Trick-or-treating is great, but you don’t have to wait until Halloween to have fun in October. This edition of FanFare includes everything from choral music to cartoons, and live theater to liver mush. You’ll even find a couple of opportunities to inspire the next generation of classical music fans.
Heavenly Harmony
Caritas A Cappella Ensemble, the Christ Church Choir, and guest instrumentalists will be performing together at Christ Episcopal Church (1412 Providence Road, Charlotte) on Friday, October 17th at 7:30 p.m. Under the shared direction of Jeremy Mims of Caritas, and Owen Peck and Katie Lehman of Christ Episcopal Church, Of Sound and Spirit: A Choral & Orchestral Celebration will feature works by Benjamin Britten, Elaine Hagenberg, Roxanna Panufnik, and Rosephanye Powell. Admission is free. October 17.
Ritenour Returns
A master of jazz, fusion, and Brazilian music, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Lee Ritenour is doing two shows at Middle C Jazz (300 S. Brevard Street, Charlotte) on Friday, October 17th. Ritenour’s latest release, Brasil (2024), is a return to working with his longtime collaborator, pianist Dave Grusin. Show times are 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. October 17.
Down and Out in Dublin
Blumenthal Arts* presents the musical stage adaption of ONCE at Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for three performances on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th. Based on the Academy Award-winning film with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, ONCE tells the story of a guy who gave up on love and music and the girl who inspired him to dream again. October 17-18.
Hello, Dolly!
Join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th for the multi-media musical journey, Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony. The country music star’s iconic songs are reimagined and the stories behind them are vividly brought to life with Dolly on screen as her personally selected guest vocalists join the CSO to perform her beloved hits, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” NOTE: Dolly Parton does not make a live appearance during this show. October 17-18.
Peter and the Wolf…and Harry Potter
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* is also presenting a terrific matinee for children of all ages at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, October 18th at 11 a.m. Resident conductor Christopher James Lees will lead an engaging one-hour program that is sure to get the next generation hooked on classical music. The morning concert will include Mozart’s iconic The Marriage of Figaro Overture, Michael Djupstrom’s The Seahorse and the Crab, John Williams’ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Suite, I. Hedwig’s Theme, and Sergei Prokofiev’s delightful Peter and the Wolf, with narrator Candace Neal. October 18.
The String Queens @ Queens University
A new season of exciting performances begins at Queens University’s Gambrell Center* (2319 Wellesley Avenue, Charlotte) with The String Queens on Saturday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m. The Washington, D.C.-based trio, who are teachers by day, have ignited audiences at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and even Wimbledon with their multi-genre repertoire that ranges from Baroque to jazz to top 40. October 18.
Humanity + Nature = Music
The Western Piedmont Symphony kicks off its Masterworks series with Elemental Music at Lenoir-Rhyne University’s P.E. Monroe Auditorium (775 6th St NE, Hickory) on Saturday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m. Led by Maestro Matthew Troy, the program includes Franz Waxman’s The Bride of Frankenstein: “The Creation of the Female Monster,” Aaron Copland’s Suite from The Tender Land, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastorale.” October 18.
Beware of Falling Anvils
If you’re a fan of the Friday Afternoon CarTune on WDAV, this should be on your calendar. The Orchestra of the Carolinas is bringing “Classical Music from Classic Cartoons” to Davidson United Methodist Church (233 S. Main Street, Davidson) on Saturday, October 18th at 7 p.m. We’re talking Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, Mickey Mouse, and more! Admission is free. October 18.
A Taste of Davidson
The Town of Davidson presents “A Taste of Davidson” on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The annual event on Jetton Street between Clean Juice and Mine by Sandy celebrates the flavors of the town’s many great restaurants with plenty of delicious food and beverages, plus live music by PUSHH. Public parking will be available at Circles @30 (605 D Jetton Street, Davidson). Admission is free. October 18.
