theater
AMAZING PLACE, THIS NEW ORLEANS. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 945-6789 -- Roberts Batson's solo performance 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.
ART. Hammond Regional Arts Center, 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 542-7113 -- Jitterbug Productions presents Yasmina Reza's satirical examination of the question 'What is art?,' which arises when one friend's purchase of a white painting with white lines offends another. Selisa Hue directs Clarence Wethern, Danny Trentacosta and Josh Tillotson. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
BEATLES 4-EVER. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 -- Fortieth anniversary celebration of The Beatles' concert in City Park, with memories and songs presented by Greg DiLeo. Mikko directs. Tickets $12. 8 p.m. Thursday.
BOOBS! THE MUSICAL. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Carl Walker directs Becky Allen, Maureen Brennan, Bob Edes and others in Steve Mackes' and Michael Whaley's musical, based on a compilation of 20 songs with double entendres by Ruth Wallis. Tickets $26; proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
BOSTON MARRIAGE. Cowpokes Theatre, 1030 Marigny St., 948-9924 -- Playwright David Mamet's departure from his typical themes details the desires of high-society lesbian women in 1900. Luis Q. Barroso directs Diana E.H. Shortes, Melissa Hall and Wendi Berman. Tickets $12 advance, $7 student, $15 at door. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday.
DAMN YANKEES. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221 -- Long-running musical comedy about a baseball fanatic who sells his soul to the Devil for the chance to lead his team to victory. Gary Rucker directs. Tickets $25 adults, $22 seniors and students, $12 children ages 6-12. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 3.
A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/ A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., 522-9958 -- Le Petit opens its 88th season with a Marx Brothers' double bill. A Day in Hollywood pays musical tribute to movie scores of the 1930s. A Night in the Ukraine pits Groucho, Harpo and Chico against familiar foe Margaret Dumont in Russia. Derek Franklin and Sonny Borey direct Susan Grozier, Matthew Mickal, Brian Rosenberg, Amy Alvarez and more. Tickets $26 adults, $21 students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 10.
AN EVENING WITH BETSY: VOICES FROM THE STORM.Nunez Community College Auditorium, 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, 277-SHOW -- SHINE Productions' return engagement of stories recounted by locals who survived Hurricane Betsy in September 1965. Tickets $18 adults, $15 students and seniors in advance, $20 for all at door. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? Southern Rep Theatre, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., third floor, 522-6545 -- Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee's acclaimed and controversial tale of a successful architect with a troubling secret. Ryan Rilette directs William Ragsdale, Maureen Silliman, Karl Lengel and Leicester Landon. Tickets $23 with discounts for seniors, students, theater professionals and groups. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 3.
JOEY & MARY'S ITALIAN-IRISH COMEDY WEDDING. Terrytown Country Club, Garden Room, 1785 Carol Sue Ave., Gretna, 835-6002/362-4451 -- Sandi Roads Productions presents the ethnic comedy. Dane Rhodes co-stars and directs Doris Methe, Sandy Bravender, Mikko and others. Tickets $39.50. Doors open 6:30 p.m., wedding 7:30 p.m., reception 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Oct. 2.
LA CONQUISTA: AN AZTEC CLOWN DRAMA. UNO Downtown Theatre, 619 Carondelet St., 236-2340 -- Madame Palmetto's Amusement Company's multi-disciplinary farce employs clown, dance and drama to recount Cortez's conquering of Mexico. Tristan Codrescu directs Henry Hoffman, Andy English and Kate Labouisse. Tickets $15 general, $10 students, seniors and artists, $5 children. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Sept. 26.
SAVING OURSELVES/SOULVILLE. Anthony Bean Community Theater, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-PLAY -- Two one-act plays. Soulville features gospel radio personality Loretta Petit as the host of a program with an open-mic format for today's at-risk youth, with story delivered in a series of monologues, sketches and musical numbers. Saving Ourselve details an underground group working to improve the lives of black men. Both plays written and directed by Anthony Bean. Tickets $14 adults, $12 students/seniors. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 26.
SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577 -- This famed Broadway musical visits the early days of rock and roll with hits by Elvis, The Drifters and more. Leo Jones directs Tory Andrus, Mishikea Brathwaite and Dionne Character. Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and Monday, through Oct. 9.
