family
Saturday 29
KIDS COSTUME PARADE. Audubon Park, 6500 Magazine St., 891-0940; www.lafamilyliving.com -- Family Living magazine presents family Mardi Gras event with children parading in costume. Prizes for best costumes, raffles, king cake, fruit, Radio Disney and more. Registration $5 before Saturday, $8 day-of. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 25
AUDUBON ZOO ART SALE. Audubon Zoo, Tropical Cabana party room, next to carousel, (866) ITS-AZOO; www.auduboninstitute.org -- The Audubon Nature Institute holds an art sale of work made by its employees featuring paintings, photography, ceramics, mixed media and more, through Jan. 31. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
CHEFS CHARITY FOR CHILDREN. Hilton Hotel Riverside, 2 Poydras St., 524-6551 -- Benefit for St. Michael Special School featuring chefs Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali, with cooking demonstrations, coffee and sweets, 2005 Chefs Charity Cookbook, WWL-TV emcees. Tickets $45 per person, $450 for table of 10. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BARKS AND BREWS. The Bridge Lounge, 1201 Magazine St., 729-1972 -- Humans and dogs invited for party with Bridge Lounge donating percentage of drink sales to The Humane Society of Louisiana. Free admission. 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
JAZZ CONCERT. UNO Performing Arts Center, 280-6381 -- UNO College of Music presents concert with pianist John Autin, bassist James Singleton and drummer Martin Urbach. Free admission. 6 p.m.
FINDING A NEW JOB. West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 838-1100 ext. 274; www.jefferson.lib.la.us -- Bettina Buval from the Metairie Job Service presents a talk and question-and-answer session on career opportunities, market trends and using the Internet in your job search as part of Jefferson Parish Library's self-help series. Registration is required. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
PIANO CONCERT. Tulane University, Newcomb Department of Music, Dixon Hall, 865-5267; www.tulane.edu/~music -- Newcomb's music department presents pianist Faina Lushtak as part of its concert piano series. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Wednesday 26
LUNCHTIME LECTURE. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org -- D-Day Museum collection assistant Jeremy Collins discusses Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Bring lunch. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.
YOUNG LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING. Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal St., 585-1500; www.youngleadershipcouncil.org -- The Young Leadership Council hosts its January membership meeting and committee fair. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. Free admission and open to the public. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
FINDING A NEW JOB. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 ext. 274; www.jefferson.lib.la.us -- Bettina Buval from the Metairie Job Service presents a talk and question-and-answer session on career opportunities, market trends and using the Internet in your job search as part of Jefferson Parish Library's self-help series. Registration is required. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
WOMEN FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA MEETING. Lake Marina Towers, 300 Lake Marina Drive, 488-2119 -- The group's monthly meeting featuring speaker Sheila Stroup. Dessert will be served. Reservations required. Free admission for members, $5 for non-members. 6 p.m. board meeting, registration 6:45 p.m., general meeting 7 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Houston Rockets. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
WINTER WINEMAKER'S DINNER. The Ritz-Carlton, Victor's Grill, 921 Canal St., 524-1331 -- Victor's Grill hosts its first winemaker's dinner to showcase the talent of Chef de Cuisine Matthew Murphy, paired with wine from Markham Vineyards of California. Dinner and wine $75 (does not include tax/gratuity). Call for reservations and times.
Thursday 27
URBAN HOUSING FORUM. Residence, 2415 Magnolia St., 299-7168 -- Developers and investors invited to urban housing forum sponsored by Hometime LLC, hosted by architect Nurhan Gokturk and working with Mayor Nagin's Neighborhood 1 initiative. Free admission. 10 a.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.
AN EVENING WITH THE ZEPHYRS. Pontchartrain Center, Belle Grove Plantation Ball Room, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 734-5155, ext. 295; www.zephyrsbaseball.com -- Zephyrs coaches and players host program including reception, buffet dinner, autograph session, guest speakers and more, plus first-ever class inducted into Greater New Orleans Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. Tickets $25. 6 p.m.
DR. ROBERT MARTENSEN. Tulane University, Woldenberg Art Center, Freeman Auditorium, 865-5328; www.newcomb.tulane.edu/artindex.html -- The chair of Humanities and Ethics in Medicine and professor of surgery lectures on 'From Heart to Brain: Presence, Likeness and the Bio-Medical Body.' A panel discussion with the artists of Motion/Stasis exhibit follows. Free admission. 7 p.m. Thursday.
SONG OF THE EARTH CONCERT. Orpheum Theater, 129 University Place, 524-3285; www.orpheumneworleans.com -- Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents a concert of Schubert and Mahler conducted by Klauspeter Seibel and performed by contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux and tenor John Treleaven. Tickets $11-60. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday.
