Fall arts take off

We have liftoff!

Giving the area fall arts season a sense of early momentum is the appropriately named "Open," a multidisciplinary arts event slated 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Memminger Auditorium downtown.

Featuring an array of artistic and cultural offerings in the tri-county area, this free inaugural event by the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts also is fueled by the goal of "breaking down the barriers to participation in the arts."

Among the participating organizations are the Charleston Concert Association, Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston Stage, Jazz Artists of Charleston, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, Pure Theatre, Creative Spark Center for the Arts, Chamber Music Charleston, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Flowertown Players, Charleston Ballet Theatre, League of Charleston Theatres, Chamber Music Charleston, South of Broadway Theatre Company, Deuce Theatre, Charleston Documentary Film Festival, Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association, Yo! Art, Moranz Entertainment, Taylor Music Group, Capoeira Charleston and Carolina Storytellers Network.

Also participating are the American College of the Building Arts, Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and North Charleston Cultural Arts Department.

With its theme of "Camelot and the Round Table," this first fall season preview offers local arts organizations the chance to entice the public with a "cultural marketplace" of interactive arts booths where they can buy tickets, memberships and merchandise as well as obtain individualized information on programming.

Performance stages, multimedia presentations, a family fun arts corner and an open-air courtyard of vendors and street performers will lend further color to the day.

For information: http://artscharleston.org/index.html.

In another group effort, more than 25 arts organizations are involved in Bluesphere: Earth Art Expo, a citywide project opening this month at multiple venues.

Organized by the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston, the expo will focus on the environment, conservation and "how views of our world are expressed through art," presenting "sustainability education" to the community and area schools through seven visual art exhibitions and related programs.

Local artists and educators from Redux Contemporary Art Center, Lowcountry Earth Force, Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs and Yo! Art will work with Charleston County students in a three-month interdisciplinary curriculum, culminating in an exhibition of student works "inspired by the themes invoked in the Bluesphere visual art exhibitions."

The first show tied to Bluesphere is a Redux exhibition of the work of Carson Fox on Sept. 17, with a grand opening scheduled Oct. 22 featuring the work of Chris Jordan at the Halsey. Information: halsey.cofc.edu/bluesphere.

The fall season also is distinguished by the annual MOJA Arts Festival, now entering its 27th year of celebrating African-American and Caribbean arts. Running Sept. 23-Oct. 3 at varied locations, roughly half of MOJA's diverse palette of events are free with others in the range of $5-$35.

MOJA, drawn from the harmonious Swahili word meaning "One," is produced and directed by the Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs and covers the visual arts, jazz, theater, classical music, dance, gospel, poetry, R&B, storytelling, children's activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food and more.

For information, call 724-7308 or visit www.mojafestival.com.

Theater

The Footlight Players

For the 79th season, the Footlight Players' watchword is variety. With the MainStage series at the Footlight Theatre at 20 Queen St. already having begun with last week's debut of "Is He Dead?" (running through Sept. 12), the company remains among the most active community theaters in the Southeast. Call 722-7521 or visit FootLightPlayers.net.

--Opening dates for the MainStage series are:

Oct. 1: "The Lion in Winter." James Goldman's tart historical melodrama of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Oct. 1-2, 7-9, 14-16 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 10 and 17 at 3 p.m. $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $15 for students.

Dec. 3: Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." Directed by Robert Ivey, the classic holiday movie-turned-Broadway show has its South Carolina premiere. Dec. 3-4, 9-11, 16-18 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. $30 for adults, $27 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children under 10.

--Late Night Series:

Oct. 28: "The Weir." Set in a small tavern in rural Ireland, local men swap ghost stories in an attempt to "impress" a young woman. Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 4-6 at 9 p.m. Thursdays, $10; Friday and Saturday, $15.

Charleston Stage

Directed by Julian Wiles, the versatile troupe made a lively return to the restored Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St., last week with its fall season opener "Hairspray," which runs through Sept. 19 and continues its 33rd season with performances in its MainStage Series and Family Series. Call 856-5316 or visit www.charlestonstage.com.

--Opening date for the MainStage series:

Oct. 29: "The 39 Steps." A stage rendition of Alfred Hitchcock's seminal romantic thriller. Oct. 29-30, Nov. 3-6 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 31 and Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. Adults $34-$48, seniors (60+) $32-$48, students $22-$48.

