(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 12 Summer Storytime. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com — Courtney Eiswirth reads stories for all ages every Wednesday through July. 10:30 a.m. ThursDAY 13 LCM's Bastille day. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357; www.lcm.org — The LCM hosts two days of French-themed activities, crafts and games. Museum admission applies. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday.

MAGIC NIGHT WITH DR. MAGIC . Carreta's Grill, 2320 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 837-6696 — The children's magician performs tableside magic. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. SaturDAY 15 Beach bash. Louisiana Children's Museum, 420 Julia St., 523-1357; www.lcm.org — The LCM teaches kids about preserving the wetlands through fun activities. Museum admission applies. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. sunday 16 kids' Soccer class. Decatur and Spain streets — 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 11 Express admissions Day at UNO. University of New Orleans, Lakefront Campus, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 280-6595 or (800) 265-SUNO; www.admissions.uno.edu — The UNO Admissions Office holds an early admissions day for transfer 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 — 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 — Albinas Prizgintas leads an hour of organ music and quiet meditation every Tuesday. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Afro-caribbean dance classes. Tulane University, Newcomb College Campus, McWilliams Hall, Room 300, 865-5000 — Richard Gonzales teaches various dance classes. Fee $11 per class. 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday (dance event).

Bipolar/Depression support. Tulane-Lakeside Hospital, Urgent Care entrance, 4700 I-10 Service Road, Metairie; www.dbsaneworleans.org — The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance holds a free bimonthly support group. Free. 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Le Cabaret de l'alliance Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel, 817 Common St., 568-0770 — The ÒLe Cabaret de l'AllianceÓ event celebrates Bastille Day with live cabaret performances, French cuisine and summer drinks at a cash bar. Admission price includes membership to the Alliance Français. RSVP by June 10. Tickets $25 for AF members, $35 for nonmembers. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Wednesday 12 Yogamotion dance class. Max Fitness, 4953 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 231-8616 — 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 — W New Orleans hotel hosts Palate, a weekly wine-and-food socializing event. Wine experts on hand. Admission $10 (includes wine and hors d'oeuvres). 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Holy Spirits Speaker Series. Fox and Hound English Pub & Grille, 1200 S. Clearview Pkwy., Metairie, 256-5380; http://holyspiritsnola.tripod.com — Martin Gutierrez discusses ÒWelcoming the Stranger.Ó Free admission. 5:45 p.m. socializing/food and drinks, 6:15 p.m. speaker.

Beginner kung fu & Tai Chi. Shaolin-Do Kung Fu & Tai Chi, 4210 St. Claude Ave., 944-1880; www.nolashaolin.com — 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).

Holocaust survivor lecture. Uptown Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Ave., 865-1625 — Holocaust and WWII survivor and New Orleanian Henry Galler discusses his experiences before, during and after the war. 7 p.m.

POLITICS WITH A PUNCH. Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., 581-5812; www.ringsidepolitics.com — A panel of celebrities, journalists, comics and politicians join host Jeff Crouere for a discussion of Louisiana politics. Tickets $15 per person, $25 per couple. 8 p.m. Thursday 13 yoga For seniors. Tapas Yoga and Movement Studio, 4413 Chastant St., Metairie, 256-5255; www.tapasyoga.net — 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 — Louis Hacket and Anne Copeland Sumich perform. Tickets $6 general admission, $2 kids ages 5-12, free admission 5-under. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., through Aug. 31.

New Orleans zephyrs. Zephyr Field, 6000 Airline Drive, Metairie, 734-5155; www.zephyrsbaseball.com — The Zephyrs play Round Rock. Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots perform after Thursday's game and the Chee-Weez perform after Saturday's game. Tickets start at $7. 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

International Dance Lessons. St. Andrews Church Hall, 8017 Zimpel St., 228-4049; www.folkdancers.net/ccid — 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. Friday 14 West Jeff Hospital job fair. West Jefferson Medical Center, Fonseca Auditorium, 1101 Medical Center Blvd., Marrero, 347-5511; www.wjmc.org — The medical center holds a job fair for nursing and clinical positions. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Swamp pop Music Fest. Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Trade Mart Building, 9039 St. Landry Road, Gonzales, (225) 769-9994; www.swamppopmusicfest.com — The Swamp Pop Festival features food, live music, games, entertainment and a sales expo. Visit Web site for schedule. Proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets $15 for both days, $10 (Friday), $7 (Saturday), free admission for kids ages 10-under. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Uptown Chess club. Puccino's Coffee Shop, 3128 Magazine St., 905-2971 — 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 — 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 — Enjoy a film, order some wine and munch on Chef Pete's cuisine in Bacchanal's backyard every Friday (weather permitting). Free admission. 9 p.m.

