family
Tuesday 1
FREE IMMUNIZATIONS. Walgreens, 1260 Front St., Slidell (Tuesday); Toys-R-Us, Bullard Avenue and I-10 (Wednesday); Toys-R-Us, 4800 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero (Thursday) -- Greater New Orleans Immunization Network offers free immunizations in the mobile unit to children six weeks to 18 years of age. Immunizations record required. Call 733-3268 for more information. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday.
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. Open to preschoolers, parents, teachers and caregivers. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Feb. 21.
MAGIC NIGHT WITH DR. MAGIC. Carreta's Grill, 1340 Lindberg Drive, Slidell, (985) 847-0020 (Tuesday); 2320 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-6696 (Wednesday); 1200 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, (985) 727-7212 (Thursday) -- Children's magician performs tableside magic. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, ongoing.
Friday 4
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 5
QUEEN AND KING CAKE BALL. The Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 -- Children's ball features storytelling by Angela the Yarnspinner, a special 'kid-sized' coronation and complimentary king cake for all. Regal attire recommended. Tickets $3.50 adults, $2.50 children/seniors. Show times 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Monday 7
KIDS' LUNDI GRAS PARTY. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357; www.lcm.org -- Children's Lundi Gras festival featuring crown-decorating, mask, vest and jewelry creation, Mardi Gras karaoke, storytime by Denise McConduit, second-line parade and king cake. Tickets $7 general admission, kids 1-under free. Storytime 11 a.m., parade 1 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 1
NEW ORLEANS CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S CONNECTION LUNCHEON. Southern Yacht Club, 105 N. Roadway St., 469-6636 -- Luncheon features a talk by Phyllis Fights on 'From Fear to Freedom.' Call to register. Tickets $16. 11 a.m.
LOYOLA PIANO TRIO. Loyola University, Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, 865-3492; www.music.loyno.edu -- The Loyola Piano Trio performs, featuring Valerie Poullete on violin, Allen Nisbet on cello and Jac McCracken on piano. Tickets $10 general admission, $5 Loyola students/community with valid ID. 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
REV. DEAN BRACKLEY. Loyola University, Monroe Hall, Nunemaker Auditorium, 861-2304 -- The Rev. Dean Brackley speaks on 'The Challenge of the Christian and Jesuit University Today,' with reception to follow. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 2
WHITE GLOVE WEDNESDAY. The National D-Day Museum, Louisiana Memorial Pavilion, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Museum curators lead a hands-on workshop exhibiting American helmets from World War I and World War II and helmets from Germany, Japan, Canada and France. Free admission. 10 a.m. to noon.
LOYOLA PIANO TRIO. Tulane University, Rogers Memorial Chapel, 862-3214 or 865-5267; www.tulane.edu/~music -- The Newcomb Department of Music hosts a concert by the Loyola Piano Trio as part of the Music at Midday Series. Free admission. Noon.
UNO CONCERT. UNO, Lakefront Campus, Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, 280-7469; www.uno.edu/~music/events.htm#MusicalExcursions -- The Duo Feterman performs as part of the Musical Excursions/Guest Artists series. Tickets $5. 2 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com. Hornets host the Dallas Mavericks. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
Thursday 3
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS. Oakwood Shopping Center, 197 Westbank Expwy., suite 33, Gretna, 362-1900 -- Free blood-pressure screenings from West Jefferson Hospital. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
MUSIC AT THE MARKET. Crescent City Farmers Market, 3700 Orleans Ave., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Listen to the music of Jack Nielson while shopping for produce, dairy and meats. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
SPECIAL WINEMAKER DINNER. Vega Tapas Cafe, 2051 Metairie Road, Metairie, 836-2007; www.vegatapascafe.com -- Chef Michael Hampton and guest winemaker Susie Selby from Sonoma County co-host a six-course tapas-style dinner paired with wines from Selby Winery. Reservations required. Tickets $65. 7 p.m.
Friday 4
KREWE OF KNIGHTS. Stuart Hall School, Early Childhood Center, 2032 S. Carrollton Ave., 861-1954 -- Stuart Hall School for Boys presents the annual preschool Mardi Gras parade featuring throws and student-designed wagon 'floats.' Parade route on school grounds and South Carrollton Avenue. 10 a.m.
MASK MARKET. French Market's Dutch Alley, 522-2621; www.frenchmarket.org -- The French Market hosts a four-day mask market featuring local and national vendors and live music. Merchandise ranges from $5-$500. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Monday.
VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION. Versailles Arms Computer Learning Center, 14548 Peltier St., 245-1050 -- The Vietnamese New Year or 'Tet' celebration includes fireworks, prayer, dragon dancing, singing and a luncheon of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Free Admission. 10:30 a.m.
ENTERTAINMENT LAW ASSISTANCE. New Orleans Music Office Co-Op, 4040 Tulane Ave., 483-2880 or 523-1465; http://musicofficecoop.com -- The Entertainment Law Legal Assistance Project offers free legal advice and assistance to musicians, visual artists, performance artists, filmmakers and writers. Appointments preferred. 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. Ongoing.
