Best Bets

Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme

Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, two of the finest entertainers in show business, will perform locally for 5 nights. Both native New Yorkers, Steve and Eydie began their careers as members of the cast of Steve Allen's original "Tonight Show." While starring with Allen for many years, their individual recording careers flourished with such hits as "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" for Eydie, and "Go Away Little Girl," for Steve, among others. They share a Grammy for their album, "We've Got Us," and Eydie won a second Grammy for her solo recording of "If He Walked Into My Life." Westbury Music Fair. September 20-24. 8 P.M., except Sunday's show at 7 P.M. Tickets: $35 (Wed.-Thurs.) $$40 (Fri.,Sat.) $37.50 (Sun.) (631) 888-9000.

Reo Speedwagon

Reo Speedwagon was a ten-year overnight success when their album "Hi Infidelity" became the best-selling rock record in Epic REcords history in 1980, but the last two decades have showed their staying power was well-justified. Reo Speedwagon released nine relatively successful albums in the 70's when their Hi Infidelity album catapulted the band into a multi-million album selling powerhouse on the strength of such hits as "Keep On Loving You," "Don't Let Him Go," and "Tough Guys." The 80's brought top 20 singles and a #1 "In My Dreams." September 19. 8 P.M. Tickets: $35. (631) 888-9000

Special Events

Backstage at Lincoln Center

Hofstra University College for Continuing Education is offering a trip to the New York City Opera to see Donizetti's Roberto Devereux. The opera became a New York classic when a youthful Beverly Sills sang the role of the Virgin Queen. The role is being recreated by the acclaimed Lauren Flanigan. A beautiful score is matched by a brilliant libretto that portrays the great queen Elizabeth hardened by obligations of state yet moved by her young lover and fearful for his future. Sunday, September 24. Class session and backstage tour 10:30 A.M. - 1 P.M.; Opera, 1:30 P.M. curtain, New York State Theater, Lincoln Center. Cost: $130; includes class, opera ticket and a special backstage tour of the opera house. Transportation: participant's responsibility. Info: 463-4601.

Watercolor lessons/poetry workshop

Cedarmere, the Roslyn Harbor estate of famed nineteenth-century American Poet William Cullen Bryant, is sponsoring a series of lessons in watercolor painting on five Tuesdays, September 12, 19, 26 and October 3 and 10. Weather permitting, classes will be held outdoors. Sponsored by Friends for Long Island's Heritage. Course: $90 plus materials supplied by either student or purchased when registering. Also Maxwell C. Wheat invites others to join him in a nature poetry writing workshop on September 21 at 10:30 A.M.Fee, which includes tour of Cedarmere gardens, grounds and house: $8. 571-8131 for schedules and info.

Bird's eye view

Join a naturalist on an early morning Migrating Birds nature walk through the fields and woodlands to view the birds in their natural habitats. Participants have rare opportunity to watch a bird-blander at work, and observe seldom seen species of warblers and wrens. Sponsored by Friends for Long Island's Heritage, walks begin at Bill Paterson Nature Center, Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich. September 9. 8:30-11:30 A.M. Admission: $3 per person; children under 13 free. Pre-registration required. 571-8500.

Talks and Tours

Talks & Tours series during month of September offers informal talks and tours on various aspects of gardening and decorative arts. September 9 2 P.M.: Indoor African Violets Join African violet enthusiast Elizabeth Barsky as she shares her secrets for growing these beautiful plants. Discussion includes watering, feeding, propagation and the refurbishment of older plants. This talk meets at the Plant Shop; rain location is the Palm House. House & Gardens: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Admission to Gardens only: Adults/$10; children 6-12: $6; seniors 62+: $8. Info: 333-0048.

Theatre

Phantom revisited

Phantom: The American Musical Sensation, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Arthur Kopit, is not the Andrew Lloyd Webber version. Yeston and Kopit are creative team behind Tony Award-winning musical "Nine." Promoters suggest this version offers a more "dashing Phantom, a more romantic storyline, and a different ending." The Gray Wig alumni repertory theater group. Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playhouse. September 8 - 24, weekends only: 8 P.M. Friday, Saturday and 2 P.M. Sunday. Tickets: $22, $20 (seniors and students). Box Office/Info: 463-6644.

Barrymore!

