All Over The Map - Great Dates
Destinations, JOurneys, and Diversions
Great Dates: September, October and November
compiled by USAirways Magazine Staff
September
September 3–27
Charlotte Shout
Charlotte
This month-long celebration of art, culture, and community presents more than 200 music and theater performances, art exhibitions, culinary festivals, and more. Don’t miss the popular Blues, Brews & BBQ cook-off, September 11–13.
charlotteshout.com
September 5–7
Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Pittsburgh
Enjoy Celtic music, Irish dancing, and traditional foods and crafts. A Gaelic mass is held on Sunday.
pghirishfest.org
September 6–7
13th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival
San Francisco
Taste some of the Bay Area’s most delectable treats, from chocolate-covered caramel and butternut toffee to organic tea-infused truffles and bars. Kids are invited to get messy at the hands-free sundae-eating contest featuring Ghirardelli Square’s signature Earthquake ice cream sundaes.
ghirardellisq.com
September 13
3rd Annual Whitewater Festival
Charlotte
The U.S. National Whitewater Center invites everyone to stop by and experience what the facility has to offer. The daylong 
event includes a 5k trail run/stroller walk, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, zip-lining, and, of course, whitewater rafting. There’s also plenty of food and live music.
usnwc.org
September 13–February 15, 2009
Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms
Columbus, Ohio
One of the largest traveling shows of Andy Warhol’s work ever assembled makes its only U.S. stop at the Wexner Center for the Arts. The exhibit includes screen tests, TV episodes, full-length films, paintings, and wallpaper.
wexarts.org
September 14
NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest
Carmel, California
Taste-test from among more than 350 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, then sample tomato-based recipes from 60 of the country’s best chefs. There are also wine and olive oil tastings and a Salsa Showcase featuring variations from across the U.S.
tomatofest.com
September 17–20
Apple Expo Remix ’08
Paris
From iTunes to iPods, this event is all about Apple’s latest digital innovations. Industry professionals will be on hand to conduct presentations and workshops for the public.
uk.apple-expo.com
September 19–November 1
Terror Behind the Walls
Philadelphia
Venture inside Eastern State Penitentiary for one of the area’s scariest Halloween attractions. The now-abandoned prison once held the likes of Al “Scarface” Capone and bank robber “Slick” Willie Sutton.
easternstate.org
September 20–21
WalkingTown, DC
Washington, D.C.
Each spring and fall, Cultural Tourism DC sponsors free walking and bike tours designed to get residents and visitorsacquainted with the capital’s unique 
neighborhoods.
walkingtowndc.org
September 20–21
Portland Pirate Festival
Portland, Oregon
It’s a pirate’s life for all at this 3rd annual fete held in Portland’s Cathedral Park. Highlights include live music, swashbuckling and battle reenactments, maritime and pirate history exhibitions, and a giant inflatable kids’ play area. The Marauder’s Market offers a range of unique treasures for sale.
portlandpiratefestival.com
September 21–January 4, 2009
Art and Empire: Treasures from Assyria in the British Museum
Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presents a collection of 250 objects from ancient Assyria (now modern-day Iraq).The pieces date from the ninth to 
seventh centuries B.C. and include monumental wall reliefs, jewelry, ivory carvings, and clay tablets. The exhibition is organized by the British Museum, which houses the finest collection of Assyrian art outside Iraq.
mfa.org
September 25–28
Merchant City Festival
Glasgow
Experience opera music in a courtyard,theater on a street, stand-up comedy and live music in a pub, and a short film in a hair salon at this 7th annual festival celebrating the diversity of the arts.
merchantcityfestival.com
September 26–28
San Francisco Blues Festival
San Francisco
Now in its 36th year, this event is the oldest ongoing blues festival in the world. It all kicks off with a concert tribute to John Lee Hooker, followed by two days of music covering just about every style of blues, from Mississippi Delta to Chicago Southside.
sfblues.com
September 27–July 26, 2009
Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum
Chicago
In honor of the women who believed fashion could transform the city’s reputation as gritty and industrial to cultured and sophisticated, this exhibit highlights treasures from the museum’s costume collection of more than 50,000 pieces. The creations date from 1861 to 1996 and include Gilded Age gowns by Worth and Pingat as well as modern masterpieces by Chanel and Versace.
chicagohistory.org
September 28
Sunrise to Sunset Acoustic Music Festival
Norfolk
Some of the region’s best acoustic musicians play all day in Town Point Park. The event features 15 concerts on three outdoor stages.
festeventsva.org
October
October 1–7
Duke Ellington Jazz Festival
Washington, D.C.
