BEST BETS

Kathy Mattea

Kathy Mattea, with special guest Asleep At The Wheel, (one of the most respected and heralded "players" groups in the business), will celebrate her critically acclaimed new CD, "The Innocent Years" in concert. With six number one singles, three gold albums and a platinum album, you can see why Mattea is one of country music's true luminaries.In addition, Kathy has won three Grammys, been honored twice as the CMA's "Female Vocalist of the Year," and received "Song" and :"Single of the Year" honors for her hits, "Where've You Been," and "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses." Westbury Music Fair. October 7. 8 P.M. Tickets: $32.50.(631) 888-9000.

Ambassador of song

The Ambassador of Song, Jerry Vale ("A -Di-La," "And This Is My Beloved," "You Don't Know Me," "Pretend You Don't See Her") and the Guy Lombardo Orchestra will present a concert at Hofstra University's new Arena as part of Hofstra's 9th annual outdoor Italian Experience Festival, which is taking place from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. that day. September 24. 6 P.M. Tickets: A$30/floor, $28/general admission. (463-6633 ext 2.

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.
Tom Paxton & friends
Internationally-recognized and beloved cultural figure, folk singer Tom Paxton will perform at Family Concert and Family Fun Day filled with children's activities (face painting, bubble blowing, old-fashioned hay toss). September 17. 3 P.M. Old Westbury Gardens. Bring picnic or reserve box meal from Cafe in the Woods (334-9557). Tickets: Adults $10, Children (3-12) $8. Info: 333-0048.
Talks and Tours
Join a Chrysanthemum Walk with Master Gardener Barbara Levine and enjoy a display of the many unusual new and historic varieties (September 23, 2 P.M.). Also Master Gardener Patricia Speciner points out the highlights of the Walled Garden, dressed in chrysanthemums, asters and dahlias on September 24, 2 P.M. Old Westbury Gardens. Talks and Tours meet at Beech Tree by West Porch of Westbury House and are free with Gardens admission. Info: 333-0048.
A little birdie told us
South Shore Audubon Society invites all to their Second Annual Fall Bird Festival at various parks and preserves in southern Nassau County. Primary site, scheduled for September 23 (8:30 A.M. - 4 P.M.) is the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve in Seaford.Expect live birds of prey, slide shows, and guest speakers. Children can participate in arts and crafts. Festival also includes birdwatching field trips starting 9 A.M. at Jones Beach State Park, Oceanside Marine Nature Study, Massapequa Preserve, Tackapausha Preserve and Brookside Preserve in Freeport. Also a photo workshop by Tom Torma at Cow Meadow Preserve for photography buffs. www.audubon.org.chapter/ny/southshore or call 482-7963 for full schedule and program information.

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. Through September 24, weekends only: 8 P.M. Friday, Saturday and 2 P.M. Sunday. Tickets: $22, $20 (seniors and students). Box Office/Info: 463-6644.
A comic threat
Husband and wife team Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna star in their new comedy "If You Ever Leave Me...I'm Going With You" which celebrates the husband and wife acting/writing partnership and three decade love affair. The comedy covers the couple's romantic courtship, their first wedding reception, their five marriage ceremonies and the near spouse-icides of three decades of professional collaboration. Westbury Music Fair. October 15. 3 P.M. Tickets: $32.50. (631) 888-9000.

MUSIC

A little bit country
Brooks & Dunn, as hot a duo in country music as there is today, will be joined in concert with special guest Andy Griggs. Their latest album, Tight Rope, has remained on the country charts for over 40 weeks. Their double platinum greatest hits album has remained on the Billboard Catalogue charts for almost three solid years. Andy Griggs, the opening act, currently has a top 20 single, "She's More." Westbury Music Fair. October 1. 3 P.M. and 7 P.M. Tickets: $45. SFX.com or (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.
Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme
Tow of the finest entertainers in show business will perform for 5 nights. Native New Yorkers, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme have had individual recording careers 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 "If He Walked Into My Life." Westbury Music Fair. Through September 24. 8 P.M. (Sunday at 7 P.M.) Tickets: $35 (Wed.-Thurs.), $40 (Fri-Satt.) $37.50 (Sun.) (631) 888-9000.

Art

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 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.