MLT’s Arts, Culture & Galas Guide

Our picks for the coming season.

September

Thru Sept. 14: Parenting 101 makes its Philly premiere with a musical selection of child-rearing stories every parent can relate to. Innovation Studio, Kimmel Center, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org/broadway.

Sept. 3: Fine Arts People Gallery’s Annual Juried Show. Call for info. 305 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton; fineartspeople.com, (610) 363-6721.

Sept. 4-Oct. 3: Chester County Art Association’s Members’ Juried Exhibition. Call for info. 100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester; chestercountyarts.org, (610) 696-5600.

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Sept. 5: The French Canadian queen of vocals, Celine Dion, graces us with her ever-magnetic stage presence on her Taking Chances world tour. 8 p.m. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (800) 298-4200, comcast-spectacor.com.

Sept. 5-Dec. 7: R. Crumb’s Underground, the most comprehensive U.S. exhibition of Crumb’s work to date, showcases 40 years of the Philadelphia-born cartoon artist’s cultural contributions. Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania, 118 S. 36th St., Philadelphia; (215) 573-9975, icaphila.org.

"Tony" by Logan Blanco, Main Line Art CenterSept. 5-25: Fifty or so prized faculty members of the Main Line Art Center prove they practice what they teach in the 71st Annual Faculty Exhibition, a display of their best artwork, from pastel and watercolor to jewelry and ceramics. 746 Panmure Road, Haverford; (610) 525-0272, mainlineart.org.

Sept. 6: A pleasure overload of the best pro-portions, Longwood Gardens’ Fireworks and Fountains show Rachmaninoff Power and Passion puts the Russian composer’s gripping Second Symphony in fiery and fluid motion. 8:45 p.m. Route 1, Kennett Square; (610) 388-1000, ext. 100, longwoodgardens.org.

Sept. 6-Nov. 23: Double Lives: American Painters as Illustrators, 1850-1950 features the easel paintings and illustrations of Winslow Homer, Rockwell Kent, N.C. Wyeth and Grant Wood, while examining the tricky relationship between painting and illustration. Brandywine River Museum, Route 1, Chadds Ford; (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org.

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Sept. 11-Oct. 12: With its Leonard Bernstein score, this musical production of Voltaire’s Candide dares to be different. Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia; (215) 922-1122, ardentheatre.org.

Sept. 12-Oct. 12: Commemorating the anniversary of the Treaty of Paris signing, “Peace, Liberty, and Independence”: 225 Years After the Treaty of Paris incorporates paintings, documents, weapons and more to illustrate the winning effect of visual arts and language on the Revolution. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 N. Broad St., Historic Landmark Building; (215) 972-7600, pafa.org.

Hagley Car ShowSept. 14: The 12th annual Hagley Car Show rolls out European vintage vehicles from Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden and Ireland to join over 600 antique and restored American cars, trucks and motorcycles from the early 1900s-1980s. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hagley Museum and Library, Route 141, Wilmington; (302) 658-2400, hagley.org.

Sept. 21: The 35th Annual CCSPCA Horse Show features riders of all ages and from several divisions competing in two show rings, all benefiting the Chester County SPCA. 8 a.m. to dusk. Radnor Hunt Pony Club, 826 Providence Road, Malvern; (610) 692-6113, ccspca.org.

Sept. 23-Oct. 5: Villanova University Theatre kicks off its 50th anniversary season with Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Long Day’s Journey into Night, the highly personal and painful story of an Irish-American family. Vasey Hall, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova; (610) 519-7474, theatre.villanova.edu.

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Sept. 24-Oct. 19: The Persians takes the main stage at People’s Light & Theatre in a new version of Aeschylus’ Greek drama about the Persian Empire’s defeat and uncertain future in sixth-century B.C. 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; (610) 644-3500, peopleslight.org.

Sept. 27: Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s annual Butterfly Ball features an awards presentation, live and silent auctions, entertainment, dinner,
and a drawing for a custom-designed diamond necklace from Govberg Jewelers. Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market St., Philadelphia; (610) 645-4567, lbbc.org.

October

Oct. 1-Nov. 2: My Fair Lady. A lively rendition of the classic musical based upon George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.

Oct. 2: Janet Jackson, Michael’s ageless little sis, tours behind her 10th studio release, Discipline. 7:30 p.m. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (800) 298-4200, comcast-spectacor.com.

Oct. 2: The Academy of Vocal Arts presents the operatic variation of American Idol, the Giargiari Bel Canto Competition, with music director and accompanist Danielle Orlando. 7:30 p.m. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 735-1685, avaopera.com.

