The Week Ahead: Winter Birding, Kids Music Jam, End of the World Party

This week brings you opportunities to see cold weather winged animals, your kids jamming out on drums and other fun instruments, and a couple of different ways to celebrate what could be the last day of life on Earth as we know it on 12-21-12, if you want to believe the hype surrounding the date.

1. Winter birding at Indian Island Park: “Tuesdays With Tom” takes Riverhead this Tuesday with a nature trip through Indian Island Park with birding host Ton Damiani. The trek starts at the park at 8 a.m. and will seek out wintering ducks and other cold weather winged things. Call Tom Damiani at 631 275-3202 or email at tdamiani3@optimum.net to register.

2. Southold Town Board meets for work session at 9 a.m. and a regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. at Southold Town Hall on Tuesday. Click here for agenda items up for discussion.

3. The Mo Chuisle Moya Strast School of Dance on Pike Street in Mattituck holds its annual holiday jam on Wednesday for kids up to age 5 to share holiday music of various cultures and traditions in a “Music Together” style. The jam starts at 10:30 a.m. and costs $10 per child in advance and $12 at the door. Call 631-208-4003 for reservation and please bring a non-perishable food item for the food drive.

4. Celebrate an Old-Fashioned Christmas at Brecknock Hall in Greenport on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and sing along to your favorite holiday carols. Meet Santa Claus at Brecknock’s First Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

5. Some interpret the Mayan calendar as the End of the World on Friday. So, if you want to celebrate the end, here are a couple of ways to do it locally:

— Go to Soundview Restaurant in Greenport. Owner Rachel Murphy is known for throwing one of the best Halloween parties around, and she plans a great party on 12-21-12 this year as well with a “Dance the World Away” bash. Good times — party starts at 9 p.m.

— Shelter Island Public Library hosts a Historic Films Christmas Spectacular with Joe Lauro on Friday at 5:30 p.m. The event is a montage of fabulous archival holiday performances and rare clips from classic musical talent. The film will feature the best of the best Christmas Time clips and vintage Christmas commercials culled from such programs like The Ed Sullivan Show, the Bob Hope Show, The Dean Martin Show and many others.

— Feel like kicking it with a little jazz? Head to Riverhead for Friday at 9 p.m. for an exciting evening of spontaneous and unpredictable swinging jazz. Featuring impromptu appearances by a variety of guest performers, you never know who just might show.