Friday 28
UNO CONCERT. University of New Orleans, Lakefront Campus, Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, 280-7469; www.uno.edu/~music/events.htm#MusicalExcursions -- Trio Fedele performs as part of the Musical Excursions/Guest Artists series. Tickets $5. 2 p.m.
KREWE OF CORK. Departs Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal St., 569-2418; www.kreweofcork.com -- Krewe composed of wine lovers holds fifth annual march with brass band, throws and wine-inspired costumes. 3 p.m.
GLASS-BLOWING DEMONSTRATIONS. Conti Glass, 3924 Conti St., 483-1195 -- Free glass-blowing demonstration. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Philadelphia 76ers. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
TRIO FEDELE. UNO Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall, 280-6381 -- UNO Music Department hosts renown trio of flute, cello and piano performing works by Beethoven, von Weber, Poulenc and more. Admission $20 general, $15 UNO community, $10 seniors over 55, $5 students. 7:30 p.m.
LESBIAN CAFE. Fair Grinds Coffee House, upstairs, 3133 Ponce de Leon St., 948-3222; www.fairgrinds.com -- Open mic for all mediums. 8 p.m.
PALESTINIAN HIP-HOP PERFORMANCE. Neighborhood Gallery, 1410 Oretha Castle Blvd., 524-8800 -- An evening of Palestinian-American hip-hop performances by Shaheed, Kamakazee Entertainment and Arabian Outlaw. Proceeds go to the New Orleans Palestine Solidarity. Tickets $5 at door. 9 p.m.
Saturday 29
ACT PRACTICE TEST. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 865-1060 -- Practice test held for the new format ACT test with optional essay section. A follow-up strategy session held on Feb. 2 provides additional test information. For students graduating in 2006 and beyond only. Must register directly with Princeton Review. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
MID-CITY ART MARKET. Corner of Canal Street and Carrollton Avenue -- More than 60 artists selling pottery, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass, metal art and furniture. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
LATIN AMERICAN HEALTH CONFERENCE. First United Methodist Church, 3401 Canal St., 865-5164; http://stonecenter.tulane.edu -- Tulane University's Stone Center presents 'Health Disparities in NO/LA: Access to Care in New Orleans Latino Community and Latin America.' Health professionals, academics and others discuss topics such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and reproductive health in Latin American communities. Free admission and open to the public. Lunch and daycare provided. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KREWE OF ENDYMEOW. The Cat Practice, 1809 Magazine St., 525-MEOW; www.catpractice.com/about.html -- The restored Cat Practice and its feline krewe celebrate Mardi Gras with the theme 'Whiskers of Oz: There's No Place Like Home.' All cats are invited to join Endymeow for free. Costumes encouraged. Register by Friday. Free admission. 10 a.m. to noon.
RECORD CONVENTION. Quality Inn, Causeway Boulevard at I-10, Metairie, 833-8211 -- Jazz, blues, heavy metal, alternative records for sale, along with imports, posters and memorabilia. Admission $3. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DENIZEN'S LOUNGE. Z'Otz Coffeeshop, 8210 Oak St., 717-3106; www.diagrasm.com -- Evening of gothic, ambient, Middle Eastern and electronic music with DJs Andy Torres and Ravencreature. Free admission. 9:30 p.m.
Sunday 30
R BAR COSTUME BOUTIQUE. R Bar, 1431 Royal St. 948-7499 -- Local designers, artists and vintage dealers offer costumes, masks, hats, jewelry and other Carnival ware including pet tiaras by Cathy Cooper at an indoor/outdoor sale. Free admission. Noon to 6 p.m.
MUSIC TRIBUTE FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS. Blue Nile, 534 Frenchmen St., 948-2583 -- Fundraiser tribute to Asian tsunami victims with Troy Andrews & Orleans Avenue, Mid-City Brass Band, Black Hat Trio, James Andrews and Mardi Gras Indians. Call for admission price. 1:30 p.m.
KREWE OF PETRONIUS BALL. Sigur Civic Center, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, 948-4200 -- Forty-fourth annual Mardi Gras ball held by krewe with cash bar, food, music and dancing. Tickets $15. 7 p.m.
ELLEN O'GRADY TALK. Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767; www.zeitgeistinc.org -- The artist presents a multimedia slide show and talk called 'Outside the Ark: An Artist's Journey in Occupied Palestine.' Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
KREWE OF SATYRICON BALL. Municipal Auditorium, Armstrong Park, 525-4498 -- Gay krewe presents bal masque with theme 'Carnival in Rio' featuring costumes, tableaux, MC Varla Jean Merman, live entertainment and more. General admission tickets $10, tables of 10 $300. 8 p.m.
