It seems like a decade ago that writer/director Francis James was showing his work-in-progress film, Tony Bravo in Scenes From a Forgotten Cinema, in coffeehouses around the city. It was guerilla marketing at its finest, testing audience reaction, hoping for feedback and financing. But when, oh when would the damn thing get done? Well, that journey is a story unto itself, but the good news is, not only is Tony Bravo completed -- after some major reworking -- but it's ready for a free sneak preview this Thursday at the Palace 20 (1200 Elmwood Park Blvd., Jefferson, 734-2020). Starring Antonino Paone, Shelley Poncy, John McConnell and Ed Nelson, Tony Bravo is a bizarre peek into the mind of a New Orleanian print-shop owner (Paone) going through a sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad mid-life crisis. It's Freudian silliness for sure, as James explores all the voices inside Tony's head, giving him one bad bit of advice after another. James' first version was impressive but in need of cleaning up. And he found it on three key levels. First, he was able to recruit local jazz pianist David Torkanowsky to compose a score for the film as well as perform and recruit other local musicians: Kermit Ruffins, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Fredy Omar and Jonathan Freilich. Then he recruited award-winning film editor James Klein (Scout's Honor) to help trim down the film by at least 15 minutes. "He loved the second half of the film and felt we had to trim down the first half," James said. "I'd gotten too close to it, and I didn't know how to trim it down." Finally, James was able to take his film to Sound Dimensions in New York City for a final sound mix, at the suggestion of producer Peter Wentworth (Metropolitan). "There's all kind of sound-design elements that helps give you the sense of being in and out of Tony's head," James says, "Really bringing it home and making it all fit together." The next step, at long last, will be to take the film out on the festival circuit and hopefully snag a distribution deal. But before the rest of the world can decide, locals can catch a glimpse into Tony's, and Francis', world. Showtimes 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Free admission. -- David Lee Simmons

Ricky Sebastian presents Fusion League 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747 Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747 Ricky Sebastian's Fusion League strikes a chord at the Mermaid Lounge on Thursday. After moving back to New Orleans from New York in 1998, drummer Ricky Sebastian quickly reestablished himself as a force in the local jazz scene. In 2000 he released his superb debut album, The Spirit Within, and last year he permanently joined Los Hombres Calientes. Sebastian's stickwork can burn on bop and bring beauty to ballads, and his latest project is further proof of his sweeping range. "We're playing fusion, with some of my original songs, and music from Weather Report, solo Jaco Pastorius, old Herbie Hancock from the '70s and '80s, and some Chick Corea," says Sebastian. Sebastian's recruited a typically exceptional A-list band, featuring Victor Atkins on piano, young bassist Calvin Turner, and guitarist Jesse Lewis. "I want to see if there's an audience for fusion here," he says. The band packed its debut gig at the Funky Butt recently, so it sounds like Sebastian's struck a chord. -- Scott Jordan

Smiling Assassin Tour featuring Jojo Hermann (Widespread Panic) and Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi All Stars 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE John "Jojo" Hermann is best known as the keyboard player for the massively popular Georgia-based stoner-rock band Widespread Panic, but a little-known penchant for blues-guitar playing has led him on musical side trips to Mississippi for years. Playing gigs in dives and coffeehouses with old friends Luther and Cody Dickinson -- who are now well known as guitarist and drummer of Southern rock spring chickens the North Mississippi All Stars -- Jojo satisfies his semi-secret desire for rootsier pastures. These spontaneous jam sessions yielded an album in early 2001, when the group laid down Smiling Assassin, an under-produced collection of Jojo-penned tunes. More country than Panic and less bluesy than North Mississippi, Jojo's just-for-fun side project features sub-par singing, mediocre guitar-playing, and uninspired songwriting. But for hardcore fans of the Panic, his self-indulgent side project is a must see. Paul "Wine" Jones opens. Tickets $14. -- Cristina Diettinger

Dawn in the Floating City 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2 NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900 Jokes and curiosity surrounding the New Orleans accent -- if that is at all singular and/or traceable -- are endless. This nuance is now examined in Dawn in the Floating City, a modern opera contemplating cross-ethnic dialogue as seen from several points of view. Prize-nominated composer Jay Weigel of the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and director Ray Vrazel of NOCCA/Riverfront have developed a blend of music, video and innovative dance elements, including hip-hop, to tell the unique story. Dawn in the Floating City incorporates opera, blues, choir, orchestra, brass band, dance, monologues and vignettes. Speakers Weigel, John O'Neal and Ronnie Virgets complement singers Philip Manuel, Sally Perry, Leah Chase and the Louisiana Arts Chorale, with vignettes performed by Donald Lewis and Virgets, music by the Soul Rebels Brass Band and dancing by Jeffrey Cook and eight NOCCA students. Tickets are $15 for CAC, NOBA and NOCCA members, $20 for non-members, and are available by calling 940-2900 or visiting www.nocca.com. -- Etheridge

Made in Cuba: Contemporary Art From Cuba 2002 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2 (reception); through March 30 Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, 841 Carondelet St., 522.5471 We finally know what Jonathan Ferrara did last summer: he traveled throughout Cuba with native artist Damian Aquiles in search of the island's best contemporary artists. The result is Made in Cuba, co-curated by Ferrara and Aquiles and featuring eight artists as well as excerpts from footage taken by documentary filmmaker Jason Berry during the trip. Berry, no relation to the author of this week's cover story, plans a documentary on the visit. "Faith in art and the creative process brought me to Cuba," Ferrara says in his press release. "What I found there was an artist's utopia ... an isolated environment filled with thriving intellectual artists in the midst of the economic struggle and social restraint that is life in Cuba today." Reception admission is free. -- Simmons