Oct. 10: The Pals for Life 23rd Anniversary Benefit will feature a live and silent auction, music, food, open bar, raffle and the organization’s own therapy pets. 7 p.m. Appleford Estate, 770 Mt. Moro Road, Villanova; (610) 687-1101, palsforlife.org.

Oct. 10-Nov. 7: Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 29th Annual International. Call for info. Chester County Art Association, 100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester; chestercountyarts.org, (610) 696-5600.

Oct. 11: The Philadelphia Orchestra performs The Story of Babar, a family concert adapted from the coming-of-age children’s book The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant. 11:30 a.m. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; kimmelcenter.org, (215) 893-1999.

The Second CityOct. 18-Nov. 15: Blue’s Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place takes its audiences on a journey through the world of theater, following clues to the “most spectacular place,” which Blue and Steve ultimately discover is home. Media Theatre, 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.

Oct. 25: Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy hosts the annual Allhallows Eve Costume Ball in the Brandywine River Museum’s courtyard, where live music, dancing and a costume competition bring out partygoers’ Halloween spirit. Route 1, Chadds Ford; (610) 388-8315, youngfriends.org.

Oct. 25: With the help of Spiral Q Puppet Theater, Rosenbach Museum & Library’s sixth annual Dracula Parade creeps around Rittenhouse Square to the pulse of eerie live music. Participants welcome at 5:30 p.m.; parade begins 6 p.m. 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia; (215) 732-1600, rosenbach.org.

Oct. 25: After a sold-out show in April, Chicago’s long-running Second City improvisational comedy troupe returns to the Colonial Theatre with an all-new show. 8 p.m. 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.Brandywine Ballet Company

Oct. 25-26: Brandywine Ballet Company opens its season with the return of Voices, Nancy Page’s original work featuring BalletX co-founder Matthew Neenan’s Ragtime and Blue and music by West Chester-born composer Samuel Barber. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25; 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, West Chester University; (610) 696-2711, brandywineballet.com.

Oct. 29-Nov. 2: The Pennsylvania Ballet begins its 45th season with Balanchine & Beyond, a three-part performance featuring George Balan-chine’s Ballo della Regina, Mauro Bigonzetti’s Kazimir’s Colours and Twyla Tharp’s Push Comes to Shove. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, paballet.org.

November

Nov. 1: The Chester County Historical Society’s 24th Annual Gala takes place for the first time at the historical society, featuring exclusive tours and a live and silent auction. The event benefits CCHS’ educational programs, which serve over 5,000 children. 7 p.m.-midnight. 225 N. High St., West Chester; (610) 692-4800, chestercohistorical.org.

Nov. 1-30: Group Show: The Art League. Call for info. Fine Arts People Gallery, 305 N. Pottstown Pike, Exton; (610) 363-6721, fineartspeople.com.

Nov. 2: The venerated violinist Itzhak Perlman returns to Verizon Hall in all his intricate, melodic glory. 3 p.m. Kimmel Center, Philadelphia;
(215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Nov. 7-9: The 45th Annual Delaware Antiques Show features 60 prominent dealers in American antiques, along with the special loan exhibition Delaware Silver: Selections from the Biggs Museum of American Art. Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, Del.; (302) 888-3386, winterthur.org.

Nov. 7-23: Narberth Community Theatre performs the family favorite Beauty and the Beast. United Methodist Church, Essex and Price avenues, Narberth; (610) 352-4823, narberthcommunitytheatre.org.

Nov. 7-26: At the annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition, the Main Line Art Center will award a $1,000 prize to an artist who embodies the experimental spirit championed by teaching artist Betsy Meyer. Old Buck Road and Lancaster Ave-nue, Haverford; (610) 525-0272, mainlineart.org.

Nov. 11-23: Villanova University Theatre performs Georges Feydeau’s hilarious farce Le Dindon (An Absolute Turkey). Vasey Hall, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova; (610) 519-7474, theatre.villanova.edu.

Nov. 14: The annual black-tie Clara Barton Ball benefits the American Red Cross and features an open-bar cocktail hour, auction, sit-down dinner, live music, dancing, and the presentation of the Corporate Award and the David Henderson Humanitarian Award. Springfield Country Club, 400 W. Sproul Road, Springfield; (215) 299-5491, redcross-philly.org.

Nov. 15: The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts hosts its 10th annual Bacchanal! Wine Gala and Auction, this year honoring the accomplishments of female vintners, chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs. Proceeds go to student scholarships and academy operations. 6 p.m. Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 972-2037, pafa.org.

Nov. 15: A five-person rock band with a country twang, local favorite Transistor Rodeo brings its unique good-time vibe to World Café Live. 9 p.m. 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Academy of Vocal Arts soprano Angela MeadeNov. 8-22: The Academy of Vocal Arts presents the fully staged opera Anna Bolena by Gaetano Donizetti, led by soprano Angela Meade—who made her Metropolitan Opera debut this past spring in Verdi’s Ernani. 7:30 p.m. Various locations; (215) 735-1685, avaopera.org.

