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.
ANDREA MARCOVICCI. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Internationally acclaimed cabaret singer performs her new show, If I Were a Bell -- The Songs of Frank Loesser. Tickets $45. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
THE BLACK AND WHITE BLUES. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Ricky Graham and Harry Mayronne's popular original musical revue involving New Orleans' obsession with food and culinary culture. Bob Edes, Heidi Junius, Jessie Terrebonne and Chris Wecklein star. Tickets $27 general admission, $10 service industry workers. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4.
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 students, $15 at door. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday.
BRECHT ON BRECHT. Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, 1725 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 948-4167 -- Four Humors Theatre Company begins inaugural season with George Tabori's portrait of famed playwright Bertolt Brecht, featuring his plays, music, poetry essays and writings woven into his hearings before Sen. Joseph McCarthy's House Un-American Activities Committee. Ensemble cast includes Blake Balu, Robb Conner, Veronica Russell and Martin Covert. Tickets $20. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Oct. 16.
BURN K-DOE BURN! Rock 'N' Bowl Cafe, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 947-1078 -- Writer Rob Florence's celebration of the life and music of local R&B legend Ernie K-Doe. Karen-Kaia Livers directs Harold Evans, Adella Gautier and Antoinette K-Doe. Sing-along precedes and dance party follows play. Tickets $15. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Oct. 17.
CHEKHOV'S WILD RIDE. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800 -- ArtSpot Productions' original work explores the effect on the last century of a butterfly that landed on the death bed of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov in 1904. Kathy Randels directs. Tickets $15 general admission, $12 CAC members (Wednesday is 'Pay What You Can Night'). 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, through Oct. 17.
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL. Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., Westwego, 885-2000 -- Jefferson Performing Arts Society's take on famed musical capturing the showbiz glamour and underbelly of 1920s Chicago. Jayme McDaniel directs Trina Beck, Brandi Cotogno and Vatican Lokey. Tickets $25 adults, $12 children. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 17.
DAMN YANKEES. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221 -- Long-running musical comedy finds a baseball fanatic who trades 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.
A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD/A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St., 522-9958 -- Le Petit opens 88th season with 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 others. Tickets $26 adults, $21 students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 10. (Reviewed in this issue.)
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.
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.
A LIE OF THE MIND. Louisiana State University campus, Shaver Theatre, (225) 578-3527 -- LSU Theatre performs Sam Shepard's examination of distressed families and relationships within them. Jane Drake Brody directs. Tickets $15.50 adults, $13.50 seniors and students (Wednesday 'pay what you can' and Thursday $8.50 all seats). 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 17.
LONE STAR/SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 -- Double bill of Lone Star, James McLure's look at the empty life of a Vietnam vet, and Sexual Perversity in Chicago, David Mamet's examination of four young professionals' sex lives. In Lone Star, Perry Martin directs Jerry Lee Leighton, Sean Patterson and Ryan Reinike; Sexual Perversity in Chicago stars Patterson, Reinike, Jessie Terrebonne and Angie Joachim. Tickets $20 for both shows, $15 for one. 8 p.m. Lone Star, 9:30 p.m. Sexual Perversity in Chicago.
NOW LET ME FLY. Loyola University, Lower Depths Theatre, 865-3840 -- Oral histories and personal interviews collected by writer Marcia Cebulska are about citizens preparing legal action for Brown vs. Board of Education 50 years ago. Dane Rhodes directs. Tickets $12 general, $8 students and seniors. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Library Lounge, 921 Canal St., 835-6002 -- Krewe Des Sept Productions presents Steve Martin's play depicting the fictional meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein in 1904 in a Paris bar. Mason Wood directs and stars with Gary Rucker. Tickets $25. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Oct. 24.
SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577 -- Famed Broadway musical visits the early days of rock 'n' roll with hits by Elvis Presley, 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, 3 p.m. Sunday, through Oct. 9.
SPRING AWAKENING. Jewel Gallery, 2134 Magazine St., (866) 234-0317 -- EgoPo Productions presents Frank Wedekind's controversial classic exploring a group of 14 year olds' sexual awakening. Lane Savadove and Anne-Liese Juge Fox direct. Tickets $12 suggested donation. 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
VANITIES. Playmakers Theater, 19106 Playmakers Road, off Lee Road, Covington, (985) 893-1671 -- Playmakers celebrates its 50th season opening with a story that follows 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.
WRINKLES. UNO Performing Arts Center Arena Theatre, 280-SHOW -- UNO alumna Rebecca Basham's original comedy about three generations of women revealing their secrets. David W. Hoover directs Abby Lake, Nancy Hammons and Lisa Picone. Tickets $8 general, $5 students and seniors. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
comedy
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Tuesday: open mic comedy, 8 p.m.; Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m.
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- New works by Karl Hoffman and Warren Irwin. Opening reception 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
900 SOUTH PETERS GALLERY. 900 S. Peters St., 566-1944 -- Paintings by Todd White, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
ARIODANTE. 535 Julia St., 524-3233 -- Works by Ines Kramer, through October.
AXELLE FINE ARTS GALERIE ROYALE. 709 Royal St., 299-1666 -- New paintings by Andre Bouboubnelle, through Thursday.
BARLOW ART GALLERY. 805 Royal St., 523-2964 -- New works by Connie Breithoff, Henri Graves, William Amertz and Joseph Yeboah.
BRUNNER GALLERY. 215 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 893-0444 -- Paintings and drawings by Aubry Frederick, through Saturday.
BRYANT GALLERIES. 316 Royal St., 525-5584 -- Paintings by Juan Medina, through Thursday.
