Aerosmith
The bad boys from Beantown are back at it, with Steven Tyler flashing his pearly whites at the mic and the one and only mad-hatter himself, Slash, as he opens up for the band with his own hot licks on the jump-start of their 20-city “Let Rock Rule” tour. It’s a mutual musical appreciation society. The boys dig Slash, and he credits them with influencing him when he was just another alienated teenager with a pipe dream and an electric guitar. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com.$26-$750. 7:30 p.m. July 10.
Huntington Arts Festival
The summer-long, weekend parks performances continue with the Long Island Dance Consortium doing “Kaleidoscope of Dance, No.1” on Thursday night (second performance Aug. 6). Black Violin, a viola and violin duo featuring Kev Marcus and Wil B., blending classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, with a twist of bluegrass music plays Friday. Plaza Theatrical Productions perform “Young Frankenstein” on Saturday. And the Kristen Murphy, winner of “Got Talent! Long Island,” opens for the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra on Sunday. Chapin Rainbow Stage, Heckscher Park, Huntington. huntingtonarts.org. Free. 8:30 p.m. July 10-13.
O.A.R.
The Maryland-based indie rockers headlining this show will play their hits, such as “This Town” and “Shattered (Turn the Car Around).” Opening up is Phillip Phillips, who’s touring to promote his second album, Behind the Light, released in May. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com.$49.50-$117.65. 6:30 p.m. July 11.
The Band Perry
Kimberly Perry and her younger brothers Neil and Reid have notched a string of hit country/pop/rock singles as The Band Perry since the Alabama natives made their self-titled debut four years ago. They include chart-toppers “If I Die Young,” “You Lie” and “All Your Life.” With supporting country acts Austin Webb and Maggie Rose. Pennysaver Amphitheater, Bald Hill, 55 South Bicycle Path, Selden. pennysaveramp.com $39.50-$89.50. 5 p.m. July 11.
Spin Doctors
Casual listeners who recall their catchy ‘90s hits “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” and “Two Princes” may be surprised to learn upon seeing these New York City natives play live that the Spin Doctors fancy themselves a jam band. Just go ahead now. With supporting act, Circus Mind. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $25, $30 DOS. 8 p.m. July 11.
American Idol Live
American Idol Season 14—14 (!!)—debuts next year, but auditions to the sing-for-votes reality show are in full swing. The next stop: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Hundreds, if not thousands, of fantastic and lousy singers alike will perform before the show’s celebrity judges for a chance of living their dreams and winning over the hearts of rabid American fans who still tune in despite the influx of similar (though lousier, oops, did we say that!?) singing competition shows. Don’t miss out on a chance to cheer on your fellow Long Islanders who have been waiting their whole life for this crucial, mind-numbing moment! Most importantly, tell J Lo and Rye-Rye we looove them!!! Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. americanidol.com $28.50-$80.05. 8 p.m. July 11.
Ninth Annual Long Island Comedy Festival
With about six comics at more than a dozen dates set at venues from Rockville Centre to Riverhead—never a repeat, 50 comedians total—this summer’s LI comedy fest is sure to include more laughs than a barrel of monkeys. OK, we’ll leave it to the professionals. Through Aug. 23. Opening Night at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson theatrethree.com 8 p.m. July 11; The Summertime Comedy Showcase, a slap-happy barrage of hilarity and can’t-stop-laughing euphoria that’ll leave you lying on the floor, gigglin’ and hollerin’ long past the actual performances (partnered with Bacardi !!) at the Paramount, 370 New York Ave, Huntington. paramountny.com $15, $20, $25. 8 p.m. July 12; Full schedule at LIComedy.com
Summer of 1969 Exhibit Debut
Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the Woodstock Festival and the amazing ’69 Mets World Series win at the Summer of 1969 exhibit’s opening weekend. For those who were alive, it’ll be a trip down memory lane. The rest will see why Bryan Adams sang in his hit “Summer of ’69” that “those were the best days of my life.” An evening with Apollo Astronauts Walt Cunningham and Fred Haise. $15 members, $20 public. 7:30-8:30 p.m., July 11. Meet Legendary Woodstock Festival Organizer Artie Kornfeld. Free with museum admission. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4p.m. July 12. Apollo Space Program Dinner with Apollo Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham and Fred Haise. $100 public, $50 for former Lunar Module workers. 6-9 p.m. July 12. The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City cradleofaviation.org
Long Island International Film Festival
Technically, the 17th installment of this film fest started Wednesday, but the opening night party and tech awards don’t get underway until 5 p.m. Friday. There were screenings of shorts before that, although the panel discussions don’t get underway until this weekend. Read more about the woman behind the event in her Press profile. Bellmore Movies, 222 Petit Ave., Bellmore. longislandfilm.com Prices, times vary. July 9-17
Yes
Founded in 1968, Yes has seamlessly overcome a generational alteration in their audience and are considered among the longest continuing and successful ’70s progressive rock groups. The English natives are renowned for their usage of cosmic and mystical lyrics combined with complicated instrumental and vocal arrangements. Despite the departure of key members over the decades, Yes is still producing top-charting music, including their 21st album, Heaven and Earth, which hits stands July 21. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50-$84.25. 8 p.m. July 12
