DECEMBER 2003

1-6 Heavy Metal II. Group exhibition. St. Tammany Art Association, 317 N. Columbia St., Covington. Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 12-4pm. Free. 892-8650.

1-25 Christmas Nights-Holiday Lights. Zemurray Park, Hammond. 5:30-9pm.

1-31 Mandeville City Hall Art Exhibition. Arts program featuring a particular artist or group on a monthly basis. December artist: Christy Works. Mandeville City Hall, 3101 E. Causeway Approach. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Free. Interested artists or groups, please call Mandeville City Hall, 626-3144.

2-23 Holiday Tea and Tour of Longue Vue. Take a tour of the decorated home, enjoy a festive tea with friends and find all of your holiday gift needs. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd., New Orleans. Tues and Thurs, 1:30-3:30pm. $25, reservations required. (See Dec 6, 13 listing for details of children’s program.) General admission to the historic city estate, situated on eight lush acres, is $10 for adults and $5 for children. 10am-5pm daily. (504) 488-5488.

3-31 Christmas in the Country. Group exhibition featuring new and recent works. Fort Isabel Gallery, 401 N. Columbia St., Covington. Wed-Sat, 10am-4pm. Free. Wes Koon, 892-1841.

3-31 Covington Farmers Market. Vegetables, fruit, seafood, wines, herbs, honey, baked goods, plants, artisans, entertainment and more. 609 N. Columbia St., Covington. Wed, 12-4pm; Sat, 9am-1pm. Free. 892-1873.

5 Beau Chéne Garden Club’s Christmas Home Tour. Tour of three homes; lunch; silent auction. Beau Chàne Country Club, Mandeville. 9am-12pm. Tour only, $15; lunch and tour, $28. Cathy Jenks, 845-8798.

5 Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. A festive tradition for young and old. Columbia Theater, 220 E. Thomas St., Hammond. 7:30pm. Box office, 543-4371.

5-7 18th Annual Christmas Extravaganza Expo. More than 650 crafts booths, live entertainment, food; Christmas village. St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, N. Columbia St., Covington. 9am-5pm. Adults, $5; children under 12, free. Sundra Steinhauer, 796-5853.

5-13 A Christmas Story. Entertainment for the whole family. Command Performers Inc., 1320 N. Morrison Blvd., Hammond. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Matinee, Dec 7, 3pm. Adults, $10; seniors and children under 12, $8. 542-9243.

5-20 A Christmas Story. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. 641-0324.

5-31 Abstract Harmony. Whimsical collection of three-dimensional works by Mark Grote. Slidell Cultural Center, 444 Erlanger St., Slidell. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Sat, 10am-2pm. (During Christmas Under the Stars, Dec 12-21, extended hours 6-8pm) Free. 646-4375.

5-31 Holiday of Lights. 4th annual exhibition of holiday lights on the Tammany Trace. Live entertainment, music and choral groups perform December 5, 6, 12 and 13. Tammany Trace Trailhead, 21490 Koop Dr., Mandeville. 6-9pm. Free. Lisa Pratt, 867-9490.

6 Amite City Christmas Parade. Downtown Amite City. 10am. Martina Ellis, 748-5537.

6 Annual Covington Holiday Home and Garden Tour. Leisurely walking tour through downtown Covington; features fine homes and gardens, excellent food and live entertainment at each home. Shuttle available. 5-9pm. $40 ticket benefits Covington Gardens Partnership. Rod Downie, 630-4475 or 892-1873.

6 Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair. Sutter Street, Folsom. 8am-4pm.

6 Hammond Christmas Parade. Downtown Hammond. 5pm. 345-4457.

6 Nature Hayride. Hayride with park naturalist; identify park flora and fauna. Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville. 1pm. 624-4442.

6 Northshore Cajun Dance. Live Cajun music and dancing; workshop at 7pm. Town Hall, 22161 Level St., Abita Springs. 7-11pm. Non-members, $8; members, $6. Pat Baudier, 882-3848.

