September
The Philadelphia/Tri-State Artists Equity 60th Anniversary Exhibition celebrates 2- and 3-D artwork with 80-plus pieces by member artists thru Sept. 4. Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, 601 E. Main St., Collegeville; (610) 409-3500, ursinus.edu.
A new exhibition of Andrew Wyeth paintings at the Brandywine River Museum thru Oct. 26 highlights the late artist’s career, from Chadds Ford to Maine, through 36 favorite and rarely exhibited works. Route 1, Chadds Ford; (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org.
Running thru fall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Peaks of Faith: Buddhist Art of the Himalayas features almost 1,000 years worth of influential works meant to lead their observers along Vajrayana (the indestructible path). Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street, Philadelphia;
(215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org.
Three cheers for the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s May Your Glass Be Ever Full: Drinking in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Europe, featuring permanent-collection pieces once enjoyed for libations, thru Spring 2010. Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street, Philadelphia; (215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org.
Just try not to sway to the folk-pop rhythms and smooth, heartfelt lyrics of singer/songwriter Catie Curtis, a 15-year vet with nine solo albums. Curtis performs Sept. 5 at Longwood Gardens. Route 1, Kennett Square; (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org.
Sept. 12-Nov. 30, Brandywine River Museum turns the spotlight on Andrew Wyeth’s son for Jamie Wyeth—Seven Deadly Sins, a collection of paintings that imaginatively uses seabirds to portray human sin. Route 1, Chadds Ford; (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org.
Sept. 16-Oct. 11, People’s Light & Theatre Company presents Nathan the Wise, a story of religious unrest in 1192 Jerusalem, where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together, but not necessarily in peace. 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; (610) 644-3500, peopleslight.org.
The Dave Matthews Band stirs up another virtuoso mega-music bash like no other at Susquehanna Bank Center Sept. 19-20, with new tunes to boot. One Harbour Blvd., Camden; ticketmaster.com, (856) 365-1300.
Sept. 22-Oct. 4, Villanova Theatre presents The Zoo Story, a drama about the fated meeting between a downtown bohemian seeker and an uptown publishing executive. Vasey Hall, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova; (610) 519-7474, theatre.villanova.edu.
Sept. 24-April 3, the Design Center at Philadelphia University wraps us in Lace in Translation, an exhibition of contemporary work inspired by historic lace. 4200 Henry Ave., Philadelphia; philau.edu/designcenter, (215) 951-2860.
In a league of his own, illustrious American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins appears at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall Sept. 25. 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
In The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged), three thespians take on 37 Shakespearean plays and 63 roles for two hours of hilarity Sept. 25-27 at the Colonial Theatre. 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; (610) 917-1228, thecolonialtheatre.com.
The Painted Bride’s 40th Anniversary Season Preview showcases the best of avant-garde visual and performing arts Sept. 26. Visit the website for this year’s lineup. 230 Vine St., Philadelphia; (215) 925-9914, paintedbride.org.
Sept. 30-Oct. 11, catch actor/comedian Billy Crystal in his critically acclaimed one-man show, 700 Sundays. Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, (215) 732-5446.
PICK ANOTHER MONTH
• October, page 2
• November, page 3
• December, page 4
October
Have an orthodox laugh (or several) when trailblazing comedians David Sedaris (Oct. 4) and Patton Oswalt (Oct. 10) come to the Keswick Theatre. 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.
Philly-born actor/singer Kevin Bacon and brother Michael return to the Colonial Theatre Oct. 10. 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville; thecolonialtheatre.com, (610) 917-1228.
The Academy of Vocal Arts’ Giargiari Bel Canto Competition brings together the best of opera’s rising stars for your vote Oct. 6. Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, (215) 735-1685, avaopera.org.
Oct. 7-8, join the studio audience for Five by Design’s Radio Days, a live musical radio broadcast by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lower Merion’s David Amado. Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington; desymphony.org, (302) 652-5577.
Media Theatre stages Narnia, a musical based on C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Oct. 9-10, 17, 24 and 31. 104 E. State St., Media; (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.
Rock out to an orchestral compilation of your favorite videogames, from Mario to Warcraft, in Video Games Live Oct. 11. Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
Oct. 10-11, the Philadelphia Shell Club brings the beach to you at the 27th annual Philadelphia Shell Show and Festival, with thousands of seashells on view, shell crafts, and jewelry. Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia; (215) 299-1000, phillyshellclub.org.
Trash becomes a visual treat at the Chester County Art Association’s Recycled Art Exhibition Oct. 10-Nov. 6. 100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester; chestercountyarts.org, (610) 696-5600.