Palettes and Palates with Chairs that Care 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 2 Purveyor of Fine Wines, 1040 Magazine St., 842-7113 What could Britney Spears, Kyle Turley and Bart Simpson possibly have in common? These celebrities (well, in Bart's case, cartoon) are part of Palettes and Palates with Chairs that Care, a fundraiser that benefits Early Intervention and other programs of Oschner for Children. The event features a wine tasting, an art and wine auction and an auction of chairs designed by the aforementioned stars. Other celebrity chair contributors include John Goodman, fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer, Blain Kern, the New Orleans Brass, soccer goddess Mia Hamm and actor/magician Harry Anderson. A patron party kicks off the evening at 7 p.m., with champagne and hors d'ouevres served as a silent auction commences. At 8 p.m., general ticket holders join in for more food, wine and bidding. Patron Party tickets are $100, general tickets are $35. For more information or advance tickets, call 842-7113. Tickets will be available at the door. -- Etheridge

Robin Spielberg 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2 Dixon Hall Annex, Tulane/Newcomb School of Music, 862-8644 That Robin Spielberg's 10 albums have collectively hit the 300,000 sales mark and that she sold out a two-night run at New York's Carnegie Hall prove her reputation as one of the most prolific -- and popular -- contemporary pianist/composers. A whimsical, intimate style has become Spielberg's in-concert trademark, with the music separated by storytelling and explanations full of anecdotes and insight. Her music is a blending of classical and popular styles, with recordings including two albums of classical standards, two holiday-inspired releases, three composed of original piano solos, one for piano/ensemble, a tribute to mothers and motherhood with vocalists, and a collection of lullabies. She arrives in New Orleans as part of her 30-city tour, which draws heavily from her recent release, With a Song in My Heart. Tickets are $15 general public, $10 for students, seniors and groups, and are available by calling 862-8644. -- Etheridge

Snooks Eaglin, Sonny Landreth 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 Mid City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133 It's going to be guitar nirvana when New Orleans fingerpicker extraordinaire Snooks Eaglin meets south Louisiana slide guitar wizard Sonny Landreth. While Eaglin's R&B and funk-infused staccato strumming and Landreth's atmospheric harmonics and roaring sustain are worlds apart, both men are serious deep blues players. And this won't be the first time they've shared the same stage; Eaglin and Landreth recently played back-to-back sets at a festival in Finland and hung out together afterward. "It was funny because I was backstage while Snooks was playing and somebody was trying to interview me, and I kept interrupting and saying, "Listen to that," says Landreth. "I really dig his attack on guitar, with the vocals swapping off with guitar. He has his own unique voice on guitar and with his singing. His band's cool, too." Nothing's set in stone, but Landreth's holding out hope for a jam session with Eaglin at this gig: "I'd jump at the chance." Eaglin opens at 8:30 p.m., and Landreth follows at 11:15 p.m. -- Jordan

Mystikal 9 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Saturday, March 2 House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE Mystikal finds his way to House of Blues for two sets on Saturday. Despite his perennial tardiness and somewhat lackluster performance record, Mystikal remains a national symbol of the local ass-shaking good life. The braided 12th Ward native was 45 minutes late for his 2001 Jazz Fest appearance, but was on time for his recent segment on MTV's Spring Break-style Mardi Gras special, leading Carson Daly on a "Magical Mystikal Tour" of the French Quarter. His 2000 album, Let's Get Ready, and its first single, "Shake Ya Ass," ruled the charts for several weeks, but at his performance at Woldenberg Park during Super Bowl weekend, Mystikal rapped the song over the vocal track from the album. When asked to show off his freestyle skills, he blurted half a line and then stopped, saying, "Aw, I ain't freestyled in a long time!" So while a Mystikal gig isn't a raw skills showcase, it's a high-energy song revue with impressive backup dancers and plenty of booty-shaking beats. This time, expect selections from his latest album, Tarantula. Tickets $28.50. -- Diettinger

Lydia Lunch 9 p.m. Sunday, March 3 Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 299-0666 Lydia Lunch doesn't just push the envelope; she does things with it that can't be printed in this newspaper. Lunch is a spoken-word commando of sorts, riffing on a variety of subjects with an acid tongue that revels in depravity. On her current tour, selections will include excerpts from her upcoming self-described "blood-soaked and sex-sick" novel, Johnny Behind the Deuce, a rant on motherhood slated for publication in the upcoming anthology Inappropriate Behavior. Lunch also recently guest-edited an issue of Sex and Guts magazine, conducting an interview with writer and former heroin addict and prostitute Jerry Stahl. Lunch says, "I had Stahl strapped to a plush red velvet sofa in my living room for 45 minutes of psychotherapy that left us both spent, soaked in sweat, convulsing in fever and delirious with the opportunity to once more stroke each other's ego in a verbal tongue to brain f--k." Not for the faint of heart. Admission $15. -- Jordan

Susan Norris-Davis: Urban Swamp Through March Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 This is a place where nature is strong. Go out into the swamps and you see a liquid landscape like the birth of the world. In hot, humid weather the city looks like a mirage shimmering in the steamy light. Such are the subjects of Susan Norris-Davis' Urban Swamp paintings, dreamily realistic views of the city and surrounding rivers, swamps and marshes -- works that reflect the influence of this primal environment on the people, and the influence of the people on the environment. Born in Peru and raised in this city, Norris-Davis attended college in Portland, Oregon, but returned to New Orleans because, for her, "Portland was physically too wet and spiritually too dry." In fact, she has long been fascinated with the people, the landscape and the light of a place that she finds a constant source of "wonder and challenge." -- D. Eric Bookhardt