family
Tuesday 15
COUNTRY DAY CREATIVE ARTS REGISTRATION. Country Day School, 300 Park Road, 849-3188 --Until June 18, young artists, ages 7-13, are still being accepted for the summer program, which began yesterday and runs through July 16. Registration $840. Call to register.
SUMMER READING PROGRAMS. All Jefferson Parish Library locations, 838-1100, ext. 241 --Jefferson Parish children are invited to Get Buggy About Books, and teens can Get Wired in the Library with programs providing a fun way to maintain reading skills. Call for times. Tuesday through Aug. 6.
NEVER HOME ALONE. Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 10601 Dwyer Road, 246-5276 --A new exhibit depicts what kinds of urban critters lurk around the home. Tickets $5 adults, $4 ages 65 and over, $3 children, and free admission children under 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. Open run.
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, $8 children ages 2-12, $11 ages 65 and older and free admission children under 2. 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Sunday through Labor Day.
Wednesday 16
KINDER-GARDEN: TOURING TOTS! Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488, ext. 920 --Children ages 18 months to 3 years are invited to paint, sing, make crafts and explore a different garden each week. Must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets $65 nonmembers, $55 members, $45 for additional siblings. Reservations required. 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. every Wednesday through July 21.
GIRL POWER: SELF-ESTEEM GROUP FOR GIRLS. Jewish Family Service, 3330 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 600, Metairie, 831-8475 --Weekly self-esteem group sessions open to girls ages 8 to 12; sessions help foster positive feelings of self-esteem and self-worth. Registration $125 for eight sessions. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Aug. 10.
Friday 18
KIDDIE KAREOKEE NITE. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8441 --A dinner and show where 'Uncle' Wayne will play the piano, and children can choose from kid-friendly songs and sing along on an open mic. Tickets $14, reservations required. 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 19
NATIVE AMERICAN STORYTELLER. Wildlife and Fisheries Museum, 303 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231, ext. 220 --Gray Hawk of the Choctaw and United Houma Nation tribes will tell stories that have been passed down through generations. Tickets $3 adults, $2.50 seniors, $2 children; must be purchased at the Rivertown Exhibition Hall, 415 Williams Blvd. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DIG, DO, DISCOVER. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488 --Kids can play in the tropical Secret Garden's shade and make a present for Dad. Tickets $5 nonmembers, free for members. 10 a.m. to noon.
HERPFEST 2004. Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 10601 Dwyer Road, 246-5276 --Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and Louisiana Gulf Coast Herpetological Society are hosting a day of entertainment with hundreds of cold-blooded critters on display. Herpetologist Thomas Eimermacher will demonstrate his world-famous presentation, 'Swimming with Water Cobras.' Tickets $5 adults, $3 children, $4 seniors 65 and over. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
GREY SEAL PUPPET SHOW. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231, ext. 220 --Puppets tell three familiar folk tales all at the same time in their hilarious 'Tangle of Tales.' Tickets $2.50 children 1-17 and seniors, $3.50 adults. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday 21
JUNIORS GOLF FUNDRAISER. Tournament Player Club, 11001 Lapalco Blvd., Westwego, 342-3000 --Four amateurs, girls or boys, can play with one of the top junior golfers in the nation, with proceeds benefiting the American Junior Golf Association and the Fore!kids Foundation. Registration $250 per player, free for spectators. 1 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 15
CHORUS AUDITIONS. Delgado Community College, Music Department, 365-3056 --The Symphony Chorus of New Orleans is holding 10-minute auditions in the evening to fill limited openings in all sections for the coming season. Call for an appointment and visit www.symphonychorus.org for more info.
TEA AND TOUR. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488 --Tour of mansion which has hosted John F. Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt and Ethel Merman, followed by a tea with pastries. Tickets $25 nonmembers, $20 members. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday through June 29.
COOKING CLASS. Lulu's in the French Quarter, 307 Exchange Place, 525-2600 --Grind your own spice blends for fish, meat or poultry with Chef Zac Robertson. Registration $50, $90 for two people. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
NIGHTLY JAZZ. Arnaud's Jazz Bistro, 801 Bienville St., 523-2847 --Jazz performance by Joe Simon. Tickets $4. 6:30 p.m. Open run.
GALATOIRE'S SUMMER WINE PAIRING DINNERS. Galatoire's Restaurant, 209 Bourbon St., 525-2021 --Four five-course dinners will be offered with wines from Cuvaison, Swanson, Acacia and Eberle. Menu $85. 7 p.m.
VEGA MEETS THE CARIBBEAN. Vega Tapas Cafe, 2051 Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-2007 --Chef Alison Vega returns to her former restaurant from her new home in the Caribbean to present, with current chef Michael Hampton, an island-themed, seven-course meal paired to seven wines. Cost $65 per person, includes wine, tax and tip. Reservations required. 7 p.m.
UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS. Lake Forest Plaza, Lot 2, 5700 Read Blvd., (800) 277-1700 --Casual Cal, the first African-American ringmaster in a traveling circus, presents electrifying performances, acrobats, daredevil bikers, dancing and much more. Tickets $10-$25. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.
