family
Wednesday 7
KREWE OF EASTER KARNIVAL. Fine Arts Center, 1733 Constantinople St., 269-3922 -- Children march with the Easter Bunny in an indoor Easter parade. Part of the Center's &179;Dinner Theatre for Kids&178; series. Meal and show $12, reservations required. Doors open 6 p.m., show 6:45 p.m.
Thursday 8
KIDS' NIGHT WITH DR. MAGIC. Carreta's Grill, 2320 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-6696 -- Children's magician performs tableside magic tricks. Free balloons and magic-related gifts. Free admission, must be dining customer. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 9
CHRISTIAN FAMILY FESTIVAL. Six Flags, I-10 and I-510, 253-8100 -- Contemporary Christian musicians perform for the park's Easter weekend. Friday: Newsboys, Jeremy Camp, and Melissa Wick. Saturday: Delirious?, Kutlass, Thousand Foot Krutch, FM Static, Falling Up, and Ryan Dobson. Free with park admission. Admission is $34.99 adults, $24.99 children less than 48 inches tall and seniors, $21.99 in advance from Winn-Dixie. 6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 10
BEST BUNNY TALES. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231, ext. 220 -- Calliope Puppet Theatre presents an Easter celebration show with lots of audience participation. The Castle's Royal Rabbit passes out Easter eggs. For children ages 5-up. Tickets $2.50 for children and seniors, adults $3.50. Shows at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 6
THE USE OF COLORS IN FLOWERS. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie; Jane O'Brien Chatelain West Bank Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey; 1000 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- Jerry Villere, science curator at the Rivertown Science Museum, discusses the use of color to enhance flower gardens as well as the science behind flower coloring. Free admission. East Bank Regional at 2 p.m. Tuesday, West Bank at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday., Lakeshore at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
BROTZMANN CHICAGO TENTET. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- Acclaimed German saxophonist Peter Brotzmann and reedman Ken Vandermark lead free-jazz group. Tickets $20 general admission, $15 CAC members. 8 p.m.
TEA AND TOUR. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488 -- Tour of the property plus tea, pastries, scones and lemon curd. Admission $20 members, $25 non-members. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
U.S.-FRANCE TRADE LUNCHEON. World Trade Center, Plimsoll Club, 2 Canal St., 529-1601, ext. 222 -- The French-American Chamber of Commerce and other organizations sponsor &179;Trade and Investment between France and the U.S.&178; Denis Simonneau, Consul General of France in Houston is the featured guest. Call or visit www.wtcno.org/programs to register. Noon.
Wednesday 7
THE ART OF GERTRUDE MORGAN. Robert E. Smith Regional Library, 6301 Canal Blvd., 596-2638 -- The Smith Library kicks off its two-month &179;Spring into the Arts&178; series with a lecture and slide presentation on New Orleans primitive artist Sister Gertrude Morgan, presented by William Fagaly of NOMA. Free admission. Limited seating, reservations recommended. 2 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS AT THE SQUARE. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Avenue across from Gallier Hall -- Downtown Development District's annual concert series returns, featuring music, food and beverages. This week: Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
LOCAL CHANTEUSES FUNDRAISER SHOWCASE. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Benefit show to send four local singers to The Cabaret Conference at Yale University. Julia LaShae, Suzuane McKamy, Anais Patterson and Jessie Terrebonne all received an invitation to this selective conference and must raise money to pay the tuition. Tickets $10 minimum or &179;whatever you want to contribute.&178; 8 p.m.
ORGAN CONCERT. Tulane University, Rogers Memorial Chapel, 862-3214 -- Anthony Williams performs for &179;Music at Midday&178; series. Free admission. Noon.
GAY AND LESBIAN MARRIAGE DISCUSSION. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 2903 Jefferson Ave., 866-9010 -- Panelists representing both sides of the issue argue their stances. Jeff Crouere moderates, and audience questions will be accepted. Coffee reception follows. Free admission. 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS POETRY FORUM. Residence, 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472 -- Weekly poetry workshop. Free admission. 8 p.m.
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 523-6530 -- Timothy Muffitt conducts Spring Celebrations. Program includes Glazunov's &179;The Seasons: Spring,&178; Wagner's &179;Parsifal: Good Friday Spell&178; and more. Call for ticket information. Pre-concert party with buffet $12, reservations required. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 8
CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC FITNESS EXPO. Marriott Hotel, 555 Canal St., 828-8777 -- Pre-marathon expo with 100-plus health and fitness booths. Race participants asked to visit expo and pick up race numbers and T-shirts. Free Abita Beer happy hour 5 p.m. Thursday. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
CHRIS ROSE & RED BEAN. Monkey Hill Bar, 6100 Magazine St., 899-4800 -- Duo presents comic show, I Love My Kids, But &138;&178;. Features songs by Peter Orr. Admission $5. 8 p.m.
OGDEN AFTER HOURS. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 539-9618 -- Concert series features the Red Stick Ramblers, who play a mixture of Cajun, Western swing and jazz numbers. Admission $10 adults, $8 students/seniors, free for Ogden members. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
ARTDOCS BENEFIT AUCTION. UNO Downtown Theater, 619 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- ARTDOCS, an organization that raises money to pay medical costs for local artists, has fifth annual Benefit Art Auction featuring artworks donated by 70 artists. Performances by Panorama Jazz Band, Dante the Magician and more. Admission $15. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SOULTRY POETRY NIGHT. K-Doe's Mother-In-Law Lounge, 1500 N. Claiborne Ave., 947-1078 -- Gaynielle Neville and Felice Guimont host a night of soulful poetry. Cover $5, food included. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday 9 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP -- Hornets host the Boston Celtics. Tickets $7-$272. 7 p.m.
