The Contortionist
This Indiana-based deathcore band twists and turns its audience with their high-energy sound. Join guitarist Robby Baca, guitarist Cameron Maynard, drummer Joey Baca, vocalist Mike Lessard, bassist Jordan Eberhardt, and keyboardist Eric Guenther as they rock the house to such metal favorites as “Predator” and “Holomovement.” Warming up the mosh pit will be Revocation, Fallujah, Toothgrinder and More of Myself to Kill. Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. Revolutionli.com $16. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19.
Jess Ingui
Long Island’s own Jess Ingui will take the stage to wow audiences with her powerful vocals. This singer/songwriter’s sultry sound is something every LIer should experience once. Like a local version of Beyoncé, her R&B, jazz, and soul-infused sound awakens the deep recesses of your heart. Opening the show are Leah Laurenti and Cora Small! 89 North Music Venue, 89 North Ocean Ave., Patchogue. 89northmusic.com $10. 7 p.m. Feb. 19.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of brothers-fueled Southern rock and blues hellraisers The Black Crowes’ indefinite hiatus (a group featuring Chris Robinson on vocals and brother Rich on guitar), Brother Chris continues melding the realms of all that is supersonic and cataclysmic in rock. Touring in support of their latest drop, Phosphorescent Harvest, this LA-based psychedelia-rock powerhouse has released three albums to critical success, including The Magic Door and Big Moon Ritual. Will they launch into The Crowes’ “Remedy,” just for old-time’s sake? Only one way to find out. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $15-$30. 8 p.m. Feb. 19.
Leon Russel
Leon Russell first made a career for himself as a session musician for such musical heavyweights as George Harrison, Barbra Streisand, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Frank Sinatra before embarking on a storied and prolific solo career as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree recording artist, as well as an inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His signature country rock and folk sound immediately recalls a bygone era of authentic American sounds. With special guest Riley Ethridge Jr. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $40-$75. 8 p.m. Feb. 19.
Average White Band
Scottish funk and R&B band Average White Band is best known for their soul and disco hits like “Pick Up the Pieces.” The fifteenth most sampled band in history, you have heard their tracks on recordings by the Beastie boys, Ice Cube, Eric B. and Rakim, and A Tribe Called Quest, among others. This band has been performing to throngs of fans for more than 40 years and AWB still rocks the house. Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main St., Bay Shore. boultoncenter.org $45-$50. 8 p.m. Feb. 19.
Beatles Animator Exhibit
Ron Campbell, director of the Beatles 1960s Saturday Morning Cartoon series and animator of the classic film Yellow Submarine, will be exhibiting artwork and creating new Beatles pop art paintings live during a reception and talk for his rare exhibit. He will also be exhibiting artwork featuring other beloved cartoon characters that encompass his 50-year career in children’s television, such as Scooby Doo, The Smurfs, Rugrats, Winnie the Pooh, The Flintstones, Jetsons, and more. The event runs all weekend long. Frame & Art Gallery, 4 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. RonCampbellAnimator.com 5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Common Threads
A reception for an exhibit featuring the work of artists who have adapted age-old techniques to express modern concepts of light, color, mass and transparency. In this spectacularly breathtaking exhibition, artists utilize fiber to create conceptual pieces that are clearly contemporary in style and spirit. They include: Michael A. Cummings, a contemporary quilter whose work tells stories of African American history, Justine Moody and Pat Solan, who each use felted wool techniques from which they create two and three dimensional works, as well as Eve Kousourou, who uses the structure of a loom to construct her tapestries, scarves and rugs. Gallery North, 90 N Country Rd., Setauket-East Setauket. gallerynorth.org Free. 5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Pink Floyd Experience
Band leader Tom Quinn purchased his first guitar when Pink Floyd’s epic album Dark Side of the Moon was released. Four decades later, Quinn is doing more than just mimicking the iconic band with a few strokes of his guitar, he’s giving fans of the legendary London-based band the full, mind-blowing experience. Any admirer of Pink Floyd’s influential music would appreciate a show like this. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $35-$55. 8 p.m. Feb. 20.
