theater
AMAZING PLACE, THIS NEW ORLEANS. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 945-6789 -- Roberts Batson's solo performance brings to life the history and characters that helped shape the story of New Orleans, based on his Scandal Tours. Tickets $25 (includes one drink). 8 p.m. Thursday, 3 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday, 4:30 p.m. Monday. Open run.
AT THE CLUB TOOT SWEET ON BOURBON STREET. Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St., 522-2081, www.lepetittheatre.com -- Ricky Graham and David Cuthbert present a musical comedy about New Orleans in the 1950s. Stars Sean Patterson, Troi Bechet, Roy Haylock and others. Tickets $26 general admission, $21 for students. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Jan. 23.
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177-A Sala Ave., Westwego, 885-2000; www.jpas.org -- The musical based on a real Texas brothel shut down in the early 1970s. Michelle Pietri directs Butch Caire, Wayne Daigrepont and others. Tickets $25 general admission, $12 students 18 and under w/ valid I.D. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Jan. 23.
BURLESQUE BY 2ND REQUEST. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577, ext. 3; www.skyfire.tv -- Classic vaudeville-style burlesque show directed by Grace Marshall and Ray Perer. Tickets $20 general admission, $15 seniors/students. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ABRIDGED. Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse, 1540 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, (985) 781-6565; http://minacapellis.com -- Shine Productions presents the Cliffs Notes version of William Shakespeare's work. Barry A. Lemoine directs and stars with Christian Bordelon and Will Schneider. Tickets $35 for dinner and show. 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. dinner, 3 p.m. show Sunday, through Jan. 15.
GOOD EVENING. True Brew Theatre, 200 Julia St., 835-6002 -- Mason Wood and Gary Rucker pay homage to the British comedy duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with an encore-performance weekend. Based on the 1973 Broadway revue of the same name, with added material including their Derek and Clive comedy albums. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday.
HOLLYWOOD HEAVEN. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles St., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com -- Ricky Graham and Roy Haylock present a cabaret show about the competitive afterlives of the most famous Hollywood stars. Tickets $21 (plus $6 bar minimum). 6 p.m. Sunday.
NITA & ZITA. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. 528-3805; www.cacno.org -- The CAC and Artspot Productions present this award-winning play about real-life sisters Flora and Piroska Gellert and their journey from showgirls to New Orleans icons. Writer Lisa D'Amour directs Katie Pearl and Kathy Randels, with Tom McDermott on piano. Tickets $15 general admission, $12 for CAC members/students/seniors. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Monday, through Jan. 16.
SEUSSICAL: THE MUSICAL. Six Flags New Orleans, Orpheum Theatre, 12301 Six Flags Parkway, 737-4787 or 253-8100; www.sixflags.com/parks/neworleans -- Brandt Blocker Presents and Six Flags New Orleans present a musical adapted from the stories of Dr. Seuss. Tickets $25 for dinner and performance on Friday (featuring green eggs and ham), $15 all other performances. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, through Jan. 23.
SUNNY & PEA. Marigny Theatre, 1030 Marigny St., 821-3094; http://marqueetheatre.org/pages/now_showing.html -- Marquee Theatre, Inc. presents a poignant comedy about having to tell your mother you're a lesbian. Louis Routh directs Karen Shields, Wendy Carol and Joan Blum. Tickets $10. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through Jan. 22.
A WHOLE NEW WORLD. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles St., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com -- Karen Mason performs her unique brand of cabaret accompanied by jazz pianist Billy Stritch. Tickets $39 (includes $5 bar credit). 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
auditions
SLEEPING BEAUTY BALLET AUDITIONS. River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center, 15146 River Road, Norco, (985) 746-7678 -- River Region Ballet holds auditions for dancers of all skill levels ages 6-12 years old for April 2-3 performances. Audition fee $8. Required sign-in half-hour prior to audition with forms signed by adult. 11 a.m. for ages 6-9. Noon for ages 10-12.
SLEEPING BEAUTY BALLET AUDITIONS. Images Dance Studio, 105-A River Point Drive, Destrehan, (985) 764-7678 -- River Region Ballet holds auditions for intermediate- or advanced-level dancers ages 13-older for April 2-3 performances. Female dancers must bring own pointe shoes. Audition fee $8. Required sign-in half-hour prior to audition with forms signed by adult. 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
NEIGHBORHOOD GALLERY AUDITIONS. The Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 or 282-8480 -- Auditions for Gaynielle Neville's play Why You Want to Kill Your Brother. Needed are female and male actors between the ages of 16-70 for a March production. 6 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
comedy
HARRAH'S NEW ORLEANS CASINO. The Earl Turner Theatre, 533-6600 -- Wednesday: The Improv at Harrah's, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Thursday: The Improv at Harrah's, 10 p.m.; Saturday: The Improv at Harrah's, 10 p.m.; Sunday: The Improv at Harrah's, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, 289-6529 -- Friday: Jodi Borello, Darrell Thaxton and Mike Strecker, 9 p.m.
