A.R. Rahman
A.R. Rahman is the total package. The hugely popular Indian film composer, record producer, singer and musician may not be a household name in the United States, but he’s internationally renowned for his impeccable skills and masterful compositions. Rahman is credited with composing dozens of films, including critically-acclaimed films Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and 127 Hours (2011). His work on Slumdog Millionaire earned Rahman two Oscar wins and he’s garnered countless other nominations in various film competitions. This man is a living legend, just ask Tirana. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $75-$175. 8 p.m. May 21.
Sonic Bliss
The Long Island-based rock quintet is known for unleashing ferocious, pulsating sounds with an unmatched intensity that defies expectations. These guys are adept at meshing powerful, head-spinning melodies with fluid ballads as they send audiences into a metal-infused daze. Come ready to rock. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com Free. 8 p.m. May 21.
Brookhaven Fair
This month-long family fun fair featuring entertainment, rides, games, attractions, fireworks each weekend returns at 5 p.m. May 22. Pennysaver Amphitheater at Bald Hill, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville. BrookhavenFair.com $8. Time vary, through June 22.
Don’t Eat This!
An opening reception for an art exhibit that takes an everyday topic and makes art of it. The show description says it all … You can’t eat paintings of food but they can still make your mouth water. Main Street Gallery, 213 Main St., Huntington. huntingtonarts.org Free. 6 p.m. May 22.
Bobcat Goldthwait
Bobcat Goldthwait burst upon the scene when he was only 20 years old, appearing on recently retired David Letterman’s The Late Show and followed that memorable appearance with performances on film and in TV—most notably the Dave Chapelle’s Show, The Man Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The comedian is capable of taking on various subjects, including politics and even his own career. Bring on the laughs. Suffolk Theater, 118 East Main St., Riverhead. suffolktheater.com $42. 8 p.m. May 22.
Face The King
Long Island natives Face the King, who’ve been on the Warped Tour three years in a row and earned top accolades at the CBGB Festival in Times Square, now have a debut album out for their legion of fans to enjoy—and they surely will, because, after all, they helped make it possible with a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign that caught the attention of CI Records. What it all comes down to is this: “It’s you, me and the sound.” And that just happens to be the title of one of their best new songs. This alt-rock band works themselves to the bone, pouring out their heart and soul into every stirring performance. Come hear them make the mountains roar. With I-Ignite, The Tallest Trees in the Universe, Allies and The Little Red Men. Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. revolutionli.com $10, $13 DOS. 8 p.m. May 22
J Alvarez
Summer is coming on strong and “La Temperatura” is starting to get hot. So why not chill out with the coolest of pop crooners, J Alvarez? Claro que si! Born Javid David Alvarez Fernandez in Puerto Rico, J Alvarez is an internationally acclaimed reggaetón artist. Ladies love him and the feeling is mutual. You know what he says: “Mas Dinero, mas mujeres, mas drama!” And for the gringos out there, that simply means: “more money, more women and more you know what.” His style is smoother than a tall glass of Baccardi dark rum on the rocks. And just as refreshing! The Emporium, 9 Railroad Ave., Patchogue. theemporium $25-$40. 10 p.m. May 22.
Jewels of India Gala
This historic Hempstead House will be transformed into a royal Maharaja Palace, complete with a marketplace filled with scarves, teas, spices and flowers during this night of traditional Indian culture. Entertainment will include a sitar player and tabla percussionist, traditional Indian and Bollywood dancing. Guests can enjoy rye and gin tastings in the library, scotch in the billiard room, an open bar, as well as Indian and American cuisine, plus plenty of sushi. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point. TheSandsPointPreserve.com $200. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 23.
Raid New York
Watch as Navy and Marine helicopters land on Long Island as part of the “Fleet Week 2015” activities in New York City. First, a combined team of members from the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Five (HSC-9) will present a mine countermeasures demonstration. Then, the VM-22 Osprey, CH-46 Sea Knight and AH-1W Cobra, will perform an area sweep and transport a Marine raid force to the landing zone. Eisenhower Park, Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow. nassaucountyny.gov/parks. Free. 10 a.m., 12 p.m. May 23.
Veil of Maya
For one metallic moment, let’s lift the veil on Veil of Maya. Marc Okubo and Sam Applebaum formed this American deathcore band in Chicago back in 2004, and as their fans know, they set out on the hard road to success, grinding it out through countless tours, putting their sanity—what an inadequate word that is—at risk to make the music they believe in, live by, and are willing, dare we say it, figuratively speaking, to die by! It’s been a long, wild ride, and it ain’t over. Not by a long shot. Their former front man, Brandon Butler, has been replaced by Lukas Magyar on vocals but the rest of the band is doing what they always do, only better. Revolution Bar and Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. revolutionli.com $16, $18 DOS. 4 p.m. May 23.