Nov. 21: Paoli Hospital’s seasonal Mistletoe & Magic gala features a silent auction, wining and dining. 6 p.m. Aronimink Golf Club, 3600 St. Davids Road, Newtown Square; (610) 648-1448, mistletoeandmagic.org.

Nov. 21: This year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Breath of Life Gala honors Robert Hankin and The Hankin Group for their community involvement, commitment and support. 7:30 p.m. Cocktail hour 6:30 p.m. Phoenixville Foundry, 2 N. Main St., Phoenixville; (610) 325-6001, rshipman@cff.org.

Nov. 27-Jan. 11: A Longwood Gardens Christmas boasts ice skating performances, fountain shows, carolers, thousands of poinsettias, and an elaborate outdoor light display. Longwood Gardens, Route 1, Kennett Square; (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.com.

Nov. 28: The 129th annual Philadelphia Charity Ball, a traditional debutante gala that emphasizes family involvement, features dancing and a live performance. Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (610) 525-4294, philadelphiacharityball.com.

Nov. 28-30: The Kimmel Center’s Cadillac Broadway Series features The Wizard of Oz. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Nov. 28-Jan. 11: An O-gauge model railroad, Victorian dollhouse and thousands of “critter” ornaments adorn the Brandywine River Museum for A Brandywine Christmas. Route 1, Chadds Ford; brandywinemuseum.org, (610) 388-2700.

Nov. 29: Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, the regional bar-rock institution led by the grandfather of the “New Jersey Sound,” makes a much-anticipated area appearance. 8 p.m. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

December

Dec. 3-Jan. 4: Making its U.S. premiere, London playwright Roy Smiles’ Schmucks tells of a fictitious encounter between comic masters Groucho Marx and Lenny Bruce. 265 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-9456, wilmatheater.org.

Dec. 5-Jan. 22: The 14th annual juried exhibition of contemporary craft, CraftForms 2008 showcases the work of national craft artists. Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne; (610) 688-3553, wayneart.org.

Dec. 6: The 22nd annual Candelight Christmas features self-guided tours of historic house museums and private homes in the area. 1-6 p.m. Chadds Ford Historical Society, 1736 Creek Road, Chadds Ford; chaddsfordhistory.org, (610) 388-7376.

Dec. 6-27: Media Theatre mounts its debut performance of Ebenezer, a musical based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.

Dec. 10: The Soweto Gospel Choir’s 26 vivacious, Grammy-winning voices return to Philly. 8 p.m. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Dec. 13-14, 20-21: The Nutcracker. Brandywine Ballet Company’s annual holiday treat. Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, West Chester University; (610) 696-2711, brandywineballet.com.

Dec. 18-20: Danail Rachev conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra in The Glorious Sounds of Christmas, featuring the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. 7 p.m. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, philorch.org.

Dec. 31: Philly to New Orleans benefit show. Special guests to be announced soon. Call for info. 8 p.m. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

January

Jan. 11-12: The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s Young Mozart comprises four works written by the 18th-century prodigy by age 20. Ignat Solzhenitsyn conducts; featuring violinist Korbinian Altenberger. Perelman Theater, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 545-5451, chamberorchestra.org.

Jan. 15-16: Eschenbach Returns celebrates conductor Christoph Eschenbach’s return to the Philadelphia Orchestra, along with violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. 8 p.m. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, philorch.org.

Liz Scott (left) with honoree Jack Shein and his wife, Bernice, at the 2008 Lemon BallJan. 17: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation hosts its annual Lemon Ball, featuring cocktails, dinner, dancing, awards and more. Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St.; (610) 649-3034, alexslemonade.org.

Jan. 26: The Academy of Music’s 151st Anniversary Concert and Ball begins with a Philadelphia Orchestra performance and continues with a white-tie gala at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, which includes a champagne supper, dancing and fireworks. Proceeds benefit the Academy of Music Restoration Fund and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. 7:30 p.m. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1940, philorch.org.

Jan. 23, 24, 27: Ottorino Respighi’s La Fiamma, an opera in concert format, tells a story of love, betrayal and witchcraft in seventh-century Ravenna, Italy. Christofer Macatsoris conducts the Academy of Vocal Arts Opera Orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Academy of Vocal Arts, various
locations; (215) 893-1999, avaopera.org.

Jan. 24: The Kimmel Center presents An Evening with Ira Glass, the award-winning radio host and producer of This American Life. 8 p.m. Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Compiled and written by Shannon Hallamyer, with contributions from Julia Ries.

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!