Are you ready? A new season brings new shows, new concerts and new special events, and our 2017 Fall arts guide offers exciting opportunities for every taste. Even better, consider sampling a genre you’ve never tried. Autumn is imminent and cultural offerings in town abound — get ready to scoop up some tickets and immerse yourself in the arts.

September 

Splendid panoramic photographs of the city from the first half of the 20^th century are on display now at the MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM in Forest Park. The free exhibit includes more than 50 photos of “everything from Charles Lindbergh’s homecoming and baseball games to protests and disaster relief” and serve to document the day-to-day lives of St. Louisans. The exhibit runs through Aug. 12, 2018. For more information, see mohistory.org or call 314-746-4599. 

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” opens the season at the REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS, on the Main Stage Sept. 6 through Oct. 1. This high-octane show won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. In it, a brilliant 15-year-old boy accused of killing his neighbor’s dog heads to bustling London to track down the real perpetrator. Evening and matinee performances at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves. For ticket prices, call 314-968-4925 or go to repstl.org.

THE BLACK REP opens its season with Colman Domingo’s “Dot,” which he is now adapting as a series for AMC. The play spends time with a family in West Philly dealing with aging parents, Dot’s memory loss and assorted midlife crises. Described as “a twisted and hilarious new play,” the show runs Sept. 6-24, with evening and matinee performances at Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For ticket prices and performance times, call 314-534-3807 or see theblackrep.org. 

The SAINT LOUIS ART FAIR takes overthe streetsofdowntown Clayton Sept. 8-10 for the annual free exhibition of juried fine art and crafts. (For a list of artists, see saintlouisartfair.com/saint-louis-art-fair/artists.html) Also expect live performances, activities for children and booths staffed by top local chefs. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The Arianna String Quartet will perform “Zero to 60” at 8 p.m. Sept. 8 to kick off their 18th concert season in St. Louis, with works by Schubert, Janáček and Beethoven. Be there an hour early for the pre-show talk with members of the quartet. The concert takes place at the TOUHILL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS on the campus of the University of Missouri — St. Louis. Tickets cost $29. Call 314-516-4949 or see touhill.org

Up for “Some Enchanted Evening?” The award-winning musical “South Pacific” by Rodgers and Hammerstein runs Sept. 8 through Oct. 8 at STAGES ST. LOUIS.  If you’re“Younger Than Springtime” you may not know this sweeping show of love and loss on a naval base in World War II, but the rest of us never miss a chance to see it. Matinee and evening performances are at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, 111 S. Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For ticket prices, see stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

Fans of Ken Burns: Join the Nine Network of Public Media and filmmaker Ken Burns for at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 for a preview screening and discussion of his new 10-part, 18-hour film series “The Vietnam War.” Gerald Early, book author and professor at Washington University, will moderate. Tickets cost $25. The program takes place at the TOUHILL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS on the campus of the University of Missouri — St. Louis. Tickets cost $29. Call 314-516-4949 or see touhill.org

The ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY will present a free concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in Forest Park and just 16 days later, the new season opens with three concerts featuring renowned pianist Emanuel Ax in celebration of Mozart’s genius. The series runs Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd.  For ticket prices and information on the full season, go to www.slso.org or call 314-534-1700. 

The 45th annual BALLOON GLOW startsat 7 p.m. Sept. 15 on Art Hill in Forest Park, ending with fireworksat 9:15 p.m. The GREAT FOREST PARK BALLOON RACE takes place at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16, with festive events for all ages starting at noon. Both events are free. If it rains Saturday, the race will be held on Sunday. For details, see greatforestparkballoonrace.com/schedule/ 

Jazz, blues and plenty of food and drink – that’s the 2017 OLD WEBSTER JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 16 in downtown Webster Groves. More than a dozen musical groups will perform on two stages at this popular free event. Expect a crowd and bring your own chair. See oldwebsterjazzfest.com.

Ax murderer Lizzie Borden’s story has made it to the stage in “Lizzie,” touted as a “ferocious, powerful musical theatre as rock concert” with four women and a six-piece rock band. The New York Times called the show “deliciously watchable.” See for yourself Sept. 22 through Oct. 21 at NEW LINE THEATRE in the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive in Grand Center. For show times, see newlinetheatre.com. Tickets, available through MetroTix, cost $15-25. Call 314-534-1111 or see www..com/events/detail/lizzie.  

At 8 p.m. on Sept. 29, Penn & Teller bring their quirky magic to the J. SCHEIDEGGER CENTER FOR THE ARTS on the Lindenwood University campus in St. Charles. The two have enjoyed sold-out runs on Broadway, several world tours, Emmy-winning TV specials and “hundreds of outrageous appearances” on dozens of top TV shows. Tickets cost $39.50-$79.50. Call 636-949-4433 or see www.lindenwood.edu/j-scheidegger- center-for-the- arts. 

