Oct. 30 weekly planner: Top 10 LI events

1. 6th Annual Black Film Festival

This multinight event showcases eight films, starting with a 7 p.m. screening Thursday of "Dear Daddy," a docudrama about girls growing up without a relationship with their fathers. The evening will include a discussion with producer/director Janks Morton and a panel discussion.

On Friday, the Southampton Cultural Center hosts a spoken word and live jazz event at 7 p.m. ($20) followed by Saturday's all-day screenings of movies at the Parrish Art Museum ($10 includes all seven films).

"I think people keep coming back to the festival because these are great films, some new, some classic," says Brenda Simmons, chairwoman of the African-American Museum of the East End in Southampton. "And there are some people who don't realize there are classic black films that are significant cinematically."

Among Saturday's films: "Whitewash," (two children dealing with prejudice); "Trouble in the Water," (a young man comes to terms with negative stereotypes about African-Americans) and "Night Catches Us" (a 1976 political film about Philadelphia).

2. Willie Nelson -- in Huntington

Country singer, songwriter, actor, entertainer, bearded wonder -- take your pick, Willie Nelson is all of the above. He takes the stage at the Paramount with his traveling band (look for his sister Bobbie on piano).

3. Meet Tony LoBianco

It's the 40th anniversary of the "The French Connection," winner of five Oscars. Actor Tony Lo Bianco appears at a screening along with a discussion and reception. Listed by the American Film Institute as among the 10 greatest thrillers, the film will be shown on a new 35 mm print with Lo Bianco co-starring as Sal Boca, an ill-fated drug dealer.

4. Happy Halloween

Dust off your poodle skirt, angel wings, vampire fangs or clown shoes and head out to a Halloween children's costume parade through the village of Huntington. Along the way, merchants will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters for their "Safe Trick-or-Treat" program. Inclement weather cancels.

5. Josh Groban

Bringing a more intimate feel to an arena setting, the singer-songwriter interacts with the audience when he takes to the stage with rock jazz pianist ELEW. Groban will perform favorites from his bestselling albums on this leg of his "Straight to You" world tour.

6. Spanish dance

Follow the clicking castanets and heels, and you'll find the Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company performing flamenco to the sound of Spanish music at the Custer Institute in Southold. After the show, guests are invited to gaze at the stars, weather permitting.

7. Vintage Vibe

You'll find rare, unusual and out-of-print vintage books, maps, autographs, prints, posters and Playbills on display and for sale at the Autumn Long Island Book and Ephemera Fair. A book binding and restoration service will be available 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and 3-4 p.m. next Sunday, Nov. 6. If you think you've got something valuable, bring it for appraisal 1-3 p.m. next Sunday ($5 per item).

8. Go fish

The Jones Beach Classic is a surf fishing tournament timed specifically with the migration patterns of bluefish and striped bass in the Atlantic. A weekend-long fishing tournament along Long Island's South Shore offers a cash prize for heaviest striped bass and bluefish, with other prizes of equipment and giveaways. Preregistration required.

9. Bulldog show

An English Bulldog match is a day for spectators as well as competitors starting with a rescue parade sponsored the Long Island Bulldog Rescue nonprofit. Canines and their owners are invited to participate in a costume contest for prizes. Judging begins at 1 p.m., with junior showmanship followed by classes starting from 3 months through veteran bulldogs ages 7 years and older.

10. Antiques show

If you're looking for a piece of American history, head over to the Northport Historical Society's Antique Show, where more than 65 exhibitors will present relics from the past ranging from furniture and jewelry to glass, books and linens.