Women's History Month events: Tina Turner musical, Patti LaBelle and more

March is Women’s History Month, and March 8 is International Women’s Day, which offer the opportunity to recognize, enjoy and make the most of the talents and impact of women. Here’s a roundup of local events where women shine.

Discovering Emma Stebbins

Over 150 years ago, Emma Stebbins sculpted one of New York’s most iconic statues, the "Angel of the Waters," which tops Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain and has been seen by millions. Huntington’s Heckscher Museum of Art decided it’s about time people get to know the woman who created it with its exhibition "Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History," which runs through March 15.

"She was the first woman to complete a public art commission for New York City," the museum’s executive director Heather Arnet says. "We have the largest collection of Emma Stebbins’ sculptures of any public institution in the world."

Fourteen of them are in the museum, and while "Angel of the Waters" isn’t physically there, it does make an appearance thanks to an immersive augmented reality app. "Visitors can come to Heckscher Park. They can use an app and see the Bethesda Fountain appear before their very eyes," Arnet says. "They can take a picture in front of the fountain and see the water flowing through it, just as if it were there in real life."

It’s all a fitting tribute to a woman artist who was renowned in her own time, but overlooked by history. "She’s so important to American art," Arnet says. "This exhibition brings her into the light and out of the shadows."

Martha Graham, dance pioneer

Few artists of any discipline have altered the cultural landscape as much as dancer, teacher and choreographer Martha Graham, who redefined American modern dance. "Martha Graham: Collaborations" through March 22 at The Church in Sag Harbor brings together archival photographs, original costumes and props to recreate a sense of the movement she pioneered. The exhibition was curated by Oliver Tobin, a former member of her dance company and past director of the Martha Graham School’s Teens@Graham program, who will be at The Church on March 8 to direct a dance workshop for ages 12-19.

‘Lady Marmalade,’ ‘Proud Mary’ and more

The power of women’s voices is undeniable, especially those that are featured on Long Island stages this month. Patti LaBelle, the "Godmother of Soul," brings her "80/65 Tour" to Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on March 14 to celebrate her 80th year and her 65th anniversary in the music industry. She may have a "New Attitude," but the Grammy Hall of Famer and rock legend has a long history of hits like "Lady Marmalade" and "On My Own."

Renowned violinist, Dylana Jenson, performs the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra on March 15. It was the piece she debuted at Carnegie Hall, and it put her on the classical music map. The concert will also include works by Igor Stravinsky and Anton Dvořak. Jenson is also presenting a free master class on March 10 at 3 p.m. for a select group of student musicians at Massapequa High School.

Because girls just want to have fun, the Islip Arts Council is hosting a Women's History Month Comedy Mash Up on March 6 at the IAC Gallery at South Shore Mall in Bay Shore. Proceeds from the performance, which is billed as a showcase of "fierce, funny ladies," will go to funding the work of the arts council.

We all know her songs, but "Tina — The Tina Turner Musical," written by Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall, brings the story of the "Queen of Rock and Roll" to life at the Tilles Center in Brookville on March 19. Born Anna Mae Bullock, this daughter of sharecroppers grew up singing in church choirs and later went on to shatter every glass ceiling she encountered, garnering 12 Grammy Awards along the way. Turner served as the creative director for this uplifting musical that opened on Broadway in 2019 and follows her early days through stardom and includes dozens of hits from the singer, songwriter and actress whom many fans consider "Simply the Best."