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m.
workshop
COMEDY COURSE. 289-6529 -- Professional comedian Jodi Borello offers six-week comedy course beginning in January 2005. Course culminates in participants' live performances. Enrollment limited; must be at least 21 years old. For more information, visit www.runningfunny.com.
art
galleries
3 RING CIRCUS' THE BIG TOP GALLERY. 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.3rcp.com -- The Guns Have Been Passed to a New Generation, artwork by Johanna Vogelsang, through Jan. 29. Opening reception 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
A GALLERY FOR FINE PHOTOGRAPHY. 241 Chartres St., 568-1313; www.agallery.com -- Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson, A Tribute, through Friday.
ACME GALLERY. 5700 Magazine St., 891-0357; www.acmegal.com -- Paintings by Sushi The Sea Lion, through Wednesday.
ANTON HAARDT FOLK GALLERY. 2858 Magazine St., 891-9080; www.antonart.com -- Mose T: A to Z, folk art by Mose Tolliver, ongoing.
ARTEBELLA GALLERY. 323 Chartres St., 299-7196 -- Digital montages and digital paintings by Crawford Carroll, through Feb. 29.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY. 432 Julia St., 522-1999; www.arthurrogergallery.com -- Glasswork by Dale Chihuly, through Feb. 2.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 524-9393; www.arthurrogergallery.com -- Glasswork by Dale Chihuly, through Feb. 26.
ASHE CULTURAL CENTER. 1712 Oretha Castle Blvd, 569-9070; www.ashecac.org -- New Year, New Art, a multimedia group exhibit featuring fifteen artists from the New Orleans Art Council's 'Artist as Entrepreneur' workshop, through Sunday.
BARLOW ART GALLERY. 805 Royal St., 523-2964 -- Original oil paintings by gallery artists; black-and-white photography by Gary Darling, through Friday.
BARRISTER'S GALLERY. 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767; www.barristersgallery.com -- Mat James: New Constructions, through Feb. 28. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; Travel Notes, work by Karoline Schleh; Out of the Fire, work by Jill Solomon; both through Jan. 29; sculpture by John Grecoart, ongoing.
BERGERON STUDIO & GALLERY. 406 Magazine St., 522-7503; www.bergeronstudio.com -- Visions of Sister Gertrude Morgam, photographs by Harriet Blum, Sylvia de Swaan and Michael P. Smith, through Feb. 26.
CAROL ROBINSON GALLERY. 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130; www.carolrobinsongallery.com -- New work by James King, through Jan. 31. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
COLE PRATT GALLERY. 3800 Magazine St., 891-6789; www.coleprattgallery.com -- Group show of gallery artists, through Jan. 30. Opens Tuesday.
DELGADO FINE ARTS GALLERY. Building one, third floor, 615 City Park Ave., 483-4512 -- Heartland, artwork by Mark Grote, through Jan. 26.
D.O.C.S. GALLERY. 709 Camp St., 524-3936; www.docsgallery.com -- Sculpture by Gregory Geniusz, through Thursday.
EVANS GALLERY. 3815 Magazine St., 897-2688; www.evansgallery.com -- New works by Auguste Garufi, Adele Sypesteyn, Lisa Conrad, Tom Corbin, Julie Silver and Rhenda Saporito.
FT. ISABEL GALLERY. 502 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-1841 -- Group exhibit featuring works by Johnny Stout, Suzanne King, Martin Needom, Linda Thurlow, Carol Lapari, Beryl Carbon, Carol Hallock, Ginger Pine and Wes Koon, through Jan. 31. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211; www.hansongallery-nola.com -- Sculpture in bronze and Lucite by Frederick E. Hart, through January; works by gallery artists Peter Max, Raymond Douillet, Adrian Deckbar, M. L. Snowden and Steve Taylor, ongoing.
THE HOUSE OF ART. 959 Gerard St. (Hwy 59), Mandeville, (985) 674-9261 -- Oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings and prints by Mildred Reynolds and Carol Hallock, ongoing.
INSLEY ART GALLERY. 427 Esplanade Ave., 949-3512; http://insleyart.com -- Chrysalis, paintings by Thomas Drymon, Charlene Insley, Gerald Domingue, Charles Foster, through April 10.
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY. 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471; www.jonathanferraragallery.com -- Abstract Ones ... On Biological Themes, new sculptures by Adam Farrington, through Tuesday; Nouveaux Artistes D'Acadiana, An Exhibition of Artists From the Acadiana Region of Louisiana, through March 1. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
KEVIN GILLENTINE. 3908 Magazine St., 899-4201; www.kevingillentine.com -- New paintings by the artist.