Three of the top celebrated tap dancers in the world will perform to live jazz music Sept. 30 and Oct 1 at “TAP Dynamics,” presented by DANCE ST. LOUIS at the newly renovated Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square.  The New York Times named the show “Best Dance Performance of 2016.” Tickets, available through MetroTix, cost $20. (Add-ons include a cocktail party or dinner after the performances.) Call 314-534-111 or see dancestlouis.org/tapdynamics

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, view the world premiere of the late Harold Blumenfeld’s opera “Borgia Infami” presented by WUSTL Music and produced by Winter Opera St. Louis. The opera will be performed at Wash U.’s Edison Theatre. For more info, visit music.wustl.edu/events.

October 

NEW JEWISH THEATRE opens its 21st season with the poignant “Tuesdays with Morrie,” based on the book by Mitch Albom. The play runs Oct. 4-22, with evening and matinee performances at the Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive.  The New York Daily News calls the show “a touching, life-affirming, deeply emotional drama with a generous dose of humor.” For performance dates and ticket prices, call 314-442-3283 or see jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/

The next First Fridays in GRAND CENTER — a free neighborhood gallery walk – takes place Oct. 6, with 10 visual arts galleries taking part from 5 to 9 p.m.  Galleries include Contemporary Art Museum, CEL Center for Architecture and Design, International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, the Kranzberg Arts Center, the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art, Public Media Commons, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, the Sheldon Art Galleries and The Dark Room. For details, see firstfridaysgrandcenter.org. 

ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE presents the regional premiere of “Cardenio: Shakespeare’s Lost Play” Oct. 6-15 at the Ivory Theater, 7620 Michigan Ave. The play, said to be based on an episode in Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote,” has been “re-imagined” by Gregory Doran, artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Tickets cost $18-$20. For tickets or information on evening and matinee performances, see stlshakespeare.org or call 314-361-5664. 

Some 135 artists from around the country will display their work Oct. 7-8 at the SHAW ART FAIR in the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Flora Avenue. Expect live music and food booths as well. Admission is $7 for adults and free for children 14 and under. Bring a non-perishable food item for Isaiah 58 Ministries and receive $1 off.  For details, visit shawstlouis.org/attractions-amenities/historic-shaw-art-fair/.  That same weekend (and Friday night too), celebrate the BEST OF MISSOURI MARKET at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. See missouribotanicalgarden.org/things-to-do/events/signature-events/best-of-missouri-market.aspx

On Oct. 9-10, the CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF ST. LOUIS presents “The Russians Are Coming,” a tribute to such grand Russian composers as Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Gliere. The concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. in the ballroom at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington in Grand Center. Tickets cost $38. Call 314-533-9900 or see thesheldon.org.

Introduce the kids to Dorothy, Glinda and the rest of the gang at the Variety Children’s Theatre performance of “The Wizard of Oz,” with shows Oct. 19-22 at the TOUHILL CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS on the campus of the University of Missouri — St. Louis. The show features professional actors, a full orchestra and an inclusive children’s ensemble of talented kids, some with special needs. Tickets cost $18-$50. Call 314-516-4949 or see touhill.org

For another version of the well-loved story, on Oct. 20-22 take the kids to see “The Wiz,” a COCA theater company production on stage with guest director Ron Himes, founder and producing director of The Black Rep. The show is aimed at ages 5 and up with plenty of terrific songs. The show is on stage at 524 Trinity Ave. in University City.  For performance times and ticket information, call 314-725-6555 or see cocastl.org/ 

Simon Stephens’  “Heisenberg” is first up in the Studio Theatre at the REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS. The play, which runs Oct. 25 through Nov. 12, is said to “uncover the extraordinary in the everyday” and the story begins with a whimsical kiss on a train between strangers. Evening and matinee performances at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves. For ticket prices, call 314-968-4925 or go to repstl.org.

Super Hero Alert: Watch 25 Marvel characters unite on a single quest in “Marvel Universe Live,” presented Oct. 26-29 at CHAIFETZ ARENA, 1 South Compton Ave. The show is touted as “an action-packed, legendary battle to defend the universe from evil.” Spider-Man, the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy will be there, as will Doctor Strange. Matinee and evening performances. For times and prices, call 314-977-5000 or see thechaifetzarena.com.

