family
Tuesday 23
TODDLER TIME. Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929. Hear the newest Stella story by Marie Louise Gay and become a king or queen of nature. Free admission. 1 p.m.
Wednesday 24
RENEW, REUSE, RECYCLE. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Students from Louise McGehee School help make interesting crafts with recycled materials. Admission $6 adults and children. 10 a.m. to noon.
THE NOSE KNOWS. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Make nosegays and discover spices during three days of smell-oriented activities. Admission $6 adults and children. 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Friday.
DRAKESTAIL City Park, 1 Palm Drive, 482-4888. Puppet show about a duck that fights an evil queen to get his friends' possessions back. Tickets $2. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, through May.
Friday 26
ZOO-TO-DO FOR KIDS. Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 861-6160. Kid-oriented gathering offers lots of bug-related games and activities and wacky insect-inspired food. Tickets $16 members, $20 non-members. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 27
SENSE OF SMELL DAY. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357. Mix your own perfume, paint with scented oils, try on nose cards and hear stories. Admission $16 non-members, $10 members. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RIDE YOUR RHYTHM ... SING YOUR SONG. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3236. Vocalist/percussionist Imani journeys through the sounds of Africa, India and Latin America. Tickets $3.50 adults, $2.50 children and seniors. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
special events
Monday 22
BIG EASY ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS. New Orleans Hilton Riverside, Grand Ballroom, 486-5900, ext. 160. The 15th annual awards ceremony honors achievement in music and theater, hosted by Harry Shearer and Vance DeGeneres and featuring performances by nominees including a tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award in Music Sam Butera. Followed by Harrah's Celebration Bash with music by Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers. Includes open bar and buffet. Tickets $125. Call Lindsay Moylan at 486-5900, ext. 160, for reservations. 6 p.m.
Tuesday 23
LADIES GOLF EXTRAVAGANZA. Bayou Barriere Golf Club, 7427 Hwy. 23, Belle Chasse, 865-0003. Golf event to benefit United Cerebral Palsy. Entry fee $100 individual, $400 team of four. 8 a.m.
WENDELL GAUTHIER GUMBO COOK-OFF. Rock 'N' Bowl Cafe, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 456-8603. Professional and amateur chefs battle for the title of best gumbo with proceeds benefiting the Cancer Crusaders and the LSUHSC Scott Cancer Center. Suggested donation $150. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday 24
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY LUNCHEON. Harrah's Casino, Grand Ballroom, 861-4500. Luncheon for administrative professionals and employers includes silent auction and fashion show. Tickets $35, $300 for table of eight. 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
AM I BLUE? New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Park rangers discuss the evolution of blues and its influence on jazz. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Ave., 561-8927. Rosie Ledet performs as part of Downtown Development District's weekly concert series. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE BAYOU STATE. Jefferson Parish Library, 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie, 838-1100. Lyle Saxton explores the biography Lafitte the Pirate. Reservations required. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 West Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100. Violinist Linda Rosenthal and actor Bill Blush present Strings and Stories, an interactive introduction to the joys of classical music. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
SWING IN THE OAKS. City Park, 523-6530. Alfred Savia conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a program of classical, pops and patriotic music. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
MORIAL PORTRAIT UNVEILING. Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Ave., 522-3911. Unveiling of outgoing Mayor Marc Morial's portrait painted by local artist Michelle Valborg Kondos following the State of the City address. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Thursday 25
BREAKFAST WITH THE MAYOR. Parkview Terrace, City Park, 561-0247. New residents (as of November 2001) can meet outgoing Mayor Marc Morial and city officials and learn about civic activities. Registration required. Free admission. 8:30 a.m.
SPRING LUNCHEON. Dominic's Gym, 6326 Memphis St., 486-9380. Fundraiser including lunch, games and door prizes supports Lakeview Shepherd Center. Admission $20. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DAFFODIL TEA. Fairmont Hotel, International Ballroom, 123 Baronne St., 244-5955. Fundraiser benefiting the Methodist Cancer Center and Overture to the Cultural Season's Artistic Achievement Awards Program. Tickets $35 individual, $50 patron. 12 p.m.
THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN'. Dante's Kitchen, 736 Dante St., 895-0153. 3 Ring Circus hosts reception for musically inspired art by five local photographers and sculptors. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Monday.
ARTIST RECEPTION. Hanson Gallery, 229 Royal St., 524-8211. Reception for artists Patterson and Barnes, local painters known for their portraits of jazz and blues artists. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WINE TASTING. Martin Wine Cellar, 714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie, 899-7411. Ric Hopper hosts "Affordable White Burgundy" seminar. Reservations required. Admission $28. 6:30 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155. Zephyrs host Las Vegas. Tickets $5-$9. 7:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday, and 2:05 p.m. Sunday.
