(Please send your updated status and any other listings information to the Listings Editor Katie Walenter at listingsedit@gambitweekly.com or fax to 483-3116.) family wednesday 28 Summer Storytime. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com Ñ Courtney Eiswirth reads stories for all ages every Wednesday through July. 10:30 a.m. ThursDAY 29 MAGIC NIGHT WITH DR. MAGIC . CarretaÕs Grill, 2320 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-6696 Ñ The childrenÕs magician performs tableside magic. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. SaturDAY 1 Donald Lewis. ChildrenÕs Castle, 501 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 468-7231 Ñ The storyteller presents tales for everyone. Admission $3.50. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. sunday 2 kidsÕ Soccer class. Decatur and Spain streets Ñ Free weekly soccer classes in the Marigny for kids, followed by a game with kids, teenagers and parents. Live music provided. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

events Tuesday 27 Express admission Day at UNO. University of New Orleans, Lakefront Campus, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 280-6595 or (800) 265-SUNO; www.admissions.uno.edu Ñ The UNO Admissions Office holds an early admissions day for freshman students. Bring copy of transcripts, test scores and the application fee. Call or visit Web site to reserve a spot. 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Modern Dance class. New Orleans Dance Academy, 5956 Magazine St., 899-3780 Ñ Dancer and choreographer Lula Elzy teaches weekly Horton-based modern dance classes. Call for details. 6 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Thursday.

Organ & Labyrinth Meditation Hour. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276; www.trinityc.net Ñ Albinas Prizgintas leads an hour of organ music and quiet meditation every Tuesday. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

New Orleans zephyrs. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155; www.zephyrsbaseball.com Ñ The Zephyrs play the Iowa Cubs (Tuesday-Thursday) and Oklahoma (Friday-Sunday). Soup-A-Loop and Local Option II perform after SaturdayÕs game and the Bucktown Allstars perform after MondayÕs game. Tickets start at $7. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 7 p.m. Monday. Wednesday 28 Yogamotion dance class. Max Fitness, 4953 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 231-8616 Ñ Kathy Koehl teaches a weekly yogamotion dance class. Reservations required. Fee is $15 per class. 9:30 a.m.

Palate Event. W New Orleans, 333 Poydras St., 525-9444 Ñ W New Orleans hotel hosts Palate, a weekly wine-and-food socializing event. Wine experts on hand. Admission $10 (includes wine and hors dÕoeuvres). 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Holy Spirits Speaker Series. Fox and Hound English Pub & Grille, 1200 S. Cleaarview Pwy, Metairie, 256-5380; http://holyspiritsnola.tripod.com Ñ Sister Mary Ann Stachow discusses ÒThe Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?Ó Free admission. 5:45 p.m. socializing/food and drinks, 6:15 p.m. speaker.

yoga & Pilates Classes. The Big Top, 1638 Clio St., 569-2700; www.3rcp.com Ñ Jennifer Pearl teaches yoga and Pilates weekly. Call 258-5724 for details. 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Pilates) and 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. (restorative yoga) Wednesday, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. (flow yoga) Monday.

Beginner kung fu & Tai Chi. Shaolin-Do Kung Fu & Tai Chi, 4210 St. Claude Ave., 944-1880; www.nolashaolin.com Ñ Kung Fu classes emphasize fitness, personal challenge and self-defense. Tai Chi classes emphasize relaxation, meditation, balance and focus. First class is free, enrollment is $89/month. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday (Kung Fu), 7:35 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday (Tai Chi).

Andres Gonzalez Benefit. Mardi Gras World, 233 Newton St., Algiers, 361-7821 or 658-6040 Ñ The NOPD holds a benefit concert for police officer Andres Gonzalez featuring music by Clarence ÒFrogmanÓ Henry, RockinÕ Dopsie Jr., Luther Kent, Bobby Cure, Bucktown Allstars, the Top Cats, Wise Guys, Bag of Donuts, Burgundy, Mixed Nuts, Harvey Jesus, Free Spirit and Hot Rod Lincoln. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. 7 p.m. Thursday 29 Butterfly count. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve, Barataria Preserve, 6588 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, 589-2330 ext. 10 Ñ The park holds its annual butterfly count. Training will be provided. 9 a.m.

yoga For seniors. Tapas Yoga and Movement Studio, 4413 Chastant St., Metairie, 256-5255; www.tapasyoga.net Ñ Tracey Watts leads a yoga class designed for seniors. Wear loose clothing. Admission $5. 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Twilight garden concert series. City Park, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Pavilion of the Two Sisters, 483-9386; www.neworleanscitypark.com Ñ The Symphony Chorus Jazz Trio performs. Tickets $6 general admission, $2 kids ages 5-12, free admission 5-under. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., through Aug. 31.

