Mark your calendars: The best music, theater and art events for fall 2023

The 2023-24 performing and fine arts season is here.

Organizers have been working doubly hard to get the best productions on stage for your enjoyment this season, and they’re doing a fine job: A diverse and worthy roster of events is in store, with some already underway.

While this list represents only a fraction of the entertainment available between now and the end of the year, we’re sure you’ll find something worth leaving Netflix behind for. So, get dressed up, put on some real shoes, and let’s go out and see what’s happening LIVE just beyond your front door.

More: Bucket list: 55 fun must-try things to do in Palm Beach County

Classical music performances

The Kravis Center’s Evening and Matinee Classical Concert Series features an array of the world's most sought-after orchestras and soloists. Subscriptions start at $145 for the Matinee Series, and $245 for the Evening Series.

In Mexico, Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, the “Miner’s Symphony Orchestra,” occupies the highest rung of the musical ladder and music director Carlos Miguel Prieto is considered the leading Mexican conductor of his generation. This performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 features Gabriela Montero on piano.

The New World Symphony performs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 and begins with a “Beyond The Stage Pre-Concert Talk” at 6:30 p.m. in the Rinker Playhouse. The Kravis’ classical artistic advisor Phillip Bergmann reveals interesting facts and background about the music highlighting elements of interest and features interviews with special guests from the ensembles.

Finally, "Itzhak Perlman: In the Fiddler’s House" at 2 p.m. Dec.17 features the virtuoso Itzhak Perlman performing his collection of traditional klezmer music. The album, released 25 years ago, became a PBS special that earned Perlman his third Emmy award.

The Young Artists Classical Series kicks of its season with “Young Concert Artists on Tour” on Dec. 13. These young musicians share the passion, dedication and excitement that shines most brightly in a young player. $35 single ticket, $80 for all four performances at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach.

For its Golden Anniversary season, the Palm Beach Symphony is joined by pianists Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Emanuel Ax and Ignat Solzhenitsyn and violinists Akiko Suwanai and Pinchas Zukerman in the six-concert Masterworks Series. Subscription packages begin at $120. Yefim Bronfman performs at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 and Akiko Suwanai performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. PalmBeachSymphony.org or 561-281-0145; or at 400 Hibiscus St., Suite 100, West Palm Beach. 561-832-7469 or kravis.org.

The fifth annual Jazz & Gospel in the Gardens concert series at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden is a favorite venue for music. This year the series is “Celebrating the Greats” with shows from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 12. The garden is at 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach. ansg.org or 561-832-5328.

Chamber music performances

The Norton Museum of Art renews its commitment to providing a venue for chamber music with two performances this year. The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach performs “Passion Meets Folklore” at 7 p.m. Nov. 15 with featured cellist Gary Hoffman in a lush program of Rachmaninoff and Smetana. Then on Dec. 7, the Visionary Duo, violinist Tessa Lark and pianist Peter Dugan, perform a program that “explores the intersection of tradition and innovation.” Tickets are $75. The Norton Museum is at 1450 S. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach. 561-379-6773 or cmspb.org.

The “Brandenburg Concertos” performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center are on the program at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 at the Society of the Four Arts. This music is a collection of six instrumental works given to the Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1721 by Johann Sebastian Bach (though probably composed earlier), which captures the celebratory spirit of the holidays.

Notable concerts from rock to jazz, country to ABBA

David Brighton’s "Space Oddity: The Quintessential David Bowie Experience" has been the go-to for Bowie’s fans for more than 20 years. On stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 16, Space Oddity is a “live, theatrically staged, elaborately costumed multi-media spectacle.” The great thing about a tribute like this is it transcends times allowing the actor to capture a performer’s complete career, and Bowie’s was known for constant reinvention and elaborate sets and costumes. On stage at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. $25 and up. kravis.org or 561-832-7469.