Wednesday 16
JAZZ CONCERT. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841 --Jazz soloist Willie Metcalf interacts with the audience and interprets pieces from great American jazz composers. Free admission. Noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Ave., 561-8927 --Downtown Development District's series presents Deacon John, with John Lisi and Delta Funk. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WEEKLY POETRY READINGS. Granada Books, 4729 Magazine St., 891-2626 --A weekly reading series of your own works or someone else's. Musicians and performance artists also welcome. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
MUSIC AND BUTOH MOVEMENT CONCERT. Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767 --Featuring The Death Posture, with Rob Cambre and Donald Miller playing electric guitars and Vanessa Skantze and Alex Haverfield performing Butoh dance. Tickets $8. 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS POETRY FORUM. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472, 467-9034 --Weekly workshop on poetry readings. Free admission. 8 p.m.
ARTURO & JOE'S OLDE SCHOOL JAZZ 'N POETRY. Edgelake Bar, 7126 Hayne Blvd., 975-6676 --Weekly poetry reading with open mic. Cover $3. 8:30 p.m. sign-in, 9 p.m. reading. Thursday 17 LONGUE VUE CULTURE AND COCKTAIL SERIES. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488 ext. 912 --Longue Vue presents its '40s Movie Night theme with a screening of Casablanca and a hosted bar. Tickets $7 nonmembers, $5 friends of members, free for members. 5:30 p.m.
WINE TASTING. Martin Wine Cellar, 714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie, 899-7411--John Charlebois will host 'White Burgundy for Beginners.' Menu $25. 6:30 p.m.
WHAT NOW: WAR, OCCUPATION AND THE PEACE MOVEMENT. UNO Downtown Theater, 619 Carondelet St., 376-3246 --Dialogue about the Iraq war with speakers Bill Quigley (on representing arrested protestors the St. Patrick's Day Four) and Critical Resistance South organizer Kenyon Farrow. Free. 7 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.
BODY POLITIK ART/MUSIC/PERFORMANCE. 723 Ursuline St., 866-7387 --A FUNraiser performance party with installation, dance, theater, video and music performed individually in multiple courtyards. Enjoy an open bar and works by Kathy Randels, Cecile Monteyne, Randy Perez, Ben Schenck and more. Tickets $10 at the door. 8 p.m.
REVEL: TOKYO. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 309-8320 --Party Girl Productions presents Revel: Tokyo &138; an Exploration of Japanese Pop Culture. Enjoy lotus blossom and ginger cocktails, Japanese snacks, Kyoto-inspired dance and music by DJ Rob aka SQUID $. Admission $5. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 18
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ DANCE FESTIVAL. Newcomb College, Tulane University Department of Theatre and Dance, Elleonora P. McWilliams Hall, 314-7742 --Workshop using dance moves from tap to Afro-Brazilian. Features numerous choreographers, including Jermaine Browne, the choreographer for Christina Aguilera's 'Genie in a Bottle' video. Registration $25 and $15 per class. Call to register and for class times. Now through July 2.
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM CELEBRATION. Leeds Davis Building, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-7032 --The African American Historic Preservation Program will host an educational panel discussion, poetry reading and reception as part of the Juneteenth Freedom Celebration. Call for more info. Free admission, open to the public. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
POZAZZ. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8441 --Open mic with rappers, musicians, poets and singers. Sign up in advance. $5 admission. 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday 19
BODYBUILDING SHOW. Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, (888) 551-1080 --Men and women from the region will compete for titles in several divisions, and professional bodybuilding star Dexter Jackson will be the featured guest poser. Tickets $20 evening show, $10 pre-judging show. 9 a.m. pre-judging, 6:30 p.m. evening show.
BYWATER ART MARKET. Markey Park, Piety and Royal streets, Bywater, 944-7900 --Market featuring paintings, photography, sculpture, live music and Elizabeth's Beer-B-Q shrimp. Call for more info. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FARMER'S MARKET FIELD TRIP AND COOKING CLASS. The Crescent City Farmer's Market, Ursuline Street and S. Peters Street, 525-2600 --Chef Corbin Evans will give a tour of the Farmer's Market, shop with the participants for ingredients, then return to his kitchen at Lulu's in the Garden District Hotel, where he will teach a cooking class, and everyone will make lunch. Registration $75, $140 for two people. 10 a.m.
JUNETEENTH JAZZ JAM & ART FESTIVAL. New Orleans African American Museum, 1418 Gov. Nicholls St., 319-5415 --Event featuring jazz, gospel, artist markets, a genealogy workshop, and a voter registration drive to promote a sense of freedom for local artists and residents. Open to the public. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WORLD WAR II REENACTMENT. National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 226 --Using authentic weapons and equipment, the Living History Corps will re-enact Allied and Axis combatants in the struggle for the Bocage in France during 1944. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MUSIC LESSONS. Iberia Dance Arts Studio, 8530 Oak St., 382-5199 --Guitarist and percussionist Shelly Plaisance will instruct a workshop on the basics of playing the drums. Call to register. Registration $25. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
SHOWTIME BRASS BAND. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841 --Band performs traditional New Orleans jazz while playing gospel, blues and funk. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH ANNIVERSARY. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 3200 Canal St., 242-1790 --Ceremony to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the parish. Features a mass with University of Notre Dame president the Rev. Edward A. Malloy and a reception to follow. 4 p.m.
