family
Tuesday 26
DISNEY ON ICE. Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., 280-7171; http://arena.uno.edu -- Disney/Pixar present Finding Nemo on Ice. Tickets $12-$50. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Friday 29
KIDS ZOO-TO-DO. Audubon Zoo, 861-6160; www.auduboninstitute.org -- 'Bugapalooza' anticipates the opening of the Audubon Insectarium featuring games and activities for kids and catering from local restaurants. All proceeds benefit the Audubon Institute. Tickets $20 general admission, $16 members. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 30
JUDY STOCK. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231, ext. 220 -- Folk singer Judy Stock performs songs from her repertoire of American classics. For kids ages 5 and up. Tickets $3.50. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
READ TO ME. Irish Channel Action Foundation, 1813 Magazine St., 525-1940 -- Celebrate April as 'Deaf Awareness and Child Protection Month' with a special reading of Koko and the Kitten. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
special events
Tuesday 26
ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS. Tournament Players Club of Louisiana, 11001 Lapalco Blvd., Avondale, 436-8721; www.tpc.com -- The Tournament Players Club hosts the Zurich Classic. This year's tournament will feature tour pros like Joe Durant, Bernhard Langer and Chris Riley, through May 1. Call for ticket information. Opens Thursday.
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 801 N. Rampart St., 523-6530, ext. 115 -- The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents a special performance for the students of New Orleans. Schools interested in attending should call in advance. Free admission. 10 a.m.
MO FEST. Woldenberg Park, 658-4940; www.mofestival.com -- The third annual Mayor's Office Festival (MO Fest) is an outdoor concert series featuring the music of local favorites. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
PONDEROSA STOMP. Mid-City Lanes Rock N' Bowl, 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., 482-3133; www.rockandbowl.com -- Music festival celebrating the best in blues, soul, rockabilly, swamp pop and R&B. This year's Stomp features Archie Bell, Eddie Boh Paris, Brenton Wood and many others. Tickets $35. 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday/Wednesday.
ROCK & ROLL DANCE CLASS. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.3rcp.com -- Dance and exercise class set to rock music. Tickets $10. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
CITY PARK DISCUSSION. St. Francis Xavier Church, Parish Center, 444 Metairie Road, 483-4084 -- The Orleans Audubon Society invites the director of development for City Park to discuss future plans for the park. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
KENNY CHESNEY. New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., (800) 730-7373 -- Country star Kenny Chesney performs. Tickets purchased from the March 18 cancelled performance will be honored the night of the show. Tickets $49.50-$59.50. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 27
GARDEN SYMPOSIUM. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- The 15th annual symposium presents lectures and interactive workshops by horticulture experts on 'Sublime Vines and Bloomin' Climbers.' Advance registration recommended. Tickets $80 general admission, $75 Longue Vue members. 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
BIOETHICS ON THE BRAIN. J. Bennett Johnston Health and Environmental Research Building, 1324 Tulane Ave., 988-5246 -- Robert Martensen delivers a lecture on what makes a living human body a person as part of the Rev. Prim Smith Lectureship Series in Medical Ethics. Free admission. 11:30 a.m.
GUITAR SEMINAR. New Orleans Public Library, 219 Loyola Ave., 529-7323 (Wednesday); Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 455-4929 (Thursday) -- Mark John Sternal teaches his unique style of guitar. Free admission. 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, 7 p.m. Thursday.
LUNCHBOX LECTURE. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Director of Education Kenneth Hoffman discusses the final days of Roosevelt, Mussolini and Hitler. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.
UNO GRADUATE RECITAL. New Orleans Jazz Historical Park, Visitor Center, 916 N. Peters St., 589-4841; www.nps.gov/jazz -- Five concerts from recently graduated jazz students. Free admission. Noon to 4:50 p.m.
GUITAR CONCERT. Columns Hotel, 3811 St. Charles Ave., 899-9308 -- Chip Wilson and Windham Hill guitarist Sean Harkness provide clinic and performance. Tickets $5. Guitar clinic 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., performance 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
TENNIS WHITES NIGHT. New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, 5353 Laurel St., 494-4435 -- This event, presented by 'Communities in Schools,' features tennis, dinner and live and silent auctions. All proceeds benefit McDonogh 42 Elementary. Call for ticket information. 6 p.m.
A TASTE OF SOUTHERN FRANCE. Martin Wine Cellar, 714 Elmeer St., 899-7411; www.martinwine.com -- Winemakers Jeffrey Davies, Claude Gros and Irene Tolleret present their wines for an informal tasting. Tickets $30. 6:30 p.m.