International Dance Lessons. St. Andrews Church Hall, 8017 Zimpel St., 228-4049; www.folkdancers.net/ccid Ñ The Crescent City International Dancers teach dances of Greece, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Romania, Scandinavia, Germany, France, Canada, Russia, Israel, Lebanon, England and America. 7:30 p.m.

Loyola String Quartet Concert. Loyola University, Temple Sinai Sanctuary, 6227 St. Charles Ave., (800) 4-LOYOLA Ñ Loyola music professors perform a string quartet concert. Free admission; donations benefit Habitat for HumanityÕs MusicianÕs Village. 8 p.m. Friday 30 G.I. Joe CollectorÕs convention. Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal St., 525-2500; www.gijoeclub.com Ñ The G.I. JOE Collectors Club holds a convention featuring thousands of vintage figures on display and for sale, seminars, special guest Sgt. Slaughter and prizes. Tickets $9 general admission, $5 kids, free for kids ages 4-under. G.I. JOE figures parachute drop (Loews New Orleans Hotel, 300 Poydras St., 595-3300): 10:30 a.m. Friday. Convention: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

columbia Street Block Party. Downtown Covington, Columbia Street, (985) 892-1873 Ñ The City of Covington hosts a block party featuring a classic car show, family fun and entertainment. Restaurants, galleries and shops will be open for the event. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Musica da camera concert. All Saints Episcopal Church, 100 Rex Drive, River Ridge, 737-2421 Ñ Musica da Camera performs a concert called ÒWave, Leaf & Stone: Images of Medieval Song.Ó Free admission. 7:30 p.m.

Uptown Chess club. PuccinoÕs Coffee Shop, 3128 Magazine St., 905-2971 Ñ The Uptown Chess Club resumes its weekly games. All are welcome. 7:30 p.m.

Argentine Tango Dance. Argentine Tango Club, 5956 Magazine St., 887-3095 Ñ Call Maria for class information; open tango dance every Friday. Tickets $5. 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Movie night at Bacchanal. Bacchanal, 600 Poland Ave., 948-9111 Ñ Enjoy a film, order some wine and munch on Chef PeteÕs cuisine in BacchanalÕs backyard every Friday (weather permitting) Free admission. 9 p.m.

saturday 1

Magazine street Farmers market. Magazine and Girod streets; www.marketumbrella.org Ñ Crescent City Farmers Market holds its weekly Saturday market. Fresh produce, flowers and food available. 8 a.m. to noon.

PURE belly dance and drumming workshops. Tapas Yoga & Movement Studio, 4413 Chastant St., Metairie, 256-5255; www.tapasyoga.net Ñ New York City belly dancer Darshan (Cammi Vance) holds drumming and belly dance workshops. Visit Web site for details. Prices vary. 10:30 a.m. to noon (drumming workshop), 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (dance workshop), 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday (three dance sessions with Darshan).

Native flute music at the aquarium. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St., 581-4629 or (800) 774-7394; www.auduboninstitute.org Ñ Aquarium volunteer coodinator Al Arnold performs music indigenous to North and South America on flutes. Free with aquarium admission. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Mississippi River Gallery) and 1:30 p.m. (Amazon Gallery).

LSM Centennial. The Cabildo, Jackson Square, 568-6967; http://lsm.crt.state.la.us Ñ The Louisiana State Museum celebrates its centennial with food, historic cocktails and music by Tim Laughlin Trio and Hazel & the Delta Ramblers. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana Museum Foundation and Friends of teh Cabildo, Arts Council of New Orleans, the Goldring Family Foundation and RiverÕs Edge Restaurant. Tickets $25 (includes one sample at each food and drink booth), $40 (includes unlimited samples). Museum admission and concert is free. 7 p.m.

HURRICANE PLAY . True Brew Playhouse, 200 Julia St., (800) 595-4849; www.tix.com Ñ Evangeline Oaks Entertainment and Eshleman Entertainment present Hurricane, a one-woman play written and performed by Anne Galjour about three Cajun families anticipating and experiencing a brutal storm. Tickets $24. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.

SERA BURAS. Chickie Wah Wah, 2828 Canal St., 304-4714 Ñ Sera Buras performs her pop-soul music in concert. 10 p.m. Sunday 2 trinity artist series. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276; www.trinityc.net Ñ Trinity Artist Series presents its Independence Day Music Festival featuring more than 200 patriotic performers, including the Yellowdog Prophet Choir and Orchestra in a production of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff and many others. Free admission. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Drum circle performance. St. Augustine Church yard, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St. Ñ Mercy Corps holds Rhythmic Roots, a series of healing drum circles, to bring the community together. The public is invited to bring its own percussion instruments to join in with leader Ken ÒAfroÓ Williams. Free admission. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday 3 Iyengar Yoga CLasses. Anne Burr Dance Studio, 1128 Dublin St., second floor, 862-5568 Ñ Iyengar yoga is a form that emphasizes strength, stamina, flexibility and balance. The studio offers beginner classes on Friday nights and advanced classes on Monday nights. $12 for single class. Monday advanced class, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Friday beginner class, 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

call for donations

instruments needed. Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, P.O. Box 52979, Lafayette, LA., 70505, (337) 237-2787; www.pasa-online.org Ñ The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana seeks the donation of instruments Ñ clarinets, horns, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, drums and more Ñ for students whose families cannot afford band instruments. Call to schedule a donation.

