It's still chilly on Long Island during February, but there are lots of indoor and outdoor events to enjoy in winter. From seal cruises through Hempstead Bay to Winterfest's free jazz performances against the backdrop of Long Island wineries, there's plenty to see and do this month.
Any other events that should be included in my calendars? Please email me at longisland@aboutguide.com.
Looking for something special to do on February 14th? Go to Valentine's Day on Long Island.
Note: This calendar is updated annually. Events for 2013:
Ongoing through April 14, 2013
The Riverhead Foundation offers two-hour seal cruises on the Captain Lou Fleet, 28A Woodcleft Avenue, Freeport, NY. You'll sail throughout Hempstead Bay to observe the winter harbor seal populations. A naturalist will be onboard to give you information about seals and other marine life that you might encounter. Reservations required. The cost is $26 per adult, $22 for children 3 to 12 years old, FREE for children under 3, and $22 for seniors 65+. Learn more at Seal Cruises with the Riverhead Foundation or call (631) 369-9840.
Ongoing Saturday Evenings - Custer Observatory, Southold
Every Saturday evening from 7 p.m. until midnight, The Custer Observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold, NY, is open to the general public. Weather permitting, staff will give guided tours of the sky, with laser pointers and powerful telescope. Their website cautions: "Clouds, fog, rain and full moon nights are not good night." Please call (631) 765-2626 for further information and to make sure that the institute is not closed because of inclement weather.
Minimum suggested donation: $5 per adult, $3 per child under 14; FREE for nembers.
Group visits by classes, scouts, and others are welcome. Call (631) 765-2626.
Ongoing Sundays
Family Sunday at the Museum. Each Sunday, the Nassau County Museum of Art offers a 1 p.m. docent-led family walk-through of their exhibitions, and beginning at 1:30 p.m., supervised art activities for the whole family. Family Sunday at the Museum is free with museum admission.
The Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive (just off Northern Boulevard, Route 25A, two traffic lights west of Glen Cove Rd.) in Roslyn Harbor. Admission to the main building is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $4 for students and children ages 4-12. Museum members enter for free. These prices include admission to The Art Space for Children.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Groundhog Day. Long Island's own groundhog, Malverne Mel is all set to give his 2013 forecast for an early spring or six more chilly weeks of winter. Beginning at 7 a.m. at the Malverne Train Station, Mel will share his weather wisdom against the backdrop of the music of the Banjo Rascals, alongside village, state and local officials in top hats. Mayor Patti McDonald will gently encourage Mel to leave his cozy hutch.There will be activities for children as well as adults, and these include a live woodcarving demo, a petting zoo, a poster contest, a scavenger hunt and a photo op with Malverne Mel. Afternoon events include a story time at the Malverne Library followed by a showing of the movie, Groundhog Day. More information: please call Malverne Village Hall at (516) 599-1200, extension 106.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Can't get to Malverne that early in the morning? Then check out whether Sweetbriar Sam will see his shadow. The Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY presents In Search of Sweetbriar Sam Will Sweetbriar's resident groundhog see his shadow, or will there be a short winter? Families are invited to come to Sweetbriar to help locate Sam. There will be a groundhog, woodchuck, whistling pig/gopher scavenger hunt, kids will create a groundhog craft to take home, and they'll meet Sweetbriar Sam and some other animals and learn what they do in winter.
1 to 2:30 pm. Suitable for families. Fee: $5 per person for members and scouts, $6 per person for non-members.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Living, Out Loud: Writers Riff on Love, Sweat & Fears from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Guild Hall, 158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY, (631) 324-0806. Six essayists perform readings of their original essays, followed by an audience Q&A. FREE admission.Saturday, February 9, 2013
Chocolate Making, 10:30 a.m. at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Avenue (County Road 21), Yaphank, NY. $8 per person for ages 5 and up. (Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.) Learn some interesting facts about chocolate as you make and get to sample your own.
For more information and reservations, please visit the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center or call (631) 852-4600.
Saturday, February 9 to Sunday, March 17, 2013
Winterfest - Jazz on the Vine. Six weekends of FREE, live jazz concerts at various winery tasting rooms and other venues on Long Island's East End. For schedule and venues, please go to Long Island Winterfest.
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Sunday, February 10, 2013
Bella Notte at 2 p.m. FREE. Hofstra Alumni and friends will perform favorites from Italian operas. Marilyn Lehman, musical director and pianist, together with Devon Brady and Karen Lehman DiMartino, sopranos; Matthew Royal, baritone; and Rob Lombardo, piano.At Hofstra University's Monroe Lecture Hall, California Avenue, Hempstead, NY, (516) 463-5490.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Ireland - The Show, celebrating the best of Irish heritage and culture, at 8 p.m. at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY. Tickets: $48-60.
For more info and to purchase tickets, please go to Patchogue Theatre
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