Tuesday 10

FUN WITH CLIFFORD. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4039 -- Hear Clifford stories and make red dog puppets. Free admission. 1 p.m.

Thursday 12

TODDLER TIME. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- 'First Adventures' series with storytime and related crafts. Admission $7 children and adults. 10 a.m.

TURTLE STORIES. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4039 -- Hear Douglas Wood's The Old Turtle and the Broken Truth and make a turtle racer. Free admission. 7 p.m.

STORYTIME. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 455-4039 -- Fun with science program. Free admission. 3 p.m.

Friday 13

FAMILY FUN & FITNESS. Dibert Elementary School, 4217 Orleans Ave., 483-6126 -- Festival-style event includes talent show, fitness activities, health screenings, food, an auction, entertainment and more. Free admission, but fees charged for some activities and food. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday 14

DIG, DO, DISCOVER. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- Outdoor program to teach about flowers, with related crafts. Shine only. Admission $5. 10 a.m. to noon.

STUFFED WITH HUGS. Lakeside Shopping Center, Build-A-Bear Workshop, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 840-7670 -- Charitable program partners with UNICEF seeks to 'bearlift' teddy bears to children in Asia affected by the tsunami. Children build teddy bears to be donated. 10 a.m.

STORYTELLING IN THE GARDEN. Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, City Park, 488-2631 -- Children and families are invited to attend NOMA-sponsored storytelling series. Free admission. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, through May 21.

CHINESE FOLK DANCE COMPANY. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3236 -- Dance troupe from New York City's Chinatown performs. Admission $3.50 adults and kids ages 2-up. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

KIDCINEMA. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- Kid-themed movie series. This week: The Berenstein Bears: Bears Mind Their Manners . Admission $7. 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

MONSTER TRUCKS. West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 838-1100 -- Multimedia presentation showcases monster trucks. Free. 2:30 p.m.

events

Tuesday 10

MUSICIANS YOGA. Yoga Bywater, 900 Louisa St., 427-7993; www.yogabywater.com -- Guitarist and yoga instructor Jonathan Freilich leads a weekly yoga class on Tuesdays geared toward musicians' needs. Call for rates. 2 p.m.

HOLY SPIRITS. Wit's Inn, 141 N. Carrollton Ave., 888-4004; www.theologyontap.tripod.com -- Church-sponsored series this week examines suicide with counselor and therapist George Andrews as speaker. Free admission. 5:45 p.m. cocktails/socializing, 6:15 p.m. program.

CRESCENT CITY. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechat.com -- Taping of WWNO's monthly radio variety show with host Ronnie Virgets, house band Astral Project plus guests poet/performer Thais Clark, writer Andrei Codrescu and others. Tickets $16, includes $5 bar credit. 8 p.m.

Wednesday 11

WORLD WAR II LECTURE. The National D-Day Museum, 945 Magazine St., 527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Pat Costa gives a lecture on 'The Fall of Berlin.' Bring lunch. Free admission. Noon to 1 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS WRITERS' CONFERENCE. Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., 566-5045; www.neworleanswritersconference.com -- The New Orleans Writers' Conference offers local writers a chance to network with top literary agents and publishers. Call or visit Web site for schedule and registration information. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.

WEDNESDAY AT THE SQUARE CONCERT SERIES. Lafayette Square, St. Charles Avenue, across from Gallier Hall, 561-8927; http://wats.neworleans.com -- Downtown Development District hosts a weekly concert series featuring performances by New Orleans bands and musicians. This week Ellen Rogers performs with Voodoo Funk & Soul Company, with an intermission set by Monica Dillon. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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.

TALL CLUB MEETING. Lakeview Baptist Church, 6100 Canal Blvd., 488-7069 or 398-0074 -- The club convenes for its regular meeting. Open to all women over 5-foot-10 and men over 6-foot-2. Free admission. 6:30 p.m.

ARTSPEAK AT CAC. Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., 528-3805; www.cacno.org -- Artists Douglas Bourgeois, Robert Warrens and Jacqueline Bishop participate in this month's Louisiana artists' dialogue, moderated by Ron Bechet. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

PEEP SHOW. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.thebigtop.us -- Host Charlie Brown and other local film professionals host 'Short Film Tool Box' to help get movie ideas off the ground. Screenings to follow. Admission $7. 8 p.m.

OPEN MIC. Buddha Belly, 4437 Magazine St., 810-1838 -- Mario Ortiz hosts weekly open mic, 'So You Want to Be a Star?' Free admission. 9 p.m.

