FanFare: So Long, Summer…Hello, Fall!
September 17, 2026
The Old Farmer’s Almanac tells us that the fall equinox and first day of autumn arrive on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:04 p.m. here in the Northern Hemisphere. AI says the same thing, but I prefer to get this sort of information directly from a farmer. As we look forward to the cooler weather, I’ve harvested plenty of engaging events to enjoy in this edition of FanFare. You’ll find everything from an opera star and mismatched roommates to duck decoys and a big red dog.
Piedmont Opera at 50
Piedmont Opera* begins its 50th anniversary celebration with two events featuring renowned soprano Renée Fleming. First, Fleming will lead Music & Mind: Harnessing the Arts to Heal and Connect at Salem Academy and College’s Hanes Auditorium (412 Rams Drive, Winston-Salem) on Friday, September 18th at 5 p.m. Featuring a panel of experts, this symposium explores how the power of music and creativity can enhance mental, emotional, and physical well-being. September 18.
Then, the five-time Grammy Award winner brings her acclaimed concert Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene live to Hanes Auditorium on Saturday, September 19th at 7:30 p.m. Fleming’s performance will include an immersive multimedia experience that blends music with visual storytelling about the beauty of our planet. September 19.
Two Wonder-ful Nights
Charlotte’s own Sainted Trap Choir is bringing two performances of A Night Full of Wonder to the historic Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on September 18th and 19th at 7:30 p.m. The celebrated vocal ensemble will be honoring 50 years of Stevie Wonder’s groundbreaking and iconic album, Songs in the Key of Life, which includes the hits, “I Wish,” “Sir Duke,” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” September 18-19.
UNCSA Weekend
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts campus is a good place to be this weekend with a full slate of concert performances. The UNCSA* School of Music Piano Department opens its fourth season of Piano Fridays with Priscilla Navarro at Watson Hall (1533 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem) on Friday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m. The Peruvian-born artist has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her UNCSA program will feature works by Bach, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Albéniz and Gershwin. September 18.
The UNCSA* Symphony Orchestra season begins with a program of powerful storytelling and musical depth at Brendle Recital Hall (1775 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem) on Saturday, September 19th at 7:30 p.m. Internationally acclaimed saxophonist and UNCSA alumnus Steven Banks takes center stage in Billy Childs’ “Diaspora Concerto.” A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute Music Director James Allbritten will also lead the orchestra in a performance of Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. September 19.
Then, the UNCSA* Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds will present an exciting afternoon of Latin American sounds at Brendle Recital Hall on Sunday, September 20th at 3 p.m. The program will include Arturo Márquez’s “Marcha Sonora” and “Caminandes Llamigos,” Gabriela Ortiz’s “Kauyumari,” Ferrer Ferran’s “El Bosque Mágico,” and Dennis Llinás’ “La Chancla.” September 20.
North Carolina Folk Festival
The annual North Carolina Folk Festival takes over downtown Greensboro for three free days of music, food, and culture, September 18th through 20th. This year’s lineup includes The Roots, Molly Tuttle, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and dozens of other regional and international acts across five stages, plus 40+ food vendors and 60+ makers. September 18-20.
Oscar & Felix
Matthews Playhouse* (100 E. McDowell Street, Matthews) begins its 2026-27 season with Neil Simon’s classic Tony Award-winning comedy, The Odd Couple, September 18th through 27th. Can two suddenly single guys, one slovenly, the other fastidious, co-exist under the same roof? That’s where the fun begins. Hilarious and heartfelt, the show is recommended for ages 12 and up. September 18-27.
Prosit!
The Piedmont Wind Symphony German Band invites you to celebrate Oktoberfest at Incendiary Brewing (486 N. Patterson Avenue, #105, Winston-Salem) on Saturday, September 19th beginning at 1 p.m. It will be an afternoon of traditional Teutonic tunes paired with tasty German brats and beers. September 19.
