[Photo: Fun frontman Nate Ruess brings his infectious songs and mesmerizing voice to The Paramount in Huntington Dec. 14! (Nate Ruess Facebook page)]
Night of the Nerds: Jedi Cabaret!
’Tis the season…for Star Wars: The Force Awakens to finally be released in movie theaters across our galaxy, or at least on the planet that we all know best. Revel in all the dorkery with fellow fans and the music of Geeks and Guitars, Felix, L.G. ThirlWell, BmO, Thee Terrible Ghosts and Crisis Crayons as well as burlesque acts by Miranda Raven and Madame Reaper (Ma Dame Reap) and standup comedy by Noel Rodney Jr.! The show will also include a cosplay contest as well as a video game tournament hosted by StreetPass Long Island! 89 North Music Venue, 89 N. Ocean Ave., Patchogue. 89northmusic.com $10. 7 p.m. December 10.
Neil DeGrasse Tyson: The Cosmic Perspective
The star of the TV series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, the New York visionary and astrophysicist extraordinaire once again wields his broad and unparalleled knowledge of all science sensations. Star formations, exploding stars, dwarf galaxies, and the Milky Way are just some simple subjects expected for discussion. There won’t be a quiz, but some of this could end up on the final. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $74-$89. $10. 8 p.m. December 10.
Strange But Surf and Bunktown Falls
Long Island’s surf-rock bands return for another legendary night of inventive and expanding repertoire. Think catchy, high-energy, guitar riffs cascading atop seismic waves of melodic fury! The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com 8 p.m. December 10.
Grace Potter
The Nocturnals’ siren’s uber-gorgeous voice leads the band in experimental creations of electro-rock rhythms. Tracks like “Never Go Back” and “The Divide” flex the creativity and passion that is forever evolving in this uncompromising performer. Opening the show will be Oh Whitney. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $30-$65. 8 p.m. December 10.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Good grief! It’s been 50 years since the Peanuts gang and that scrawny fir tree became a holiday viewing tradition, but the dated special is still surprisingly fresh, minimizing Santa and toys, and emphasizing the generous spirit of Christmas giving. Snoopy come home! (Sorry.) NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $20-$25. 7 p.m. December 11.
Dustin Lynch
Despite his traditional country influences, right down to his skintight clothes and cowboy hat, this young artist brings a fresh edge to the genre, drawing ecstatic cheers and climbing Billboard stats. Opening acts include Chris Lane and Tyler Rich. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $25-$55. 7:30 p.m. December 11.
Glenn Miller Orchestra
It’s been a long time since teens danced cheek-to-cheek amid the smooth harmonies and swinging rhythms that took the Glenn Miller Orchestra to the top in the pop music of their day. The ensemble became more than a unity of magnificent sound; the band became a brand of its own, and that’s what the enigmatic creator, whose plane disappeared over the English Channel in 1944 as he was flying to entertain our troops, had hoped for all along. Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main St., Patchogue. patchoguetheatre.org $25-$65. 8 p.m. December 11.
Albert Cummings
This great blues guitarist is a total blast. His songs carry vibes of rock ‘n’ roll and country, amped up to full-boom volume, and they shimmer and shake with so much feeling that his energetic fans wind up wanting more and more. He’s played with B.B. King, Johnny Winter and Buddy Guy, to name a few legends, and expect nothing less at this gig than soul-soothing tunes and memories to last a lifetime! YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main St., Bay Shore. boultoncenter.org $25-$30. 8 p.m. December 11.
Sinatra’s 100th Birthday Celebration
In a nostalgic journey through his timeless music, the all-star singer’s legacy lives on, thanks to the talented vocals of longtime friends and his legion of admirers, such as Tony Bennett, Adam Levin, Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, John Legend, Carrie Underwood, Seth MacFarlane, and many more. My, my! Ole Blue Eyes is gonna shine! Suffolk Theater, 118 E. Main St., Riverhead. suffolktheater.com $35. 8 p.m. December 11.
Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus
These guys sure can sing. Talk about their harmony! Come hear them rock the rafters. YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 West Main St., Bay Shore. boultoncenter.org $27. 1 p.m. December 12.
Andrew W.K.
The musician, singer and entertainer still intends to spread the holiday cheer in the only way he knows how: a high-energy, adrenaline-filled performance complete with spirited party anthems and other up-tempo, get-up-off-your-feet and dance-inducing hits. Known for such addictive titles as “Party Hard,” “We Want Fun,” and “Party Party Party,” Andrew W.K. comes raring to go—so you should, too. Warming up the crowd are Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Persona, Space Camp Dropout, London Eyes, Save It For Later, Onto Carthage and Amboy. Revolution Bar & Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. clubloaded.com/events $20. 8 p.m. December 12.
