family
Tuesday 23
A TURKEY TEA. Longe Vue House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- Kids learn the meaning of Thanksgiving and harvest over tea and also make crafts. Cost $12 Longue Vue members, $15 non-members. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
FAMILY FUN NITES. Sweetpea Children's Emporium, 819 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 464-4464 -- Series features interactive troupe Porta-Puppet Players performing 'The Mayflower Story.' Free admission. 6 p.m.
Wednesday 24
STORYTIME. New Orleans Public Library, Children's Room, 219 Loyola Ave., 529-READ; www.nutrias.org -- Storytime for preschool children. Free. 10 a.m.
GRANDMA'S GUMBO. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357; www.lcm.org -- Storytime and book signing with Grandma's Gumbo author Deborah Ousley Kadair, followed by arts and crafts. 11 a.m.
Thursday 25
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS. City Park, 483-9415; www.neworleanscitypark.com -- Annual holiday attraction with miles of lighted displays, arts and crafts, food, children's activities, special exhibits (including a tribute to Cajun Night Before Christmas) and more. Admission for driving tour $12 per vehicle; walking tour $5 per person with children ages 3 and under free. 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 2.
Friday 26
DINNER THEATRE FOR KIDS. True Brew Cafe, 200 Julia St., 524-8440 -- 'The Bepuzzled Pilgrim' with interactive Porta-Puppet Players, starring Vatican Lokey. Supper and show $14; reservations required. 6 p.m.
Saturday 27
DIG, DO, DISCOVER. Longue Vue House & Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- Make pine cone turkeys and learn about nature in Discovery Garden. Weather permitting. Free admission Longue Vue members, $5 non-members. 10 a.m. to noon.
A MERRILY POP CHRISTMAS. Maple Street Children's Book Shop, 7529 Maple St., 861-2105 -- Porta-Puppet Players return with show of comedy, puppets, sing-alongs and stories. Free. 11 a.m.
SINGIN' IN THE SEASON. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3236 -- Dennis & Company deliver performance of seasonal songs. Admission $3.50 children ages 3 and older, seniors and adults. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
LATE NIGHTS AT AUDUBON NATURE CENTER. Joe W. Brown Memorial Park, 5601 Read Blvd., 246-5672 or (800) 774-7394; www.auduboninstitute.org -- The Nature Center stays open later with planned activities such as campfires, guided hikes, kid crafts, stargazing through telescopes and more. Open until 8 p.m. Saturdays, through January.
Monday 29
SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES. Irish Channel Action Foundation, 1813 Magazine St., 525-1940 -- Jean Miley instructs children and adults on sign language. Call or email depusie@aol.com for time and other info. Fee $5 per class. special events
Tuesday 23
ELDERLY THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION. Desire-Florida Center, 2727 Louisa St., 949-2781 -- Annual event to deliver Thanksgiving baskets to elderly residents in need. 10 a.m. to noon.
FARMERS MARKET. 200 Broadway St., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Vendors sell food and more, plus green plate specials from Martin Wine Cellar. Free. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TURKEY GIVE-A-WAY. A.L. Davis Park, 2600 LaSalle St. -- Annual holiday charity event with Cash Money recording artists Lil' Wayne, Mannie Fresh, Brian 'Baby' Williams and others joining Mayor Ray Nagin to deliver turkeys and dinners to those in need. Noon to 4 p.m.
Thursday 25
TURKEY DAY RACE. City Park, 525-2375; www.turkeydayrace.com -- New Orleans Athletic Club and Gambit Weekly present 97th annual five-mile race and one-mile fun run/walk. Registration $15 in advance, $20 day of race. 9 a.m.
BRIDGE HOUSE THANKSGIVING. Bridge House, 1160 Camp St., 522-2124, ext. 13 or 17; www.bridgehouse.org -- Annual holiday event to feed the homeless a Thanksgiving meal and provide them with necessities. Volunteers needed. Volunteers report 8 a.m., meal and event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FARMERS MARKET. American Can, 3700 Orleans Ave., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Vendors sell food and more, plus massage therapy by Kathy Parry of Blue Lotus. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday 26
BAYOU CLASSIC SPIRIT RELAY. Southern University to Superdome, (225) 771-4370 -- Members of Southern University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps hold 91-mile relay run from campus to Superdome to raise funds and awareness for school Naval scholarship program. Route runs down Airline Drive/Tulane Avenue in New Orleans area. 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
CRESCENT CITY FARMERS MARKET. 700 Magazine St., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Vendors sell food and more, plus book signing and cooking demonstration with Uglesich family (10 a.m.). Free admission. 8 a.m. to noon.
