special events
Tuesday 21
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S MEETING. Chateau Golf and Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd., Kenner, 467-1092 or 962-3930; http://chateaugc.com -- A meeting of the Kenner Professional Women's Association. Reservations required. Networking 11:30 a.m., luncheon noon.
ORLEANS CHAMBER SINGERS. St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, 488-4685 -- Group performs program 'While All Things Were in Quiet Silence: Christmas Music Ancient and New.' Linda Lee Jones directs. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Wednesday 22
TOYS FOR WORKING POOR. Desire Florida Multi-Purpose Center, 2727 Louisa St. -- Toy distribution for kids ages 2-12 whose parents work or go to school. Must bring all information related to income. Visit the center for a list of requirements. 10 a.m. to noon.
LUNCHBOX LECTURE. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 226; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Bring your lunch for lecture about German infantry weapons of World War II. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday 23
DANIEL PRICE MEMORIAL BENEFIT. House of Blues, The Parish, 225 Decatur St., 310-4999; www.hob.com or www.danielpricememorial.org -- Benefit and silent auction for the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists. Patron's party with live music by Pete Fountain followed by benefit with live music by Kermit Ruffins, ReBirth Brass Band, Stanton Moore, Rich Vogel and Theresa Andersson. Tickets $100 patron's party, $30 benefit. Patron's party 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., benefit 9 p.m.
Friday 24
CHRISTMAS EVE CRUISE. Steamboat Natchez, Toulouse Street Wharf, 586-8777; www.NewOrleansSteamboat.com -- Downriver cruise features live jazz, open bar and buffet dinner. Seating $155 per person, reservations required. Boarding at 6:30 p.m., returns 12:30 a.m.
Saturday 25
BRIDGE HOUSE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. Bridge House, 1160 Camp St., 522-2124; www.bridgehouse.org -- Christmas day at the Bridge House includes pastries and coffee and a traditional Christmas feast prepared by the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, followed by the distribution of clothing and toiletries. Free admission for the homeless. Pastries at 8 a.m., feast 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday 26
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS. Louisiana Superdome, (800) 877-0898; www.neworleanssaints.com -- Saints host the Atlanta Falcons. Tickets start at $65. Noon.
JO COOL DAVIS CONCERT. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- The Trinity Artist Series presents the gospel singer Jo Cool Davis with guitarist Spencer Bohren and pianist Cordell Chambliss for a Christmas concert. Free admission. 5 p.m.
ongoing
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 and more. Admission for driving tour $12 per vehicle; walking tour $5 per person with children ages three and under free. 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly through Jan. 2. (Guided tours unavailable Friday-Saturday.)
volunteer
CATHOLIC CHARITIES. Hope Haven Center, 1101 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, 310-6962 -- One or two volunteers needed on weekends from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. to deliver boxed food from Hope Haven to Jeff Care homeless shelter across the street. Must at least have standard vehicle and be willing to load and unload food. Must be punctual and dependable. Call for more information.
road trip
theater
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS. Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave., Houston (713) 228-8421; www.alleytheatre.org -- The Alley Theatre's adapted performance of the holiday classic. Tickets $37-$50. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAY. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Beau Rivage Theatre, Biloxi, Miss., (888) 567-6667; www.beaurivage.com -- Christmas show featuring chorus girls, singers and dancers performing the holiday classics and Broadway's holiday musicals. Tickets $12.95 general admission, $7.95 for kids 12 and under. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, through Jan. 2, 2005.
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Grand Casino, Biloxi Grand Theatre, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450; www.jpas.org -- Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents the Broadway hit based on the animated feature. Kenneth Beck directs Stuart Metcalf and Savannah Wise. Tickets $19.95-$24.95. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Monday, through Dec. 29.
THE NUTCRACKER. Wortham Center, Cullen Theater, 501 Texas Ave., Houston, (800) 626-7372 or (713) 523-6300; www.houstonballet.org -- Houston Ballet presents the holiday classic. Tickets $17-$70. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 2 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
galleries
NORTH BEACH INTERIORS. 104 North Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis, Miss., (228) 463-1170 -- A Diverse Selection of Work, paintings by Anthony DiFatta, through Jan. 1, 2005.
SERENITY GALLERY. 126 Main St., Bay St. Louis, Miss., (228) 467-3061 -- Watercolor and oil paintings by Kathryn Keller, through Dec. 27.
museums
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 paintings 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.
