There’s no end to the abundance of fall fun in October with a bushel of concerts, a state fair, and an Oktoberfest or two. Time to pick a few things to do over the next week with FanFare!
Shostakovich and Bates
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* will be at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, October 10th and Saturday, October 11th. The program includes Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release by contemporary American composer Mason Bates, along with the premiere of his sonic logo written specifically for the CSO. Moving forward, the sonic logo will be used in a variety of ways, including as the signal to return to your seat at the end of intermission. Think of the iconic NBC chime or Netflix’s “Tudum.” The evening continues with Dmitri Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1, with soloist Joshua Roman, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. October 10-11.
Remembering the Muellers
On October 10th and 11th, Salem College, in conjunction with University of North Carolina School of the Arts, will host the John & Margaret Mueller Celebration, a two-day event honoring the contributions of Salem College Professor Emerita Margaret Mueller and renowned UNCSA and Salem College Professor Emeritus John Mueller, both of whom had an invaluable influence on education and the organ music community. The celebration begins with a Gala Reception and Recital (Timothy Olsen, Barbara Lister-Sink, Jack Mitchener) at Salem College’s Shirley Recital Hall on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The daylong schedule for Saturday includes a Master Class with Jack Mitchener, a brunch at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Open Console Time at Elberson Fine Arts Center, and two more recitals (Russell Stinson, Timothy Olsen) at UNCSA’s Crawford Hall. View the full schedule and RSVP details on the event information page. October 10-11.
Celebrating Latina Artists
Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County presents She Rises: Arte y Alma de la Mujer Latina (Art & Soul of the Latina Woman) in the Main Gallery at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (251 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem) through November 16th. She Rises highlights the work of seven Latina artists from the Triad who explore the strength, creativity, and resilience of Latina identity through their diverse mediums and perspectives. The exhibition features painting, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts, leatherwork, printmaking, poetry, and photography, each layered with meaning and rooted in heritage. Through November 16.
Ben Folds + Winston-Salem Sympony
North Carolina-born pianist and vocalist Ben Folds comes home to perform with conductor Michelle Merrill and the Winston-Salem Symphony* at the auditorium of his alma mater, R.J. Reynolds High School (301 N. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem), for one night only on Saturday, October 11th at 7:30 p.m. Folds initially found success in the 1990s with his rock trio, Ben Folds Five, and has continued to enjoy an acclaimed solo career spanning multiple genres. October 11.
Salisbury Season Opener
The Salisbury Symphony kicks off its 2025-26 season with “Myth, Magic, and Mozart” at Catawba College’s Omwake-Dearborn Chapel (230 Faculty-Staff Circle, Salisbury) on Saturday, October 11th at 7 p.m. The program includes Richard Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, William Grant Still’s Danzas de Panama, Joseph Bologne’s Symphony No. 1 in G Major, and concludes with Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 2 in D Major, featuring Henrik Heide, Associate Principal Flute of the Cincinnati Symphony. October 11.
Touring Historic Salisbury
Why not make a weekend of it in Salisbury? The Historic Salisbury Foundation* is hosting the 50th Annual OctoberTour on Saturday, October 11th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday October 12th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can visit 12 notable properties in the West Square Historic District and downtown Salisbury. The celebration includes the OctoberTour Festival with artisans, food trucks, musicians, and preservationists in three tour locations and Bell Tower Green Park. You’ll even find antiques, apparel, accessories, and more at the OctoberTour Store. October 11-12.
Act of Kindness
Children’s Theater of Charlotte (300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte) is staging its production of The Invisible Boy, October 11th through November 2nd. This high-spirited and heartwarming one-act musical is adapted from the children’s book of the same name by Tracy Ludwig. The 60-minute performances run Saturdays and Sundays only. October 11-November 2.
Masterpieces at the Mint
The Mint Museum* Uptown (500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is hosting Renaissance, Romanticism, and Rebellion: European Art from the Smith-Naifeh Collection from October 11th to February 22nd. Drawing upon the dynamic artistic landscape of 19th-century Europe, the robust exhibit features more than 70 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper assembled by South Carolina-based collectors and scholars Gregory Smith and Stephen Naifeh. October 11-February 22.
Bookpalooza
Books on the House is hosting the annual Bookpalooza at Urban District Market (421 E. 26th Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, October 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free open to all ages. You’ll be able to meet and get books signed by more than 25 local and regional authors at Literary Lane. Shop with vendors with book art, crafts, and products for bibliophiles. And the little ones will love the Neverland-themed Kid Zone with crafts and face painting. October 11.
