The story of AIDA has known many incarnations. The most familiar to Western audiences is that of Giuseppe Verdi's opera, but his story was only borrowed from the work of French Egyptologist Auguste Bey who, in turn, reportedly unearthed it from among the legends of ancient Egypt. It is fitting, then, that composer Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice have taken the tale once again, this time for their 2001 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Show, currently visiting the Saenger Theatre (143 N. Rampart St., 524-2490) this week. The Broadway musical's book tinkers around the edges of the familiar tale, but the fundamentals are all here for the fabled love triangle: enslaved Nubian princess Aida, her soldier love Radames, and the Egyptian rival for his affections, Amneris. The Disney musical is directed by Robert Falls and choreographed by Wayne Cilento. The New Orleans cast includes British-born Paulette Ivory as Aida and Jeremy Kushner as Radames. (Kushner is perhaps best known for originating the role of Ren in the stage version of Footloose.) Pop legend John describes the score as "very urban-based, rhythm 'n' blues, gospel-inspired songs, and kind of 'Crocodile Rock' songs, and ballads, of course," so the word "opera" really shouldn't scare anyone away -- the score is as contemporary as this centuries-old love story is timeless. Performances run Tuesday through Dec. 22; tickets range from $20-$76.25 and are available through Ticketmaster (522-5555) or at the Saenger box office. -- Shala Carlson

Christmas Concerts 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10; through Dec. 21 St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley, 525-9585 Jim McCormick (pictured) performs Sunday at the Christmas Concerts series at St. Louis Cathedral. If the canned Yuletide music at the mall and schlock like Kenny G's new Christmas CD conspire to crush your holiday spirit, there's a beautiful homegrown alternative that's a true testament to the meaning of the season. The annual Christmas concerts at St. Louis Cathedral are one of the highlights of New Orleans' holiday offerings, featuring some of the city's best local musicians in a historic setting, offering their own personal renditions of holiday songs. The concerts are held nightly inside the Cathedral, and there is no admission fee. This week's performances include the Mike Bucalo Brass Quintet on Tuesday; Rev. Jermaine Landrum & Abundant Praise Choir on Wednesday; guitarist and vocalist Ray Ganucheau on Thursday; jazz singer Phillip Manuel on Friday; Aubry Bryan and First Zion Mass Choir on Saturday; singer-songwriter Jim McCormick's trio on Sunday; and Troy Poplous and the St. Raymond Catholic Church Choir on Monday. The series concludes next week, with highlights including the trio of Theresa Andersson, John Fohl & David Doucet Dec. 17; Miracle Faith Healing & Deliverance Choir & Heritage Singers Dec. 18; Christ Mass Choir and Shades of Praise Dec. 20; and the Pfister Sisters Dec. 21. -- Scott Jordan

Cabaret Diosa 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 897-3943 All dressed up and in the mood for Tiki? The paper umbrella is all that remains in the cocktail glass, and you have nowhere to go? To solve that, mix one part Xavier Cugat, a dollop of Carmen Miranda, a Desi Arnaz twist, a splash of Pee-wee Herman's take on the Champs' "Tequila," and garnish with foliage, flared shirts and slicked hair; the result is Cabaret Diosa. This nine-piece ensemble from Boulder, Colo., has been preaching the mambo across the land for the past five years. "We want it to be like you're turning the television on, and the New Mambo Revival Hour is on," says singer Juan Del Queso. Their diverse repertoire integrates '50s Latin music, Hollywood lounge exotica, and original songs with lyrics both in English and Spanish, appealing to a broad audience. Dancing is a must, which shouldn't be a problem as Cabaret Diosa supplies contagious rhythms in abundance. Otra opens. Admission $7. -- Manny Lander

Parker and Lily 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747 Parker and Lily bring their ethereal sound to the Mermaid Lounge on Tuesday. Parker and Lily may have been born 20 years too late. The New York-based indie-style group -- made up of guitarist Parker Noon and keyboardist Lily Wolfe -- makes ultra-mellow, dreamy music that calls to mind Velvet Underground-influenced dream-pop bands of the '60s and '70s. With loopy drum tracks and an array of analog keyboards to set the texture, the duo sings sweet, sad melodies over slow-swirling harmonic themes. Their latest release, Here Comes Winter, offers a quintessential slice of their melodic melancholia complete with overdub effects (bird chirps, car horns, etc.) that they gathered on tour with an eight-track recording machine. The Parker and Lily live show offers a thicker sound. Recently added third member Christina Campanella brings high-end vocal harmonies and even more keyboards to push their ethereal music to heavenly status. Local rock outfit the Nick Diaz Experiment opens. Admission $5. -- Cristina Diettinger