Violinist and singer Lucia Micarelli is joined by guitarist Leo Amuedo in a stew of musical styles from classical to jazz to Brazilian to folk to Americana. Their musicianship has earned them accolades and opportunities to perform with Josh Groban, Chris Botti, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and Jethro Tull. ll. On stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. $45 and up. kravis.org or 561-832-7469.

If country music is your guilty pleasure, two popular performers are playing the iThink Financial Amphitheater in suburban West Palm Beach. The outdoor venue welcomes Mr. Controversy Jason Aldean’s “Desperado Tour” to the stage on Oct. 27 and all of his most talked about songs are on his set list. He’ll be joined by Mitchell Tenpenny.

Then just six days later, the Zac Brown Band brings its “From the Fire Tour” to the amphitheater adjacent to the South Florida Fairgrounds, at 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach. The band is bringing newcomers King Calaway along for the show at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. livenation.com.

Ring in the New Year with AbbaMania, the world’s No. 1 band celebrating ABBA. On stage at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, for shows at 5 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31, these look-alikes perform every song exactly as it was originally recorded. Sing, dance and celebrate 2024 with the songs you love like “Waterloo” and “Dancing Queen.” Tickets are $65-$75 at jupitertheatre.org or 561-575-2223.

Exhibits from rare photos to fine art

There is plenty of art to be seen locally from rare photographs to fine art at galleries and shows. Here are a few don’t-miss exhibitions.

“Beatitude: The Beat Attitude” featuring photographs by Joey Tranchina is on display through Jan. 6 at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre in City Center, 415 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. This collection of images taken in the 1960s and ’70s by had been in storage for almost 50 years, until they were discovered in 2018 by his son. Critic and art historian Dr. Anthony Bannon said, “Tranchina’s work must be the most extensive pictorial assembly of Beat related artists and thinkers depicted by a single photographer.” Art consultant and producer Dolores Lusitana’s discusses the exhibition at a special presentation at the Palm Beach Library Oct. 21. 561-253-2600 or workshop.org.

Photographs are also on display in the Donald M. Ephraim Family Gallery at the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, 601 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach.

• “Lauren Bertelson: Like Mother, Like Daughter” is on display through Dec. 2 in the Main Gallery. This solo exhibition features photographs documenting her matriarchal family’s struggles, combining self-portraiture with a variety of domestic crafts to create a feminist body of work that “elevates domestic work to contemporary art.”

• The work of seven artists who are veterans or have family members who are veterans. “Veterans of Palm Beach County” is on display Nov. 3-Dec. 2, and honors Veteran’s Day. “Palm Beach County Photographers: iPhone Photography” is a juried exhibit chosen by renowned digital imagery expert Jack Davis that celebrates the work of Palm Beach County-based photographers. This exhibit is on display from Dec. 15 through Jan. 27 and is in collaboration with the Palm Beach Photographic Centre.

At the Flagler Museum, the fall exhibition features “Bicycles: Technology that Changed the World” through Dec. 17. Bicycles emerged during the Gilded Age and the exhibition highlights the development and evolution of the bicycle and the profound impact bicycles had on American society and culture. This exhibition is free with museum admission to the Flagler Museum at 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. flaglermuseum.us or 561-655-2833.

Books, authors and clubs

The Society of Four Arts rivals local bookstores for the book clubs, presentations and discussions hosted by the King Library.

One of the most popular is the Florida Voices Author Series, which meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the Dixon Education Building, 240 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach. These one-of-a-kind opportunities bring guests face to face with the Florida authors whose work is changing our state. Programs feature a presentation by the author, a Q&A and a book signing.

On tap: Ira Mark Egdall speaks about “Cosmic Roots: The Conflict Between Science and Religion and How It Led to the Secular Age” on Oct. 25. Katherine Reay discusses “A Shadow in Moscow” on Nov. 15, and Clay Henderson speaks on “Forces of Nature: A History of Florida Land Conservation” on Dec. 6. It’s free to attend, but reservations are required at fourarts.org, kinglibrary@fourarts.org, or 561-655-2766.

