family
Friday 7
YOUNGSTER YOGA. Jefferson Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., 838-1100; www.Jefferson.lib.la.us -- Library offers weekly yoga classes for kids ages 3-8 with attendant parents, grandparents and friends, designed to help imagination, self-discipline, coordination and left-brain/right-brain development. Low-stress stretching program runs 30 minutes. 11 a.m. every Friday.
LE SOIREE MUSICAL. Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave., Jefferson, 865-2126 -- Fundraiser for Lusher Elementary School features master of ceremonies Chris Rose, catered food and drinks, plus music by Lusher Jazz Band, Mark Hughes, Cranston Clements, Dan Sumner¹s Permagrin, members of the Iguanas, Steve Watson, Amasa Miller, George Porter Jr. and Hannibal Lokumbe. Admission $25. 7 p.m.
Saturday 8
HANSEL & GRETEL. Children¹s Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3236 -- Metropelican Opera presents musical production of fairy tale classic. Admission $3.50 adults, $2.50 children ages 1-17 and seniors. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., through Jan. 29.
LEMONY SNICKET SOIREE. Belle Terre Library, 5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero, 838-1100 -- Program centered around Lemony Snicket¹s books, with games, refreshments, contests and giveaways. Trivia and essay contests held. For teens and ³tweens.² Free admission. 2 p.m. to 4 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. special events
Tuesday 4
SPORTS AND EVENTS PHOTOGRAPHERS CONFERENCE. Hyatt Regency, 500 Poydras St., (877) 427-3778; www.iapep.com -- The International Association of Professional Event Photographers presents annual conference and expo, with three days of networking, workshops and programs. Tuesday-Thursday.
Wednesday 5
FARMER¹S MARKET. French Market at Gov. Nicholls Street, 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Elizabeth¹s Restaurant serves hot plate for dine-in or to-go of white bean soup, tuna and pickled winter salad, braised beef tips and more. Vendors sell produce and food. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Chicago Bulls. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
Thursday 6
BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS COMMEMORATION. Chalmette Battlefield, 8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy., Chalmette, 281-0510; www.nps.gove/jela -- Site of Battle of New Orleans celebrates 190th anniversary of battle, featuring military drills, cannon and musket firing, crafts and cooking demonstrations, costumed guides and more. At 2 p.m. Saturday, a marker dedication ceremony features lecture by historian Robert Remini. The Lantern Tour Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. provides guided tours through recreated American and British camps. Free admission Thursday-Friday and until 5 p.m. Saturday; Lantern Tour tickets $4 adults, children 5 and under free.
TWELFTH NIGHT PARTY. The Howlin¹ Wolf, 828 S. Peters St., 529-5844 -- Fundraising and awareness organization Twelfth Night Party Inc. hosts first-annual charity event to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation, New Orleans¹ Musicians Clinic and WWOZ-FM, with music by Bonerama, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Egg Yolk Jubilee and Al ³Carnival Time² Johnson. Costumes encouraged. Tickets $10, available at the Howlin¹ Wolf or Little Shop of Fantasy (515 St. Louis St.). 9 p.m.
Friday 7
INTERFAITH CLERGY INSTITUTE. Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave., 861-3693; www.templesinaino.org -- The annual Interfaith Clergy Institute presents Dr. Harry K. Danziger, a Rabbi Emeritus from Temple Israel in Memphis. He lectures on ³Biblical Press Conference: Abraham, Isaac and God.² 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
QUIZ NITE. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012, ext. 229 -- Competition tests World War II knowledge of guests. Cash bar, refreshments served. Pre-registration required. Admission $10. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT SERIES. Main Event Sports Bar, front parking lot, 3200 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie, 888-6451 -- A series that mixes boxing, martial arts, kickboxing and ultimate fighting matches every Friday night. Anyone qualified can compete. Tickets $10, beer specials and food available. 7 p.m.
PARTY GIRL TWELFTH NIGHT. W Hotel, Zoe Bistro, 333 Poydras St., 309-8320; www.rosemaryi.com -- Party Girl Productions presents the Carnival couture and Mardi Gras finery of EnRapturing ReVision designer Rosemary Kimble at a black tie optional cocktail party. Tickets $25 for invite-only soiree with music by Complete Communion, free admission for general public to show. VIP soiree and fashion show 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., cocktails and public fashion show 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday 8
FARMERS MARKET. 700 Magazine St., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Vendors sell produce, seafood and food items. Cooking demonstration and booksigning with Joseph Carey, chef and author of Creole Nouvelle. Free admission. 8 a.m. to noon.