KREWE DU FAYE FAIRY PARADE. Jackson Square, 948-2008 -- Line-up and pre-entertainment by local performers in Jackson Square. All winged creatures welcome. Free admission to join. 8 p.m.
FRIDAY BEFORE MARDI GRAS BALL. The Carrollton, 4710 S. Carrollton Ave., 483-3211; www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.org -- The Friday Night Before Mardi Gras gay ball and benefit features buffet dinner, open bar, local celebrities and music by Johnny Angel & the Swingin' Demons. Attire is drag, costume or black tie. All proceeds go to Belle Reve and United Services for AIDS. Tickets $50. 9 p.m. to midnight.
FEMME FATALE BALL. The Big Top Gallery, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.3rcp.com -- The 3 Ring Circus presents its third annual Femme Fatale Ball titled 'Circus Magickus: Wild, Weird & Wonderful' featuring a parade, carnival vendors, trapeze artists, dancers, a costume fashion show, artwork, sideshow freaks and live performances by Pink Slip, Manwitch and Grown Up Wrongs. Tickets $10 with costume, $15 without costume. 10:30 p.m.
Saturday 5
KING CAKE CONTEST. Crescent City Farmers Market, Magazine and Girod streets; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Features king cake tasting and contest. King cakes will come from La Spiga Bakery, Randazzo's, Gambino's, The Savvy Gourmet Cooking School and shoppers. Winning cake receives ribbon and gift certificate for Market purchases. Free and open to the public. 9:30 a.m.
MARDI GRAS FAMILY FEST. St. John Lutheran Church & School campus, 3937 Canal St., 482-2118 -- Festival with food and drink booths, live music by Amigos de Cristo, Liese's Living Room, Ole Man River and others, clean restrooms and view of Endymion parade. Free admission to campus. $5 adults/$2 kids for all-day restroom passes. Proceeds benefit children's services. 10 a.m. until Endymion parade ends.
UPTOWN SATURDAY NIGHTS. The City Club, 1525 St. Charles Ave., 304-3355; www.NewOrleansBlack.com -- Weekly 'VIP Party Experience' with comedy, live R&B and DJ dance party. Sexy and sophisticated attire (doorman's discretion). Admission $15. 10 p.m.
Sunday 6
BACCHUS PARADE PARTY. Bultman Funeral Home, 3338 St. Charles Ave., 525-3377; www.saveourcemeteries.org -- Save Our Cemeteries hosts a Bacchus Parade party featuring food, drinks and a great view of the parade. Tickets $50 nonmembers, $40 SOC members, $20 for kids 14-20, $10 for kids 7-13, free admission for kids 6-under. 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday 7
ZULU & ARGUS CELEBRATION & PARADE. Mardi Gras Museum, 415 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7293 -- The Zulu and Argus krewes host a pre-parade festival featuring free admission to the Mardi Gras Museum, beadwork demonstrations by Larry Bannock, music by DJ Mike Tiefer, prizes and contests, street performers and food. Free admission. Party 10 a.m., parade 1 p.m.
LINDY GRAS CELEBRATION. Gretna Market, Huey P. Long Avenue, between Third & Fourth streets -- Presentation of the Royalty of Gretna, featuring live music by Benny Grunch & the Bunch. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
ROCK THE BLOCK PARTY. The Howlin' Wolf, 828 S. Peters St., 522-WOLF; www.howlin-wolf.com -- The Howlin' Wolf and Southern Comfort co-host a Lundi Gras block party between St. Joseph and Julia streets featuring live music by Cowboy Mouth and Bag of Donuts. Free admission. Noon to 6 p.m.
ongoing
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. Thursday, with concerts, film screenings and other events offered periodically.
FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT SERIES. Main Event Sports Bar, front parking lot, 3200 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie, 885-3300 or 888-6451 -- A series that mixes boxing, martial arts, kickboxing and ultimate fighting matches every Friday night. Anyone qualified can compete. Tickets $10, beer specials and food available. 7 p.m.
applications
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND. Beginning Experience, P.O. Box 74345, Metairie, La., 70033-4345, (985) 653-0243 or 348-4996 or 554-1346 -- Beginning Experience is accepting applications for a weekend geared toward widowed, separated and divorced people. The program will be held at Ave Maria Retreat Center in Crown Point. Call for an application. Deadline is Feb. 18.
donations
MARDI GRAS BEAD DONATIONS. Jefferson Parish Libraries, 838-1100; www.Jefferson.lib.la.us -- All Jefferson Parish libraries are accepting donations of Mardi Gras beads to benefit the Arc of Greater New Orleans, through Feb. 14.
