Sept. 9 weekly planner: 10 top LI events

1. Cow Harbor Day

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16, Main Street, Northport (10k run 8:30 a.m. Saturday followed by evening events throughout the village)

INFO 631-261-4555

ADMISSION Free

It's the type of celebration you might expect in Andy Griffith's Mayberry. Northport turns on the charm for a weekend-long celebration that winks to the harborside village's past.

Saturday morning, thousands of runners will stream through town for the annual Great Cow Harbor 10k Run -- the event draws competitors from around the country ($35 registration for runners, cowharborrace.com).

Saturday night, the village bandshell hosts an 8 p.m. concert by Barometer Soup and a lighting of boats in the harbor at dusk.

Sunday's festivities kick off with a parade down Main Street at noon (expect cow costumes galore) followed by a street fair with rides, live music, food vendors and shopping.

2. Hugh Laurie

The irreverent "Dr. House" can sing and play the piano, too. TV star Hugh Laurie plays a show at the Paramount with the Copper Bottom Band -- it's part of his world concert tour to promote his debut blues album, "Let Them Talk."

WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Tuesday, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

INFO 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

ADMISSION $35-$65

3. Tony Danza -- in Huntington

The longtime "Who's the Boss?" star switched gears from acting to spend a year teaching 10th-grade English in Philadelphia -- now he's written a book about the experience. Tony Danza appears at Book Revue to discuss and sign copies of "I'd Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I've Ever Had."

WHEN | WHERE 7 p.m. Friday, 313 New York Ave., Huntington

INFO 631-271-1442, bookrevue.com

ADMISSION Free

4. Russell Brand

The British actor and comedian -- currently starring in FX Network's "Brand X" -- makes a rare live U.S. appearance Friday to headline a stand-up comedy show at NYCB Theatre at Westbury.

WHEN | WHERE 8 p.m. Friday, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury

INFO 800-745-3000, livenation.com

ADMISSION $39.50-$69.50

5. Brands of the sea

Indeed, there's a story behind every tattoo. The East End Seaport Museum is exploring maritime-themed works of ink that date back to the early 1700s at its current exhibit, "Tattoo: Art of the Sailor."

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 16, East End Seaport Museum, Third Street at Ferry Terminal in Greenport

INFO 631-477-2100, eastendseaport.org

ADMISSION $5 suggested donation

6. Dinner and an outdoor movie

Tuesday is dine and screen night at The Freeport Inn and Marina. A two-course prix fixe dinner starts at 5 p.m. for $30 -- this week, that's followed by a free outdoor screening of the 1998 comedy "The Big Lebowski." Popcorn, lounge chairs and fire pits keep things cozy.

WHEN | WHERE Sundown Tuesday, 445 S. Main St., Freeport

INFO 516-623-2980, patiofreeport.com

7. Ompah

Celebrate German-American heritage in an authentic setting -- Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square, where bands direct from Bavaria will play live in the biergarten. Round out the afternoon with a feast on wursts, potato pancakes and other traditional fare.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. Sept. 16, 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square

INFO 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com

ADMISSION $9

8. Bikers for Babies

Dee Snider, Twisted Sister lead singer and Long Island native, has a soft spot for babies. The longtime March of Dimes supporter (he won more than $325,000 for the cause on "Celebrity Apprentice") leads a popular 45-mile motorcycle run around South Shore beaches Saturday.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m. Saturday, Lido Beach Town Park, 630 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach. Registration starts at 9 a.m.

INFO 516-628-6271, bikersforbabies.org

ADMISSION $30 rider ($15 passenger)

9. Mounted shooting demo

The Island Long Riders are a troupe performing shooting tricks on horseback. They're among the old-fashioned family entertainment at the Smithtown Heritage Country Fair. You'll also see Civil War re-enactments, vintage baseball games and traditional dancing.

WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16, grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society (parking at 222 Middle Country Rd.), Smithtown

INFO 631-265-6768, smithtownhistorical.org

ADMISSION $5 ($3 ages 3-12)

10. Exotic car show

You don't often see any of these cars driving on the Long Island Expressway. Luxe collector cars -- including European sports models dating back to the '50s -- will be judged and displayed in a fitting setting: the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium in Centerport.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport. Rain date Sept. 23

INFO 516-607-6074, vanderbiltmuseum.org

ADMISSION $7 ($3 ages 12 and younger)