PRELUDE: EVENTS

San Francisco San Francisco Fringe Festival
September 7-18

Chinese Clown
Cabaret

With 250 performances, there is sure to be something that takes your fancy at this lucky dip of a festival. Local, national and international theatre groups are selected by public lottery and a first-come, first-served system, to perform everything from one-man comedy shows to Chinese clown cabaret. www.sffringe.org

New York San Gennaro Festival
September 15-25

The founders of Little Italy brought with them this traditional festival in 1926, and it has since grown into New York’s biggest street party. Last year, over a million people enjoyed the huge array of Italian food offered, pausing between cannoli and gelati to shop and enjoy the live music. And don’t feel bad about over-indulging—proceeds go to helping children in Little Italy and beyond. www.sangennaro.org

Louisiana Red

Boston Boston Blues Festival
September 24-25

For 10 years, this free open-air festival has been the finale to Boston Blues Week. Held at the scenic Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River, acts that can be enjoyed at this year’s event include Eddy Clearwater, Honeyboy Edwards and legends such as Louisiana Red. www.bluestrust.com

Indianapolis International Arts and Crafts Exhibition
September 25-January 2006

The Arts and Crafts movement, which originated in the 1880s, is celebrated through this major exhibition at the newly expanded Indianapolis Museum of Art. All kinds of decorative arts and crafts from furniture, ceramics and metalwork to photography are featured in this ornate show that chronicles the movement’s influence across Europe, Japan and America. www.ima-art.org

Washington, DC Black Family Reunion
September 10-11

The National Council of Negro Women present the 20th anniversary of the Black Family Reunion Celebration, which attracts more than 500,000 people with live music, ethnic foods and international crafts. The festival celebrates the enduring strengths and traditional values of the African American family with themed pavilions including the Children’s Pavilion, Economic Empowerment Pavilion, Spirituality Pavilion and Fathers, Sons & Brothers Pavilion. www.ncnw.org

Denver
The Great American Beer Festival
September 29-October 1

The Super Bowl of the beer world draws 28,000 beer connoisseurs to Colorado to sample some 1,600 varieties of American ale. The event culminates in the judging of the best of the brews in 69 categories. Visitors can take a tasting tour of the country, enjoying the produce of 350 breweries arranged by region. www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com