Ahmad Ali
Long Island’s multi-talented musician Ahmad Ali is a versatile singer/guitarist with a love for blues, funk, jazz and R&B. To some listeners, he may be best known for hosting Café Ali on WUSB 90.1 FM, the Stony Brook University radio station. Music is in his blood—both grandfathers were musicians, his mom sang in church choirs and his dad played drums. Ahmad has a big heart and a bigger spirit. He makes the world a better place just by his being in it. Come see for yourself. The Lounge at The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave, Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com Free. 9 p.m. Aug. 28
48-Hour Filmmaking Contest Screening
In a world where all the filmmakers only had 48 hours to make their movies, these eight rose to the challenge. They include the romantic comedy A Big Log In A Tiny Pond by Too Nice; Hungry, a mockumentary by Adventure Entertainment; and the self-explanatory Dating 101 In The Apocalypse by Requiem for a Team, among others. Don’t forget the popcorn. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org $10. 7:30 p.m., Aug. 28
Jeff Bridges & The Abiders
How The Dude abides! Jeff Bridges is an Oscar-winning actor, underrated musician, and, thanks to his role in the Cohen Brothers’ classic, The Big Lebowski, a cult unto himself, forever linked to his quintessential character’s metaphysical motto: “The Dude abides.” It’s become a theme, of sorts, maybe even a philosophy (certainly it is for many fans of the movie). He won hearts as The Dude but he won the Oscar for portraying an ornery country music legend in Crazy Heart, which came out in 2009, nine years after his debut solo album, Be Here Soon. Bridges released his self-titled album in 2011 on Blue Note Records with production help from the great T Bone Burnett. With the Abiders along, he’s taken their act on the road, and for this show, Bridges’ daughter, Jessie, will join them onstage. With his gray locks combed back and his grizzled beard unshorn, he looks like he’s done nothing but hit honky-tonks since the day he was born. Will there be White Russian drink specials down at the bar? Only one way to find out, my friends. Only one way to find out. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $39.50-$74.50. 8 p.m. Aug 29
1964 The Tribute
The name may strike some as odd but then they don’t know the back story. The band, 1964 the Tribute, is a Beatles’ tribute group that formed in 1984, earning respect from Rolling Stone magazine as the “best Beatles tribute ever.” They’ve been on PBS and Nashville, all over the place in fact, to honor the great music made once upon a time by four lads from Liverpool. These guys don’t have to deal with thousands of screaming teenage girls drowning out their songs as their forebears did. As fans constantly tell the members of 1964 the Tribute today, “I saw the Beatles in ’64 and the only difference is I can hear you!” This foursome’s goal is to reproduce faithfully the Beatles’ 1964 tour of America when they broke through in such a big way they changed pop music forever. Since 50 years have passed, this is as good as it gets—and that’s a tribute to the dedication of Mark Benson as John Lennon, Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison, and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr. Let the flashback begin! NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $39.50-$52. 8 p.m. Aug. 29
Motley Crue / Alice Cooper
Motley Crue is on their farewell tour this summer and the road has been rocky. A truck carrying their equipment was involved in a fatal collision in Alabama recently but the band was still able to hit the stage unscathed to do what they do best. As these glam-metal pioneers put it, “All bad things must come to an end.” And to go out in style they’ve invited Alice Cooper (aka Vincent Furnier) to be their special guest. The Crue has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide with big rock anthems like “Dr. Feelgood,” “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” “Kickstart My Heart” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.” Hard to believe they’ve been doing this for 35 friggin’ years, but that’s the truth. And give the melodramatically mascara’d Alice Cooper credit where it’s due, too, because this bad “boy” of rock, whose first album was produced by Frank Zappa back in another century, has been pushing the boundaries since he first sang, “I’m Eighteen!”—the title of the band’s blockbuster hit in 1971. The controversy around their shocking video for “School’s Out” almost got them banned from the UK a year later. Having Motley Crue and Alice Cooper on the same bill is a “nightmare’ come true. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com $20-$144.50. 7 p.m. Aug. 29
Kip Moore
This Nashville-based country rocker’s 2012 debut album, Up All Night, was a bestseller. He recently released a single, “Young Love,” off his forthcoming sophomore effort due out this year. He’ll play his hits, including “Something About a Truck,” “Hey Pretty Girl” and “Beer Money.” With opening acts Chris Stapleton, LoCash Cowboys and Brothers Osborne. Pennysaver Amphitheater, 55 Bicycle Path, Farmingville, pennysaveramp.com $25-$53.95. 5 p.m. Aug. 29
The Drawn Word
Opening reception for an exhibition of works by 18 artists who work has appeared in magazines, newspapers and books, including Sy Barry, Floyd Hughs and Steve Walters. Exhibit runs through Sept. 9, 10a.m.-5 p.m. Tues-Sat and 12-5 p.m. Sun. Gallery North, 90 N Country Rd, Setauket- East Setauket. gallerynorth.org Free. 5 p.m. Aug. 29
Shinnecock Pow-Wow