Thursday 12

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.

OPERA A LA CARTE. East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1100 -- MetroPelican Opera company performs. Free admission. 1 p.m.

CRESCENT CITY FARMERS MARKET. American Can Company, 3700 Orleans Ave., 488-5488, ext. 940 -- Produce and seafood vendors are joined by Longue Vue's youth gardening program, whose members sell goods from their garden with proceeds to benefit charity. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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.

COASTAL CONSERVATION FUNDRAISER. Southern Yacht Club, 105 N. Roadway, 582-2557; www.ccalouisiana.org -- New Orleans chapter of Coastal Conservation Association holds fundraiser with dinner, cocktails and auction of fishing trips, gear and more. Tickets $100 per person. 5:30 p.m.

BACKYARD BOTANICALS. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, 514 Chartres St., 565-8027 -- Lecture on using native plants medicinally with herbalist Darrell Martin, followed by discussion and reception. Admission $6. 6 p.m.

THURSDAYS AT TWILIGHT CONCERT. City Park, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Pavilion of the Two Sisters, 483-9488 -- Betsy McGovern performs as part of the Thursdays at Twilight concert series. Tickets $6 general admission, $2 kids ages 5-12, free admission kids ages 5-under. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

SAINTS HISTORY LECTURE. Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner, 838-1100 -- Ken Trahan of Saints Hall of Fame museum presents discussion of history of local NFL football team. Free admission; registration requested. 6:30 p.m.

IRISH CHANNEL ART EXHIBIT. Irish Channel Action Foundation, 1813 Magazine St., 525-1940 -- The Irish Channel Action Foundation and The Neighborhood Gallery present work made for kids of all ages by local artists Maggie Mae, Judy Dixon, Kevin Loria and Nicole Anderson. Call for more information on scheduling field trips for schools. Free admission. 7 p.m. opening reception.

BEETHOVEN AND BLUE JEANS CONCERT. Orpheum Theater, 129 University Place, 524-3285; www.orpheumneworleans.com -- Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky's Suite No. 3 and Beethoven's the Emperor Concerto conducted by Emil de Cou with pianist Dmitri Vorobiev. Tickets $11-$60. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Saturday.

GREEK DANCE LESSONS. Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal St., 483-9011 -- Crescent City International Dancers host lessons. $6 couple, $4 single, $2 student. 7:30 p.m.

Friday 13

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.

VOLKSFEST. Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St., 522-8014; www.deutscheshaus.org -- Festival celebrating German heritage, music, food and drink. Tickets $5 general admission, free for members. 5 p.m.

GLASS BLOWING DEMONSTRATIONS. Conti Glass, 3924 Conti St., 483-1195 -- Free glass-blowing demonstration. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

SIPPIN' IN SEERSUCKER. The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 522-9200 -- Inaugural event featuring Southern art, cocktails, catered cuisine, fashion, shopping, live jazz and more to benefit The Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Seersucker and 'Southern cocktail' attire encouraged. Tickets $30 (includes one free admission to Ogden). 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

BOOKS 2 PRISONERS. Iron Rail Book Collective, 511 Marigny St., 944-0365; www.ironrail.org -- Benefit for New Orleans Books 2 Prisoners program with live music by the Break-Up, Uke of Phillips, Cinema City and the Ghostwood. Admission $5; bring books and packing supplies to donate. 7 p.m.

CASA FUNDRAISER. Timberlane Country Club, 1 Timberlane Drive, Gretna, 263-0333 -- Friends of CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) hold fundraiser gala with cocktails, buffet, auctions and more. Tickets $50 per person. 7 p.m.

FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT SERIES. Main Event Sports Bar, front parking lot, 3200 N. Arnoult Road, Metairie, 888-6451 -- Series 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.

MEDIA ARTS FESTIVAL. NOCCA/Riverfront, Lupin Hall, 2800 Chartres St., 940-2787; www.nocca.com -- Student showcase exhibits works of short video, audio and animation. Prospective NOCCA students invited to attend an open house at 6 p.m. Free admission. 7 p.m.

PIANO CONCERT. UNO Performing Arts Center, 885-6516 -- Renowned pianist Enrique Chia performs concert with his orchestra. Tickets $45. 8 p.m.