The Short Story Book Group: This new group meets without the authors to discuss the art of the short story, engage in meaningful conversations about literature and connect with other book enthusiasts. Each moderated group will focus on an award-winning story which participants should come ready to discuss. The group is free to attend but reservations are required. Stories include:

• “The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher” by Hilary Mantel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. A fictionalized account of an encounter between a working-class woman and the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher set in the 1980s.

• “Here’s Your Hat. What’s Your Hurry?” by Elizabeth McCracken at 2 p.m. Nov. 14. Aunt Helen Beck shows up at the homes of distant relatives. Suspicions grow that she is not who she says she is.

• “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway is the story for discussion at 2 p.m. Nov. 28. This short story by the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize–winning author takes place in a small, rural café in Spain where a man and woman wait for a train. Their conversation seems casual but belies a more complicated story underneath, written in Hemingway’s sparse prose.

The Talk of Kings Book Club features facilitated book discussions of dense, serious works of importance.

• “Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America” by Sam Roberts is discussed at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 7. In recognition of its 110th anniversary, the book takes a closer look at the iconic terminal. Facilitator: Dr. Richard D’Elia. At 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5, a discussion of

• “Desert Fox: The Storied Military Career of Erwin Rommel” by Samuel W. Mitchum Jr. is planned. This gripping account of Erwin Rommel’s life gets to the heart of this mysterious figure. Facilitator: Billy David. This group is free, but reservations are required.

Theater: the Kravis, the Maltz, Palm Beach Dramaworks and more

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s season kicks off with a can’t fail production of the Agatha Christie classic “Murder on the Orient Express” on stage Oct. 29-Nov. 12. Adapted for the stage by Ken Lugwig, this whodunnit will keep you guessing, but even if you know the secret, this cast of characters, from wacky to wonderful, are mesmerizing. And it all takes place aboard the exotic Orient Express. Maltz is at 1001 Indiantown Road, Jupiter. jupitertheatre.org or 561-575-2223.

Next up at Palm Beach Dramaworks is “The Messenger” by Jenny Connell Davis, Dec. 8-24. Inspired by the life of a Holocaust survivor, the play draws parallels between the Hungarian woman and an American facing racial discrimination in 2020. The Don and Ann Brown Theatre is at 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. 561-514-4042. palmbeachdramaworks.org.

For those who love Broadway, the Kravis On Broadway series of shows won’t disappoint. “Chicago” is on stage Nov. 7-12. “Mean Girls” follows from Dec. 5-10 and the new kid on the block, the popular scare-omedy “Beetlejuice” takes the Kravis Center stage Dec. 19-24, just in time for the holidays. Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-832-7469 or kravis.org.

The beloved stage musical “Bye Bye Birdie” is on the Wick Theatre’s stage Nov. 30-Dec. 24. Loosely based on Elvis Presley’s army career and playing off his rivalry with country rocker Conway Twitty (hence Conrad Birdie), this show bursts with healthy dollops of colloquial humor and songwriting gold while it portrays the complicated relationships between stars and their fans. 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. thewick.org; 561-995-2333.

The musical “She Loves Me” recalls the classic rom com “You’ve Got Mail,” where two lonely hearts are corresponding, but neither is aware of his pen pal’s true identity. In this case, it’s feuding perfume clerks in 1930s Europe who get the ultimate shock. From the book by Joe Masteroff, and with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the show is on stage at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St., Delray Beach, from Nov. 24-Dec. 10. Tickets are $42. 561-272-1281 or delraybeachplayhouse.com.

Comedy comes to town

With our go-to club (the Palm Beach Improv at The Square) moving locations and the Black Box in Lake Park closing, comedy offerings are slim, but the Arts Garage is kicking off “The Art of Laughter: A Hysterical Stand-Up Comedy Series that runs the first Friday of the month. Comedian Doug Smith debuts at 8 p.m. Nov. 3. You know the New York comic The Late Late Show with James Corden and Kevin Hart’s LOL Network. He also starred in “This Is Not Happening” and “Brooklyn Ball Barbers” on Comedy Central, one of its most-viewed videos of all time.

