TIPITINA'S MASTER SEMINAR SERIES has brought such musical luminaries as Allen Toussaint, Olu Dara, Irma Thomas and Galactic to Tipitina's (501 Napoleon Ave., 895-TIPS; www.tipitinas.com) to share their knowledge with local high school music students and interested music fans. As remarkable as those opportunities were, bringing together Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, Smokey Johnson and the legendary Earl Palmer to talk about drums Saturday is a coup. The history of New Orleans R&B and funk can be written from the records on which they've performed. Palmer and Johnson drummed on many of the records made at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Recording Studio, including those by Little Richard, Lloyd Price and Professor Longhair, while Modeliste defined New Orleans funk with his playing with the Meters. Johnson spent more than 20 years as Fats Domino's drummer, and Palmer, after leaving New Orleans for Los Angeles, became one of the most in-demand session drummers during the 1960s, when he performed on everything from Frank Sinatra recording sessions to cartoon soundtracks, as well as hits like "La Bamba," "Dead Man's Curve" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." The Masters Seminars feature the artists performing, talking about their craft, answering questions and jamming with some of the music students in Tipitina's Intern Program. That format is not strictly adhered to -- James "Blood" Ulmer jammed with students for almost the entire time -- but it's the format that Modeliste followed when he conducted a seminar last year, opening with a remarkable drum solo that stretched to more than 20 minutes. Age and illness have forced Palmer and Johnson to significantly curtail their number of performances, though Johnson made a guest appearance on Dr. John's N'awlinz: Dis, Dat, or D'udda last year, and Palmer performed at the "Make it Funky" concert at the Saenger Theatre during the 2004 Jazz Fest. His performances at recent Ponderosa Stomp shows demonstrate that he hasn't lost his chops. After the seminar, the three drum legends will be inducted into the club's Walk of Fame. Later that night, Modeliste and his 501 Krewe headline the club, playing with Ivan and Cyril Neville, Renard Poche, Nick Daniels, Mark Mullins, Roger Lewis, Troy Andrews, Clarence Johnson III and Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet. Tickets for the Masters Seminar are $5 for the general public and free for students; tickets for Zigaboo and the 501 Krewe are $20. -- Alex Rawls

The Tortoise and the Hare: Symbols and Legends in Edo-Period Japanese Painting Opens Tuesday, Jan. 11; through June New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org The New Orleans Museum of Art continues its effort to showcase the art and influence of cultures across time and place with its latest exhibit, The Tortoise and the Hare: Symbols and Legends in Edo-Period Japanese Painting. While some museum might be struck by the universality in artistic symbols, this exhibit was curated by NOMA to help the Western mind-set decipher and understand the symbols used in Japanese paintings during the Edo Period (1603-1867). This installation features 30 paintings and collectively showcases certain traits of the period's most common images, such as certain flowers being indicative of certain seasons and images of the tortoise and the hare representing wishes for a long life. The exhibit runs through June. -- Frank Etheridge

Tribute to Willie Metcalf Jr.: Founder of the Academy of Black Arts 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11 Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800 One of the sweet tragedies of New Orleans musicians is that no matter how old they are when they leave us, it always feels like it's way too soon. Pianist Willie Metcalf is a classic example, having succumbed to cancer on Dec. 9 at the age of 74. Metcalf, the founder of the Academy of the Black Arts (in 1972), had only recently appeared onstage and in film, performing locally in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and in last year's excellent Ray Charles biopic, Ray (playing a young Ray Charles' first musical mentor). This man, who in real life tutored everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Samirah Evans and had successfully battled drug addiction, was still finding ways to entertain us. The CAC offers this tribute to a legend, with Evans joined by Charmaine Neville, Sharon Martin, Troi Bechet, Donald Harrison Jr. and many others. Tickets $25; proceeds will go toward Metcalf's expenses and a scholarship in his name. -- David Lee Simmons

