The Island Today: The top seven events for the coming week

Grace McQuade

Sands Point Preserve
Conservancy Presents:
Valentine’s Night Jazz

Saturday, Feb. 11, 7-10 p.m. (VIP: 6-10 p.m.)

Celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year with your loved one–and a band of world-class jazz musicians, under the direction of Steven Lutvak.  Tony Award-winner Chuck Cooper and Marva Hicks join the cast.  The evening includes cocktails, dinner, concert, and dessert with the artists.  General tickets: $125 per person.  Limited VIP tickets: $250 per person, with a special 6-7 p.m. cocktail reception.  

Where: Hempstead House, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
For ticket info: (516) 304-5076 • sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

Once

Performance: “Once”

Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.

Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, “Once” is a truly original Broadway experience.  It tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs.  Single ticket prices: $34, $54, $69, $104.  Prices include a $3 facility fee.   

Where: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
Info: (516) 299-3100 • tillescenter.org

swingtime-valentine-500x284

Let’s Fall in Love: A Swingtime Big Band Valentine

Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. 

Back again by popular demand, Long Island’s own premiere big band celebrates Valentine’s Day at Madison Theatre with an exciting program of classic love songs from the swing era and the great American song book.  Led by Artistic Director Steve Shaiman, Swingtime brings to life the sounds of the Big Band years, featuring romantic melodies from the libraries of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Les Brown and Duke Ellington.  Plus, the band’s two entertaining vocalists pay tribute to legendary singers Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin, both of whose 100th birthdays are celebrated in 2017!

Where: The Madison Theatre at Molloy College
1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
Info: (516)323-4444 • madisontheatreny.org

Masters Of Illusion

Masters of Illusion–Live! 

Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.

Masters of Illusion is the largest magical touring show in the world.  CW’s hit television show hosted by Dean Cain is hitting the road for its sixth season, with a night of their mesmerizing show at the Theatre at Westbury.  Audience members will marvel as they see grand illusions, levitating women, appearances, vanishes, escapes, comedy magic and sleight of hand all on one stage.  Everything you could imagine and illusions never dreamed possible–all rolled up into a live show.  Contact the theatre for ticket info. 

Where: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury
Info: (516)247-5211 • thetheatreatwestbury.com

 

AmericanInParisValentine’s Day Film:
“An American in Paris” 

Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a rare big screen showing of the romantic tale of a young American painter in Paris and the lovely French girl who captures his heart, all set to the immortal music of George Gershwin.  Vincente Minnelli’s breathtaking Best Picture Oscar winner stars the ever-captivating Gene Kelly as a painter struggling to make it in the city of light, and the lovely Leslie Caron as the young Parisian girl who captures his heart.  (USA, 1951, 113 Min., English, NR/DCP). 

Where: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington
Info: (631)423-7611 • cinemaartscentre.org

Commonwealth

Book Discussion:
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Wednesday,  Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

Come and discuss the latest novel from acclaimed, bestselling author Ann Patchett, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize, which tells the enthralling story of how an unexpected romantic encounter irrevocably changes two families’ lives.  Told with equal measures of humor and heartbreak, Commonwealth is a meditation on inspiration, interpretation, and the ownership of stories.  

Where: Book Revue, 313 New York Avenue, Huntington
Info: (631)271-1442 • bookrevue.com

Planting Fields logo

Music at the Mansion:
The Master Keys

Friday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

The Master Keys is a unique jazz and blues band that is stacked with some of the finest young musicians in New York City today.  They specialize in the kind of soulful jazz-inflected rhythm and blues that was popularized by greats like Ray Charles in the 50s and 60s, but also play from the 30s through the 50s with a whole lot of swing and verve.  The concert evokes an era when real musicians, with real instruments, reached and moved people through music that was live, real and raw. Tickets: $30 non-members; $20 members.  

Where: Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
Info: (516) 922-8678 • plantingfields.org

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