Mush, Music & Mutts
Speaking of tasting things, my wife decided during the one and only time she accompanied me to the North Carolina Liver Mush Festival*, that the beloved regional concoction wasn’t for her. I, on the other hand, consider it a delicacy, which is why I love this annual event in Uptown Shelby. This year’s edition is set for Saturday, October 18th and will offer much more than the mush. Your family can take in some live music, enjoy fun kids’ activities, check out the RollOver Pet Zone (Bring your dogs!), and shop with over 100 vendors. October 18.
Falling for Chamber Music
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts* presents its fifth annual UNCSA Fall Chamber Music Festival at Watson Hall (1522 S. Main Street, Winston-Salem), October 18th through 25th. Led by artistic directors and faculty members Ida Bieler and Dmitri Vorobiev, will feayture outstanding performances by students, faculty, and guest artists Ilya Kaler, violin; Marcelo Padilla, bassoon; and Edward Arron, cello. The festival is highlighted by Sergei Taneyev’s rarely performed and vastly challenging Piano Quintet. October 18-25.
Spooky Symphony
Conductor Michelle Merrill and the Winston-Salem Symphony* are getting in the spirit with all sort of musical tricks and treats at their Halloween Spooktacular at Brendle Recital Hall (1775 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem) on Sunday, October 19th at 3 p.m. You’ll hear music from Wicked and Three Portraits of a Witch, as well as the haunting sounds of Sergei Prokofiev, Modest Mussorgsky, Arturo Márquez, and John Williams. Pre-concert activities in the lobby begin at 2 p.m., including storytelling, an instrument petting zoo, and fun crafts from Kaleideum and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Art. October 19.
Moana in the Mountains
Appalachian Arts’* 2025-26 season continues with Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide presenting Disney’s MOANA Live-To-Film Concert at Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts (733 Rivers Street, Boone) on Sunday, October 19th at 6 p.m. The award-winning animated film will be accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters, and vocalists. October 19.
High Seas Hijinks
40+ Stage Company presents Mordreadi!, a Musical Comedy at Sea at the Gallery Theatre, The Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness (114 W. 30th Street, Winston-Salem) on Sunday, October 19th at 2 p.m. Set on a cruise of the Greek Isles in the 1970s, Mordreadi! is the story of a comically inept magician and spiritualist striving either to revive his career or line his pockets through phony séances and thievery. The ship’s passengers enjoy the romance of Santorini, weather a storm at sea, and search for a stolen diamond, while trying to help a repentant Mordreadi find his lost soul. Admission is free with cash or Venmo donations accepted at the door in support of local writers, musicians, and actors. October 19.
Autumn Itinerary
- Valle Country Fair: Hurricane Helene cancelled it last year, but the beloved event is back with food, crafts, mountain music, and family fun in scenic Valle Crucis, North Carolina. October 18.
- Yadkin Valley Grape Festival*: Wine tasting, live entertainment, food, and specialty vendors in downtown Yadkinville. Admission is free. October 18.
- 48th Wooly Worm Festival: Celebrate North Carolina’s fall colors in Banner Elk and enjoy the beloved Wolly Worm Races, craft and food vendors, live entertainment, kids’ activities, and more. October 18-19.
- Fort Mill Fall Festival: Includes Touch-a-Truck, live music, costume contest, interactive science show, and more at Walter Elisha Park in Fort Mill, South Carolina. October 18.
- North Carolina Oyster Festival: If you’re near Ocean Isle Beach this weekend, swing by for some fresh seafood and live music. It’s a shucking good time! October 18-19.
- Georgetown Wooden Boat Show: One of the Southeast’s best wooden boat show exhibits with a boat-building competition, kids’ model boat building, food, music, and more in Georgetown, South Carolina. Free admission. October 18-19.
That should give you plenty to see and do over the next week. Remember, new events also pop up all the time on the WDAV Events Calendar.Until next week…
*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Gambrell Center, NC Liver Mush Festival, UNCSA, Winston-Salem Symphony, Appalachian Arts, and Yadkin Valley Grape Festival are WDAV underwriters.