Thoroughly Modern Millie 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Jan. 11-15; 2 p.m. Thursday, Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14 and 15-16 Saenger Theatre, 143 N. Rampart St., 524-2490; www.saengertheatre.com Darcie Roberts stars in the title role of Thoroughly Modern Millie as the Broadway in New Orleans series continues this week at the Saenger. Millie Dillmount is a flapper -- a 'modern,' as they were called -- who hurtles from her small Midwestern hometown to New York City hoping to make her own imprint on the Jazz Age of the early 1920s. This is the kind of force-of-nature personality that's perfectly suited for Broadway, and sure enough, Thoroughly Modern Millie (based on the 1967 film) took the Tony Awards by storm in 2002, with six awards including Best Musical. (It was, in fact, the most honored new show of the year.) The book was by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan. This version's musical offerings consist of 15 numbers including two from the film version, four 1920s standards and nine new tunes from Jeanine Tesori (music) and Scanlan. For this Broadway in New Orleans series touring production, Darcie Roberts, herself a recovering Midwesterner, assumes the title role. Tickets range from $24-$60. -- Simmons

Classic Film Series: Madam Satan 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 New Orleans Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org One of the more interesting little entertainment trends in New Orleans last year was the proliferation of film series screenings in less traditional settings (Bridge Lounge, the Deutsches Haus, etc.). Not as traditional as a cinema house but more traditional than a lounge, NOMA's Stern Auditorium has proved a comfortable setting for Mardi Gras historian, film buff and bon vivant Henri Schindler's film series, which serves as one component of the NOMA Nights programming. Schindler has chosen a delicious theme for this winter series: the saucier films of the pre-Hayes Code era of Hollywood where you could get away with murder -- or more accurately, lots and lots of sexual innuendo. The series opens with Cecil B. DeMille's 1930 film, Madam Satan, with Kay Johnson as a wife dressing up as a devilish temptress at a masquerade ball (on a dirigible, no less) to tempt her wandering-eye husband (Reginald Denny.) Not exactly The Ten Commandments, eh? Tickets $5 non-members, free to members. -- Simmons

Alan Jackson and Martina McBride 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 New Orleans Arena, 1500 Poydras St., 587-3663; www.neworleansarena.com Country music giant Alan Jackson (pictured) performs along with Martina McBride on Thursday at the New Orleans Arena. It should make us all proud to be Americans to know that even acts of God can't stop country music -- specifically, this doubleheader of Nashville power that was pre-empted by Hurricane Ivan's unscheduled September gig. As last year's What I Do (BMG) demonstrates, Alan Jackson's voice remains the defining voice in country music, as much as Conway Twitty's or Randy Travis' in years past. Fifteen years of mainstream country chart success has given him license to pretty much do what he wants, including criticize the poppy state of country with critical tunes like the CMA Award-winning George Strait collaboration, 'Murder on Music Row.' Sharing the bill, Martina McBride carries Loretta Lynn's torch of down-home feminist anthems with tunes like 'Independence Day,' dealing with spousal abuse, and 'This One's for the Girls.' Tickets $39.50-$65. -- Alison Fensterstock

The Planets 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 pm. Saturday, Jan. 13 and 15 Orpheum Theatre, 127 University Place, 523-6530; www.lpomusic.com Noted conductor and composer Jonathan McPhee is obsessed with The Planets. Last week, McPhee was joined by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at NOCCA/Riverfront to deliver a concert and lecture that showcased and explained the mysterious concert penned by Gustav Holst in 1918. Holst's The Planets delves into the connection between Western music's foundations, ancient Greek mythology and astrology, providing several revelations, including the notion that the seven-tone musical scale is derived from the Greek knowledge of seven solar entities: the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. For these two concerts, McPhee conducts the LPO with featured artists Sandy Stimson (oboe), Sue Andrews (bassoon), Amy Thiaville (violin) and Jonathan Gerhardt (cello). The Planets is the featured piece in a program that also includes Beethoven's Coriolan Overture and Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante. Tickets range from $13 to $62. -- Etheridge

