Summer’s almost over and it’s time to trade in the sunshine, comic-book-themed summer blockbusters and beach bods for sweaters, holiday spending, food binges and the high arts of the cool and darkening months ahead.
Thanks goodness. We’re sick of the sweltering temperatures, outdoor concerts, seeing people wearing flip-flops everywhere and meticulously watching our carb intake.
Fall is almost upon so, get your calendars out and make some plans.
Books
Lee Child
The bestselling author hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Wendell Pierce
The actor and author of “The Wind in the Reeds: A Storm, A Play and the City That Would Not Be Broken” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Roberta Kaplan
The lawyer who helped defeat the Defense of Marriage Act and author of “Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Carrie Brownstein
The Slater-Kinney singer-guitarist and author of “Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl: A Memoir” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
John Irving
The bestselling author hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Patti Smith
The punk-rock icon and author of “M Train” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Classical/Opera/World Music
Yannick & Rachmaninoff
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 1-4 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
For Love of Country
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 8-10 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Sinatra: A Centennial Celebration
The Philly POPS perform a tribute to Frank Sinatra Oct. 9-11 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Deana Martin
The Philly POPS perform with Deana Martin in a tribute to her legendary father, Dean Martin, 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Beethoven’s Fifth
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs the composer’s classics Oct. 16-17 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Brahms’s “Double” Concerto
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 22-24 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
The Original Rhapsody in Blue
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Oct. 29-31 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Mozart and Schumann
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 5-7 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
One Land, One River, One People
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs Nov. 13-15 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs with violinist Leonidas Kavakos Nov. 19-21 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies
The Philly POPS perform scores from popular Disney films 3 p.m. Nov. 28 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas Spectacular
The Philly POPS perform Christmas classics Dec. 4-22 at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 260 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Comedy/Humor
Iliza Shlesinger
The comedian performs Sept. 10-12 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Sinbad
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Funny Or Die Presents The Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival
Comedians Amy Schumer, Dave Attell, Aziz Ansari and more perform 5:15 p.m. Sept. 13 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.
Bruce Bruce
The comedian performs Sept. 18-20 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Craig Ferguson
The talk-show host and comedian performs 8 p.m. Sept. 19 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800. Ferguson also performs 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Keswick Theater, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Paul Mooney and Dick Gregory
The comedy legends perform Oct. 2-3 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Paula Poundstone
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Brian Regan
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Wanda Sykes
The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Bill Burr
The comedian performs 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Lewis Black
The comedian performs 9 p.m. Nov. 20-21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Dance
Speed and Precision
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Oct. 22-25 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Urban Bush Women
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the dance group that weaves contemporary dance, music and text with the history, culture and spiritual traditions of the African diaspora, Oct. 22-24 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
So You Think You Can Dance
Contestants from the hit TV show perform 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Kun-Yang Lin’s Home/S. 9th St.
The world premiere of the company’s exploration into the meaning of immigrant journeys, home and “American-ness,” informed by Philadelphia’s own South Ninth Street corridor, runs Nov. 18-21 at 140 N. Columbus Blvd.; 215-413-1318.
River North Dance Chicago
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents the Chicago-based jazz dance group, Nov. 20-21 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
The Pennsylvania Ballet performs the holiday tradition Dec. 11-31 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Exhibits
George Shinn: Now and Again
Muse Art Gallery presents an exhibition of works using decorative elements joined with organic and geometric shapes Sept. 2-27 at 52 N. Second St.; 215-627-5310.
Multitude, Solitude: The Photographs of Dave Heath
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition of the acclaimed photographer’s black-and-white pictures of the 1950s and ’60s, Sept. 19-Feb. 21, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
The Wrath of the Gods: Masterpieces by Rubens, Michelangelo and Titian
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring paintings and the creative processes of some of art history’s most important figures Oct. 27-Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Audubon to Warhol: The Art of American Still Life
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a survey of American still life in three decades, representing the genre from its beginnings in the early 1800s to the Pop Art era of the 1960s, Oct. 27-Jan. 10, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Music
L7
The all-female grunge band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Lisa Loeb
The singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Sept. 11 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.
The Smiths Social
The alt-rock band’s music is celebrated 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Christine Havrilla and Gypsy Fuzz
The out singer-songwriter and her band perform 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
Lez Zeppelin
The all-female Led Zeppelin tribute band performs 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at Sellersville Theatre 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville; 215-257-5858.
Kelly Clarkson and Pentatonix
The pop singer and the vocal group with out members perform 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.
Cheap Trick
The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Motorhead and Anthrax
The heavy-metal bands perform 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Jesus and Mary Chain
The rock band performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Madonna
The pop icon performs 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Chvrches
The synthpop group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Kraftwerk
The pioneering electronic/industrial group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 2 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Franz Ferdinand and Sparks
The alternative-rock bands perform 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Audra McDonald
The Tony Award-winning Broadway star performs 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Stevie Wonder
The R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Melody Gardot
The jazz singer performs 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Chris Cornell
The rock singer performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Danzig
The hard-rock band performs 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Chance the Rapper
The rapper performs 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
New Found Glory and Yellowcard
The alternative-rock bands perform 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Peaches
The out electro-pop singer performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Cypress Hill
The rap group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
The Darkness
The UK rock group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Tesseract
The prog-metal band performs 7 p.m. Nov. 2 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
The Who and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
The rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Well-Strung
The out string quartet performs 8 p.m. Nov. 6-7 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Jethro Tull: The Rock Opera
The rock band performs 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Don Henley
The rock singer performs 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The rock band performs 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Theater
High Society
Walnut Street Theatre presents Cole Porter’s feel-good musical about a socialite preparing for her lavish summer wedding Sept. 8-Oct. 25, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
A Divine Evening with Charles Busch
The cabaret star performs 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Gypsy
Media Theatre presents the story about an aggressive stage mother Sept. 23-Nov. 1, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Ship Wrecked!
Walnut Street Theatre presents the 19th-entury adventure Oct. 6-Nov. 1 at Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Criss Angel Presents The Supernaturalists
Illusionists perform at 3 and 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at Tower Theatre, 19 S. 69th St., Upper Darby; 610-352-2887.
Linda Lavin
The stage and screen star performs 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Rrazz Room at The Prince, 1412 Chestnut St.; 215-422-4580.
Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque
The risqué models perform 9 p.m. Oct. 20 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Bullets Over Broadway
The Woody Allen musical about mobsters performs Oct. 27-Nov. 1 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Tyler Perry’s Madea on the Run
Perry’s outrageous comedy comes to town Nov. 10-15 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Matilda: The Musical
The musical based on the beloved novel, Nov. 17-29 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5800.
Billy Elliot
Media Theatre presents the story of one boy’s passion for ballet over the boxing ring Nov. 18-Jan. 3, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
The Book of Mormon
The hit musical comedy comes to Philly to spread the good word Nov. 24-Dec. 27 at Kimmel’s Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St.; 215- 923-1515.
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
A comedy-thriller based on the classic sleuth, Nov. 27-Dec. 27 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Walnut Street Theatre presents the stage adaptation of the classic Christmas film Dec. 10-Jan. 10, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
A John Waters Christmas: Holier & Dirtier
The out filmmaker talks holidays 8:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.