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. 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Open run.
AN INFINITE ACHE. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., (866) 468-7630 -- Ren&233; J.F. Piazza directs Edward Simon and Kathryn DiStefano in David Schulner's two-character play about the major events that affect a relationship. Tickets $15 adults. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday.
ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Gallier Hall, Ty Tracy Theatre, 705 Lafayette St., 565-7860 -- Melissa Lyons directs Irving Berlin's comedy about Annie Oakley, the star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Starring Ashleigh Hoppe, Dwayne Sepcich Jr., Colleen Robinson and others. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Aug. 15.
BAR ANGEL. Cowpokes Barn Theatre, 2240 St. Claude Ave., 821-3094 -- Lewis Routh directs his own one-act comedy about a failed gay relationship in which an angel comes to the rescue only to become a nuisance. Starring Danny McNamara, Michael Castrillo and Adam Hakins. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Aug. 28.
THE BLACK AND WHITE BLUES. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Second anniversary show of Producers Circle's musical comedy exploring New Orleans dining culture from the perspective of servers. Directed by Ricky Graham with music by Harry Mayronne Jr. and starring Bob Edes, Heidi Junius, Jessie Terrebonne, Chris Wecklein. Tickets $21 general, $10 service industry workers. 9 p.m. Monday (Aug. 9).
BOOBS! THE MUSICAL: THE WORLD ACCORDING TO RUTH WALLIS. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Carl Walker directs Becky Allen, Maureen Brennan, Bob Edes and others in the musical by Steve Mackes and Michael Whaley based on a compilation of 20 of Ruth Wallis' double-entendre songs. (Tickets to Thursday's premiere $25 and available only through Mystic Krewe of Satyricon; call 525-4498.) Regular tickets $26, plus one-drink minimum. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 20.
CHICKEN LITTLE. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carr&233;, Teddy's Corner, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081 -- Sean Patterson directs Heather Griffith, Robin Baudier, Leslie Limberg and others in Ricky Graham's witty musical about a high-strung chicken who almost destroys her town with her paranoia. Music by Fred Palimisano. Tickets $10 adults, $8 children. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
DOGS! Southern Rep Theatre, The Shops at Canal Place, third floor, 333 Canal St., 835-6002 -- Perry Martin directs 14 young singers, dancers and actors in Christina Hamlett's musical about a litter of canines at a New Orleans animal shelter. Starring Skylar Cibulski, Arianna Adams, Melvin Claverie and others. Tickets $14 adults, $10 children under 12. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)
HARVEY. Parishioner Center, 6500 Kawanee Ave., Metairie, 467-4423 -- Stacy Taliancich directs Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about an affable man whose best friend is a 6-foot-tall white rabbit, and his sister who tries to commit him to the nearby insane asylum. Presented by The St. Philip Players theater troupe. Starring Butch Caire, Rebecca Taliancich, Jimmy DeMontluzin and others. Tickets $7 adults, $4 children. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
I HATE HAMLET. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577 -- David Jacobs directs Paul Rudnick's comedy about a young, successful actor who has it all then quickly loses it once the ghost of John Barrymore is s&233;anced by his friends and enters his life. Starring Lee Jeansonne, George Sanchez, Christie Chopin and others. Tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors/students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Sunday (Service Industry Night), through Aug. 14.
THE LITTLE PRINCE, THE MUSICAL. UNO Downtown Theatre, 621 Carondelet St., 598-3800 -- Summer Stages Children's Theater presents Rick Cummins' and John Scoullar's production, based on Antoine de St. Exup&233;ry's classic about the relationship between a disillusioned aviator and a mysterious boy. Kevin Charpentier directs Randy Maggiore (as the aviator) with Garrison Linn and Alex Watters alternating as the Little Prince. Tickets $12 adults, $8 children 12-under. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)
theater workshop
ACTING CLASSES. True Brew Theater, 200 Julia St., 828-7335 -- Local actor John 'Spud' McConnell from Kingfish, A Confederacy of Dunces and Monster's Ball will begin acting classes for all ages and experience levels on Aug. 7. Each session will meet once a week for six weeks. Space is limited. Private lessons also available. Call for more info.
comedy
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 289-6529 -- Wednesday: comedy open mic night, 8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: Running Funny presents New Orleans Ladies of Comedy featuring Amanda Hebert of Late Nite Catechism, Jodi Borello and Melanie Rucker with emcee Louie Duet, 9 p.m.