Next up is Tammy Pescatelli on Dec. 1. You’ve known women like Pescatelli, naturally funny and fun to hang out with. She grew up in a large Italian family and has the quick wit to prove it. She co-created and co-produced, wrote and starred in her reality series “A Stand-Up Mother” on WEtv and her recently released Netflix special “Finding the Funny” earned praise from fans and critics. Talented Tammy Pescatelli takes the stage at 8 p.m. Dec. 1. 180 NE First St., Delray Beach. $30-$35. 561-450-6357; artsgarage.org

Celebrate the new year with comedy and the incomparable Fortune Feimster, best known for her Netflix specials “Good Fortune” and “Sweet & Salty.” Her “Live Love Laugh Comedy Tour” with stories of Fortune’s frequent faux paus begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets start at $29.50 or there’s a VIP meet-and-greet package for $165, which includes a reserved seat in the first two rows, a VIP pass and a post-show meeting and photo op. kravis.org or 561-832-7469.

Holiday offerings

If holiday music is your favorite thing about the end of the year, the local offerings won’t disappoint.

An authentic production of the Charles Dickens classic story “A Christmas Carol” is onstage at Lake Worth Playhouse from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3 at 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. 561-586-6410; lakeworthplayhouse.org.

Folks in the north county can take in the production of “A Christmas Carol” from Nov. 28-Dec. 10 at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 Indiantown Road, Jupiter. This production of Dickens’ tale was conceived and developed by Andrew Kato. The simple story is elevated by an array of special effects, and the strolling musicians and carolers are a delight. Tickets start at $50 at jupitertheatre.org or 561-575-2223.

If seeing “The Nutcracker” is part of your family tradition, or you’d like it to be, several troupes are performing the beloved ballet. Set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s memorable score, you’ll follow Clara on an adventure through strange worlds.

• Paris Ballet performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the PBSC Eissey Campus Theatre, 11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. The choreography for this production is by Jean-Hugues Feray. Tickets start at $25. ci.ovationtix.com

• Ballet Palm Beach performs the classic ballet at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets start at $20. 561-832-7469; kravis.org or balletpalmbeach.org.

If you like your holiday music upbeat, the Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches performs “Swinging Holidays” in two shows: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Duncan Theatre, Lake Worth Beach, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the PBSC Eissey Campus Theatre, 11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. Tickets are $21 at 561-832-3115.

Full of lush, soulful arrangements of sacred and secular favorites, “The Big Band Holidays — Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra” with Wynton Marsalis and featuring vocalist Ashley Pezzotti is onstage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Gubelmann Auditorium, 102 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach. Tickets are $40 and go on sale to the public on Nov. 8. Free for members. fourarts.org, customerservice@fourarts.org, or 561-655-7226.

The Palm Beach Gardens Concert Band presents “Winter Wonderland,” a selection of holiday favorites, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. at the PBSC Eissey Campus Theatre, 11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. $22. 561-207-5900.

The Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches performs Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Royal Poinciana Chapel, 60 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach. Bask in the beauty of this beloved score and sing along to the "Hallelujah" chorus. 561-845-9696 or masterworkspb.org.

O-Town Motown Holiday takes the stage at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center on PBSC’s Belle Glade Campus, 1977 College Drive, Belle Glade. This production combines holiday music from the unforgettable sound of the golden era of Motown. Full of rich harmonies and slick dance moves, this group from Orlando wears stylish matching outfits just like their heroes did. $30. 561-993-1160; palmbeachstate.edu.

Anthony Nunziata performs “My Italian Christmas!” at 8 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Arts Garage, Delray Beach. Dubbed “the next great pop crossover star” by Tom Alvarez in the Indianapolis Star, the handsome tenor has left his twin brother behind for this show that features all of his favorite Italian music

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Top music, plays, books & art events in Palm Beach County for fall 2023