family
Tuesday 25
NEVER HOME ALONE. Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 10601 Dwyer Road, 246-5276 -- A new exhibit that depicts what kinds of urban critters lurk around home. Tickets $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children, free admission under age 3. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Wednesday 26
BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St., (800) 774-7394 -- A tour of aquarium marine life with an animal encounter and a visit to the kitchen where the staff prepares meals for all the animals. Visit www.auduboninstitute.org for more info. $15 adults and $5 children 2-12. 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays.
ZOO-TO-DO FOR KIDS. Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 861-6160 -- Live entertainment by Imagination Movers with giant inflatables, clowns, animal shows and raffles for toddlers, children and teens. Call for ticket price. Visit www.auduboninstitute.org for more info. Early admission 5:30 p.m., event 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday 27
ARTS REACH SUMMER PROGRAM. Audubon Montessori School, 428 Broadway St., 862-5135 -- Arts program open to all children in Greater New Orleans Area, also offering fourth-grade tutoring in all academic areas. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Friday 28
READING AND PAJAMA PARTY. Borders Books & Music, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363 -- Children and family can put on their pajamas and slippers and attend a reading on The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 29
BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGS. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 ext. 220 -- Singer Johnette Downing performs songs about insects, snakes, spiders and frogs. Tickets $2.50 for children 1-17 and seniors, $3.50 adults, reservations encouraged. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FAMILY HISTORY WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN. The National D-Day Museum, Louisiana Pavilion, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 225 -- Two-hour workshop where children create their own family albums and family trees and learn favorite family stories and fun facts about the world today. One parent, grandparent or guardian per two children required. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
SAVE OUR LAKE FISHING RODEO. Lake Pontchartrain at Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, 836-2215 -- Fish anywhere in the Pontchartrain Basin in event that includes live music and food to celebrate saving the lake. Tickets $20 adults, $10 children under 16, must be purchased before Friday. Midnight Friday through 5 p.m. Sunday.
Monday 31
FIN FEST. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St., (800) 774-7394 -- Special aquatic programs, activities and presentations with dive shows, art carts and gallery chats. Visit www.auduboninstitute.org for more info. Tickets $15 adults, $11 seniors, $8 children ages 2-12, free admission children under 2. Held throughout the summer.
special events
Tuesday 25
FESTIVAL OF COCKTAILS. Martin Wine Cellar, 714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie, 899-7411 -- Enjoy six different cocktails, along with DeKuyper Liqueur, artisan cheeses and culinary foods prepared by Martin's chefs. Menu $17. 6:30 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155 -- Zephyrs host Salt Lake City, with adult hat giveaway. Tickets $7- $9.50. 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday 26
CITIZEN FORESTER. Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Kenner, 833-TREE -- Pilot program teaching proper planting and maintenance throughout Jefferson Parish. 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday until July 14.
WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Avenue, 561-8927 -- Downtown Development District's concert series continues. This week: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, with Li'l Nathan. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR ARTISTS. UNO Downtown Theatre, 619 Carondelet St., 948-4607-- Hands-on workshop by Jose Torres Tama covering various marketing strategies for artists and arts collectives. Tickets $10. 6 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE. Various venues -- Annual culinary gathering includes vintner dinners, the Royal Street Stroll, Grand Tastings and Bubbles and Brunch. Visit www.NOWFE.com or see special pullout preview in this issue for more info. Starts 7 p.m. Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
WEEKLY POETRY READINGS. Granada Books, 4729 Magazine St., 891-2626 -- A weekly reading series of works. Musicians and performance artists also welcome. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155 -- Zephyrs host Salt Lake City, with $1 special on hot dogs. Tickets $7- $9.50. 7:05 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS POETRY FORUM. Residence, 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472, 467-9034 -- Weekly workshop on poetry readings. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Thursday 27
LIFE IN A REFUGEE CAMP. Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- Installation featuring the Balata Refugee Camp in the West Bank of Palestine includes photography, video, sound, children's art, stories, poetry and more. Visit www.nolaps.org for more info. Free admission. 6 p.m.
17 POETS. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745 -- Weekly reading series with open mic format for poets, singers, musicians, storytellers and dancers. Free admission. 8 p.m.
OGDEN AFTER HOURS. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 539-9600 -- A.J. Roach performs bluegrass songs and traditional mountain music. Free admission to museum members, $10 non-members. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155 -- Zephyrs host Salt Lake City with $1 special on beer and beverages. Tickets $7-$9.50. 7:05 p.m.
CLASH OF THE SCENES. Mama Rosa's, 616 Rampart St., 523-5546 -- Blend of live music and comedy with three bands (Tom Violence!, Glasgow and Silent Cinema) and four comedians (Dane Faucheaux, Neal Stastny, Dean Patton and Seth Cockfield). Tickets $5. 8 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL BOXING. Alario Center, 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego, 827-8774 -- Participants include former heavyweight champion Clifford 'The Black Rhino' Etienne, Rafael Pedro, Gary Bell, 'Big' Fred Kassi, Jeremy Brooks, with local sluggers Jay Krupp, Robyn Lerille, Martin Verdin and Darren Carline. Visit www.underdogboxing.com for more info. Tickets $100 box seats, $75 ringside, $40 reserved, $20 general admission. 8 p.m.
Friday 28
TAPE OP CONFERENCE. Fairmont Hotel, 123 Baronne St., (866) 540-472 -- Aimed at producers, engineers, studio owners, musicians, home recordists and anyone interested in the music recording industry. Call for reservations. Friday-Sunday. (For more info, see Opening Act in this issue.)