SPRING AWAKENING. Jewel Gallery, 2134 Magazine St., (866) 234-0317 -- EgoPo Productions presents Frank Wedekind's controversial classic exploring the sexual awakening of a group of 14-year-olds. Lane Savadove and Anne-Liese Judge Fox direct. Tickets $12 suggested donation. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Oct. 3.
VANITIES. Playmakers Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road (off Lee Road), Covington, (985) 893-1671 -- Playmakers celebrates its 50th season opening with this story following three Southern women from 1963 to 1974 as they mature in a changing world. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 3.
YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8257 -- Jitterbug Productions premieres original work of younger Junebug Jabbo Jones finding himself through the discovery of his lost father's lore. John O'Neal directs his son William O'Neal. Tickets $10 advance, $12 at door. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
auditions
ODD MAN OUT THEATER COMPANY. 813-3547 -- Theater company seeks to fill roles in upcoming shows with male actors with singing ability. Call to schedule audition. comedy BADA-BINGS. 3515 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, 454-1120 -- Tuesday: Jodi Borello, Mike Strecker and Dane Foucheaux, 8:30 p.m.
LE CHAT NOIR. 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Monday, Sept. 20: God's Been Drinking with musical guest CoCo Robicheaux, 8 p.m.
HARRAH'S NEW ORLEANS CASINO. Earl Turner Theatre, 512 S. Peters St., 533-6000 -- Wednesday: Deep Fried Improv, 8:30 p.m.
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie, 289-6529 -- Friday: A Hawaiian Comedy Luau with Jodi Borello, John Smiley, Gary Remy and Phil Hebert, 9 p.m.; Saturday: Comedy Unleashed with Tom Gregory, Jodi Borello and Louie Duet, 9 p.m.
MONKEY HILL BAR. 6100 Magazine St., 899-4800 -- Comedy Night hosted by RedBean, 8:30 p.m.
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Tuesday: open mic comedy, 8 p.m.; Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m.
workshop
COMEDY COURSE. 289-6529 -- Six-week comedy course with instructor/comedian Jodi Borello, beginning Oct. 6. Participants will develop 5 minutes of comedic material and perform in front of an audience. Must be 21 years old. Enrollment limited.
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- Money, works by various artists, through Sept. 27.
THE ACADEMY GALLERY. New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111 -- 2004 Annual Faculty Exhibition in memory of Daniel Breaux, with special exhibition of Breaux's works, through Sept. 28.
ACME GALLERY. 5700 Magazine St., 891-0357 -- Tattoo Art: Renditions of a Tattoo Artist, group show, through Sept. 30.
ARIODANTE. 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Works by Inez Kramr, through October.
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 Saturday.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 522-1999 -- Think Tank, installation by W. Steve Rucker, through Saturday.
AXELLE FINE ARTS GALERIE ROYALE. 709 Royal St., 299-1666 -- New paintings by Andre Bouboubnelle, through September.
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.
BRYANT GALLERIES. 316 Royal St., 525-5584 -- Paintings by Juan Medina, through September.
CAROL ROBINSON GALLERY. 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130 -- New work in steel by Eric Sarbach, through Sept. 28.
CARROLL GALLERY. Woldenberg Art Center, Newcomb College/Tulane University, 865-5361 -- Studio Art Faculty Exhibition, group show by various artists, through Sept. 30.
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.
COLLINS C. DIBOLL ART GALLERY. Loyola University, Monroe Library, 6363 St. Charles Ave., fourth floor, 861-5456 -- Adornment, Embellishment and Encroachment, works by Jacqueline Bishop, Les Christensen and Pam Longobardi, through Oct. 5.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER. 900 Camp St., 528-3805 -- 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 Sunday.
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 -- Paintings by Michael Fee and Through a Dark Wood Wandering, sculpture by Susan Bergman, through Sept. 30.
A GALLERY FOR FINE PHOTOGRAPHY. 241 Chartres St., 568-1313 -- Lost in Paradise, hand-painted photographs by Jan Saudek, through September.
GEORGE SCHMIDT GALLERY. 626 Julia St., 592-0206 -- Works by George Schmidt.
HAMMOND REGIONAL ARTS CENTER. 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 542-7113 -- Our World in Black and White, black-and-white photography exhibit, through Sept. 29.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211 -- New paintings by Luigi Rocca and new works in pastel by Jean Duquoc, through September.
HERIARD-CIMINO GALLERY. 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- Run, new paintings by Iva Gueorguieva, through Sept. 25.