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Tuesday: open mic comedy, 8 p.m.; Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m.
class
COMEDY CLASS. 289-6529 -- Six-week comedy course with instructor/comedian Jodi Borello, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11. Participants will develop five minutes of comedic material and perform in front of an audience. Enrollment limited; must be 21 years old.
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- Chicana Spirituality, works by Theresa Herrera, through Sept. 4. Opening reception 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
ARIODANTE. 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Back By 'Pop'ular Demand, paintings by Myra Williamson, through August. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY. 432 Julia St., 522-1999 -- Works by Pard Morrison and Thunderheads, Fronts, Collisions and Grids, digital color photography by Ted Kincaid, through Sept. 18. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 522-1999 -- Think Tank, installation by W. Steve Rucker, through Sept. 18. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
ASHE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER. 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 569-9070 -- What's Going On: Visual Artists Address Black on Black Violence, group show organized by Willie Birch, through August.
BARLOW ART GALLERY. 805 Royal St., 523-2964 -- New works by Connie Breithoff, Henri Graves, William Amertz and Joseph Yeboah.
BERGERON STUDIO & GALLERY. 516 Natchez St., 522-7503 -- Selected photographs by Michael P. Smith, through Oct. 2. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles LLP (see 'Spare Spaces' for details).
BOCKMAN DESIGN. 4513 Magazine St., 891-8785 -- French Funck, X-rated Kewpie doll series by Zella Funck; early 20th century paintings and drawings by Pierre Boucherie, Batrice Carebul, Andre Meaux St. Marc, and Cecile Scherner; fine contemporary art glass by New Orleans' Center Glass, through Sept. 25. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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 -- Elements of Life, works by CAC Summer Art Camp Students, on exhibit in the Entergy KidsFree Children's Art Gallery through Aug. 13; technology-driven art exhibits Picturing Music: The Art of Jack Ox and Nouveau Techno: New Media Installations by Sylvie Blocher, Claude Closkey & Matthew Laurette, through Sept. 19 (both reviewed in this issue); White Linen Night exhibits The Artstream Trailer, installation by Jeanne Nathan and Robert Tannen featuring works by unaffiliated Louisiana artists; and White House on Wheels, installation by Karen Giusti, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
the darkroom -- New orleans center for the photographic arts. 1927 Sophie Wright Place, 522-3211 -- Walking Away, photographs by Alexandra Jones and Vania Pl&233;miannikov, through Sept. 20. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
D.O.C.S. 709 Camp St., 524-3936 -- Group show of new and previously exhibited works from artists shown in the last 10 months, through Thursday; paintings by Michael Fee and Through a Dark Wood Wandering, sculpture by Susan Bergman, through Sept. 30. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
HERIARD-CIMINO GALLERY. 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Run, new paintings by Iva Gueorguieva, through August. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
GALERIE SEVERN. 3501 Severn Ave., Metairie, 888-5361 -- Original watercolors by Gerald Bienvenu, through Friday.
GEORGE SCHMIDT GALLERY. 626 Julia St., 592-0206 -- Works by George Schmidt, opening Saturday.
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY. 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- Blue Period, paintings by Jeffrey Pitt, through Sept. 2. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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 -- Everyday, paintings and pastel drawings by Jesse Poimboeuf, through Sept. 25. Opening reception 6p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
LIONEL MILTON GALLERY. 1818 Magazine St., 522-6966 -- Paintings and other works by Lionel Milton.
MARGUERITE OESTREICHER FINE ARTS. 720 Julia St., 581-9253 -- Recent sculpture by John Geldersma, through Sept. 25. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
MARTIN LUKE GALLERY. 4535 Magazine St., 896-9198 -- Oil paintings by Martin Luke and metal sculpture by Luis Colmenares and Scot Evert.