Jamie Baum Septet 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13; 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14 Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, 626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696; www.snugjazz.com Flautist-composer Jamie Baum is that rare commodity in contemporary music, a completely unique voice. Her classical training and experience playing chamber music, Latin jazz and Brazilian music give her compositions a graceful stateliness aptly described by the title of her 2004 release Moving Forward, Standing Still (OmniTone). The only jazz flautist Baum remotely resembles is Eric Dolphy, who shared her passion for Stravinsky. Baum¹s septet has its own take on improvisation, weaving a clever melodic tapestry through her compositions. Baum¹s club set at Snug Harbor Thursday will draw from her three albums among other sources, while Friday¹s CAC show will premiere newly commissioned works. Snug Harbor admission $18; CAC admission $15, $10 for members, students and seniors. -- John Swenson

The Fantasticks 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14-16 Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221; www.rivertownkenner.com/theatre The Fantasticks has enjoyed the feat of becoming the longest-running musical in theater history (more than 17,000 shows from 1960-2002) by delivering to audiences both a moving tale and catchy score. With music written by the team of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, The Fantasticks is the story of two young lovers who manage to overcome their disillusionment with love, relationships and each other through searching for, and ultimately finding, a more mature, meaningful love. The story is punctuated by a number of tunes that have become standards, such as 'Try to Remember' and 'Soon It's Gonna Rain.' Gary Rucker directs Greg DiLeo as El Gallo and Whitney Haase as Luisa, along with Beau Landry, Greg Stratton, Mike Mallory, Robert Richardson, Jeff Riddick and Jesse Quigley. Ticket prices are $25 adults, $22 seniors and $12 children ages 6-12. An optional pre-show buffet from Messina's is $18. -- Etheridge

New Orleans Chamber Music Festival 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14 NOCCA/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900; www.nocca.com Kobe, Japan, native Sakiko Ohashi is building on her role in the local music community as faculty for piano at NOCCA, ambitiously becoming executive/artistic director of the New Orleans Chamber Music Festival, which this month launches its first-ever season of concerts. A prodigious pianist who began serious musical study at age 10 and holds bachelor and master degrees in music from The Juilliard School, Ohashi tours around the globe both solo and with numerous ensembles. This year she'll remain busy locally as well. This New Orleans Chamber Music Festival debut concert features Ohashi with a quintet of young musicians, including Melvin Chen, Helen Hwaya Kim and members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, performing chamber music by greats such as Bela Bartok and Aaron Copland. Tickets are $15, with $7 student 'rush' tickets sold 15 minutes before curtain. -- Etheridge

Todd Snider 9 p.m. Friday, Jan 14 The Parish at House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 529-BLUE; www.hob.com Todd Snider is right more often than most singer-songwriter guitarists are, and he's funny -- laugh-out-loud funny. Whether he's explaining what may cause kids to shoot up their high schools in 'Ballad of the Kingsmen' or suggesting the fun he and Mike Tyson could have in 'Iron Mike's Main Man's Last Request,' the songs on East Nashville Skyline (Oh Boy) are smart and lyrical. His turns of phrase live with you like a cliche that hasn't been overused yet. Onstage, Snider's performances are full of stories, great solo rock 'n' roll, and the kind of truth that makes you suspect you're not alone believing those crazy opinions in your head. If we're lucky, he'll do his hilarious Woody Guthrie meets Eddie Vedder semi-hit 'The Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues.' Tickets $15. -- David Kunian

Suplecs CD-release party 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14 TwiRoPa Mills, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 232-9503; www.twiropa.com It has been two years since Suplecs' second album, Sad Songs ... Better Ways, was released and lost to record industry machinations. The new Powtin' on the Outside, Pawty on the Inside (Nocturnal) shows the band shaking off the stoner rock label (for the most part -- the instrumental 'Cities of the Dead' balances the pretty parts with a little Black Sabbath sludge), though it hasn't forgotten the power of a riff. With guitarist Pepper Keenan (Corrosion of Conformity, Down) producing, the trio has retained all its signature heaviness, but without the murk that made songs feel more sluggish than they were. With more space, guitarist Durel Yates stands out, showing as much facility for the quieter, prettier passages as he shows whipping through the now-unfortunately named 'Tsunami.' Tickets $8. -- Rawls

