We know a lot of you adore summer, and we get it. Picnics, sidewalk dining, outdoor concerts, beaches, sun and warm weather are a lot of people’s jam — one that they spend nine months of the year pining for.
Well, that’s about to be over. And thank goodness, because some of us are ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, holiday shopping and not seeing everybody’s crusty feet in flip-flops.
As summer’s heat starts to shove off and make room for the soothing color changes of the fall season, the arts and music communities are coming alive with renewed vigor and unleashing their offerings.
This fall brings an eclectic range of arts and entertainment, with brilliant lights, sights and sounds to brighten up the darkening days. So get your best evening wear ready and pull your jackets and Ugg boots out of storage, because it’s going to be an amazing autumn.
Art & Literature
Deborah Harkness
The bestselling historical fantasy/romance/horror writer and author of “Time’s Convert” hosts a reading 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Central Library, 1901 Vine St.; 215-567-4341.
Fabulous Fashion: From Dior’s New Look to Now
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the drama and glamour of some of the most creative feminine fashions ever designed, Oct. 18-March 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal
Philadelphia Museum of Art presents an exhibition exploring the influence of Miss Fanchon, the ultimate toy for privileged girls in the 1860s-’70s, Nov. 11-March 3, 26th Street and the Parkway; 215-763-8100.
Comedy/Humor
Dave Attell
The comedian seen on Comedy Central performs Sept. 6-9 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Lavell Crawford
The comedian seen on “Breaking Bad” performs Sept. 20-23 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Joe Posa As Joan Rivers
The comedian channels the late, great icon of comedy, 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Miss’D America Pageant
The annual drag extravaganza, 8 and 11 p.m. Sept. 22 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. Sept. 28 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Kathy Griffin: Laugh Your Head Off World Tour
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Lewis Black
The comedian seen on “The Daily Show” performs Oct. 12-13 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Fay Jacobs
The out comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Roque Wilson
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Kinsey Sicks: Things You Shouldn’t Say
The drag comedy troupe performs 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Christopher Titus
The comedian on “Titus” performs Oct. 27-28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Tony Rock
The comedian seen on “Comedy Central” performs Oct. 27-28 at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; 215-496-9001.
Kevin Hart
The comedian performs 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Craig Ferguson
The comedian and talk-show host performs 9 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Sinbad
The comedian performs 8 p.m. Dec. 8 at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
Golden Gays NYC
The drag comedy tribute to “The Golden Girls,” 8 p.m. Dec. 15 at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St., New Hope; 888-596-1027.
Dance
iLuminate
The technologically advanced dance troupe seen on “America’s Got Talent” performs Sept. 21-22 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Circa
Australia’s bold, contemporary circus troupe returns to the Annenberg Center with the U.S. premiere of new show “Humans,” Sept. 28-29 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Flying Steps Presents Flying Bach
The award-winning and globally recognized German dance crew combines hip-hop with modern ballet, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Chinese Warriors of Peking
The new production features high-intensity martial arts and breathtaking acrobatics, set during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to tell the tale of two rival martial-arts disciplines competing in the ancient Chinese capital, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
PHILADANCO’s “Choreographers on the Move”
The acclaimed Philadelphia dance company performs a show featuring works from two longtime Philadanco resident choreographers, Milton Myers and Christopher Huggins, Nov. 16-18 at the Kimmel’s Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St.; 215-790-5847.
Jessica Lang Dance
Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts present the dance troupe founded by the Bucks County native and superstar in the dance world, Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Music
Elton John
The iconic out singer performs his farewell tour 8 p.m. Sept. 11-12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Purple Madness Prince Experience
The Prince tribute concert comes to Delaware, 8 p.m. Sept. 14 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington; 202-730-3331.