Shortly before his death, legendary actor John Barrymore has rented a stage to prepare for a comeback performance of Richard III. What is in store for audiences, however, is a peek into the troubled mind and memoirs of this theatrical giant. The '97 Broadway run of this biographical (Barrymore) won Christopher Plummer a Tony Award for Best Actor. Broadhollow Theater, 200 Stewart Ave., Bethpage. Tickets: $12. (631) 581-2756.Through September 17. Fridays: 8:30 P.M., Saturdays: 8:00 P.M., Sunday August 27 & September 10 at 7:00 P.M. Thursdays, August 24 & September 10: 8:00 P.M.

MUSIC

Alabama

Alabama is one of the premier hit-making machines on today's countrymusic scene. 17 million-selling albums, 12 American Music Awards as the public's favorite country group and 41 No. 1 hits keep them the most successful country music group in history. Westbury Music Fair. September 17. 3 P.M. Tickets: $40. (631) 888-9000.

Long Island Philharmonic

Toward the Splendid City will be conducted by Steven Smith when violinist Shlomo Mintz joins the Long Island Philharmonic at Tilles Center For The Performing Arts. Also expect Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Brahms Symphony No. 1. September 24. 7:30 P.M. Tickets: $47, $42, $32, $24. Info/Tickets: 299-3100.

Corey Harris

W.C. Handy Award winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Corey Harris, whose album, Greens From The Garden, recently received a four-star review in Rolling Stone, will perform in Wantagh. Harris' newest project, "vu-du-mez" (a duet album with pianist/vocalist Henry Butler), is an acoustic tour-de-force of southern blues. Jones Beach Ampitheater. September 16. 6:30 P.M. Tickets: $18-45. Info: 221-1000 or www.livetonight.com

Art

Pas de 'dance'

Dance as a form of art is celebrated in a multi-media art exhibit, "Dance, Dance, Dance" featuring works from Degas, Hockney, Arman, Mapplethorpe, Picasso, Renoir and Derain. The exhibit reflects international visual interpretations of dance from the 1890s on, from impressionism to American realism, from basic folk to the avant garde. A second exhibit, "Fabulous Jewels" can also be viewed which showcases the history of designed jewelry from 1875 to 1960. Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn. Through September 17.

Contemporary impressions

An exhibition of American artist Howard Behrens, a master of contemporary impressionistic landscapes and waterviews, can be viewed at Central Galleries, 420 Central Ave., Cedarhurst through end-September. Inspiration for Behrens comes mainly from his travels. Whatever his subject, he presents a world of physical beauty, bathed in sunlight and touched by sea breezes. Hours: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Monday - Saturday; 12-6 P.M. Sunday; 10-9 P.M. Wednesday. Admission is free. Info: 569-5686.

Pollock to Wyeth

As a companion to the Hans Namuth: Portraits exhibition, museum shows works by many of the famed artists captured by Namuth's lens, among them Jackson Pollock, Isamu Noguchi, Roy Lichenstein, Willem deKooning and Andrew Wyeth. (Through October 29). Another exhibition Aaron Copland's New York, shows the sharp contrasts of New York City as a sleepy seaport with the angular, soaring thrust of skyscrapers, the speed and complexity of the subway system and sometimes the serene pleasures of the city's leafy parks. (Through January 7).Heckscher Museum, Main Street (Rte 25A) and Prime Ave., Huntington. Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Admission: suggested donation $3 adults/$1 children. Info: (631) 351-3250.

The Spiritual in Art

Islip Art Museum presents The Spiritual in Art and includes work by several contemporary artists whose work is informed by their own spiritual philosophies and practices. Painting and mixed media works are represented in this exhibition. Call for additional related events. From September 20. Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane, E. Islip. Info: (631) 224-5402. Call for hours and admission.

Friends and colleagues

A special exhibition, Four Artists, Four Objects, Ten Years, features the artwork of four contemporary American female artists and their still-life paintings from September 10 through December 15. Showing the work of Janet Fish, Sondra Freckelton, Nancy Hagin and Harriet Shorr, four talented painters who are friends as well as colleagues. Emily Lowe Gallery. Hofstra University. Admission is free. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.; Sat.,Sun. 1 P.M. - 5 P.M. Closed on holiday weekends. Info: (516) 463-5672.