family
Wednesday 6
DINNER THEATER. Fine Arts Center, 1733 Constantinople St., 269-3922 -- Porta-Puppet Players performs 'Broomella' with comedy and costume contest. Reservations requested. Supper and show $12. 6 p.m.
Saturday 9
SECOND-LINE CRAFTS. Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-6968 -- Adrian Gaddies of Sudan Social Aid and Pleasure Club introduces children to second-line traditions. Each child makes umbrella or fan. For ages nine and up. 10 a.m. to noon.
FAMILY FAIR AND ART FESTIVAL. St. John's Catholic Church, 11345 Church Road, Folsom, (985) 796-3815 -- Annual event features art, auctions, white elephant rummage sale, live music, home-cooked food, The Chicken Run and more. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
LAKETOWN FAMILY DAY. Williams Boulevard at Lake Pontchartrain, 468-7293 -- Children's entertainment, six spacewalks, DJs, crafts vendors, Radio Disney giveaways, carnival and regional food, and live music by Pierre Descants and the Cajun Fiddler Band and the Topcats. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 5
POETRY CLASSES. West Bank Regional Library, 2851 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 838-1100 -- Local playwright and writing teacher Jan Villarrubia teaches three-session poetry class. Free admission; registration required. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 12 and 19.
Wednesday 6
ONE-NIGHT FILM SCHOOL. Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 -- Local filmmaker Charlie Brown holds session 'How to Watch a Movie: A One-Night Film School.' Admission $7. 7 p.m.
POETRY FORUM. Residence, 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472 -- Weekly poetry workshop with New Orleans Poetry Forum. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Thursday 7
BIG BOOK SALE. Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 455-2665 -- Friends of Jefferson Parish Public Library's annual sale of books in all categories, plus videos, music, DVDs and more. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
ROLE MODELS LUNCHEON. Sheraton Hotel, 550 Canal St., 433-4343 -- Local YWCA's annual awards luncheon honors women as community role models. Roop Raj and Camille Whitworth Work emcee. 11 a.m.
SALUTE TO THE ARTS. Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Ave., 524-4444 -- Eleventh annual event with local arts organizations hosting info booths, performances by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, New Orleans Opera Association and Komenka Dance Ensemble. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
REACH FOR THE SKY. Hampton Inn, 1201 Convention Center Blvd., 566-9990 -- Opening of American Dance Therapy Association convention features wild, choreographed dance performance and streamers. Simulcast on WWOZ. Free admission. 3:30 p.m.
OKTOBERFEST. InterContinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave., 525-5566 -- German-born chef Willy Coln hosts annual celebration with German food, decorations, wines, beers, music from Helmut Fricker's polka band and more. Buffet $35 adults, $18 children under 12. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
PEACE VIGIL. Voodoo Spiritual Temple, 822 N. Rampart St., 522-9627 -- Priestess Miriam leads prayer vigil to bring peace and respect for the police back into the city. Bring drums and candles. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Friday 8
THE BIG IDEA. Renaissance Arts Hotel, 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 304-3284 -- Annual fundraiser for entrepreneurial development group The Idea Village with live music, dancing, dining and open bar. Tickets $75. 8 p.m. to midnight.
LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK. Zephyrs Stadium, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 837-0945 -- Nationwide event to battle leukemia and lymphoma features walk, music, food and family activities. Call to register. 7 p.m.
GUMBO FESTIVAL. Angel Square, near Huey P. Long bridge, Bridge City, 436-4712 -- Annual festival in 'Gumbo Capital of the World' with gumbo, regional cuisine, cooking contests, live local music, 5K run across bridge, children's attractions and more. Admission $2, children under 5 free. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.
ARTISTS FOR KERRY. Tipitina's French Quarter, 233 N. Peters St., 336-4155 -- Fundraiser for Sen. John Kerry with the Iguanas, art auction, entertainment and more. Visit www.artistsforkerry.com. 7 p.m.
