family
Thursday 13
MIFFY AT THE LIBRARY. Martin Luther King Library, 1617 Caffin Ave., 596-2695; www.miffy.com -- Interactive art and book experience based on children's book character Miffy. Free program open to preschoolers, parents, teachers and caregivers, through Feb. 1.
Friday 14
YOUNGSTER YOGA. Jefferson Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 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.
Saturday 15
HANSEL & GRETEL. Children's 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.
Monday 17
MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- Event honors life of Martin Luther King Jr. Actor Shriff Hasan performs one-man show as Dr. King; Givonna Joseph performs music and Dr. Marie Smith-Stewart leads storytime, plus arts and crafts. Admission $7. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 11
MUSEUM GRAND OPENING. Museum of the American Cocktail, 514 Chartres St., 565-8027; www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org -- Grand opening celebration for Museum of the American Cocktail. Free admission. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
HOLY SPIRITS. Wit's Inn, 141 N. Carrollton Ave., 888-4004; www.geocities.com/mmmjv3 -- St. Clement and St. Anthony parishes present open discussion forum and social event, with speaker Mona Villarrubia, author of From Hurt to Healing, a memoir of her faith and recovery from sexual abuse by a priest. Free admission. 5:45 p.m. socializing, 6:15 p.m. speaker.
WALKING MEDITATION WORKSHOP. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 ext. 274; www.jefferson.lib.la.us -- Margaret Nicolson Martin presents 'Labyrinth at the Library,' a workshop on the ancient form of walking meditation as part of Jefferson Parish Library's self-help series. Registration is required. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
BETTER HEALTH. Fairgrinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce de Leon Ave., 949-8876; www.enjoy-life.com -- Health teacher Phyllis Parun leads instruction on food choices for body and spirit. Admission by donation. 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CRESCENT CITY. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechatnoir.com -- Taping of WWNO radio show featuring guests Ray 'Plain' Kern, former Krewe du Vieux captain, plus musicians James and Troy Andrews with host Ronnie Virgets, house band Astral Project, Bruce Raeburn and the Live Nude Radio Players. Tickets $19, includes first drink. 8 p.m.
Wednesday 12
GALA HORSE SHOWS. GALA Show Grounds, Hwy. 40 and Polo Road, west of Folsom, (985) 796-0077; www.galahorseshows.com -- Gallop Around Louisiana (GALA) hosts equestrian competition. Free admission. Through Sunday.
ART SEMINAR. New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Seminar introduces art of American self-taught and visionary artists, led by instructors William Fagaly and Alice Rae Yelen. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A NEW YEAR, A NEW BUDGET. Lakeshore Library, 1000 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 ext. 274; www.jefferson.lib.la.us -- Nia Richard from the Education Department of Consumer Credit Counseling Services presents a talk on personal money management as part of Jefferson Parish Library's self-help series. Registration is required. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THE NEW YEAR. North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade. Ave., Kenner, 838-1100 ext. 274; www.jefferson.lib.la.us -- Randy Lee from the East Jefferson General Hospital Wellness Center presents a talk on how to keep your resolution to lose weight, get fit and be healthy, as part of Jefferson Parish Library's self-help series. Registration is required. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 13
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. Multiple venues, 658-0900; www.cityofno.com -- Mayor's Office presents series of events celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Events include exhibits at Stella Jones Gallery, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and the New Orleans Museum of Art; concert by Hannibal Lokumbe; annual parade; and much more. Call for more info.
PARDI GRAS 2005. Various French Quarter locations,(409) 841-3591; www.jerrydiaz.com -- Celebration of Jimmy Buffett and Parrot Head life, with Bourbon Street pub crawl Friday evening, Saturday afternoon 'beach party' at Papa Joe's on Bourbon Street, live music and more. Registration $50; visit Web site to register and for full schedule. Thursday-Sunday.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HEALTH. Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave., 596-2598 -- Dr. Kevin Stephens, health director for City of New Orleans, gives talk on health issues facing African Americans as part of Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Free admission. Noon.
ETHICS, HUMANITIES AND HEALTH CARE LECTURE. Tulane University, J. Bennett Johnston Heath and Environmental Research Building, 1324 Tulane Ave., 588-5221 -- David S. Jones from MIT lectures on 'Science, History and Theories of American Indian Depopulation,' with reception to follow. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
MUSICIAN COMPUTER TRAINING. New Orleans Music Office Co-Op, 4040 Tulane Ave., 483-2880; http://musicofficecoop.com -- Co-op members offered tutoring in computer use. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WETLANDS PLAN INPUT. Jefferson Council Building, 1221 Elmwood Pkwy., second floor, Jefferson, (225) 342-3968 -- Governor's Office of Coastal Activities presents information and allows public comment on Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
BEETHOVEN AND BLUE JEANS SERIES. Orpheum Theater, 129 University Place, 524-3285; www.orpheumneworleans.com -- Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante and Holt's The Planets, conducted by Jonathan McPhee. Tickets $11-$60. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday.
