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 $20 (includes one drink). 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Open run.
THE FANTASTICKS. Rivertown Repertory Theatre, 325 Minor St., Kenner, 468-7221; www.rivertownkenner.com/theatre.html -- A musical tale of two young, disillusioned lovers written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt. Gary Rucker directs Greg DiLeo, Whitney Haase, Beau Landry and others. Tickets $12-$25, plus $18 for optional buffet dinner. 6 p.m. buffet, 8 p.m. show Thursday-Saturday, 12:30 p.m. buffet, 2:30 p.m. show Sunday. (Reviewed in this issue.)
THE FAR COUNTRY. Nunez Community College Auditorium, 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, 680-2624; www.nunez.edu -- Nunez's Department of Theater presents Alan Walters' original play about two young lovers who leave the small town of New Roads and trigger a series of fateful events throughout southern Louisiana. Nick Slie directs Bruce France, Andrew White and others. Tickets $10, $7 seniors, $5 students. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 3 p.m. Sunday.
LE PARADIS DES CHATS. Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie, 885-2000; www.jpas.org -- Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents the U.S. premiere of this children's opera about a young orphan from Japan who follows her lost cat on a journey. Kris Shaw and Lauren Buckley direct Jeanne Treuting, Bonnie Mulholland and Patrick Hill. Tickets $15-$25. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
THE LEARNED LADIES. New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts/Riverfront, Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2900; www.nocca.com -- NOCCA/Riverfront Drama students present an adaptation of Moliere's comedy, set in the 1920s. Tickets $5. 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.
THE LION IN WINTER. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, (985) 641-0324 or (985) 643-0556; www.slidell-slt.org -- Slidell Little Theatre presents a drama about the family life of England's King Henry II and Queen Eleanor. Tickets $12, $5 kids 18 and under. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 6.
TRUE WEST. Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse, 1540 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, (985) 781-6565; http://minacapellis.com -- Shine Productions presents Sam Shepard's play starring Patrick Rouse, Rich Lyon, Ken Thompson and Carla Constanza. Tickets $35 for dinner and show. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 13.
auditions
SKYFIRE THEATRE AUDITIONS. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 875-7577; www.skyfire.tv -- Auditions for the 2005 Skyfire Theatre season. Shows include What the Butler Saw, My Fair Lady, The Wiz, Thirteen Daughters, Driving Miss Daisy and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Come prepared with 2-3 minute monologue and/or up-tempo song with sheet music. 7 p.m. Tuesday.
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.
LE CHAT NOIR. 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812 -- Thursday: God's Been Drinking, 11 p.m.; Friday: God's Been Drinking with Mad TV writer Bob Dassie, 9 p.m.; Friday: ComedySportz from The Comedy Conservatory, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, ComedySportz from The Comedy Conservatory, 10:30 p.m.
MARTINE'S. 2347 Metairie Road, Metairie -- Friday: The National Comedy Company presents The Game of Laugh; advance tickets available online at www.nationalcomedycompany.com or call 523-7469, 10:30 p.m. Saturday: long-form improv show featuring teams Let's Settle for Mediocrity and One Hand Clapping; for more information, call 231-7011, 8 p.m.
TRUE BREW CAFE. 200 Julia St., 524-8441 -- Saturday: Brown!, improv comedy, 11 p.m.
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 Saturday.
THE ACADEMY GALLERY. New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, 5256 Magazine St., 899-8111; www.noafa.com -- M. Dell Weller: A Retrospective Exhibition of Our Senior Faculty Member, through Feb. 26.
A GALLERY FOR FINE PHOTOGRAPHY. 241 Chartres St., 568-1313; www.agallery.com -- Ansel Adams and Henri Cartier-Bresson, A Tribute, through February.
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; Mardi Gras Stole My Heart, group show featuring paintings, jewelry and works in clay, wood and fiber; both through February.
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY. 432 Julia St., 522-1999; www.arthurrogergallery.com -- Glasswork by Dale Chihuly, through Feb. 2; John Waters' Greatest Hits (1994-2004), photographs and sculptures by the film director; Batman Dracula, paintings on aluminum by Blake Boyd; both through Feb. 26. (Reviewed in this issue.)
