family
Tuesday 4
TODDLER TIME. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Decorate and enjoy holiday cookies. Free admission. 1 p.m.
Thursday 6
PAJAMARAMA. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Make a pop-up holiday greeting card. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Friday 7
FAMILY NIGHT. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Decorate a mini-gingerbread house and listen to Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 8
POETRY READING. Maple Street Children's Book Shop, 7529 Maple St., 895-2772. Young poets will read from their works, published in the Sunship Earth PO-E-Tree book. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS. Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-8788. Make Christmas ornaments based on instructions from 19th century journals. Registration required. Free admission. 10 a.m.
CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY CELEBRATION. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488. Enjoy crafts, a puppet show and visit from Santa. Admission $5 Friends of Longue Vue, $10 non-members. 10 a.m. to noon.
FAMILY DISCOVERY. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, Armstrong Park, 523-6530. Robert Kapilow conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra through "Polar Express" and "Elijah's Angel." Tickets $10 adults, $7 children. 10 a.m. petting zoo, 11 a.m. concert.
PUT THE COOKIES OUT FOR SANTA. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3234. Katherine Archer performs songs about Christmas and cookies for Santa. Admission $3.50 adults, $2.50 children and seniors. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
PAPA NOEL CHILDREN'S TEA. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Lobby Lounge, 921 Canal St., 524-1331. Papa Noel shares tea and stories with children. Admission $22. 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
SAILING WITH SANTA. Steamboat Natchez, Jax Brewery Docks, 587-0724. Set sail with Santa and get a holiday photo. Admission free with donation of new, unwrapped gift. 11:30 a.m.
SANTA'S JINGLE JAM. Rivertown, 405 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231. Enjoy a performance by Katherine Archer, lunch and a photo with Santa. Reservations required. Tickets $10 person. 11:30 a.m.
AFTERNOON ART. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Sing songs and enjoy stories about reindeers Rudolph and Olive. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Sunday 9
NOEL DES ENFANTS. La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe, 1327 St. Charles Ave., 568-0770. Enjoy puppets, stories and songs performed in French for children ages 4-10. Reservations required. Admission $5. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 4
FEAST YOUR EYES. Artesia Restaurant, 21516 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs, (985) 892-1662. Abita Art Gallery and Artesia Restaurant host an evening of fine dining, wine and art. Tickets $100 person. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SILVER AND BLUE CHRISTMAS. University of New Orleans, Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center, 280-6381. UNO Choir performs a program of Joseph Haydn, John Rutter and others. Tickets $8 general, $7 UNO community, $5 students. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 5
HOLIDAY CLASSICS. Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 523-6530. Timothy Muffitt conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a program of holiday pieces. Tickets $7-$22. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 6
FAULKNER WORDS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL. Various locations, www.wordsandmusic.org. Series of events and seminars designed to introduce aspiring writers with established literary figures. For a complete schedule of events see the Web site.
PRC LECTURE. Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-7032. Lecture outlining the ties between historic building preservation and African-American heritage. Free admission. 6:45 p.m.
TULANE-NEWCOMB CHOIR. Tulane University, Rogers Memorial Chapel. Choir will perform musical selections featuring Bach, Palestrina, and Rutter. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Friday 7
24TH ANNUAL EQUAL OPPURTUNITY DAY. Sheraton Hotel, 500 Canal St., 620-2332. Urban League of Greater New Orleans hosts this event promoting equal opportunities in business. Call for ticket information. 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
POINSETTIA FUNDRAISER. Napoleon Avenue Methodist Church, 2524 Napoleon Ave., 866-1297. Zonta Club of New Orleans, a professional women's service club, hosts this holiday sale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
SAINT NICK FEST. Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center, 5600 General de Gaulle Drive, 394-5991. Old-fashioned Christmas Bazaar benefiting the center's residents. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
MID-CITY STUDIOS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. Mid-City Studios, 4436 Toulouse St., 484-7009. Fifth annual open house highlights established local artists with art for sale. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS. City Park, 483-1700. Celebrate the holiday season in City Park with a walking or car tour through holiday displays. Admission $8 car/family van, $3 per person walking tour. 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., through Jan. 6.
HOLIDAY OF LIGHTS. Tammany Trace, 21411 Koop Drive, Mandeville, (985) 867-9490. Second annual Christmas tree lighting with Santa, carolers and nativity scene. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
JAZZ AND POETRY ESPRESSO. Morning Coffee Place, Plaza Mall, 5700 Read Blvd., 241-0052. Gregory Dawson presents open-mic poetry and live jazz. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
MUSICA DA CAMERA. St. John Lutheran Church, 3937 Canal St., 865-8203. Musica da Camera and Vox Femminae performs a program of Christmas favorites. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Saturday 8
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St., 988-6248. Annual bazaar offers handmade holiday gifts. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. Hard Rock Café, 418 N. Peters St., 529-5617. Buffet-style breakfast with Santa. Tickets $11. 9:30 a.m.
