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Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers' Christmas tour, "Christmas From the Heart featuring The Toy Shoppe" is a celebration of the season. There's something traditional, something new, and something for everybody in this all-new holiday classic. Program begins with Rogers taking audience on a musical journey through life in a small town, complete with snowfall, performing such standards as "The Christmas Song," "Let It Snow" and "White Christmas." Westbury Music Fair. 7 P.M., Dec. 23. Tickets: $45, (631) 888-9000.

Suddenly Seymour

The Gray Wig, Hofstra University's alumni repertory theater group, will present the musical Little Shop of Horrors, at the Monroe Lecture Center Theater January 5 to 21, 20001. There will also be a special New Year's Eve performance at 9 P.M. on Sunday, December 31, that includes a sit-down buffet dinner, dessert, champagne, music and dancing. Show, which features book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, is about Seymour, a floral assistant, who discovers an exotic, R&B-singing plant that offers him fame in exchange for feeding its carnivorous appetite. 2 P.M. Sundays. Tickets: $22; $20 seniors. For New Year's Eve Gala: $85/per person. Info: 463-6644.

Special Events

Yuletide of yesteryear...
"Candlelight Evenings" this year will feature a special exhibit highlighting the history of Christmas on LI. The ambience created by the flickering candlelight inside at least seven of the restored buildings should enchant. Popular 19th Century music and entertainment will also be highlighted. Old Bethpage Restoration, Old Bethpage. Open from 5 to 9:30 P.M. Dec. 23 & Dec. 26 through 30th. Admission: $6/adults, $4/children, 5-12. Info: 572-8400.
A lost world
Dinosaurs 2000 exhibit has been extended through February 25. Robotic dinosaurs highlight the exhibit that includes a "hands-on" dinosaur robot without skin allowing visitors to see the construction and to control movements of body. Great Kodak moments and other exhibits make for sure family fun. Sands Point Preserve, Sands Point.10 A.M.-4 P.M. Tues-Suns (and Mon holidays). Admission: $$6/adults; $3/children (3-12); $4/seniors (60+), 571-7900.
Bloomin' nights
The "Blooming Lights" celebration offers whimsical botanical and winter scenes with 46 illuminated sculptures and garden scenes. Outdoor tent exhibits large G-scale model trains. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Fri.-Sun. 5-9 P.M. through Dec. 24/every night from Dec. 26-31.
Sculpture workshop
Sculpture workshop by Elsi Nydorf will teach fundamentals and basic techniques . Express images in clay, plaster, wood or stone. Learn relationship of space, form and volume in 2 or 3 dimensions. Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, Barry Dr., Glen Cove. Museum admission: $2 adults; $2/children 5-12. Tues-Suns. 10 A.M.-4 P.M. Course: Thursdays, Jan. 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1. Choice: 9:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. or 1:00 P.M. - 4 P.M. Tuition: $150 for all 8 sessions. Info: 571-8010.
Kwanzaa celebration
Annual Kwanzaa celebration includes candlelighting ceremony by Rassan Hoskins and a libation by Steve Lloyd. Entertainment scheduled features performances by Imani Dancers of LI Youth Foundation among others. 2-5 P.M. Sunday, Dec. 31. African American Museum, 110 North Franklin St., Hempstead. Info: 572-0730.

