family
Tuesday 6
TODDLER TIME. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Enjoy animal sounds, stories and disguises. Free admission. 1 p.m.
Wednesday 7
DARE. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Learn about the dangers of drugs with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff Department's DARE program. Admission $6. 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Thursday 8
McGRUFF THE CRIME DOG. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Learn about crime safety with McGruff and Officer Friendly. Admission $6. 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
PAJAMARAMA. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Learn how to create a rock garden. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Friday 9
FAMILY NIGHT. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Drawing lessons for the whole family with Paulette Purser. Free admission. 6 p.m. adults, 7 p.m. kids.
PAJAMA PARTY. Borders, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363. Peter Holsapple hosts this night of songs, stories and more. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 10
DIG, DO, DISCOVER. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488. Discover citrus smells and make potpourri. Admission $5. 10 a.m. to noon.
SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Join Casey Carle's Bubble-Mania and learn the fun shapes bubbles can make. Admission $6. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RIDE YOUR RHYTHM. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231. Travel to faraway places through instruments and vocal improvisations. Admission $2.50 per person. 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON ART. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Enjoy science experiments and coloring. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Sunday 11
STORY AND ACTIVITY TIME. Borders, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363. Weekly interactive and educational story time for kids. Free admission. 3 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 6
LOYOLA PIANO TRIO. Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, Loyola University, 865-3492. Violinist Valerie Poullette, cellist Allen Nisbet and pianist H. Jac McCracken perform. Tickets $10 general, $5 students. 7:30 p.m.
SPOKEN WORD. Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 St. Claude Ave., 945-9654. Weekly jazz and spoken word performances featuring Coup d'Fire and "Arturo Professor Pfister." Admission $5. 9 p.m. to midnight.
Wednesday 7
TREE-PLANTING WORKSHOP. Foundation Building, Lafreniere Park, 737-7593. Learn about selecting, planting and treatment of trees. Reservations recommended. Free admission. 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
SPECIAL LECTURE. 156 Monroe Hall, Loyola University, 865-3361. Timothy Cahill, assistant professor of Religious Studies, discusses "Islam, Orientalism, and the Roots of Misrepresentation." Free admission. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUALS. Lawless Memorial Chapel, Dillard University, 816-4856. Special concert featuring Irvin Mayfield & Co. and honoring Aaron Neville. Tickets $10. 7 p.m.
BOOK-PUBLISHING SEMINAR. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100. Learn about "Publishing Your Book in the Digital Age" with local author Channing Hayden. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
POETRY FORUM. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie. Weekly workshops for poetry writers. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Thursday 8
EYE-Q. The Esplanade Mall, Kenner. The Science of Sight Experience offers education and fun to help learn about eye-related diseases and problems. Free admission. Open during mall hours through Sunday.
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR. Louise S. McGhee School, 2343 Prytania St., 581-7032. Enjoy a tour of Garden District homes and a holiday boutique with the Preservation Resource Center. Admission $18 PRC members, $22 non-members in advance; $20 PRC members, $22 non-members at door. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
HERITAGE CLUB LUNCHEON. The Wyndham Canal Place, 581-7032. Preservation Resource Center hosts speaker Douglas Lewis, author of The Drawings of Andrea Palladio. Tickets $45 members, $50 non-members. 11 a.m.
LIT CITY POETRY READING. Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 861-8832. Reading featuring poets Peter Gizzi and Barrett Watten. Admission $3. 7:30 p.m.
Friday 9
A TRIBUTE TO HEROES. Veterans Century of Sentries Park, 1801 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7293. Veterans Day tribute featuring readings, songs and more. Free admission. 10 a.m.
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL. St. Basil Antiochaian Orthodox Church, 3916 Hudson St., 888-8114. Baklava, pastries, hand decorated eggs and more. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
GUMBO EXPERIENCE. D.H. Holmes Ballroom, Chateau Sonesta, 800 Iberville St., 827-6896. Second annual event featuring gumbos prepared by a panel of chefs and chaired by Tom Fitzmorris. Tickets $15 each, $25 for two. 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
ART WALK. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805. Support local galleries in the Warehouse District and enjoy Abita Beer. All Access Cups available at the CAC. Free admission, $10 per cup. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
VAN CLIBURN FINALIST CONCERT. Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, University of New Orleans, 280-SHOW. Silver medallist Maxim Philippov performs. Tickets $20 general, $15 UNO community, $10 seniors, $5 students. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10
FALL CRAFT FAIR. St. Edward the Confessor, W. Metairie Avenue and Transcontinental Drive, Metairie, 455-7238. Variety of items by crafters from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
VIDEO EDITING WORKSHOP. New Orleans Video Access Center, 4840 Banks St., 486-9192. Intermediate course on operating techniques for digital, computer-based video editing. Registration required. Fee $299 general, $249 NOVAC members. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
COVINGTON THREE RIVERS ART FESTIVAL. Historic Downtown Covington, Columbia Street, 985-871-4141. Arts festival featuring 120 juried artists, entertainment and children's discovery area. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. 46468 River Road, Hammond, 985-429-9992. Enjoy the 16th century through food, entertainment and demonstrations each weekend in November. Tickets $9.50 adults, $6.50 children. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
FALL FAIR. Jean Gordon Elementary School, 6101 Chatham Drive, 286-2626. Family fun with music, food and entertainment. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FENG SHUI SEMINAR. Lake Marina Towers Harbor Room, New Orleans West End, Lakeview, 985-892-6460. Seminar on "Cultivating a Simpler Environment" through Feng Shui. Reservations required. Admission $45. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
LIT CITY POETRY READING. New Orleans Public Library Auditorium, 219 Loyola Ave., 861-8832. Experimental poetry by Barrett Watten. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
COMMUNITY FIRST GALA AWARDS. 1525 Short St., 488-8322. Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus honors individuals who put their community first. Tickets $100 per person. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
RISHIS IN CONCERT. New Orleans Yoga Center, 4842 Perrier St., 894-0024. Sean Johnson performs with world music ensemble featuring Indo-Arabic trance music, Celtic and more. Admission $10 general, $8 students. 7 p.m.
