April 30 Weekly Planner: Top 10 LI events

WEEK OF APRIL 30-MAY 6

1. Long Island Marathon

Serious and not-so-serious runners will be at the starting lines for a full weekend of racing events surrounding next Sunday's 26.2-mile race.

The festivities begin on Friday with a vendor expo at Mitchel Athletic Complex in East Meadow at 3 p.m. The first race -- a straightforward 1-mile run -- kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday followed by a 5K at 8:30 and a fun run for kids at 10:30. Come Sunday, racers can choose between 10K, half-marathon and full marathon courses, which all start at 8 a.m.

After crossing the finish line, runners and spectators can celebrate at a post-race festival in Eisenhower Park.

2. Wanda Sykes

The quick-witted comedian has starred in Fox's "Wanda At Large," along with a number of HBO specials and films. Now she's bringing her road show to Westbury on Friday.

3. Civil rights film

Producer and civil rights activist Julie Belafonte and director Pablo Palacios make an appearance at a screening of their 2010 Langston Hughes African-American Festival award-winning film, "Flags, Feathers and Lies: The Untold New Orleans Story of a Culture Fighting for Survival," at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington. The film tells the story of the African-American Mardi Gras Indians, native tribes that continue to exist in the city's historic ninth-ward neighborhood.

4. Long Island Ducks

The hometown team starts its baseball season against the Camden Riversharks Friday night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a "Whistle Guy" bobblehead.

5. Ryan O'Neal

On Tuesday, the Academy Award-nominated actor signs his new memoir, "Both of Us," which chronicles his love affair with the late actress Farrah Fawcett.

6. Ms. New York Senior American Pageant

There she is -- Ms. New York Senior. Local women ages 60 and older compete for the state crown next Sunday in Lindenhurst. The pageant will be judged in categories that include philosophy of life, personal viewpoint, talent and -- of course -- evening gown presentation. The winner moves on to vie for the national title in Atlantic City.

7. Back to the 1800s

See how people lived on Long Island in the 1800s during a self-guided tour around Old Bethpage Village Restoration, where costumed re-enactors will be performing daily chores such as churning butter, cleaning house and spinning fiber. Don't miss the "Noon Inn," which is modeled after a 19th century tavern.

8. Midnight screenings: "The Avengers"

Marvel comic book lovers have been waiting years for this -- and you're sure to see many of them (in superhero costumes, no doubt) at the first screenings of "The Avengers" at midnight Friday. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo. Advance ticket purchase suggested.

9. Cinco de Mayo -- for kids

Children can learn about the annual Mexican heritage celebration at a Saturday afternoon workshop that includes music and a miniature sombrero craft at the Long Island Children's Museum.

10. Butterflies

Learn about different species of butterflies on Long Island -- what they eat, what they're attracted to and their life span -- at a family workshop next Sunday at Sands Point Preserve. You'll get insight as to what varieties of bushes and flowers to plant to attract the colorful insects to your garden.