saturday 15

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

bywater art market. Markey Park, 700 block of Piety Street, between Royal and Dauphine streets, 944-7900; www.bywaterartmarket.com — Artwork for sale includes paintings, textiles, sculpture, pottery, glass, metal and wood artwork, furniture, jewelry, photography and more. Live music and food available. Free admission. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

College Workshop. Delgado Community College, City Park campus, Student Life Center (Building 23), 615 City Park Ave., 483-4410 — Delgado holds an informative workshop for anyone thinking about attending college. Free. 10 a.m.

Community health & wellness fair. St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St., 525-5934; alimc02@yahoo.com — The church holds a fair featuring health-screening tests, stress-relief workshops, nutrition education, mental-health and disaster-relief information, dental services, immunizations and more. A blood drive will also be held. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 16 Big Easy Rollergirls fundraiser. The Kingpin, 1307 Lyons St.; www.bigeasyrollergirls.com — The Big Easy Rollergirls hold a fundraising car wash and information session for potential members and sponsors. $10 per wash. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Drum circle performance. St. Augustine Church yard, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St. — 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.

trinity artist series. Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., 522-0276; www.trinityc.net — Trinity Artist Series presents a concert with organist Albinas Prizgintas and whistler Terry Rappold. Free admission. 5 p.m.

Volleyball league. University of New Orleans, UNO Lakefront Arena, 834-2134 — Contact David to join a weekly co-ed volleyball league. Matches are played year-round on three courts. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday 17 New Orleans career fair. Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal St., 525-2500; www.nationalcareerfairs.com — National Career Fair holds a job fair. Bring resume. Business attire and pre-registration recommended. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Iyengar Yoga CLasses. Anne Burr Dance Studio, 1128 Dublin St., second floor, 862-5568 — 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.

WORLD MUSIC CONCERT. Wild Lotus Yoga, 4842 Perrier St., 899-0047, www.wildlotusyoga.com — World-spirit music and call-and-response chanting with Sean Johnson and the Wild Lotus Band. $10 donation. 8 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 — The Performing Arts Society of Acadiana seeks donations of instruments — clarinets, horns, saxophones, flutes, trumpets, drums and more — for students whose families cannot afford band instruments. Call to schedule a donation.

call for volunteers

American Cancer Society. 2605 River Road, 833-4024 or (800) ACS-2345; www.cancer.org — The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to participate in its upcoming events and facilitate patient-service programs offered in the area. Opportunities are available with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Hope Lodge, Man to Man, I Can Cope, Relay For Life and more. Call for more information.

words

Algiers Regional Branch. 3014 Holiday Drive; www.nutrias.org — 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.

Books-a-million. 401 Hwy. 190, Covington, (985) 867-8010 — Bruce Lee Smith signs Soul Storm: Finding God Amidst Disaster. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Dream new Orleans. 311 Decatur St., first floor, 982-0922; www.thesoulofno.com — 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 — Rick Bragg and J. Wes Yoder participate in ÒBorn to Write: An Emerging Writer and a Bestselling Author in Dialogue.Ó A Q&A session and a book signing will follow. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

GARDEN DISTRICT BOOK SHOP. The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 — Margaret Sartor discusses and signs Miss American Pie. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday; The book group discusses Daniel Mason's Piano Turner. New members welcome. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; Ashley Kahn discusses and signs House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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

LATTER LIBRARY. Carriage House (behind library), 5120 St. Charles Ave., 596-2625; www.nutria.org — 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 — 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 — Weekly Tao poetry reading. 9 p.m. Wednesday.

OCTAVIA BOOKS. 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com — Jed Horne signs Breach of Faith: Hurricane Katrina and the Near Death of a Great American City. 6 p.m. Wednesday; The book club discusses Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. New members welcome. 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

call for writers

Natchez Poetry Contest. Attn: Judy Wiggins, Humanities Coordinator, 11 Co-Lin Circle, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez Campus, Natchez, MS, 39120 — The Natchez Poetry Contest invites writers to submit original poems on 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.)