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Fall into the arts

By Merle Exit

As the weather turns colder the outdoor fairs and festivities wrap up for another season.

But that does not mean entertainment options are winding down.

The fall art season kicks off with a rock ’n’ roll legend appearing this weekend at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College.

Brian Wilson has been called the Mozart of rock and the Gershwin of his generation.

One of the founding members of The Beach Boys, Wilson was the main creative force behind some of America’s biggest hit songs during the 1960s, including “In My Room,” “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “California Girls.”

He reunites with another founding member of the iconic group, Al Jardine, to perform new material from his latest solo venture, “No Pier Pressure.”

The show is Friday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m.

The weekend’s musicality continues at the Queensborough Community College Performing Arts Center when vocal group Under the Streetlamp hits the stage Oct. 11, at 3 p.m.

This vocal quartet, who have all appeared on Broadway in “The Jersey Boys,” bring their own spin to the classic American Songbook, Doo-Wop, Motown and rock ’n’ roll hits.

But if you prefer your tunes with a more international flavor, head over to Flushing Town Hall, where a couple of world music concerts are planned for the middle of the month.

Flushing’s landmark concert venue begins its season Oct. 16, at 8 p.m., with a double-header of Colombian music titled Cowboys and Coasts.

The evening includes the traditional Afro-Colombian folk music of Grupo Rebolu. Also performing will be Cimarrón, who combine indigenous Indian and African music.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the world beat continues with Riyaaz Qawwalin, an ensemble from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. They practice the 700-year-old musical tradition of Qawwali, which uses rhythmic cycles, gripping melodies and inspirational poetry.

Dance takes the stage as Krasnoyarsk National Dance Company of Siberia performs Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. at Queensborough. Mikhail Godenko, founder and choreographer, brings popular Siberian folk dances to the stage, complete with 55 dancers and an array of folk costumes.

Back at the Kupferberg Center, Patti LaBelle will perform Sunday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m.

During a career that has spanned more than 50 years, LaBelle has topped the charts with such classics as “New Attitude,” “Lady Marmalade,” “If You Only Knew” and “If You Asked Me To.”

Flamenco takes a spin back through the borough Oct. 25, at 3 p.m., as José Porcel and his company of dancers present Compañia Flamenca at Queensborough.

Jazz makes a splash Nov. 6, at 8 p.m., with NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Heath and Barry Harris performing the “Music of Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley” at Flushing Town Hall.

The two will be joined by Tootie Heath on drums, Michael Mossman on trumpet, Steve Davis on trombone and Bob Cranshaw on bass to explore the catalogs of icons Davis and Adderley, as well as other jazz standards.

The Doo Wop Project brings the sound of the 1950s vocal groups back to Queensborough Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. Charl Brown, Dominic Nolfi and cast members from “Motown The Musical” and “Jersey Boys” will perform such classic tunes as “Little Bitty Pretty One” and “Since I Don’t Have You.”

You can get your Gilbert and Sullivan fix a week later at Queensborough, when a full production of “H.M.S. Pinafore” hits the board Nov. 22, at 3 p.m.

For a new take on “The Nutcracker,” check out the State Ballet Theatre of Russia, which brings its “The Tchaikovsky Spectacular: A Ballet in Two Acts” to Kupferberg Center Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.

The program includes highlights from “Swan Lake,” “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.”

Another NEA Jazz Master appears at Flushing Town Hall in mid-December.

Saxophonist “Sweet Poppa” Lou Donaldson and his quartet bring their blues-drenched soulful jazz to the borough Saturday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m.

The following day, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m., the New York Chinese Chorus performs “The Splendor of Blossoms” at Flushing Town Hall.

This group of vocalists from China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia use folk songs, classical and pop music to enhance the understanding of Chinese culture. Their show of flower-themed songs to celebrate the season will include solo and duet performances as well as full-choral productions.

Then just in time for Christmas, the Queens Symphony Orchestra will help audience members get their holiday spirit on with a concert of seasonal favorites at Flushing Town Hall Dec. 20, at 3 p.m.

For more information, check out the venue websites at www.flushingtownhall.org, www.kupferbergcenter.org and www.qcc.cuny.edu.