theater
AMAZING PLACE, THIS NEW ORLEANS. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 945-6789 -- Roberts Batson's solo performance that brings to life the history and characters that helped shape the story of New Orleans. Based on his Scandal Tours. Tickets $20. Performances 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday. Open run.
CLONING JUDSON. Southern Rep, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., third floor, 522-6545 -- World premiere production about how a young man's sudden death forces his loved ones to consider the cloning services of a strange South Korean science cult. Writer J. Daniel Stanley directs Aaron Blakely, Beverly Trask and Ann Mahoney. Tickets $19 previews, $30 opening night, $23 remaining performances. Previews 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, opening 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
GOD'S BEEN DRINKING. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Long-form improv comedy troupe performs. Proceeds go to help send group to Los Angeles Improv Festival. Call for ticket info. 8 p.m. Saturday.
KING HEDLEY II. Anthony Bean Community Theater, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-PLAY (7529) -- Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson's drama about an ex-con working to revive his Pittsburgh neighborhood. Anthony Bean directs Tory Andrus and Oliver Thomas. Tickets $17 general, $15 students/seniors. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through May 23.
LET'S FALL IN LOVE. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Miami-based cabaret star David Ledig performs. Tickets $10, benefits the Faubourg Marigny Bookstore. 8 p.m. Thursday.
LIL' BEAUX PEEP SHOW. The Howlin' Wolf, 828 S. Peters St., 529-5844 -- Burlesque show featuring Sadie Corsette, Madame Femme Petite and others. Tickets $10. 9 p.m. Sunday. Open run.
THE MELODRAMA POSTMORTEM. Playmakers Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road (off Lee Road), Covington, (985) 626-1019 -- Sherlock Holmes-style whodunit with suspense and comedy. Kay Files directs. Friday is champagne gala opening. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through May 23.
THE MUSIC MAN. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, (985) 641-0324 -- Classic musical about a charlatan visiting River City, Iowa, in 1912. Tickets $17 adults, $10 children. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
QUEERLY SPEAKING. Cowpokes Barn Theater, 2240 St. Claude Ave., 947-0505 -- Lewis Routh's original one-man show presents an actor searching for meaning in his life, set against backdrop of gay life in New Orleans. Friday opening night benefits Food for Friends. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
SOUTHERN NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL. Southern Rep, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., third floor, 522-6545 -- Showcase of staged readings of nine new plays by Southern playwrights. Monday, May 10: Blind Mouth Singing by Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, a Caribbean tale of a young boy, his conspiring friend and an aunt living under a strict matriarch. Free admission. 7 p.m. Festival runs through May 26.
A TUFF SHUFFLE. UNO Downtown Theatre, 619 Carondelet St., 288-8333 -- Voices in the Dark Repertory Theatre Company presents a backstage look at Louis Armstrong, age 70, tired and finding inspiration. Danny Mullen stars as Armstrong in his original script. Tommye Myrick directs. Tickets $12.50-$25. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, through May 16.
auditions
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 982-1480 -- Director Brandt Blocker holds auditions for upcoming summer youth musical. Those auditioning are asked to prepare song and dress to dance. 1 p.m. Saturday.
SUMMER STAGES CHILDREN'S THEATER. Grace Lutheran Church, 5800 Canal Blvd., 598-3800 -- Auditions for nonprofit Summer Stages' 'Out of this World' season July-September. For children in fourth through 12th grades. More info www.summerstages.org/auditions.htm. Saturday afternoon and Monday evening.
call for entries
SOUTHERN NEW VOICES PLAYWRITING COMPETITION. 566-9212 -- Competition open to New Orleans metro area students in grades eight through 12. Works must be between 15 and 30 pages. Winner's works will be staged at Southern New Plays Festival this fall. Deadline for submissions is May 5; send entries to Southern Rep Literary Manager Jim Fitzmorris, 333 Canal St., Box 34, New Orleans, LA 70130.
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- Tributaries, music-oriented photographs by Bob Compton, Reggie Scanlan and Zack Smith, through May 29. (Reviewed in this issue.) 'Art a la Carte Dinner Theatre,' featuring performance artist Heather Weathers, starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets $45; call for reservations.
AGORA. 2240 Magazine St., 525-2240 -- Works of art and interior venues by various artists.
ALEXANDER & VICTOR FINE ART. 312 Royal St., 586-7555 -- Artist's reception featuring 'Francois' paintings by Jann Harrison, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
AMISTAD RESEARCH CENTER ART GALLERY. Tilton Hall, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Ave., 865-5000 -- A New Orleans Munich Connection: Folk Paintings by Vivian Ellis, through May 31.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY. 432 Julia St., 522-1999 -- Poem Sculptures, works by Lesley Dill, through May 29.
