Outdoor art exhibits, Tom Jones and Italian festivals are sure to make this month a September to remember

The 46^th annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival includes over 100 juried artists featuring paintings, woodwork, metal, clay, jewelry, porcelain, and more. (Sept. 7, Bethany Beach Boardwalk, Bethany Beach, Del., bethanybeachartsfestival.com)

A South Jersey tradition returns – the 11^th annual St. Anthony’s Italian Festival! The festival offers not only a wide variety of delicious and authentic Italian food specialties, there’s also a procession that features St. Anthony’s statue decorated with flowers and carried by club members with the traditional Italian musical accompaniment band. The Glassboro High School Italian Club will join in the procession in traditional garb and perform live along with the Glassboro High School Band. This is a free family event featuring carnival games, live entertainment, a picnic area, amazing food trucks, beer garden, and Italian food. Plenty of free parking is available at this rain or shine event. (Sept. 14, Glassboro Town Square, Glassboro, N.J., glassboro.org/italian-festival)

St. Bede the Venerable Parish (Archdiocesan Shrine of Padre Pio) and
Knights of Columbus Council 15478 present the ninth annual Padre Pio Festival featuring entertainment, fun and games for families, Solemn High Mass, street procession, and healing service. (Sept. 14-15, 1071 Holland Road, Holland, Pa., (Southampton on GPS), padrepiofestivalhollandpa.com)

Don’t miss your chance to see the iconic Tom Jones perform live in Atlantic City. Renowned for his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence, he performs timeless classics like “It’s Not Unusual,” “Delilah,” “What’s New Pussycat,” and many more as he brings his legendary repertoire to life. (Sept. 15, Hard
Rock Live at Etess Arena, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., casino.hardrock.com)

The Mario Lanza Institute presents a lecture/video presentation by MLI president Bill Ronayne on the legendary songstress and entertainer Lena Horne. The Artistry of Lena Horne features wonderful song performances from many of her film appearances and assorted goodies. Checks should be made out to Mario Lanza Institute and mailed to Mario Lanza Institute 1214 Reed St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19147. For information or to make a credit card payment call 215-238-9691. (Sept. 21, Mario Lanza Museum, 1214 Reed St., Philadelphia, Pa., mariolanzainstitute.org)

Held at locations throughout the county, Delco Arts Week is a nine-day annual celebration of the performing, visual, and creative arts in Delaware County. The wide-ranging festival includes live concerts, dance performances, gallery exhibitions, classical music performances, workshops, film screenings, kid-friendly events, and much more over the week and two weekends. And as a bonus, many of the events are free. Check the Delaware County Arts Consortium events page for updates on exhibitors and locations. (Sept. 21-29, Various Delaware County, Pa. locations, delcoarts.org)

Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at the 18^th annual Olde Time Italian Festival! Come experience an “Olde World” family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous free live entertainment. Admission to the festival is free. For more information call 215-519-3548 or visit sonsofitalywildwood.org. (Sept. 27-28, Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery avenues in Wildwood, N.J., wildwoodsnj.com/event/olde-time-italian-festival)

American stand-up comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco is known for his “nostalgia” type of humor grounded in personal family experiences including being raised in an old-school environment. Best known for his physical comedy, Maniscalco has released six comedy specials, has had acting roles in the films “Green Book,” “The Irishman” and “Somewhere in Queens,” and in the TV series “Bookie.” He co-wrote and co-starred in the 2023 film “About My Father,” with Robert De Niro playing the role of his father. Maniscalco returns to Philadelphia with special guests Pat McGann and Pete Correale. (Sept. 27, Wells Fargo Center, 36101 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa., wellsfargocenterphilly.com)

The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival presented by Jarrettsville Furniture and the Society of Italian American Businessmen features live national entertainment, carnival rides and midway, wine/beer/liquor piazza, Italian food and retail vendors, cooking and wine demos, bocce tournament, Mass, and much more. (Sept. 27, 28, 29, Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 N. Tollgate Road, Bel Air, Md., marylanditalianfestival.com)

We congratulate the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) on their 90^th anniversary season (2024-2025). Visit their website at avaopera.org for upcoming shows.

Looking forward to October … Enjoy a weekend of fun, nostalgia, and great music at Wildwoods ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s weekend! Friday night features a Dance Party and Saturday night features a concert with Frankie Avalon, The Shirelles starring Beverly Lee, The Lettermen, and Tommy Cono. Both events are at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Saturday also features a Free Festival & Classic Car Show at Fox Park. Contact the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 3306 Pacific Ave. at 609-729-4000 or visit gwcoc.org for ticket information. (Oct. 18-19, Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, N.J.)