family
Saturday 27
ART IN THE PARK. City Park, McFadden Cabin, 733-8220. Girl Scout Council of Southwest Louisiana's Studio 2B program offers all girls ages 13-17 events to learn about various arts. This month, opera orientation with Cavallerio Rusticano and Pagliacci. Free, pre-registration required.
LEARNING ADVENTURES PROGRAMS. Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 581-4629. Educational programs Toddlers and Ten and Very Important Informative Program (VIIP) about animals, science and nature held through May. VIIP held Saturday mornings, Toddlers at Ten Monday through Saturday. Registration required.
THE THREE LITTLE HAVELINAS. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 ext. 220. The Terrific Traveling Troubadours retells The Three Little Pigs with a Latino flair, plus other fairy tales. Tickets $2.50 children and seniors, $3.50 adults. Advanced purchase encouraged. Shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 23
EMERSON STRING QUARTET. Tulane University, Dixon Hall, 895-0690. Perform Haydn, Debussy, and Mendelssohn quartets. Free lecture one hour before concert by John Joyce, professor of music at Tulane. Tickets $18 general, $10 students, Tulane students free. 8 p.m.
Wednesday 24
POLITICS WITH A PUNCH. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812. Panel discussion of local and national politics with various community figures, hosted by Jeff Crouere. Tickets $20 each, or $30 for two. 8 p.m.
Thursday 25
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH FESTIVAL. Sigur Civic Center, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, 874-1921. Annual festival with more than 25 different crawfish dishes, carnival games, arts and crafts, and live music. Band schedule: Thursday, the Molly Ringwalds (6 p.m.); Friday, Tordown (5 p.m.), The Chee Weez (8 p.m.); Saturday, Irene Sage Band (noon), Lenny McDaniel (4 p.m.), Charmaine Neville Band (8 p.m.); Sunday, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band (noon), Kim Carson & the Casualties with Theresa Andersson (3 p.m.), Bucktown All-Stars (7 p.m.). Free admission. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
OGDEN AFTER HOURS. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 539-9600. Second annual event for teachers themed "Southern Women Artists" includes special gallery tours and educational handouts relating to art. Admission $5 non-members, free for members. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
SAVE OUR CEMETERIES. Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, 525-3377. Terrence W. Fitzmorris, Associate Dean, University College, Tulane University, gives his lecture "At His (or Her) Late Residence: Waking and Burying the Dead in New Orleans." Dinner at Christian's Restaurant follows. Lecture admission $5; Dinner $40 (reservation required). 6 p.m.
ERACISM. Fair Grinds Coffee House, 3133 Ponce de Leon St., 895-2491. New weekly meeting of community race-relations group Eracism. Free. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ART A LA CARTE. The Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700. "Dinner theater" with viewing of exhibit Empire/Umpire, comedy by Sunny Weathers, theater by Fayard Lindsay and music by Mark Fowler. Appetizers and three-course meal and drinks served. All-inclusive cost $45; reservations strongly urged with only 20 seats available. 7 p.m.
BLUE VINYL SCREENING. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., (212) 875-0456. Screening of "toxic comedy" documentary examining the vinyl plastics industry. Discussion with filmmaker Judith Helfand follows. Visit www.bluevinyl.org for more info. Call for ticket and time info.
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 524-3285. Presenting Francia y Españe. Conducted by Alastair Willis, the program includes works by Chabrier, Ravel, Bizet, and de Falla. Tickets call 523-6530, 522-5555, or visit www.lpomusic.com. 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Saturday.
SOULTRY POETRY. K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge, 1500 N. Claiborne Ave., 947-1078. Weekly poetry event hosted by Gaynielle Neville and Felice Guimont. Free. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 26
COOKIN' WITH MUSIC. Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 523-6530. Chef Emeril Lagasse prepares a meal of paella and jambalaya on stage with the full Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra playing in background. Benefits Emeril Lagasse Foundation charity. Tickets $17-$27. 10:30 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday.
SPRING FIESTA. Various neighborhoods, 581-1367. Sixty-eighth annual event features self-guided tours of private homes in historic neighborhoods. Friday, French Quarter Home Tour (1 p.m. to 4 p.m., $18-$20). Saturday, French Quarter Walking Tour (10 a.m. to noon, $12-$15); Garden District Home Tour (1 p.m. to 4 p.m., $18-$20 optional pre-tour brunch at Commander's Palace $60 at 11:30 a.m.). Sunday, Uptown Home Tour (1 p.m. to 4 p.m., $18-$20).