ELIZABETH COHEN. Tulane University, Dixon Hall, 862-3214 -- Elizabeth Cohen will discuss the challenges of preserving Tulane's music library. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
SWING IN THE OAKS. City Park, Dreyfous Meadow, 483-1700; www.nocp.org -- Stuart Chafetz conducts the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Food and refreshments for sale. Concert-goers encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.
RON MADRAS. Loyola University, Monroe Hall, Nunemaker Auditorium, third floor, 861-5888; www.loyolano.edu -- The St. Louis University professor of theological studies gives a talk on 'Ignatian Humanism or How to Make a Roux' as part of the University and the Human in a Pluralistic Age lecture series. Free admission. 7 p.m.
WINE DINNER. Wolfe's of New Orleans Restaurant, 7224 Pontchartrain Blvd., 284-6004 -- Wolfe's hosts a dinner featuring the wines of Sokol Blosser Winery. Tickets $75. 7:30 p.m.
DAZE BETWEEN PARTY. Rosy's Jazz Hall, 500 Valence St., 896-7679; www.petdekat.com -- The Pet de Kat Krewe presents its 'Daze Between' party featuring the music of Sonny Landreth and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. Tickets $29.50. 9:30 p.m.
Thursday 28
CURSILLO RETREAT. Cenacle Retreat House, 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie, 887-1420 -- The Cenacle Retreat House offers a weekend workshop to discuss Catholicism and the community. Retreat is for women only. Free admission. Thursday, through May 1.
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION SUMMIT. Park Plaza Hotel, 1500 Canal St., 596-2100; www.gnofairhousing.com -- The 10th annual summit features guest speakers Delfeayo Marsalis and John Relman on the theme 'Fair Housing Boot Camp: Everything You Need to Know to Combat Housing Discrimination.' Tickets $50. 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
BUSINESS PLAN ORIENTATION. UNO Small Business Development Center, 1600 Canal St., Suite 620, 539-9292 -- The UNO SBDC offers a seminar on developing a small business. Tickets $10. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday 29
ANTIQUES APPRAISAL. Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-7032; www.prcno.org -- The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans hosts antique appraisers Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson for patron party (residence of Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Strub, 529 Esplanade Ave.), appraisals and public lecture. Tickets $60 per couple for patron party, appraisal tickets per item $15 day of, $10 for members/$12 nonmembers in advance. Patron party 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, appraisals 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, lecture 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
BUSINESS SEMINAR SERIES. New Orleans Regional Business Park Enterprise Center, 13801 Old Gentilly Road, 254-0600 -- Virtual Office Suites presents a seminar by Valerie Hills about alternative funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations. Registration recommended. Free admission. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DECORATIVE ARTS SEMINAR. Agora Furnishings, 2240 Magazine St., 525-2240; www.agora-nola.com -- Artists and craftsmen discuss interior arts. Free admission. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
SKATEBOARD DEMO. New Orleans Board Shop, 8206 Oak St., 862-6273 -- Pro skaters Todd Falcon and Austin Cargill perform an in-store demonstration. Free admission. 4 p.m.
LOUISIANA BIKE EXPO. Louisiana Superdome, 828-7433; www.louisianabikeexpo.com -- The indoor motorcycle expo features the country's best custom-bike builders including Orange County Choppers. Tickets $15 general admission, $7 children. 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
OLPS TOMATO FESTIVAL. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, 2320 Paris Road, Chalmette, 271-1217 -- The church celebrates its 53rd anniversary with carnival rides, games, food, music and the Miss Tomato Queen pageant. Free admission. 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Sunday.
POETRY READING. Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce de Leon, 948-3222 -- The Lesbian Cafe presents a reading by Bobbie Geary from her new novel. Free admission. 8 p.m.
Saturday 30
MID-CITY ART MARKET. City Park, between Peristyle and the Botanical Garden -- More than 60 artists selling pottery, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, textiles, wood, glass, metal art and furniture at the market's new location. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
MANAGING ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Loyola University, College of Business Building, Miller Hall, 864-7942 -- Seminar on how to properly manage internal accounts and accounts receivable. Tickets $30. 9 a.m. to noon.
MEDICINAL HERB TALK. Crescent City Farmer's Market, 700 Magazine St., 861-5898; www.gwenyfar.com -- Gwenyfar, the author and herbalist from North Carolina, discusses the healing and medicinal qualities of everyday herbs and spices. Free admission. 9 a.m.
MOTORCYCLE RIDE AND POKER RUN. Pit Stop, 4117 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, 270-9466 -- The inaugural motorcycle ride begins in Jefferson and takes a scenic route through the lakes and bayous surrounding New Orleans and ends in St. Bernard Parish with music and a pig roast. Proceeds benefit disabled veterans of Louisiana. Tickets $20 for bike and driver, $10 each additional rider. 9 a.m.