MARDI GRAS BEAD DONATIONS. Mix Family Chiropractic, 7942 Hwy. 23, suite B, Belle Chasse, 393-8675 -- Donate a sack of Mardi Gras beads in exchange for free spinal screenings, consultations and chiropractic exam. Beads benefit St. Michael Special School.
road trip
Tuesday 1
BASKETBALL CAMP APPLICATIONS. Ten Star All-Star Basketball Camp, 2207 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C., (704) 373-0873 -- Invitation-only basketball camp is accepting applications from all boys and girls ages 10-19. Several camp locations nationwide. Call for more information. Deadline April 1.
FANTASY DIVA VALENTINE PARTY. The Basketry, 50 Wade St., Luling, (985) 785-8769; www.thebasketryinc.com -- Pre-Valentine's Day gift sale and party featuring free margaritas and wine. 6 p.m.
HISTORY OF MARDI GRAS. Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, 57730 Main St., Plaquemine, (225) 687-7158 -- Presentation on the history of Plaquemine's three Mardi Gras krewes and the origin of Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Tickets $2, free admission for kids 12-under/seniors. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday-Monday, Feb. 8.
Wednesday 2
GARDENING GATHERING. The Cottage Garden, 40 James Jarrell Road, Carriere, Miss., (601) 798-0753; www.cottagegardenandcafe.com -- Monthly gathering for discussion of gardens and gardening. Free admission. 10 a.m.
Thursday 3
LYNN WHITFIELD. Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Cotillion Ballroom, Baton Rouge, (225) 771-3922 -- The Emmy award-winning actress gives a talk as part of the Black History Month speakers' series. Free admission. 11 a.m.
SCOTT H. BIRAM. Blue Moon Saloon, 215 E. Convent St., Lafayette, (337) 234-2422 -- The one-man band performs. 8 p.m.
Friday 4
KREWE OF APHRODITE PARADE. Houma, (985) 868-2732 -- Westside route from Bayou Gardens Boulevard to Town Hall. 6:30 p.m.
TERRI CLARK & ANDY GRIGGS. Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Event Center, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (800) 946-7777 -- The two artists perform in concert. Tickets $19.95-$29.95. 8 p.m.
TRAVIS TRITT. Casino Magic, 711 Casino Magic Drive, Bay St. Louis, Miss., (800) 5-MAGIC-5 -- The country singer performs. Tickets $34.95 and up. 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Saturday 5 AARON TIPPIN. Grand Casino Biloxi, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450 -- Aaron Tippin performs in concert. Tickets $14.95-$19.95. 8 p.m.
KREWE OF MARDI GRAS PARADE. Houma, (985) 868-2732 -- Eastside route. 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday 6
KREWE OF TERREANIANS PARADE. Houma, (985) 868-2732 -- Westside route. 12:30 p.m.
KREWE OF TCHEFUNCTE BOAT PARADE. Marina del Ray, Madisonville, (985) 630-4959 or 460-2057; www.magnoliabelle.org -- The Magnolia Belle Riverboat Cruises host a three-hour cruise and boat parade along the Tchefuncte River. Costume and throws encouraged. Refreshments available. Tickets $20. Boarding begins at 12:30 p.m., tour at 2 p.m.
MONTEGUT-CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL CLUB PARADE. Hwy. 55, Montegut (985) 868-2732 -- Children's parade with 10 floats. 2 p.m.
Monday 7
RURAL MARDI GRAS MASK WORKSHOP. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve, Acadian Cultural Center, 501 Fisher Road, Lafayette, (337) 232-0789 -- Jerome Bacque demonstrates how to make rural Mardi Gras masks and capuchons. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
KREWE OF CLEOPATRA PARADE. Houma, (985) 868-2732 -- Westside route. 6:30 p.m.
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION. Watercolors Resort, Watercolors, Fla., 525-7453; http://neworleansbar.org -- The New Orleans Bar Association holds a Continuing Legal Education week in Florida featuring 10 hours of CLE, ethics and professionalism courses. Call for details and registration. Feb. 7-11.
KREWE OF HOUMA TABLEAUX & BALL. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd., Houma, (985) 868-2732 -- Tableaux and ball to introduce the king and queen. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
theater
AFTER THE FALL. Alley Theatre, Hubbard Stage, 615 Texas Ave., Houston, (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.
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. Tuesday-Thursday, 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.
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.
LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM. 100 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, (225) 344-9478; www.lasm.org -- Anyone Can Fly -- Faith Ringgold: A Survey, through March 6.
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON. 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston, (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.
OPELOUSAS MUSEUM OF ART. 106 N. Union St., Opelousas, (337) 942-4991 -- Rhythm and Roots, Zydeco and Acadian photography by Rick Olivier and Terri Fensel, through April 23. Opens Wednesday.
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.
call for volunteers
JAZZ FEST. 558-6144; volunteers@nojazzfest.com -- The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is accepting applications for volunteer work at the festival (April 22-May 1). Volunteers needed for office administration, phone bank reception, construction, signs and decor, photography and more.
