-pounding works by Carlos Gardel, George Gershwin, Alan Hovhaness, Antonio Márquez, Soon Hee Newbold, and John Phillip Sousa. For free tickets, call the Union Box Office at 704-894-2135. September 29.
Pond Pals
The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte are presenting the Tony Award-nominated musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, at ImaginOn’s McColl Family Theatre (300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte)weekendsthrough October 11th. Based on the beloved children’s books by Arnold Lobel, the one-act stage production (70 minutes) follows the adventures of happy Frog and cranky Toad through four seasons. Through October 11.
Falling for Festivals
- Festival in the Park: 62nd annual celebration of art and music at Freedom Park in Charlotte. September 25-27.
- Charlotte Fall Arts, Crafts & Food Festival: Three-day outdoor festival showcasing talented artisans, handmade crafters, specialty food vendors, food trucks, local businesses, and live entertainment in uptown Charlotte. September 25-27.
- 21st Annual Festival of Books & Authors: A variety of events featuring 50+ authors from around the country, including Jodi Picoult and John Green, with a focus on diverse programming that appeals to readers of all ages in Winston-Salem. September 25-27.
- Potters Market at the Mint: Shop for high-quality ceramics, meet 55 of North Carolina’s top artists, and enjoy live pottery demonstrations, bluegrass music, a beer garden, a café, and more and the Mint Museum Randolph*. September 26.
- Village Fall Fest: Reset your home and garden with great finds at the fall plant sale and enjoy live music from North Carolina’s own David Childers at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont. September 26.
- Wine & Food Festival: More than 100 international wines, beers, and spirits along with great food from some of Charlotte’s favorited pop-ups, restaurants, and food trucks at Ballantyne’s Backyard. September 26.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Book Sale: Rake up fall bargains on fiction and coffee table books at the Davidson Library (119 S. Main Street, Davidson). September 26.
- Catawba Fest: Outdoor arts and crafts show at Catawba Park in Tega Cay, SC. September 26.
- Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival: Big gourds, live music, plus craft and food vendors galore on Main Street in downtown Elkin. September 26.
The WDAV Events Calendar is another place to find fun stuff to do this fall. New listings show up every day so be sure to check it often.
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Queen City Chamber Music, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Carolina Theatre, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Cain Center for the Arts, Caritas A Cappella Ensemble, Winston-Salem Symphony, Davidson College, and Mint Museum are WDAV underwriters.