ARTHUR ROGER GALLERY PROJECT SPACE. 730 Tchoupitoulas St., 524-9393; www.arthurrogergallery.com -- Glasswork by Dale Chihuly, through Feb. 26.
BARRISTER'S GALLERY. 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 525-2767; www.barristersgallery.com -- Mat James: New Constructions, through Feb. 28; Travel Notes, work by Karoline Schleh; Out of the Fire, work by Jill Solomon; both through Saturday; sculpture by John Greco, ongoing.
BERGERON STUDIO & GALLERY. 406 Magazine St., 522-7503; www.bergeronstudio.com -- Visions of Sister Gertrude Morgan, photographs by Harriet Blum, Sylvia de Swaan and Michael P. Smith, through Feb. 26.
BRUNNER GALLERY. 215 N. Columbia St., Covington, 893-0444 -- New Year, New Work, exhibit by gallery artists, through Feb. 28.
CAROL ROBINSON GALLERY. 840 Napoleon Ave., 895-6130; www.carolrobinsongallery.com -- New work by James King, through Monday.
CARROLL GALLERY. Tulane University, Newcomb Art Department, Woldenberg Art Center, 314-2228; www.tulane.edu/~art/carrollgallery -- Motion/Stasis, artwork by Iva Gueorguieva, Anastasia Pelias, Christopher Saucedo, Stephen Sollins and Dave Steuber, through Feb. 16.
COLE PRATT GALLERY. 3800 Magazine St., 891-6789; www.coleprattgallery.com -- Group show of gallery artists, through Sunday.
COLLINS C. DIBOLL ART GALLERY. Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Monroe Library, fourth floor, 861-5456 -- Louisiana in Print, group exhibition of contemporary Louisiana printmakers, through March 11. Opens Thursday.
CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER. 900 Camp St., 528-3805; www.cacno.org -- Pieces of Power: Famous Monuments, sculptures and paintings by students of artist Richard Thomas, through March 6; Raving in the Desert, photographs by Tomer Ganihar; Raw Data: Conceptual Art in Louisiana, group show featuring Louisiana artists John Davis, Joan Kay, Stephen Sollins, Matthew Sontheimer and Robert Tannen; both through March 27.
CORAL LAMBERT'S STUDIO. 2728 N. Derbigny St., 949-6941 -- Snowbird Iron Pour, group exhibition of cast-metal sculpture by Arden Miller, Suzzane Szucs, Jeff Kalstrom, Sarah Clover, Felicia Glidden, Sienna Effinger, Megan Ender, David Everett, Coral Lambert, Robert Sarpy, Jim Brenner and others.
DELGADO FINE ARTS GALLERY. Building one, third floor, 615 City Park Ave., 483-4512 -- Heartland, artwork by Mark Grote, through Wednesday.
D.O.C.S. GALLERY. 709 Camp St., 524-3936; www.docsgallery.com -- Free Fall, work by Mark Chatterley, through March 3.
EVANS GALLERY. 3815 Magazine St., 897-2688; www.evansgallery.com -- Works by Lisa Conrad, Tom Corbin, Auguste Garufi, Jean Geraci, Rhenda Saporito, Julie Silvers and Adele Sypesteyn.
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 Monday.
HANSON GALLERY. 229 Royal St., 524-8211; www.hansongallery-nola.com -- Sculpture in bronze and Lucite by Frederick E. Hart, through Monday; works by gallery artists Peter Max, Raymond Douillet, Adrian Deckbar, M. L. Snowden and Steve Taylor, ongoing.
HERIARD-CIMINO GALLERY. 440 Julia St., 525-7300; www.heriardcimino.com -- Recent paintings by Michel Alexis, through Feb. 19.