8 MINUTE DATING. The Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700. Blind-date event with series of eight-minute "dates." Appetizers and cash bar offered. Register at www.8minutedating.com. 7 p.m.
SPRING ARTS SHOWCASE. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 304-3817. New Orleans Public Schools' Arts in Education program presents 21st annual showcase of students' work in theater, dance and visual arts. Admission $5 adults, free for students. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
TASTE OF THE TOWN. Lafreniere Park, Pavilion Island, 309-1920. Culinary event featuring food and drink from top local establishments, with proceeds to benefit the park and Louisiana Restaurant Association's Education Foundation. Bucktown All-Stars perform. Dressy casual. Tickets $75 advance, $100 day of event. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
HINDERLY PERFORMS HINDERLY. Loyola University, Louis J. Russell Performance Hall, 865-3492. Pianist Sanford Hinderly performs original compositions. Tickets $10 general; students and Loyola community $5. 7:30 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS LADIES IN JAZZ. Southern University at New Orleans Multi-Purpose Auditorium, 6400 Press Drive, 522-4786. Germaine Bazzle, Wanda Rouzan, Leah Chase, Cookie Gabriel, Betty Shirley and more perform a variety of traditional and contemporary jazz tunes. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday 27
ABITA SPRINGS WHOLE TOWNE GARAGE SALE AND FLEA MARKET. Abita Springs Town Hall, (985) 893-7529. Benefit for Abita Springs Recreation Center features hundreds of vendors selling antiques, furniture, food, toys, collectibles, plants in field across from Town Hall, with garage sales scattered around various residences. Free. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NANCY DREW CONVENTION. Chateau Le Moyne Hotel, 301 Dauphine St., 581-1303. The nonprofit, national group The Nancy Drew Sleuths hold fourth-annual convention with events and presentations honoring the literary heroine. Activities range from theme discussions to books and collectibles. For more info, visit www.nancydrewsleuth.com. Admission $1. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
BLOOD DRIVE. Hickory Creek Apartments, 5819 Hickory Creek Road, River Ridge, 734-9788. The Blood Center needs blood donations from any healthy individuals over 17 years old and 110 pounds; includes T-shirt, cholesterol screening. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
FOOD, FUN AND FUNDS. Cobalt Restaurant, 333 St. Charles Ave., 565-5595. Benefit for NOCCA Institute features music from NOCCA/Riverfront Jazz Ensemble, student-produced artwork, auction and special meal created by Chef Brack May. Call for reservation info. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TREME CLEAN-UP AND PARTY. 1300 block of Esplanade Avenue, 309-1862. The Mayor's Office, Community Affairs and Big Shirley's Restaurant sponsor community clean-up of trash, information booths on drugs, AIDS and other topics, food, speakers and live entertainment. Free. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LOUISIANA CRAWFISH BOIL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Immaculate Conception School, 601 Avenue C, Marrero, 304-2670. Third-annual competition between 40 teams for title of "Best Boiled Crawfish in Louisiana." Also features live music with Chee Weez, kids' games and rides; beer and soft drinks available. Admission $12, includes all-you-can-eat crawfish. Noon to 8 p.m.
ALLEN TOUSSAINT AND IRMA THOMAS. Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS. Tipitina's Internship Program Master's Seminar presents workshop for students conducted by local legends Toussaint and Thomas. Tickets $5 non-students, free for students. 1 p.m.
AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE. McDonogh #35 Senior High School Auditorium, 1331 Kerlerec St., 365-8780. Ballet M'Batle Su of the N'Kafu Traditional African Dance Company presents Bounya -- The Gift. Tickets $10 general, $8 seniors, students and groups. 8 p.m.
CABARET MAGIC. Roje Grand Ballroom, 6978 Martin Drive, 245-0422. St. Mary's Academy Alumnae Associations' 15th annual scholarship gala to benefit scholarship fund and charity, with food, drinks and entertainment from the Aubry Twins, George French, Kermit Ruffins, Sharon Martin and more. Tickets $40. 7 p.m.
CHARLES JENKINS. Borders Books, 3300 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363. Acoustic pop performer (of IceCream Hands) plays concert. Free. 7 p.m.
COCHON COTILLION VII. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, Algiers, 522-2124. Annual benefit for Bridge House, features catered food, drinks, auctions, live music from Panorama Jazz Band and Bobby J. and Stuff Like That, indoor parade. Attire costume or tacky formal. Tickets $100. 7 p.m. to midnight.
