May 20 weekly planner: 10 top LI events

1. Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach

They're back -- the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, that is. The military jet team makes a return appearance to this year's Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.

Beachgoers will see highflying maneuvers and formations from the Blue Angels, as well as the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and the U.S. Air Force's super-speedy F-22 Raptor.

Pack a picnic and spend the day on the sand.

2. Tall Ships weekend

All anchors will be dropped in Greenport starting Friday, when historic tall ships start pulling into the harbor for a long weekend celebration. The event is part of the course for the Tall Ships Challenge 2012, a commemoration of the War of 1812, which started in Savannah, Ga. Visitors can see and board six ships -- including Greenport's own HMS Bounty -- for tours and interaction with the crew. Elsewhere in town, music, entertainment, a carnival and other festivities will on the menu.

3. Mozart Festival

Celebrate the classical music of Mozart surrounded by the spring blossoms at Old Westbury Gardens for a three-day festival. Besides live music, there will be garden tours, and instrument-making crafts and activities for kids.

4. Help with flags

It's a thoughtful way to pay tribute to military veterans -- Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale welcomes volunteers of all ages to help place small American flags beside 258,000 grave sites early Saturday morning. Volunteers are also invited back June 2 (rain date: June 3) to remove the flags for storage until next year.

5. Steve Martin at Tilles

Actor Steve Martin and his band, the Steep Canyon Rangers, make their debut at Tilles Center, bringing a show that's a mix of bluegrass and comedy to the stage. Expect songs from last year's Grammy-nominated bluegrass album "Rare Bird Alert."

6. Fireworks night

The Long Island Ducks take on the Bridgeport Bluefish for a night of baseball at Bethpage Ballpark in West Islip -- stick around for a postgame Grucci fireworks show.

7. Quirky comedy show

It's not your typical stand-up comedy show. Governor's in Levittown rewinds back to the 1940s for a staged variety show hosted by Chris Monty and Joe Starr, with acts encompassing music, comedy, magic and burlesque from performers such as Joey Kola (pictured), Shawn Morrill and Mike McKasty.

8. Street Painting Festival

Riverhead's all-day celebration of art has become a Memorial Day tradition -- see professional (and amateur) artists working alongside each other to leave their mark in the street, painting anything from historical figures to modern pop culture icons. Festivities include an arts and crafts market, live music and festival food.

9. Autoseum open house

You've seen them on the big screen, now take a look at them in person. Famous movie cars such as the 1966 Batmobile and General Lee from "The Dukes of Hazard" will be on display Wednesday during an open house for the new Autoseum, a new automotive teaching museum opening in Mineola.

10. Jazz at the Paramount