"A Conversation With Tomer Ganihar" 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3800; www.cacno.org Israeli artist Tomer Ganihar certainly has a story to tell. The photographer has spent the past decade capturing images of the Israeli youth rave culture, which presents global rave traits of music, drugs and bliss, but comes with its own unique intrigue. The rave culture in Israel is decidedly influenced by Kabbala, the ancient (and suddenly vogue) tradition of Jewish mysticism. And, obviously, the fun comes set against a backdrop of war and perpetual violence. Ganihar's large-scale color photos in the exhibit Raving in the Desert showcase thousands of Israeli youth getting their groove on in historical and sacred venues, dancing for fun and to free themselves of religious restraint. 'A Conversation With Tomer Ganihar' celebrates the exhibit opening as the artist explains his work, and will be followed by a reception. Admission $5 general, free for CAC members. -- Etheridge

M.A. Harper reading and signing 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323 Local writer M.A. Harper doesn't shy away from difficult issues. In a previous novel, Harper wrote about the gut-wrenching effect of Alzheimer's disease on the family, and in her thrilling yet contemplative current work, The Year of Past Things, she returns to familial relationships. This time the subject is second marriage with a twist. Philip Randazzo, a New Orleans restaurateur, marries a lonely widow, Michelle Wickham, who has two children. Both partners bring plenty of emotional baggage into this second go-around, and looming over the new family is the memory of Michelle's first husband and his tragic death by a drunken driver. Perhaps intensive therapy to assuage some of the survivors' guilt combined with the passage of time could aid this troubled couple, but A.P. Savoie, Michelle's dead spouse, is having none of it. An occasional appearance in Michelle's dreams is one thing, but manifesting in all his ethereal glory to Philip is another. Randazzo isn't sure if he needs a family counselor or an exorcist, but he has to do something quick since Savoie isn't satisfied with only haunting Phil --it looks like he wants to kill him. -- David Winkler-Schmit

Macbeth 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 Tulane University, Dixon Hall, 865-5105, ext. 7; www.neworleansshakespeare.com Fair is foul, and foul is fair once again when The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane presents its annual encore presentation of one of its previous summer's productions. This past summer's Macbeth, directed by Aimée Michel, was indeed a family affair, with Danny Bowen portraying everyone's favorite thane and his real-life wife, Clare Moncrief, egging him on as Lady Macbeth. (Marriage's mid-life crisis never had it so good.) The supporting cast includes Gavin Mahlie, Gary Rucker, Karl Lengel, Sharon London, Sean Patterson and Lara Grice. Here's to the cauldron not being quite so dangerous this time around! A 'Witches Brew Reception' will be held following the show in the Lupin Theatre Atrium. Tickets for the show only are $20 adults, $15 teachers, students, Tulane faculty/staff, and $7.50 students; tickets for the show and reception are $30. -- Simmons

Johanna Vogelsang: The Guns Have Been Passed to a New Generation Through Jan. 29 3 Ring Circus' The Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700 Who killed JFK? And his "friend," Marilyn Monroe -- was it suicide, or something darker? What really happened to Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.? And how did Vice President Dick Cheney go from presiding over a company created to support the Vietnam War to being a leading advocate of an Iraq war that employs the same company in the same way? And was New Orleans where it all began? These and other pointed questions are explored in paintings by Los Angeles artist Johanna Vogelsang, a septuagenarian with the soul of a conspiracy buff. While theories abound, there may still be too many loose ends to satisfy all the doubters of the official explanations, and these days it is more likely to be artists than journalists who stay focused on the unanswered questions. -- D. Eric Bookhardt