By JUNE SULLIVAN
The holidays may be celebrated very differently in our communities. But there are even wider differences in our tastes in music. Some audiences only "Doo Wop." Others sway only to "Jazz." "Classical" music moves multitudes these days, while still others tap their toes only to "Rock." Needless to say, our communities' love of "Country" shows up more than just in the ballot box.
Pulling these disparate musical tastes together under one holiday-season umbrella is Westbury Music Fair. Not leaving out even children's preferences, the entire lineup rocks ... well, so to speak.
The holiday season kicks off over this Thanksgiving weekend with Gladys Knight - sans Pips - backed up by The Four Tops. Additional highlights follow. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (631) 888-9000. Shows, dates and times are "subject to change without notice," says Westbury Music Fair promotional information.
Gladys Knight and The Four Tops
8 P.M. Nov. 24, 25
Ticket Prices: $50
Feel every beat of her heart as Gladys Knight performs (sans Pips) along with the Four Tops this weekend. When with The Pips, Ms. Knight made such memorable records as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and "Midnight Train to Georgia."
The Four Tops made some of Motown's most memorable singles: "Baby I Need Your Loving," "It's the Same Old Song," "Reach Out and I'll Be There," "Standing In the Shadows of Love," and "Bernadette."
Colors of Christmas: Starring Peabo Bryson,
Marilyn McCoo, Bill Medley and Roberta Flack
8 P.M. Dec. 1 Tickets: $37.50
"The Colors of Christmas" tour has brought together on one stage a host of beloved award-winning artists, performing songs of the season as well as their own familiar hits, and accompanied by a full orchestra and gospel choir. This year, The Colors of Christmas features Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo, Bill Medley, and Roberta Flack.
Hot Winter Night III
Paul Revere & The Raiders,
Gary Puckett, and The Buckinghams
8 P.M. Dec. 9 Tickets: $32.50
Few acts can entertain an audience with such high musical skill, energy and level of comedy like Paul Revere and the Raiders, writes Westbury Music Fair publicity office. Gary Puckett ("Lady Willpower") had six consecutive major hits and gold records and The Buckinghams ("Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," "Hey Baby") were proclaimed pop phenomena when five songs all hit the top ten nationally.
Crystal Gayle Christmas
3 P.M. Dec. 10 Tickets: $30
Having recently released two inspirational albums - "Someday," which was nominated for a Grammy award, and "He Is Beautiful" - Crystal Gayle ("Don't It Make Your Brown Eyes Blue") will probably sing her special renditions of "Amazing Grace," "In The Garden," "Nearer My God To Thee," and "Old Rugged Cross," along with holiday standards.
The Irish Tenors Christmas Spectacular
Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan & Finbar Wright
8 P.M Dec. 14 Tickets: $50
Three-part harmony may never sound as good as when Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Finbar Wright - also known as The Irish Tenors - blend their voices. Many Long Islanders may have already heard this trio during WLIW pledge drives, if not yet in live concert.
Dick Fox Holiday Doo-Wop
7 P.M. & 10:30 P.M. Dec. 16 Tickets: $32.50
The Duprees ("You Belong To Me), The Tokens ("Lion Sleeps Tonight"), The Teenagers (" Do Fools Fall In Love"), The Shangri-Las ("Leader of The Pack"), The Classics ("Till Then"), The Dubs ("Could This Be Magic"), Randy & The Rainbows featuring Randy Safuto ("Denise"), Accapella Stars, The Encounters, and special guest star, Frankie Ford ("Sea Cruise") are sure to make Dick Fox's Holiday Doo Wop Extravaganza a success.
Smooth Jazz Christmas
7 P.M. Dec. 17 Tickets: $30
Dave Koz and his special friends Peter White, Brenda Russell and Rick Braun are on their fourth consecutive tour performing holiday standards on Long Island. Expect to hear selections from Dave Koz's "December Makes Me Feel This Way" CD that features Christmas classics such as "White Christmas," "The Christmas Song," and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town."
Kenny Rogers Christmas from
The Heart Featuring The Toy Shoppe
8 P.M. Dec. 22
2 & 7 P.M. Dec. 23 Tickets: $45
Kenny Rogers' Christmas Tour is a true celebration of the season. The show begins with Rogers taking the audience on a musical journey through life in a small town, complete with snowfall and performing such standards as "The Christmas Song," "Let It Snow," and "White Christmas."
"For the Kids" Winter Children's Theater
Babes in Toyland: 11 A.M. Dec. 2
The Nutcracker: 11 A.M. Dec. 28 Tickets: $12.50
"Babes in Toyland" combines timeless musical charm with a fun-filled family event for today. "The Nutcracker" brings the holiday spirit alive on stage through this classical ballet holiday story.
12th Annual L.I.
Festival of Trees
Nov. 24 to 26 at SUNY Old Westbury
(Clark Center & Campus Center)
Route 107, Brookville.
Hours, admission & info: (516) 378-2000 ext. 233
Last year, more than 30,000 people flocked to the spectacular display of decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Nassau's Festival of Trees at SUNY Old Westbury. The Festival includes entertainment, specialty shops, vendors and 10,000 square feet of a "wonderland for children," organizers say.
This year, the UCP has generated a good deal of excitement and anticipation, including plans by a television station to cover some activities.
Perhaps for good reason. The holiday atmosphere is nothing short of amazing. The holiday emporiums are "chock full of baked goods and gifts, gingerbread houses, children's arts and crafts, hundreds of designer centerpieces, wreaths, trees and one-of-a-kind decorations," says the festival's spokesperson, Diane Zamansky.
She adds, 'There's something for everyone at this popular Thanksgiving weekend event."
