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SPECIAL EVENTS LISTINGS 12 23 03 Respond to this Story family Tuesday 23 PAPA NOEL CHILDREN'S TEA. The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St., 524-1331. In a hotel decorated for the holidays, including a 40-foot tree in the courtyard, a tea for children and families features pictures with Papa Noel. Children will receive gift along with coloring book. Tickets $26. Two seatings, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday 29 COOKING CLASS. Herman-Grima House, 820 St. Louis St., 525-5661. Children bake holiday treats while learning culinary ways of the past. Also features house tour and storytelling. Ages 9-13. Admission $15 non-members, $12 members. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. special events CHRISTMAS MANSION. The Van Benthuysen-Elms Mansion, 3029 St. Charles Ave., 895-5493. The Garden District mansion is in "holiday dress" for the season through Twelfth Night. Guided tours available. Call for admission information or visit www.elmsmansion.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, or by appointment. CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS. City Park, 483-9415. City Park's annual lighting display. Special displays this year include "Dinobration," which features more than a dozen animated prehistoric creatures, artists' showcase, live music, children's activities, and a train garden. Tickets $5 walking tour, free for children 3 and under, $12 driving tour. 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly (closed Wednesday-Thursday this week); through Jan. 4. Tuesday 23 HOLIDAY TEA. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488. A tea party also features tour of historic Longue Vue home decorated for the holidays, plus shopping. Reservations required. $20 Friends of Longue Vue members, $25 non-members. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CHEFS' HOLIDAY COOKING DEMO. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Chef Curtis Moore of The Praline Connection prepares smothered okra with shrimp as part of Chefs' Holiday Cooking Demonstration series. Free admission. 3 p.m. JAZZ ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI. Visitors Center, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park presents a program about local jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Baby Dodds launching their careers with concerts on Mississippi River steamboat cruises. Free admission. 3 p.m. CHRISTMAS CONCERT. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square at Chartres Street, 522-5730. Christmas New Orleans Style presents concert by "Gospel Diva" Lois J. Dejean. Free admission. 8 p.m. Thursday 25 CHRISTMAS DAY CONCERT. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-5730. Holiday concert featuring Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, along with Phillip Manuel and Theresa Andersson. Tickets $20 adults, $5 children. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday 26 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 524-HOOP. The New Orleans Hornets host the Atlanta Hawks. Tickets $7-$272. 7 p.m. NEW ORLEANS BANJOS + 2. Visitors Center, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park presents concert by group featuring five banjos, plus bass and piano, performing songs from the 1920s through '40s. Sunday 28 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS. Louisiana Superdome, 731-1700. The Saints host the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Quincy Carter. Tickets $60 to $100. Kickoff at noon. HOLIDAY GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520. Jo "Cool" Davis presents 23rd annual Holiday Gospel Extravaganza in collaboration with the Trinity Artist Series. The event features performances by Cardell Chambliss, Sherman Washington and the Zion Harmonizers, and Rocky's Red Hot Fox Trot Orchestra. Free admission. 4 p.m. SWING IN THE OAKS. City Park, New Orleans Botanical Gardens, Pavilion of the Two Sisters, 483-9415. As part of "Celebration in the Oaks," the local chapter of the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association gives dance instructions for tango, swing, foxtrot and others. Admission $5 adults, $2 children five to 12. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. call for volunteers Thursday 25 BRIDGE HOUSE CHRISTMAS. Bridge House, 1160 Camp St., 522-2124. Bridge House hosts Christmas for the homeless with pastries in the morning and holiday feast in afternoon. Clothing and toiletries will be distributed. Volunteers and contributions needed. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. call for films FLICKER FILMS. Flicker, New Orleans Independent Short Film Festival, is searching for films to showcase next month at the Howlin' Wolf. Taking VHS copies of films 15 minutes or less with a short summary of the piece. Mail to ten18 films, attn: Jeremy Campbell, 7820 Spruce St., NOLA 70118. Be sure to include contact info. Deadline Dec. 31. Other Stories This Week in Arts & Entertainment: A&E Feature The Future Is Now Art Review Romancing the Concept Theater Review The Make-Up Man Arts Listings