BARRISTER'S GALLERY. 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 -- Selections From the Selket Series: And Other Remote Views, new works by Michael Fedor, through May 30; Small Works, sculpture by Ren&233;e Stout, through June 30.
BOCKMAN DESIGN. 4513 Magazine St., 891-8785 -- Spring Showing, paintings by Andrea Tomasovsky and photographs by Lisa Conrad, through May 31.
BRUNNER GALLERY. 215 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 893-0444 -- Common Ground, pigment on paper by Bryan Lafaye, and Recent Relics, clay sculpture by Lucille Hunter, through May 31.
BRYANT GALLERIES. 316 Royal St., 525-5584 -- Works by Dean Mitchell, through May. Opening reception featuring Public Broadcasting Station documentary film crew from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; crew will be filming Thursday through Saturday.
CAROL ROBINSON GALLERY. 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130 -- Layered Worlds, new mixed-media works by Anita Cooke, through May 29.
CARROLL GALLERY. Woldenberg Art Center, Newcomb College/Tulane University, 865-5361 -- 2004 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition Part II, glass works by Jessica Talia Cappiello and Henry John Kudlinski III, and printmaking by B. Durham and Sebastian Lourido, through Wednesday. Closing reception 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
city arts studios. 555 S. Galvez St., 821-5243 -- Sculptures by Luis Colmenares, plus works in various media by Robin Durand, Chad Moore, Scot Evert and other artists.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER. 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- Hanging by a Thread: Sculptures and Installations by Sally Heller and Jaume Plensa -- Silent Noise, through June 6. Gallery tour and conversation with Sally Heller at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
D.O.C.S. 709 Camp St., 524-3936 -- Sculpture by Beverly Morris and paintings by Derek Cracco, through June 5.
ENTERTAINMENT GALLERIES. 537 Royal St., 588-1777 -- Stanley Mouse: The Artist Who Drew the Face on Rock 'n' Roll, paintings, drawings, silkscreens and signed lithographs, through May.
A GALLERY FOR FINE PHOTOGRAPHY. 241 Chartres St., 568-1313 -- Herman Leonard: A Special Exhibition of Jazz and Music Legends, through May 15; Woodstock Dream, rock 'n' roll photographs by Elliot Landy, through July 10. (Reviewed in this issue.)
GALLERY NATALY AND ME. 6071 Magazine St., 891-6173 -- Paintings, jewelry and other works by Russian artist Natasha Mylius.
GLASS LIGHT GALLERY. 728 St. Louis St., 587-7051 -- New works by Ron Von Stuck and Eric Ehlenberger, through May.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211 -- New paintings by Eddy Stevens, through May 12. Artist's reception 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Love Songs, new series of paintings by Hunt Slonem, through June 2.
KATHERINE SLINGLUFF PHOTO DESIGNS. 4212 Magazine St., 304-8458 -- Works by photographer Katherine Slingluff and ceramist Amiee Dill-Cullen, through May.
KURT E. SCHON. 510 St. Louis St., 524-5462; 523 Royal St., 523-5902 -- European 18th- and 19th-century oil paintings by artists from the French Salon and The Royal Academy, and French Impressionists since 1978.
LEMIEUX GALLERIES. 332 Julia St., 522-5988 -- Somewhere Between Hope and Despair, metal sculpture by Steve Teeters, through May 29; Paul Ninas 101, portfolio show and 101st birthday party featuring sketches by the late modernist painter, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
LIONEL MILTON GALLERY. 1818 Magazine St., 522-6966 -- Paintings and other works by Lionel Milton.
LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS. 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488 -- It's a Small World: Dollhouse China and Glass in the Longue Vue Collection, through June.
MAGAZINE STREET GALLERY. 5207 Magazine St., 897-5330 -- Sculpture by Bruce Larsen and The Faces of Mardi Gras, works by Jo Paton, through May. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
MARGUERITE OESTREICHER FINE ARTS. 720 Julia St., 581-9253 -- Plucked &138; From Thin Air: Songs and Stories About Suspended Characters, works by Gina Phillips, through May 29.
MARTIN LUKE GALLERY. 4535 Magazine St., 896-9198 -- Oil paintings by Martin Luke and metal sculpture by Luis Colmenares and Scott Evert.
NEWCOMB ART GALLERY. Woldenberg Art Center, Newcomb College/Tulane University, 865-5361 -- Maestros de Plata: William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance, through May 23.
NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS/ RIVERFRONT. 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 -- 2004 Visual Arts Student Exhibition at the Ken Kirschman Artspace, featuring pieces by several New Orleans youths, through May 13. Opening reception 6 p.m. Friday.
New orleans GLASSWORKS and PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- May Day Celebration, metal and glass xylophones by Geriod Baronne, silver jewelry by Gerald Haessig, jazz etchings by Darlene Biggus, and cast/torched insects and flowers by Paul Stankard, through May.
PANTHEON GALLERY. 2108 Magazine St., 813-9815 -- Recent works by Maggie McEleney and Steven Soltis, through May.
PELIGRO. 305 Decatur St., 581-1706 -- Wonder, recent works by Mark Bercier, through May 29.
RADICI GALLERY. 527 Julia St., 596-2144 -- Tulane Student Photo Exhibit, selected works by Tulane student photographers, through June 5.
SLIDELL ART LEAGUE GALLERY. 1827 Front St., Ste. 201, Slidell, (985) 847-9458 -- The Art and Origins Show, group exhibition by various artists, through May 9.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- First Lessons in Beekeeping, works by Sibylle Peretti, through May 29.
THOMAS MANN GALLERY/GALLERY I/O. 1812 Magazine St., 581-2113 -- The Martini Show, martini glasses hand-crafted by local and national artists, through May.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS FINE ARTs GALLERY. 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 280-6493 -- Seventh annual Undergraduate Drawing Competition exhibit, through Thursday.
VENUSIAN GARDENS. 2601 Chartres St., 943-7446 -- Luminous art and neon sculpture by Eric Ehlenberger.
WAITING ROOM GALLERY. 904 Pauline St., 949-1805 -- Recent paintings by Karl Hofmann, through June 19. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
WINDSOR FINE ART. 313 Royal St., 586-0202 -- Instrumental Nudes: The Art of Seduction, original works and limited-edition poster by Bernardo, through May 28.
spare spaces
CRESCENT CITY BREWHOUSE. 527 Decatur St., 522-0571 -- Works by Vergie Banks, through May 31.
DRISCOLL'S ANTIQUES. 8118 Oak St., 866-7795 -- New watercolors by Katelyn Colton Ramsey, through Saturday.
MILTON LATTER LIBRARY. 5120 St. Charles Ave., 596-2625 -- The Glory of Baroque Dresden, discussion and video of the exhibit scheduled for The Mississippi Arts Pavilion in Jackson, Miss., this spring, 6 p.m. Wednesday.
SMITH REGIONAL LIBRARY. 6301 Canal Blvd., 596-2638 -- The Glory of Baroque Dresden, discussion and video of the exhibit scheduled for The Mississippi Arts Pavilion in Jackson, Miss., this spring, 2 p.m. Wednesday.
TURNCOATS. 1926 Magazine St., 299-9004 -- Unit-Fi, works by Stephen Collier, through May.
call for artists
ARTS COUNCIL OF NEW ORLEANS. 225 Baronne St., 523-1465 -- Artists are invited to apply for the Arts Council's free Artist as Entrepreneur Program, designed to give artists career-building information, tools and contacts. The program meets weekly from June 24 to Aug. 12; admission is by jury. Artists may contact Gene Meneray at the Arts Council or visit www.artscouncilofneworleans.org for applications. The deadline to apply is May 31.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER. 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- Artists are invited to submit up to three original 4-by-6-inch works on paper for 2004 Visual Arts Fundraiser The RAIN Event: Postcards to the CAC, to be held June 25. Submissions will be accepted from artists of all ages and backgrounds. Those interested can pick up 4-by-6-inch archival paper and instructions at the CAC through June 1. The deadline for submissions is June 1.
NEW ORLEANS FILM FESTIVAL. 524-5271 -- Entries are being accepted for the 16th annual film festival to be held Oct. 7 through 14. Enter online at www.neworleansfilmfestival.com or www.withoutabox.com, or contact festival officials by phone. The final deadline is June 4.
museums
AMERICAN-ITALIAN MUSEUM & RESEARCH LIBRARY. 537 S. Peters St., 522-7294 -- Hand-painted and hand-lettered plaques by artist Franco Alessandri, photographs, and memorabilia.
backstreet cultural museum. 1116 St. Claude Ave., 522-4806 -- Exhibit featuring select Mardi Gras Indian suits, through May 31.
HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION. 533 Royal St., 523-4662 -- From Louis XIV to Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Tapestry, more than 100 objects illustrating Louisiana's history and culture, on display in the HNOC's Williams Gallery and at the Williams Research Center (410 Chartres St., 598-7171) through Oct. 9.
