family
Tuesday 8
SECOND LINE UMBRELLA WORKSHOP. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357; www.lcm.org -- Children create and design traditional Mardi Gras umbrellas. For kids 5-up. Tickets $10 (for umbrellas) in addition to museum admission. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. ad 1:30 a.m.
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.
Saturday 12
CHILDREN'S ART CLASSES. New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Professional art teachers instruct children with emphasis on creative process. Pre-registration required. Each session $60 general admission, $50 NOMA members. Morning class for children ages 5-7 from 10 a.m. to noon; afternoon classes for children ages 8-12 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Five classes through March 12.
SAMBA SATURDAY. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 -- Samba expert Curtis Pierre performs traditional Brazilian Carnival music. Suggested for children ages 5-up. Tickets $3.50. Reservations are encouraged (call 468-7231 or 712-9861). 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Sunday 13
CLAY WORKSHOP. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Family workshop participants create ceramic vessels from self-hardening clay using the coiling technique. Tickets $5 per family for NOMA members, $6 for nonmembers plus museum admission. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 8
BACKSTREET MARDI GRAS OPEN HOUSE. The Backstreet Cultural Museum, 1116 St. Claude Ave., 522-4806 -- Museum hosts its annual all-day open house featuring WWOZ live broadcast, live entertainment and honored guests including Fi-Yi-Yi Spirit of the Mandingo Warrior, the North Side Skull & Bone Gang and others. Free admission. 11 a.m.
Wednesday 9
LUNCHBOX LECTURE AT D-DAY. The National D-Day Museum, Louisiana Memorial Pavillion, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Director of Collections and Exhibits Tom Czekanski discusses 'The Firebombing of Dresden.' Bring lunch. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.
Friday 11
JAPANESE ANIMATION CONVENTION. Alario Center, 2000 Segnette Blvd., Westwego, 391-1135; www.numareinocon.com -- Numa Rei-no Con is an anime convention including music, video game tournaments, costume contests, and panels with animation artists. Free admission. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
GERRY MATH. Salaville Perk, 137 Sala Ave., Westwego, 309-3077 -- The pianist performs Phantom of the Opera and other selections from composer Scott Joplin. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805; www.cacno.org -- Irvin Mayfield leads the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Tickets $25 general admission, $20 CAC members/students/seniors. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday and Sunday.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Golden State Warriors. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
Saturday 12
ANTIQUE ROSE SALE. City Park, Pelican Greenhouse, 1 Palm Drive, 483-9427; www.neworleanscitypark.com/nobg.php -- Annual flower sale features over 100 varieties of antique and old flowers suitable for growth in Louisiana climate. Proceeds benefit the New Orleans Botanical Garden and City Park. Free admission. 9 a.m. to noon.
ARTEGG ARTMART. ArtEgg Studios, 1001 S. Broad St., 822-4002; www.artegg.com -- Paintings, woodwork, pottery, glass and metal works, textiles, baskets, jewelry and more for sale at this monthly art market. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION. Lafreniere Park, shelter 6, Metairie, 388-9313; www.liuinstitute.com -- The Liu Institute for Taiji and Kungfu presents a Chinese New Year celebration featuring a martial arts demonstration, line dancing, mini-classes on health and wellness and a raffle prize of free tuition to the Liu Institute. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
bMid City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133; http://homepage.mac.com/tromstar -- Screening of film Mr. Movie followed by live taped set of band T.R.O.M. Free admission for females from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; other admission $7. 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS CARES! Tipitina's, 501 Napoleon Ave., (337) 837-9997; www.MusiCares.com -- Benefit concert for musician-assistance group MusiCares Foundation features Shannon McNally, Susan Cowsill, Henry Butler, Chris Thomas King and others. Tickets $10. 9 p.m.
Sunday 13
BRIDGING HEALTH TOGETHER RUN. Audubon Park, Shelter No. 11, 988-5462; www.som.tulane.edu/groups/bht or www.mcl.tulane.edu -- Medical students at Tulane University hold a 5K benefit run. Proceeds go to providing health care at the Bridge House. Tickets $15 pre-registration, $20 day of registration. Registration 9 a.m. Race 10 a.m. to noon.
