Jan. 27 weekly planner: 10 top LI events

1. Groundhog Day

Will it be an early spring? Find out as Long Island's furry groundhogs, Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal, make their 2013 weather predictions Saturday. (If they see their shadows when they emerge from their hutches, we could have six more weeks of winter.)

In Malverne, Mayor Patricia McDonald joins in. The Banjo Rascals will play; activities include a scavenger hunt, petting zoo and photo ops with Mel. Then head to the Malverne Library for a screening of "Groundhog Day."

In Holtsville, the festivities with Hal will take place, rain or shine, at the Town of Brookhaven Wildlife & Ecology Center.

WHEN | WHERE

Malverne: 7 a.m. Saturday, Long Island Rail Road station, Hempstead Ave., 516-599-1200, ext. 106, malvernevillage.org

Holtsville: 7 a.m. Saturday, 249 Buckley Rd., 631-758-9664

ADMISSION Free

2. Taste of Long Island

More than 45 local eateries -- along with brewhouses and wineries -- fill the Palm Court at The Carltun in Eisenhower Park for a night of tastings prepared by some of the area's finest chefs. Chefs from Luce, Rialto, The Palm Court and other restaurants will be serving up Mexican dishes, Southern soul food, contemporary bistro fare and more. Save room for dessert, which includes an array of pastries, cupcakes and homemade ice cream. A winning raffle ticket (proceeds benefit Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect) gets you a gift basket from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, Mets tickets or a Hermès scarf and tie.

WHEN | WHERE 6:30 p.m. Monday, The Carltun, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

INFO 516-465-4700, ext. 4026, cadvnc.org

ADMISSION $100 ($150 reserved seating)

3. Super Bowl at Big Daddy's

We won't be rooting for the Giants this year as the 47th Super Bowl kicks off in New Orleans, but you can still celebrate like you were in the Big Easy at Big Daddy's in Massapequa. The flat-screen TVs will be tuned in to the game, and the Cajun food from jambalaya to gumbo will be abundant. Also on the menu: smoked chicken wings, muffuletta specials and, of course, New Orleans' favorite cocktail, the Hurricane.

WHEN | WHERE Noon to the end of the game next Sunday, 1A Park Lane, Massapequa

INFO 516-799-8877, bigdaddysny.com

See more places to see the game -- or not -- in Friday's exploreLI

4. Black History Month

Some New York State parks on Long Island begin a monthlong salute to Black History Month Friday with an exhibit of art at area locations. Look for posters, artwork and historic displays focusing on African-American artists, pioneers, scientists, educators and others. Here's a peek:

WHERE

GREAT RIVER 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, Manor House at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy.

WEST BABYLON 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, the Long Island State Parks' Headquarters, 625 Belmont Ave.

OYSTER BAY 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

KINGS PARK 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Nissequogue River.

WHEN Begins Friday through Feb. 28, New York State Parks

INFO 631-321-3510, nysparks.com

ADMISSION Free

See Thursday's exploreLI for more Black History Month events

5. A 'Real Housewife'

Here's your chance to mingle with Teresa Giudice, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star and cookbook author, as she makes a personal appearance at Monsoon in Babylon. She'll be posing for photos, signing autographs and "hanging out" to mark the opening of the new Babylon office of the Long Island Plastic Surgical Group and Aesthetic Center. Reservations are a must; free drinks and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

WHEN | WHERE 6-9 p.m. Monday, 48 Deer Park Ave., Babylon

INFO 516-535-6705

ADMISSION Free

6. Long and winding road

Follow the musical evolution of The Beatles with scholar Scott Freiman, as he traces their history from The Quarrymen in Liverpool to their first groundbreaking recording sessions of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You." "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Deconstructing the Early Beatles" features rare audio and video of the Fab Four along with footage of their earliest TV appearances.

WHEN | WHERE 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington

INFO 800-838-3006, cinemaartscentre.org

ADMISSION $14

7. Gabba gang

Straight from the popular Nick Jr. show, the gang from "Yo Gabba Gabba!" comes to the Paramount in Huntington for a live stage show. Kids can see all of their favorites, including DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, Plex and rapper Biz Markie, who are sure to put a smile on everyone's face during "Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! Get the Sillies Out!"

WHEN | WHERE 3 and 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

ADMISSION $25-$49.50 ($129.50 Gabba VIP Party Package gets you preferred seating, a meet-and-greet and more)

8. Another chance

An aging widower takes a walk through the park and meets a woman who transforms him through the power of love in the Arena Players production of Joe DiPietro's "The Last Romance." Catch the show -- which proves how a crush can make anyone feel young again -- on it's opening weekend at the Vanderbilt Mansion Carriage House in Centerport.

WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 17, 180 Little Neck Rd.

INFO 516-293-0674, arenaplayers.org

ADMISSION $20-$25

9. 'Romeo and Juliet'

Ballet Long Island presents a family production of Shakespeare's classic love story for two matinees. Professional dancers and apprentices ages 13 to 18 will dance to Prokofiev's score in the story of star-crossed lovers.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Ballet Long Island, 1863 Pond Rd., Ronkonkoma

INFO 631-737-1964, balletlongisland.com

ADMISSION $16 ($6 ages 2-12)

10. Sci Why?

Don't mind the pie tins, they're really flying saucers (some sources have claimed they were hubcaps or model kits) in Ed Wood's campy-cheesy sci-fi flick "Plan 9 From Outer Space." The inexpensive sets, unbelievable aliens and robotic dialogue and acting have earned "Plan 9" a reputation among many critics as the worst movie ever made, but it has it fans. For one night only, the Best of RiffTrax Live presents at a screening, along with a 2009 "Mystery Science Theater 3000" riffing on the cult fave at area theaters.

WHEN | WHERE 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Westbury Stadium 12, 7000 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, Farmingdale Multiplex, 1001 Broad Hollow Rd., Farmingdale and Island 16 Cinema De Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville

INFO fathomevents.com

ADMISSION $12.50