Fall guide to arts and entertainment

Catch the best of the arts this fall, from ‘A’ (Adele) to ‘V’ (Variety Playhouse reopening).

The Fall Arts Preview gives you a look at concerts, stage shows and exhibits in metro Atlanta, and books focused on the South.

This year’s fall arts season promises a mosaic of high arts and pop culture in every shape and hue. Here are 17 events we are eagerly anticipating as temperatures turn cool.

‘The Prom’

Director Casey Nicholaw (“Tuck Everlasting”) returns to the Alliance Theatre for the world premiere of “The Prom.” When Indiana high-school student Emma is told she can’t bring her girlfriend to the dance, a bunch of washed-up celebrities take up rainbow flags and rush to her side — to calamitous effect. The Broadway-bound musical is by Matthew Sklar (music) and Chad Beguelin (book and lyrics). Through Sept. 25. $10-$65. Alliance Theatre. 404-733-5000, www.alliancetheatre.org

‘Jim Henson’s Labyrinth’

Thirty years ago Jim Henson combined puppet magic and the songs and charisma of rocker David Bowie to create “Labyrinth,” a remarkable fantasy that was a box office dud but ultimately a cult hit. On Sept. 2, in honor of the movie’s anniversary, Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts will open an extensive exhibit of Labyrinth-related objects, including Goblin puppets, a plaster cast of Hoggle’s head and numerous weapons from the final battle sequence. The yearlong exhibit opens Sept. 2. $10.50. Center for Puppetry Arts. 404-873-3391, www.puppet.org

One Music Festival

This year’s event tapped Ice Cube and Erykah Badu as headliners, but for Atlanta music fans, the collection of Dungeon Family members is a standout on the bill. Big Boi, CeeLo Green and Killer Mike are among the performers — all members of the musical collective that helped cement Atlanta’s standing as a hip-hop mecca in the ’90s. The lineup also features Andra Day, Busta Rhymes, Gary Clark Jr., ASAP Ferg, Jazmine Sullivan, Anderson .Paak, Free Nationals and BJ the Chicago Kid. Sept. 10. Lakewood Amphitheatre. $55$125. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.

Art on the Atlanta Beltline

A glowing stream of humanity (60,000 last year) carrying all varieties of lighted objects will pass through Old Fourth Ward this fall as the seventh annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade steps off at Irwin Street at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 10. The parade kicks off Art on the Atlanta Beltline, the South’s largest temporary public art exhibition. More than 150 works of visual and performing arts will turn the pedestrian corridor into an outdoor gallery/ venue. Performances are Sept. 10, Sept. 24, Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 8-9. Visual works remain up through November. Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. Free. 404-446-4408, www.art.beltline.org

Music Midtown

With a headlining quartet of Twenty One Pilots, Deadmau5, The Killers and Beck, the venerable Atlanta music festival is taking a slightly younger approach this year. One other slight change — a full weekend of music instead of a day and a half in years past. Rounding out the lineup: The Lumineers; G-Eazy; Alabama Shakes; Collegrove (Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz); Kesha; Band of Horses; Big Boi; Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; Chvrches; James Bay; D J Mustard; Leon Bridges; DNCE; Melanie Martinez; Raury; Daya and more. Sept. 17-18. Piedmont Park. $125. 888-512-7469, www.musicmidtown.com.

Variety Playhouse reopens

After a thorough-going, threemonth renovation, the Variety Playhouse will reopen to the public. The Little Five Points music venue’s radical face lift includes a balcony and upstairs bar, and the floor in front of the stage has been lowered. The million-dollar reno will create better sight-lines, a bigger bar and improved climate control. The venue reopens Sept. 28 with the ambient soundscapes of Tycho. 404-524-7354, www.variety-playhouse.com

Out on Film

Atlanta’s oldest LGBT film festival celebrates its 29th season with eight days of screenings featuring about 100 full-length features, documentaries and short films. Among the offerings are “Strike a Pose” from directors Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan about seven young dancers, six gay, who joined Madonna on her 1990 Blond Ambition tour, and “Do You Take This Man,” from director Joshua Tunick, about the challenges of modern love. Sept. 29-Oct. 6. Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. Ticket prices vary. 404-296-3807, www.outonfilm.org

