Mozart's first opera buffa or comic opera, is a merry romp with sharp political commentary. It created a scandal across Europe when first performed. It tells the story of the Spanish barber Figaro, a servant to Count Almaviva, who is about to marry Susanna, another household servant. The wicked count wishes to exercise the right of Prima Notte, which would grant him access to the bride on her wedding night. All the characters in the opera, including the Count's wife, the Countess, conspire to keep him from following through with his plan.
Tickets are $75, $60, $45 (seniors $72, $57, $52); available from TillesCharge at (516) 299-3100 or www.tillescenter.org.
Tilles Center, C.W. Post Campus, Rte. 25A, Brookville.
ALWAYS FUNNY
THE BROKERAGE CLUB 2797 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, 785-8655. Varied show schedule, including Goumba Johnny and The Italian Show, Open Mike Night, The Funniest Jewish Comic,Improv & Comedy Night, Mitch Walters, Paul Mercurio $5 Comic Night, All My Children's Jacob Young and Justin Bruening, and much more.
billy brady's saloon/restaurant 677 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square, 485-2320. Entertainment weekly. No cover.
C.J. Wellington's 30 New Hyde Park Rd., Franklin Square, 326-4990. Great grub and entertainment. There's something going on every weekend!
GOVERNOR'S Comedy Cabaret and Restaurant, 90 Division Ave., Levittown,
731-3358 (www.govs.com). Comedian showcase Thursdays with host John Trueson, 8 p.m., $10 plus two beverage minimum.
the inn 943 W. Beech St., Long Beach, 432-9220. Live music venue features the east coast's hottest acts every Friday and Saturday. DJ Tim spins until 4 a.m. Open Mic Night, Wednesdays.
ALWAYS FUN
Echo Park Indoor Pool
Complex, is a great place for year-round fun. A special lap swimming period is held Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7-10 a.m. For more information, call 483-7400.
DeMatteis Pavilion ice skating rink at EAB Plaza, Uniondale, is open daily for cold-weather fun. Rink provides skate rentals, snack bar, group lessons. For more information, call 683-0303 or www.eabplaza.com.
EISENHOWER PARK, East Meadow, is a great place to bring the family on a sunny day or play some golf. For more information, call 572-0200; golf ticket office, 572-0327.
GRANT PARK, Hewlett, has activities for kids of all ages. There are children's playgrounds, tennis courts and an ice skating rink. For more information, call 571-7821.
lido golf Course, Lido beach; Merrick Road park and Golf course, Merrick; North Woodmere Park (9 Hole), North Woodmere, offer year-round golf. For more information, call Lido Golf Course at 889-8181, Merrick Road Golf Course at 868-4650 or North Woodmere Park at 571-7814. Merrick Road Golf Course is home to South Shore Ladies Club. New members are always welcome. Obtain an application at the Clubhouse during business hours.
Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve, Merrick, is a fascinating place for a family outing. The park offers an array of wildlife, kayak launch, jogging and walking trail, fishing pier, and more, on 50 acres of a former landfill site. A staff of park rangers is on hand for guided tours. For more information, call 804-2000.
Exhibits and more...
Artist with attitude is an exhibit of thought-provoking paintings that highlight the Harlem Jazz era, by self-taught artist Hulbert Waldroup. His work uses images and painting styles to provoke thoughts and feelings. Through Jan. 15. Inter-Media Art Center, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. (631) 549-ARTS.
The colors of Long Island: Student expressions celebrates the creativity of Long Island's youth. Works from students in over 100 schools is featured in the annual student art exhibition. Through Feb. 6. The Long Island Museum, 1200 Rte. 25A, Stony Brook. (631) 751-0066 or www.longislandmuseum.org.
Fernando botero: works on paper is an exhibition of the famed Columbian artist's personal collection of his own works. His figural portrayals explore the human condition, spanning politics, history, romance, and family. Through Feb. 13. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. 484-9337.
On Exhibit: Kate Kelly presents the works of the visual artist/poet. Through Jan. 30. Foyer Art Gallery, South Nassau Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 228 S. Ocean Ave., Freeport. 766-7951 or www.snuuc.org.