Theater

A Nutcracker sweet
Lumiere Ballet presents a traditional full-length presentation of "The Nutcracker" 8 P.M. Dec. 22 and 2 & 8 P.M. Dec. 23. Centre Stage, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets: $18/adults; $15/seniors +65; $12/children under 12.(631) 581-2700.
Children's theater
Through the magic of musical theater, favorite children's classic comes to life in American Family Theater's Valley Forge Dance's The Nutcracker on Dec. 28. Tickets: $12.50. Westbury Music Fair box office, and Tickmaster: (631) 888-9000.
A nose so bright
Celebrate the winter holidays with classic tales for children and adults, "Rudolph." BroadHollow Players at BroadHollow Theatre, 200 Stewart Ave. Bethpage. 2 P.M., Sat. Dec. 16, Dec. 23 & Dec. 30.Tickets: $8, (631) 581-2700.
Holiday favorites
The Toys That Missed Christmas-The Santa Show" is a new holiday musical. Children may sit on Santa's lap after the performance. Bring your camera for pictures with the Cast. 1 P.M. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 .4:30 P.M. Dec. 22. .Tickets: $8."Nine Candles for David" is an original Chanukah musical about the heroes and miracles behind the traditions of Chanukah, The Festival of Lights. 11 A.M. Dec. 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30. .Tickets: $8. Beauty and the Beast: Based on classic French tale. 1 P.M. Dec. 28, 30, 31; 3:30 P.M. Dec. 23, 27, 29, 30. Tickets: $15/adults; $13/seniors, students. Fantasy Playhouse, 317 Merrick Rd., Lynbrook 599-1982.
Favorite orphan
A favorite family musical, "Annie" is a great way to spend time with family. "Annie" is based on the Tribune Media Services Comic Strip, with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charmin. Cultural Arts Playhouse, 714 Old Bethpage Rd., Old Bethpage. Through January 13. 8:30 P.M. Fri; 8 P.M. Sat; 3 P.M. Sun. No performances on 12/24 & 12/31. Tickets: matinees/$15. All other performances: $18/adults and $16/children. Info: 694-3330.

Music

Happy New Year!
The LI Philharmonic's 10th Anniversary New Year's Eve Gala Celebration has become an annual tradition for Long Islanders. This year's presentation "The Flip Side" is a one-of-a-kind evening featuring stars of stage and screen with unique cross-over programming. Tilles Center. 7:30 P.M. Dec. 31. Tickets: $125/$100/$85/$75/$50, (631) 293-6644.
David Broza
Israeli folk-rock sensation David Broza will perform live at his fifth annual New York Winter Concert. This annual event has become a New York holiday tradition and proudly continues for one night only. Joining Mr. Broza on stage will be such musician friends as saxophonist Jay Beckenstein of Spyro Gyro, Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista, and bassist Francisco Cento. Town Hall, 123 43rd St., NYC. 8 P.M. Dec. 24. Tickets: $40, $35, $30. Ticketmaster: (212) 307-4100 or at Townhall box office.has received world-wide acclaim. Westbury Music Fair. 8 P.M. Dec. 14. Tickets: $50, (631) 888-9000.

Art

Dali and friends
Two Surrealism exhibitions "Dali: Works on Paper" and "Surrealism", offer rare opportunity to experience locally the works of the century's artistic masters of dreams and the unconscious. Through Jan. 14. Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn Harbor. Hours: 11 A.M.-5 P.M. Tues.-Sun. Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children. Docent-led tours, 2 P.M. each day except Sun. Info: 484-9337.
Pollock to Wyeth
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 the sometimes serene pleasures of the city's leafy parks. (Through Jan. 7). Aaron Copland's America exhibition includes depictions of the composer by a diverse group of American artists and photographers, and an exploration of Copland's American spirit and its parallels in the visual arts the inclusion of works by artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Dali, O'Keefe, Benton, Weber, Wood and Hartley/ among others. (Through Jan. 21.) Heckscher Museum, Main St. (Rte 25A) and Prime Ave., Huntington. Hours: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Tues. - Fri. Admission: suggested donation $3 adults/$1 children. Info: (631) 351-3250.
Thirty-two plus thirty
The Thirty-Two Plus Thirty exhibition is a celebration of both the 32nd anniversary of the Black Artists Association and the 30th year of the African American Museum. It features recent watercolors, acrylics, sculptures, photographs and mixed media works by thirty members of the Assoc. Through Dec. 24th. African American Museum, 110 N. Franklin St., Hempstead. Hours: 10 A.M. - 4:45 P.M. Thurs-Sat.; 1P.M. - 4:45 P.M. Sun; 6 P.M. - 9 P.M. Wed. Admission: free. Info: 572-0730.
Artistry in Glass
For Artistry in Glass, an exhibition of miniature glass rooms, internationally known glass artist Emily Brock has joined with painter Eyvind Earle, known as the father of designed realism. Brock, famous for small scale replicas of building interiors, created glass room settings in which to feature Earle's tiny landscape paintings -- his first venture into minaturism. Through April 11. Nassau County Museum of Art/Tee Ridder Miniature Museum, One Museum Dr. (just off Northern Blvd., Rte 25A), Roslyn Harbor. Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 children. Hours: 11 A.M. - 5 P.M. Tues.-Sun.