5 Non-Fringe Arts Events to Check Out This Month

Conrad Tao is bringing his new work featuring iPad to The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Don’t get us wrong: We love the Fringe Festival (we put together two whole guides for it here and here), but September is also the kick off of many other performing arts events in the Philly region. We rounded up some of our favorite picks for shows opening this month that will surely kick your fall into high gear.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses

A crowd favorite, the Zelda Symphony Orchestra is returning to the Mann Center with a new installment of their concert series, simply titled “Master Quest.” They’ll be performing a four-movement symphony that incorporates tunes inspired by the video games The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, and more. Friday, September 18th, 8 pm, $40-100, Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue.

The Naughton Sisters

Curtis Presents Christina and Michelle Naughton

The Naughton sisters are twins who both graduated from Curtis in 2011 after studying piano. They’ve been noted for their “stellar musicianship, technical mastery, and inspiring artistry” by the San Francisco Examiner. The twins will be playing a special homecoming concert at Curtis, a unique opportunity to see this musical duo in action. Sunday, September 20th, 3 pm, $25, Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street.

Conrad Tao with Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Mr. Tao, a well-established composer and pianist, will be bringing an extremely interesting program to help open the 2015-16 season of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. What’s unique about it, you ask? Part of Tao’s “An Adjustment” is composed for iPad, which will fuse traditional chamber music with the beloved Apple gadget. Sunday, September 20th and Monday, September 21st, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, $24-62, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

Opening Night of the Philadelphia Orchestra

It’s a grand tradition that will surely be a who’s-who of Philly’s artistic scene: The Philadelphia Orchestra opens their 2015-16 season with a blockbuster concert lead by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. If you’re willing to fork over some change, stick around for the fancy gala afterward. Wednesday, September 30th, 7 pm, $50-95, Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street

Menopause: The Musical

It’s an over-the-top campy show that has played regional theaters around the country for years. Now, it returns to Philly’s Penn’s Landing Playhouse at the end of the month for an extended run. Featuring parodies of pop songs, including “Night Sweatin’,” “I’m Flashing,” and “My Thighs,” this isn’t Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, but it’s super fun, nonetheless. Opens September 30th, various times, $45-65, Penn’s Landing Playhouse, 211 South Columbus Boulevard