6 Victorian Tree Trimming Workshop. Create Victorian ornamental paper cones, boxes and sugar plum cases. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville. Free with park admission. Children ages 7-12 will construct an ornament to take home. 10-11:30am. 792-4652.

6-7 Christmas in the Country. Unique holiday shopping experience with special sales, door prizes, entertainment, refreshments, and a visit from Santa! Downtown Covington. 9am-6pm. Free. Pam Keller, 892-1873.

6-7 MAiZE Signs. 2nd annual 24-hour Paintball Scenarios Game inside the cornfield MAiZE and adjacent woods. 36524 Ed Yates Rd., Hickory. Sat-Sun, 24 hours; Sun, 3-8pm. Must be 10 years or older to play. $45-$65. Marie Dufour, 863-9138.

6, 13 Children’s Holiday Celebration at Longue Vue. Crafts, games, food and entertainment. Children create handmade crafts for holiday giving. Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Rd., New Orleans. 10am-12pm. $5; reservations required. General admission to the house and gardens is $10 for adults and $5 for children. 10am-5pm daily. (504) 488-5488.

6-20 Reindeer Games. Bring your camera and meet Santa in the Global Wildlife Safari Shop-then look for his reindeer in the fields! Holiday crafts, activities, games and storytelling. Global Wildlife Center, 26389 Hwy. 40, Folsom. Sat, 10am-12:30pm. Free. Christina Cooper, 624-9453.

6-21 Christmas in Days Gone By. Museum tour and bake sale. Varnado Store Museum, 936 Pearl St., Franklinton. Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, 1-4pm. Free. Terry Seal, 839-3279.

6-21 Winter on the Water. Family celebration features Santa’s arrival and a wide variety of entertainment. The Gazebo, Lakeshore Drive on the Mandeville lakefront. Sat-Sun. Parade, boat parade, fireworks, Dec 6; candlelight carol sing-along, Dec 21. Free. 626-3144.

6-27 Mandeville Trailhead Community Market. Vegetables, honey, baked goods, plants, herbs, artisans and more. 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville. Sat, 9am-1pm. Free. Denise Gutnisky, 624-3147.

6-27 Trace Community Market. Arts and crafts in Pocket Park. E. Gibson St., Covington. Sat, 9am-1pm. Free.

6-28 Celebrating Christmas 1885-1935. Five decades of Christmas history included in the Otis House tour. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville. Wed-Sun, 9am-5pm. Free with park admission. 792-4652.

7 A Festive Christmas Dance. Seago’s Sentimental Serenaders will play tango, rumba, cha-cha, fox trot and swing songs, as well as traditional Christmas music. Benedict’s Plantation Restaurant, 1144 Lovers Lane, Mandeville. Dance/concert, $15 single/$25 couple; $12 seniors/$20 couple. Buffet, $15 per person. Robert Seago, 892-3598.

7 Cate Square Lighting Ceremony. Downtown Hammond. 6pm. 542-3471.

7 Louisiana Storybook Christmas Soiree. Toys for Tots fundraiser. As part of this NO Child Left Behind literacy event, each guest is asked to bring a children’s book suitable for infants through age 12. Cost: $25. Hosted by Mandeville Republican Women at the home of Boone and Debbie Kenyon in Mandeville. Betty Oliver, 845-0447.

7 Old-fashioned Musical Christmas. Experience Otis House Museum with guides in period costumes. Music by the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra brass quartet. Light refreshments. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville. 5-7pm. Adults, $10; children, $5; proceeds benefiting GNOYO. 845-8038.

10-14 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Hilarious Christmas tale; couple struggles to put on a church Christmas pageant with the most inventively awful kids in history. Playmakers Theatre, 19106 Playmakers Road, Covington. Times TBA. For ticket information, 893-1671.