--Opening dates for the Piggly Wiggly Family Series:

Oct. 15: "Bunnicula." A popular children's story adapted from the book by Deborah and James Howe. Oct. 15 at 7 p.m., Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. $22.

Dec. 3: "A Christmas Carol." Charles Dickens' holiday classic rejoined. Dec. 3-4, Dec. 8-11 and Dec. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.; Dec. 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. Adults $38-$52, seniors $36-$52, students $22-$52.

Holiday show:

Dec. 11-12: "The Herd-mans." No one is prepared when this renegade family assumes the lead roles in the annual Christmas pageant. 3 p.m. each day. $22.

Pure Theatre

Co-founded by the husband-and-wife team of Rodney Lee Rogers and Sharon Graci, Pure is a small professional theater company with a penchant for challenging works by contemporary playwrights and a keen interest in new plays.

Performances for a portion of its eighth season will be held at Charleston Ballet Theatre, 477 King St., where Pure debuted its fall season Friday with "Circle Mirror Transformation" (running through Sept. 18). Call 723-4444 or visit www.puretheatre.org.

Opening dates:

Oct. 1: "AWOL: A Soldier's Journey to War Resistance." Joanna Crowell's play is composed largely from personal interviews. Oct. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, $20 advance or $25 at the door; Fridays and Saturdays, $25 and $30.

December: "Waffle House Christmas." Rodney Lee Rogers' comedic look at three Elvis-like ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future who come to a neighborhood Waffle House. Dates to be announced.

Village Playhouse Repertory Co.

The Village Playhouse got its 10th anniversary season under way Aug. 19 with the Pulitzer and Tony award-winning tragi-comedy "August, Osage County" (which closes today). Co-founders Keely Enright and Dave Reinwald plan a complementary array of new offerings for fall. Call 856-1579 or visit http://thevillageplayhouse.com.

Opening dates are:

Sept. 30: "The Marvelous Wonderettes." Roger Bean's musical homage to a female quartet, circa 1958. Sept. 30-Oct 2, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Adults $30, seniors $25, students $22.

Nov. 4: "Oliver Twist." With a twist. Charles Dickens' masterpiece revisited, and darkly. Nov. 4-6, 12-13 and 18-20 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. Adults $27, seniors $25, students $20.

Dec. 2: "A Christmas Story." Jean Shepherd's beloved holiday classic. Dec. 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at 3 p.m. Adults $27, seniors $25, students $20.

Actor's Theatre of South Carolina

Founded by veteran stage and screen actors Clarence Felder and Chris Weatherhead, since 1995 Actor's Theatre has presented more than 50 professional productions -- including Weatherhead's play, "Mary Chesnut's War for Independence!" -- in a variety of venues, The new season offers similarly eclectic taste. Call 588-9636 or visit www.actorstheatreofsc.org.

Sept. 17: "Rustler's Round-Up Radio Hour." Join the "studio audience" for a broadcast of songs and stories of the Wacky West. Charleston Area Convention Center, part of the cultural arts department's Dinner Theatre series. 7 p.m. $30.

Oct. 21: "Mary Shelley and the Creature of Fire." Felder's play finds Shelley and Lord Byron in an encounter with The Creature. Mark Clark Auditorium at The Citadel. 6:30 p.m. Free.

Oct. 23-24: Folly Beach Arts Festival. Performances by Actors' Theatre actors, guest musicians and dancers. Folly River Park. Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Oct. 24, 1-5 p.m. Free. For information, visit www.follybeacharts.com or www.actorstheatreofsc.org.

Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions

Guided by Artistic Director Sheri Grace Wenger and Producing Director Ryan Ahlert, Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions has been active since 1989 and more recently has branched out into acting education as well. All performances are held at the new Charleston Acting Studio at 915 Folly Road on James Island.

Call 795-2223 or visit www.midtownproductions.org.

--MainStage opening dates:

Sept. 10: "Crimes of the Heart." Beth Henley's tragi-comedy of the three Magrath sisters in Mississippi. Sept. 10-11, 17-18, 23-25 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. $10.50-$17.50.

Oct. 7: "Visiting Mr. Green." Jeff Baron's provocative play has become one of the world's most frequently produced. Oct. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. (ticket prices to be announced).

--Theatre Outside the Box

Oct. 28: "Short Attn Span Thtr." A collection of short plays, films, scenes and sketches with a Halloween theme. Oct. 28-31 at 8 p.m. (ticket prices to be announced).

--Children's Musical Theatre (co-produced with SPROUTS Professional Children's Theatre):

Oct. 1: "Goldilocks." Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., Oct. 2 at 1 p.m.; Oct. 3 at 3 p.m.

Nov. 5: "Rumpelstiltskin." Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., Nov. 6 at 1 p.m.; Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.

December: "Cinderella" (dates to be announced).

South of Broadway Theatre Co.

Established in 2005 by producer Mary Gould, the company's new season opens with the Greater Park Circle Play Festival, four weekends of staged readings of new theatrical works at the South of Broadway Theatre Company studios and theater at 1080 E. Montague Ave. in North Charleston.

The rest of the season features a series of adult and youth shows, and SOBTC also conducts a range of acting and singing classes and workshops. Call 745-0317 or visit www.SouthOfBroadway.com.

Opening dates:

Sept. 4: Greater Park Circle Playfest. Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. Adults $7, students $5.

Oct. 15: "Dirty Blonde." Claudia Shear's musical comedy about Mae West. Oct. 15-16, 22-23 at 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 17 and 24 at 3 p.m.; Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. Adults $15, students $5

--ShowBiz School Presents:

Nov. 13: "Red Riding Hood." A vaudeville musical romp based on the classic fairy tale. Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. Adults $10, students $5.

Nov. 20: "Power Play." A mystery by Lindsey Price. Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 3 p.m.

College of Charleston School of the Arts

The college offers a large number of exhibitions and performances, only a sampling of which are shown below. It opened its fall theater season Aug. 19 with "Cymbeline," which runs through Tuesday.

All performances at held at the Emmett Robinson Theatre in the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. Call 953-5348 or visit http://sota.cofc.edu.

Sept. 30: "Tintypes." A musical by Mary Kyte, Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle. Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and Oct. 4-6 at 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. $15.

Nov. 11: "The Beggar's Opera" by John Gay. Nov. 11-12 and 14-15 at 8 p.m. $15.

Deuce Theatre

Founded in 2005 in New Jersey by Andrea and Michael Catangay, Deuce has made it home in Charleston since 2008 with its inaugural production of "The Emperor is Naked?"

Since that time, it has presented the Lowcountry's first 24-Hour Play Festival and a second original offering, "Treeligion."

All performances are held at the South of Broadway Theatre Studios (1080 E. Montague Ave.) in North Charleston. Visit www.deucetheatre.com.

Opening dates:

Oct. 7: "The Duncan Storm." A Deuce original exploring racism in a bitingly absurd minstrel-style show based on the true story of the trial and hanging of Daniel Duncan. Oct. 7-9 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 10 at 3 p.m.; Oct. 15-16 at 10 p.m. and Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. $15.

Dec. 16: "The Humbug Holiday Hour." A Deuce holiday original. Dec. 16-18 (times to be announced). $15.

December: The 24-Hour Play Festival (dates to be announced).

The Flowertown Players

Established in 1976, the Flowertown Players bought and renovated the 209-seat Theatre on the Square in downtown Summerville and renamed it the James F. Dean Community Theatre. It is the only continuously running community theater in Dorchester County. Call 875-9251 or visit www.flowertownplayers.org.

--MainStage opening dates:

Sept. 17: "The Philadelphia Story." The enduring romantic comedy by Philip Barry. Sept. 17-18 and 24-25, Oct. 1-2 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. Adults $20, seniors $17, students $15.

Oct. 22: "Return to the Forbidden Planet." A science fiction musical by Bob Carlton, inspired by William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and the 1956 movie. Oct. 22-23, 29 and 30 at 8 p.m.; Oct. 24 and 31 at 2 p.m.; Oct. 23 and 30 at midnight. Adults $20, seniors $17, students $15.

Dec. 9: "Just Like Us." A children's show by Craig Sodaro. Dec. 9-11 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. Adults $7 and children (under 18) $5.

Theatre/verv/

This relatively new theater company opened its fall season Aug. 19 with the comedy "Simply Divided." All performances are held in the South of Broadway Theatre Company Studios at 1080 E. Montague Ave. in North Charleston. Visit www.theatreverv.org/verv.

Opening date:

Oct. 28: "Poe: The Conqueror Worm." Adapted from the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Oct. 28-30, Nov. 4-6. 8:30 p.m. $15, $10 (students).

North Charleston Performing Arts Center

The Performing Arts Center on West Montague Avenue combines its Best of Broadway series of Tony Award winners, now in its 12th year, with notable special events for fall. Call 529-5000 or 202-2787 or visit www.coliseumpac.com.

--Best of Broadway:

Nov. 2-3: "Legally Blonde." The popular comedy film became a smash hit musical. 7:30 p.m. $30-$60.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1: "A Chorus Line," the celebrated winner of nine Tonys and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. 7:30 p.m. $30-$60.

--Special event:

Oct. 17: "Tim Conway & Friends." One of the funniest fellows ever to come down the pike, and a master of improvisation. 3 p.m. $30-$60 (reserved).

Nov. 12: Anthony Bourdain. The edgy star of TV's "No Reservations" holds court. 8 p.m. $35-$45.

Theatre 99/The Have Nots

Thinking fast on their feet is the Have Nots! stock-in-trade. Now they do it at Theatre 99 at 280 Meeting St. above the Bicycle Shoppe, offering the usual Wednesday night Laugh for a Lincoln improv series ($5) and Friday and Saturday night gigs ranging from Improv Riot to Improv Smackdown.

Call 853-6687 or visit www.thehavenots.com/theatre99 or www.theatre99.com.

Laugh for a Lincoln: Every Wednesday at 8 p.m. $5.

Weekend shows: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., $10 ($12.50 when it's the Have Nots!).

--Special shows:

Sept. 10-11: "The Atypical Southern Comedy Quartet." A Southern Comedy Quartet Tour starring Jarrod Harris, Nate Bargatze, Rory Scovel and Sean Patton. 10 p.m. (both nights). $10.

Sept. 17: Charleston Comedy Festival Stand-Up Competition (first round). Comedians from all over the Southeast will compete for 12 slots in the next round. 10 p.m. $5.

Oct. 15: "This Is Chucktown!" Part 2 of a showcase of Charleston's funniest folk. 10 p.m. (both nights). $8.

Oct. 16: "Hostage Season." A long-form improvisational team from New York comes to town. 10 p.m. $8.

Nov. 12-13: "The 5th Annual Improv-A-Thon." More than 40 active Theatre 99 company members perform more than a dozen different improv shows. 7-11:30 p.m. (both nights). $5 per show or a full pass for $20.

North Charleston Cultural Arts department

Call 740-5854 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

--The Dinner Theatre Series is held in the Charleston Area Convention Center Ballroom.

Sept. 17: "Rustler's Round-Up Radio Hour" (see Actors' Theatre of South Carolina).

Nov. 19: "The Songs of Sondheim." Showcasing the music of stage and film composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Performed by What If? Productions. 7 p.m. $35 and up.

--Children's Theatre Series at Sterett Hall Auditorium at the Navy Yard.

Dec. 3: "A Christmas Carol." Atlantic Coast Theatre presents the traditional Scrooge story as performed by Charles Dickens and his sister, Fanny. 10 a.m. $2.

Art

Gibbes Museum of Art

Having opened its fall season with the dual exhibitions "Stacy Lynn Waddell: The Evidence of Things Unseen" and "Face Lift" (an encore portrait exhibition), the venerable Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St., adds two additional exhibits in December.

Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. Admission is $9. Call 722-2706 or visit www.gibbesmuseum.org.

Dec. 17-March 27: "Art of Our Time: Selections From the Ulrich Museum of Art" (Main Gallery), featuring significant 20th- and 21st-century artists such as Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder and Robert Motherwell in an overview of modern and contemporary art created in a variety of media.

Dec. 17-March 27: "J. Henry Fair: Industrial Scars" (Rotunda Galleries), large-scale aerial photographs that document environmental degradation caused by industrial processes.

Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston.

Located in the Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts at 161 Calhoun St., the Halsey opened its fall season last month with "David Stern: The American Years (1995-2008)," an exhibition of 40 paintings and drawings that runs through Oct. 8.

For information, call 953-4422 or visit www.halsey.cofc.edu.

Oct. 22: "Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait," photographs by Chris Jordan. Recital Hall, Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St.

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park

Overlooking Charleston harbor, the City Gallery at 34 Prioleau St. is owned by the city of Charleston, managed by the Office of Cultural Affairs and is the site of notable public exhibitions each year.

Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Call 958-6484. Admission is free.

Oct. 10: "Personal Grounds: Art by Susan Lenz," a mixed-media installation and a portrait series.