SWING INTO SPRING. Harrah's New Orleans Casino, Grand Ballroom, 486-6326. Gala benefiting the Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Foundation features music by the Rocky Fox Trot Orchestra. Tickets $60, $100 with patron party. 7 p.m. patron party, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. gala.
EUROPEAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN FOLK DANCING. Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St., 861-3346. Evening of folk dancing. Admission $6 couples, $4 singles, $2 students, free for first-timers. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 26
NEW ORLEANS' STREET MUSIC TRADITION. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Dr. Charles Chamberlain explores various aspects of street music culture. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
HENRY JONES. Southeastern Louisiana University, Pottle Auditorium, Hammond, (985) 549-2341. Pianist Henry Jones performs pieces by Rameau, Auric and Debussy. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
LOYOLA BALLET BALANCHINE TRIBUTE. Loyola University Campus, Roussel Performance Hall, 865-3492. Nashville Ballet honors contemporary choreographer George Balanchine with an interpretation of his piece Allegro Brillante. Tickets $10, $5 Loyola students and community. 8 p.m.
LAZARUS HOUSE BENEFIT. Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Ave., 368-6015. Rob Lavigne hosts party including raffle and silent auction. Admission $5. 8 p.m.
Saturday 27
GATOR RUN. Audubon Park, 861-0143. This 5K run benefits Holy Name of Jesus school. Fee $12 pre-registration, $15 day of race. 8:30 a.m.
BEST FRIENDS TO BEST FRIENDS. Israel M. Augustine Middle Learning Academy, 425 S. Broad St., 286-8558. Teen seminar hosted by Women Organized and Mobilized for Empowerment Now and Best Friends Organization. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MATT SAVAGE TRIO. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. This 9-year-old piano prodigy performs with bassist John Funkhouser and drummer Steve Silverstein. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
RICHWELL ISON EXPERIENCE. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Trumpeter and six-piece band perform '40s and '50s bebop. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
LPO CONCERT. Bogue Falaya Park, Covington, (985) 523-6530. Alfred Savia conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in a program of classical, pops and patriotic music. Free admission. 6 p.m.
ARTIST RECEPTION. Bryant Galleries, 316 Royal St., 525-5584. Reception for Daniel Meyer showcases the artist's musically inspired sculptures. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday 28
RUN, FORREST, RUN. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., 429 Decatur St., 482-6682. Annual 5K run through the French Quarter benefits Children's Hospital. Fee $14 pre-registered, $18 day of race. 8:15 a.m.
JAZZ MASS. St. Augustine's Church, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St., 525-5934. Trombone Shorty, John Boute, the Treme Brass Band and others play jazz classics at this festive mass. Free admission. 10 a.m.
SOLOMON. Tulane University Campus, Rogers Memorial Chapel, 862-3214. Tulane Choral Department presents a performance of works selected from Song of Songs. Free admission. 3 p.m.
JAZZ IN THE 'HOOD. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Sarah Courtney explores local neighborhoods where jazz thrived. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL TRADITIONS. Ashé Cultural Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 948-7748. Discussion compares Carnival traditions in the Caribbean. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520. Soprano Valerie Jones Francis joins Dillard University's opera workshop in a program of works by Gershwin and Mozart. Free admission. 5 p.m.
CHEFS EVENING. Southeastern Louisiana University, Twelve Oaks, Hammond, (800) SLU-ALUM. Two-dozen Northshore restaurants, caterers and wineries participate in this gala dinner event. Tickets $35 and $65 including patron party. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
SPRING CHOIR CONCERT. Dillard University Campus, Lawless Memorial Chapel, 816-4800. University choir performs spirituals, folk songs and classical pieces. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
THE SHIM SHAM REVUE. Shim Sham Club, 615 Toulouse St., 606-9903. Ingrid Lucia and Ronnie Magri's Shim Sham Revue Band accompany burlesque dancers, the Southern Jezebelles. Bob Edes emcees, with an appearance by Becky Allen. Tickets $15 advance, $18 at the door. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Monday 29
JESSE HILL COMMEMORATION. Holt Cemetery, 635 City Park Ave., 949-2785. The original headstone of Hill's family tomb will be unveiled, following a second line. Free admission. 2 p.m.
BLOOD ... THE NEW ORLEANS PROJECT. Loyola University, Danna Center, Audubon Room, 865-3840. Performance piece by Lloyd Joseph Martin that outlines the demise of one man and his connection to various characters. Free admission. 7 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155. Zephyrs host Edmonton. Tickets $5-$9. 7:05 p.m. Monday.
cabaret
Friday 26
THE SONGS OF AL JOLSON. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Vocalist Chris Wecklein and pianist Harry Mayronne Jr. interpret the music of Al Jolson. Tickets $17. 8 p.m.
cooking demonstrations
Saturday 27
AGNES BELLET. Martin Wine Cellar, 3827 Baronne St., 899-7411. Louis XVI chef offers demonstration and sampling. Free admission. 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
