NEW ORLEANS CALENDAR - December Events
December 13-16 - Acclaimed Production of DOUBT Returns to Southern Rep for
A 2005 Tony and Pulitzer winner for playwright John Patrick Shanley, DOUBT pulls the audience along on a breathless 90-minute journey filled with humorous twists and powerfully dramatic turns that have everyone talking afterwards. An accused priest, a determined nun, an innocent novice, and a beleaguered parent square off in an ethical showdown that will leave you gasping and guessing.
The New Orleans production of DOUBT, directed by Carl Walker, has been praised by reviewers and patrons alike as world-class professional theatre at its finest. Overflow crowds the final weekend of the original run caused several people to be turned away, so this limited extension was added.
There will also be a "talk-back" session with the director, cast, and some special guests after the Saturday, December 15 performance at 9:45PM . The talk-back will give the audience an opportunity to discuss the questions and issues at the heart of the play, and allow them a glimpse into the creative process and decisions behind the play's most intriguing secrets. The talk-back is free and open to the public. It is not necessary to have attended Saturday night's performance to attend the talk-back.
Where: Performances are at Southern Rep's theatre located on the third floor of Canal Place.
When: Thursday, December 13, through Sunday, December 16. Performance times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Admission: Tickets are $29, and can be ordered by calling (504) 522-6545, or by purchasing online at www.southernrep.com.
Through January 6th - Home is Where the Art is
Artist, collector and
benefactor Zita Marks
Templeman (1918
– 2005) has bequest
124 pictures to the New
Orleans Museum of Art.
NOMA is exhibiting
a selection of her gift
on the second fl oor of
the museum, Home Is
Where the Art Is, Zita
Marks Templeman
(1918 – 2005), Artist,
Collector, Benefactor.
Her collection includes
work spanning the
previous two centuries,
including works from
Degas, Whistler, Morisot and Renoir, plus contemporary works
and works by undiscovered artists. All her works shared one
thing…her love of the human fi gure.
Where: 1 Collins, Diboll Circle, City Park, 504.658.4100, www.noma.org.
Through Feb. 17 - New Orleans Museum of Art Proudly Presents...
Th e New Orleans Museum of Art hosts an
impressive display of permanent artwork, and NOMA is always
featuring diff erent monthly exhibits that encompass a vast variety
of subjects. Th rough mid-February, you can view the exhibit Blue
Winds Dancing: Th e Whitecloud Collection of Native American
Art. See a collection of work that displays the unique traditions and
culture from “the original creators of American art”. Th e exhibition
includes over 400 pieces collected over 30 years by Dr. Th omas
and Mercedes Whitecloud. And while you're there, take some time
to explore the impressive Roland Golden: Th e Katrina Paintings.
To Golden, Katrina was “a desperate call home, a melancholy
homecoming to the city where his career began in the mid-1950s”.
And though he has painted images from across the globe, New
Orleans has always been the root of his inspiration. Also available
through Feb. 24 is Surviving Katrina: Paintings and Watercolors
by Rolland Golden.
Where: 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 504.658.4100, www.noma.org.
Admission:
$8 for Adults, $7 for full-time students and
seniors, $4 ages 3 - 17, and free to Louisiana residents with proper
ID.
December 1-29 - New exhibition by Shirley Rabe' Masinter
LeMieux Galleries
presents a collection of
paintings and drawings
by Shirley Rabe'
Masinter, beginning
with an artist's reception
on Dec. 1 from 6
p.m. – 8 p.m. at the
gallery. Masinter creates
pieces of art that “are a
synthesis or construction that give my representation of the places
depicted,” which include New Orleans structures such as bars,
corner stores and shotgun houses to name a few. Her work captures
the city's unique character and architecture in vivid paintings.
When: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday
Where: 323 Julia St., 504.522.5988, www.lemieuxgalleries.com.
December 2-9 - Loyola University's Montage Series
Th e Loyola University Symphony will perform
at the Louis J. Roussel Perfomance Hall on Dec. 2, and the
university also presents Christmas at Loyola: A Musical Showcase
on Dec. 9 at the Holy Name of Jesus Church. Don't miss these
talented musicians as they give you the best show of the year.