Southern Accents
Cameron Art Museum (3201 S. 17th Street, Wilmington) is presenting With a Southern Accent, September 19th through August 15th. The exhibition explores the enduring relationship among people, wildlife and place through the lens of Southern sporting art, including the nationally significant American hand-carved duck decoy collection of Wilmington businessman, philanthropist, and outdoorsman Bruce Cameron Jr., whose legacy is deeply intertwined with Cameron Art Museum. The historic working decoys from the Upper Back Bay of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are presented alongside paintings by celebrated Southern artists such as John Beerman, Jonathan Green, Robert Gwathmey, Ivey Hayes, Claude Howell and Bob Timberlake. September 19-August 15.
Festival of India
The India Association of Charlotte presents its 30th Annual Festival of India at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on September 19th and 20th. It’s an amazing celebration of the culture, cuisine, art, fashion, and music of India. The festival culminates with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* and acclaimed vocalist Vidita Kanniks bringing the vibrant spirit of Bollywood to the stage on Sunday, September 20th at 7 p.m. The concert will feature the music of A.R. Rahman, Reena Esmail, and Kanniks Kannikeswaran. September 19-20.
M@SA Season Opener
Music at St. Alban’s* (301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson) kicks off its new season with the combined talents of the Duke University’s Ciompi Quartet and the Larkspur Quartet on Sunday, September 20th at 3 p.m. The program includes Felix Mendelssohn’s beloved Octet. The Ciompi Quartet will also perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Ives, and more. Arrive early for a special pre-concert performance at 2:20 p.m. September 20.
Clifford in Cornelius
The Cain Center for the Arts* (21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius) is unleashing Clifford the Big Red Dog on stage Wednesday, September 23rd at 12 p.m. Based on the beloved books by Norman Bridwell, the musical tells the story of Emily Elizabeth and her colossal canine companion moving to Birdwell Island and their adventures that follow. September 23.
What’s the Password?
The Roaring Twenties come alive with the Speakeasy & Bourbon Tasting Experience at Cain Center for the Arts* (21348 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius) on Thursday, September 24th at 5 p.m. The evening will include an open bar with beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, chef-curated food stations, live jazz by Dawn Anthony & Friends, and more. There’s even a vintage-inspired photo station so put on your best Prohibition-era attire. Individual and couple tickets available with an additional fee for the optional Bourbon Tasting. September 24.
Food, Flow, and Fun
- Food Truck & Music in the Garden: Enjoy tasty vittles from The Oinker by The Improper Pig along with live music by Annie Haden and Mat Tully at Wing Haven. September 18th.
- St. Anne International Festival: Global cuisine, live entertainment, cultural performances, kids’ fun zone, and more at St. Anne Catholic School in Rock Hill, SC. September 18-19.
- FoodieLand Food Festival: Billed as the nation’s largest food festival, the event features 250+ vendors with global flavors, artisan shops, games, and live music at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. September 18-20.
- UNC Charlotte* International Festival: A marketplace style setting with the cultures of 35 nations represented, plus dance performances, a Parade of Nations, and more at the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. September 19.
- Fort Mill Harvest Farmers & Makers Market: Fresh local produce and unique handmade goods at Veterans Park in Fort Mill, SC. September 19.
- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Book Sale: This sale will focus on self-help and self-care titles from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the South Boulevard Library (4429 South Boulevard, Charlotte). September 19.
- Band, Brews & BBQ Festival: More than 20 regional BBQ vendors, beer garden, and country duo Big & Rich at Liberty Park in Mooresville. September 19.
- Flow Fest: Annual two-day festival featuring 150+ yoga classes, wellness workshops, vendors, and live music at the Whitewater Center. September 19-20.
- Chef’s Harvest: Savor the flavors of fall with tasting stations prepared by the chefs from ten local restaurants, including Customshop, Ever Andalo, Postscript, and Rada at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont. September 20.
- Mayberry Days: Celebrate the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show with local bands, pork chop sandwiches, a sing-along, and more in Mount Airy. September 21-27.
Keep checking our WDAV Events Calendar for additional listings and enjoy these first few days of fall!
FanFare is made possible in part by:
*Disclosure: Piedmont Opera, UNCSA, Carolina Theatre, Matthews Playhouse, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Music at St. Alban’s, Cain Center for the Arts, UNC Charlotte are WDAV underwriters.
