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.
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. (Reviewed in this issue.)
BAR ANGEL. Cowpokes Barn Theatre, 2240 St. Claude Ave., 821-3094 -- Lewis Routh directs his own comedy about a failed gay relationship in which an angel comes to the rescue and quickly becomes a nuisance. Starring Danny McNamara, Michael Castrillo and Adam Hawkins. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Aug. 28.
BOOBS! THE MUSICAL. 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 songs with double entendres by Ruth Wallis. Tickets $26, plus one drink minimum. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 20.
HOLLYWOOD HEAVEN. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 813-2698 -- The season's only performance of the 2003 Big Easy Award winner for Best Comedy, a musical with Hollywood's biggest stars meeting in the after-life. Starring writer-director Ricky Graham and Roy Haylock, with musical direction by Harry Mayronne. Tickets $25; show benefits Krewe of Amon-Ra. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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 seanced by his friends and enters his life. Starring Lee Jeansonne, George Sanchez, Christie Chopin and others. Tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors and students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. comedy LE CHAT NOIR. 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Monday: Lundi Laughter series, featuring improv comedy troupe God's Been Drinking performing stand-up, improv and long-form sketch comedy. Bill Dykes emcees with performers Yvonne Landry, Dykes, Sean Patterson and others. Tickets $8 ($4 comedy students). 8 p.m.
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 289-6529 -- Wednesday: comedy open mic night, 8 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.
audition
NATIONAL COMEDY COMPANY. 523-SHOW -- The National Comedy Company seeks improvisers for local short-form improv show. No experience necessary, will train the right team players. Auditions will take place throughout August. To set up an audition appointment, call 523-SHOW or email improv@nationalcomedycompany.com
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- Chicana Spirituality, works by Theresa Herrera, through Sept. 4.
ARIODANTE. 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Back by 'Pop'ular Demand, paintings by Myra Williamson, through August.
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.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 522-1999 -- Think Tank, installation by W. Steve Rucker, through Sept. 18.
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.
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.
BRUNNER GALLERY. 215 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 893-0444 -- New works by selected gallery artists including Linda Dautreuil, Ruth Siporski, and Christy Liffman. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 8 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 Friday; 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.
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.
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.
GALERIE SEVERN. 3501 Severn Ave., Metairie, 888-5361 -- Original watercolors by Gerald Bienvenu, through Friday.
A GALLERY FOR FINE PHOTOGRAPHY. 241 Chartres St., 568-1313 -- Lost in Paradise, hand-painted photographs by Jan Saudek, through September. (Reviewed in this issue.)
GEORGE SCHMIDT GALLERY. 626 Julia St., 592-0206 -- Works by George Schmidt.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211 -- New paintings by Luigi Rocca and new works in pastel by Jean Duquoc, through August.
HERIARD-CIMINO GALLERY. 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Run, new paintings by Iva Gueorguieva, through August.
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY. 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- Blue Period, paintings by Jeffrey Pitt, through Sept. 2.
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.
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.
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 -- Colored in Motion II, works by Joe Gordon, through Sept. 10.
New orleans GLASSWORKS and PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- Culinary Creations Extravaganza, edible art through Sept. 30.
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, through Sept. 3.
ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION. 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-8650 -- Finke Memorial Watercolor Invitational, featuring works by members of the Louisiana Watercolor Society and artists from across the country, through Sept. 5. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
SOREN CHRISTENSEN GALLERY. 400 Julia St., 569-9501 -- Sleeping in Trees, oil paintings by Melissa Bonin, through August.
STELLA JONES GALLERY. Bank One Center, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 -- Paintings by Antonio Carreno and Alvin Roy, through August.
STEVE MARTIN STUDIO/GALLERY. 624 Julia St., 566-1390 -- New works by Steve Martin, through August.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- Still Lives and Fantasy, paintings by Jacques Soulas, through August.
VENUSIAN GARDENS. 2601 Chartres St., 943-7446 -- Luminous art and neon sculpture by Eric Ehlenberger. spare spaces CAFE ROSE NICAUD. 632 Frenchmen St., 949-3300 -- Tapestries by Louise Mouton and pastel drawings by Jose Torres Tama, curated by Clifton Webb, through Aug. 30.
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER. 5342 St. Charles Ave., 897-0143 -- Dreamscapes, paintings by Cindy K. Renteria, through Aug. 26.
LAURENTINO'S RESTAURANT. 4410 Transcontinental Drive, Metairie, 779-9393 -- Catalunya Eterna, photographs of Catalunya, Spain by James Gaffney, through August.
UPSTAIRS AT MIMI'S. 2601 Royal St., 942-0690 -- Paintings and drawings by Regina Scully, through Aug. 31
WORLD TRADE CENTER. 2 Canal St., 581-4888 -- Group show by artists working in a variety of mediums, 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 to 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.
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 -- 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 -- 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 Sunday; 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. 'Ogden Family Dollar Days,' with $1 admission, held Saturdays and Sundays through August.
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. 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 Sunday, Aug. 15.
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 Friday.
special events
DIRTY LINEN NIGHT. RHINO Contemporary Craft Gallery, 927 Royal St., 569-8191 -- Party, silent auction and display of 'dirty linen' artwork by Community Outreach Art Camp youth participants, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
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.
books
Tuesday 10
ANDREW FOX. Borders Books, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363 -- Local author discusses and signs Bride of the Fat White Vampire. 7 p.m.
Wednesday 11
GARDEN DISTRICT BOOK GROUP. Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- Group discusses The Photograph by Penelope Lively. New members welcome. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 12
DEBORAH LEBLANC. Borders Books, 3131 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363 -- Author reads and signs Family Inheritance, a tale of suspense and family devotion. 7 p.m.
Friday 13
PATRICIA ANNE PHILLIPS. The Afro-American Book Stop, New Orleans Centre, 1400 Poydras St., first floor, 588-1474 -- Author signs June in Winter and Something in Common. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday 14
STEPHEN RUE. Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929 -- Attorney and author of The Louisiana Family Law Guide signs copies of his new book. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
HELEN SCULLY. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-READ --- Author reads and signs her debut novel, In the Hope of Rising Again. 7 p.m. (See book feature in this issue.)