WILLIAMS RESEARCH CENTER SYMPOSIUM. Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal St., 598-7171 -- Scholarly presentations on topic ³English Spoken Here: Great Britain and Louisiana,² examining England¹s impact on state history. Admission $60 general public, $40 students. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KICKING & PUNTING CAMP. Tulane University, practice football field, (270) 843-8393; www.prokicker.com -- The Ray Guy Kicking Academy and Talent Search is accepting all kickers and punters at any skill level for a two-day training camp. Fee $350. Space is limited. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
BUILDING BRIDGES EDUCATION EXPO. Grace King High School, 4301 Grace King Place, Metairie, 212-5183; www.buildingbridgesexpo.org -- Audubon Nature Institute, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Southeast Comprehensive Assistance Center host annual expo to encourage ideas between formal and non-formal educators about classroom resources and field trip ideas. Registration $20. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
MID-CITY CLEAN-UP DAY. Meet at Canal Street and Jeff Davis Parkway, 486-6266; www.mcno.org -- Mid-City Neighborhood Organization sponsors area clean-up of trash and litter. Bring gloves; drinks and supplies provided. 10 a.m. to noon.
ARTMART. ArtEgg Studios, 1001 S. Broad St., 822-4002; www.artegg.com -- ³Estate sale² of furniture, china, paintings and original art, plus gallery open for studio visits. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AN ADOPTION AFFAIR. The Cat Practice, 1809 Magazine St., 944-PETS; www.la-spca.org -- LA/SPCA presents kittens available for adoption. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CAMELLIA SHOW. Crescent City Baptist High School gym, 4828 Utica St., Metairie, 833-3970 -- Southern states¹ camellia growers showcase their best flowers in 65th annual show. Numerous old and new varieties sold. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
URSULINE SISTERS PROMISE MASS. National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 2701 State St., 861-1106 -- Annual mass to honor Ursuline Sisters¹ promise in 1815 to give thanks for American victory in Battle of New Orleans. Reception follows. 3 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Sacramento Kings. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
TWELFTH NIGHT BALL. Venusian Gardens, 2601 Chartres St., 525-4498 -- Mystic Krewe of Satyricon holds annual celebration with raffle, drawing for King and Queen, announcement of krewe¹s Mardi Gras theme, cash bar and complimentary buffet. Tickets $20. 8 p.m.
TWILIGHT AT TWELFTH NIGHT. Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7293 or 468-7231 -- The Friends of Rivertown host the opening of carnival season with a black tie gala. Tickets $50 general admission, $100 reserved seating. 8 p.m. to midnight.
Sunday 9
JONATHAN MCPHEE CONCERT & TALK. NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-ARTS; www.nocca.com -- Jonathan McPhee and members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra present ³Out of This World,² a performance of Holst¹s The Planets. Tickets $20. 3 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- Renowned organ builder George Bozeman Jr. performs works by Bach, Clerambault, Mendelssohn, Boellman and others. Free admission. 5 p.m.
Monday 10
GALATOIRE¹S 100TH ANNIVERSARY. Galatoire¹s Restaurant, 209 Bourbon St. 525-2021; www.galatoires.com -- Galatoire¹s celebrates its 100th anniversary with a street party, prizes, live music and the goal of creating the world¹s longest line. Everyone is welcome. Line formation 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES. Irish Channel Action Foundation, 1813 Magazine St., 525-1940 -- Weekly classes teaching sign language. Come for one class or all classes, offered through Jan. 27. Fee $5 per class. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A NEW YEAR, A NEW BUDGET. Jane O¹Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 838-1100 ext. 274 -- Nia Richard from the Education Department of Consumer Credit Counseling Services presents a talk on personal money management as part of Jefferson Parish Library¹s self-help series. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
road trip
Tuesday 4
JAMES GREGORY LIVE. Grand Casino, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450; www.GrandBiloxi.com -- The comedian James Gregory performs for four days. Tickets $9.95. 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Friday 7
GOOD FIRE, BAD FIRE. Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University, 370 Ridge Rd., Picayune, Miss., (601) 799-2311 ext. 21 or 23; www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/camain -- Children learn the role of fires in forests and the difference between good and bad fires. Admission $1 kids under 12, free admission for parents/guardians. Call to register. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Saturday 8
SATURDAY NIGHT BALLROOM. American Legion Hall, 161 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge, (225) 753-0021; www.saturdaynightballroom.org -- Couples, singles and spectators invited to join dance led by Yvette Hadley's dance team, with recorded music for ballroom, Latin and swing dancing. Admission $10 general, $5 students. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