Tribal dances, ceremonies, crafts, storytelling, native foods, demonstrations, dance & drum competitions; fire lighting at sunset. Shinnecock Reservation, Southampton, shinnecocknation.com. $12, $10 for seniors and kids ages 6-11. Kids 5 and younger free. 5-11 p.m. Aug. 29 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 3010 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1
Zac Brown Band
This Atlanta-based country rock band has had 10 singles top the Billboard country charts. Some of those hits they’ll be playing include “Chicken Fried,” “Toes” and “Free.” Opening the show on the latest stop of the band’s Great American Road Trip tour is Sturgill Simpson. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com $31.50-&94.55. 7 p.m. Aug. 30
Fantasia
This All-American R&B singer, Broadway performer and actress from High Point, North Carolina was third season American Idol winner. She’ll be singing her hits, including “I Believe” off her 2006 debut album, Free Yourself, and “When I See U,” topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Song chart for two months straight. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50-$62.50. 8 p.m. Aug. 30
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
The four-time Grammy Award-winning Long Island songstress will be taking the stage with her amazingly talented guitarist husband and ripping through hit after hit after hit. Expect all the songs that made this Lindenhurst native (via Brooklyn) a household name, including: “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Love Is a Battlefield,” “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Heartbreaker,” “Treat Me Right,” “Fire and Ice,” “Promises in the Dark” and “Shadows of the Night,” to name but a few. Do not miss this gig! The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $39.50-$89.50. 8 p.m. Aug 30
Marco Antonio Solis
Solis, the legendary Mexican singer and songwriter, is touring to promote his latest solo album Gracias Por Estar Aquí, which translates to “Thanks for Being Here.” Opening the show will be Gilberto Santa Rosa, the Puerto Rican bandleader who is known as “El Caballero de la Salsa,” or “The Gentleman of Salsa.” Wear dancing shoes. Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. nassaucoliseum.com $9.99-$159.90. 8 p.m. Aug. 30
Danger Danger
The hard rock band that produced such gems as “Naughty Naughty,” “Monkey Business” and “Bang Bang” will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a long-awaited performance featuring its original lineup. Yup, the band is back together again. Ted Poley, Andy Timmons, Bruno Ravel, Steve West, and Kasey Smith are reuniting for their only U.S. show. “Danger Danger’s first gig was on Long Island 25 years ago,” West told the Press. “We’re excited to be back with the original band 25 years later.” Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. revolutionli.com $25, $30 DOS. 8 p.m. Aug. 30
Chris Isaak
A rockabilly crooner at heart, this California singer and guitarist—he’s also an actor—is best known for his softer, reverb-y 1989 hit “Wicked Game,” which rocketed to the top of the charts after appearing in the David Lynch film, Wild at Heart the following year. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. whbpac.org $150-$200. 8 p.m. Aug. 30
Ben Folds
He put the Ben Folds in the platinum-selling Ben Folds Five and he’s back to rock the suburbs. Following a successful reunion/live album release with the band in 2013, Folds tackles his latest live performances with a piano concerto he’s composed as part of a global symphonic tour. Guild Hall of East Hampton, 158 Main Street , East Hampton. guildhall.org $48-$145. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30
Thank You, Long Island Concert
An end-of-summer concert featuring performances by Captain Jack, one of the nation’s top Billy Joel tribute bands, and UnCovered, a regional mainstream classic hits band that has a huge local following, followed by a pyrotechnics display presented by Fireworks by Grucci. Pennysaver Amphitheater, 55 Bicycle Path, Farmingville, pennysaveramp.com Free. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 30
R.A. The Rugged Man
One of Long Island’s own hip hop stars, who’s worked with the likes of Mobb Deep, Wu Tang Clan and Notorious B.I.G., will rock the mic on his own turf. With opening act, Sean Price. 89 North Music Venue, 89 North Ocean Ave., Patchogue. 89northmusic.com $20. 5 p.m. Aug. 31
Demitri Martin
This comic’s TV show Important Things may no longer be on Comedy Central, but the good news is that fans of his quirky one-liners and goofy joke-songs can still catch his act live. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach. whbpac.org $60-$90. 8 p.m. Aug. 31
Colbie Caillat
This beachy, Grammy-winning California acoustic pop singer/songwriter is touring to promote her fifth album Gypsy Heart, which is slated to be released Sept. 30. Special guests at her upcoming performance include Alex and Sierra and Andy Grammer. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $30-$85. 8 p.m. Sept. 3
Brothers of the Black List
This timely documentary tracks a story of racism that became the longest-litigated civil rights case in American history. In September 1992, an elderly upstate New York woman reported an attempted rape by a young black man. In the ensuing investigation, a SUNY Oneonta official gave police a list of names and residences of 125 black male students. For the next several days, those students are tracked down and interrogated. The students and their school counselor recount the disturbing events that the college and police tried sweeping under the rug. Screening followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with filmmaker Sean Gallagher, lawyer Scott Fein and Kirk Allen, one of the students. Touro Law School, 225 Eastview Dr., Central Islip. tourolaw.edu Free. 6 p.m. Sept. 3
—Compiled by Spencer Rumsey, Rashed Mian, Timothy Bolger & Zack Tirana.