11 Independence Christmas Parade. Independence. 6pm. Robin Dagro, 878-4145.

11 Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste. Jesters, serving wenches, madrigals, Christmas carols and fine dining. Northlake Performing Arts Society at Vintage Court in Covington. 7-10pm. Ticket information, 792-1392.

12-13 The Nutcracker. Presented by the Hammond Ballet. Columbia Theatre, 220 E. Thomas St., Hammond. 7:30pm. Tickets, $10-$15. Bonnie Stevens, 225-567-6251.

12-21 Christmas Under the Stars. Spectacular 10-day event transforms Griffith Park into a winter wonderland of holiday lights, decorated trees, gingerbread houses, a miniature train village, Christmas cottages with animated figures and a life-sized Nativity with live animals. School and church choirs and a variety of bands and performers add to the magic. Griffith Park, Slidell. Nightly, 6-9pm. Free. Complete schedule of performers and events available at Slidell Cultural Center, 444 Erlanger St. Kelli Gustafson, 646-4375

13 Christmas Hayride and Candlelight Tour. Traditional Christmas stories presented during a hayride through the park. Afterward, enjoy decorations, music and a candlelight tour of Otis House. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Madisonville. 5:30-8:30pm. Free with park admission. 792-4652.

13 Coordinated Gallery Openings. Galleries throughout downtown Covington preview featured artwork. Downtown Covington. 6-9pm. Free. 892-8650.

13 4th Annual UCM Christmas Party and Eccentric Wreath Exhibition. Features the Raucous Wreath Auction at 8pm. Proceeds benefiting local charities. UCM Museum, 22275 Hwy. 36, Abita Springs. 6-10pm. Free. John Preble, 892-2624.

13 Ponchatoula Christmas Parade. Downtown Ponchatoula. Brenda Harris, 370-8223.

13 U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dance. Lessons, exhibition and social dancing. Senior Center, 610 Cousin St., Slidell. 7-10:30pm. Live music: adult member, $8; adult non-member, $10. Recorded music: adult member, $5; adult non-member, $8. Sylvia Dahm, 641-6979.

13-14 The Baddest Angel Band and Santa Goes on Strike. Young actors put on a Christmas show that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington. 2pm. $5 tickets benefit non-profit Skyfire Productions. Rita Stockstill, 875-7577.

13-31 Cliché. Annual group exhibition. St. Tammany Art Association, 317 N. Columbia St., Covington. Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 12-4pm. Opening reception December 13, 6-8pm. Free. 892-8650.

19 Kim Carson and the Casualties. Voted Best Country Band by Offbeat magazine four years running. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington. Time and ticket prices TBA. Rita Stockstill, 875-7577.

19 USABDA AARP Dance. Ballroom dance at the Slidell Senior Center, 610 Cousin St. 7-10:30pm. $5. Sylvia Dahm, 641-6979.

20 Abita Springs All Town Market. Vegetables, plants, baked goods, crafts and more. Hwy. 36. 10am-4pm. Free. Diane Trail, 867-3323.

20 Annual Charles Dickens Christmas Party. Theatrical readings, Scrooge scavenger hunt, a visit from St. Nicholas, music and caroling. Vianne’s Tea Salon & CafÇ, 544 Gerard St., Mandeville. 2 pm. $10 per person; $25 per family; 50 percent of net proceeds benefit St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build. Kerri Blache, 624-5683, or www.viannes.com.

20 Napoleon Bonaparte’s Empire Sale. Seminar examines the history, genealogy and achievements of Louisiana Creoles from 1700-1803 and from American control to present. Lacombe Heritage Center, 29069 Clesi St., Lacombe. Tom Aicklen, 882-7218.

21 Christmas Concert. Area vocalists and musicians present program of Christmas music. Skyfire Theatre, 332 N. New Hampshire St., Covington. $8. Rita Stockstill, 875-7577.

21 Third Sunday Concert Series. Faculty brass quintet from Southeastern Louisiana University will perform a program of classical Christmas music. Wine and cheese reception follows. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington. 5pm. Free. 892-3177.