Friday 14
WEEKEND OF PEACE. Touro Synagogue, 4238 St. Charles Ave., 895-4843; Masjidur Raheem, 1238 N. Johnson St., 827-0017 -- Jewish and Muslim members join together for weekend of education, community service and sporting events. Call for schedule. Friday-Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Portland Trailblazers. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
SAKIKO OHASHI CONCERT. New Orleans Center for Creative Arts/Riverfront, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900; www.nocca.com -- Sakiko Ohashi presents a chamber music concert featuring compositions by Bartok and others in collaboration with Helen Hwaya Kim, Ted Gurch, Anna Stoytcheva, members of the LPO and five rising young musicians. Tickets $15. 8 p.m.
BALL ON THE BELLE. Bally's Casino, 1 Stars and Stripes Blvd., 240-5161 -- Annual benefit for United Negro College Fund with food, music, fashion show and more. Call for ticket info. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday 15
NEW BUYER, OLD HOUSE. Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 636-3046; www.prcno.org -- First-time homebuyer training class consists of 13 workshops on all aspects of buying a home. Tuition $30-$50, based on income. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 15 and Jan. 29, attendance at both sessions required.
PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP. New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Beginners-level workshop for adults introduces concepts of relief painting and itaglio techniques; includes instructor and view of museum art. Lunch provided. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SHOP TIL YOU DROP. Residence, 1320 Burdette St., 842-4922 -- Fundraiser for Go With Courage breast cancer education and research group with various vendors, including Pampered Chef and Tupperware. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
STOP THE BABY MOMMA DRAMA. Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave., 821-5493; www.louisianafamilycouncil.com -- Louisiana Family Council holds two public forums 'Everything You Wanted to Know About Child Support, But Were Afraid to Ask.' Free admission. 10 a.m. to noon.
THE ART OF BHAKTI YOGA. The Venusian Gardens, 2601 Chartres St., 486-1421; www.SeeingEyeYogini.com or www.jivamuktiyoga.com -- A weekend of workshops brings together Jivamukti and Bhakti yoga experts including Natalie Ullmann to lead a weekend of restorative poses, meditation, videos, chanting, music, ritual and discussion. Fee $80 per session, $140 for both. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
HBCU ALL-STAR CLASSIC. City Park, Tad Gormley Stadium, 483-1700; www.hbcustarclassic.com -- Star football players from historic black colleges and universities (HBCU) play all-star game and hold fan/media day. Free admission for fan day; game tickets $16. Fan/media day 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, game 4 p.m. Monday.
BLESSED FRANCIS COMMEMORATION. St. Mary's Assumption Church, 2030 Constance St., 525-2495 -- Birthday commemoration of Blessed Francis X. Seelos with a special mass and veneration. 11 a.m.
MARDI GRAS PROGRAM. French Quarter Visitor Center, 419 Decatur St., 589-2636, ext. 1 -- Program features Cajun-style mask makers, float designers and live music by Benny Grunch & the Bunch (1 p.m.) and Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias (2:30 p.m.). Free admission. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SPIRIT OF THE DREAM POETRY CELEBRATION. House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., 522-8281; www.hob.com -- Commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. with annual poetry event. Free admission. Noon.
A COMMON POT. Tulane University, Richardson Hall, Many Lounge, second floor, 865-5238 -- Screening of documentary by New Orleanian Kevin McCaffrey, A Common Pot: Creole Cooking on the Cane River. Questions with culinary historians follows. Admission $15 general, $10 Slow Food members. 7 p.m.
SOUL INTERPRETATIONS. The Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- CD-release concert featuring Ernest 'EL3' Lewis accompanied by Iyarah and Neusell Bolton. Admission $10. 8 p.m.
KONSCIOUS PARTY. Chez Vodun, 822 N. Rampart St., 558-0653 -- Monthly gathering of local underground hip-hop artists and poets, featuring DJ Psychoward. Call for ticket price. 10:30 p.m.
Sunday 16
OYSTER FOOD FEST. Bayou Barn, 7145 Barataria Blvd., Lafitte, (985) 689-4757; www.JeanLafitteTours.com -- Annual festival features oyster cooking and contests, fais do do, live music, art and more. Admission $5 adults, $2 children. Noon to 8 p.m.
