There's more to October fun than Halloween
"Alice & Wonderland: A Rock Opera" comes to Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. Credit: Handout
There's more to October than Halloween. While the candy-frenzy caps the month, there are plenty of other sweet things to do during the weeks to come, from seeing a rock opera based on the classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," to a fishing festival at Hempstead Lake State Park, to a concert by kid- (and parent-) faves "They Might Be Giants."
Here are six things to look forward to doing in October (no costume needed!):
"Sleeping Beauty"
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. Sundays through Oct. 30, John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main St., Northport, 631-261-2900, johnwengemantheater.com
11 a.m. Saturdays from Oct. 9 through Oct. 23 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 17, Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson, 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com
COST $15 at Engeman; $10 at Theatre Three
The classic fairy tale is on stage at at least two different theaters this month.
"Taikoza: Live!"
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Oct. 9
Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City, 516-877-4000, aupac.adelphi.edu
COST $12 and $15
Hear ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and bamboo flutes, and see traditional costumes and dance. For ages 3 and older. An additional workshop is offered at 1 p.m., during which the performers will work with the children on playing the drums. Workshop cost is $10 per child.
Pirate Fun
WHEN | WHERE Two sessions, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11, Columbus Day, Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main St. (Route 25A), Cold Spring Harbor, 631-367-3418, cshwhalingmuseum.org
COST Free with museum admission of $6 per adult and $5 per child ages 5 to 18
Design a pirate hat and watch "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." For ages 5 and older. Free popcorn.
National Astronomy Day Celebration
WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. to midnight on Oct. 16, Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport, 631-854-5562, vanderbiltmuseum.org
COST Included with admission to the grounds of $7 per adult, $6 per seniors and students and $3 children 12 and younger.
The program includes model rocket demonstrations, safe viewing of the sun through solar telescopes, children's games and craft projects, storytelling related to astronomy and space, and night-sky observing with telescopes. The Long Island Astronomical Society and the Long Island Rocketry Club will participate in the event.
Kids Klassical Koncert
WHEN | WHERE 2 p.m. Oct. 16; rain date is Oct. 17, Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury, 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org.
COST Free with garden admission of $10 per adult, $8 for seniors older than 62, and $5 for children 7 to 17. Children 6 and younger are free
Introduce children to classical music at the Kids Klassical Koncert. Get there early, because an instrumental "petting zoo" will precede the performance. The concert itself features short pieces performed by members of the South Shore Symphony Orchestra.
"Dora the Explorer Live: Pirate Adventure"
WHEN | WHERE 2 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. Sundays beginning Oct. 23, Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown, 631-724-3700, smithtownpac.org
COST $12
Show is based on the popular children's TV series.