27 Folsom Open Air Market. Local farmers, nurseries, antiques, crafts and garage sale items. 82337 June St. (corner of Hwy. 40 East). 9am-2pm. Free. Clythia Anderson, 796-9448.

JANUARY 2004

1-30 Mandeville City Hall Art Exhibit. Arts program featuring a particular artist or group on a monthly basis. January artist: Angela Minter. Mandeville City Hall, 3101 E. Causeway Approach. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Free. Interested artists or groups, please call Mandeville City Hall, 626-3144.

1-31 Cliché. Annual group exhibition. St. Tammany Art Association, 317 N. Columbia St., Covington. Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 12-4pm. Free. 892-8650.

1-31 Covington Farmers Market. Vegetables, fruit, seafood, wines, herbs, honey, baked goods, plants, artisans, entertainment and more. 609 N. Columbia St., Covington. Wed, 12-4pm; Sat, 9am-1pm. Bo Gallup, 892-1873.

3-31 Antique Quilt Exhibition. Varnado Store Museum, 936 Pearl St., Franklinton. Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, 1-4pm. Free. Terry Seal, 839-3279.

3-31 Mandeville Trailhead Community Market. Vegetables, honey, baked goods, plants, herbs, artisans and more. 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville. Sat, 9am-1pm. Denise Gutnisky, 624-3147.

3-31 Trace Community Market. Arts and crafts in Pocket Park. E. Gibson St., Covington. Sat, 9am-1pm. Sheryl Landry, 898-0686.

9 Annual St. Tammany West Chamber Gala. Banquet, award presentations, silent auction and live entertainment. Castine Center, Mandeville. 6:30pm. Members, $50; non-members, $60. Reservations, 892-3216.

10 Explore the Shore. Special program will explore the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline. 2-3pm. Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville. 624-4442.

10-31 Ed Whiteman Art Exhibition. Brunner Gallery, 215 N. Columbia St., Covington. Tues-Sat, 10am-5pm. Opening reception January 10, 6-8pm. Free. Robin Hamaker, 893-0444.

16-31 Mixed Media Art Exhibition. Artists from eight southeastern states compete in this juried exhibit. Slidell Cultural Center, 444 Erlanger St., Slidell. Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm; Sat, 10am-2pm. Opening reception January 16, 7-9pm. Free. Kelli Gustafson, 646-4375.

17 Nature Trail Hike. Enjoy a guided nature walk along park trails. Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville. 2pm. 624-4442.

18 Third Sunday Concert Series. New Orleans Black Chorale performs polyphonic 16th century Renaissance a cappella music, contemporary songs and spirituals. Wine and cheese reception follows. Christ Episcopal Church, 120 S. New Hampshire St., Covington. 5pm. Free. 892-3177.

21-25 GALA Horse Show. Folsom. For more information, call 796-0760.

23-31 Dearly Departed. Comedy. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Dr., Slidell. Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. 641-0324.

24 Fontainebleau’s History. Park historian will explain the history of the park property, from Native American habitation prior to settlement by Europeans through the Louisiana Purchase and plantation era to present day. Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville. 2pm. 624-4442.

25 Krewe of Claude Mardi Gras Parade. Slidell. 1pm. Captain Hicks, 646-4366.

28-31 GALA Horse Show. Folsom. For more information, call 796-0760.

30 The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Columbia Theater, downtown Hammond. 7:30pm. Donna Gay Anderson, 543-4366.

31 Quilt Documentation Day. Hosted by the Otis House Museum and coordinated by the Louisiana Regional Folklife Program. Quilt makers and owners are invited to bring two or three quilts made in Louisiana during any period from the state’s earliest settlement to the present. Fairview Riverside State Park, Madisonville. 10am-2pm. 792-4652.

Got an upcoming event? E-mail the information to editor@insidenorthside.com.

Copyright 2003, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved.