Biggs Museum of American Art
Delaware By Hand counts some of our best artisans among its membership. See a juried show Nov. 4-Feb. 19, including paintings by Susan Johnston of Dover and Victor Letonoff of Lewes, photos by Heather Siple of Wilmington and sculpture by Charles Allmond of Wilmington. Dover, 674-2111, biggsmuseum.org
Brandywine River Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary. Two exhibitions are worth special note. “N.C. Wyeth’s Treasure Island: Classic Illustrations for a Classic Tale” (Sept. 10-Nov. 20) celebrates the 100th anniversary of the publication of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel with N.C. Wyeth’s illustrations. “Honoring Howard Pyle: Major Works from the Collections” (Sept. 17-Nov. 17) presents the paintings and drawings that made Pyle famous. It’s the first time these pieces have been reunited since they left his studio. The museum throws down with a weekend of partying Oct. 14-16. The theme of this year’s gala, Oct. 15, says it all: “It’s going to be big.” Chadds Ford, Pa., (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org
Center for the Creative Arts
Big news for CCArts’ Luck of the Draw gala: Victoria Wyeth will again emcee. Guest artist Karl Kuerner—of the Kuerner Farm made famous by Andrew Wyeth—will speak about his own work. The affair is Oct. 1. The annual Regional Art Exhibition happens Oct. 7-28, the Artisans’ Show Nov. 12-13. Yorklyn, 239-2434, ccarts.org
Christina Cultural Arts Center
During this year’s Fringe Wilmington Festival Sept. 21-25, the center will present “Secrets & Silence,” a work of poetry, prose, music and dance that explores the effects of silence on AIDS in the African-American community. It’s written by CCAC director Raye Jones Avery and Kim Graham. Wilmington, 652-0101, ccacde.org
Clear Space Theatre
In “Broadway Rhythm” Sept. 23-Oct. 9, players sing and dance through tunes from shows like “Cabaret” and “Guys and Dolls.” “My Fair Lady,” March 16-April 1, kicks off spring. Rehoboth Beach, 227-2270, clearspacetheatre.org
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Delaware College of Art and Design
“Natural Attraction: Nature-Inspired Art,” displays student work inspired by the natural world at the Delaware Museum of Natural History Oct. 7-Nov. 6. “Handmade: The Process of Sculpture” features works by six artists in various mediums. See it Nov. 4-Jan. 13. Wilmington, 622-8000, dcad.edu
Delaware Comedy Theatre
At Fish On! in Lewes Sept. 4, expect to see new faces and new games. Rehoboth Beach, 258-5443, delawarecomedytheatre.com
Delaware Art Museum
It’s the season of Howard Pyle, with two big exhibits in recognition of his death 100 years ago. “Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered” Nov. 12-March 4, is a retrospective of his life’s work. Opening Nov. 19 is “Masterpieces in Miniature: A Celebration of Howard Pyle.” See small 3-dimensional scenes based on Pyle images. It shows through Jan. 8. It’s no small way to honor a giant. Wilmington, 571-9590, delart.org
Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts
“Masters of the Visual Universe” is a juried exhibition of artists who are poised to become household names. See their work Oct. 7-Feb. 5. “Contraption” is a group show of sculptures as machines, props and prostheses. This is one you just have to see Feb. 17-June 24. Wilmington, 656-6466, thedcca.org
Delaware Children’s Theatre
“The Sound of Music” makes a splash Oct. 9-30. “Scrooge: The Musical” begins Nov. 20. Wilmington, 655-1014, dechildrenstheatre.org
Delaware Museum of Natural History
You can see the DCAD collaboration “Natural Attraction” Oct. 7-Nov. 6, but don’t miss “Giants: African Dinosaurs” Dec. 3-Feb. 26, when life-sized skeletons from Africa—some replicas, some real fossils—will be displayed in a living diorama. It will certainly put you in the mood for Dino Days Dec. 27-28. Wilmington, 658-9111, delmnh.org
Delaware Symphony Orchestra
DSO welcomes guest violinist Gil Shaham, “Between Friends,” Nov. 18-19. But we’re jumping to April 27-28 and “Holst: The Planets.” As NASA video and other celestial imagery flashes on screen, you’ll recognize tunes such as Strauss’ “Thus Spake Zarathustra,” made most famous by the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Wilmington, 656-7442, delawaresymphony.org
Delaware Theatre Company
“Time Stands Still,” by Donald Margulies, follows Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent, as they try to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone mad. DTC will be one of the first regional theaters to produce the play since its Broadway run ended last winter. See it Jan. 18-Feb. 5. Wilmington, 594-1100, delawaretheatre.org
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DuPont Theatre
Spinning penguins, flipping gingerbread men, soaring reindeer—it’s “Cirque Dreams Holidaze,” a riot of holiday cheer Dec. 6-11. Wilmington, 656-4401, duponttheatre.com
DuPont Theatre Children’s Series
“Star Trek: Live” will boldly take children where they’ve never gone before through an interactive show of space-age technology on Oct. 31. Learn how to live and work in space—and how to defend the planet from alien invaders. Is there a better prelude to Halloween? Wilmington, 656-4401, duponttheatre.com/childseries
First State Ballet Theatre
Watch the man of La Mancha seek his unreachable star in “Don Quixote” at The Grand Opera House Oct. 15-16 (Oct. 8 at DelTech in Georgetown) in a show choreographed by FSBT’s Pasha Kambalov. April 14-15 the company will stage the first full-length production of “Giselle” ever in Delaware. Wilmington, 658-7897, firststateballet.com
Fringe Wilmington Festival 2011
The festival offers plenty of alternative performance art, but you’ll also see outstanding work from some of our most revered organizations, such as First State Ballet Theatre in “21st Century Ballet” and Newark’s Chapel Street Players in Edward Albee’s “Zoo Story.” Performances are given at various locations in Wilmington Sept. 21-25. FringeWilmingtonDE.com
The Grand Opera House
A season full of comedy, dance and music offers legends like Jackson Browne Oct. 20 and hometown hero George Thorogood Sept. 29. Steven Wright will drop one-liners Oct. 21. The National Acrobats of The People’s Republic of China tumble in Nov. 22. Wilmington, 652-5577, grandopera.org
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Hagley Museum and Library
As “An Oath of Allegiance to the Republic: the du Ponts and the Civil War” continues through July 22. Hagley has several ancillary events. On Sept. 29 see the Libby Prison Minstrels, a five-piece band modeled after a real group of Union prisoners, perform period music. On Oct. 20, historian Justin Carisio lectures on “Quaker Soldier: The Civil War Experience of Henry Gawthrop of the 4th Delaware.” Wilmington, 658-2400, hagley.org
Longwood Gardens
In a season of terrific shows, the beautiful Soweto Gospel Choir from Johannesburg, South Africa, will perform Feb. 29. The Irish group Lunasa appears March 14. Kennett Square, Pa., (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org
The Music School of Delaware
The school offers its second annual Race to the Music run-walk on Sept. 25. Musicians posted along Matson Run serenade as you complete the route. Milford, 422-2043; Wilmington, 762-1132, wilmingtonmusic.org
Nemours Mansion & Gardens
Few things are as spectacular as the holiday tour of Alfred I. duPont’s former home and gardens. See it dressed to the nines Nov. 12-Dec. 3. Wilmington, 651-6912, nemoursmansion.org
Mispillion Art League
The league hosts exhibitions of member work throughout the year. Check out some great artists. 430-7646, mispillionarts.org
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The New Candlelight Theatre
Watch Joe Boyd make a deal with the devil to win a long ball hitter for his long-suffering Washington Senators in the musical “Damn Yankees” Sept. 16-Oct. 23. “A Very Candlelight Christmas” runs Nov. 11-Dec. 23. Ardentown, 475-2313, nctstage.org
Newark Film Festival
As part of the larger festival Sept. 8-15, this year features a gay film festival, OUTflix. See “Oy Vey! My Son is Gay!” Catch the Wilm Film Fest at Delaware Art Museum Sept. 16-18. 690-5555, newarkfilm.com
Newark Symphony Orchestra
The symphony begins its classical series with Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony at Independence School in Newark Oct. 23. The Newark High School Chamber Orchestra will perform Holst: Brook Green Suite on Nov. 12 at Grace United Methodist Church in Newark. Newark, 369-3466, newarksymphony.org
OperaDelaware
A gem. See Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” Oct. 30 and Nov. 4-5, and “Porgy and Bess” May 6 and May 11-12. Wilmington, 652-5577, operade.org
Rehoboth Art League
The RAL Holiday Faire will host more than 40 juried artists for a one-day show and sale on Nov. 5. Think of the event as like the summer fence show, but indoors, and make it a holiday shopping must. 227-8408, rehobothartleague.org
Rehoboth Beach Museum
“Skimming the Surface: Surfing, Skimboarding, and Floating off the Delaware Coast,” are current exhibits at the museum. 227-7310, rehobothbeachmuseum.org
Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival
With this year’s Country Spotlight on France, the film society promises interesting cinema during the festival, Nov. 9-13, including “The Hedgehog,” “Tomboy” and “The Women on the Sixth Floor.” Rehoboth Beach, 645-9095, rehobothfilm.com
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Schwartz Center for the Arts
The Schwartz is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Note the Alvin Ailey II Dance Company on Nov. 3. The holiday performance on Dec. 17 features the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in “Creole Christmas.” Dover, 678-3583, schwartzcenter.com
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
“Paint, Pattern & People: Furniture of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1725-1850” through Jan. 8. Now concurrent, “With Cunning Needle: Four Centuries of Embroidery” sews up generations of design, material and technique in clothing, bedcovers and decorative silk pictures. See it Sept. 3-Jan. 8. Wilmington, 888-4600, winterthur.org
World Cafe Live
David Sanborn has played or recorded with nearly every artist under the sun. See the sax great on Oct. 12 with guest Joey DeFrancesco. On Nov. 17 catch the versatile California Guitar Trio and Montreal Guitar Trio. Wilmington, 994-1400, queen.worldcafelive.com
UD Resident Ensemble Players and Professional Theater Training Program
The REP welcomes Gregory Boyd, artistic director of the Tony-winning Alley Theatre in Houston, to direct “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn. Nov. 17-Dec. 11. Newark, 831-2204, udel.edu/theatre