GROWING THE CAMELLIA. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 833-3970 -- Camellia Club of New Orleans hosts workshop on growing camellias. Free with Longue Vue admission of $3. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
WEDDING FAIR. Clearview Mall, 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 885-0202 -- MVP Video Productions presents its third annual Wedding Fair featuring 30 wedding professionals and their services. Register to win door prizes. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
DOG SOCIAL. The Pampered Pug, 8630 Oak St., 866-7502; www.thepamperedpug.com -- The Pampered Pug hosts designer Penny Francis of Eclectic Home at its Second Sunday Dog Social to discuss dog-friendly home design. Dogs and their owners welcome. Light refreshments served. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
CHOCOLATE SUNDAY. Renaissance Arts Hotel, 700 Tchoupitoulas St., 486-5511 -- WYES Channel 12 hosts a chocolate extravaganza with samplings and art made by local pastry chefs. Silent auction for chocolate and sugar showpieces. Proceeds go to WYES. Advanced tickets general admission $25, seniors $20. Tickets $30 general admission at door. Must be 21 years or older with valid I.D. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- Program of French Creole music with vocalists Aubry Bryan and Givonna Joseph with pianist Albinas Prizgintas. Free admission. 5 p.m.
Monday 14
SWEETHEART COUPLES LUNCHEON. Fairmont Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 123 Baronne St., 488-3475 -- Local American Heart Association affiliate hosts annual luncheon with awards ceremony, celebrity MC Stephanie Riegel of WWL-TV. 11 a.m.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS. New Orleans Arena, 525-HOOP; www.hornets.com -- Hornets host the Washington Wizards. Tickets $10-$218.50. 7 p.m.
BRUCE BENNETT. Dixon Hall, Tulane University, 862-3214 -- Composer Bruce Bennett performs an electro-acoustical composition using sampled drums and animal sounds. Free admission. 8 p.m.
call for 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 the St. Michael Special School. Donation deadline Feb. 9.
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 submissions
BLACK HISTORY CONTEST. Data News, 3501 Napoleon Ave., 899-0732 -- Second annual That's What's Up promotion asks youth of greater New Orleans to research and document black history facts and compose 100-word essay 'How Violent Crime Destroys Black History.' Contest held through Feb. 28; mail to street address above or divadend@bellsouth.net.
call for volunteers
TEEN VOICE COALITION. (866) 859-5974 -- The Teen Voice Coalition is a 200-member youth choir in Orleans and Jefferson parishes looking for musicians, choir directors and event managers. Volunteers must be at least 21. Call the YOUTHanasia Foundation for details. road trip Friday 11
KANSAS. Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Event Center, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (800) 946-7777 -- The band performs live. Tickets $19.95-$29.95. 8 p.m.
MICKEY GILLEY. Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Biloxi Theatre, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450 -- Mickey Gilley performs in concert. Tickets $14.95-$19.95. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Saturday 12
BEANS AND BULLETS. Fort Pike State Historic Site, Highway 90, 23 miles east of New Orleans, (888) 662-5703 -- Educational program with staff and historical re-enactors features gun-firing demos, cooking and more about 19th century soldiers. Admission $2 adults, free seniors over 62 and children 12 and under. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
TOBY KEITH & TED NUGENT. Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Beach Boulevard., Gulfport, Miss., (228) 594-3707 -- Country and rock stars perform live. Tickets $39.75-$55.75. 7:30 p.m.
GERALD LEVERT. Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Event Center, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (800) 946-7777 -- Rhythm and blues singer performs. Tickets $40-$55. 8 p.m.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR OLLA VICTIMS. Paragon Casino Resort, Mari Center, Marksville, (318) 240-6318; www.paragoncasinoresort.com -- Country singer Neal McCoy hosts a benefit concert to raise money for the victims of the recent tornado in Olla. Tickets $30 general admission, $100 to sit in first or second row and meet Neal McCoy. 9 p.m.
theater
EZURU. Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, 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.
