Summer, as mild and fleeting as it was, is over. School is back in. Summer blockbuster films and concert tours have wound down and, thankfully, the cream of the arts, music, literary and theater communities are eager to kick off their new seasons and show the area the results of all the hard work they have been putting in during their down time.
To get you up to speed on what’s to come frolicking through town in the near future, we’ve compiled a list of events you should keep an eye out for during the next few cooling and darkening months leading up to the holidays.
Where does the time go?
Books
Tavis Smiley
The author of “Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Final Year” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
“First Comes Loves” Book Launch
Out photographer Barbara Proud marks the release of her book that captures same-sex couples, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 26 at University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St.
Tom Keels
The out author of “Sesqui! Greed, Graft and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926” hosts an illustrated talk on the 1926 event at 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Sam Harris
The author of “Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Mark Bittman
The author of “How to Cook Everything Fast: A Better Way to Cook Great Food ” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
“Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus” Book Release Party
Rachelle Lee Smith marks the release of her photographic essay book documenting the experiences of queer youth 6-9 p.m. Oct. 10 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.; 215-732-2220.
Collingswood Book Festival
Book signings, poetry readings, workshops, book sales and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 11 along Haddon Avenue in downtown Haddonfield.
Bill T. Jones
The out choreographer and author of “Story/Time: The Life of an Idea” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Cornel West
The professor, philosopher and author of “Black Prophetic Fire” hosts a reading noon Oct. 17 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Norman Lear
The legendary TV producer and author of “Even This I Get to Experience” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Katha Pollitt
The feminist author of “Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Terry Mitchler
The journalist and author of “Under This Beautiful Dome: A Senator, A Journalist, and the Politics of Gay Love in America” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Classical/Opera/World Music
Season Begins
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang Sept. 26-28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The Barber of Seville
Opera Philadelphia performs the classic Sept. 26-Oct. 5 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Yannick Conducts Rachmaninoff
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 8-11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
The Stunning Slavic Mass
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Janacek’s “Glagolitic Mass” Oct. 16-18 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Era of ABBA
The Philly Pops perform the music of ABBA Oct. 17-19 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Halloween Fantastique
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs a Halloween-themed program 11:30 a.m. Oct. 25 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Brahms and Stravinsky
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 21-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Morales Plays Rossini
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 28-30 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Curtis Chamber Orchestra
The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents an evening of classical music 8 p.m. Dec. 5 at Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Christmas Spectacular
The Philly Pops performs holiday songs Dec. 6-20 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Comedy/Humor
Fortune Feimster
The out comedian seen on “Chelsea Lately” performs Sept. 25-27 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Brian Regan
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Nick Swardson
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Amy Schumer
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Kathleen Madigan
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
David Sedaris
The humorist performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Bill Bellamy
The comedian performs Oct. 17-19 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Anthony Jeselnik
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Wanda Sykes
The out comedian performs 9 p.m. Nov. 7-8 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Queer Queens of Comedy
Out comedians Jessica Kirson and Poppy Champlin perform 8 p.m. at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Cedric the Entertainer
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Wyatt Cenac
The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Jerry Seinfeld
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Lewis Black
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Dec. 5-6 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Dance
Press Play: The Directorial Debut of Ángel Corella
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Oct. 16-26 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
BalletBoyz
Dance Celebration and presents the British dance group Oct. 23-25 at Annenberg Center Live’s Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
PHILADANCO!
The dance company performs Dec. 12-14 at Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company
Dance Celebration presents the dance group from Israel Nov. 13-15 at Annenberg Center Live’s Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Parsons Dance
Dance Celebration presents the dance company Dec. 4-6 at Annenberg Center Live’s Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Mummenschanz
Dance Celebration presents the Swiss performance troupe Dec. 11-14 at Annenberg Center Live’s Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Exhibits
In Reverse
Muse Art Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Terri Fridkin Oct. 1-Nov. 2, 52 N. Second St.; 215-627-5310.
Paul Strand: Master of Modern Photography
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the work of the critical figure in the history of modern art, photography and filmmaking Oct. 24-Jan. 4, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
A Sense of Place: Paintings by Ranulph Bye
The James A. Michener Art Museum presents an exhibition of paintings by Ranulph de Bayeux Bye Nov. 8-May 1, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.
Starstruck: The Fine Art of Astrophotography
The James A. Michener Art Museum presents a major exhibition treating astrophotography as an art genre Nov. 8-Feb. 8, 138 S. Pine St., Doylestown; 215-340-9800.
Vitra-Design, Architecture, Communication: A European Project with American Roots
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents some of the most innovative designs from the family-owned Swiss company Vitra Nov. 22-April 26, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Music
Lily Allen
The pop singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Pink Martini
The orchestral band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
The Black Keys
The rock band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Erasure
The elctro-dance group performs 9 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Jill Sobule
The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
Christine Havrilla
The out singer-songwriter performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St.; 215-928-0978.
The Bangles
The ’80s band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 4 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Limp Bizkit
The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Placebo
The rock band with out members performs 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Aiden James
The out singer-songwriter performs 9 p.m. Oct. 10 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Nick & Knight
Boy-band alums Nick Carter and Jordan Knight perform Oct. 10-11 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Fleetwood Mac
The classic-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Misfits
The punk-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Motley Cure and Alice Cooper
The rock bands perform 8 p.m. Oct. 24-25 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
O-Town
The boy band with out members performs 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Usher
The R&B/pop singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Rachelle Farrell
The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Culture Club
The classic ’80s pop band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Mark G. Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-449-5150.
Slayer
The heavy-metal band performs 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Skinny Puppy and VNV Nation
The industrial and EDM groups perform 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
The Temptations and The Four Tops
The classic R&B singing groups perform 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave.; 215-572-7650.
Justin Timberlake
The pop singer performs 8 p.m. Dec. 17 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The orchestral-rock band performs 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Theater
The Addams Family
Media Theatre presents the musical based on the classic morbidly funny TV show Sept. 24-Nov. 2, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
King Lear
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the Shakespeare classic starring Joseph Marcell of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Sept. 24-27 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Tyler Perry’s Hell Hath No Fury Like a Woman Scorned
The Perry-produced drama hits the stage Sept. 30-Oct. 5 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Saint Joan, Betrayed
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents an abstract take on the story of Joan of Arc Oct. 3-4 at Harold Prince Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Bad Jews
Walnut Street Theatre presents the hilarious tale of family, faith and legacy Oct. 7-Nov. 30 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Detroit
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Pulitzer Prize-nominated story of the couple that befriends a transient couple that moves into a vacant house next door Oct. 10-Nov. 9 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Newsies
The smash-hit musical about a band of underdog delivery boys runs Oct. 28-Nov. 2 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Mary Poppins
Walnut Street Theatre presents the classic family musical Nov. 4-Jan. 4, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence
Azuka Theatre presents the Philadelphia premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-finalist play about the history of technology and how it has helped the world communicate Nov. 5-23, 1636 Sansom St.; 215-563-1100.
Les Misérables
Media Theatre presents the classic musical Nov. 19-Jan. 11, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical runs Nov. 25-30 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Outside Mullingar
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Tony Award-nominated romance set in rural Ireland Nov. 28-Dec. 28 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Misc.
The Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque Show
The burlesque group performs 9:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
An Evening With Bianca Del Rio: The Rolodex Of Hate Tour
The drag queen seen on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performs 10 p.m. Nov. 9 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
The Kinsey Sicks “Oy Vey In A Manger”
The drag-comedy group performs Dec. 4-6 at the Rrazz Room, in The Ramada New Hope, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; 888-596-1027.