family
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS. City Park, 483-9415. Annual
holiday event with a light show throughout City Park, cultural exhibits, live
entertainment, arts and crafts, food, children's attractions and more. Two-mile
walking tour admission $5 per person (kids 3-under free); driving tour $10 per
car; carriage rides available. Open nightly from 5:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m., through
Jan. 5.
CELEBRATION OF THE SEASON. Lafreniere
Park, Metairie, 833-5703. Seasonal lights displayed nightly from dusk until
10 p.m., through Jan. 5. Free admission.
Saturday 21
MERRY FISHMAS. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas,
1 Canal St., 378-2665. Variety of activities designed to teach children
about sea creatures and make holiday gifts through arts and crafts projects,
storytelling, puppet shows. Projects vary. Free with paid aquarium admission,
$13.50 adults, $6.50 children ages two-12, $10 seniors. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday, Dec. 21-22.
Sunday 22
BRUNCH WITH SANTA. Dunaway's Olde Towne Restaurant,
311 Robert St., Slidell, (985) 641-1131. Program with Porta-Puppet Players
featuring comedy, puppets, sing-alongs, coloring and Santa. Admission $15. 11
a.m. to 1 p.m.
special events
Saturday 21
SNOWLAND. City Park, Carousel Gardens along Victory
Drive, 482-4888. Seventeenth annual event with the importing of 40 to 60
tons of "snow" to play in. First 500 kids admitted receive three free-ride tickets
to use in Carousel Gardens. Free admission. 9 a.m. to noon.
JAZZ AT THE VILLA. New Orleans African American Museum, 1418 Gov.
Nicholls St., 565-7497. Local jazz artists perform. Free with museum admission,
$5 adults, $3 children and seniors. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ISLENOS CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS. French
Quarter Visitors Center, 419 Decatur St., 589-2636. Folklife program on
Islenos Christmas traditions and customs as presented by members of the community
in St. Bernard Parish. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
CHARACTERS OF NEW ORLEANS' PAST. Jackson
Square, 522-5730. Part of the "Louisiana Living History Project," characters
including Papa Noel, Gen. Andrew Jackson and Marie Laveau are presented daily
in Jackson Square. (During inclement weather, characters will appear in the
lobby of Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St.) Free admission.
Noon, 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. through Dec. 25.
SPAYMART FIND-A-FRIEND WEEKEND. PETsMart
stores, 1321 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, and 1000 S. Clearview Pkwy., Jefferson,
838-9167. Pet adoption event with cats and dogs available. Photos with Santa
and your pet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Animals $75 each, includes spaying or neutering,
vaccinations, testing and treatment. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT. New Orleans Jazz National Historical
Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Brian Seeger and guests perform holiday
concert. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT SERIES. St.
Louis Cathedral, 522-5730. Concert series with local jazz and gospel artists
performing Christmas and traditional songs; tonight featuring the Pfister Sisters.
Free admission. 8 p.m.
Sunday 22
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church,
1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520. Concert featuring Albinas Prizgintas leading
the Trinity Taize Chamber Ensemble, traize being a music and meditation concept
from France. Free admission. 5 p.m.
WALK-IN MOVIE NIGHT. W French Quarter
Hotel, 316 Chartres St., 581-1200. Screening of Room With a View,
the 1986 adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel in the W's courtyard. Heaters and
blankets provided. Admission $10, proceeds to benefit Crohn's & Colitis -- Louisiana
chapter. Doors 7 p.m., movie begins at 8 p.m.
Monday 23
CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT SERIES. St. Louis Cathedral,
522-5730. Concert series with local jazz and gospel artists performing Christmas
and traditional songs; tonight featuring the "Gospel Diva" Lois J. Dejean &
Friends. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Tuesday 24
CELEBRATION OF LIFE. Lake Forest Plaza Mall, Lake
Forest Boulevard, 488-0103. Eleventh annual Christmas Eve event of the Huntington
Hope and Faith Foundation for Terminally Ill Children with a balloon lift, live
entertainment, door prizes, refreshments and family activities. Donations $7
adults, $3 children. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday 25
CHRISTMAS DINNER. Bridge House, 1160 Camp St., 522-2124.
Annual Christmas meals for the homeless with continental-style breakfast
at 8 a.m., traditional holiday meal at 11 a.m., along with clothes donations.
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral,
522-5730. Concert featuring Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers with
vocalist Cynthia Owen. Tickets $20 adults, $5 children. Performances 3 p.m.
and 8 p.m.
Friday 27
HISTORY OF BRASS BANDS. New Orleans Jazz National
Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Park ranger Bambi Spears discusses
the role and history of brass bands in New Orleans. Free admission. 3 p.m. to
4 p.m.
FLAG FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. University
of New Orleans, fields around Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, 280-6357. Featuring
150 teams from various colleges, military units and Mexico competing in
the 24th Annual Flag Football Championships. Free admission. Games will be played
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Saturday through Tuesday.
Saturday 28
HACK BARTHOLOMEW TRIO. New Orleans Jazz National
Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. Local trumpeter and vocalist
Hack Bartholomew performs. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sunday 29
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church,
1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520. Concert featuring Pro Musica with director
Ric Watkins leading a choral group with 20 singers and organ and harp through
a Christmas program including works by Faure, Rutter, Parry and others. Free
admission. 5 p.m.
cooking demonstrations
Saturday 21
CRESCENT CITY FARMERS MARKET. 700 Magazine St., 861-5898.
David Prestige of Cajun Crawkitty introduces his new line of "Cajun cuisine
for cats" at 8 a.m. and at 10 a.m. prepares crawfish etouffee (for humans).
Free admission.
COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET. Covington
City Hall, 609 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-1873. Cooking demonstration
by Acme Oyster House; live music with Rose Anne Bivens singing Christmas music.
Free admission. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS.
Le Petit Theatre, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Series of cooking
demonstrations by local chefs through the holiday season; today features Chef
Jared Tees of Bourbon House preparing oyster chowder. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Sunday 22
CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS.
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Series
of cooking demonstrations by local chefs through the holiday season; today featuring
Chef Tom Weaver of Court of Two Sisters preparing Two Sisters' Tenderloin of
Pork. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Monday 23
CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS.
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Series
of cooking demonstrations by local chefs through the holiday season; today features
Chef Rene Bajeaux of Rene Bistrot preparing seared salmon with herbsaint sauce.
Free admission. 3 p.m.
Thursday 26
HERMANN-GRIMA HOUSE. 820 St. Louis St., 525-5661.
The Hermann-Grima House offers holiday cooking and baking demonstrations
in the 1830's open-hearth kitchen. Free with regular admission; $6 adults, $5
students and seniors, children under eight free. Wednesday and Thursday from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS. Le Petit Theatre
du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Series of cooking demonstrations
by local chefs through the holiday season; today features Chef Tenney Flynn
of GW Fins preparing wood-grilled drum with eggplant caponata. Free admission.
3 p.m.
Friday 27
CHRISTMAS NEW ORLEANS STYLE COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS.
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Series
of cooking demonstrations by local chefs through the holiday season; today features
Chef Bruce Rollins of Mr. John's Steakhouse preparing bread pudding with whiskey
sauce. Free admission. 3 p.m.
Saturday 28
COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET. Covington City Hall, 609
N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-1873. Cooking demonstration of Farmers
Market cabbage rolls; live music with Charlie Horton. Free admission. 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m.