SOLES FOR CHRIST. Center for Jesus the Lord, 1236 N. Rampart St., 529-1636 -- Participants walk 5.2 miles, stopping at nine churches and each Station of the Cross for a charity pledge walk. Proceeds given to homeless outreach programs. The Emile Vincent Players provide music. Registration $15 per person or $35 per family. Registration begins 7 a.m., walk 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
SPOKEN WORD OPEN MIC NIGHT. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 -- Poets, singers, rappers, actors, and activists invited to perform. Cover $5. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday 10 CRESCENT CITY CLASSIC. Jackson Square, 828-8777 -- The Crescent City Fitness Foundation's 26th annual 10k race. Post party to follow at Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park; Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen and the Theresa Andersson Group perform. Registration $25. 8:30 a.m.
JAZZ AMERICA SERIES. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- Acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit makes encore Jazz America appearance. Tickets $25 general admission, $20 CAC members and students. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
CORN SOUP AND FRY BREAD. Louisiana Wildlife Museum, Cannes Native American Village, 305 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 -- East Cherokee descendant Rose Behan cooks Native American dishes and provides visitors with samples. Admission $3 adults, $2.50 seniors, $2 children. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday 11 GRAVEYARD FEST. Green Street, between Lowerline and Pine streets -- Save Our Cemeteries presents this fourth annual fundraiser featuring music by Soul Fiya, Rockie Charles, Zoom, Bourbon Cowboys, Die Rotzz and Whiskey Bone and food from Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar. Noon to 10 p.m.
FRENCH QUARTER EASTER PARADE. Through French Quarter, begins at 813 Bienville St., 606-7010 -- Traditional Easter Sunday parade. Guest of honor is Melanie Schiro. Free. 10:30 a.m.
CRAWFISH BOIL. Audubon Park, corner of St. Charles Avenue and Walnut Street, 269-5070 -- The Louisiana Bucket Brigade Crawfish Boil also features an Easter egg hunt. Admission $10 adults, $3 children. 2 p.m. to sunset.
FOOD CO-OP FEST. Cafe Brazil, 2100 Chartres St., 949-0851 -- Second annual event features the &179;World's Largest Garage Sale,&178; food, comedy, a fashion show and live local bands including Paradise Vendors, Soul Project, Happy Talk and more. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
JO &179;COOL&178; DAVIS. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520 -- The Jo &179;Cool&178; Davis Easter Gospel Extravaganza, followed by Celtic music group Tornaod. Free admission. 4 p.m.
SPRING HIP HOP JAM. Six Flags, I-10 and I-510, 253-8100 -- The park's first such event features local artists Choppa, The P.G.'s L. Boogie, Baby Boy, Magnolia Chop, DJ Jubilee and more. Concert free with park admission; $34.99 adults, $24.99 children less than 48 inches tall and seniors, $21.99 in advance from Winn-Dixie. 2 p.m.
road trip
Tuesday 6
REQUIEM FOR THE MILLENNIUM. Nicholls State University, Talbot Theatre, Thibodaux, (985) 448-4143 -- The Nicholls State Concert Choir, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Choir, several vocal soloists, an orchestra and a jazz combo perform &179;Requiem for the Millennium.&178; Piece includes classical, jazz, gospel and blues music. Tickets $10 general public, $3 Nicholls State students, $5 faculty, staff and other students. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7
BEV MARSHALL. Pass Christian Books, 109 E. Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, Miss., (228) 452-7399 -- Author reads and signs latest novel Right as Rain. 5:30 p.m. signing, 6:30 p.m. reading.
Saturday 10
SECOND SATURDAY ARTWALK. Old Town Bay St. Louis, Miss. (228) 467-6870 -- Gallery openings, extended shop hours, restaurant specials, live music and more. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
ongoing
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.
SERENITY GALLERY. 126 Main St., Bay St. Louis, Miss. (228) 467-3061 -- New paintings from Alfred J. Walker Fine Art and The Mists of Time, new photographs by Keith Karlson. Opening reception 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
call for entries
HUMANE SOCIETY SPRING DONATION DRIVE. Arthur Hutton's Salon, 4429 Shores Drive, Metairie, 455-4121 -- The Humane Society asks for donations throughout the month of April in the form of dog and cat foods, pet toys, collars, leashes, cat litter, litter boxes, towels, blankets, bedding items, bleach, soap, sponges, mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies. Monetary donations are greatly appreciated. Donations should be dropped off at Arthur Hutton's Salon. Call 366-8972 to volunteer.
SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST. Office of State Sen. Paulette Irons, 1010 Common St., 30th floor, 538-6800 -- The National Foundation for Women Legislators and the Christian Science Monitor is offering a $2,500 scholarship to female high school students graduating in 2004. Applicants must submit two recommendations and a one-page essay describing how they have contributed to their community's youth. Deadline for submission June 30; winners chosen Aug. 2. The application can be obtained from www.womenlegislators.org/scholarships, by contacting Sen. Irons' office, or by contacting the NFWL Scholarship committee at (202) 293-3040 or nfwl@womenlegislators.org.