LOUISIANA MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY. St. Augustine Church Hall, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St., 586-1919 -- The Historic 1811 LA Slave Revolt, The Slave Castles of West Africa, The African Roots of the Underground Railroad.
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM'S PRESBYTERE. 751 Chartres St., 568-6968 -- Crown Jewels of Carnival, royal jewels from the 1870s to the 1930s, assembled by Mardi Gras designer Henri Schindler, through Dec. 5.
NEW ORLEANS AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM OF ART, CULTURE AND HISTORY. 1418 Gov. Nicholls St., 527-0989 -- Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative art exhibit featuring works by Adewale Adenle, Claire Foster, Charles Collins, and Cecelia Pedescleaux, through May 22.
NEW ORLEANS HISTORIC TRAIN GARDEN AT CITY PARK. New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park, 482-4888 -- Miniature replicas of New Orleans architectural styles crafted from botanical bits, plus small-scale trains and streetcars, all in garden setting. Permanent exhibit is included with regular admission to New Orleans Botanical Garden.
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 -- Something All Our Own: The Grant Hill Collection of African-American Art, through June 6; African-American Works on Paper, through June 6; Consonance and Resonance: Late 19th- and Early 20th-Century Japanese Painting in Edo-Period Styles, through June 15; The Collector's Eye: The Louis S. Harris Collection, glass exhibition including works by Tiffany and Gall&233;, through Sept. 12; From Another Dimension, works on paper by sculptors, opens Thursday through Sept. 19.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART. 925 Camp St., 539-9600 -- The Story of the South: Art and Culture 1890-2003, Chapter One, museum collection of Roger Ogden, on permanent exhibit; Chapter Three, featuring works by Frank Gehry, Walter Anderson, Clementine Hunter, Charles Hutson, Mark Surloff, and Jorge Otero, plus recent acquisitions in Southern photography, through May 15; Benny Adams' Migrant Series, works depicting the westward 'Dust Bowl' migrations of the 1930s, on display in the Benny Andrews Foundation Gallery through mid-May.
OLD U.S. MINT. 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-6990 -- The Mississippi and the Making of a Nation: From the Louisiana Purchase to Today, featuring unpublished photographs by Sam Abell, through May.
OPELOUSAS MUSEUM OF ART. 106 N. Union St., Opelousas, (800) 424-5442 -- New York Show, avant-garde works from New York City artists (including six Louisiana natives), through Aug. 21.
SYDNEY AND WALDA BESTHOFF SCULPTURE GARDEN. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 -- Five-acre outdoor collection of modern and contemporary sculpture, free and open to the public.
books
Thursday 6
VALERIE MARTIN. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- Author discusses and signs award-winning novel, Property. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 7
SAINTS AND SINNERS. Various venues, 821-2601, ext. 217 -- Annual literary festival for GLBT community includes writing workshops, panel discussions, social events, book signings and appearances by authors including Poppy Z. Brite, Donald L. Donaghe, Mark Doty, Katherine V. Forrest, Jewelle Gomez, Dean James, Paul Lisicky, Felice Picarno and David Rosen. For a complete listing of events and prices, visit ww.sasfest.com. Friday through Sunday.
DAVID LEDDICK. Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947-3700 -- Author reads and signs The Handsomest Man in the World. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
TED RUETER. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-READ -- Author signs his two new books, 449 Stupid Things Democrats Have Said and 449 Stupid Things Republicans Have Said. 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 8
JOHN P. BRACKIN. Books-A-Million, 401 N. Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 867-8010 -- Author signs Stealth Patrol: The Making of a Vietnam Ranger. Noon to 2 p.m.
COKIE ROBERTS. Academy of the Sacred Heart, 4521 St. Charles Ave., 895-2266 -- Noted journalist signs and discusses her latest book, The Founding Mothers. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
JASON THERIOT. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 226 -- Author speaks on the history of the French-speaking National Guard unit in World War II. Book signing follows. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
MARIE SMITH-STEWART. Afro-American Book Stop, New Orleans Centre, 1400 Poydras St., 588-1474 -- Author signs We Are All the Same. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DIONNE CHARACTER. Afro-American Book Stop, Lake Forest Plaza, 5700 Read Blvd., 243-2436 -- Author signs Street Diva. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MARTHA WARD. New Orleans Public Library, 219 Loyola Ave., 529-READ -- Author signs and reads from Voodoo Queen: The Spirited Lives of Marie Laveau. 1 p.m. (See this week's A&E feature.)
Monday 10
SHIRLEY CHRISTIAN. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- Author signs and discusses Before Lewis and Clark: The French Dynasty That Ruled America's Frontier. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