KURT E. SCHON. 510 St. Louis St., 524-5462; 523 Royal St., 523-5902 -- 18th and 19th century European oil paintings by a select group of artists from the French Salon and The Royal Academy.
LEMIEUX GALLERIES. 332 Julia St., 522-5988; www.lemieuxgalleries.com -- Under See, new paintings by Alan Gerson, through Feb. 26. Opening reception 6 p.m. to 8 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.
NEW ORLEANS ARTWORKS. 727 Magazine St., 529-7279; www.neworleansglassworks.com/site2/mainpage.htm -- Transparency of Liquid Glass, sculpture by Curtiss Brock, ice crystal chandeliers by Stephen Williams, and white and silver raku vessels by Gerald Haessig, through Jan. 31. Opens Saturday.
NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS/RIVERFRONT. 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 -- In Situ, an installation by Montana Cherney, through Feb. 25.
NEW ORLEANS GLASSWORKS AND PRINTMAKING STUDIO. 727 Magazine St., 529-7277; www.neworleansglassworks.com/site2/mainpage.htm -- Kiln-fired glass sculpture by Frank den Ham, metal sculpture by Dan Schreiber and glass sculpture by John Christe, through Jan. 31. Opens Saturday with all-day artist demonstrations.
NEXT II GALLERY. 1128 St. Roch Ave., 948-0772 -- With Regard..., paintings and sculpture by Debra Federico, through Jan. 14.
PALMA GALLERY. 828 Howard Ave., 598-2276 -- Metal sculptures by Scott Chanove, through Thursday.
RIVERTOWN FINE ART GALLERY. 409 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 471-2156 -- Work by several artists including Marie Goodfellow, Dean Stanfield and Michey West, through Thursday.
ROBERT BRUNO GALLERY. 900 S. Peters St., 679-0001 -- Nudes, artwork depicting human forms by Thomas Bruno, William Kitchens and Jean Seidenberg, through Thursday.
THE RODRIGUE STUDIO. 721 Royal St., 581-4244; www.georgerodrigue.com/index2.htm -- Works by George Rodrigue.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400-A Julia St., 522-2000; www.sylviaschmidt.com -- Louisiana Wetlands: paintings by Rhea Gary, through Feb. 28; Shorelines: paintings by Tiit Raid, through Feb. 10. (Opening reception for both exhibitions 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.) Got a Handle on It: painted wooden sculpture by Sean O'Meallie, through Tuesday.
VEN NORMAN STUDIO & GALLERY. 317 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 892-9555; www.vennorman.com -- Art Seeks Not Limits, through Friday.
THE WAITING ROOM GALLERY. 906 Pauline St., 949-1805; www.wroomgallery.com -- The Feminine Mystique, paintings by Pat McDonald Fowler, through Feb. 12.
THE WILLIAM AND JOSEPH GALLERY. 713 Royal St., 566-7009; www.thewilliamandjosephgallery.com -- Landscape paintings by Mark Ramy, metal sculpture by Barrett DeBusk, floral paintings by Jaline Pol, jewelry by Monique Leon and glasswork by artists from around the country, ongoing.
spare spaces
CAFE ROSE NICAUD. 632 Frenchmen St., 949-3300 -- Historical Portraits, drawings by Jose Torres Tamas.
HANDS IN CLAY. 4122 Magazine St., 269-1300 -- Works by Martin Lill, Karen Marchand, Joy Gauss and Alison Thomas.
THE SPOTTED CAT. 623 Frenchmen St., 943-3887 -- Paintings by Suzanne Sanders.
TWIROPA MILLS. Tchoupitoulas Room, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 595-5091; www.nolastyle.com -- Backstage Photo Confessions, photographs by Leslie T. Snadowsky, through Jan. 17.
museums
AMERICAN-ITALIAN MUSEUM & RESEARCH LIBRARY. 537 S. Peters St., 522-7294 -- Hand-painted and lettered plaques by artist Franco Alessandri, photographs, and memorabilia.
GERMAINE CAZENAVE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM. Arnaud's Restaurant, 813 Bienville St., 523-5433; www.arnauds.com/museum.html -- 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; www.hnoc.org -- A Heritage of Faith: Christ Church Cathedral and Episcopal Louisiana, 1805-2005, through May 7.
NEW ORLEANS HISTORIC TRAIN GARDEN AT CITY PARK. New Orleans Botanical Garden, City Park, 482-4888; www.neworleanscitypark.com/nobg.php -- 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; www.noma.org -- The Tortoise and the Hare: Symbols and Legends in Edo-Period Japanese Painting, through June 5, opens Tuesday; Tools of Her Ministry: The Art of Sister Gertrude Morgan, through Jan. 16 (reviewed in this issue); Crystal Clear: Steuben Glass From the Collection of Isadore & Marriane Cohn, through Jan. 16; Idle Pursuits: Celebrations of Leisure in Edo-Period Painting, through Tuesday; The Convivial Art of the Cocktail, through Jan. 16.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART. 925 Camp St., 539-9600; www.ogdenmuseum.org -- Recent Acquisitions in Contemporary Photography, opens Wednesday, through March.