The Klezmatics Present: Happy Joyous Hanukkah
Bet you can’t name another klezmer band that ever won a Grammy! You know why? The Klezmatics are the only ones! For 20-plus years and 10 albums and counting, this amazing group of musicians based in New York City have been rocking the world with their “Yiddish roots” sound. Their music is wild, mystical, provocative, reflective and ecstatically danceable. Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. landmarkonmainstreet.org $32-$47. 7 p.m. December 13.
Chris Difford & Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze
Some call this pair of Brits the most talented pop-rock songwriters this side of Lennon and McCartney. Certainly their tenure in Squeeze, their great band that took the music world by storm some 40 years ago, has stood the test of time. Are you “Tempted”? What about “Black Coffee in Bed”? That’s how we like it, with a little sugar on the side. Squeeze has got the creative juices flowing again, too, as the band is out with its first album of original material in 17 years, Cradle to the Grave. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $49.50-$99.50. 8 p.m. December 12.
The Nutcracker Suite
Come experience this timeless classic in an intimate, welcoming theatre alongside fellow audience members who likewise wish to usher in this special holiday season in style! Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main St., Patchogue. patchoguetheatre.org $25-$65. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. December 12, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. December 13.
The Arcade Age
Learn about video arcade game history the way nature intended—in an arcade! The Cradle of Aviation will transform a section of the museum’s galleries into an interactive exhibit. Get a healthy dose of more than 50 unforgettable favorites, including Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Space Invaders, Centipede and Donkey Kong. Featured exhibits will display the history of video games from the early pioneers in the 1940s, through the decline of the ’90s and into the groundbreaking technologies of today. Did you know that Long Island contributed to video game development? Learn all about it at this fun and educational exhibit. Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City. cradleofaviation.org $8-$10. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Tue.-Sun., December 12 to April 3.
An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Brent and Zach of Shinedown
These hard rock hellraisers from Jacksonville, Fla. have sold more than six million albums and converted fans across the globe. This is a rare, must-not-miss chance to catch them all intimate and stripped down. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $36.50-$65. 8 p.m. December 13.
Nate Ruess
Touring in support of his recent solo drop, Grand Romantic, the Fun frontman will be singing his heart out, transporting all those in attendance to those special, magical realms where life is “Nothing Without Love” and a “Great Big Storm” of love is a-brewin’! Damn these songs are something powerful. Don’t miss this gig! Special guests A Great Big World and Jeff LeBlanc. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $30-$49.50. 8 p.m. December 14.
Mac Miller
This 23-year-old from Pittsburgh, Pa. has been topping the charts and wowing crowds across the country with his raps and rhymes, and will be sure to transform The Mountler into a raging torrent of lyrical fascination, dazzlin’ and jazzlin’ and mesmerizin’ the whole night through! Wow. The GO:OD AM Tour with special guests Michael Christmas and EarthGang. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. paramountny.com $27.50-$52. 8 p.m. December 15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zAJz2wyG8
Peppa Pig Live!
Peppa Pig, star of Entertainment One’s (eOne) top-rated TV series, airing daily on Nick Jr., stars in her first-ever U.S. theatrical tour, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash. A fully immersive musical production featuring a dozen familiar and original songs, as well as an interactive sing-a-long, the live stage show will have fans laughing, singing, dancing and of course, jumping in muddy puddles too—just like Peppa. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $31.50-$51.50. 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. December 13, 5:30 p.m. December 15.
Robert V. Conte
This pop-culture consultant will speak about and sign his new book Star Wars: The Official Topps Trading Card Series Vol. I. This deluxe compilation includes the fronts and backs of all 330 cards and 55 stickers (originally sold one per pack), including movie facts, story summaries, actor profiles, and puzzle cards featuring all your favorite characters and scenes from the very first Star Wars movie. Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. bookrevue.com Price of book. 7 p.m. December 16.
Remember the Night
Get into the holiday season spirit with Victoria Wilson, Barbara Stanwyck’s biographer, as she hosts a special screening of this off-beat, neglected Christmas gem—followed by a signing of her acclaimed book, in its gorgeous, brand-new paperback edition! Running the gamut from romantic drama to comedy and heartwarming sentiment—and with a slightly sloppy cameo appearance by Bossie the Cow—Remember the Night was scripted by the great Preston Sturges, who described it as having “a lot of schmaltz, a good dose of schmerz, and just enough schmutz to make it box office.” And so it was, with Barbara Stanwyck as a troubled shoplifter, teaming up for the first time with Fred MacMurray as a prosecutor too kind-hearted to leave her in the big-city clink during the Christmas recess when the court was not in session. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org $10 members, $15 public. 7:30 p.m. December 16.
–Compiled by Desiree D’orio, Chuck Cannini, Timothy Bolger & Zachary B. Tirana III