Oct. 21-Nov. 23: "Favelas: Architecture of Survival," shantytown photographs by Pedro Lobo.

Dec. 16-Jan. 23: Works by Tim Hussey (title to be announced) ranging from photography to painting.

The Charleston Museum

Billed as "America's First Museum," it was established in 1773, and its mission is to "preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry."

Located at 360 Meeting St., museum hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Call 722-2996 or visit www.charlestonmuseum.org.

Oct. 14: "Threads of War: Clothing and Textiles of the Civil War." Coinciding with the sesquicentennial commemoration of the war, the museum introduces its 2,000-square-foot permanent textile gallery that will feature rotating exhibits focusing on varied historical periods, fashions and the important role of women in Lowcountry history.

Charleston Artist Guild

The Charleston Artist Guild came into being in 1953, when seven local artists joined forces to help artists network and get engaged in community programs. Today, the nonprofit organization, with nearly 800 members and a gallery at 160 East Bay St., strives "to promote the practice, teaching and recognition of Fine Arts in Greater Charleston." Call 722-2454 or visit www.charlestonartistguild.com.

Gallery Artist of the Month:

September: Jane Hart, painter (through Sept. 30).

October: Mary Sayas, painter (through Oct. 31).

November: John Albrecht, painter (through Nov. 30).

December: Marty Biernbaum, painter (through Dec. 31).

North Charleston City Gallery

Managed by the Cultural Arts Department, the gallery is in the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission is free. Call 740-5854 or visit www.northcharleston.org.

For information on how to become Artist of the Month, call 745-1087.

Exhibitions:

Sept. 1-30: "We Are," carved wood portraits by Ileana Marie and Jeana Eve Klein.

Oct. 1-30: "Excavation," paintings by Philip Chan and Heather Freeman.

Nov. 1-30: Works by the Lowcountry Photography Society.

Dec. 1-31: "Check the Fine Print," reliefs by Lynne Baggett and paintings by Karen Parker.

Dance

Charleston Ballet Theatre

Celebrating its 24th year as a professional dance company, the CBT is directed by Don and Patricia Cantwell and Jill Eathorne Bahr and emphasizes a repertory that includes the choreography of George Balanchine, Jose Limon and Bahr.

The troupe has dual series: a Mainstage Series with performances at the Sottile Theatre at 44 George St. or Gaillard Auditorium at 77 Calhoun St., and a more informal series at the company's 200-seat CBT Black Box Theatre, 477 King St. Call 723-7334 or visit www.charlestonballet.org.

Oct. 14: "Ballet Unplugged Live!" with concertmaster Yuriy Bekker and members of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The Sottile.

Oct 16-17: "Alice in Wonderland." The Sottile.

Oct. 22-30 "Rocky Horror Picture Show." CBT Black Box.

Dec. 11-12, 17-18: "The Nutcracker." Gaillard Auditorium (Dec. 11-12) and the North Charleston Performing Arts Center (Dec. 17-18).

Robert Ivey Ballet

Dance company-in-residence at the College of Charleston, the Robert Ivey Ballet was founded 31 years ago by the former Broadway dancer, and is under the direction of Ivey (semiretired), co-artistic director Ashley Stock and ballet mistress Angela Agudo. Performances are at the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St.

Call 818-8917 or visit www.robertiveyballet.com.

Oct. 29-31: Fall Performance, featuring new choreography by Ivey Ballet-trained dancers. 8 p.m. Oct. 29-30; 3 p.m. Oct. 31. The Sottile.

Dec. 2-4: "Peter and the Wolf." 9 and 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2-3; noon Dec. 4. The Sottile.

The Charleston Concert Association

The CCA was established in 1936 as a nonprofit organization. All performances are in the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium at 77 Calhoun St. Call 727-1216 or visit www.charlestonconcerts.org.

Nov. 3: Paul Taylor Dance Company, innovators in modern dance. 7 p.m. $32-$68.

Music

Charleston Concert Association

The CCA was established in 1936 as a nonprofit organization. All performances are in the Gaillard Municipal Auditorium at 77 Calhoun St. Call 727-1216 or visit www.charlestonconcerts.org.

Oct. 2: The Five Browns, classical music by the "first family of piano virtuosos." 7 p.m. $32-$68.

Dec. 1: The Vienna Boys' Choir. 7 p.m. $32-$68.

