Best bets on Long Island this weekend

March 7, 2012

SATURDAY

Irish rock

St. Patrick's Day is approaching, and it's time for some music by the Irish band Black 47, above, led by playwright and songwriter Larry Kirwan. They play at 8 p.m. at the YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore.

ADMISSION $35

PHONE 631-969-1101

WEB boultoncenter.org

Look back

Built on vocal harmonies and nostalgia, Dick Fox's Doo-Wop Extravaganza features the voices of The Crickets, the Original Tymes, Kenny Vance and The Planotones and others. See them at an 8 p.m. show at NYCB Theatre at Westbury.

ADMISSION $39.50-$49.50

PHONE 800-745-3000

WEB livenation.com

On stage

A wizard and a ballerina star in a program of comedy, dance and juggling along with their inflated inventions. The Fred Garbo Inflatable Theatre Company takes the stage at 2 p.m. at Suffolk County Community College's Van Nostrand Theatre, 1001 Crooked Hill Rd., Brentwood.

ADMISSION $11

PHONE 631-851-6589

WEB sunysuffolk.edu

SUNDAY

Good cause

Dancers from the Harem Belly Dance Studio of Baldwin perform a benefit for Adelphi's Breast Cancer programs, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the University Center in Garden City. Admission includes a demonstration and dance class.

ADMISSION $20

PHONE 516-623-2196

WEB adelphi.edu

Go green

Celebrate Irish culture at Hofstra University's Irish Experience Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Physical Education Center (North Campus), Hempstead. Expect music from the Black Velvet Band featuring Jimmy Walsh, plus a performance by the Hirten Family Irish Dancers along with Irish food and crafts vendors.

ADMISSION $6, $4 seniors (free younger than 12)

PHONE 516-463-6600

WEB hofstra.edu/festivals

Flower power

Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson hosts a 1 p.m. discussion focused on the differences between various hydrangea species (193 I.U. Willets Rd.).

ADMISSION $10

PHONE 516-484-8603

WEB clarkbotanic.org

KIDS

Here comes the sun

Part of the Spring Flower Show, learn how to plant a sunflower to take home, for ages under 12.

WHEN | WHERE 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, also March 17-18, Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Tpke., Westbury

ADMISSION Free

INFO hicksnurseries.com, 516- 334-0066

Clown camp

Members from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus instruct on basic clown skills, the art of comedic theater and how to make people laugh; must attend both sessions for chance to perform at Nassau Coliseum March 23 during the circus preshow.

WHEN | WHERE 1 p.m. Saturday, Long Island Children's Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

ADMISSION Free with museum admission: $11, free under 1

INFO licm.org, preregistration required, 516-224-5800