Gathering of the Slides
Kerry Kearney is back with the annual Gathering of the Slides, featuring some of the greatest musicians around all under one roof for an exciting night of virtuoso slide-guitar playing and so much more. On hand with Kearney, who has toured with the Allman Brothers Band as well as Sonny Landreth and Robert Randolf, will be Mario Staiano, Gerry Sorrentino, Shecky Tom Davis, Mark Newman and special guest Casey “The Cigar Box Kid” Baron. These gentlemen are accomplished artists in their own right with careers that have taken them all over the world. From down in the delta to upbeat urban blues, there will be enough inspired riffs to have your hair standing on end and leave you crying with pure joy. So, get your ears in shape for an eclectic evening of electrifying ecstasy. Bend those strings until they break, boys! Don’t fret a thing. We know they’re in good hands. 89 North Music Venue, 89 North Ocean Ave., Patchogue. 89northmusic.com $10-$20. 7:30 p.m. May 23.
The Bogmen
This wonderfully entertaining Long Island-based indie band first emerged from the wilds of Huntington when Billy Campion, Bill and Brendan Ryan, Mark Wike, P.J. O’connor and Clive Tucker decided they had to rock out together. Signed to Arista Records in 1995, the Bogmen never quite became a house-hold name that they deserved to be with their debut release called Life Begins at 40 Million. But so it goes. And on they went. No matter what, they never let their fans get bogged down, taking their self-described “tribal, huntish” sound to every bar, club and retirement home in the Tri-state area. Over the intervening years, they’ve reunited many times to keep the thrills and spills alive. And that’s why this gig is such a great opportunity to enjoy the Bogmen at their best. With Special Guests – Knock Out Drops, The Last Hombres & American Bombshells. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $25-$60. 8 p.m. May 23.
Vic DiBitetto
The comic whose oft-quoted “Bread & Milk” rant video has more than 13 million views on YouTube brings his stand-up routine off the interwebs and into real life. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49-$69. 8 p.m. May 23.
The B-52s
B-52s fans can anticipate a transformation of the concert space into the bonafide Loveshack when this fantastically quirky and over-the-top new wave band take the stage. Iconic for the famed beehive hairdo and funky tunes like “Rock Lobster” and “Roam,” the B-52s will make the whole dance floor shimmy and shake! One thing is for certain–audiences are in for a fun night. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Centre, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach. whbpac.org $125-$225. 8 p.m. May 23.
Paula Poundstone
Perhaps the funniest woman in America today, Paula Poundstone is known for her quick wit and wry responses, right or wrong, on NPR’s popular news quiz show Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me heard locally on WSHU-FM. As millions of public radio listeners can attest, Poundstone is a true show-stopper thanks to her unmatched improv skills. When she’s on a roll, nobody can keep up with her. Bay Street Theatre, 1 Bay St., Sag Harbor. baystreet.org $69-$129. 8 p.m. May 23.
Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
One of the most anticipated events of the entire year, this aerial spectacular boasts military and civilian aircraft of various shapes, sizes and eras performing stunts and showcasing their supreme mastery of the sky will be sure to attract thousands of Long Islanders and their families to the smooth white sands of Jones Beach, marveling in unison as they sit atop their blankets, share “Oooh”s and “Ahhh”s while pointing, laughing, and overall just enjoy one another’s company beneath the cloud-smudged canopy of the heavens above. World War II bombers drift as lonely and ominously as clouds gathering for a storm, sparking the imagination and conjuring waking dreams of conflicts past. Daredevils trace the shore, twisting and turning and zig-zagging and criss-crossing, eliciting fear and wonder and surprise. US Army skydivers, the Golden Knights, drop from the heavens and soar like ever-growing humanoid eagles toward the Earth, the ocean gently whispering ancient secrets of life and death as they descend. US Air Force Thunderbirds defy gravity, roaring atop hellfire, puncturing daily thought processes and forcing the mind to wander. An array of pilots and performers twirl and dive, climb and plummet. Yes, life is magical. Yes, this is two days of sheer amazement, fascination, delight. Jones Beach State Park, Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. bethpageairshow.com Free. 12-5 p.m. May 23, 24.
10,000 Maniacs
Natalie Merchant may no longer front the alt-rock quintet from upstate Jamestown, but the group is still producing albums and performing their hits, including “Because The Night,” “These Are the Days” and “Candy Everybody Wants.” Give ’em what they want while the band gears up for the release of their newest recording, Twice Told Tales, a full-length collection of traditional British Isles folk songs. Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St., Amagansett stephentalkhouse.com $90. 7 p.m. May 24.
WWE Monday Night Raw
We’re not talking about raw sugar, sweetmeat! We’re talking serious rumbles, over-the-top-rope melees, and clobbering chaos when WWE Monday Night Raw rocks the Coliseum. Folding chairs never look so awesome as they do when they’re flying through the air about to land hard on some brawny back with a loud smack. You don’t take it sitting down, that’s for damn sure. Hell no, you stand up and fight. In the cage and out. Will your favorite wrestlers be there? Throw down your remotes, get off your butts, show up and find out! Either way, the action will be non-stop and the competition can’t be beat! Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. nassaucoliseum.com $20-$125. 7:30 p.m. May 25.
Compiled by Spencer Rumsey, Rashed Mian, Timothy Bolger & Zachary B. Tirana III