Atlanta Celebrates Photography

Throughout October, in more than 100 venues, this 18th annual event showcases the art of photography with scores of exhibitions, public art displays, a pushpin show, art auction, film series, lecture series, photobook fair and workshops. Delivering the event’s keynote lecture Oct. 6 at the Woodruff Arts Center’s Rich Theater is Duane Michals, a renowned innovator known for incorporating sequencing, multiple exposures and text in his work, which will be exhibited Oct. 7-Dec. 3 at Jackson Fine Art. Oct. 1-Nov. 1. Most events free. Multiple venues. 404-634-8664, www.acpinfo.org

Many Rivers to Cross

A high-profile lineup including John Legend, Common, Dave Matthews, Public Enemy, T.I., Macklemore, Carlos Santana, Estelle, Chris Rock, Jesse Williams and Danny Glover will participate in the Atlanta-area festival focusing on racial and social justice. The event is produced by Sankofa. org, a social justice organization founded by Harry Belafonte. The two-day event, which aims to promote awareness around human rights issues, will also feature a “Social Justice Village”

where activists and organizational partners will share information and ideas and activate calls-to-action to mobilize attendees around human rights issues. Oct. 1-2. Bouckaert Farm, Chattahoochee Hills. $115-$350. 877-9876487, www.sankofa.org.

‘The Abduction from the Seraglio’

Wolfgang Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio” is among one of the most performed operas today. In 2015, 186 performances were staged in 31 cities, according to Operabase. This year, it’s Atlanta’s turn. For the opening production of its 2016-2017 season, Atlanta Opera Music Director Arthur Fagen takes on the storied tale of love and pirates. Fagen will conduct a few familiar Atlanta faces, such as Tom Key, artistic director of Theatrical Outfit, in a production directed by Chris Alexander. Oct. 8, 11, 14 and 16. Ticket prices vary. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 404-881-8885, www.atlantaopera.org

Elevate: Microcosm

Expect performance art, music and art installations incorporating sound and video when Elevate, now in its sixth year, returns to Broad Street in downtown Atlanta with its weeklong showcase of public art and performance. Four curators — Mónica Campana, Pastiche Lumumba, Allie Bashuk and Mark DiNatale — explore the theme of Microcosm. Participating artists include Brazilian-born muralist Yoyo Ferro, actress Danielle Deadwyler and video-sound artist Josephine Figueroa. New this year, “The South Broad Dinner,” a dinner for 400 that will aim at getting residents together to discuss their vision for their city. Oct. 13-21. Free. Broad Street. 404546-6980, www.ocaatlanta.com

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer in recent years has become a true comedy sensation with her critically acclaimed Comedy Central show “Inside Amy Schumer,” her popular film “Trainwreck” and her string of stand-up specials. She will bring her fiery, unapologetically feminist, often sexually graphic humor to Philips Arena, where she is the first female solo stand-up artist to ever headline the venue. Oct. 15. $43-$125. Philips Arena. 800653-8000, www.ticketmaster.com

Taste of Atlanta

More than 90 metro Atlanta restaurants, including intown favorites Venkman’s and King + Duke as well as suburban gems Noble Fin and Colletta, will serve samples their cuisine at the 15th annual Taste of Atlanta. Beyond the tasting tents, festivities include four live cooking stages, a bartender competition, a family food zone, an appearance by TV personality G. Garvin and a VIP Grand Tasting Experience, featuring more than 100 beers and several wine selections. Oct. 21-23. Midtown at Tech Square. $25-$210. 678-701-6114, www.tasteofatlanta.com