Procol Harum
What could be whiter than a whiter shade of pale? That’s a ghostly question only Gary Brooker, the smashing piano player and the spooky vocalist of this classic British rock band, could answer if the waiter would only bring in another tray of dreams. Those who miss this show can catch the band the following night at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. The Space at Westbury, 250 Post Ave., Westbury. thespaceatwestbury.com $40-$75. 8 p.m. July 12
VANS Warped Tour 2014
With about 100 bands performing on various stages during the nation’s longest traveling music festival—celebrating its 20th year!—there are simply too many performers to list here. Even the biggest music gluttons on Long Island would be hard-pressed not to walk away having heard some new tunes. The lineup, to name but a few, is set to include alt-hip hop group Air Dubai, pop-punk rockers Yellowcard and alt-metal band The Devil Wears Prada. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com. vanswarpedtour.com $39.50. 11 a.m. July 12
Strong Island Ol’ Skool Summer Soul Jam
Dust off the Kangol hats because the ‘90s are making a comeback. With various artists, including Melle Mel, Joeski Love, Oran “Juice” Jones, Brand Nubian featuring Grand Puba, Aly-Us and T-Ski Valley. Hosted by WBLS’ Doctor Bob Lee. DJ Legend spinning all night. The Emporium, 9 Railroad Ave., Patchogue. theemporiumny.com. $15, $20 DOS. 10 p.m. July 12
The Original Wailers
Are you picking up now? The vibration is positive and the “riddim” is reggae. Bob Marley may have gone up in smoke but his band is still with us and for that we can only say: “Praise Jah! The legend lives on!” The Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St., Amagansett. stephentalkhouse.com $30-$50. 9 p.m. July 12
Summer Wings and BeerFest
Wing aficionados will go head-to-head at “one million scoville hot wing eating competition” while eight Long Island restaurants and four local breweries will duke it out as they vie for the Summer Wings and Beer Cup. With admission, spectators get 16 chicken wings and 42oz of craft beer. Among the competitors is celebrity chef Johnny McLaughlin from Food Network’s Chopped. Cannon’s Blackthorn, 49 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre. bestwingsli.com $35 2-7:30 p.m. July 12
First Annual Smithtown Blues Festival
This is a mega Blues-arts & crafts-food explosion to benefit the Smithtown Historical Society in conjunction with the Long Island Blues Society. Long Island’s own Blue Roots, D.A. Blues Band and Dog House Blues Band will be supplying the tunes; you’ll be helping create the stellar vibes. So bring your lawn chair or blanket and get ready for some of the most soul-satisfying tunes and eats (for purchase from Famous Dave’s BBQ Truck & Grill) this side of the Mississippi Delta! Smithtown Historical Society, 239 Middle Country Rd. (Main Street), Smithtown. facebook.com/smithtownbluesfestival $30 SHS Members/$35 Non-Members. Gates open at 2 p.m. 3-10 p.m. July 12
Peter Frampton
Man, it’s the 70s showing us the way! The rocking great Brit guitarist Peter Frampton has kissed his golden curly locks goodbye years ago—he can wig out if he wants to, considering he co-founded Humble Pie at 18—so here he is today, still hitting the high notes that shimmer all night long. And he’s doing it on the road with the Doobie Brothers, that hard-driving Grammy-winning American band of good old boys who keep on takin’ it to the streets and rockin’ down the highway. Just listen to the music, it’ll be all right. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. jonesbeach.com.$29.50-$117.65. 6 p.m. July 13
The Long Island Battle of the Bands
Featuring Schoeffel, Typhon Rising, Reluctant Mortem, Rest Until It Needs Sacrifice, Them Poor Kids, Nexus Canvas, Bear Success, Orange No. 9 and Avale. Revolution Bar & Music Hall, 140 Merrick Rd., Amityville. revolutionli.com $8, $10 DOS. 1 p.m. July 13
Mash Up: Collages in Mixed Media
Exhibit opening featuring the mixed media works of critically acclaimed Port Washington-based artist Jennifer Scott, who also is a professor of art at Long Island Post and Nassau Community College. Her work is also on view at the Second Avenue Fire House Gallery in Bay Shore. Runs through Sep. 14. The Islip Art Museum, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip. IslipArtMuseum.org jenscottart.com Free. 1-4 p.m. July 13
Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory
Moviegoers will get a sneak peak of this documentary that followed social worker Dan Cohen, founder of Music & Memory, a Mineola-based nonprofit that trains elder-care professionals to create personalized playlists of memory-triggering music for people suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive disorders. Meet Cohen following the screening. Get $2 off ticket price by donating an old iPod to help the cause. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org $6 Members/$11 Public. 7:30 p.m. July 14
The Who: The Early Years
Watch this iconic band’s then-controversial rise to fame as a part of the British invasion of the ‘60s. Aside from early live concerts of their hits, the movie includes TV performances and rarely seen promotional material. With guest speaker Bill Shelley, host of Rock Legends Live! Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org $6 Members/$11 Public. 7:30 p.m. July 15
Anthony Hamilton
This Grammy-nominated North Carolina-native soulful R&B crooner, whose latest hit, “Freedom,” was featured last year on the Django Unchained soundtrack, is coming to town. With supporting acts Keke Wyatt and Shaliek. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50-$84.25. 8 p.m., July 16
—Compiled by Spencer Rumsey, Rashed Mian, Nick Crispino, Peter Chin and Timothy Bolger.