Symbols of culture features rare African sculptures, masks, textiles, and other artworks from several local private collections. In total, 50 works are on display. Through Feb. 1. African American Museum, 110 N. Franklin St., Hempstead.572-0730.
Young Visionaries showcases international artists representing distinct cultures. Artists on exhibit include Enrique Martinez Celaya of Cuba and Wangeechi Mutu of Nairobi. Through Feb. 13. Nassau County Museum of Art, Contemporary Gallery, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.
484-9337.
Young latin contemporaries features the work of important artists of Latin American heritage -- German Perez, Francisco Villagran, Margarita Friedman, Jorge Gutarra and others -- who are from the New York area. Their work, mostly figurative, is done in a diversity of styles and subjects that explore their common tradition. Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, 1125 Broadway, Hewlett. 374-1967.
Theater and music
chapter two, Neil Simon's autobiographical comedy, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 and 7 p.m. $18 and $20 (Saturday). BroadHollow Theatre Company's BayWay Arts Center, 265 E. Main St., East Islip. (631) 581-2700 or www.broadhollow.org.
Forever Plaid, Musical comedy tale of a '50s male singing group, Friday, Jan. 14, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 15, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. Hofstra USA Productions, Emily and Jerry Spiegel Theater, Hofstra University, Hempstead. 463-6644.
The Glass Menagerie, The beloved classic, Thursday, Jan. 13, 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m. $16, $12 seniors and students for Friday and Sunday shows. The Stage, 2222 Hewlett Ave., Merrick. 868-6400.
husbands, wives and lovers, Three hilarious plays by masters of the French comedy of manners, Georges Feydeau, Eugene LaBiche and Georges Courteline, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 14-15, 9 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m. $18 Friday and Sunday, $22 Saturday. Arena Players Second Stage Theatre, 294 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale. 293-0674 or www.ArenaPlayers.org.
The Last night of ballyhoo, Alfred Uhry's comedy about an Atlanta family looking for a socially acceptable husband for their daughter, Friday and Saturday, Jan.14-15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 and 7 p.m.; $20. BroadHollow Theatre Company's Centre Stage at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre.
(631) 581-2700 or www.broadhollow.org.
No Sex please we're british, Anthony Marriott and Alistair Foot's comedy, Thursday through Saturday, Jan 13-15, 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m. $16 Thursday, $18 Friday and Sunday, $22 Saturday. Arena Players Main Stage Theatre, 296 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale. 293-0674.
Nunsense, Dan Goggin's comedy about a nunnery, presented by The Grey Wig, Hofstra University's alumni theater group, Friday andSaturday, Jan. 14-15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m. Monroe Lecture Center Theater, Hofstra University, Hempstead. 463-6644.
Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, Edward Albee's award winning drama, opening this weekend, Saturday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m. Also Fridays. BroadHollow Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. (631) 581-2700.
Family
Beauty & The Beast, An audience participation version of the beloved fable, opening this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 15-16, noon. Arena Players Second Stage Theatre, 294 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale. 293-0674.
Cinderella, The beloved fairy tale, presented by Magic Curtain Players, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 16, 12 p.m. $8. The Stage, 2222 Hewlett Ave., Merrick. 868-6400.
Frosty the snowman, Help Frosty and Jenny save Chillsville, ending this weekend, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m. $8. 141 BroadHollow Theatre Company's Studio Theatre, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. (631) 581-2700.
Little Red & Goldi, Learn the lessons of "stranger danger" in this original fairy tale musical, opening Saturday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m. BroadHollow Theatre Company's Studio Theatre, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. (631) 581-2700.
Pied Piper, An original production by Theatre Workshop Entertainment, Saturday through Monday, Jan. 15-17, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Fantasy Live Theater, 48 Atlantic Ave., Lynbrook. 599-1982.
"The Human Heart, Inside And Out" Workshop, Investigate a human heart at this hands-on workshop, led by a SUNY Stony Brook medical student, Saturday, Jan. 15, noon. For ages 8 and up. Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. 224-5844 or www.licm.org.
"Take A Bird To Lunch" Workshop, Make a bird feeder for some feathered friends, Saturday, Jan. 15, 10-11:30 a.m. For grades 1-6. Registration required. Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center, Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh. 679-7254.