Running Oct. 14-Nov. 8 at People’s Light & Theatre Company, Absence tells the story of a 1945 CIA agent whose work interferes with his marriage. 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern; (610) 644-3500, peopleslight.org.
Oct. 14, 21 and 28, Hedgerow Theatre celebrates Edgar Allan Poe’s 200th birthday year with Tales From Poe, in which his classics spellbind a doctor. 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; (610) 565-4211, hedgerowtheatre.org.
Oct. 16-Nov. 16, the sixth annual Betsy Meyer Memorial Exhibition opens up the Main Line Art Center floor to experimentation in all media. 746 Panmure Road, Haverford; mainlineart.org, (610) 525-0272.
Water inspires 12 dances and two films in BodyVox’s Water Bodies Oct. 22-24. Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 898-3900, pennpresents.org.
Comic Lewis Black returns to the Grand Opera House Oct. 23, with the straight-up, angry hilarity that’s earned him Grammy recognition and TV fame on Comedy Central. 818 N. Market St., Wilmington; (302) 652-5577, grandopera.org.
Oct. 29, Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson recharges yesterday’s hits and performs songs from his latest release, That Lucky Old Sun. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.
PICK ANOTHER MONTH
• September, page 1
• November, page 3
• December, page 4
November
Looking for some serious family fun? Teen superstar Miley Cyrus pumps up the volume Nov. 4, while the ebullient stage show Disney Live! makes lifelong memories Nov. 28. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; wachoviacenter.com, (800) 298-4200.
Comprised of current and former Congressional staffers (from press secretaries to lobbyists), The Capitol Steps musical comedy troupe spoofs all that makes Washington, well, Washington at the Keswick Theatre Nov. 1. 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; (215) 572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.
In City of Peace, Jerusalemites help a lost boy find his parents. Running Nov. 7, 14 and 21, the Hedgerow Theatre production is meant to applaud the service of our world’s Rotarians. 64 Rose Valley Road, Media; (610) 565-4211, hedgerowtheatre.org.
Set to the songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, Doug Elkins’ Fräulein Maria satirizes the classic with playful yet compelling hip-hop, street and contemporary dance. It runs Nov. 12-14 at the Zellerbach Theatre. Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 898-3900, pennpresents.org.
A family-friendly parody of the classic children’s tale, Snow White: A Panto makes its world debut Nov. 18-Jan. 3 at People’s Light & Theatre Company. 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, (610) 644-3500, peopleslight.org.
Color-rich and enchanting, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas decks the Academy of Music with toe-tapping holiday spirit Nov. 24-29. 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
Nov. 24-Jan. 10, Media Theatre offers one of popular culture’s favorite fantasies, The Wizard of Oz. 104 E. State St., Media, (610) 891-0100, mediatheatre.org.
PICK ANOTHER MONTH
• September, page 1
• October, page 2
• December, page 4
December
Kick the merriment up a notch at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Dec. 2, featuring none other than the Rockettes. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (800) 298-4200, wachoviacenter.com.
Dec. 4, the Vienna Boys Choir bestows 500-plus years of Austrian musical excellence at the Kimmel Center. Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
Revered jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan pays homage to “Lady Day” Billie Holiday Dec. 5 at the Perelman Theater. Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.
Dec. 12, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band seasons a host of much-anticipated holiday classics with a pinch of ragtime and blues in “A Creole Christmas.” Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 898-3900, pennpresents.org.
The Pennsylvania Ballet and Philadelphia Boys Choir unite Dec. 12-31 for George Balanchine’s whimsical masterpiece, The Nutcracker. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, paballet.org.
Led by pianist Ghenady Meirson, An Evening of Russian Romances embraces Russia’s significant contribution to the history of classical opera and song Dec. 15 and 17 at the Academy of Vocal Arts. 1920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, (215) 735-1685, avaopera.com.
Dec. 17-19, the Philadelphia Orchestra performs Glorious Sound of Christmas, enhanced by the heavenly harmonies of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia chorus. Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce streets, Philadelphia; (215) 893-1999, philorch.org.
Main Line Art Center’s budding artists display their finest work in the 72nd Anniversary Members’ Exhibition Dec. 18-Jan. 16. 746 Panmure Road, Haverford; (610) 525-0272, mainlineart.org.
PICK ANOTHER MONTH
• September, page 1
• October, page 2
• November, page 3
For more events in 2009 and beyond, see our online Calendar.
Adam Polaski contributed to this story.