Jerry Seinfeld will perform his signature stand-up routine at two shows Oct. 27 at the FOX THEATRE at 527 North Grand Blvd. in Grand Center. The much-loved comic’s latest project is the critically acclaimed web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” which has garnered more than 10 million views. Tickets. Available through MetroTix, range from $50.50 to $175. Call 314-534-1111 or see fabulousfox.com. 

November

The ST. LOUIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST runs Nov. 2-12,with hundreds of features, documentaries and short films shown on a variety of local screens. For details on showings and ticket prices, see cinemastlouis.org. 

St. Louis’ own Michael McDonald will be in concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the PEABODY OPERA HOUSE, 1400 Market Street. He sings, he writes, he plays keyboards — and in recognition of four decades of his musical expertise, he has won five Grammy Awards.  “What a Fool Believes” is that this show won’t sell out! Tickets cost $26.50-$92. Call 800-745-3000 or buy online at ticketmaster.com. 

“Broadway’s Greatest Hits of All Time!” is making its first stop outside New York at THE GASLIGHT CABARET FESTIVAL Nov. 3 and 4. Some of the best known and most beloved songs of Broadway will be brought together in one show, featuring Farah Alvin and William Michals. For tickets and information call 314-725-4200 or go to GaslightCabaretFestival.com. All shows in the series take place at The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave. 

Senator Barbara Boxer of California will kick off the 2017 ST. LOUIS JEWISH BOOK FESTIVAL at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Staenberg Family Complex at the J. The festival runs through Nov. 19. For details on other sessions, see http://jccstl.com/arts-ideas/st-louis-jewish-book-festival/

Is royalty your thing? WINTER OPERA ST. LOUIS presents Romberg’s classic “The Student Prince” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and again at 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade School, 425 Lindbergh Blvd. Tickets cost $35-$55. For details, call 314-865-0038 or see winteroperastl.org.

Folk music fans, rejoice! Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will be on stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at THE SHELDON, filling that grand hall with their “high-energy live show, focusing on the roots of bluegrass and country music.” The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. Tickets cost $45 for orchestra seats and $40 for balcony seats. Call 314-533-9900 or see thesheldon.org.

What’s better than watching “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”? Watching it with John Cleese! You can do just that at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the PEABODY OPERA HOUSE, 1400 Market St. Rumor has it that Cleese will tell stories and answer silly questions from the stage after the show. Tickets range from $55-$250. Call 800-745-3000 or see ticketmaster.com. 

The 5^th annual Garden Glow at the MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN begins Nov. 18 and runs through Jan. 1. Each evening from 5 to 9:30 p.m., visitors may stroll through the world-renowned garden and enjoy unique light installations. The garden is at 4344 Shaw Boulevard. For admission fees and other details, call 314-577-5100 or see missouribotanicalgarden.org.

Shall we dance? The Lincoln Center Theater production of “The King and I” runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 10 at the FOX THEATRE at 527 North Grand Blvd. in Grand Center. This production won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and New York Magazine called it “too beautiful to miss.” For ticket prices and performance times, call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or see fabulousfox.com. 

“A Jewish Joke,” a thought-provoking show about a Jewish screenwriter whose name is on Senator Joseph McCarthy’s infamous “black list,” runs Nov. 29-Dec. 10 at the NEW JEWISH THEATRE. Ironically, the story is as relevant today as it was during the McCarthy era. Evening and matinee performances are at the Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For performance dates and ticket prices, call 314-442-3283 or see https://jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre.

Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias” will be on stage Nov. 30 through Dec. 16 at STRAY DOG THEATRE. This poignant play explores the lives of six remarkable women who gather at Truvy’s beauty salon and help each other through good times and bad. Performances are at the Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave. Tickets cost $25-$30. See www.straydogtheatre.org.

December

“A Behanding In Spokane,” Martin McDonagh’s first play set in America, has been hailed as “insane but also fiendishly funny.” The plot? A man’s search for his missing left hand, gone for almost 50 years. The show runs Dec. 1-17 at ST. LOUIS ACTORS’ STUDIO, with evening and matinee performances at the Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave. For dates and ticket prices, call 314-458-2978 or see http://stlas.org/play/a-behanding-in-spokane.

The Kithara Duo — Olga Amelkina-Vera and Fernand Vera — will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 2, presented by the ST. LOUIS CLASSICAL GUITAR SOCIETY.  The couple has  performed in Europe and South America and throughout the U.S. The concert will take place at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Road. Tickets cost $24 for members and $28 for nonmembers. See guitarstlouis.net.