OLD U.S. MINT. 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-6990; http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/site/mintex.htm -- Junior Duck Stamp Exhibit, winners of the children's art competition, through Sunday; O. Winston Link: The Louisiana Photographs, previously unpublished images from the 1930s and '40s, through March 15.
SYDNEY AND WALDA BESTHOFF SCULPTURE GARDEN. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Five-acre outdoor collection of modern and contemporary sculpture, free and open to the public.
WILLIAMS RESEARCH CENTER. 410 Chartres St., 598-7171; www.hnoc.org/willcent.htm -- Tarnished Laurels: The British at the Battle of New Orleans, items from the War of 1812, through May; Louisiana Sites and Citizens, opens Tuesday.
special events
ARTEGG ARTMART. ArtEgg Studios, 1001 S. Broad St., 822-4002; www.artegg.com -- Paintings, woodwork, pottery, glass and metal works, textiles, baskets, jewelry and more for sale at this monthly art market. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
GLASS-BLOWING DEMONSTRATIONS. Conti Glass, 3924 Conti St., 483-1195 -- Free glass-blowing demonstrations every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
NOMA NIGHTS. New Orleans Museum of Art/ Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Both venues remain open from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, with concerts, film screenings and other events offered periodically.
call for artists
ARTEGG ARTMART EXHIBITORS. 1001 S. Broad St., 70125, 822-4002; www.artegg.com -- Painters, photographers, furniture makers, wood carvers, potters, glassmakers, sculptors, basket makers, jewelers, weavers and purveyors of nonperishable organic products are invited to exhibit. Spaces are 10' by 10' and exhibitors must provide own tents or tables. A deposit of $40 and rental fee of $40 is required monthly. ArtMart is every second Saturday of the month.
ARTIST RESIDENCIES. A Studio in the Woods, 13401 River Rd., New Orleans, La. 70131, 392-5359; www.astudiointhewoods.org -- A Studio in the Woods is accepting applications from writers, composers and visual artists for three-week residencies in 2005. The two sessions are May 2-22 or June 12-July 2. Guidelines and applications are online. The deadline is January 31.
ART OF WOMEN EXHIBIT. Gulf Coast Arts & Entertainment Review, 2524 Madrid St., New Orleans, La., 70112; www.gcartsreview.com/application.htm -- Creative Endeavors Publishing and the Gulf Coast Arts & Entertainment Review are sponsoring an exhibition for women artists working in any medium with partial proceeds to benefit a women's center for nonviolence. Send photos/slides for up to three works along with application form, $15 fee and SASE postmarked by Feb. 5. Exhibition opens March 6 at the Martha Mabey Gallery in Biloxi, Mississippi.
CAC LOUISIANA BIENNIAL ENTRANTS. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805; www.cacno.org/biennial -- The Contemporary Arts Center seeks visual artists to submit entries for the 2005 Louisiana Biennial. Chosen artists will showcase their artwork during an exhibition that opens next October. Applications may be downloaded from Web site. Contact CAC for more information. Deadline is Jan. 15.
words
Wednesday 5
JUDY CONNER. Beaucoup Books, 5414 Magazine St., 895-2663 -- The author reads and signs Southern Fried Divorce. 6:30 p.m.
POETRY FORUM WORKSHOP. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472 or 467-9034 -- The New Orleans Poetry Forum hosts a weekly workshop every Wednesday. 8 p.m.
SISTER HELEN PREJEAN. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323 -- The author reads and signs The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions. 7 p.m.
TAO POETRY OPEN MIC. Neutral Ground Coffee House, 5110 Danneel St., 891-3381; www.neutralground.org -- Open mic poetry reading every Wednesday. 9 p.m. Thursday 6 17
POETS OPEN MIC. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.goldminesaloon.com -- Weekly series with two featured readers and open mic. Poets, storytellers, dancers, musicians, puppeteers and more are invited to share their art. Hosted by Dave Brinks. 8 p.m.
DAYNE SHERMAN. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- The author reads, discusses and signs Welcome to the Fallen Paradise. 7 p.m.
JOSEPH CAREY. Beaucoup Books, 5414 Magazine St., 895-2663 -- The author and chef reads and signs Creole Nouvelle: Contemporary Creole Cookery. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 8 JOSEPH CAREY. Crescent City Farmers Market, 700 Magazine St., 861-5898 -- The author and chef signs Creole Nouvelle: Contemporary Creole Cookery and gives a cooking demonstration. 10 a.m.
