best Bets

Ben E. King

Ben E. King joins rock 'n roll duo, Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, better known as The Righteous Brothers in concert. Bill Medley was playing in a local Orange County band when he was introduced to Bobby Hatfield, who was playing with a small group of his own on the same local circuit in Southern California. They sang together one night and the rest is history: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin," "Just Once In My Life," "Unchained Melody," and "Ebbtide." Ben E. King is best known as the voice behind the pop classic "Stand By Me." He was originally a member of the Drifters and is known to have redefined their sound. Westbury Music Fair. August 29, 8 P.M. Tickets: $40, (631) 888-9000.

Tito Puente tribute

A Tribute to Tito Puente, featuring the Tito Puente Orchestra, Dave Valentin, Bobby Sanabria and Ascension will celebrate his contribution to American music. The exuberant percussionist, bandleader and five-time Grammy Award winner shared his charisma and talent through his marriage of Latin music and jazz. Friends of the Arts Summer Festival. August 26 8 P.M., Planting Fields Arboretum. Info: 922-0061. Tickets: Advance/$37 & $27 through Ticketmaster (631) 888-9000 and $22/general admission lawn seating. Children under 12, free on the lawn with ticketed adult.

Special Events

Events

Summer festival

Annual Summer Festival sponsored by merchants of Massapequa Park will include charity event by DJ Pages and his attempt to make the Guinnes World Book of records by living on a rooftop in the Park for 105 consecutive days. Popular international food fest with everything from American hot dogs to Italian zeppoles. Entertainment, rides and dancing in the streets along Park Boulevard, just north of Sunrise Highway. Friday, August 18 (evening), 19 & 20. Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park.

Full of hot air

More than 75 colorful hot air balloons will fill the summer skies as part of the 3rd annual Waldbaum's Balloon and Music Festival, a three-day festival for the entire family, rain or shine. Balloon rides in colored balloons are offered for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, in addition to the tethered rides. Musical line-up includes "Twist" legend Chubby Checker along with Mary Wilson & the Supremes followed by the Beach Boys, Amber, Take Five, Bosson and BBMac (call for schedule). Family activities include National Marionette Theatre, Gieco Direct Yiengst Magic Circus, Arthur's Wonderful Kind of Storytime, Barnyard Attractions Petting Zoo, Circuit City Hare & Hound and other sponsored events. August 18, 19, 20. Brookhaven-Calabro Airport, Shirley. Advance tickets: adults/$11, children (7-12)/$6. Gate: $15/$10. 1-888-99-HOTAIR or www.balloonfestival.com.

The pipes are calling

Old Westbury Gardens and the Long Island Scottish Clan MacDuff will host a day of traditional Scottish Games including Scottish dance and music performances, demonstrations and competitions and specialty crafts and food. Scottish bagpipe music and highland dancing, as well as caber tossing, sheepdog trials and putting the stone competitions will be enhanced with traditional foods such as fish & chips, Scottish pie, scones and other Scottish and Gaelic goods that are offered for sale. August 26, 8 A.M.- 5 P.M.The Games are included in special admission rates to Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury. Adults $10; Seniors (+62) $4. Children $3. Additional fee for a tour of Westbury House. Info: 333-0048.

Civil War Encampment re-created

Authentically uniformed Federal re-enactors will portray the excitement, color and ceremony of life in a Union Army training camp called a Camp of Instruction during the Civil War. Also songs of the Civil War will be played on a mid-19th century pump organ in the Layton House parlor. The Old Bethpage Village Brass Band will perform both days, near the military camp at 2 and 3:15 P.M. August 19, 20. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. Info: 572-8400. Admission: $6/adults; $4 children (5-12).

Theatre

Join Dorothy

Enjoy a trip down the Yellow Brick Road in search of a wizard who can grant wishes. This upbeat, updated version of the classic story of "The Wizard of Oz" is still as entertaining for adults as it is for children. Broadhollow Players. August 17 & 21. 11 A.M. Centre Stage at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets: $5. Info: (631) 581-2700.

Favorite step-child

"Cinderella" an original musical comedy by Barbara Schaap, includes masquerade ball, a a case of mistaken identity, a miserable step-mother, two horrible step-sisters and a rockin' and rollin' fairy God-mother, who all contribute to helping Cinderella achieve Queendom. (Sat & Sun) August 19 (2 P.M.), 21 (10 A.M.), 22 (10:30 A.M.), 23 (11 A.M.) Tickets: $8.Theater Workshop Productions at Fantasy Playhouse, 317 Merrick Rd., Lynbrook. Info: 599-1982.

A drop of golden sun

Rogers and Hammerstein's enchanting classic, "The Sound of Music" is a true family favorite. Presented by Broadhollow Players. Through August 20. Saturday 8 P.M., Sunday : 3 & 7 P.M. Tickets: $12/students 16 and under. All others: $16-$20. For complete performance schedule: 581-2700. Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre.

Master Class

Hofstra USA Productions presents Terrence McNally's Master Class which places the audience front and center at a class conducted by opera diva Maria Callas. (Callas actually did conduct a famous series of master classes at Juilliard in 1971.) In this production, the music of the arias stimulate her memories as she relives her bitter childhood in Greece, her phenomenal acclaim, her triumph over her enemies and her tragic love affair with Aristotle Onassis. Through August 20. Tickets: $20; $18/seniors. Tickets/Info: 463-6644.

MUSIC

All you have to do is dream

The rich harmonies of the Everly Brothers, joined by special guest, Ricky Skaggs, will evoke memories of bobby socks and romance. With record sales exceeding 40 million, Don and Phil Everly rank as one of the best-selling duos of any musical genre. Their hit classics include "Bye Bye Love," "Wake Up Little Susie," "Crying In The Rain," "I Wonder If I Care As Much," "Claudette," "On The Wings Of A Nightingale," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," and "When Will I Be Loved." Their biggest hit, "Cathy's Clown," which sold over 2 million, hit the charts in the 1960s. Westbury Music Fair. August 22, 8 P.M. Tickets: $35 (631) 888-9000.

Reggae, et al.

Maxi Priest, Toots & The Maytals, Kymani Marley & Andrew Tosh will perform as Reggae Summerfest 2000 rolls into town. Maxi Priest's current album CombiNation is a blend of reggae, hip-hop, jazz, rock, pop and rhythms that have spawned the single "Mary Got A Baby." As a solo artist his hits include: "That Girl," "Wild World," and "How Can We Ease The Pain." August 19, 8 P.M. Westbury Music Fair. Tickets: $32.50. (631) 888-9000.

Choral music

One of Long Island's most unique singing ensembles, the Old Bethpage Village Singers, will perform in the Manetto Hill Church at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Sunday August 20, 2, 2:45, and 3:30 P.M. Parking: free. Admission to Restoration Village: $6 adults, $4 children (5-12). Info: 572-8400.

High noon

Canon Noontime Concert Series "In a Shady Glade" continues at Eisenhower Park. Bring your lunch and a chair August 23 "Sound on Sound," August 30 "Big Band Association." For complete schedule and info: 572-0253. Concerts will be held in the ahady area adjacent to Parking Fields 6 & 6A. Admission: Free.

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.