ART FEST. 5015 Magazine St., 895-0038 or 895-7844. Collection of artworks for holiday shopping. Free admission. 10 a.m. to dusk.
27TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR. Louise McGehee School, 2343 Prytania St., 581-7032. Preservation Resource Center hosts scenic holiday tours of five Garden District Homes. Tickets $18 members, $20 non-members. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
CHRISTMAS AT HICKORY STREET GALLERY. 71561 Hickory St., 985-892-8618. Second annual Christmas show featuring traditional and contemporary art, including quilting, weaving and more. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
LOUISIANA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL. 46468 River Road, Hammond, 985-429-9992. Experience the 16th century through food, entertainment and demonstrations. Tickets $9.50 adults, $6.50 children. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
OFFBEAT CHRISTMAS FOLK ART EXPOSEE. Anton Haardt Gallery, 2858 Magazine St., 891-9080. Exhibit of Southern self-taught artists. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SCULPTURE SHOW. Galerie LaFitte, 533 St. Louis St., 524-0105. Work of New Orleans sculptor Karen Cauvin Eustis will be displayed with proceeds from sales benefiting the Louisiana Children's Museum. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
GIFT OF A LIFETIME. First Baptist Church, 1400 Williams Blvd., 466-5381. Musical presentation of the story of Christmas. Free admission. 7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday 9
JIVE FOR STRIVE. Bella Luna, 914 N. Peters St., 895-2557. STRIVE, INC. hosts a jazz-brunch fundraiser to support adults with developmental disabilities. Tickets $75. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
YULETIDE TEA AND BOUTIQUE. Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St., 524-4795. Holiday boutique and tea to benefit the Edna B. and Joyce Fay Washington Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Tickets $20. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS CHILDREN'S CHORUS. Grace Lutheran Church, 5800 Canal Blvd., 488-5973. Winter concert featuring the Apprentice Chorus, the Intermediate Chorus and the Songbirds. Admission $5. 3 p.m.
MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE. Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Ave., 897-0143. Piatigorsky Foundation returns with a classic concert featuring Evan Drachman on cello and Doris Stevenson on piano. Free admission. 3 p.m.
CHORAL CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS. St. Patrick's Church, 724 Camp St., 391-2918. St. Patrick's Choir performs. Free admission. 3 p.m.
MUSICA DA CAMERA. Holy Name of Mary Church, 500 Eliza St., Algiers, 865-8203. Musica da Camera and Vox Feminae perform program of Christmas favorites. Free admission. 3 p.m.
WRITING ABOUT VISUAL ARTS. Dooky Chase Restaurant, 2301 Orleans Ave., 945-7015. Symposia on the arts featuring George Dureau, Ron Bechet, Ronna Harris and moderated by William Fagaly. Free admission. 4 p.m.
CULINARY TOUR OF ACADIANA. Charley G's Seafood Grill, 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 737-7583. Fundraiser with Cajun-inspired cuisine. Benefits LaSalle Park. Tickets $75. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERTS. Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave. Festival of Lessons and Carols based on medieval vigil services. Free admission. 4 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276. Guest singers join the community in the 15th annual performance of Handel's Messiah sing-along. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
NORTH POLE NUTRIAS. El Matador, 504 Esplanade Ave., 569-8361. Rick Delaup's Christmas video features Miss Pussycat's puppets and the voices of Chris Rose, Harry Lee, Bunny Matthews and others. Al Scramuzza stars as Santa. Party includes music by Glitter N' Gold and Quintron. Tickets $10. 10 p.m.
Monday 10
HOLIDAY WINE TASTING. Brennan's Restaurant, 417 Royal St., 525-9713. French Quarter Festivals hosts wine fundraiser. Tickets $30. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
cooking demonstrations
Tuesday 4
KEN BOLDEN. Crescent City Farmers Market, 200 Broadway St., 861-5898. Delgado Culinary School instructor offers demonstration. Free admission. 11 a.m.
Saturday 8
MORRIS KAHN. Crescent City Farmers Market, 700 Magazine St., 861-5898. Owner of Mo's Riverbend Cafe offers Hanukkah cookie demonstration. Free admission. 10 a.m.
GREG PICOLO. Le Petit Theatre du Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-9958. Bistro at Maison de Ville chef cooks leek roquefort and shiitake walnut tarts. Free admission. 3 p.m.
auditions
Saturday 8
DANCE ENSEMBLE. 919 Cambronne St., 488-8176. Auditions for grass-roots movement dance ensemble to perform to contemporary Christian and gospel songs. Noon to 3 p.m.
cabaret
Tuesday 4
STEVIE WONDER REVUE. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Three popular New Orleans vocalists perform the superstar's hits. Tickets $12. 8 p.m.
Sunday 9
JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Diane Lala performs songs by David Friedman, Frank Loesser and others. Tickets $16 plus tax. 8 p.m.