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, Amzie Adams, Charlene Insley, Gerald Domingue and Charles Foster and sculpture by Allison Pasarew, through April 9. Opening reception called 'Chrysalis: Mardi Gras.' Costumes encouraged. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
JONATHAN FERRARA GALLERY. 841 Carondelet St., 522-5471; www.jonathanferraragallery.com -- Nouveaux Artistes D'Acadiana, An Exhibition of Artists From the Acadiana Region of Louisiana, through March 1.
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.
MARGUERITE OESTREICHER FINE ARTS. 720 Julia St., 581-9253 -- Annie Shows: Arrangements, through Feb. 26.
MARTIN LUKE GALLERY. 4535 Magazine St., 896-9198 -- Oil paintings by Martin Luke and metal sculpture by Luis Colmenares and Scot Evert.
NEWCOMB ART GALLERY. Tulane University, Woldenberg Art Center, 865-5328; www.newcomb.tulane.edu/artindex.html -- Doubly Blessed: The Ibeji Twins of Nigeria, through Feb. 27.
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 Monday.
NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS/RIVERFRONT. 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787 -- Surface Treatment: Hasmig Vartanian & Monica Zeringue, artwork by these two artists; In Situ, an installation by Montana Cherney; both 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 Monday.
NEXT II GALLERY. 1128 St. Roch Ave., 948-0772 -- Urbancycles Amidst Cityscapes, the decorated bicycles of William Gathright; new cityscapes by Karen T. Blomme; both through Feb. 3.
PALMA GALLERY. 828 Howard Ave., 598-2276 -- The Sleep of Reason, black-and-white Mardi Gras photography from 1955-1985 by Lyle Bonge, through March 3.
RADICI GALLERY. 603 Julia St., 596-2144; www.radicigallery.com -- 18152518203118252011414514 PIN 18320, a conceptual art exhibit by Robert Cary Tannen, through Feb. 1.
ROBERT BRUNO GALLERY. 900 S. Peters St., 679-0001; www.robertbrunogallery.com -- LSU Revealed and New Orleans Legend Matt Anderson Rediscovered: An Exhibition of Rare 20th Century Photography, through March 2.
RODRIGUE STUDIO. 721 Royal St., 581-4244; www.georgerodrigue.com -- Original paintings, silkscreens and sculpture including the Blue Dog series and the new River series by George Rodrigue, ongoing.
ROY GALLERY. 329 Julia St., 598-2048 -- Photographs by Sandra Russell Clark; paintings by Evert Witte, through Monday.
SOREN CHRISTENSEN GALLERY. 400 Julia St., 569-9501; www.sorengallery.com -- The Sacred, new photographs by Elizabeth Bick.
SYLVIA SCHMIDT GALLERY. 400-A Julia St., 522-2000; www.sylviaschmidt.com -- Shorelines, paintings by Tiit Raid, through Feb. 10; Louisiana Wetlands, paintings by Rhea Gary, through Feb. 28.
THE WAITING ROOM GALLERY. 906 Pauline St., 949-1805; www.wroomgallery.com -- The Feminine Mystique, paintings by Pat McDonald Fowler, through Feb. 12. (Reviewed in this issue.)
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, new drawings by Jose Torres Tamas, through Wednesday.
HANDS IN CLAY. 4122 Magazine St., 269-1300 -- Works by Martin Lill, Karen Marchand, Joy Gauss and Alison Thomas.
LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTER. 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 835-8000; www.lakesideshopping.com -- The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Inc. presents a Mardi Gras exhibit featuring posters, throws, history, costumes and more, through Feb. 8.
SOUND CAFE. 2700 Chartres St., 947-4477 -- Cuba, new photographs by Christopher Porché West, through Feb. 9.
THE SPOTTED CAT. 623 Frenchmen St., 943-3887 -- Paintings by Suzanne Sanders.
TWIROPA. Tchoupitoulas Room, 1544 Tchoupitoulas St., 595-5091; www.nolastyle.com -- Backstage Photo Confessions, photographs by Leslie T. Snadowsky, ongoing.
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.
