Tuesday 31

SUMMER READING PROGRAM. Orleans Parish libraries, 529-READ http://nutrias.org -- Various library branches host on different weekdays the Aqua Van, storytime, art and crafts, music and more. Call branches or main library for schedules.

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.

Wednesday 1

SUMMER FUN. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- Program for hands-on activities to explore gardens for children ages 18 months-3 years. No reservations needed; accompanying adult required. Cost $10 Longue Vue members, $12 non-members. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through June.

Friday 3

PAJAMARAMA. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- 'Family Fun Night' with movie, playtime and more. Admission $7. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday 4

YOUTH FISHING RODEO. Bogue Chitto Wildlife Refuge, exit 11 of I-59, near Pearl River, (985) 882-2000 -- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsor annual youth fishing event for ages 4-12; all must be accompanied by adult. Limited space, first-come, first-served. Registration fee $10. 8 a.m. to noon.

KID'S DAY. Rivertown museums and attractions, Williams Boulevard, Kenner, 468-7231 -- City of Kenner celebrates start of summer with free child admission to any Rivertown venue with purchase of adult admission. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NOISE GUY. Children's Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 469-3236 -- Sound-effects storyteller Charlie Williams leads program 'Castles, Kings and Cockroaches.' Admission $3.50 adults and children. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

KIDCINEMA. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- This week's film Dora the Explorer: Big Sister Dora . Admission $7. 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Monday 6

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 586-0725; www.lcm.org -- Plant seeds, make animal necklaces and design leaf prints, plus Dr. Seuss storytime. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday.

events

Tuesday 31

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

Wednesday 1

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: Cowboy Mouth performs, and MO Fest presents Sons of William featuring Joe Stark. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; series continues on Wednesdays through June 22.

COCKTAIL SEMINARS. Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Rooftop Cafe, 621 St. Louis St.; Cafe Adelaide's Swizzle Stick Bar (inside Loew's Hotel), 300 Poydras St., 595-3305; www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/seminars -- Museum of the American Cocktail hosts series of cocktail hours with drink experts, paired cuisine, bartending tips, history lessons and more. Admission $35. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday at Royal Orleans, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Cafe Adelaide.

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.

COCKTAIL SEMINARS. Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, La Riviera Rooftop Cafe, 621 St. Louis St. (Wednesday and Thursday); Lowes Hotel, Café Adelaide's Swizzle Stick Bar, 300 Poydras St. (Friday); (516) 355-6319; JD2Design@aol.com or www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/seminars -- The Museum of the American Cocktail hosts masters of cocktail-making for three different seminars on how to make a variety of cocktails. Call or visit Web site to register. Tickets $35. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA. Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce De Leon Ave., 948-3222; http://dfa.meetup.com/66/events/4687896 -- Meet-up for New Orleans affiliate of national activist group Democracy for America. Free admission. 7 p.m.

SPIRITUAL CONCERT. Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 5914 Canal Blvd., 482-7892 -- Concert featuring traditional Christian and African-American spirituals performed by guest artists the Revelation Ringers and Singers and WOW Praise Band. Free admission. 7 p.m.

Thursday 2

FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS. East Jefferson General Hospital, 3300 Houma Blvd., Metairie, 891-1044 -- Hundreds of fundraising professionals network and participate in workshops in two-day conference presented by Association of Fundraising Professionals. Email jkottler@bellsouth.net for info and to register. Thursday-Friday.

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.

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.

DOG BEHAVIOR WORKSHOPS. Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, #1 Humane Way (off Earhardt Expressway), Harahan, 733-7387; www.jspca.org -- The Jefferson SPCA holds a workshop on behavior training for dog owners. No dogs allowed at workshop. Call to reserve seat. Free admission. 7 p.m.

Friday 3

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.

BACK TO THE BEACH FESTIVAL. Next to Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, Franklin Avenue and Lakeshore Drive, 836-7283 or 836-2215; www.saveourlake.org -- The Back to the Beach Festival features live music, food, games, arts and crafts and more. Friday's events include a 1-mile and 5K run. (Call New Orleans track club at 467-8626 for information.) Sunday features a car show. (Call 282-1464 for information.) Proceeds benefit Save Our Lake. Tickets $7 general admission, $3 seniors/kids 12-under. 6 p.m. to midnight. Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

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.

JULEPS IN JUNE. Residence of Mr. & Mrs. James G. Derbes, 2257 Bayou Road, 525-5615; faulkhouse@aol.com -- Benefit soiree for the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society featuring special guests, live music by the Wild Magnolias, food, dancing and drinks. Tickets $75 per person (soiree), $250 per couple (includes patron party). 7 p.m. patron party, 8 p.m. soiree.

HARLEM RENAISSANCE SOIREE. Hotel Monaco, 333 St. Charles Ave., 304-3355; www.neworleansblack.com -- Party pays homage to the art, music and literature of the Harlem Renaissance, with music by Donald Harrison Electric Band and Dynamite Dave Soul. Tickets $15 advance, $20 at door. 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturday 4 COOKING DEMO. Crescent City Farmers Market, 00 Magazine St., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- Farmers Market hosts Tom Wolfe of Wolfe's of New Orleans for cooking demo. Free admission. 10 a.m. cooking demo, 8 a.m. to noon market.

GENEALOGY DAY. Jefferson Parish Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 849-8808 -- Library hosts Jefferson Genealogical Society followed by librarian Mary Lu Cooper discussing the library's genealogy search tools. Free admission; reservations required. 10 a.m. society hosts info tables, 2:30 p.m. lecture.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Harrah's Casino, 1 Canal St.; www.wheeloffortune.com -- TV game show with co-hosts Vanna White and Pat Sajak hold auditions. 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.