Local and international artists pay tribute to jazz greats, including D.C.’s own Duke Ellington. Catch performances all week at area nightspots, and don’t miss the free shows held on the National Mall.
dejazzfest.org
October 3–5
San Diego International Orchid Fair
San Diego
Hundreds of species and hybrids will be on display (with some available to buy) at Quail Botanical Gardens. Budding horticulturalists canalso attend workshops on caring for orchids.
qbgardens.org
October 3–May 17, 2009
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
Dallas
The Dallas Museum of Art hosts this world-renowned exhibition of burial objects from the tomb of Egypt’s boy king. Fifty artifacts, including Tut’s royal diadem, are on display. Also included are relics from royal and non-royal burials. The treasures range from 3,300 to 3,500 years old; some have never been seen outside of Egypt.
dallasmuseumofart.org
October 4
Davis Jazz Artists Festival
Davis, California
Performance artists paint to the beat as jazz musicians deliver everything from cutting-edge arrangements to big band and classical sounds. The first festival to combine jazz and performance painting will feature 150 musicians, 20 visual artists, and a jazz poet.
natsoulas.com/html/jazzweb/
October 4–January 4, 2009
Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya
Pittsburgh
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History presents the first East Coast exhibition of works by Margaret Tafoya and her mother and daughters.The last of the matriarchs of theearly 20th-century Pueblo potters, Tafoya was known for crafting unusually large storage and water jars in the tradition of her ancestors.
carnegiemnh.org
October 9–12
37th Annual National Shrimp Festival
Gulf Shores, Alabama
More than 300,000 people turn out each year for the fresh gulf seafood, arts and crafts, and live music. The festivities take place on Gulf Shores’ main public beach, located about 45 miles from Mobile or 35 miles from Pensacola.
nationalshrimpfestival.com
October 10–11
Aruba Music Festival
Aruba
Grammy award winner Gloria Estefan and arena rock legends REO Speedwagon headline this 7th annual event. Each year the festival packs in visitors from more than 20 countries.
aruba.com
October 10–12
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
New York City
Spend the weekend tasting some of the best recipes and vintages in town. Highlights include Rachael Ray’s Burger Bash in Brooklyn; Meatpacking Uncorked, a neighborhood block party in the meatpacking district; and Sweet, a late-night dessert, cheese, and chocolate party. Alton Brown, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, and Rachael Ray are among the Food Network stars scheduled to appear.
nycwineandfoodfestival.com
October 16–23
Austin Film Festival & Conference
Austin
Offering a twist on the typical film festival, this event is dedicated to celebrating screenwriters and their craft. More than 175 movies will be shown downtown. Both novice and seasoned writers can hone their skills at the Screenwriters’ Conference, October 16–19.
austinfilmfestival.com
October 18–19
Via Colori Street Painting Festival
Scottsdale
Who says sidewalk chalk is just for kids? This fundraiser features 150 pastel chalk paintings by local artists. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities and cultural groups.
viacolori.com
October 31–April 19, 2009
The Aztec World
Chicago
The Field Museum presents an exclusive exhibit chronicling the rise and fall of one of the world’s most powerful and influential societies. See hundreds of artifacts and works of art, from treasures of the rulers to weapons of the warriors.
fieldmuseum.org
November
November 7–9
11th Annual Chocolate Show
New York City
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the city’s Pier 94, where chocolatiers will display their most decadent creations.
chocolateshow.com
November 7–9
Christmas Craft Festival
Boston
Browse the wares of more than 350 master craftsmen at the Seaport World Trade Center. And don’t miss the mouthwatering gingerbread house competition, with sales benefiting Rosie’s Place, a local organization providing help to poor and homeless women.
bostonchristmasfestival.com
November 7–20
Three Rivers Film Festival
Pittsburgh
The city’s oldest and largest film festival presents a lineup of more than 40 movies, including those made in Pittsburgh, independent American and foreign cinema, documentaries, and shorts.
3rff.com
November 8–9
Heard Museum Spanish Market
Phoenix
Listen to the music of strolling mariachis as you browse artwork by Hispanic artists from Arizona and New Mexico. The annual marketplace is the largest of its kind in Arizona. You can find a range of works, including pottery, embroidery, furniture, paintings, silver, and tinwork.
heard.org
November 13–16
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
Philadelphia
This 32nd annual event showcases the works of nearly 200 artists at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Everything from textiles to jewelry to housewares is for sale, with proceeds benefiting the museum.
pmacraftshow.org
November 29
5th Annual Turks and Caicos Conch Festival
Providenciales
From conch fritters to curry conch, taste a Caribbean delicacy as prepared by local chefs competing in three categories: best conch salad, best conch chowder, and best specialty conch dish. Other highlights include boat races, live music, a conch treasure hunt, and a conch-blowing contest.
conchfestival.com