LORDS OF LEATHER. Phoenix Bar, 914 Elysian Fields Ave., 945-9264; www.lordsofleather.com -- Lords of Leather bar night held second Friday of every month. 9 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday 14

WALK WITH ME. Six Flags New Orleans, I-10 at I-510, 523-7325; www.walkwithme.org -- Fundraiser for Easter Seals Louisiana with 3K/5K walks to raise money and awareness. Register online or call. 9 a.m.

HOME TOUR. Leaves from Emeril's Homebase, 829 St. Charles Ave., 523-3939 -- Friends of the Cabildo sponsor tour of grand homes in 'The American Sector.' Tickets $18 in advance, $25 day of. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FASHION IN THE PARK. Sophie Wright Park, Magazine Street at Sophie Wright Place, 586-1606 -- Event features art, fashion, food, hair, makeup and live music by Casa Samba, DJ Ellis and Get In Line. Admission $15 for VIP seating, $5 general, both include drinks. White attire preferred. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

SUPER BABY SHOWER. Babies 'R' Us, 6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 885-8242; www.babiesrus.com -- Representatives from local businesses offer advice about planning a baby shower. Free admission. 4 p.m.

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DINNER. InterContinental Hotel, 444 St. Charles Ave., (800) 494-8497 -- The Human Rights Campaign presents its 13th annual dinner and silent auction. Speakers will discuss gay marriage issues. Black-tie optional. Tickets $150. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR FUNDRAISER GALA. Fairmont Hotel, Imperial Ballroom, 127 Baronne St., 394-2200 -- Little Sisters of the Poor hold annual gala with silent auction, guest speakers including former Lt. Gov. James Fitzmorris, dinner, live music and more. Tickets $75. 6 p.m.

JAZZ'N THE VINES. Pontchartrain Vineyards, 81250 Hwy. 1082, north of Covington, (985) 892-9742; www.pontchartrainvineyards.com -- Opening week of summer concert series with jazz parade through vineyards led by trombonist Craig Klein. Picnic fare encouraged; no outside alcohol; wine and food available for purchase. Tickets $8.50. 6:30 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS VOODOO. New Orleans Arena, 1500 Poydras St., 731-1700; www.govoodoo.com -- Voodoo hosts Austin. Tickets $6-$99. 7 p.m.

SHELL SHOCKERS. Pan American Stadium, 1 Zachary Taylor Drive, City Park, 831-0531 -- Soccer team hosts season opener against Memphis Express. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m.

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 15

JAPAN FEST. New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Annual event features Japanese arts and crafts, martial arts demonstrations, Ikebana, bonsai, origami, music, food, drumming and dance. Outdoor events free, indoor events are half-off regular museum admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GARDEN PARTY. City Park Casino, Dreyfus Road, 525-4498 -- Mystic Krewe of Satyricon's annual garden party with food buffet, cash bar, raffle, silent auction, awards for best garden attire and more. Tickets $15. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

LA FABULOSA FESTIVAL. Six Flags New Orleans, I-10 at I-510, exit 246-A, 253-8000 -- Latin festival features cuisine of Central American and live music by Vivaz and Tito Nieves. Advance tickets $15.99; at gate $34.99 adults, $24.99 children. 2 p.m.

CIVIC SYMPHONY CONCERT. UNO Performing Arts Center, 834-6513 -- New Orleans Civic Symphony performs works by Haydn, Brahms, Mozart, Strauss and more. Charles Taylor conducts. Free admission. 3 p.m.

LPO NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERT. Alvar Library, 913 Alvar St., 595-8470 -- The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra partners with LSU Health Sciences Center and New Orleans Public Library to provide free music concert, health screenings and more. Free admission. 3 p.m.

TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1327 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- Concert features world premiere of works by composer Thomas Goss with flutist Kim Hickey and pianist Albinas Prizgintas. Free admission. 5 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.

ART & SOUL GALA. World Trade Center, Ray's Over the River, 2 Canal St., 31st floor, 940-2900; www.nocca.com -- NOCCA/Riverfront presents its benefit gala featuring a patron party, food and live entertainment by Jamil Sharif, Phillip Manuel, Jason Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Theresa Andersson and others. Tickets $200 (includes patron party), $100 gala. 6 p.m. patron party, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. gala.

JOSE TORRES TAMA. Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., 569-9070 -- The artist presents a performance called 'Channeling the Spirits' to accompany his art exhibit. Tickets $5. 8 p.m.

Monday 16

POETRY READING. Latter Library, 5120 St. Charles Ave., 596-2625 -- Internationally acclaimed poet Peter Vetrano reads from his works. Free admission. 2 p.m.

