How do you feel about candy corn? A lot of people love it; just as many can’t stand it. There’s no in-between. I’m firmly entrenched in the “can’t stand it” camp, but I’ve been told mixing candy corn with salty peanuts is the way to go. I’ll give it a shot this Halloween. Beyond the sugar, you’ll find plenty of ways to get into a spooky mood in this week’s edition of FanFare.
Boos & Brews
Davidson Community Players are presenting their 9th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival, a.k.a. Boos & Brews, at Armour Street Theater (307 Armour Street, Davidson), October 23rd through 25th. In addition to new plays, this year’s shows will feature live storytelling in the spirit of their Lake Town Stories events. The brews won’t be the only things that are chilling. The shows start at 7:30 p.m. and are recommended for ages 16 and up. October 23 – 25.
Dun, dun, dun, duuuuun…
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 is perhaps the most recognizable work in all of classical music and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is performing it October 24th through 26th at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte). Tianyi Lu conducts the program, which also includes CSO Spotlight Artist Gabriel Kahane’s Judith, as well as Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto, featuring soloist Soyeon Kate Lee. October 24 – 26.
World Premiere of “The Wolf”
The Charlotte Civic Orchestra will be performing something much newer than Beethoven’s Fifth. It’s the world premiere of the Symphony No. 1, “The Wolf,” by Sean Michael Smith* at CPCC’s Dale F. Halton Theater (1206 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte) on Friday, October 24th at 7:30 p.m. You can get to know this emerging Charlotte composer on the Piedmont Arts podcast. The concert will also feature selections from Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt and an original arrangement of Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2. October 24.
Chamber Classics
The Queen City’s premier chamber choir, the Charlotte Master Chorale Chamber Singers*, are performing choral masterpieces by Palestrina, Mendelssohn, Copland, Whitacre, and more on October 24th and 25th. Here’s where you can see them:
Friday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
1412 Providence Road, Charlotte
Saturday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
Abbey Basilica
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road, Belmont
Poirot Does It Again
It’s the romance of train travel coupled with a mysterious death as Theatre Charlotte* (501 Queens Road, Charlotte) presents Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Orient Express, October 24th through November 9th. Climb aboard with a cast of cagey characters as Detective Hercule Poirot unravels motives and alibis to solve this timeless whodunit. October 24-November 9.
Breast Cancer Awareness Events
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Charlotte event is Saturday, October 25th, 9 a.m. at Symphony Park (4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte). Over the past two decades, Making Strides events have collectively grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement. The event kicks off with a family friendly celebration with activities for everyone, a special tent for survivors and thrivers, food trucks, and entertainment. The 5K Walk winds through the Barclay Downs neighborhood adjoining Symphony Park.
Rural Hill Corn Maze (4431 Neck Road, Huntersville) is hosting the pink-themed Breast Cancer Shucks event from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday the 25th. You can explore the maze and help raise funds for the Go Jen Go Foundation. They’ll have live music, food trucks, and a special pink brew from Eleven Lakes Brewing. October 25.
You Can’t Spell ‘Book’ without ‘Boo’
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is taking its next book sale to Higher Grounds in the Center of Hope – Myers Park United Methodist Church (1501 Queens Road, Charlotte) on Saturday, October 25th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fiction, non-fiction, young adult titles, cookbooks, children’s books, and coffee table books start at $1. You may even find some petrifying page-turners for spooky season. October 25.
Contemporary Choral Composers
The Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus*, under the direction of Chris Gillam, returns to Centenary United Methodist Church (646 W. 5th Street, Winston-Salem) on Sunday, Octber 26th at 5 p.m. The concert will feature works by two present-day American choral composers, Elaine Hagenberg (Illuminare) and Dan Forrest (Lux – The Dawn from on High). October 26.
Halloween at the Vineyard
Led by music director Samuel A. Kyzer, the Lake Norman Orchestra returns to Laurel Gray Vineyards (5726 Old U.S. 42, Hamptonville) for a free afternoon concert of Halloween music on Sunday October 26th at 2 p.m. Selections include “Thriller,” “The Monster Mash,” music from The Phantom of the Opera, and several other “spooky” classical favorites. Food and refreshments will be available. October 26.
Something’s Fishy in Davidson
Music at St. Alban’s* (301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson) will present the Queens Chamber Players in a program titled Schubertiad on Sunday, October 26th at 3 p.m. Pianist Paul Nitsch brings his ensemble to perform Schubert’s glorious “Trout Quintet,” with violin, viola, cello, bass, and piano. Members of the North Carolina Youth Orchestra will perform at 2:20 p.m. The concert will also be available via live stream. October 26.
Opera on the Big Screen
The Met comes to the mountains as the Appalachian Theatre (559 W. King Street, Boone) screens the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula (1831) on Sunday, October 26th at 1 p.m. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters around the world. October 26.
Frank Sinatra Tribute
Charlotte favorites, Joe Gransden (trumpet, vocals), Maria Howell (vocals), and Noel Freidline (piano, vocals) are performing Songs of Sinatra at Middle C Jazz (300 S. Brevard Street, Charlotte) on Sunday, October 26th at 6 p.m. Craft cocktails and small plates will be served beginning at 5 p.m. October 26.
Haunted Pipes
When you want to set the musical mood for Halloween, you can’t go wrong with a pipe organ. On Thursday, October 30th, West Market Street United Methodist Church (302 West Market Street, Greensboro) is hosting a concert of spooky organ music, such as Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Performers include West Market Street UMC organists Sarah Kennedy and Dreama Lovitt, Winston-Salem (Ardmore UMC) organist Matthew Bacon, and more.
Meanwhile, Queen’s University’s Gambrell Center* (2319 Wellesley Avenue, Charlotte), welcomes renowned organist Cameron Carpenter on Thursday, October 30th at 7:30 p.m. He’ll be performing a live improvisational score to the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney. Don’t be afraid to dress up. Capes and tiaras are encouraged. October 30.
Charlotte Ballet Fall Works
Charlotte Ballet kicks off the 2025-2026 season with Whispers, Echoes, Voices at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte), October 30th through November 1st. The dynamic program includes Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Crystal Pite’s Solo Echo, and resident choreographer Mthuthuzeli November’s world premiere of As I Am. October 30 – November 1.
Festivals Far & Wide
- 10th Annual Pat Conroy Literary Festival: Commemorate the late author’s 80th birthday with talks, workshops, exhibits, tours, and performances in and around Beaufort, South Carolina. October 23-26.
- Mini Otsukimi Festival:The Japanese Cultural Association of South Carolina hosts this celebration of fall with a vocal performance, fashion show, community dance, and flower arranging at Westminster Towers in Rock Hill. October 25.
- Lexington Barbecue Festival: Day-long celebration of porky goodness in North Carolina’s barbecue capital with more than 200 vendors, six stages, and a 50-ton pig-themed sand sculpture. October 25.
- Festival D’Avion: Classic and military aircraft displays, flyovers, precision jump teams, sightseeing tours, classic car displays, live entertainment, “Junior Pilot” KidsZone, local vendors, food trucks, and more at the Moore County Airport in Carthage, North Carolina. October 25.
I’ll be back next week with more fall fun. You can also find engaging events any time on the WDAV Events Calendar.
*Disclosure: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Sean Michael Smith, Charlotte Master Chorale, Theatre Charlotte, Winston-Salem Symphony, Music at St. Alban’s, and Gambrell Center are WDAV underwriters.