ANGELS' PLACE CD-RELEASE CONCERT. Clearview Shopping Center, near Bed Bath & Beyond, 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-2620; www.angelsplace.org -- Release party for fundraiser album, Holiday Angels Working Undercover Vol. Three, for Angels' Place, a nonprofit for children with life-threatening illness. Event features performances by local bands such as the Topcats, Four Unplugged, Chee Weez and more. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
OPEN MIC. Mousie's Studio, 601 Elysian Fields Ave., 452-5473 -- Music, poetry and discussion, with free coffee served. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
KARA KLEIN. St. Peter's Catholic Church, 19th Avenue and Jefferson Street, Covington, (985) 845-0781 -- Mandeville teenager performs concert. Free. 7 p.m.
WORLD'S FAIR REUNION. Rose Garden, 5616 Citrus Blvd., River Ridge, 382-9979; www.celebrationreunion.org -- Reunion party for 1984 World Fair and Immaculata Guitar Group. 7 p.m.
Saturday 27
AN ADOPTION AFFAIR. Jefferson Feed, Pet & Garden Center, 4421 Jefferson Hwy., 944-PETS; www.la-spca.org -- LA/SPCA-sponsored adoption of animals in need of good homes. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BAYOU CLASSIC. Superdome, 522-5555; www.statefarmbayouclassic.com -- Annual football game between Southern and Grambling State universities also features Greek show and band competition (Friday night), plus job fairs, parties and more. Visit Web site for full schedule and ticket prices. Kickoff 1 p.m.
CRUNK FEST EXPLOSION. New Orleans Arena, 522-5555; www.statefarmbayouclassic.com -- Official Bayou Classic event with live performances by Ludacris, the Ying Yang Twins and the East Side Boys. Tickets $20 to $40. 7:30 p.m.
BEER BUST. Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St., 949-0882 -- New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club tempts potential members and public with beer bust. Raffle held. Admission $5, good until kegs run dry. 9 p.m.
Sunday 28
LA JOUR DE NOEL. Saint Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict (in St. Tammany Parish), 865-3492; www.nomdc.org -- New Orleans Musica da Camera performs music as part of medieval Christmas celebration. Free admission. 3 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Church, 1325 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- 'Special Olympics' Christmas concert with St. Peter Claver Choir, pianist Richard Carr, vocalist Valerie Jones Francis and others. Free admission. 5 p.m.
CALLING FOR A CURE. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, (225) 490-CURE; www.marybirdauction.com -- On-air and online auction of items such as LSU gifts, electronics and vacations to benefit cancer center. Bidding with broadcast on Baton Rouge's WBRZ-Channel 2 or on Web site. 6 p.m.
SOUTHERN JEZEBELLES. One Eyed Jacks, 616 Toulouse St., 606-9903 -- Burlesque troupe presents show of international dances in ´Around the World -- Or Bust!' with MC Danny Martini and jazz from Matt Perrine and the Bumpin' Grinders. Tickets $18 advance, $20 at door. 9 p.m.
Monday 29
TEACH GREATER NEW ORLEANS. WDSU Channel 6 building, 846 Howard Ave., 280-1357; www.teachgno.edu -- University of New Orleans' teacher certification program Teach Greater New Orleans holds information session for those considering career in education. 7 p.m.
auditions
Monday 29
UNIVERSITY THEATRE AT DILLARD. Dillard University, Samuel DuBois Cook Fine Arts Center, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., 816-4762; www.dillard.edu -- School theater program seeks black and white adult actors for roles in February production of The State of Mississippi and the Face of Emmett Till. 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
ongoing
BELLES AND BEAUS. Greater New Orleans Youth Restoration Project, 473-4602 -- Group seeks to form first-ever ´debutante' class with boys and girls ages 14-17 with community service and educational events culminating in cotillion ball. Registration fee is $5 per week, program begins Jan. 15, 2005. Application deadline Dec. 30. Call or email gkannie95@yahoo.com for info.