STRANGE FRUIT. Lawless Memorial Chapel, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., 816-4711. Jazz composition Strange Fruit by Irvin Mayfield, director of Dillard University's Institute of Jazz Culture. The nine-movement, narrated composition examines the tribulations faced by an interracial couple in the 1920s. Features the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and the Dillard University Choir. Free admission. 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
OPUS CACTUS. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 801 St. Peter St., 565-7470.
MOMIX dance company presents an American Southwest-themed performance of acrobatics, modern dance, gymnastics, ballet, and more. Presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association. Tickets call 522-0996 or 522-1314. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
FLAMENCO & MORE. TwiRoPa, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 587-3721. Alianza Flamenca performs. 11 p.m. to midnight.
Sunday 28
LOWER GARDEN DISTRICT HOME TOURS. Coliseum Square Park (Camp Street), 523-4376. Coliseum Square Association's 32nd annual home tour with theme "Women of the Lower Garden District -- Their Homes, Their Life and Their Legacy," includes guided tour of five historic homes. Advance tickets $13 available at all Rue de la Course Coffee Shops, $16 day-of. Tours begin at 11 a.m.; special Crescent City Farmers Market held in park at 10 a.m.
COUNTRY ON WHISKEY BAYOU. Alario Festival Grounds, Westwego, 891-8026. Country Music Television presents country music festival with performers including John Michael Montgomery, Tracey Lawrence, Emerson Drive and Billy Currington. Tickets $15-$75. 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FILM STAR AWARDS AND GALA. Orpheum Theatre, 129 University Place, 524-3285; Fairmont New Orleans Hotel, 123 Baronne St., 539-7111. Le Prix International's awards show honoring entertainers for their body of work. Includes a tribute to movies filmed in Louisiana. Black-tie gala to follow at Fairmont Hotel. Show tickets $25-$100; gala tickets $250-$2500. 5 p.m.
AFTERNOON OF FUN AND FASHION. Audubon Tea Room, 6500 Magazine St., 212-5141. Mid-South Women in Tourism hosts 10th annual event with luncheon, fashion show, silent auction and raffle. Tickets $35. Noon to 3 p.m.
FEMALE STREETCAR OPERATORS. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 226. "Rosies of the Rails: A Reunion of New Orleans' First Women Streetcar Operators" commemorates women who took control of the city's streetcar and bus lines during World War II, with documentary film, panel discussion and more. Free admission. 1-4 p.m.
GREGORIAN CHANTS. Loyola University, Most Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave, 865-3492. The Musica Sacra Choir and Chamber Orchestra of Mobile Alabama presents "Solemn Vespers for Lent and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament." Free admission. 4 p.m.
ORGAN RECITAL. Christ Church Cathedral, 2919 St. Charles Ave., 895-6602. Stephen Tharp, former organist for both St. Patrick's Cathedral and St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in New York City, will perform works by Handel, Bach, Dubois, and more. Free admission. 4 p.m.
road trip
Thursday 25
PLAZA SUITE. Pasqua Theatre, 823 Felicity St., Gonzales, (225) 647-1230. Ascension Community Theatre performs Neil Simon's three-act comedy about three couples at pivotal moments in their lives. Ami J. Clouarte directs. Call for ticket info. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through April 4.
Friday 26
ANTIQUES FESTIVAL & TOUR. Downtown Jackson, La., (225) 634-7155. Jackson Assembly's 40th annual festival features show and sale of antiques, art, books, plus historic district tours, cooking demonstrations and more. Visit www.felicianatourism.org for more info. Admission $5. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
PERCY SLEDGE. Ameristar Casino, Bottleneck Blues Bar, Vicksburg, Miss., (888) 223-6000. Legendary soul singer performs concerts. Tickets $10-$20. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 27
AEROSMITH. Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, (228) 594-3707. Rock legends perform concert. Tickets $65. 8 p.m.
ongoing
GALERIE LAFAYETTE. Jefferson Street Market, 538 Jefferson St., Lafayette, (337) 233-2589. Pure Beauty, works by Vaclav Ondrej Hasek, and Back Stage With Stevie Nicks, multi-media works and items from the collection of Ralph Bourque, through April 3.
GUARANTY GALLERY. First Guaranty Bank, Second Floor, 400 E. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 375-0343. Works by Patty McGehee, through March.
THE SUMMIT GALLERY. 122 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL, 251-990-3151. Light, Water and Movement, works by Jules White.
TAGANAI. Beau Rivage Theatre, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, (888) 566-7469. Russian performers create show combining choreography, humor and original score with acrobats, clowns, jugglers and dancers. Tickets $19.95-$24.95. 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, through May 30.