Everybody Dance Now
As featured on Piedmont Arts, the Stateline Community Orchestra will have your toes tapping with One World, Many Dances at Pineville United Methodist Church (110 S. Polk Street, Pineville) on Sunday, October 12th at 3 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. David Gordon, this afternoon of orchestral dance music from around the globe will include the fiery Danzon #2 by Arturo Marquez, the Hungarian Dances of Johannes Brahms, and Camille Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. October 12.
Clara Gerdes Comes Home
Organ at Davidson* continues its 20th season with an organist from Davidson. Clara Gerdes, who has performed on piano at WDAV, will be giving an organ recital at Davidson College Presbyterian Church (100 N. Main St., Davidson) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 4 p.m. Admission is free. October 12.
Buena Vista at the Carolina
When I saw the 1999 documentary, Buena Vista Social Club, in an Austin movie theater, I immediately fell in love with Cuban music. I still haven’t stopped listening. The Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is presenting Cuban trombonist, composer, and arranger, Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and the Buena Vista Orchestra on Sunday, October 12th at 6 p.m. Ramos is the original orchestra leader, composer and trombonist of the Buena Vista Social Club. It will be great to hear some of their most beloved songs performed live. October 12.
Interstate Baroque
North Carolina Baroque Orchestra* continues their mission of “bringing new life to old music,” as they like to say. They have performances in both Carolinas over the next week. First, the NCBO join the choirs and soloists of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC) on Sunday, October 12th at 4 p.m. The Vespers service will feature a cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach. Then, the NCBO Chamber Players will perform favorites by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and others at Carol Woods Retirement Community (750 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill) on Wednesday, October 15th at 7:30 p.m. Both concerts are free. October 12, 15.
Tchaikovsky’s Fourth
The UNCSA* Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at Brendle Recital Hall (1775 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem) on Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30 p.m. with a performance on Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. The program is also highlighted by the world premiere of Vanishing by UNCSA faculty composer Lawrence Dillon. October 14.
Spooky Small Batch
An evening of thrills and chills awaits at the next WDAV Small Batch Concert at Free Range Brewing (2320 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte) on Thursday, October 16th at 7 p.m. Theatre Charlotte’s Halloween Spooktacular will feature a live band and the brilliant Theatre Charlotte singers performing selections from Broadway’s spookiest musicals just in time for All Hallow’s Eve. Costumes are encouraged! Please note: Though we’re going for “spooky” rather than “scary,” some themes explored at this concert may not be suitable for children. Please contact Mary Lathem at malathem@wdav.org if you have questions about the program. October 16.
It’s State Fair Season!
For me, it doesn’t truly feel like fall is here until the North Carolina State Fair gets underway. The 2025 edition runs October 16th through 26th in Raleigh with plenty of entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors, and creative deep-fried delights. October 16-26.
Fall Festival Frenzy
- Autumn Leaves Festival: Old-Time, Bluegrass, and Gospel music performances, unique arts & crafts of more than 200 craftsmen, and “Food for the Soul” from 25 food vendors in downtown Mount Airy. October 10-12.
- Ava Gardner Festival: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ava Gardner Museum and Festival in the Hollywood legend’s hometown of Smithfield. October 10-12.
- Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival: Three-day celebration with 100+ artisan booths showcasing handcrafted woodwork, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, fine art, and more in Cashiers. October 10-12.
- Autumn Treasures: Grill’n and Chill’n BBQ Cook Off, vendors, live music, kids zone, and more in downtown Waxhaw. October 11.
- Rock Hill Oktoberfest:Bavarian Street Festival featuring live music, German food and beers, a kids’ zone, and more at Fountain Park in Rock Hill, SC. October 11.
- Sugar Mountain Resort Oktoberfest: Family-friendly festival celebrating the sights, sounds, and flavors of Bavaria with traditional food, beer, and music. October 11-12.
- South Carolina Jazz Festival: Four-day event with concerts, the Bebop parade, art exhibits, and more celebrating the legacy of Dizzy Gillespie in his birthplace of Cheraw. October 16-19.
Have a great week and be sure to come back every Thursday for FanFare! New events also pop up all the time on the WDAV Events Calendar.
*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, Historic Salisbury Foundation, Mint Museum, Organ at Davidson, Carolina Theatre, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, and UNCSA are WDAV underwriters.