Carol Burnett

Thanks to YouTube and DVD sales, “The Carol Burnett Show” lives on nearly four decades after it ended. Named in 2007 by Time magazine as one of “100 Best Television Shows of All Time,” the variety show ran for 11 years, averaged 30 million viewers per week and received 25 Emmy Awards. Burnett brings memories of that golden age to town for two nights in a show called “An Evening of Laughter and Reflection.” Expect video clips and questions from the audience. Oct. 24-25. Cobb Energy Centre. $175-$55. 770-9162800, www.cobbenergycentre.com

Adele

She’s perhaps the mightiest female music star on the planet not named Beyonce or Taylor, but unlike her contemporary peers, Adele’s success has been bred with an old-fashioned approach to music. Her specialty is soaring ballads that simultaneously soothe and shred emotions (“Someone Like You,” “Hello”) and her uptempo material (“Rolling in the Deep,” “Water Under the Bridge”) is stocked with a soulfulness that belies her 28 years of age. What also makes the British songstress immensely appealing is her self-deprecation and genuine warmth toward fans. Need proof ? Her bringing Atlanta Christian singer Jamie Grace onstage at a recent tour stop in Los Angeles certainly counts. Oct. 28-29. Sold out. Philips Arena. 800-6538000, www.ticketmaster.com

‘A Sea Symphony/Sea Pictures’

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus’ first appearance of the year is anchored by Vaughn Williams’ “A Sea Symphony” under the baton of ASO music director Robert Spano. Soprano Tamara Wilson and baritone Brian Mulligan fulfill solo duties. When the orchestra and chorus recorded the Williams piece in 2003, it received Grammy awards for best choral performance and best classical album. Georgia native Jamie Barton will join the ensemble for “Sea Pictures,” a cycle of five songs by Edward Elgar. This looks to be one of the most exciting concerts in a captivating ASO season. Nov. 3 and 5. $20-$89. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org

MJCCA Book Festival

More than 10,000 guests will meet dozens of authors for readings, signings, panel discussions, children’s events and other activities as the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta celebrates 25 years of its inimitable 17-day book festival in November. Authors this year include novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, author of “Here I Am”; CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, author of “American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes, and Trial of Patty Hearst”; and Bravo television personality and producer Andy Cohen, author of “Superficial.” Nov. 5-20. Ticket prices vary. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. 678812-4005, www.atlantajcc.org/ bookfestival

JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL More than 60,000 people marched in last year’s Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade. The event kicks off Art on the Atlanta Beltline, one of the South’s largest temporary public art exhibitions.

CONTRIBUTED Artifacts from the Jim Henson/David Bowie movie “Labyrinth” will be on display at the Center for Puppetry Arts. The yearlong exhibit “Jim Henson s Labyrinth: Journey to Goblin City” opens Sept. 2.

AJC FILE Art on the Atlanta Beltline is a sweeping outdoor display of sculpture, painting and performances along the 22-mile greenway. This mural by Brandon Sadler is an example of the work from past years.

SASCHA STEINBACH / GETTY IMAGES Adele will perform two sold-out shows at Philips Arena — Oct. 28 and 29.

AJC FILE More than 90 restaurants will participate in Taste of Atlanta in October at Tech Square in Midtown.

MELISSA RUGGIERI / MRUGGIERI@AJC.COM CeeLo Green will perform with members of the Dungeon Family at One Music Festival on Sept. 10.

GETTY IMAGES Amy Schumer will headline Philips Arena on Oct. 15, the first female solo stand-up comic to perform in Atlanta at such a large venue.

IMAGES GETTY Beck last played Atlanta in 2014 and will return for the 2016 edition of Music Midtown.

CONTRIBUTED BY VARIETY PLAYHOUSE The interior of the Variety Playhouse was gutted during this summer’s renovation of the storied Little Five Points music venue. It should reopen at the end of September.

CONTRIBUTED This fall, Out on Film, Atlanta’s enduring LGBT film festival, brings the documentary “Strike a Pose,” about Madonna and her dancers, from the 1990 Blonde Ambition tour.

TAYLOR CONTRIBUTED BY JENNIFER Robert Spano will conduct the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concerts on Sept. 17 and 19.