TSUNAMI FUNDRAISER. North Solomon Street between City Park Avenue and Dumaine Street, 343-6365 -- Fundraiser for Asian tsunami relief efforts with food from Mid-City restaurants, raffle, live music and more. Alcohol-free, kid-friendly. Admission $10 donation. Noon to 3 p.m.
VICTIMS AND CITIZENS AGAINST CRIME FUNDRAISER. Harahan Lions Club, 1001 Hickory Ave., Harahan, 822-4877 -- Event includes live music from Spool and the Gang, food, cash bar, silent auction and more. Tickets $15 adults, $5 children ages 5 to 12. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
YOUR PASSPORT TO A WEDDING WITH STYLE. Plimsoll Club, World Trade Center, 2 Canal St., 525-2743; www.weddingsmagazines.com -- Wedding professionals present services in event that includes champagne, music by Coolbone Jazz and fashion show. Tickets $10 advance, $15 at door. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
GOSPEL CONCERT. New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Rev. Lois Dejean's Johnson Extension Gospel Choir performs hymns connected to Sister Gertrude Morgan exhibit. Free with museum admission of $8 adults, $7 seniors and students, $4 children. 3 p.m.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS. The Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 524-8800 -- 'A Black History Tribute' combines poetry, music, drama and dance. Admission $10. 5 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- Vocalists Linda Lee Jones and Philip Formes and others perform renaissance, baroque and classical music. Free admission. 5 p.m.
PIATIGORKSY FOUNDATION CONCERTS. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- Classic concert with cellist Evan Drachman and pianist Lisa Bergman performing works by Bach, Tchaikovsky and more. Reception follows. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Monday 17
THEATER CLASSES. Anthony Bean Community Theater and Acting School, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave., 862-PLAY; www.anthonybeantheater.com -- Actors on all levels offered spring semester classes with emphasis on technique, improvisation, movement and voice. Call for registration info. Classes held 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
call for volunteers
LITERACY TUTOR TRAINING. YMCA Educational Services, 2525 Canal St., 566-7323, ext. 208 -- Training session for adult literary tutor opportunities. Call or email ManonLa@aol.com for info. Donation of $20 required. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
call for nominations
PRESERVATION AWARDS. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Ave., Washington D.C., (202) 588-6236; www.nationaltrust.org/preservation_awards -- National Trust issues call for nominations for 2005 Preservation Awards for individuals involved in preservation work. Call, visit online or email awards@nthp.org for info. Deadline May 1.
road trip
Friday 14
CAMP BON COEUR. Acadian Baptist Center, 1202 Academy Road, Eunice, (337) 233-8437; www.heartcamp.com -- Camp 'Good Heart' hosts children with heart defects and their families on a weekend full of traditional camping activities, sports, entertainment and meals. Families have an opportunity to learn about heart conditions and bond with others who are living with heart defects. Camp is for kids up to age 18. Parents and siblings of campers welcome. Volunteers and nurses needed for the weekend. Registration fee $35. 5 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday.
THE TEMPTATIONS IN CONCERT. Grand Casino Biloxi, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450 -- The Temptations perform in concert. Tickets $24.95-$29.95. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
JOE COCKER IN CONCERT. Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Event Center, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (800) 946-7777 -- Joe Cocker performs in concert. Tickets $14.95-$24.95. 9 p.m.
RICKY SCAGGS IN CONCERT. Casino Magic, 711 Casino Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis, Miss., (800) 5-MAGIC-5 -- The bluegrass musician performs. Tickets $14.95-$24.95. For ages 21-up. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 15
MLK CELEBRATION. Southern University, Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Royal Cotillion Ballroom, Baton Rouge, (225) 771-2608 -- Celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. with speaker the Rev. Raymond Johnson and choirs performing. Free admission. 10:30 a.m.
FIRE ECOLOGY SEMINAR. Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, Miss., (601) 799-2311 ext. 21 or 23; www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/camain -- Senior curator Melinda Lyman gives a presentation on the benefits of fire for plants, and burn manager Terry Johnson presents environmental burning techniques. Free for arboretum members, $4 for nonmembers. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
OLD-TIMERS REUNION. Plaquemine Lock, Hwy. 1, Plaquemine, (877) 987-7158; www.lastateparks.com -- State historic site celebrates 96th anniversary year with afternoon of stories with former lock employees, boaters and residents, plus tour. Admission $2 adults, free for seniors over 62 and children under 12. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
JOE COCKER IN CONCERT. Paragon Casino & Resort, Mari Center, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, (800) 946-1946 -- Joe Cocker performs in concert. Tickets $40. 9 p.m.