Where: Loyola University, 6363 St. Charles Ave., 504.865.3492, www.montage.loyno.edu.
When: 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
December 14 - A Bustout Burlesque Christmas
Deck the House of Blues
halls with boughs of authentic 1950sstyle
burlesque...Merry Christmas
to all, and to all a good night! Th ere
is no New Orleans entertainment
better than the glamorous and risqué
show put on by the Bustout Burlesque
crew. The girls, comic emcee and
sexy songstress combine with the
best mood lighting, props and live
jazz band to create a unique and
memorable New Orleans Christmas
experience.
Where: 225 Decatur St., 504.310.4999, www.bustoutburlesque.com.
When: 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Admission: $20
December 14 - Holiday Sing-a-Long
Contemporary Arts Center for
an evening of holiday music
and entertainment, hosted
by actor/comedian Harry
Shearer (The Simpsons, Le
Show) and his wife, critically
acclaimed singer/songwriter
and humorist Judith Owen.
Th e show promises to please
Christmas-lovers as well as
the Bah, hum bug-types with
traditional and non-traditional
holiday music, including singa-
longs and performances.
Where: 900 Camp St., 504.528.3800, www.cacno.org.
Admission: $20 general admission, $18
students & seniors, $15 CAC members
January. 3 - Artland: USA visits the Big Easy!
Th is new series is hitting the road for a second season,
trekking across the entire continent in search of art of all types
that inspire, shape, mold and motivate us. And of course the
Jackson Pollock-style bus carrying hosts Mame McCutchin and
Toby Amies is including New Orleans in their list of art-fi lled,
must-see cities. New Orleans' exploration begins with a look at
the expatriate chapter of French Impressionist Edgar Degas, the
incredible work of the New Orleans Museum of Art, a look at old
and new architecture, plus a an interview with living artist Dawn
Dedeaux. You can watch the re-airing of the New Orleans episode
of Artland: USA on VOOM's Gallery HD Network at 7 p.m.
Gallery HD is the nation's only 24-hour channel devoted to visual
arts. Gallery HD is one of 15 high-defi nition channels off ered,
available nationwide on DISH Network, channel 9472.
When: 7:00 p.m.
Through December 31 - Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum!
For rum lovers everywhere, or those looking
to add a new liquor to their cocktail menu, visit Old New Orleans
Rum for a tour of the distillery by Celebration Distillation. Old
New Orleans Rum was born in the Ninth Ward, the product of
New Orleans artists and musicians. James Michalopoulos, the
celebrated New Orleans artist, is the founder of Celebration
Distillation. The tours offer an intimate look into the workings
of the rum distillation process, from the very fi rst step. The tour
concludes with a visit to the tasting room, where you can try and
learn all you want about any of the rums produced at the distillery.
And on some occasions, the distillers will offer samples of rum
that aren't even on the market yet, so you can be the fi rst to try a
new product and offer your opinion to guide the direction the
new rum will take.
Where: 2815 Frenchmen St., 504.945.9400, neworleansrum.com.
When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ongoing - A different kind of garden…
Among many impressive permanent and specially featured
exhibits, the New Orleans Museum of Art also offers a sculpture garden…a
unique way to view this medium. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture
Garden is home to 53 sculptures, and a scenic park that sits among trees and
a lagoon. Over half the pieces have been donated to NOMA by the Besthoff
Foundation, and all the others were purchased or donated. Artists include
master sculptors such as Antoine Bourdelle, Louise Bourgeois, Jacques
Lipchitz and more. Contemporary artists include Jean-Michel Othoniel,
Allison Saar, Joel Shapiro and others.
Where: 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park,
504.658.4100, noma.org.
When: Wed. – Sun., 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.,
Admission: Free to Louisiana residents with proper
ID
Ongoing - The Battle of Midway
After the devastating attack by the Japanese on Pearl
Harbor, the nation was still in distress as the Battle of Midway
approached in June of 1942. The U.S. Navy did not have time to
immobilize before the Imperial Japanese put a plan into action that
would surely draw the remains of the Pacifi c Fleet to its defeat.
