PRELUDE Events

This month’s roundup of cultural events across the country.

San Francisco Symphony Opening Gala

San Francisco, September 6

The Symphony’s 95th season leads off with a spectacular opening gala night. Highlights at this year’s concert include a special appearance from violinist Christian Tetzlaff (named Instrumentalist of the Year 2005 by Musical America), as well as performances of audience favorites, such as Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila Overture and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, Opus 88. www.sfsymphony.org

Broadway on Broadway

New York City, September 10

Upwards of 50,000 excited fans are expected to turn out for this annual extravaganza. For one night only, cast members from musicals leave the theater to congregate on Times Square, where they sing and dance for free. It’s a great chance to see sneak previews of upcoming shows, as well as sing along to classics from all your old favorites. www.broadwayonbroadway.com

Wine South 2006

Atlanta, September 15-17

Both connoisseurs and novices should raise their glasses to toast the seventh anniversary of this festival devoted to premier food and wine from around the world. Over 600 wines and culinary creations from Atlanta’s best chefs will be featured at the Grand Festival Tasting on Saturday, and visitors will have the opportunity to bid for dinners, art, vacation packages and more. The proceeds will be donated to charity, a tradition at Wine South. www..winesouth.com

Seafood Festival

Pensacola, FL September 22-24

Seville Square in historic downtown Pensacola plays host to this fi shy festival, where visitors can try various fruits of the sea as well as enjoy live entertainment from the stage in Fountain Park and at the Gazebo in Seville Square. Delicious Gulf Coast seafood is the undisputed star of the show, so make sure you go with an empty stomach! www..#64257; estaoffi vefl ags.org

JapanFest Weekend

Atlanta, September 23-24

Stone Mountain Park hosts this lively celebration of Japanese culture with exhibitions and hands-on workshops. This year’s special focus is on martial arts, so look out for demonstrations of judo and karate, as well as the Second Georgia Sumo Open. Shoppers will fi nd Japanese clothing, ceramics and more available for purchase. www.japanfest.org

Beantown Jazz

Boston, September 29-October 1

Now in its sixth year, this popular festival is held on three outdoor stages in Boston’s South End. The event kicks off with a dazzling opening concert featuring legendary pianist McCoy Tyner leading an all-star group in a mesmerizing retrospective of jazz. Artists featured over the remaining two days range from saxophonist giant Kenny Garrett and vocalist Carmen Lundy to master drummer Michael Carvin. More than 40,000 music lovers are expected. www.beantownjazz.org

Prelude Festival

Washington, DC, September 1-October 1

This month-long series of performances is designed to kick off the 2006-2007 arts season at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Highlights include the Open House Arts Festival, free readings of plays and musicals during the Page-to-Stage New Play Festival, and two new dance works, including Cold Case and Gul-E-Bakawali, based on a Masnavi epic poem. Prelude concludes on October 1 with a performance of Frankenstein from the National Symphony Orchestra. www.kennedy-center.org

Hands On Atlanta

Atlanta, October 7

The biggest day of service in the nation brings together 20,000 volunteers from around the city in support of Hands On Atlanta, an organization whose members work with more than 400 community-based agencies and schools. After a day of hard work, a celebration will take place at Centennial Olympic Park, complete with food and festivities. www.handsonatlanta.org