Sunday 11
FAMILY FREEDOM DAYS. Various locations, 565-8100. Each Sunday, various New Orleans attractions encourage families to visit by offering free admission to Louisiana residents with a valid driver's license. Donations accepted at each location to benefit the families of two Louisiana residents killed in the Pentagon attack.
ART ON THE AVENUE. Jewish Community Center, Sizeler Lobby, 5342 St. Charles Ave., 897-0413. Stained glass, mosaics, sculptures and more on display at this local artist gift show. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
VETERANS DAY CEREMONY. Chalmette National Cemetery, 8606 West St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette, 281-0510. Ceremony honoring veterans featuring music and presentation of wreaths. Free admission. 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
AT HOME AROUND THE WORLD. Harrah's Casino, 512 S. Peters St., 584-1111. Jazz brunch and designer expo featuring furnishings and accessories, with proceeds benefiting Covenant House. Tickets $50. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
COOL BEANS. Treasure Chest Casino, Kenner, 861-4500. Fifth annual red beans and rice cook-off featuring amateur chefs, celebrity judges and entertainment by Harvey Jesus & Fire. Proceeds benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Louisiana. Tickets $5. Noon to 3 p.m.
OPERA ORIENTATION. Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, 529-2278. Two-hour narrated musical exposition with a focus on the singing and orchestral arrangements of Die Walkure. Free admission. 2 p.m.
VETERAN'S DAY CONCERT. Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center, University of New Orleans. Glen Hemberger directs the New Orleans Concert Band and special guests through patriotic and popular songs. Free admission. 3 p.m.
INSTRUCTIONAL LECTURE. The Catholic Book Store, 8039 Fig St., 861-7504. Deacon Ricardo Phipps discusses "The Liturgy of the Hours." Free admission. 3 p.m.
SYMPOSIA ON THE ARTS. Dooky Chase Restaurant, 2301 Orleans Ave., 945-7015. Discussions about the arts featuring Douglas Bourgeois, Jacqueline Bishop, Willie Birch and moderated by Kalamu ya Salaam. Free admission. 4 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERTS. Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave. James Noakes, organist-choirmaster of St. Paul's Cathedral in Canada, performs a program of Cook, Bach and others. Free admission. 4 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276. Violinist Henry Lee joins his Korean Chorale and musical staff from his restaurant, Genghis Khan. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ANNUAL WINE AUCTION. The Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St. Charles Ave., 529-2278. New Orleans Opera Association hosts this 14th annual event featuring rare wines from around the world. Tickets $50. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
JINGLE MINGLE. Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 483-4118. Delgado Community College Foundation hosts this private, pre-holiday shopping evening. Tickets $40 per person. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION. Gretna Market, Fourth Street and Third Street, 363-1580. Patriotic music by the American Legion Post 64 Band. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
Monday 12
DEFINING JAZZ. Lawless Memorial Chapel, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., 816-4856. Workshop lead by Irvin Mayfield, Donald Harrison Jr., and Delfeayo Marsalis. Tickets $5. 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.
SPECIAL LECTURE. 156 Monroe Hall, Loyola University, 865-3361. John P. Clark discusses "Covering Armageddon: A Report on the State of the (Imagi)nation." Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
cooking demonstrations
Tuesday 6
GWEN JONES. Crescent City Farmers Market, 200 Broadway St., 861-5898. Delgado Culinary School chef's apprentice offers demonstration. Free admission. 11 a.m.
Saturday 10
JOHN BESH. Crescent City Farmers Market, 700 Magazine St., 861-5898. Executive chef of August and former Marine offers demonstration of shiitake on a shingle. Free admission. 11 a.m.
cabaret
Friday 9
THE SONGS OF AL JOLSON. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Chris Domroe Wecklein and Harry Mayronne Jr. recreate classic Al Jolson tunes. Tickets $16 plus tax. 8 p.m.