CARROLL GALLERY. Woldenberg Art Center, Newcomb College/Tulane University, 865-5361 -- Studio Art Facculty Exhibition, group show by various artists, through Thursday.
COLLINS C. DIBOLL ART GALLERY. Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Monroe Library, fourth floor, 861-5456 -- Adornment: Embellishment & Encroachment, works by Jacqueline Bishop, Les Christensen and Pam Longobardi, through Oct. 5.
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;mianniko; photographs by Jennifer Shaw and Frances Courney Billes, through Nov. 15. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
GALERIE ROYALE. 3646 Magazine St., 894-1588 -- Colors of Fall, paintings by Mike Klung, through October. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
GEORGE SCHMIDT GALLERY. 626 Julia St., 592-0206 -- Works by George Schmidt.
HERIARD-CIMINO GALLERY. 440 Julia St., 525-7300 -- New sculpture by Martin Payton, through Nov. 2. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
INSLEY ART GALLERY. 427 Esplanade Ave., 949-5512 -- Paintings and photographs by Gerald Domingue, Thomas Drymon and Charlene Insley.
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.
LIONEL MILTON GALLERY. 1818 Magazine St., 522-6966 -- Paintings and other works by Lionel Milton.
MAGAZINE STREET GALLERY. 5207 Magazine St., 897-5330 -- Trees, works by Carey Hero King, through Oct. 27. Open house 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 -- 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 -- Group exhibition of recent works from the Visual Art faculty and Media Arts faculty, opens Monday, Oct. 4 through Nov. 5.
NEW ORLEANS ART WORKS. 727 Magazine St., 529-7279 -- Works by Andrew Brott, Stephen Williams, Greg Geniusz and Mitch Lyons, through Nov. 5. Preview 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
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 Thursday; works by Drake Fuller, Teri Walker andStewart, through Nov. 5. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
PALMA GALLERY. 828 Howard Ave., 598-2276 -- Atlantic, photographs of America and Europe by Tim Wainwright, through Nov. 3.
POETS GALLERY. 3113 Magazine St., 899-4100 -- 2 Have and Have Nought, new ceramic works and paintings by Lateefah Wright. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
RHINO CONTEMPORARY CRAFT GALLERY. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 523-7945 -- Mainly Metal, works by Denise Bizot and Kay Jaramillo, through Thursday.
RHINO CONTEMPORARY CRAFT GALLERY. 927 Royal St., 569-8191 -- Mainly Metal, works by Brian Thomas and Cathy DeYoung, through Thursday.
RODRIGUE GALLERY OF NEW ORLEANS. 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.
SERENITY GALLERY. 126 Main St., Bay St. Louis, Miss. (228) 467-3061 -- Girls Just Want to Have Fun, recent oil paintings by Connie Boussom, through Oct. 8.
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS FINE ARTS GALLERY. 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 280-6493 -- Mechanical Animals, works by Andrew Au, through Oct. 9.
VEN NORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO & ART GALLERY. 317 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-9555 -- Al's Perception of the World, photos by Al Grigalunas and mixed-media by Sally Dunn, Ryan Thornburg, Herman Leonard and Pat Watkins, through Oct. 12.
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. spare spaces BELLANOCHE. 3708 Magazine St., 283-3227 -- Works by Katherine Klimitas and jewelry designs by Ellan Vavrick, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
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.
WORLD TRADE CENTER. 2 Canal St., 581-4888 -- Works by Carol Scott, opens Saturday through Oct. 15.
ZOOM ZALON. 3141 Ponce de Leon St., 599-9666 -- Works by Zella Funck, through December. Grand opening reception 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
museums
AMERICAN-ITALIAN MUSEUM & RESEARCH LIBRARY. 537 S. Peters St., 522-7294 -- Hand-painted and -lettered plaques by artist Franco Alessandri, photographs, and memorabilia.
THE BIEDENHARM MUSEUM AND GARDENS. 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe, (318) 387-5281; (800) 362-0983 -- Windows to Heaven: Russian Icons From the Collection of Daniel R. Bibb, through December.
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 Friday; 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 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 -- Idle Pursuits: Celebrations of Leisure in Edo-Period Painting, through Jan. 4, 2005; The Eclectic Eye: Selections From the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundations, through October (reviewed in this issue); A View to the Past: Old Master Prints and Drawings, opens Friday through Jan. 2, 2005; The Convivial Art of the Cocktail, opens Monday, Oct. 4 through Jan. 16, 2005.
OLD U.S. MINT. 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-6990 -- One of four rare 1861 silver and copper half-dollars in existence on display through October.
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 ISLAMIC ART SHOW. UNO Orleans Downtown Theater, 619 Carondelet St., 581-1144 -- Mosaics: Islamic Art in New Orleans, group show in various mediums plus reception with Middle Eastern refreshments and music, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
call for artists
SALLY DUNN-VEN NORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO AND ART GALLERY. 317 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-9555 -- Works sought for upcoming shows: 'Expression of Peace,' opening Oct. 16; 'Art is Frozen Zen,' opening Nov. 13; 'Art Seeks Not Limits,' opening Dec. 11. For prospectus, email office@vennorman.com.
books
Tuesday 28
DR. ARTHUR SAMUELS. Borders Books, 3385 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-1363 -- Tulane University psychiatry professor and author discusses and signs Zen and the Art of Intimacy. 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 30
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.
NOWFEST. Various locations, 891-4422 -- Inaugural New Orleans Word Festival (NOWFEST) combines authors' panel, readings at schools, receptions and more. Authors' panel 7 p.m. Thursday at Xavier University; reception for and performance of Thirteen Lessons 7 p.m. Friday at Ashe Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.); NOWFEST at Congo Square 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday features readings, signings, oral history presentations and live entertainment.