DYKE MARCH. Jackson Square, 669-6770 -- Annual event features pre-march rally with speakers, drumming and performances; march from Jackson Square through Quarter to One Eyed Jacks (616 Toulouse St.); and after-party Dykestravaganza with live music, go-go dancers and more. Visit www.dykemarchnola.com. Admission to after-party on $2-$20 sliding scale. 7 p.m.
LARK IN THE PARK. City Park, Pavilion of the Two Sisters, 483-9376 -- Fundraiser hosted by Friends of City Park with catered food, open bars, auctions, live music by the Soul Shockers and more. Black tie attire. Tickets $100. 8 p.m.
ST. MARK ITALIAN FESTIVAL. St. Mark School, 1625 Missouri St., Chalmette, 271-1694 -- Annual festival and fundraiser features Italian cuisine, live music, carnival rides and student performances. 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday 9
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT. Municipal Auditorium, 658-4950 -- Mayor's Office holds day-long conference with speakers and workshops on health care, homeownership, senior issues, finance, child care and more. $15. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PRESCRIPTION FOR PLOTTING YOUR NOVEL. Holiday Inn Airport, 2929 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 952-0789 -- Author Carolyn Greene presents one-day workshop for writers of all levels. Fee $70 general, $60 students, includes buffet lunch. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ARTEGG ARTMART. ArtEgg Studios, 1001 S. Broad St., 822-4002 -- Open-air market with artists and craftsmen selling paintings, woodwork, linens and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION. Gallier House, 1118 Royal St., 525-5661 -- One-day free admission to historic Herman-Grima/Gallier Historic Houses for Louisiana residents. Tours at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
CELTIC NATIONS HERITAGE FESTIVAL. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, 133 Mabel Drive, Madisonville, (985) 845-9200 -- Celebration of Louisiana connections to Celtic heritage and culture features the Highland Games, language workshops, live music and dance, vendors and artisans. Admission $10 adults for one day, $15 both days; $5 seniors (60-plus) one day, $7 both days; $3 children (under 12) for one day, $5 both days. 11 a.m. until dark Saturday-Sunday.
AIDS CHARITY AUCTION. Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd., 944-3972 -- United Services for AIDS Foundation's annual charity auction. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
JAZZ'N THE VINES. Pontchartrain Vineyards, 81250 Hwy. 1082, north of Covington, (985) 892-9742 -- Outdoor music series features jazz vocalist Charmaine Neville. Picnic fare welcome; no pets or outside alcohol. Admission $8.50. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
LINDY'S PLACE BENEFIT. Residence, 1629 Lakeshore Drive, 269-0184 -- Fundraiser for Lindy Boggs-sponsored nonprofit Lindy's Place with live music, local cuisine and open bar. Dress is tennis whites or casual. Tickets $75. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
SOUL SHACK. Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- Music and dance with DJ Dynamite Dave Soul. Admission $7. 10 p.m.
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. Mama's Blues, 616 N. Rampart St., second floor, 523-5546 -- Transylvanian Electric Company performs scenes along with screening of film version. Admission $5. Midnight.
Sunday 10
MERMAID FLEA MARKET. Mermaid Lounge, 1100 Constance St., 524-4747 -- Flea market with local designers, collectors and artists, plus costume show for Halloween and live music from Apolkalypse Now!. Free admission. Noon to 5 p.m.
SPANISH CULTURAL EVENTS. Loyola University, 865-3428 -- 'Teatro Espanol Ayer y Hoy' Spanish lecture by dramatist Jeronimo Lopez Mozo followed by reception, then Culture Night featuring classical and flamenco guitarist John Lawrence and bilingual reading of play by Lopez Mozo. Lecture 3 p.m. Sunday in Danna Center; Culture Night 7:30 p.m. Monday in Nunemaker Hall. Free admission.