words

Algiers Regional Branch. 3014 Holiday Drive; www.nutrias.org Ñ New Orleans Public Library offers all local schools donated books to replenish their libraries. School representatives are invited to contact Geraldine Harris at 596-2601.

A STUDIO IN THE WOODS. 13401 River Road, 392-5359; www.astudiointhewoods.org Ñ Valentine Pierce presents a dramatic reading from her work, including Katrina stories and pieces written while in residence at A Studio in the Woods. Refreshments served. Free admission. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSELLERS. 1601B Westbank Expwy., Harvey, 263-1146 Ñ J.A. Hitchcock signs Net Crimes and Misdemeanors: Outmaneuvering Web Spammers, Stalkers, and Con Artists. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Dream new Orleans. 311 Decatur St., first floor, 982-0922; www.thesoulofno.com Ñ The New Orleans Renaissance Society presents a weekly open-mic Spoken Soul Session featuring poetry, jazz, hip-hop and soul. Admission $7 general, $5 students w/ college ID. 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday.

EAST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 838-1190; www.jefferson.lib.la.us Ñ The Friends of Jefferson Library and the American Library Association hold a summer book sale with prices ranging from 50 cents to about $3. Cash and checks only. For details call Friends at 455-2665. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday; The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club discusses The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heilein. 7 p.m. Wednesday.

GOLD MINE SALOON. 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.17poets.com Ñ The 17 Poets weekly series presents featured poet Jacqueline Frost. Open mic to follow. Poets, writers, storytellers, dancers, musicians, puppeteers and vocalists welcome. Hosted by Dave Brinks. Free admission. 8 p.m. Thursday.

HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION. 533 Royal St., 523-4662; www.hnoc.org Ñ The HNOC hosts a book-release reception for New Orleans and Urban Louisiana: A Definitive Compilation of Twentieth-Century Scholarship. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

LATTER LIBRARY. 5120 St. Charles Ave., 596-2625; www.nutria.org Ñ The New Yorker magazineÕs poetry editor Alice Quinn will discuss and sign Edgar Allan Poe & the Juke Box, a new compilation of previously unpublished Elizabeth Bishop poems edited by Quinn. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

LATTER LIBRARY. Carriage House (behind library), 5120 St. Charles Ave., 596-2625; www.nutria.org Ñ Friends of New Orleans Public Library holds its semi-weekly book sale. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.

MAPLE Leaf Bar. 8316 Maple St., 866-9359 Ñ The weekly reading series presents featured writers, followed by an open mic. Free admission. 3 p.m. Sunday.

Neutral Ground coffeehouse. 5110 Danneel St., 891-3381 Ñ Weekly Tao poetry reading. 9 p.m. Wednesday.

OCTAVIA BOOKS. 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com Ñ Diana Hollingsworth Gessler discusses and signs Very New Orleans: A Celebration of History, Culture and Cajun Country Charm, an illustrated guide to the history and culture of New Orleans. 6 p.m. Tuesday.

A Tisket A Tasket New Orleans Books & Gifts. French Market Stall #36, 38 & 40, 524-8482 Ñ Robert Smallwood signs The Five People You Meet in Hell (Surviving Katrina). 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

WeST BANK REGIONAL LIBRARY. 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey, 364-2660; www.jefferson.lib.la.us Ñ The Friends of Jefferson Library and the American Library Association hold a summer book sale with prices ranging from 50 cents to about $3. Cash and checks only. For details call Friends at 455-2665. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

call for writers

Natchez Poetry Contest. Attn: Judy Wiggins, Humanities Coordinator, 11 Co-Lin Circle, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus, Natchez, MS, 39120 Ñ The Natchez Poetry Contest invites writers to submit original poems of any subject, but no longer than 40 lines per poem; there is no limit on number of poems. Winning entries will be compensated and published in an anthology. Visit www.colin.edu/calendar.htm for guidelines and to download an entry form for each poem submitted. Entry fee is $7 per poem; make payable to A&S Poetry. Postmark deadline is July 31. (The deadline for all listings information submissions is noon Monday . Listings are edited for space; please visit www.bestofneworleans.com for complete listings.)