family
Monday 31
KIDS' NEW YEAR'S EVE. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357, ext. 204. Papillion helps ring in the new year with a countdown and party. Advance tickets recommended. Tickets $6 in advance, $8 day of event. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 25
ESPLANADE ENCHANTMENT. Various vendors in Esplanade Ridge, Treme, Bayou St. John and Gentilly, 822-1950. Special events and offers at area establishments for the holidays through Jan. 6. See ad in Gambit Weekly.
CHRISTMAS BRUNCH. Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St., 524-1331. Executive Chef Branger cooks a holiday feast. Cost $48 adults, $20 children. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Banu Gibson and the New Orleans Hot Jazz will perform Christmas classics with a jazzy twist. Tickets $20 adults, $5 children. 3 p.m. and 8 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.
Wednesday 26
FIREWORKS. Celebration in the Oaks, City Park, 483-9415. Holiday displays light up the sky in this fireworks celebration. Admission $8 car, $3 per person walking tours. 8 p.m.
Thursday 27
CHILDREN'S COOKING CLASS. Hermann-Grima House, 820 St. Louis St., 525-5661. Holiday cooking class for ages 9-14. Cost does not include lunch. Admission $10 members, $15 non-members. 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday 28
CONTEST DEADLINE. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, 365 Canal St., Suite 2400, 589-2330. Deadline for essay contest for area fourth and fifth graders on "What effect did the Battle of New Orleans have on the United States?" Free admission.
FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS. University of New Orleans, Lakefront Campus, Human Performance Center fields, 280-6357. Annual event with teams from colleges across the country, the military and Mexico competing for awards. Free admission. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Monday.
SPECIAL SYMPOSIUM. The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St., 598-7171. "The Southern Picturesque: A Symposium" offers papers from scholars, readings and presentations on the characterization of the South. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SPECIAL CONCERT. Frenchy Gallery, 319 Royal St., 561-5885. Joe Krown performs. Free admission. Noon to 3 p.m.
BETWEEN X & 1. St. Mark's Methodist Church, 1130 N. Rampart St., 861-8832. Poetry readings with local and national poets. Admission $3. 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 29
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Visitor Center, 916 N. Peters St., (877) JAZZ-NPS. Female trio E.L.S. performs a holiday program. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION. St. Mark's Methodist Church, 1130 N. Rampart St., 861-8832. Discussion with Charles Borkhois, C.S. Giscombe, Jefferson Hansen and others. Free admission. 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
SPECIAL CONCERT. Frenchy Gallery, 319 Royal St., 561-5885. John Sinclair and his Blues Scholars perform. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 30
BAND PERFORMANCES. Woldenberg Park and the Washington Artillery Steps at Jackson Square, 522-5730. High school marching bands preview the NOKIA Sugar Bowl halftime show. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276. Program of spirituals by the Moses Hogan Singers and former members of Moses Hogan Chorale. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
THE FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS. Greater St. Stephen's Ministries, 2100 Ames Blvd., Marrero, 244-6800. Seven Greater St. Stephen choirs perform. 7 p.m.
Monday 31
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS PARTY. Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square, 565-8104. New Orleans Film and Video Commission hosts this party with the Charmaine Neville Band, the Lil Rascals Brass Band, Mayor Marc H. Morial, Troy Carter and other city officials. Free admission. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
JACKSON BREWERY PARTY. Jackson Brewery, 600 Decatur St., Riverview Room, 566-7601.The Topcats entertain at this all-inclusive party with "Symphony in the Sky" fireworks display and ball drop. Tickets $150 per person. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
NEW YEAR'S BALL DROP. Jackson Brewery, 600 Decatur St., 566-7601. Annual ball drop to help ring in the new year. Free admission. Midnight.
cooking demonstrations
Wednesday 26
RENE BAJEUX. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Rene Bistrot chef demonstrates bouillabaisse. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Thursday 27
BRET & KENT BROWN. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Margaritaville Cafe chefs cook fried pickled oysters. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Friday 28
AGNES BELLET. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Louis XVI chef cooks sautéed mushrooms with goat-cheese sauce in puff pastry. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Saturday 29
CRESCENT CITY FARMERS MARKET. 700 Magazine St., 861-5898. Good luck for the new year with black-eyed peas and cabbage. Free admission. 10 a.m.
TENNEY FLYNN. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. GW Fins chef cooks sauteed redfish and veal jus. Free admission. 3 p.m.