Monday 31
NONPROFIT CERTIFICATE WORKSHOP. United Way of Greater New Orleans, 2515 Canal St., (225) 343-5266; www.lano.org -- The Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations presents a certification-training program for nonprofits. Call for details. First session fee $150 for nonmembers, $80 for LANO members. Fee for second session $80 for nonmembers, $25 for LANO members. 'Standards Overview' session 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 'Application Clinic' session 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
FAIRY WING MAKING-WORKSHOP. Residence, 1036 Franklin Ave., 948-2008 -- Costume artist Rosemary Kimble hosts hands-on course for making fairy wings. Limited space, call for reservations. Fee $25. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
ELLEN O'GRADY TALK. Tulane University, Woldenberg Art Center, Stone Auditorium, room 210, 865-5328; www.ellenogrady.com -- The artist presents a multimedia slide show and talk called 'Outside the Ark: An Artist's Journey in Occupied Palestine.' Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
LANDMARKS SOCIETY LECTURE. 6330 St. Charles Ave., 482-0312 -- The Louisiana Landmarks Society hosts a lecture by Dr. Eugene D. Cizek titled 'The Restoration of Laura Plantation, 1987 through 2005. 7:30 p.m.
call for artists
MUSICIANS NEEDED. 913-9830 -- Musicians sought for playing Fairy Parade, walking a spontaneous route through the French Quarter and ending with drum circle on Moonwalk. Parade runs 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4. Call if interested.
road trip
Friday 28
ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK. Casino Magic, 711 Casino Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis, Miss., (800) 5-MAGIC-5 -- The entertainer and singer performs live. Tickets $ 34.95-$44.95. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 29
COOKING DEMONSTRATION. The Cottage Garden, 40 James Jarrell Road, Carriere, Miss., (601) 798-0753; www.cottagegardenandcafe.com -- Chef Don McGavock presents a cooking demonstration for making barbecued beef brisket and caramel cup custard. Recipe, tasting and lunch are included. Reservations required. Tickets $25 per individual, $40 per couple. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
PRESCRIBED BURN DEMONSTRATIONS. Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, Miss., (601) 799-2311 ext. 21 or 23; www.msstate.edu/dept/crec/camain -- Burn manager Terry Johnson demonstrates techniques for prescribed burns. Wear boots, old clothes, bring lunch and dress for weather. Free for arboretum members, $4 for nonmembers. 10 a.m.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS PRAYER RALLY. State Capitol, Baton Rouge, (225) 924-8748 -- Veterans and state soldiers lead rally to support troops. Free admission. 10 a.m.
theater
AFTER THE FALL. Alley Theatre, Hubbard Stage, 615 Texas Ave., Houston, Texas, (713) 228-8421; www.alleytheatre.org -- The Alley Theatre presents Arthur Miller's semi-autobiographical play about a ruinous love affair directed by Gregory Boyd. Tickets $25-$45. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 6.
THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Grand Casino, Biloxi Grand Theatre, 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 $19.95-$24.95. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)
EZURU. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Beau Rivage Theatre, Biloxi, Miss., (888) 566-7469 or (888) 567-6667; www.beaurivage.com -- Aerialists, comedians and acrobats from all over the world come together in this futuristic production. Tickets $22.95-$29.95. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, through June 15.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Louisiana State University, Hatcher Hall Theatre, basement of Hatcher Hall, Fieldhouse Drive, Baton Rouge, (225) 578-4174; www.theatre.lsu.edu -- LSU Theatre's Studio Season presents the state premier of Jason Robert Brown's musical about two young people in and out of love. Gordon Walker directs Amber Nelson and Alex Beck. Tickets $8 suggested donation (available at door one hour prior to show). 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
galleries
BEAUREGARD GALLERY. 715 Europe St., Baton Rouge, (225) 383-1932 -- The New Jazz Eight, paintings by Joel Green.
museums
ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM OF ART. 933 Main St., Alexandria, (318) 443-3458 or (866) 456-7556; www.themuseum.org -- Observation: Sketchbooks, Paintings and Architecture of Errol Barron, through March 12.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON. 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston, Texas, (713) 639-7300; www.mfah.org -- Rick Lowe: Toward Social Sculpture; Kenneth Noland: The Nature of Color; both through March 6.
MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF ART. 201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, Miss., (866) VIEW-ART; www.msmuseumart.org -- Picture Show: Photographs From the Permanent Collection, vintage, contemporary and digital photographs, through March 27.
PLAQUEMINE LOCK STATE HISTORIC SITE. 57730 Main St., Plaquemine, (225) 687-7158 or (877) 987-7158 -- Protect the Purchase, an exhibit illustrating the importance of the Louisiana coastline and the necessity of its protection and restoration, through Thursday. Tickets $2 general admission, free admission for seniors over 62 and kids 12-under.
words
Monday 31
LENNY EMMANUEL. Pass Christian Books, 101 East Beach Blvd., Pass Christian, Miss., (228) 452-7399 The poet and USM professor leads a monthly poetry discussion. Poetry lovers invited. Free admission. 7 p.m.