WORLD TAI CHI DAY. Audubon Park, 388-9313; www.shaolin-world.net -- The Liu Institute of New Orleans gives public demonstrations of taiji and qigong. Free admission. 9 a.m. to noon.
HERPFEST. Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, 5601 Read Blvd., New Orleans East, 212-5366; www.auduboninstitute.org -- The Audubon Nature Center and Gulf Coast Herpetological Society present HerpFest 2005 featuring activities and lectures about reptiles and amphibians. Tickets $5 general admission, $4 seniors, $3 children. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
RECORD, CD & DVD SHOW. Quality Hotel, 2261 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, 914-2932 -- This biannual event offers both new and used music, movies and posters. Tickets $3 general admission, free admission for kids ages 12-under. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FOCUS ON WOMEN. Hyatt Regency Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 500 Poydras Plaza, 246-8269 -- The Epsilon Sigma Chapter of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority hosts its annual lunch to honor women activists from the greater New Orleans area. Tickets $35. Noon.
RELAY FOR LIFE. Joe Keller Stadium, 888-4290 ext. 212 -- The American Cancer Society hosts their charity fundraiser featuring an all-night relay race around the stadium's track. Call for more information. Donations encouraged. 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
BOOKWORM BOOGIE. Mardi Gras World, 233 Newton St., 398-2100 -- Vince Vance & the Valiants perform at a benefit for the Blaine S. Kern Library. Tickets $60. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
CRAWJAM. Norwegian Seamen's Church, 1772 Prytania St., 525-5570 -- This annual event offers all-you-can-eat crawfish and music from top Scandinavian jazz musicians. $20 suggested donation. 7 p.m.
ANOTHER NIGHT OF POETRY. Stella Jones Gallery, 201 St. Charles Ave., 568-9050 -- Poetry event featuring readings by Jericho Brown, Jarita Davis, Shia Shabazz and others. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
VANISHING CURRENTS. Bayou Barataria, Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre, 2756 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Lafitte, 689-0756; caravanstage@yahoo.com -- The Caravan Stage Tall Ship Theatre presents the premiere of a production written and directed by Paul Kirby featuring music, dance, fire spinning, multimedia projection and aerial circus stunts staged on the tall ship Amara Lee. Free admission. 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, through May 7.
SUPERJAM. State Palace Theatre, 1108 Canal St., 619-1360; www.statepalace.com -- Superfly presents an eclectic collection of music greats. This year's jam features Trey Anastasio, Cyril Neville and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Tickets $36.50. 9 p.m.
Sunday 1
JOHN KENNEDY TOOLE SYMPOSIUM. Tulane University, Jones Hall, Special Collections, second floor, 865-5685 -- Tulane University presents a symposium on the life and work of John Kennedy Toole featuring a discussion with Joel L. Fletcher, David Kubach and W. Kenneth Holditch. Reception to follow with book signing for Ken and Thelma: The Story of A Confederacy of Dunces. Free admission. 3 p.m.
BARK IN THE PARK. Zephyrs Field, Airline Drive, Metairie, 944-7445 ext.216; www.la-spca.org -- Zephyrs fans are encouraged to bring their dogs for a day at the ballpark. A portion of proceeds benefit the Louisiana SPCA. Tickets $5-$9.50. 2:05 p.m.
TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276 -- The trio of Linda Mintz, Saul Schneider and Stuart Farber perform classic renditions of hits from the 1940s and '50s. Free admission. 5 p.m.
AN EVENING OF ELEGANCE. Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier St., 523-6530 -- A night of classical music, fine wines and gourmet cuisine. All the proceeds of this black-tie event go to benefit the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Reservations required. Call for ticket information. 5:30 p.m.
FOSTER FAMILY CELEBRATION. Lake Forest Plaza Mall, Entertainment Center, 5700 Read Blvd., 821-8885 -- Celebrate the Fosters' 30 years of music and community service with food, drink and entertainment. Call for ticket information. 6 p.m.
Monday 2
CRESCENT CITY WIND SYMPHONY. Loyola University, Louis J. Roussel Hall, 865-3492 -- Joseph Herbert directs this local wind-instrument collective. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
TRIO CHAUSSON. Tulane University, Dixon Hall Annex, 523-5394; www.espacefrancophone.org -- The French trio performs. Free admission. 8 p.m.
ongoing
BUSTOUT BURLESQUE. One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-9100 -- Dance troupe trained in burlesque tradition with house singer Marcy Hesseling, backed by house band Ronnie Magri & the Bourbon Shakers. Tickets $20 general, $25 table seating. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sundays.
CULINARIA COOKING CLASSES & DEMONSTRATIONS. Culinaria, 1519 Carondelet St., 522-8789; www.culinariaart.com -- Observe cooking demonstrations or participate in hands-on cooking classes. Call to register. Visit Web site for details of weekly daytime and evening events. Ongoing.
