By Globe Staff, 08/07/2003

World Music/CRASHarts Fall 2003 On Sept. 12 at Sanders Theatre, Senegal's Afro-pop superstar Youssou N' Dour opens this lineup of music and dance by 17 international performers. Hot tickets are Ravi and Anoushka Shankar on 9/28 at Symphony Hall; Spain's Noche Flamenca 10/2-10/4 at Cutler Majestic Theatre; Scotland's Capercaillie 10/3 at Somerville Theatre; and hip-hop artist Rennie Harris in ``Facing Mekka'' 10/17-10/19 at Cutler Majestic. 617-876-4275 or www.WorldMusic.org.

Boston Restaurant Week Enjoy lower prices as chefs, such as Thomas John (left) and Phyllis Kaplowitz, salute this annual dining-out fest, Aug. 18-22. Set menus offer lunches for $20.03 and dinners for $30.03. Call 888-SEE-BOSTON for a list of the 80 participating restaurants or visit www.BostonUSA.com/RestaurantWeek. Reservations required at dining locations.

The Big E This grandaddy of fall fairs is Sept. 12-28 at Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Concerts, exhibits, the Big E Super Circus, a Hollywood stunt show, and thrill rides on the Midway are just a sampling of the attractions. Advance tickets (through 9/6) $10; 17-day value pass $29.95, ages 6-12 $19.95. 413-205-5115.

"Miss Saigon" Lovers torn apart by the Vietnam War and the fate of the child they idolize are at the core of this contemporary musical returning to Boston, Sept. 23-28. Based on Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly," it is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Performances at the Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St. $28-$75. 800-447-7400.

JVC Jazz Festival k.d. lang opens the Aug. 8-10 weekend 8 p.m. Friday in Newport, R.I. Saturday and Sunday events start at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Adams State Park. The lineup includes George Benson, the Michel Camilo Trio, Dewey Redman (above), Dave Brubeck, Cassandra Wilson, Eddie Palmieri, and The Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Tickets $30-$85. 866-468-7619.

Joao Gilberto in Concert This Brazilian superstar, who recorded "The Girl from Ipanema" with Stan Getz, makes a rare solo, acoustic appearance July 19 at 8 p.m. at the Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. An innovator of the 1960s bossa nova craze, Gilberto is known for his soft vocals and syncopated guitar work. $25, $40, $55. 800-447-7400, 617-482-9393.

Blues Cruises A series of eight music cruises on Boston Harbor weighs its anchor Fridays, July 11-Aug. 29. Aboard will be such blues favs as Entrain, Buckwheat Zydeco (above), and Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson. Cruises depart from the Boston Harbor Cruise Launch, World Trade Center at 8 p.m. with a 6:30 party at Seaport Hotel's Aura Bar. $25. 617-931-2000, 617-497-2229.