Get Out: Your Local Guide to the Weekend, Sept. 17-18

Sunny but cool is what forecasters are predicting this weekend, giving residents the first taste of the crisp fall weather.

So get out, because there is so much going on around our towns this Saturday and Sunday, including a one-of-a-kind tea party, jazz performances and festivals celebrating everything Irish and Italian.

That’s just a sampling of what we’ve found. See what's happening in the neighborhood.

Mad Tea Party
Where: The Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh St. Garden City
When: Saturday, Sept.  17, 2 - 5 p.m.
Why go:  Join in for an Alice in Wonderland-themed “Unbirthday” Tea Party.  Guests of all ages may journey “down the rabbit hole” into Wonderland for afternoon tea and activities including a meet and greet with Alice, a reading from the Lewis Carroll classic, and, “drink me” and “eat me” delights. Costumes are welcome and parents are encouraged to bring cameras and capture the magical afternoon. The Alice in Wonderland tea party menu will include an assortment of tea sandwiches in the shapes of playing card symbols; oven fresh chocolate chip scones with Devonshire cream and house-made seasonal preserves; toasted bread & butterflies, shortbread cookies, Cheshire cat cupcakes; assorted miniature pastries, cookies and treats; and a selection of teas and chilled beverages.
Cost:  $39 per person, children under 2 are free
Age: all
Note: Reservations are required by calling (516) 877-9385.

Childrens Fair
When:  Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. Floral Park
Why go: The Farm hosts its annual Children’s Fair! This wonderful family experience offers rides, games, food, hay rides, magic show, petting zoo and a corn maze.  The adventure in the maze begins with a stalk talk to prepare attendees for the challenge, finding clues, solving puzzles and making their way out.
Cost: The fair is free and the entrance fees for the corn maze are $9, $5 children ages 4-11, ages 3 and under are free
Age: all
Website: queensfarm.org

Musical Revue
Where: Temple B'nai Sholom, 100 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
When: Sunday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. (with dessert offered at 6:30 p.m.)
Why go: Musical revue of Rogers and Hammerstein presented by Plaza Theatrical Productions.
Cost: adults $15; ages 13 and under are free
Age: all

Fair for Tolerance
Where: Valley Stream South High School, 150 Jedwood Pl. Valley Stream
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Why go: This student-driven event offers educational booths, children's activities, crafts, snacks, and entertainment.  The goal of the event is to promote tolerance and aims to raise awareness of foster care and adoption.
Cost: $2 per person
Age: all

Lakeside Concert
Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater, Eisenhower Park, Hempstead Turnpike and Merrick Avenue, East Meadow
When: Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
Why go: Featuring performances by the Rip Chords and Beach Boy co-founder Al Jardine and his Endless Summer Band.  Aside from a great night out, this performance is sponsoring Island Harvest.  They will be at the gates collecting food and donations so please bring a non-perishable food item with you. One can of soup can really make a difference!
Cost: free
Age: all

Jazz Festival
Where: Long Beach Library, 111 W. Park Ave. Long Beach
When: Friday, Sept. 16, beginning at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 17, and Sunday, Sept. 18, beginning at noon.
Why go: The 9th annual Long Beach Jazz Festival is a can’t-miss event! The schedule of performers are as follows: Sept. 16: Vicki Genfan Solo (guitar) at 7 p.m.; Chieli Minucci and Special EFX (full band) at 8:15 p.m.; Sept. 17: Connie Crothers (solo piano) at noon; Alex Fox Trio at 1 p.m.; George Cables Trio at 2:15 p.m; Steve Adelson Stick-Tet, with Bryan Carrott, Frank Bellucci, and Nydia "Liberty" Mata at 3:30 p.m.; Trio of OZ with Rachel Z and Omar Hakim at 5 p.m.; Sept. 18: Michael Barnett Band with Diane Hoffman at noon; Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio at 12:45 p.m.; Stephane Wrembel Trio with David Langlois at 2 p.m.; Oz Noy Trio at 3:15 p.m.; Dean Brown Band, followed by Dean/Oz annual jam,  at 4:30 p.m.
Cost: free

Celebrate Italy
Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead Turnpike, Hempstead
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Why go: A full on Italian experience! Italian music, food, cultural information, vendors and children's activities, held outdoors, rain or shine, on the South Campus
Cost: adults are $6, seniors over 65 are $4, children 11 and younger are free
Website: hofstra.edu/festivals

Scrapbooking Marathon
Where: The Avenue Café, 20 W. Park Ave. Long Beach
When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
 Why go: An all-day scrapbooking event where you can come to organize personal photos and material into a paper or digital scrapbook. The proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. All levels welcome, instruction available for beginners, includes lunch and raffles.
Cost: $50
Note: Pre-registration required, no walk-ins Email: jcarrigo@hotmail.com
Website: meetup.com/nystorytellers

Irish Festival
Where: Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
When: Sunday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Why go: A fun-filled festival celebrating Irish culture that includes dancing, music, food and competitions among many more features. There will be a musical performance by "The Sporting Paddies," an Irish band
Cost: $10 per person, children under 16 are free
Website: nassauaohfeis.com