As the new school year revs up, so does the Baton Rouge area arts scene, which is filled with exhibits, theater and symphony music in September.
Here's a sampling of things to do:
September shows
Baton Rouge Gallery, 1515 Dalrymple Drive, opens September exhibitions on Tuesday, featuring work by Dawn Black, Kathryn Hunter and Kelli Scott Kelley.
These longtime artist members' exhibits complement one another through the different stories they tell.
The gallery will host a First Wednesday Opening Reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 4, followed by an ARTiculate Artists Talk at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8.
Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. For more information, call (225) 383-1470 or visit batonrougegallery.org.
Opening night
The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra opens its 2024-25 season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, with its "Opening Night" concert featuring international renowned pianist Olga Kern, in the Raising Cane's River Center Performing Arts Theatre, 300 St. Louis St.
Tickets are on sale now and range from $19 to $65. Call (225) 383-0500 or visit brso.org.
'Real Women'
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15, and Red Magnolia Theatre Company is celebrating by presenting a live staged reading of "Real Women Have Curves" on Thursday, Sept. 26, at Pelican to Mars, 2678 Government St.
The production will feature five fierce Latina actors telling the story of a first-generation Mexican-American girl who wants to go away to college, which conflicts with the views of her parents who think she should stay at home and provide for the family. She strikes a compromise by working with her mother in a sewing factory over the summer and learns some important lessons about life, helping her make a decision about her future.
Tickets are $20. Visit redmagnoliatc.org/tickets.
Photos galore
The Louisiana Photographic Society's annual exhibit runs through Oct. 31 in the Jones Walker Foyer Gallery at the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St.
The show features photography in a variety of styles, methods and subjects, including landscapes, portraits, still life and astrophotography.
"Each person sees and experiences the world through the unique lens of their own knowledge and understanding," states the show's statement label. "As a social species, we look for ways to share and relate to others, linking our worlds and our lives. Photography gives us a way to share a different viewpoint of events as we perceive them. Be it a street vendor, a rising moon or setting sun, a full-bodied laugh, or a curious bird, presenting our view helps us connect to the world and to each other."
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
Visit manshiptheatre.org/exhibit/louisiana-photographic-society.