NEIGHBORHOOD GALLERY. 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- Political cartoons by John Slade, through Friday.
New orleans GLASSWORKS and PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- Culinary Creations Extravaganza, edible art through Sept. 30. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
RADICI GALLERY. 527 Julia St., 596-2144 -- Selected works of photography and art graffiti pieces; local, national and international artists work on vinyl records, with DJ Kinetic. Runs Saturday through Sept. 3.
ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION. 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-8650 -- The Robert Bruno Collection, restored photographs depicting scenes of New Orleans and the Northshore, through Sunday.
SOREN CHRISTENSEN GALLERY. 400 Julia St., 569-9501 -- Sleeping in Trees, oil paintings by Melissa Bonin, through August. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
STELLA JONES GALLERY. Bank One Center, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 -- Paintings by Antonio Carreno and Alvin Roy and The Human Condition, photographs of African Americans from the Time-Life archives of the 1930s and '40s. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
STEVE MARTIN STUDIO/GALLERY. 624 Julia St., 566-1390 -- New works by Steve Martin, through August. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- Still Lives and Fantasy, paintings by Jacques Soulas, through August. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
VENUSIAN GARDENS. 2601 Chartres St., 943-7446 -- Luminous art and neon sculpture by Eric Ehlenberger.
call for artists
3 RING CIRCUS. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- 3 Ring Circus and The Big Top Gallery seek submissions from artists, writers and theater troupes for art show and events to be held in September. All entries should comment on the show's theme, 'Money.' Each visual art submission should include up to three slides or digital images on CD; each musical submission should include up to three songs on a cassette tape or CD; poetry, prose, plays and puppet shows should be submitted by mail or email. Entry fee is $10 per three works. Call or visit www.3rcp.com for more information. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 15.
A STUDIO IN THE WOODS. 13401 River Road, 392-5359 -- Applications are being sought from visual artists, writers and composers seeking residencies at the only live-in artists' community in the Deep South. Call or visit www.astudiointhewoods.org for more information.
NO DEAD ARTISTS. Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- Submissions are sought for the ninth annual open juried exhibition, scheduled for the month of September. All work must be mailed in 35-mm slide format and must be for sale, subject to standard gallery commission. Entrance fee is $25. Applications are available at the gallery or online at www.jonathanferraragallery.com. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 13.
SUMMER ART CAMP. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- One-week sessions now open to kids ages 6-13. For information, call Marie Lamb at the CAC or email mlamb@cacno.org.
spare spaces
CAFE ROSE NICAUD. 634 Frenchmen St., 949-3300 -- Tapestries by Louise Mouton and pastel drawings by Jose Torres Tama, curated by Clifton Webb, Saturday through Aug. 30. Opening reception 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
DEUTSCH, KERRIGAN, AND STILES. 755 Magazine St., 593-0601 -- Bergeron Studio and Gallery presents photographs by Michael P. Smith. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER. 5342 St. Charles Ave., 897-0143 -- Dreamscapes, paintings by Cindy K. Renteria, through Aug. 26. Opening reception 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
LAURENTINO'S RESTAURANT. 4410 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie, 779-9393 -- Catalunya Eterna, photographs of Catalunya, Spain by James Gaffney, through August.
UPTOWN ANGLER. 601 Julia St., 529-3597 -- Paintings, prints and sculpture by Vaughn Cochran, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
WORLD TRADE CENTER. 2 Canal St., 581-4888 -- Group show by artists working in a variety of mediums, opens Saturday through Aug. 21. museums AMERICAN-ITALIAN MUSEUM & RESEARCH LIBRARY. 537 S. Peters St., 522-7294 -- Hand-painted and lettered plaques by artist Franco Alessandri, photographs, and memorabilia.
GERMAINE CAZENAVE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM. Arnaud's Restaurant, 813 Bienville St., 523-5433 -- Exhibit featuring costumes, Carnival memorabilia and vintage photos from 1937-1968, open during restaurant hours.
HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION. 533 Royal St., 523-4662 -- Portraits After 1803; portraits and stories of people who lived in Louisiana in the 50 years following the Louisiana Purchase; Saving Wednesday's Child, items from the Children's Bureau Archives revealing how the organization dealt with child abuse, labor and neglect, at the Williams Research Center (410 Chartres St., 598-7171) through Oct. 1; 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 through Oct. 9.
LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. 420 Julia St., 523-1357 -- Chairish the Children, art chairs by various artists, schoolchildren and community members, through Aug. 28, and White Linen Night exhibit of printmaking by aspiring young artists. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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 HISTORIC TRAIN GARDEN AT CITY PARK. New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park, 482-4888 --
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART. 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 -- In Celebration of Light: Photographs From the Collection of Cherye R. and James F. Pierce, featuring works by Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Robert Mapplethorpe, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Minor White, through Aug. 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, through Sept. 19; Idle Pursuits: Celebrations of Leisure in Edo-Period Painting, through Jan. 4, 2005.
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; Looking Back/Looking Forward: A 20th Anniversary Re-Evaluation of the Art and Culture of the 1984 Louisiana World's Exposition, series of art exhibitions and symposia focusing on the 'New Orleans World's Fair,' featuring photographs by Joshua Paillet in the Contemporary Photography Gallery, through December; Richard Jolley: Sculptor of Glass, works spanning two decades, shown in the Contemporary Southern Art Gallery through Sept. 24; Aibee, robotic dog installation presented by Kohlmeyer Circle and the University of New Orleans during White Linen Night, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; $5 suggested donation.
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.
special events
NOMA NIGHTS. New Orleans Museum of Art/ Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631 -- Both venues remain open from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, with concerts, film screenings and other events offered periodically.
WHITE LINEN NIGHT. Various venues, 528-3805 -- Annual summer art walk features multiple gallery openings with curbside cash bars, restaurants, and live music along Julia Street and the New Orleans Arts District, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Official Post Party is held at the Contemporary Arts Center from 9 p.m. to midnight and features Fredy Omar con su Banda; $5 admission, free for CAC members.
books
Thursday 5
ANDREW FOX. Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero, 838-1100 -- Author will sign and discuss Bride of the Fat White Vampire -- the follow-up to Fat White Vampire Blues -- about Jules Duchon, a 450-pound New Orleans vampire who has been summoned by his sidekick, Doodle Bug, to solve the crimes of the murders of vampires in the area. Free admission. 10 a.m.
Friday 6
ALICE WOOTSON. Afro-American Book Stop, New Orleans Centre, First Level, 1400 Poydras St., 588-1474; 5700 Read Blvd., Suite 275, 243-2436 -- Author will sign and discuss Kindred Spirits, about a Philadelphia journalist who goes undercover to investigate a story, collaborates with a former member of the military's Special Forces and steals his heart in the process. Free admission. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at New Orleans Centre, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Read Blvd.
JAZZ ART/BOOK SIGNING. Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947-6847 -- XXAVIER T. Community Book Center, 2523 Bayou Road, 948-7323 -- Author will sign and discuss Treat Your Man Like a VIP. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 7
PASTOR JOHN TOLLIN. Draperies and Design by Leila, 8909 Jefferson Hwy., 931-7896 -- Author will sign What Is a Nice Jewish Boy Like You Doing in a Place Like This, an autobiographical account of his rough childhood and life in the seminary. Free admission. 10 a.m.
CHEF AUSTIN LESLIE. Afro-American Book Stop, 5700 Read Blvd., Suite 275, 243-2436 -- Author will sign and discuss Creole-Soul Cookbook and Chez Helen Cookbook. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
ANDREW FOX. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323 -- Author will sign and discuss Bride of the Fat White Vampire -- a follow-up of Fat White Vampire Blues -- about Jules Duchon, a 450-pound New Orleans Vampire who has been summoned by his sidekick, Doodle Bug, to solve the crimes of the murders of vampires in the area. Free admission. 7 p.m.