Eyes On You Jazz Gala 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 Muriel's Restaurant, 801 Chartres St., 280-5700 Organizers of the Eyes On You Jazz Gala request attire that is "elegant with sunglasses" to prepare guests for an event packed with star power. The gala is a benefit for UNO's Training, Resource and Assistive-Technology Center (TRAC), an arm of the university that works to provide innovative rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, through programs including TRAC's Creative Music & Jazz Camp, which each summer houses visually impaired teen musicians. The night's leading luminary is pianist Henry Butler, who heads a long list of live entertainment featuring Dr. Michael White, Lauren Kesgin, and Papa Henry and the Steamin' Syncopaters, with Wendell Brunious, Tom Fisher, Bill Huntington, Freddy Lonzo, Shannon Powell and Dan Vappie. Specialty bars and catered food round out the attractions, along with a silent auction of items including a private Henry Butler performance and celebrity-designed sunglasses. Tickets $75 per person, $35 students. -- Frank Etheridge

NOCCA/Riverfront Dance Company 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 NOCCA/Riverfront, Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 While the artistic achievements of many NOCCA alumni -- from jazz musicians to painters -- are well known and often shown around town, the school's dance department is different, having never officially performed as a troupe before. The precedent will be set Friday night, when the school's dance department starts a weekend run with a student performance of an original work, featuring young dancers hailing from across the metro area. The dance piece comes choreographed by a talented trio: Robert Battle, who has created works for such prestigious outfits as The Parsons Dance Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; Elisa Monte, known for an intense, athletic form; and NOCCA faculty member Miguel Lopez, who has worked internationally as a performer, teacher and choreographer. The students will move to "PaloMoba," an original score by Grammy-winning trumpeter, composer and NOCCA alum Nicholas Payton. Tickets $5. -- Etheridge

MC Tracheotomy 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS Mic rocker MC Tracheotomy might be the Ninth Ward's oddest oddball, and that's saying something. Claiming to be from an alternate planet and spewing rhymes about subjects ranging from the inner city to the outer stratosphere, Tracheotomy is a marginal cult figure among hipster freaks all over the nation and abroad. His latest CD, With Love From Tahiti, is a low-budget documentation of his utter weirdness, but live is the best way to experience this tweaker's act. His material, not quite hip-hop, not quite poetry, is heavy on sexual subject matter. His persona oscillates between pimp and mad scientist while his dancers, the Flatuladies, flank his performance dutifully. In a shining afro wig, zoot suit, and obligatory sunglasses, MC Tracheotomy shows that eccentricity in excess can be pleasantly amusing in its gratuity. Ninth Ward art-rock band Liquidrone opens. Admission $7. -- Diettinger

The Nutcracker 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie, 885-2000 For many families -- as well as kids at heart -- no holiday season would be complete without going to see The Nutcracker. The Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) version of the classic comes alive this weekend, with the troupe reprising the successful 2001 version crafted by Harvey Hysell. These performances mark the JPAS conducting debut of Lawrence Golan, who comes as guest conductor with a long and distinguished list of experience to guide the music of JPAS' Symphony Orchestra and Children's Chorus. Two principal dancers from the Montgomery (Ala.) Ballet -- Eleanor Bernard (from JPAS' Giselle last season) and Ian Carney (also in Giselle) -- return to lead in the roles of the Snow Queen and her prince, respectively. Frederick Wicker plays Clara, Beau Landry portrays Fritz, and Bud Landry is Uncle Drosselmayer. Tickets are $25-$27 for adults, $12 for students and children. For more info, visit www.jpas.org. -- Etheridge

One Sunday in December 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 Blue Nile, 532 Frenchmen St., 948-2583 Last year's double-CD release Two Days in April is an amazing document of jazz improvisation, and this Sunday, the quartet that performed on the CD will play live together for the first time in the region. Anchored by legendary bassist William Parker, the performance features a quartet of world-class musical innovators who have been playing at the cutting edge of progressive jazz for most of their careers. Having collaborated with an astonishing range of players from Cecil Taylor to DJ Spooky, Parker is never an accompanist, and always has a voice of his own. Likewise with drummer Hamid Drake, whose techniques are completely original, not a hand-me-down from the last generation's jazz drummers. Local visionary, music educator and tenor saxophonist Kidd Jordan will hammer in the happening with scorching melodies and relentless, visceral runs. Legendary Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson, now in his 70s, joins Jordan to form one of the finest twin sax brass sections on earth. Improvisational Arts Council performs a set following the headliners. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. -- Diettinger

Raised to the Trade: Creole Building Arts of New Orleans Through Jan. 12 New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631 It has been said that, beyond food and music, nothing defines New Orleans more than its storied architecture. Yet, while our chefs and musicians are often famous, those masterful carpenters, plasterers, masons and metal craftsmen were usually anonymous, even though they are a breed that is unique to this city. Actually, many of them are famous, but names like Allison "Tootie" Montana, Edward "Kid" Ory, Johnny St. Cyr and Lionel Ferbos are far more famous as local music icons than as the shapers of this city's singular appearance. Descendants of long lines of local craftsmen who passed their skills from father to son over many century-spanning generations, their masterful creations and deep Creole roots are celebrated in this long-overdue Raised to the Trade exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art. -- D. Eric Bookhardt