family
Tuesday 18
TEDDY BEAR TEA AND STORYTELLING. Fairmont Hotel, Blue Room, 123 Baronne St., 522-2303. Storytellers, Yule Log Parade, and teddy bears. Tickets $20 adult tea, $26 champagne tea, $17 children's tea. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., through Friday.
VISIT WITH SANTA. Fairmont Hotel, 123 Baronne St., 522-2303. Kids can visit Santa in his sleigh and see a life-size gingerbread house. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., through Friday.
Saturday 22
MERRY FISHMAS. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St., 565-3033. Holiday-themed arts and crafts with storyteller Diane de Las Casas and tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Aquarium admission $13.50 adults, $6.50 children, $10 seniors. 10 a.m. to 2 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, Toulouse Street Dock, 586-8777. Nutcracker from the IMAX film The IMAX© Nutcracker in 3D appears on this special holiday cruise. Free with donation of new, unwrapped toy for Crescent House. 11:30 a.m.
Sunday 23
MERRY FISHMAS. Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St., 565-3033. Holiday-themed arts and crafts with Hobgoblin Hill Puppets and the English Christmas story St. George and the Dragon. Aquarium admission $13.50 adults, $6.50 children, $10 seniors. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 18
VO-DU MACBETH SHOWCASE. NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2859. Workshops and special guests centered on the creative arts. Free admission. Call for schedule and times.
CHRISTAMS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200. Warren Easton High School Choir performs. Free admission. 11 a.m. to noon.
CAROLING ON THE RIVER. Steamboat Natchez, Toulouse Street Wharf, 586-8777. Holiday jazz cruise with caroling by choirs and choral groups. Admission $16.75 adults, $8.25 children. 11:30 a.m., through Friday.
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.
CHRISTMAS UNDER THE STARS. Griffith Park, Olde Towne Slidell, (985) 646-4375. Holiday festival with a life-size Nativity, animated Cajun cottage and Parade of Trees. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL. Louisiana Superdome, 1500 Poydras St., 522-5555. Bowl game between Colorado State and North Texas. Tickets $15-$40. 7 p.m.
TANGO DANCING. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Evening includes open dancing and lessons with Sarah Vizer. Admission $5, one drink minimum. 7:30 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. Rachel van Voorhees Chamber Ensemble performs. Free admission. 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CABARET. Le chat noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Local singers, dancers and entertainers perform in the spirit of the season. Tickets $20. 8 p.m., through Saturday.
Wednesday 19
ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS. Arts Council of New Orleans, 225 Baronne St., 593-1465. Deadline for nominations for the 2002 Mayor's Arts Awards for individuals, organizations and corporations that made outstanding contributions to the community. Call for nomination form.
IT'S A WRAP. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 944-PETS. Holiday gift wrap with donations benefiting the LA/SPCA. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200. Citywide Choir and J.F. Kennedy High School Choir perform. Free admission. 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m.
POETRY FORUM. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie. New Orleans Poetry Forum weekly meeting. Free admission. 8 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. Dr. Vallerie Francis, Lyle Henderson & Emanuel perform. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Thursday 20
BLOOD DRIVE. Blood Center, 3525 N. Causeway Blvd., 524-1322. WKZN 105.3 FM hosts the Bo & Beth Blood Drive to support blood supplies for the New Orleans community. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200. Little Wood Elementary School Choir performs. Free admission. 11 a.m. to noon.
VICTORY CELEBRATION. Pavilion of Two Sisters, City Park, 827-6896. United Way event. Tickets $30. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. St. Louis Cathedral School students re-enact the first Christmas. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
Friday 21
LA/SPCA BOOKFAIR. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 944-PETS. "Bookfair Support Day" with portion of proceeds benefiting the LA/SPCA with vouchers located on-site. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200. Pianist Richard Fleming performs. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JAZZ CHRISTMAS. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitor Center, 916 N. Peters St., (877) JAZZ-NPS. Brian Seeger performs a holiday concert. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. Peter Martin performs. Free admission. 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS LECTURE. Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, 6760 Morrison Road; 2209 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey; or 201 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond, 949-4367. Annual lecture on "Is December 25 the True Birthday of the Savior?" Free admission. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SANTA AT PAT O'S. Pat O'Brien's, 718 St. Peter St., 525-4823. Jolly St. Nick appears with holiday treats for grown-ups. Free admission. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 22
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200. Pianist Richard Fleming, violinist Karen Rose, the Miracle Faith Temple Choir, New Orleans Blend and Strolling Carolers perform. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1940s HOLIDAY CONCERT. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012. Stu Farber, Linda Mintz and Saul Schneider perform songs from the forties and holiday classics. Museum admission $10 adults, $6 seniors, students with ID, military, $5 children. 2 p.m.