JEFFERSON COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND. Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, 835-6129 -- Group performs concert. Free admission. 7:30 p.m.

STORER BOONE THEATRE AWARDS. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.cabaretlechat.com -- Awards recognize local bests in theater productions, acting, directing and more. Dennis Assaf and Barbara Motley emcee; nominees provide entertainment. Cocktail or black-tie attire. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m.

call for applications

ARTISTIKIDS. My House Center for Learning, 2010 Peniston St., 352-4096 -- Visual arts program invites talented kids ages 5-12 to participate in summer sessions held every Saturday June 4-Aug. 27. Tuition $200, includes art supply kit. Need-based scholarships available. Email artistikids@hotmail.com for more info.

CAMP REEL WORLD. Haynes Middle School, 1416 Metairie Road, Metairie, 828-REEL -- Weeklong acting camps for grades K-8 to teach acting, juggling, improvisation, movement and imagination with professional instructors John 'Spud' McConnell, Danny Pitre, Jerry Lee Leighton and Amanda Shaw. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 13-July 1, July 18-29, Aug. 1-12. Tuition $300 per week, discounts for siblings and additional weeks. Registration now accepted.

LOUISIANA YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT. Chicot State Park, Ville Platte, 378-4149; www.auduboninstitute.org/lnc -- Seventh annual youth summit for students entering grades 8-11 to learn about environmental issues in Louisiana, July 25-28. No cost to attend summit. Applications due May 15.

call for volunteers

Friday 13

COMMUNICATING PEACE. Louisiana Violence Prevention Alliance, 1137 Baronne St., 620-5138 -- Local nonprofits teach volunteers to teach conflict resolution and nonviolence in the community. Call or email handley@bellsouth.net for info. Fee $60, sliding scale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday 14

EACH ONE SAVE ONE. Elysian Fields Avenue Baptist Church, 3501 Elysian Fields Ave., 949-5252 -- Mentor training session for local nonprofit dedicated to helping local students. Come by anytime from 9 a.m. to noon.

road trip

Wednesday 11

BIOTECH SUMMIT. Pennington Conference Center, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, 897-6152 -- Government, science and business leaders including Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu host summit 'Louisiana's Biotech Community: How to Build a Foundation.' Free and open to the public; email bcobailey@aol.com for info or to RSVP. 7:30 a.m. to noon.

AARP RALLY DAY. State Capitol grounds, Baton Rouge, (866) 448-3620 -- AARP Louisiana holds rally to show support for Gov. Kathleen Blanco's long-term care reform proposals. Starts at 10:45 a.m.; lunch provided.

Friday 13

VANESSA WILLIAMS. Beau Rivage Casino, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (888) 566-7469 -- Grammy-winning artist performs. Call for ticket info. 8 p.m.

Saturday 14

WOODEN BOAT RENDEVOUS. Point Cadet Marina, 693 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (228) 435-6320 -- Largest gathering of wooden boats on the Gulf Coast for public viewing. Free admission. Saturday-Sunday.

INTERACTIVE THEATER WORKSHOP. Hammond Regional Arts Center, 217 E. Thomas St., Hammond, (985) 507-5442; www.larf.org -- Interactive theater seminar and casting call (morning session) followed by a workshop (afternoon session) exploring the topics 'Creating a Character' and 'Costuming 101.' Free admission. 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

NOT QUITE ON TIME. First United Methodist Church, 2301 15th St., Gulfport, Miss., (228) 388-9288 or (228) 868-2404 -- The Arts Under the Dome series presents a concert by Not Quite On Time. Tickets $10 general admission, $7 students. 7 p.m.

GEORGE CARLIN & DENNIS BLAIR. Grand Casino Biloxi, Grand Biloxi Theatre, 265 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Miss., (800) 354-2450 -- The comedians perform live. Tickets $29.95-$34.95. 8 p.m.

TIM MCGRAW. Grand Casino Gulfport, 1197 Hwy. 90, Gulfport, Miss., (800) WIN-7777 -- Country music star performs concert. Call for ticket info. 8 p.m.

museums

LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM. 100 S. River Road, Baton Rouge, (225) 344-9478; www.lasm.org -- Graphics by 20th Century Masters , through June 26. Free guided tours 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. every Saturday-Sunday.

MEADOWS MUSEUM OF ART. Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, (318) 869-5169; www.centenary.edu/meadows -- Tibet: A Photographic Essay Through the Eyes of Monks in Exile , through May 29.