MARISOL PATIO POOCH PARTY. Marisol Restaurant, 437 Esplanade Ave., 943-1912 --Dogs are invited to Marisol's outside patio to dine with their owners and enjoy free snacks. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
POP MUSIC CONCERT. Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, University of New Orleans, 280-6038 --The New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus Concert will be performing pop music with new arrangements commissioned especially for the chorus. Tickets $12 in advance through chorus members, $15 at the door. 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
MS. PLANET BEACH NEW ORLEANS COMPETITION. The Metropolitan Nightclub, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive, (800) 919-8266 --Hosted by Sig from 106.7 THE END, with contestants competing for cash and prizes and the opportunity to enter the Ms. Planet Beach International competition. Men can also compete for the Palest Guy and win prizes. Call for more info. Register at Planet Beach salons. 8:30 p.m.
Sunday 20
LOUISIANA BICYCLE FESTIVAL. UCM Museum, 22275 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs, (985) 892-2624 --Exhibition featuring home-built, vintage and custom bicycles. All bicycle types are welcome. Call for more info. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SUMMER SOLSTICE EVE CELEBRATION. Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 569-9070; 7932 Jeanette St., 864-0512 ext. 1 --Presented by the Zhoux Zhoux Theatre Dance Company, with a staged reading of Pink Collar Crime (2 pm. to 4 p.m.) at the Ashe Center and The Summer Solstice Eve Celebration on Jeanette Street (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), with a cash bar and a $12 donation at the door. Call for more info.
SOLSTICE FESTIVAL. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 --Three Ring Circus Productions will celebrate the longest day of the year with 'A Midsummer Night's Scream: A Solstice Festival,' featuring a happy hour, an art bazaar and performances by Apolkalypse Now! and Big Pearl. Tickets $5. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
KEYBOARD AMERICANA CONCERT. First Baptist Church, 1400 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 466-5381 --Fourth annual musical celebration with organs and six grand pianos creating a musical experience and a salute to God. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Sunday-Monday.
PHILO CAFE OF NEW ORLEANS MEETINGS. 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.
Monday 21
FOURTH OF JULY BUTTERFLY COUNT. Barataria Preserve Education Center, Hwy. 45, Marrero, 589-2330 ext. 0 --Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve presents the 30th annual North American Butterfly Association Fourth of July Butterfly Count. Volunteers select a count area with a 15-mile diameter and conduct a one-day census of all butterflies observed in that circle. Call for directions. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
INTENSIVE BALLET WORKSHOP. Giacobbe Academy of Dance, 6925 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 836-7166 --Delta Festival Ballet and Giacobbe Academy of Dance are sponsoring the 35th annual Summer Intensive Ballet Workshop, which is open to students ages 9 through advanced/professional levels. Call for registration fee and detailed schedule. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, through July 24.
WINE AND FOOD TASTING. Martin Wine Cellar, 3827 Baronne St., 899-7411; 714 Elmeer Ave., 896-7300 --Enjoy 25 different wines and an array of culinary creations from Martin's catering in the 'Terry Theise Winemakers Tour: A Sneak preview of Germany and Austria's 2003 Vintage.' Tickets $30, must be purchased in advance. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
road trip
Tuesday 15
ALWAYS&138; PATSY CLINE. Louisiana State University, Reilly Theatre, Tower Drive (225) 578-9278 --Musical written and directed by LSU professor Jennifer Jones Cavenaugh, featuring 27 of Cline's greatest hits and based on the true story of how Cline (Dominique Plaisant) met her biggest fan and future best friend Louise (Leslie Maness). Tickets $27-$30 adults; $19 senior citizens, LSU faculty and staff; $12 students. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through June 27.
Wednesday 16
UNSETTLING MEMORIES CONFERENCE. Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss., (504) 865-5210 --Conference presented by Tulane University featuring author Alice Walker, artist William Christenberry and musician Otis Taylor recognizing culture trauma in the Deep South and the families of victims of racial violence. Call or visit www.Tulane.edu/%7Ememories/ for detailed schedule, conference times, locations and ticket prices.
Friday 18
GEM AND MINERAL SHOW. Gulfport Harbor Area, Rice Pavilion, Gulfport, Miss., (228) 863-6312 --Lapidary arts and crafts show featuring faceting and gold-wire wrapping demonstrations, bead supplies, rough material and finished work. Free admission and parking. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday 19
SWAMP POP MUSIC FESTIVAL AND OUTDOOR EXPO. Lamar Dixon Expo Center, 9039 Landry Road, Gonzales (225) 769-9994 --Annual event hosted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and featuring swamp pop music, dance lessons, a jambalaya cook-off and an outdoor expo. $5 admission per day. Noon to 1 a.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
