October is the month in which decadence, beauty and the arts collide. In Mobile the month brings 21 days of perfect weather (some argue 15, but I’m an optimist). In October all of Mobile’s major arts organizations put on productions, and each weekend turns into an extraordinary celebration filled with post-show late night dinners, intermission gossip, standing ovations and green room photographs with costumed vocalists, dancers, and musicians. At least for me.

My first October of magic was in 2003. That year I discovered opera with Puccini’s “Turandot.” Hearing “Nessun Dorma” orchestrated live for the first time made me cry. It was also the time that I frequented the symphony, began my study of violin, and wrote my first articles for the campus paper. It seems like so long ago, but it was a wonderful month. My family and I spent every evening downtown taking in some show, and never made it home until after midnight, sweeping through the front door in couture, laughing about what had just conspired at dessert, or the cast party, or perhaps just backstage.

All of that is unofficial tradition now. The inaugural event was just last night, at MSO’s “Halloween Pops.” As I approached Saenger Theatre last night, the weather was perfect and the Saenger marquis glimmering. I reminded myself that this is a celebration so I put my chin up, smile on, and prepared myself for the beginning of a great next three weeks.