The Machine Performs Pink Floyd Unplugged
Some bands develop such a devout following that their music may inspire maybe one top-notch cover band. When it comes to Pink Floyd the verdict is still out as to who’s the best, but at least Long Island gets a double-dose of Pink Floyd-inspired sets this week. The Machine, a New York-based band with 25 years of performing Floydian music, promises to deliver a passionate performance that will have even the most diehard Floyd fans reliving the glory days. Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main St., Bay Shore. boultoncenter.org $40-$45. 8 p.m. Feb. 20.
WinterFolk
A program of special songs for the snow season by a dynamic group that has just released When One Door Closes, their first CD. Our Times Coffeehouse, 38 Old Country Rd., Garden City. ourtimescoffeehouse.org $15 adults, $10 students. 8 p.m. Feb. 20.
Fine Art Reception
A reception for the Red Exhibit, which benefits the American Heart Association and features the works of dozens of photographers. Runs through Feb. 28. Long Island Photo Gallery, 467 Main St., Islip. LongIslandPhotoGallery.com Free. 2 p.m. Feb. 21.
Willy Wonka Jr.
The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. 71 East Main St., Patchogue. patchoguetheatre.org $14. 11 a.m., 3 p.m. Feb. 21.
Soul Junkies
This Babylon-based roots reggae band, founded in 2012, has quickly made a name for itself in the short time the trio has been officially playing together. Inspired by the reggae sounds made popular by legendary musician Bob Marley, Soul Junkies exudes the type of passion that’s necessary to cultivate a devoted fan base and have created an impressive catalogue of hits. With InDaze and Short Notice. Vibe Lounge, 40 North Park Ave., Rockville Centre. vibeloungeli.com $10. 7 p.m. Feb. 21.
Rain
Nobody—nobody—could ever match the immense popularity of the Beatles, but that doesn’t mean fans of the band should close off their minds to talented musicians, such as those that make up RAIN. The group will pay tribute to the iconic band from Liverpool by performing classic Beatles songs with a mastery that few can match. Will they play Press favorite “Blackbird”? “Rocky Raccoon”?? What about “Helter Skelter”!?!? We sure hope so! NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50-$62.50. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
The Daily Show Writers Standup Tour “An Evening of Political-ish Comedy”
This show may have taken on greater significance now that Jon Stewart announced he’d be retiring later this year. Stewart won’t be performing but a number of talented writers and producers from the critically-acclaimed satirical late night show will be on hand. Following the show, the group will also take part in a Q&A in which they’ll discuss how the half-hour show is produced. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $20-$35. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
Leo Kottke
No one in the world plays guitar like Leo Kotke. Or sings like him, when he’s in the mood to accompany his flying fingers with his rich, distinctive voice. His body of work has so much artistic integrity and eclectic eccentricity it’s scary. Judge him from his album titles like My Feet Are Smiling, Burnt Lips and Peculiaroso, and you won’t have a clue what he sounds like, but you will get the idea that he’s one of a kind. It’s funny to consider that one of America’s greatest acoustic guitarists started out on the trombone, but as he put it, “I never considered that a life in trombone might differ from the one I was imagining… a life lived in hotels, in black suits and skinny ties, Ray-Bans indoors, by someone who never played much and was depressed… I was guided by trombonists, note by note, toward home.” Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main St., Bay Shore. boultoncenter.org $50-$55. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
The Smithereens
Not many rock groups can say they came out of Carteret, New Jersey, but that distinction could be another reason the Smithereens are so freaking great. Maybe they took their suburban alienation to a deeper level and mastered it to musical perfection. Maybe they would have created an equally awesome sound if they’d been from Piscataway or Cape May. These philosophical questions are mere distractions from the essential truths that the Smithereens have been blowing their audiences away for years with their “Marshall-amped post-mod power pop,” as USA Today’s Brian Mansfield put it so well. From “Beauty and Sadness” to “Blood and Roses,” The Thrilla, Jim, Dennis, Pat and Andy Burton from John Mayer’s band on keyboards will be in fine form. And so will we, once we hear that first fantastic crashing guitar chord. Suffolk Theater, 118 East Main St., Riverhead. suffolktheater.com $49. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
