Ooh, Janet Jackson. Forget the wardrobe malfunction (which I swear I never saw, even though I was plastered to the TV screen watching her when it supposedly happened). Ever hear her great take on Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” in her 1997 hit, “Got ‘Til It’s Gone,” with rapper Q-Tip doing it so fine that Joni herself started live-sampling his take on her in her own versions of the song soon after? Not only is the lady, who plays Bethel Woods on Thursday, August 4 at 9 p.m., super-fine and in the Top Ten richest women in entertainment, she’s got art – and soul.

Yes, she was the youngest member of that famous family of Jacksons. She made it as a television sitcom star before following them, including her brother the late Michael, into the music business. Later she broke through as a sex kitten, then as a wise arranger, and eventually became seen as an equivalent of both her brother and such legends as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Now she’s a film star, and has got an autobiography about to hit bookstores.

“These concerts will be different from anything I have ever done. I will be as up-close and personal as possible,” Jackson announced in a letter to her fans after letting them vote on where her “Up Close and Personal” tour of Asia, Canada and the US would end up. “These concerts are not about special effects. This is a love affair between me and those of you who have supported me and my work for all these years. I’ll be singing and dancing from my heart. The music will all be songs that you’ve made Number Ones for me. Let’s go!”

In each city Jackson will meet 20 “young leaders who are changing their communities for the better,” based on fans’ nominations. “There are many young people changing the world and I want them to be recognized during my tour,” her website says. “You all know someone who is making a difference, so get in touch. I love you all and I can’t wait to be back onstage, I’ve missed you…”

Reserved seating starts at $59.50, then $79.50, $99.50, $125 and $250. Tickets can be purchased at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, the Bethel Woods box office, at Ticketmaster, or by phone at (800)745-3000.