INSLEY ART GALLERY. 427 Esplanade Ave., 949-5512 -- Paintings and photographs by Gerald Domingue, Thomas Drymon and Charlene Insley.
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY. 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471 -- No Dead Artists, juried exhibition of Louisiana art, through Sept. 28. (See 'Special Events' for opening reception information.)
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 Friday; Trabajo Espanol en Mexico, mixed-media paintings by Latifah Ali, through Oct. 14.
NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS/ RIVERFRONT. 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 -- Jazz Memories: Herman Leonard Photographs, through Sept. 24.
NEW ORLEANS GLASSWORKS AND PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277 -- Culinary Creations Extravaganza, edible art, and Tropical Underwater Dive, works by Stephen Williams, Greg Geniuz and Sean 'Star Wars' Stewart, through Sept. 30.
RHINO CONTEMPORARY CRAFT GALLERY. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 523-7945 -- Mainly Metal, works by Denise Bizot and Kay Jaramillo, through Sept. 30.
RHINO CONTEMPORARY CRAFT GALLERY. 927 Royal St., 569-8191 -- Mainly Metal, works by Brian Thomas and Cathy DeYoung, through Sept. 30.
THE RODRIGUE STUDIO. 721 Royal St., 581-4244 -- Works by George Rodrigue.
ST. TAMMANY ART ASSOCIATION. 320 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-8650 -- Fourteenth Annual Jack Swanson Photographic Exhibit Juried Competition, through Oct. 10. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400A Julia St., 522-2000 -- Under the Influence -- Louisiana Music Below Sea Level, oil paintings by Dona Simons, through Sept. 25.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS FINE ARTS GALLERY. 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 280-6493 -- Works in Progress, Master's of Fine Arts group exhibition of painting, photography, sculpture and new-genre artworks, through Friday.
VEN NORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO & ART GALLERY. 317 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-9555 -- Al's Perception of the World with photographer Al Grigalunas and mixed media from Sally Dunn, Ryan Thornburg, Herman Leonard and Pat Watkins.
VENUSIAN GARDENS. 2601 Chartres St., 943-7446 -- Luminous art and neon sculpture by Eric Ehlenberger.
WAITING ROOM GALLERY. 904 Pauline St., 949-1805 -- Passageways, new paintings and drawings by William Warren, through Oct. 16. (Reviewed in this issue.)
spare spaces
JEFFERSON PARISH LIBRARY EAST BANK REGIONAL. 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- A Diarist of Paint and Images: The Art and Social Commentary of Clementine Hunter, through Oct. 5. 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'S OLD STATE CAPITOL. 100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, (225) 342-0500 -- Huey Long Live! The Kingfish Speaks, new permanent animatronic exhibit about the life and times of Louisiana's former governor.
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 a 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 -- The Collector' Eye: The Louis S. Harris Collection, glass exhibition including works by Tiffany and Gall&233;, through Sunday; From Another Dimension, works on paper by sculptors, through Sept. 19; Idle Pursuits: Celebrations of Leisure in Edo-Period Painting, through Jan. 4, 2005; The Eclectic Eye: Selections From the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, opens Saturday through Oct. 31. (See this week's Hot Seven.)
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.
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. This week Jeremy Lyons and the Deltabilly Boys perform.
books
Tuesday 14
THE NEWEST SOUTH. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100, ext. 274 -- Six-week series examines works by contemporary Southerners from non-traditional and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Led by UNO English professor Dr. Gary Richards. Registration required. Free. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday 15
DR. ARTHUR SAMUELS. Beaucoup Books, 5414 Magazine St., 895-2663 -- Local author and psychotherapist signs and discusses his book Zen and the Art of Intimacy. 4 p.m.
COFFEE AND CONVERSATIONS. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- Weekly literary series continues with program 'Not for Him Alone: Clerical Secrecy and Crises in the Catholic Church' with author Jason Berry. Refreshments served. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Saturday 18
JOE LEYDON. Borders Books, 3385 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363 -- Film critic signs Joe Leydon's Guide to Essential Movies You Must See: If You Read, Write About or Make Movies. 2 p.m.
THE UGLESICHES. Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4929 -- John, Gail and Anthony Uglesich sign Uglesich's Resturant Cookbook. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 19 LES KERR. Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359 -- Nashville-based singer-songwriter and journalist performs music and signs and discusses his book The All-American Truck Stop Cookbook. 3 p.m.