'CITIES OF THE DEAD.' French Quarter Visitors Center, 419 Decatur St., 589-2636, ext. 1 -- Preservationist Fred Hatfield shares photos, maps and stories of New Orleans cemeteries. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ART OPENING. Daniel's, 2544 Gravier St., 822-8932 -- Event features solo guitarist Javier Tobar, folk artist Khulu Kevin Buckner and photographer Perrie Renine. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and wine until 3 p.m. Free admission. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

KOMENKA SPRING CONCERT SERIES. Loyola University, Roussel Hall, 529-4676 -- Showcase of local and international dance styles led by Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble. Tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors and students. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday.

INTERNATIONAL BEER TASTING. Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, Lakeshore Drive and Franklin Avenue, 280-7222 www.wyes.org -- Beers from more than 300 international and local brewers offer tasting. Tickets $25 advance, $30 at door, $20 in advance for groups of six or more. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS ZEPHYRS. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155; www.zephyrsbaseball.com -- Z's host the Round Rock Express in four-game stand. Live music by Local Option after Saturday's game. Tickets $5-$9.50. 6:05 p.m. Saturday, 5:05 p.m. Sunday, 7:05 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.

TWO TO TANGO. Hotel InterContinental, La Salle Ballroom, 444 St. Charles Ave., 314-8475 -- Casa Argentina presents tango show with international dancers, singers, plus silent auction, floor dance with Julio & Cesar, dinner and drinks. Admission $75 dinner and show, $25 show only. 7 p.m. cash bar/dinner, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. tango show.

JAMMIN' WITH JAZZ. Church of the Epiphany, 1949 Duels St., 944-2646 -- Concert honors Lionel Ferbos with tributes by local jazz players including Phillip Manuel, Big Al Carson, Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield and more. Tickets $25; cash bar, food provided. 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 5 SUNDAYS AT THE O. Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., 539-9600; www.ogdenmuseum.org -- 'A Conversation with Herman Leonard' followed by Collecting 101 and Beyond with a focus on photography. 2 p.m. lecture, 4 p.m. Collecting.

JOHN T. SCOTT. New Orleans Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium, City Park, 488-2631; www.noma.org -- Local artist and professor gives lecture 'Reflections, Ideas and Developments in the Work of John T. Scott.' Museum admission $8 adults, $7 seniors/students, $4 children ages 3-17. 3 p.m.

TRINITY ARTIST SERIES. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 670-2520; www.trinityc.net -- Vocalists Shannon D. Levy and Dianna L. Smith perform with pianist Albinas Prizgintas 'Debussy, Faure and Art Songs.' Free admission. 5 p.m.

BELLY DANCING. Blue Nile, 532 Frenchmen St., 948-2583 -- Belly dance group performs. Free admission. 7 p.m. Sundays in June.

Monday 6

CULINARIA COOKING CLASSES & DEMONSTRATIONS. Culinaria, 1519 Carondelet St., 522-8789; www.culinariaart.com -- Observe cooking demonstrations or participate in hands-on cooking classes Monday-Saturday. Call to register. Visit Web site for details of weekly daytime and evening events. Ongoing.

D-DAY MUSEUM ANNIVERSARY. The National D-Day Museum, 940 Camp St., 527-6012, ext. 226; www.ddaymuseum.org -- Museum celebrates sixth anniversary with Living History Corps demonstrations, cake cutting ceremony, unveiling of exhibit Many Nations: One Goal , a choir performance and more. Admission free for all active and retired military, $14 adults, $8 seniors and students, $6 children 12-under. 10a.m.

SUMMER 'SCAPES. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road, 488-5488; www.longuevue.com -- One-week watercolor painting classes for adults in the morning, yoga classes in the afternoon. Both geared toward beginners. Fee $150 Longue Vue members, $225 non-members for watercolor only; $100 members, $125 non-members for yoga only; $240 members, $300 non-members for full day. All fees include lunch and supplies. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

call for volunteers

Wednesday 1

STAIR TRAINING. St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., 899-0820; www.stairnola.org -- Local nonprofit STAIR (Start the Adventure in Reading) links reading tutors to area students. Call for info. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday 4

ADULT LITERACY TRAINING. Sojourner Truth Community Center, 501 N. Galvez St., 566-7323, ext. 208 -- YMCA Educational Services (YES!) and Literacy Alliance hold training session for future literacy tutors. $20 program donation requested. 8:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

road trip

Wednesday 1

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.

Friday 3

TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS. Louisiana State University campus, Cook Conference Center, (225) 928-5682; www.louisianatrucking.com -- Trucking competition and awards ceremony for top truck drivers in the state with several tests including course test. Free admission. Friday-Saturday.

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS. Grand Casino Gulfport, Grand Event Center, 3215 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport, Miss., (800) 946-7777 -- The band performs live. Tickets $19.95-$29.95. 9 p.m.

Saturday 4

FIRE ANT SEMINAR. Crosby Arboretum, 370 Ridge Road, Picayune, Miss., (601) 799-2311 -- Fire-ant specialist Dr. Tim Lockley leads seminar on controlling fire ants. Free admission. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Sunday 5

COMMUNITY OF SPIRIT. Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 Church Ave., Pass Christian, Miss., (228) 467-7285 -- Afternoon of music and words with musicians and more. Admission is $11 donation. 4 p.m.

museums