NICKEL-A-DANCE. Cafe Brasil, 2100 Chartres St., 949-0851 -- Annual series of Sunday afternoon dances. New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra performs. Children welcome. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
JAZZ & POETRY. Chez Vodun, 822 N. Rampart St., 558-0653 -- Eluard & Co. perform jazz and poetry. Gumbo served. Cover $5. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
GET OUT THE VOTE. Country Club, 634 Louisa St., 945-0742 -- Voter registration effort features live music by New Orleans Jazz Vipers and Los Vecinos, free pizza, all-you-can-drink beer for $3, cash bar and campaign info. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday 11
BRIDGE HOUSE GOLF TOURNAMENT. City Park, Bayou Oaks West Golf Course, 522-2124, ext. 13 -- Fundraiser for substance-abuse treatment facility Bridge House with various contests and prizes in 18-hole, four-person team scramble format. $125 per person. Lunch and oysters served. 11 a.m.
HURRICANE RELIEF. Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson St., Covington, (985) 871-8751 -- Collection of hurricane-relief supplies for Florida victims. Bedding, canned food, clothing, baby formula and more needed. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
FOLK ART WORKSHOP. West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 838-1100 -- Local artist Maggie Mae Kennedy teaches painting techniques for folk art and furniture. Registration required. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
STORER BOONE AWARDS. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Awards ceremony for local theater community for standouts in 2003 season. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m.
CLASSICAL PIANO SERIES. Tulane University, Dixon Hall, 862-3214 -- Concert featuring pianist Janice Weber. Free admission. 8 p.m.
call for actors
LIVING HISTORY PROJECT. 948-0323 -- Louisiana Living History Project seeks actor to portray Louis Armstrong in performances and French Quarter appearances. Must be available for evening and weekend rehearsals in November, with daily schedule 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. call for volunteers ongoing STAIR. St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., 899-0820 -- Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) seeks volunteers for one-on-one tutoring of second-grade public school students in reading at 24 sites across metro area. No experience necessary; training required. Training session Mon., Oct. 4; Wed., Oct. 13; Sat., Oct. 16; Sat., Nov. 6. Visit wwwstairnola.org for info.
Thursday 7
MUSIC OFFICE CO-OP. Music Office Co-Op, 4040 Tulane Ave., 483-2907 -- Volunteers needed for Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon hours in October, plus individuals interested in one-on-one tutoring of musicians in computer skills such as Web design and Photoshop. Call to set up appointment.
Saturday 9
GENTILLY CLEAN-UP. 2917 St. Roch Ave., 816-4711 -- Dillard University, Mayor's Clean Team and Councilman Marlin Gusman sponsor neighborhood clean-up. Refreshments served. 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
road trip
Friday 8
ANTIQUE AND COLLECTIBLES FAIR. Tullis Manor, 360 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, (228) 435-6308 -- Variety of antiques and collectibles for sale, plus historic Tullis Manor open for tours, food and more. Admission $2. 8 a.m.
LEGENDS OF ROCK 'N' ROLL. Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, (800) MAGIC-5 -- Friday night concert features Charlie Thomas' Drifters, Carl Gardner's Coasters and Sonny Turner of the Platters. Saturday night features Shirley Alston Reeves (of the Shirelles), the Chiffons, Little Peggy March, the Angels and the Shangri-Las. Tickets $14.95-$24.95 for each concert. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Sunday 10
ANGOLA PRISON RODEO. Angola State Penitentiary, Angola, (225) 635-2592 -- Annual 'Wildest Show in the South' with prisoners competing in rodeo events, plus crafts sale. Visit www.angolarodeo.com for directions/info. Tickets $10. 2 p.m.
SOUSA SPECTACULAR. Baton Rouge High School Auditorium, 2825 Government Street, (225) 928-4193 -- Baton Rouge Concert Band performs fundraiser with marches and music of John Philip Sousa. Tickets $5. 3 p.m.