CELEBRATING AMERICA'S GREATEST GENERATION. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Interfaith Chapel, 1601 Perdido St., 589-5218 -- Memorial Day program features three WWII veterans who will share their experiences. Open to the community. Free.1:30 p.m.
AMERICAN LEGION POST 554. Veterans Affairs Hospital, 1601 Perdido St., Room 2A105, 288-5840 -- Members and those joining will welcome back 9/11 veterans and salute Memorial Day. $20 membership fee. 6 p.m.
THE LESBIAN CAFE. Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce de Leon St., 948-3222 -- First cultural-exchange evening with a reading of French women writers followed by open mic, then tea, coffee and conversation. Free admission. 8 p.m.
MEDITERRANO. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 899-5259 -- A literary/dance cabaret presented by Dance Without Borders & Francophilia Foundation with a mixture of 'cosmopolitan belly dance' and staged readings from French and local writers. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
THE DREAM KNOWS MORE THAN YOU. Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 569-9070 -- Jose Torres Tama's solo performance on interracial relationships and the search for the 'American Dream' in a consumer culture. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
POZAZZ. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Open mic 'Voices of Power and Words of Passion' with rappers, musicians, poets and singers performing. Sign up in advance for open mic. $5 admission. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday 29
CHEER THEIR RETURN. Canal Street -- Celebration of return of the Canal streetcar features block parties with live music, food, marching bands, cheerleaders and more. Party along Canal Street at Olympia Street, Carrollton Avenue and Esplanade avenues, and Rendon and Gayosa streets, plus center of festivities at Baronne Street. Free. 10 a.m.
TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL DOLL AND TOY SALE. New Orleans Holiday Inn Select, 2929 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 738-3305 -- Appraisals and raffles, with local and out-of-state antique doll dealers offering various dolls. Tickets $4 adults and $1 children. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
MID-CITY ART MARKET. Corner of Carrollton Avenue and Canal Street, 482-1794 -- Sale and display of artworks created by various local artists. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
STREETCAR COCKTAIL AND SIDEWALK CAFE. Palace Cafe, 605 Canal St., 521-8311 -- Celebrating the return of the Canal streetcar while serving special cocktails, wines by the glass, appetizers, salads, desserts and breakfast outside. 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
SYNERGY. UNO Downtown Theatre, 619 Carondelet St., 914-5666 -- A N.O.madic Tribal Dance Company production, which will feature five principal dancers and 10 company members performing Middle Eastern belly dances. Tickets $5. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday 30
NAVY BAND NEW ORLEANS. Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520 -- The band will play in honor of Memorial Day weekend, part of the Trinity Artist Series. Free admission. 5 p.m.
CONSOLE-ING PASSIONS CONFERENCE MEDIA PROGRAM. Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-6246 -- Feminist media figures such as Michelle Citron, Jesikah Maria Ross and Veronica Powers present and discuss their work. Tickets $6 general, $5 students/seniors/unemployed, $4 children/Zeitgeist members. 6:30 p.m.
PHILO CAFE. Rue de la Course Coffeehouse, 3128 Magazine St., 899-0242 -- Weekly discussions on philosophical topics and issues using the Socratic method. Open to the public. 7:30 p.m.
road trip
Thursday 27
BLAST ZONE. Houston Space Center, 1601 NASA Road, Houston, Texas, (800) 4HOUSTON -- Offers visitors the chance to experience being directly in the path of a rocket's blast; also features a Robot Zoo of animatronic animals. Thursday through September 5.
Friday 28
BEACH BOYS. Magnolia Ballroom, Beau Rivage Resort, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (888) 566-7469 -- Legendary group performs. Tickets $44.95. 8 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Saturday 29
THE RIFLE CLINIC AND MATCH. Range 23, Mill Creek Road, Fort Polk, (337) 238-4145 -- Clinic on gun safety, proper marksmanship techniques with an AR-15 rifle and target scoring. Call for more information. $45 adult, $25 junior. 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
TRADERS VILLAGE. Houston, Texas -- Sixty-acre market with about 700 merchants kicking off Summer Concert Series to benefit Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Educational Fund. Free admission. 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, through Sept. 5.
PORT HUDSON NATIONAL CEMETERY TOUR. Port Hudson State Historic Site battlefield, 236 Hwy. 61, Jackson, Miss., (888) 677-3400 -- Excursion beginning at site museum with a caravan through Port Hudson along historic river buffs to the national cemetery. Tickets $2, free 12 and under and 62 and over. 2 p.m. Sunday 30 ZYDECO EXTRAVAGANZA. Evangeline Downs, 2235 Creswell Lane, Opelousas, (888) 942-3742 -- All-day event featuring state zydeco acts, dancing, food vendors, arts and crafts, and more. Tickets $10. 10 a.m.
TAGANAI. Beau Rivage Theatre, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (888) 567-6667 -- Assorted cast of Russian characters including acrobats, clowns, aerialists, jugglers and dancers. Tickets $19.95 plus tax and service fee. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
ongoing
GALERIE LAFAYETTE. Jefferson Street Market, 538 Jefferson St., Lafayette, (337) 233-2589 -- Threaded Notions, works by Anne Boudreau, Steve Breaux, Tina Girouard, Shawne Major, and Kathy Reed, through Saturday.
OPELOUSAS MUSEUM OF ART. 106 North Union St., Opelousas, (800) 424-5442 -- New York Show, avant-garde works from New York City artists (including six Louisiana natives), through Aug. 21.
SEKUL'S WOLFACE POTTERY AND GALLERY. 1202 Government St., Suite. B, Ocean Springs, Miss., (228) 818-9666 -- Paintings by Sadako Lewis, through June 12.