Life of Agony
The hard-rock band featuring transgender singer Mina Caputo performs 8:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Bruno Mars
The pop-R&B singer performs 8 p.m. Sept. 19-20 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
The Crystal Method
The electronica group performs 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Sting & Shaggy
The iconic singer and the reggae artist team up for a show 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Event Center, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Gary Numan
The new-wave and industrial-rock singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
Social Distortion
The SoCal punk-rock icons perform 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-
745-3000.
Lost 80s Live
New-wave acts Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, DJ Robert Drake and more perform 8:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Bush
The grunge-rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Liz Phair
The alternative-rock singer performs 8:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Simple Minds
The new-wave band performs 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at The Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow streets; 610-352-2887.
Rock Allegiance
The hard-rock festival featuring performances by Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Insane Clown Posse and more kicks off 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden, N.J.; 609-365-1300.
Thrice
The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
The hard-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Gorillaz
The rock band performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Indigo Girls
The out folk duo performs Oct. 11-12
at Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glennside; 215-572-7650.
Ja Rule and Method Man & Redman
The rappers perform 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
Maroon 5
The pop band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Goo Goo Dolls
The rock band performs 8:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Michael Franti
The singer and activist performs 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-625-3681.
Florence and the Machine
The rock band performs 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Public Imade Ltd.
The alternative-rock band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St.; 215-232-2100.
Meshell Ndegocello
The R&B/soul singer-songwriter performs 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
Johnny Marr
The Smiths songwriter and guitarist performs 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Metallica
The iconic metal band performs 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Garbage
The alternative-rock band performs 9 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; 609-317-1000.
Black Violin
The musical duo fusing classical music with hip-hop performs 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
The Dead Milkmen
The punk band performs 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at TLA, 334 South St.; 215-922-1011.
Clutch and Sevendust
The hard-rock bands perform 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St.; 800-745-3000.
UB40
The reggae group performs 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, Del.; 202-730-3331.
Dracula’s Ball
The goth-industrial event featuring performances by Clan of Xymox, Ego Likeness and more, 8 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; 215-922-6888.
Jake Shears
The out singer and Scissor Sisters’ frontman performs 8 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Foundry, 29 E. Allen St.; 215-309-0150.
T.S. Monk
The acclaimed jazz drummer and band leader performs 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St.; 215-898-3900.
Josh Groban & Idina Menzel
The internationally accclaimed singers perform 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St.; 215-389-9543.
Theater
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn
Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the classic Universal Pictures film, Sept. 4-Oct. 21, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Love Never Dies
Broadway Philadelphia presents the local premiere of when the Phantom of the Opera follows his lady love to America, Oct. 2-7 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Sweeney Todd
Media Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical about a barber bent on revenge, Oct. 3-28, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
Broken Biscuits
1812 Productions presents the coming-of-age comedy in which a couple of misfits hatch a plan to change their fortunes, Oct. 4-28 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.
Sweat
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama set in Reading. Industries are disappearing and the men and women of the city are rendered powerless as they watch their income, legacy and relationships follow suit, Oct. 12-Nov. 4 at Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St.; 215-985-0420.
Fiddler on the Roof
Broadway Philadelphia presents a new and fresh production of the beloved classic musical, Oct. 23-28 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Warplay
Azuka Theatre Company presents a production reimagining the close relationship between Achilles and Patroclus in a poetic, radical and shockingly funny light, Oct. 31-Nov. 18, 1700 Sansom St.; 215-563-1100.
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Broadway Philadelphia presents the classic children’s tale about a mysterious candy maker’s secret empire, Nov. 6-18 at Kimmel’s Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St.; 215-893-1999.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
Walnut Street Theatre presents the musical based on the beloved children’s book, Nov. 6-Jan. 6, 825 Walnut St.; 215-574-3550.
Wizard of Oz
Media Theatre presents the beloved and classic musical about Dorothy and her adventures in a strange land, Nov. 14-Jan. 13, 104 E. State St., Media; 610-891-0100.
This Is The Week That Is
1812 Productions presents its annual politically charged and satirical comedy show, Nov. 23-Jan. 6 at Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey St.; 215-592-9560.