volunteer
Monday 29
CASA NEW ORLEANS TRAINING. 522-1962 -- The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program is looking for volunteers to act as spokespersons on behalf of abused and neglected children. Volunteers will receive more than 40 hours of specialized training. Contact Kent Wilkins for more information.
road trip
Tuesday 23
PETE FOUNTAIN. Casino Magic, 711 Casino Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis, (800) 5-MAGIC-5; www.casinomagic-baystlouis.com -- Jazz legend performs weekly shows. Tickets $12.50, includes two cocktails. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
Friday 26
ANN-MARGRET. Casino Magic, 711 Casino Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis, (800) 5-MAGIC-5; www.ann-margret.com, www.casinomagic-baystlouis.com -- Legendary entertainer and singer performs. Tickets $24.95-$34.95. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 27
MISSISSIPPI COAST MARATHON. Stennis Space Center, Exit 2 off I-10, Miss., (228) 875-6855; www.gulfcoastrunningclub.org -- Annual race on Stennis Space Center grounds with divisions for marathon, half-marathon, 5K and wheelchair marathon. Registration $25. 8 a.m.
EDDIE MONEY. Isle of Capri Casino, 151 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) THE-ISLE; www.isleofcapricasino.com/Biloxi -- Rocker and former cop who once possessed 'Two Tickets to Paradise' performs concert. Call for ticket info.8 p.m.
JERRY JEFF WALKER. Grand Casino, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450; www.grandbiloxi.com -- Country-music star performs. Tickets $14.95-$19.95. 8 p.m.
LORETTA LYNN. Grand Casino, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (228) 436-2946; www.grandgulfport.com -- Country music star performs. Tickets $19.95-$29.95. 8 p.m.
Monday 29
LENNY EMANUEL. Pass Christian Books, 101 East Beach Blvd., Pass Christian, Miss.; www.passchristianbooks.com -- Poet and USM professor leads the monthly poetry discussion group. Free admission and open to the public. 7 p.m.
theater
DARREN ROMEO. Beau Rivage Theatre, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (888) 566-7469; www.beaurivage.com -- Siegfried & Roy present 'The Voice of Magic,' their only protégé, combining magic, comedy and song. Tickets $19.95-$24.95. See Web site or call for showtime info. Through Dec. 2.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., Houston, Texas, (713) 228-8421; www.alleytheatre.org -- The Alley Theatre's adapted performance of the holiday classic. Tickets $37-50. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
THE ILLUSION. Louisiana State University, Reilly Theatre, Tower Drive, Baton Rouge, (225) 578-3527 -- A father seeks the help of a magician to uncover the fate of his wayward son in Tony Kushner's adaptation of Pierre Corneille's classic play. Steven Young directs the third-year MFA resident ensemble. Tickets $15.50 adults, $13.50 LSU staff/faculty and seniors, $8.50 students. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
THE NUTCRACKER. Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave., Houston, Texas, (713) 523-6300; www.houstonballet.org -- Houston Ballet performs the holiday classic. Tickets $17-$70. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. art MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART. 201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, Miss., (866) VIEW-ART; www.msmuseumart.org -- Mississippi Watercolor Society Grand National Watercolor Exhibition, 60 works from throughout the nation, through Jan. 9, 2005.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON. 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston, (713) 639-7300; www.mfah.org -- Royal Portraits: Manwar painting from the royal collection of the Mehrangarh Museum in Jodhpur, India, through Jan. 2, 2005; Kenneth Noland: The Nature of Color, through March 6, 2005.
OPELOUSAS MUSEUM OF ART. 106 N. Union St., Opelousas, (337) 942-4991; omamuseum@aol.com -- Five of the Finest: Art of Acadiana, works by Sally Padgett, Earl Guedry, Joann Quillman, Jimmie Lafleur and Floyd Sonnier, through Dec. 18.