SINGING SANTA CLAUS. National Historic Park Visitors Center, 916 N. Peters St., 282-7408. Big Al Carson performs with the Riverwalk Jazz Band. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
THE NUTCRACKER. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, Armstrong Park, 522-5555. Delta Festival Ballet performs the holiday classic with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and special guest performers from the American Ballet Theatre. Tickets $15-$50. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 1401 Simon Bolivar Ave., 522-9951. Program on the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA. Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, 6760 Morrison Road, 949-4367. Institute's Holy Name Singers perform with special guest choirs. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
JAZZIN' UP THE HOLIDAYS. Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St., 254-8865. Fundraiser for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Heritage School of Music with performances by Irvin Mayfield, Allen Toussaint and others. Tickets $125 person. 8 p.m.
TOYS FOR TOTS. Metropolitan, 310 Howard Ave., 568-1700. Renaissance Records hosts Christmas party with gifts benefiting the U.S. Marine Corps Reservists Toys for Tots campaign. Free admission with new, unwrapped toy. 8 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. Rev. Lois Dejean, Rev. Jermaine Landrum & Abundant Praise perform. Free admission. 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE EXTRAVAGANZA. 10901 Chef Menteur Hwy., 942-3592. McDonogh #35 Senior High School Alumni Association, Inc. hosts holiday party. Donations accepted at door. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
SINGLE AND SINGLE AGAIN. The Alexander Room, 3200 Ridgelake Drive, Metairie. St. Clement of Rome sponsors dance for single adults. Strict dress code enforced. Admission $8. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday 23
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal Place, 522-9200. Pianist Richard Fleming and harpist Judy Seghers perform. Free admission. Noon to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CELTIC CHRISTMAS. O'Flaherty's Irish Channel Centre & Pub, 514 Toulouse St., 529-1317. Song, food and merriment in Celtic style. Tickets $12-$17. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276. Taize Chamber Ensemble performs program of classical music, dance and chanting. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square. Philip Manuel performs. Free admission. 8 p.m.
CHRISTMAS LECTURE. Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research, 6760 Morrison Road; 2209 Lapalco Blvd., Harvey; or 201 W. Coleman Ave., Hammond, 949-4367. Annual lecture titled "Why Was the Savior Born of a Virgin?" Free admission. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday 24
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal Place, 522-9200. Pianist Richard Fleming, New Orleans Blend, Belles & Beaux and Strolling Carolers perform. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE CRUISE. New Orleans Paddlewheels, Riverwalk/Canal Street dock and Aquarium of the Americas dock, 524-0814. Cruise up the Mississippi River to view bonfires and enjoy a Creole buffet. Call for tickets. 2 p.m. Creole Queen, 2:30 p.m. Cajun Queen.
SET SAIL. Steamboat Natchez, Toulouse Street Wharf, 586-8777. Evening cruise with holiday music and buffet. Reservations required. Tickets $75 per person. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER. Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St., 524-1331. Choose either the French Quarter Bar or Victor's for a prix fixe dinner. Admission $40 FQB, $85 Victor's. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
cooking demonstrations
Tuesday 18
DELGADO CULINARY PROGRAM. Crescent City Farmers Market, 200 Broadway Ave., 861-5898. Apprentices offer cooking demonstration. Free admission. 11 a.m.
CHRIS BARBATO. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse chef prepares smoked rabbit and wild mushroom gumbo. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Wednesday 19
DICKIE UNANGST AND CHESTER GREY. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Chefs from West End Cafe and Fat Harry's prepare remoulade sauce. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Thursday 20
CAROLYN BIANCHI. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Maison Bleu chef prepares poisson du golfe. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Friday 21
JOEL MORGAN. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. NOLA chef prepares a Creole Christmas trifle. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Saturday 22
ALISON VEGA. Crescent City Farmers Market, 700 Magazine St., 861-5898. Chef of Vegas Tapas Cafe offers demonstration. Free admission. 10 a.m.
TOM WEAVER. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Court of Two Sisters chef prepares shrimp Toulouse. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Saturday 23
DAN RICHARDSON. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Harrah's Casino chef prepares jackpot jambalaya. Free admission. 3 p.m.