Eric Gales Band
The title of his 14th amazing album is Good For Sumthin, and the man from Memphis is too damn modest, because he’s got something great going on, and you can see it beaming from his face as he’s standing in front of a psychedelicized Bodhisattva on the album cover blazing on his upside-down Strat—his exuberance is radiantly clear. Guitar Player Magazine amusingly says that “Gales has always preferred his blues on the rocks” but his sound is heavier than that, more in the spirit of Hendrix (he also plays left-handed), but harder to pin down, less rooted in the dusty, moldy past, and more “like a classic blues-rock power trio pumped up on progressive metal.” When guitar god Joe Bonamassa says Eric Gales is “one of the best, if not the best, guitarist in the world today,” you know that’s no small claim. That’s something to brag about, but that’s not his style. Treme Blues and Jazz Club, 553 Main St., Islip. tremeislip.com $30. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
The South Shore Symphony
Piano soloist Dmitry Glivinskiy performs Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major, Pavane” for a dead princess, “Rapsodie Espagnole” and “Suite II” from Daphnis et Chloe. Madison Theatre, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. MadisonTheatreNY.org $20. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
Trio Solisti
Acclaimed chamber music ensemble will feature Rachmaninoff’s “Trio No. 1 in G Minor,” Turina’s “Trio No. 2 in B Minor,” Liebermann’s “Trio No. 3” and Trio Solisti’s arrangement of the Mussorgsky masterpiece “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Performing Arts Center, Adelphi University, Concert Hall, 1 South Ave., Garden City. triosolisti.com $35. 8 p.m. Feb. 21.
Big Shot
The only Billy Joel tribute band featuring musicians, namely Mike DelGuidice, who have actually shared a stage with the most famous Long Islander, The Piano Man himself. Big Shot schedules tour dates around Billy Joel’s monthly Madison Square Garden concerts. A true fan, DelGuidice guarantees a proper homage to his idol. Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh. muls.com $12. 9 p.m. Feb. 21.
The Break Contest
Twenty local bands face off in a battle of the bands for the chance to perform in the Skate and Surf Festival 2015 this May in New Jersey. Bands competing include 7SPLINTERS, Don’t Hit Me Up, Swear To Me, In My Sights, Matt Grabowski, Mint State, When Eyes Collide, White Line Tiger, Above Skylight, MHZ, Birth To Bridges, Count To Ten, Life After Death, Vanilla Coast, The Montauk Project, The Cavalry Is Us, Sir. Cadian Rhythm, Kill Trinity, Our Last Transmission and NFU. Support your local musicians! Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. Revolutionli.com $12, $15 DOS. 12 p.m. Feb. 22.
Cedar Creek
Come hear Cedar Creek do what they do best. With Makeshirt, Attic Weather, See Change, Ethan Kriedmaker and Attica. Vibe Lounge, 40 North Park Ave., Rockville Centre. vibeloungeli.com $10. 6 p.m. Feb. 22.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
These fiddlers are the most dynamic performers in Celtic music today. The evening will highlight the unique talents, influences, and stories of the first family of traditional fiddlers through world-class music making. Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. staller.sunysb.edu $42. 7 p.m. Feb. 22.
Academy Awards Viewing Party
Comedian Rob Magnotti, best known for his spot-on impersonations of Hollywood stars, hosts a viewing party for the Academy Awards organized by the Long Beach International Film Festival. Guests will feel like stars themselves as they strut down the Red Carpet, but their own Hollywood Star, autograph it and add it to the “Walk of Fame.” Dinner and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Madison Theatre, Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. MadisonTheatreNY.org $50. 7 p.m. Feb. 22.