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM CABILDO. 701 Chartres St., 568-6968; http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/site/cabex.htm -- The Cabildo: Two Centuries of Louisiana History, ongoing; Freshly Brewed: The Coffee Trade and the Port of New Orleans; Louisiana and the Mighty Mississippi River, through April.
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM PRESBYTERE. 751 Chartres St., 568-6968; http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/site/presbex.htm -- Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana, ongoing; The Mardi Gras Art of Tony Green, through Nov. 20.
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN COCKTAIL. 514 Chartres St., 565-8027; www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org -- Ongoing exhibits about the history of the American cocktail.
NEW ORLEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM. 1418 Gov. Nichols St., 529-2976; www.noaam.org -- National Conference of Artists Southern Regional Invitational Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Art Exhibit, through March 4.
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; John Biggers: My America, early paintings, drawings and sculptures from 1943 to 1958 by the artist, through March 13.
NEW ORLEANS PHARMACY MUSEUM. 514 Chartres St., 565-8027; www.pharmacymuseum.org -- Permanent and rotating exhibits on the history of pharmacy, healthcare and medicine.
OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART. 925 Camp St., 539-9600; www.ogdenmuseum.org -- Recent Acquisitions in Contemporary Photography and Texas: Grassy Landscapes, both through March; Walter Inglis Anderson: Everything I See Is Strange and New, through April 17.
OLD U.S. MINT. 400 Esplanade Ave., 568-6990; http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/site/mintex.htm -- New Orleans Jazz, ongoing; The United States Mint, New Orleans: Its History and Operations, ongoing; Newcomb Pottery and Crafts, ongoing; O. Winston Link: The Louisiana Photographs, previously unpublished images from the 1930s and '40s, through July 31.
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, permanent.
call for artists
ARTEGG ARTMART EXHIBITORS. 1001 S. Broad St., 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 feet by 10 feet 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 Road, 392-5359; www.astudiointhewoods.org -- A Studio in the Woods is accepting applications from writers, composers and visual artists for three-week residencies in late spring. The two sessions are May 2-22 or June 12-July 2. Guidelines and applications are online. The deadline is Monday.
ART OF WOMEN EXHIBIT. Gulf Coast Arts & Entertainment Review, 2524 Madrid St.; 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, Miss.
FIRST UNITARIAN ART MARKET. First Unitarian-Universalist Church of New Orleans, 2903 Jefferson Ave., 866-9010; www.firstuuno.org -- The church is seeking artists to fill 65 booths for an art market on Feb. 18-20. Contact Len Levine for details at 895-4646 or praglenus@yahoo.com.
words
Tuesday 25
DAVID FULMER. Beaucoup Books, 5414 Magazine St., 895-2663 -- The author reads and signs Jass. 6:30 p.m.
JOSE TORRES TAMA. Cafe Rose Nicaud, 632 Frenchmen St., 949-3300 -- The artist reads a series of poems called 'Channeling the Spirits' to accompany his exhibited Historical Portraits. Free admission. 7 p.m.
Wednesday 26
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.
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 27
17 POETS OPEN MIC. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.goldminesaloon.com -- Weekly series with featured poets Michael Patrick Welch and Amy Judith Reuben. Open mic to follow. Poets, storytellers, dancers, musicians, puppeteers and others are invited to share their art. Hosted by Dave Brinks. Free admission. 8 p.m.
DR. DAVID LIBERTO. The Catholic Book Store, 8039 Fig St., 861-7504 -- The author discusses The Triune God. 5:30 p.m.
PAUL DORRELL. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author reads and signs Living the Artist's Life. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday 29
CARTER COLEMAN. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author reads and signs Cage's Bend. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
ELLEN C. MERRILL. The Catholic Book Store, 8039 Fig St., 861-7504 -- The author signs Germans of Louisiana. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
KEN FOSTER. Three Dog Bakery, 827 Royal St., 525-2253 -- The author signs Dog Culture. Proceeds from book sales and biscuit special go to the LA/SPCA. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
SISTER HELEN PREJEAN. The Catholic Book Store, 8039 Fig St., 861-7504 -- The author signs Death of Innoccents. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
