Jan. 22 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events

1. Chinese New Year

It's the Year of the Dragon, and the sights and sounds of the Chinese New Year will come into focus this month as local groups celebrate the occasion.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization's festivities feature a dance by a nine-foot lion performed by Ten Tigers Kung Fu Academy of Huntington followed by a drum performance by the Khoomei Taiko Ensemble, along with Chinese traditional dancing.

It is hoped, of course, that the celestial Dragon, a symbol signifying success and happiness, brings good luck to everyone. The program includes a Year of the Dragon craft for children following the performances.

2. Beat bullying

Middle-school teacher Scott Starkey speaks about and signs his debut novel, "How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying," Saturday in Huntington. His book, geared toward readers ages 8-12, stars the fictional character Rodney Rathbone, a self-proclaimed coward who has to figure out how to overcome the things that scare him.

3. Bees -- on film

Where are all the honeybees going? They're literally disappearing from their hives. Join the Quogue Wildlife Refuge at a screening of the documentary "Vanishing of the Bees," which was filmed in the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia. It focuses on how the phenomenon is affecting the relationship between Mother Nature and mankind. Reservations required.

4. 'The Color Purple' -- onstage

Based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, the musical stage production of "The Color Purple" comes to LIU Tilles Center for one night only, bringing the lead character Celie to life and showing her strength in overcoming adversity in rural Georgia in the 1930s.

5.Heavy hitters

Huntington boxer Chris Algieri returns to the ring to face Curtis Smith of Atlanta in a junior welterweight bout as part of Joe DeGuardia's Star Boxing "Rockin' Fights," featuring an evening of professional boxing.

6. Mark Ballas

You've seen him winning the coveted mirror ball trophy on ABC's hit show "Dancing With the Stars" -- now catch the dancer and musician live in concert, performing songs from his debut album, "HurtLoveBox," about his life and relationships.

7. DJ Theo

Theodore Pisani, aka DJ Theo, is a summer staple at Neptune in the Hamptons. Friday, he's manning the booth at Glo Nightclub in Westbury, spinning classic '90s dance anthems.

8. Jim Breuer

"Saturday Night Live" fans know him as "Goat Boy" -- but these days, the Valley Stream native often mixes his love for heavy-metal music into his stand-up gig. He returns to Governor's in Levittown for three nights of shows.

9. Meet Piper Laurie

The three-time Academy Award-nominated actress appears for a special screening of "The Hustler," her 1961 film with Paul Newman. After the movie, film historian Foster Hirsch will interview her, and she will be signing copies of her new memoir, "Learning to Live Out Loud."

10. Monster Jam

The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam roars into Nassau Coliseum with a lineup that includes Grave Digger, Crushstation, Storm Damage and Aftershock (to name a few) in a faceoff of races and competitions. A pre-party in the pits ticket ($10, available for select shows) gets you up-close and personal with the big wheels and their drivers two hours before showtime.