Best Bets

Terri Clark

Collin Raye, the man with the most muscular tenor in country music and Terri Clark, the down-to-earth country music star put on shows that are electrifying in their intensity say promoters. Expect to hear his well-known hits such as, "Love Me," "In This Life," "Little Rock," and "Not That Different" as well as songs from his new CD. Canadian Terri Clark's fans should expect to hear songs from her new CD, Fearless as well as earlier hits like "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me," and "Better Things to Do." Westbury Music Fair. October 29, 7 P.M. Tickets: $37.50 (631) 888-9000 or www.musicfair.com.

Joni James in concert

Throughout a career that began in 1952, Joni James has been associated with hit songs and best-selling albums. Her sales worldwide exceed 100 million units. Known for such singles as, "Why Don't You Believe Me," "Have You Hear," "My Love, My Love," and "Your Cheatin' Heart," were in the Top 10 most-played jukebox songs in the nation. Other hits include "How Important Can It Be," "Danny Boy," "Are You Sorry," "Little Things Mean A Lot," among others. Westbury Music Fair. October 28, 8 P.M. Tickets: $35, (631) 888-9000.

Gala benefit

The Nassau Symphony Orchestra will host its 12th Annual Gala Benefit concert for Special Olympics on LI entitled Touched by a Tenor. Acclaimed as "next Mario Lanza"by Tony Bennet and "The Fourth Tenor" by Regis Philbin, the concert's tenor, Michael Amante should inspire. November 5, 3 P.M., Tilles Center. Tickets: $25/adults; $20/seniors. Info: 565-0646.

SPECIAL EVENTS Events

Talks and tours

Old Westbury Gardens presents its "Talks & Tours" on various aspects of gardening and the decorative arts. October 14. 2 P.M.: Ceilings, Moldings and Pediments with Master Gardener Barbara Frank. October 21. 2 P.M. "Minor Bulbs" with Master Gardeners Mary and Harry Van Allen. October 22. 2 P.M. "Ending the Season in the Garden" with Master Gardener Dan mahony. October 28. 2 P.M. "Neoclassical Themes in an 18th Century English Manor House" with docent Jane Wohlgemuth. Old Westbury Gardens. Call for Garden Talks & Tours info/arrangements/admission: 333-0048. Parking free.

Children's series

Explore the magic of puppetry, the joys and trials of a new baby in the house, and other performances in 4 special events. First event: October 29 "Fantoccini:" Mum Puppettheatre transforms everday, ordinary objects into puppets to create short stories. For complete schedule and subscription costs: Friends of the Arts 922-0061.Children 5-10. Performances 1:30 P.M. and 3:30 P.M. Jeanne Rimsky Theatre, at Landmark, Port Washington.

Birth of romance

For State Humanities Month, the LI Arts Council at Freeport is sponsoring lecture entitled "Romancing the Soul: The Bronte Sisters and the Birth of the Romance Novel" presented by Lydia Bronte, a descendant of the Brontes. Freeport Memorial Library, West Merrick Rd., & South Ocean Avenue. Admission: Free. October 28. 2:30 P.M. 223-2522.

Joyce Carol Oates

Writer, Joyce Carol Oates, one of America's most versatile and serious writers, will give readings at Nassau Community College. Recent works include "Blonde" and "Broke Heart Blues." Her awards include Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Book Award and a Nobel Prize nomination. NCC College Center Building. Admission: free. October 24, 1 P.M. Info: Phyllis Kurland 572-7153.

Culture Kids

Circus, drums, marionettes and the world's most acclaimed dance and opera troupes are featured in Culture Kids, a lively six-part performance series. For children 5-8. Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn Harbor. 10 AM Saturday mornings. Begins November 4 through May 19. Tickets: Individual performances/$20. Full series: $105. Info/schedule: Michelle Schneider 484-9338.

How do they do that?

Ship-in-a-Bottle techniques employed by seamen who created model ships inside of bottles is the subject of a children's workshop. Children 6-12 will learn to create a simplified version of this maritime craft. October 22. 1 P.M. Whaling Museum, Main St., Cold Spring Harbor. Members: free. Non-members $5 (includes Museum admission). Reservations required: (631) 367-3418.

Theatre

The looking glass

Yates Musical Theater presents Alice in Wonderland as first of 4-part holiday series for children. Westbury Music Fair. October 28, 11 A.M. Tickets: $12.50 (or $30 for all 4 shows). (631) 888-9000.

Fantastic!

See New York's longest running musical: The Fantasticks performed by Hofstra's Department of Drama and Dance. West End Theatre/Hofstra Univ. Through October 22. Tickets $8, 7 for seniors and non-Hofstra students. For show times and info: 463-6644.

When children come to life

"Pinocchio", now a heartwarming musical fantasy, is based on the classic children's tale and Gepetto's love for his naughty son. Fantasy Playhouse, Lynbrook. Saturdays &Sundays through October 29. 3:30 P.M. Tickets:$8. Reservations: 599-1982.

Laugh lines

Robert Anderson's hilarious comedy, "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running," is part of Hofstra conference on Mr. Anderson's work. Hofstra USA Productions. Monroe Lecture Center Theater. October 26 to 29. Call for times. Tickets: $15, $13 for senior citizens and non-Hofstra students. 463-6644.

MUSIC

I hear a symphony

Vladimir Fedeoseyev will conduct The Vienna Symphony Orchestra in program of Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Schubert's Symphony No. 9, and Wagner's Overture to Faust (The Great). Tilles Center. October 29, 7 P.M. Tickets: $68, $58, $42 (seniors $65, $55, $39). TillesCharge 299-3100 (Mon-Sat, 1-6 P.M.)

Mozart and friends

The Long Island String Quartet will perform works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and Hofstra Professor of Music, Herbert Deutsch. October 24. 8 P.M. Tickets $15/gerneral admission; $12 seniors and non-Hofstra students available at Box Office at Monroe Lecture Center Theater or prior to concert by calling John Cranford Adams Playhouse Box Office at 463-6644.

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 January 14. Nassau County Museum of Art, Roslyn Harbor. Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 A.M.-5 P.M. Admission: $/adults, $3 seniors, $2 children. Docent-led tours, 2 P.M. each day except Sun. Info: 484-9337.

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.

Faculty art

Multi-media exhibition of works by the NCC Art Faculty, features all aspects of art that is taught in the NCC art department. Community can attend free artists' reception October 25, 5 P.M. - 7 P.M. Through November 14. Nassau Community College/Firehouse Gallery. Mon.-Tues. 10 A.M.-4 P.M.; Wed.-Thurs. 11 A.M.-7 P.M.; Fri. 10 A.M.-2 P.M.; Sat. 12-5 P.M. Info: 572-7165.

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 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.

Looking forward

A special exhibition "Toward the New: American Abstract Artists" traces the history of the American Abstract Artists, a revolutionary group founded in 1936. The group's mission is to ensure that galleries and museums continue to display the work of American artists who create in the abstract style. In keeping with the mission, Hillwood Art Museum will present the most recent work of several current members through November 12. C.W. Post Campus. Open Mon.-Fri., 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. and until 7:30 P.M. on Tues.; Sat.-Sun. 11 A.M. - 3 P.M. Info: 299-4073 or www.liu.edu/museum.