The Battle of Midway surprised the world as the U.S. defeated the
Japanese. Visit this exhibition about our surprising and fortunate
victory over a superpower during one of the nation's downtrodden
moments.
Where: 945 Magazine St., 504.527.6012, www.ww2museum.org.
Ongoing - Tour New Orleans' Historic Cemeteries
A large part of the cities history, the unique “Cities of
the Dead” are known for its above ground tombs, which serve
as monuments of centuries past. Save Our Cemeteries, Inc. offers
tours of two of the cities oldest cemeteries. St. Louis Cemetery No.
1 was founded in 1789. The tour departs from The Basin Street
Station at 501 Basin Street every Sunday at 10 a.m. Suggested
donations are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6 for students
12 – 18, and free for children under 12. Lafayette Cemetery
No. 1 was founded in 1833 and is located in the Garden District.
The tour departs from the main gate at 1400 block of Washington
Avenue on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Suggested
donations for this tour are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and
students, and free for children under 12. www.saveourcemeteries.org.
Ongoing - Mardi Gras World
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World museum is the perfect
place to bring the kids during the Carnival season. It is sure
to be an experience unlike any other. Take advantage of the
opportunity to see how New Orleans' fi nest fl oats are made, not
to mention movie and theme park props. Plus, you'll get free
king cake and coffee!
Where: 233 Newton St. (504) 361-7821. www.mardigrasworld.com.
When: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Admission: $15 adults; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7.25 11 and under.
Ongoing - Swamp and Airboat Tours
Louisiana's swamps are one of the state's most
unique attributes. Many live in the state their entire lives and
never lay eyes on a swamp. If you're looking to become better
acquainted with the state that boasts “Sportsman's Paradise,”
take a Jean Laffi tte swamp or airboat tour. Get to know the lay
of Louisiana's land.
www.jeanlafifitteswamptour.com.
HOT TICKETS
Tickets available through ticketmaster.com or 504-522-5555 unless otherwise noted. House of Blues box office 504-310-4999.
| DATE | EVENT | VENUE | TIME | TIX |
| Every Wed. | Rebirth Brass Band | Maple Leaf Bar | 10 PM | $10 |
| Every Thurs. | Soul Rebels | Les Bon Temps Roule | 10 PM | FREE |
| Every Fri. | TGIF Music w/ Tom Marron & his singing puppy | Fair Grinds Coffeehouse | 6:30 PM | FREE |
| 12/04 | The Night B97 Stole Christmas
feat. Good Charlotte & Boys like Girls + NLT | House of Blues | 6 PM | $30 |
| 12/04, 12.11, 12.25 | Rebirth Brass Band | Maple Leaf | 11 PM | $10 |
| 12/07 | The New Orleans Bingo! Show | One Eyed Jacks | 10 PM | TBA |
| 12/21 | The Benjy Davis Project | Howlin' Wolf | 10:00 PM | $10 |
| 12/22 | Rockin' Dopsie | Ruby's Road House | 10:30 PM | TBA |
| 12/23 | Home for the Holidays - Rebirth, Troy Andrews & Orleans Ave., Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers & more | House of Blues | 8 PM | $30 |
| 12/25 | Marva Wright 8th Annual Christmas Bash, feat. BMW's & many more | Tipitina's Uptown | 8 PM | $12 |
| 12/26 | George Porter Jr.'s 60th
Birthday Bash w/ Mark Mullins
& Bonerama, Ivan & Ian
Neville, & special guests | Howlin' Wolf | 8 PM | $20 |
| 12/31 | New Year's Eve with Galactic | Tipitina's Uptown | 10 PM | $55 |
| 12/31 | Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
with special guest Porter Batiste Stolz (premium open bar) | Howlin' Wolf | 10 PM | $65 |
| 01/18 | Papa Grows Funk | Columbia St. Tap Room (Covington) | 10 PM | TBA |
| 01/26 | Jonny Lang | House of Blues | 7 PM | $35 |