Every year, arts aficionados eagerly await the end of summer and the beginning of fall, when the temperature cools and the leaves start to change colors — and, more importantly, when theater, dance and musical seasons open.
Books A reading with Sally Bellerose, Janet Aalfs and Joseph Ross The authors of “The Girls Club,” “Bird of a Thousand Eyes” and “Meeting Bone Man,” respectively, host a reading at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Marco Roth The author of “The Scientists: A Family Romance” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
David Byrne The Talking Heads singer and author of “How Music Works” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Jose Garces The chef and author of “The Latin Road Home: Savoring the Foods of Ecuador, Spain, Cuba, Mexico and Peru” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Wyclef Jean The rapper and author of “Purpose: An Immigrant’s Story” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341. Luisita Lopez Torregrosa The former Inquirer editor and author of “Before the Rain: A Memoir of Love and Revolution” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Emanuel Xavier The author of “Americano” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Timothy Jay Smith The author of “Cooper’s Promise” hosts a reading at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.; 215-923-2960.
Classical/Opera/World Music La Bohème The Opera Company of Philadelphia presents a new production of Puccini’s ultra-romantic blockbuster Sept. 28-Oct. 7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Royal Drummers & Dancers of Burundi The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the renown percussion ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Dancing and Romancing Peter Nero and the Philly Pops performs Oct. 12-14 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Bell, Bernstein and Brahms The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 25-27 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Sounds of America The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 1-3 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
The Stowkowski Legacy The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a program inspired by the British conductor’s original program of December 1935, when The Philadelphia Orchestra presented the U.S. premiere of Poulenc’s Double Piano Concerto, Nov. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Comedy/Humor David Sedaris The out humorist performs 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
A John Waters Christmas The out filmmaker’s one-man show takes the stage 8 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888. John Pinette The comedian performs Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Kevin Hart The comedian performs 8 p.m. Dec. 20 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Dance Sequence 8 by 7 Fingers The Montréal-based circus company performs Sept. 18-23 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the acclaimed dance company Oct. 11-13 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Giselle The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the classical show choreographed by Marius Petipa, Oct. 18-28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Rama Vaidyanathan The acclaimed Indian dancer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Belly Dance Superstars Things get shaking 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Spellbound Dance Company The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the acclaimed dance company Nov. 15-17 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
PHILADANCO! The local dance company performs Dec. 7-9 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker The Pennsylvania Ballet presents the holiday classic Dec. 8-30 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Exhibits To Stir, Inform and Inflame: The Art of Tony Auth The James A. Michener Art Museum hosts an exhibition exploring the Inquirer editorial cartoonist’s work, through Oct. 21, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.
Shipwreck! Winslow Homer and The Life Line Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of 33 paintings by American artist Homer, Sept. 22-Dec. 16, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Learning from Frank Furness: Louis Sullivan in 1873 Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and furniture by the famed architect, Oct. 6-Dec. 30, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Ronaldus Shamask: Form, Fashion, Reflection Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of drawings and sketches by the fashion designer, Oct. 6-March 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Music Barry Manilow The singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at Revel’s Ovation Hall, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 855-348-0500.
Amanda Palmer The openly bisexual singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Melissa Ferrick The out singer-songwriter perform 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.
Slash The rock guitarist and his band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 14 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.
Rachelle Ferrell The R&B singer-songwriter performs at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Anthony Hamilton and Estelle The R&B singers perform at 7:30 p.m. at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Bon Iver The alternative-rock artist performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.; 215-546-7900.
Florence & The Machine The rock band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.
Kiss and Mötley Crüe The rock bands perform 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.
Peter Gabriel The singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Earth, Wind & Fire The R&B group performs 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Arrested Development: 20th-anniversary tour The hip-hop group performs 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.
The Gossip The punk-rock band with the out singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Adam Ant The new-wave singer performs 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
James Iha The former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist performs 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Barbra Streisand The singer performs 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Public Image Limited The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Rush The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Catie Curtis The out singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Celtic Thunder The pop group performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Meshell Ndegeocello — A dedication to Nina Simone The out soul singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie The shock-rock bands perform 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 856-365-1300.
The Misfits The punk band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Psychedelic Furs and The Lemonheads The alternative-rock bands 8 p.m. Sept. 15 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Rick Springfield The singer and guitarist performs at 9 p.m. Oct. 20 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Asia The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Janis Ian The out singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.
John Legend The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Group Love The rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Social Distortion The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Rabert Randolph & The Family Band The blues-rock group performs 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Ani DiFranco The out singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Antigone Rising The all-women rock band with out members performs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals The alt-rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Erin McKeown The out singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
B.B. King The blues guitarist performs 8 p.m. Nov. 23 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.
Men Without Hats The new-wave band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.
Christine Havrilla The out singer-songwriter performs 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Hall & Oates The pop duo performs 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Pink Martini The orchestral band performs 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650. Morrissey The out alt-rock singer performs 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-343-4000.
Theater Love Story, The Musical Walnut Street Theatre presents an adaptation of the popular novel Sept. 4-Oct. 21, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The Edge of Our Bodies Theatre Exile presents the story of a young woman’s poetic coming-of-age tale, Sept. 6-23 at Studio X, 1340 S. Third St.; 215-218-4022.
Angels In America, Parts 1 & 2 Wilma Theater presents the Tony Award-winning epic play, Sept. 12-Oct. 21, 265 S. Broad St.; 215-546-7824.
Hairspray Media Theater presents the musical based on the classic John Waters film Sept. 25-Nov. 4, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
West Side Story The Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates the 50th anniversary of this iconic film, performing its score Oct. 5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Drumline Live The marching-band-themed musical debuts Oct. 17-18 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Stars of David Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the musical adaptation of Abigail Pogrebin’s best-selling book, Oct. 19-Nov. 11 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
The Music Man Walnut Street Theatre presents the popular Broadway musical, Nov. 6-Jan. 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The English Bride Theatre Exile presents the story of a series of interrogations after a bombing attempt on a flight out of London, Nov. 8-Dec. 2 at Studio X, 1340 S. Third St.; 215-218-4022.
Dr. Doolittle Media Theater presents a musical production based on the Hugh Lofting stories and the classic film, following the adventure of a kind but eccentric veterinarian who has an uncanny ability to talk to animals, Nov. 20-Jan. 27, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
War Horse The dramatic story of a boy searching for his beloved horse, which was sold to the cavalry and shipped to France during World War I, on stage Nov. 20-Dec. 2 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Heavy Metal Dance Fag The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the chronicles of a tough, blue-collar South Philly dockworker with a secret passion for tap-dancing — to 1980s hair metal, Dec. 14-15 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Misc. Peek-A-Boo Revue The neo-burlesque group performs 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 302-994-1400.
The 2012 Philly Zombie Prom The undead get dressed to kill at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.