Chamber Music Charleston

Chamber Music Charleston was founded in 2006 by former Charleston Symphony Orchestra principal bassoonist Sandra Nikolajevs with the goal of developing an audience for classical music. CMC celebrates its fifth-anniversary season this fall with a series of House Concerts, Gallery Concerts and Classical Kids Concerts. The season opens Thursday with the four-day Mozart in the South Festival.

Call 763-4941 or visit www.chambermusiccharleston.org or www.mozartinthesouth.org.

Sept. 9: Mozart, Debussy and Mendelssohn. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King St. 7 p.m. $5-$30.

Sept. 10: Mozart in the South Festival Orchestra Concert. Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St. 8 p.m. $5-$35.

Sept. 11: Little Mozart Circus. Mini-performances at Marion Square. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

Sept. 12: Mozart in the South Finale Concert. Middleton Place Plantation, 4300 Ashley River Road. 5:40 p.m. $15 and $35.

--Regular concert season:

Sept. 19-21, 28: House Concerts (downtown, Daniel Island and Kiawah Island). $30. Advance purchase required.

Oct. 1: Chamber Music Charleston Gala and concert. Gov. Thomas Bennett House, 69 Barre St. 6:30 p.m. $100.

Oct. 9: Classical Kids Concert. Circular Congregational Church, 150 Meeting St. 1 p.m. $5-$10.

Oct. 26 and 31, Nov. 1-2: House Concerts (downtown, Daniel Island and Kiawah Island). $30. Advance purchase required.

Nov. 21: CMC Gallery Concert. City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St. 3 p.m. $25.

Dec. 22-23: "Gift of the Magi," a collaboration between CMC and Actors' Theatre of South Carolina. Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church St. 7 p.m. $17.

Dec. 23: Classical Kids Concert. Dock Street Theatre. 1 p.m. $5-$10.

Jazz Artists of Charleston

Established in 2008 by vocalist Leah Suarez and now among the most respected purveyors of jazz and jazz education, the JAC's Charleston Jazz Orchestra holds its performances at the Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 the day of the show for students; $25 and $35 for seniors; and $30 and $40 for adults.

Call 641-0011 or visit www.jazzartistsofcharleston.org or thejac.org.

Sept. 25: "Latin Night." 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: "Pops!" 7 p.m.

Nov. 24: "Holiday Swing." 7 p.m.

Charleston Chamber Opera

The CCO opens its fall season with "Faces," a musical response to the "Face Lift" exhibition at the Gibbes Museum of Art that explores the relationship between portrait artists and their work and how observers respond to the image of the human face.

Call 722-2706 or visit www.gibbesmuseum.org/events.

Oct. 3: "Faces," featuring a performance of Henry Mollicone's opera, "The Face on the Barroom Floor," inspir- ed by the 1936 painting by Herndon Davis. 3 p.m. $15 for members, $25 nonmembers.

College of Charleston School of the Arts

The college continues with its esteemed International Piano Series with performances in October and November at the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. Call 953-6575 or visit http://sota.cofc.edu/news events.

Oct. 19: Anton Nel. 8 p.m. $20 (free for C of C students).

Nov. 4: Christopher O'Riley. 8 p.m. $20 (free for C of C students).

Summerville Community Orchestra

The SCO, under the direction of Alexander Agrest, offers a single fall performance of its Friday Evening Series in advance of the orchestra's spring season. Call 873-5339 or visit www.summerville orchestra.com.

Nov. 12: "Family Favorites," featuring a Duke Ellington medley, Grieg piano concerto with Stephen Jones, Christmas at the Movies, Hebrides Overture and "Peer Gynt Suite." St. John the Beloved Catholic Church. 7 p.m. $10.

Besides the Series, SCO will perform at Pinewood Prep's 9/11 tribute. Visit the orchestra's website for updates.

Southcoast Symphony

Founded in 1995 and now under the musical direction of Andrzej Zabinski, the Southcoast Symphony is composed of professional and amateur musicians from the Lowcountry and was formed "to provide affordable symphony orchestra con- certs to the public and a creative outlet for local musicians."

It will present its Fall Concert in the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, 126 Coming St. Call 766-8934 or visit www.southcoastsymphony.com.

Oct. 24: "Awakenings." Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture," Charles Ives' "The Unanswered Question" and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5." 4 p.m. Free.

Reach Bill Thompson at bthompson@postandcourier.com or 937-5707.