Wild Canaries
Q&A with director/writer/co-star Lawrence Michael Levine! Barri (Sophia Takal) and Noah (writer-director Lawrence Michael Levine), a newly engaged Brooklyn couple, are disheartened by the death of their elderly downstairs neighbor, Sylvia. Though Noah sees nothing unusual about the old woman’s death, Barri suspects foul play and sets out to investigate, enlisting her roommate Jean (Arrested Development’s Alia Shawkat) to join her on a reconnaissance mission to trail a possible suspect. Tensions mount, however, when the investigation uncovers unsettling secrets throughout the building—including in their own apartment—and suddenly everyone seems like a reasonable suspect. Boasting a stellar supporting cast including Jason Ritter (Parenthood), Kevin Corrigan (The Departed), and Annie Parisse (The Following), Wild Canaries is a freshly comedic take on classic film noir. Soundview Cinemas, 7 Soundview Market Pl., Port Washington. goldcoastfilmfestival.org $15 advance, $10 students, $20 DOS. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
Philm
Thrash-metal innovator Dave Lombardo formerly played drums in Slayer, touring with them as part of Ozzfest and making some seminal albums. The musician is fearless. He’s got the chops to beat the music to death and bring it back to life, especially with his prowess on two bass drums that has proved inspirational. With his new band, Philm, formed in 2012, he’s been on fire, in fact that’s the operative word in the title of the band’s second album, Fire From the Evening Sun, which he produced. As Philm fans know, they burn boundaries between genres. Bass player Pancho Tomaselli can get down with the funk and rock it up while Gerry Nestler’s vocal chords can quiver with whispers or quake with manic screams. As Planet Mosh puts it, “Imagine a unique Quentin Tarantino movie, a romantic yet violent adventure…” Sounds like a ferocious version of the most lovely kind of destruction. With Lies Beneath, Serial Poets and Thorn Constellation. Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. Revolutionli.com $18. 8 p.m. Feb. 24.
Losing the Dollhouse
Local author S. Jane Gari will speak and sign her new memoir. When 19-year-old Jane finally works up the nerve to expose the truth about her stepfather’s sexual advances, her mother is outraged. But not at the stepfather. Her mother takes his side-a betrayal that threatens to destroy the family and leaves Jane struggling to forge her own identity as she enters adulthood. Once marriage is on the table, Jane packs up her life and resolves to stare her demons down. Losing the Dollhouse offers a slice of dysfunctional Americana complete with divorce, stepfamilies, eating disorders, mental illness and the search for true love. Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. Bookrevue.com Price of book. 7 p.m. Feb. 25.
King Lear
A superb production of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. A kingdom divided, a family destroyed, the faithful banished and the hateful left to wreak inhuman havoc in the realm. Four hundred years after it was written, King Lear resonates as never before. This powerful and unforgettable production of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy stars the incomparable Colm Feore in the role of a lifetime. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. CinemaArtsCentre.org $20 members, $25 public. 7 p.m. Feb. 25.
The Sing-Off
The Sing Off Live Tour presents a fantastic evening of a cappella groups who made it big after singing their lungs off on NBC’s hit TV show, featuring VoicePlay, Street Corner Symphony, The Exchange and special guests Blue Jupiter. VoicePlay began with a trio of high school friends singing in the halls of their high school. After graduation, they grew to five members and they went from performing at Orlando Theme Parks to the national stage on season four. Street Corner Symphony, finalists on the second season, hail from Nashville. Their repertoire ranges from Train to Dobie Gray and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Exchange first met on the set of The Sing Off in 2012, becoming friends, sharing riffs, and touring around the world. Blue Jupiter is an a cappella pop-funk singing group from New York City, who breathe new life into popular tunes like “Let It Go,” from the film Frozen as well as “The Remedy,” “Steal My Kisses,” and more. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $39.50-$84.75. 8 p.m. Feb. 25.
—Compiled by Jaime Franchi, Spencer Rumsey, Rashed Mian & Timothy Bolger