“Hamilton” fans — you can spend “An Evening with Leslie Odom Jr.” on Dec. 3, when Odom will perform hits from his debut solo album. For the uninitiated, Odom won a Tony Award for his role as Aaron Burr in the original Broadway cast of “Hamilton.” This special ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY concert starts at 7 p.m. at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd. For ticket prices, call 314-534-1700 or see slso.org. 

With “Remnant,” MUSTARD SEED THEATRE revisits the company’s first production from a decade ago. The play is set in a post-apocalyptic time “when language has unraveled and customs like ‘Christmas’ are mysterious and challenging.” Performances are Dec. 7-23 at the Mustard Seed Theatre on the campus of Fontbonne University at 6800 Wydown Blvd. Tickets cost $30 to $35 and are available through MetroTix at 314-534-1111. For more information, see mustardseetheatre.com.

MAX & LOUIE PRODUCTIONS kicks off its eighth season with the hit comedy “Souvenir,”an affectionate portrait of tone-deaf opera diva Florence Foster Jenkins and the talented but unsuccessful pianist Cosme McMoon. It is through his clear but loving eyes her story is told. The show will run Dec. 15-31 at The Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center.  Tickets can be purchased through MetroTix by calling 314-534-1111 or online at metrotix.com.

Gather up family members who are fans of “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon” for “DreamWorks Animation in Concert,” a series of special family concerts at 7 p.m. Dec. 29-30 at the ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY. Watch clips from the films as the orchestra plays the music live at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd. For ticket prices see www.slso.org or call 314-534-1700. 

A Sneak Peek at the Future

Here, arranged by date, are some special arts events scheduled for the early months of 2018. Don’t wait to buy tickets!

January 

August Wilson’s masterful play “Fences” comes to THE BLACK REP Jan. 3- 21. Maybe you’ve seen it on stage or maybe you’ve seen the new movie version with Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and Stephen McKinley Henderson (a St. Louis favorite). The play looks at the life of a garbage man who once was a star with the Negro Baseball League. Evening and matinee performances at Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For ticket prices and performance times, call 314- 534-3807 or see theblackrep.org.

“The How and the Why,” Sarah Treem’s new play about “science, family and the survival of the fittest” that addresses difficult choices faced by women of every generation, runs Jan. 24 through Feb. 11 at NEW JEWISH THEATRE. Evening and matinee performances are at the Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For performance dates and ticket prices, call 314-442-3283 or see https://jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/

Georges Bizet’s ‘Les Pêcheurs de Perles’ (The Pearl Fishers), presented by WINTER OPERA ST. LOUIS, will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and again at 3 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade School, 425 Lindbergh Blvd. Tickets cost $35-$55. For more information, call 314-865-0038 or see winteroperastl.org.

February 

With concerts Feb. 2-3, conductor Stéphane Denève will make his first appearance at the ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY since being named Music Director Designate. The program will feature works by Ravel, Poulenc and Connesson, on stage at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd.  For times and ticket prices, go to www.slso.org or call 314-534-1700. 

Winner of four 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Play, “The Humans” will be presented Feb. 7 through March 4 on the Main Stage at the REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS. Stephen Karam’s play finds three generations of the Blake family spending Thanksgiving together in a dingy apartment in New York City, trying to make the best of the situation. Evening and matinee performances at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves. For ticket prices, call 314-968-4925 or go to repstl.org.

Sing along (to yourself, of course), at “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” Feb. 9-10 as part of the Broadway series at the PEABODY OPERA HOUSE, 1400 Market Street. Touted as “the world’s most successful rock ‘n’ roll musical,” the award-winning show has been viewed by 22 million people around the world and features such classics as “That’ll Be The Day,” “Not Fade Away” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” Matinee and evening performances. Tickets cost $30-$82. Call 800-745-3000 or see ticketmaster.com. 

March

Some say Celtic melodies share similarities with Jewish folk tunes. Make up your own mind at 8 p.m. on March 17, when The Irish Tenors take the stage at the J. SCHEIDEGGER CENTER FOR THE ARTS on the Lindenwood University campus in St. Charles. The group has performed across the nation and around the world. Tickets cost $49.50-$89.50. Call 636-949-4433 or see www.lindenwood.edu/j-scheidegger-center-for- the-arts.

“The Color Purple,” which won the 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival, will be on stage March 20 through April 1 at the FOX THEATRE at 527 North Grand Blvd. in Grand Center. If you loved Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, you will enjoy this musical, which features “a soul-raising score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues. For ticket prices and performance times, call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or see fabulousfox.com. 

April

And of course, what so many St. Louisans are waiting for — the Broadway sensation “Hamilton”comes to the FOX THEATRE April 3-22. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, the show  as it tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Single tickets are not yet available, so check back at fabulousfox.com for more information.