DRUG-FREE LIVING CLASSES. Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, 14001 Dwyer Blvd., 362-4272; www.cadagno.org -- The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse for Greater New Orleans holds classes for preteens and teens on how to live drug-free lives. Free admission. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
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. Fridays.
FASHION SOIREE THURSDAYS. 820 Rampart St. -- Weekly fashion soiree featuring the designs of local fashion designers and costume artists presented by Everything Lovely by Oliver. Cocktails available. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays.
FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT SERIES. Main Event Sports Bar, front parking lot, 3200 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie, 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. Fridays.
GREEK DANCE LESSONS. Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St., 483-9011 -- The Crescent City International Dancers offer lessons in Greek dance. Tickets $6/couple, $4 single, $2 student. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays.
MUSICIANS YOGA. Yoga Bywater, 900 Louisa St., 427-7993; www.yogabywater.com -- Guitarist and yoga instructor Jonathan Freilich leads yoga class geared toward musicians' needs. Call for rates. 2 p.m. every Tuesday.
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.
THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT CONCERT. City Park, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Pavilion of the Two Sisters, 483-9488 -- John Royen performs as part of the Thursdays at Twilight concert series. Tickets $6 general admission, $2 kids 5-12, free admission kids 5-under. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 25.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL. The Metropolitan, 310 Andrew J. Higgins Ave., 914-6224 -- Spoken word and open mic. Tickets $5. 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesdays.
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.
WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE CONCERT SERIES. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Avenue, across from Gallier Hall, 561-8927 -- Downtown Development District hosts a weekly concert series featuring performances by New Orleans bands and musicians. This week: Marcia Ball and Rockin' Jake perform. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through June 22.
call for applications
AFRICAN AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR MALES. Dillard University, Office of Enrollment, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., 816-4356 -- The African American Institute offers 60 young black men ages 13-16 an opportunity to participate in an intensive college preparatory program. Call for application. Deadline April 29.
road trip
Tuesday 26
YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Louisiana State University, Reilly Theatre, (225) 578-3527; www.swinepalace.org -- Swine Palace Productions presents the award-winning comedy about the story of a dinner party gone bad by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. John Dennis directs. Tickets $27-$30 general admission, $19 seniors/staff, $12 students. Various times, through May 8.
Thursday 28
BULL BASH. Houma Airbase Arena, 221 Moffet Road, Houma, (985) 594-5656 -- The Cody Antill Memorial Bull Bash features bull riding and other rodeo events. Call for ticket information. 7 p.m.
BRAZILIAN MUSIC GROUP. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, 482-8827 -- Composer Chiko Queiroga and singer Antonio Rogerio perform as part of the Ecos Latinos Series. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.
MOLASSES CREEK. YoungTroupe Theatre, 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe, (318) 387-5281; www.bmuseum.org -- The North Carolina acoustic folk group performs. Call for ticket information. 7:30 p.m.
Friday 29
CAJUN SWAMP POP MUSIC FEST. Grand Bois Park, 470 Bourg Larose Hwy., Bourg, (985) 594-7410 -- Swamp pop greats perform for three days. Tickets $5. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
SPLIT SECOND. Louisiana State University, Hatcher Hall, Baton Rouge, (225) 578-4135 -- Alaina Dunn directs students in this play about an African-American policeman who must deal with the accidental shooting of a white detainee. $6 suggested donation. Various times, through May 8. Opens Friday.
Saturday 30
RICHARD WARD. Pass Christian Books, 101 E. Beach Blvd., Pass Christian, Miss., (228) 452-7399; www.passchristianbooks.com -- The University of South Alabama professor reads from and signs A History of the Hal Roach Studios. Free admission. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
LSU DANCE CONCERT. Louisiana State University, Union Theatre, Baton Rouge, (225) 578-3527 -- Molly Buchmann directs dance students and faculty at the sixth annual LSU Dance Concert. Tickets $8 general admission, $6 students. 7:30 p.m.
COMEDY IDOLS LIVE. Paragon Casino & Resort, Mari Center, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, (800) 946-1946 -- Comedy show featuring John Heffron, Corey Holcomb and Tammy Pescatelli. Tickets $25. 8 p.m.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG. Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Biloxi Theatre, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450 -- The actress and comedienne performs live. Tickets $49.95-$54.95. 8 p.m.
Monday 1
FIREPOWER. Port Hudson Historical Site, Jackson, (888) 677-3400; www.lastateparks/porthud -- Weapon historians demonstrate how to operate real Civil War-era weaponry. Tickets $2. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
BAYOU JAM. Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Lane, Slidell, (985) 646-4375; www.slidell.la.us -- Local bands take the stage in this concert series sponsored by Bottoms Up. Free admission. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
