Culturally Speaking for Dec. 16

Holiday concert will feature duets; LASM plans events

Tickets are on sale for the concert, “Rebekah Beaver: Home for Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, in Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. Included in her show will be duets with Marksville native Michael Coco, who lives in New York, accompanied by pianist Louis Wendt and cellist James Rosenbloom.

With degrees in vocal performance from LSU and opera performance from Boston Conservatory, Beaver has performed both nationally and internationally, including New York and Europe. Beaver recently performed locally, “Deux Voix: Songs of Inspiration” with Irish singer Darragh McGann at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Advance tickets are $15. Tickets at the door are $20, adults; $15, children age 2 to 12. For tickets, call [phone] or visit the websites.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.theparktheatre.com

http://www.rebekahbeaver.com

At LASM

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 River Road S., has scheduled several events for the remainder of December:

• 11 a.m. Saturdays, Miss Trudy’s Traveling Trunk Show, Adelie Brent Auditorium.
• 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Doctor Spark, the Roving Explainer.
• Ongoing, Nano Exhibition in the Science Station.
• 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m., 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22; 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, BASF Kids’ Lab weekend science program for children ages 6-12 and a parent or caregiver.
• Through Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, the exhibit, LASM: 50 Years of Collecting.
• Through Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, the exhibit, Train Memorabilia from the LASM Collection.
• Showing in the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium: “2012: Mayan Prophesies” through Sunday, Dec. 30; “Life of Trees” through June 30, 2013; “Season of Light” through Sunday, Dec. 30; “Kaluoka’hina, The Enchanted Reef” through Sunday, Dec. 30; “Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon” ongoing; and “Pink Floyd: The Wall” through Saturday, Dec. 29.

For more information, call [phone].

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.lasm.org

In the Manship Gallery

Ann Connelly Fine Art, 4221 Perkins Road, is celebrating the uniqueness of the Louisiana landscape by hosting an exhibit of work by artists Lisa Di Stefano, Jill Hackney and George Marks in the Manship Gallery in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. The gallery represents the three artists. Admission is free. For more information, call [phone].

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.annconnelly.com

In Denham Springs

Bonnie Smith Williams’ artwork is on view through Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch Library, 8101 U.S. 190 in Denham Springs. This show is an eclectic show with some new ideas along with some old ideas revived using different papers, collage and different mediums. Williams is a member and past president of the Denham Springs Fine Art Association. She also is one the artists showing at St. Francisville Art and Antiques in St. Francisville. For more information, call [phone].

LAAG events

The Louisiana Art and Artists’ Guild, 2490 Silverest Blvd., has scheduled several events in coming weeks:

• The annual Winter Judged Show runs through Saturday, Jan. 12, at Independence Park Theatre, 7800 Independence Blvd. At a reception and awards presentation on Nov. 18, the guild announced the show’s winners: Joann Mobley, first place, “Lucy’s New Shoes;” Anne Thigpen, second place, “Ghost Rider;” and Patricia Ryan, third place, “Parvoo River Shops.” Receiving honorable mention were Don Schifferl, “ Got to Get Home Before the Storm;” Joyce Hensley, “Nothing is Forever” and Betty Gravois, “A Child’s Prayer.” Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Admission is free.
• Registration is open for the class, “Basic Watercolor,” by Roberta Loflin, 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Jan. 5-19 and Feb. 2-16, 2013, at the Studio in the Park, 2490 Silverest Ave. The fee is $100, guild members; $125, nonmembers. To register, call [phone] or email [e-mail].
• Registration is open for the class, “Romantic Realism in the Landscape — Oils,” by Elayne Kuehler, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 8-10, 2013, Studio in the Park. The fee is $150, members; $175, nonmembers. To register, call [phone] or email [e-mail].
• Registration is open for the class, “Mosaics,” by Sheryl Southwick, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14, 2013; and 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, Studio in the Park. The fee is $40, members; $55, nonmembers. To register, call [phone] or email [e-mail].
• Registration is open for the class, “Basic Drawing Skills,” by Steve Shamburger, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. the last three Mondays in the month, Studio in the Park. The monthly fee is $60, members; $75, nonmembers. To register, call [phone] or email [e-mail].
• Life Drawing Sessions are 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Studio in the Park. The fee is $10 per night or $30 per month. For more information, email [e-mail].

For more information, call [phone].

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.laag-site.org

Art benefit

Steve Wilson Stained Glass, 1469 Laurel St., will host a viewing of work by more than 30 local artists from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. Proceeds from all sales will benefit the Bethany Centre Primary School in Uganda. For more information, call [phone] or email [e-mail].

Antiques forum set

Tickets are on sale for the Friends of Magnolia Mound Plantation’s 14th annual Petite Antiques Forum, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, at the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane. Tickets are $75. For tickets or more information, call [phone], email [e-mail] or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.friendsofmagnoliamound.org

Jazz series continues

Tickets are on sale for two performances by Jason Moran & the Bandwagon at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St. The performances are part of the River City Jazz Masters Series presented by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the River City Jazz Coalition. The concerts originally were set for October but had to be rescheduled because of Hurricane Sandy. Ticket holders may use their original tickets for this performance. Tickets are $25-$45. For tickets or more information, call [phone] or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.manshiptheatre.org

Crochet gathering

Rolland Golden Gallery, 415 Main St., Natchez, Miss., will host “International Crochet — England and Victorian Crochet,” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20. This is a hands-on program, and refreshments will be served. Preregistration is $25, and anyone who signs up for the “Victorian Crochet Pattern” classes offered on Tuesdays, Jan. 8, 22 and 29, 2013, will receive a $10 credit toward the classes. To register or for more information, call [phone] or email [e-mail].

At M. Schon Gallery

An exhibit of jewelry from ancient to contemporary is showing at M. Schon Gallery, 415 Main St., Natchez, Miss. For more information, call [phone].

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.mschon.com

Dickens in Lafayette

Tickets are on sale for the Acadiana Repertory Theatre’s commissioned world premiere adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Massachusetts playwright Ben Jolivet’s Carol, A Broken Chain, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 20-22, in the James Moncus Theatre in the Acadiana Center for the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette. The play contains mature themes, and parental guidance is recommended. Tickets are $12-$17. For tickets or more information, call [phone], ext. 244.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.acadianacenterforthearts.org

Acoustic evening set

Tickets are on sale for “An Acoustic Evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin” on Feb. 27, 2013, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, 1373 S. College Road, Lafayette. The concert is presented by the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana. For tickets, call (337) 291-555 or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.ticketmaster.com

Nutcracker in Jefferson

Tickets are on sale for Ballet Hysell’s The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 400 Phlox St., Metairie. Tickets are $30, adults; $27, seniors age 65 and older; $20, students with a valid ID; and $15, children. For tickets or more information, call [phone] or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.jpas.org

Santa in Kenner

Tickets are on sale for Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts’ production of Roland “Butch” Caire Jr.’s The Amazing True Story of Santa Claus at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, on the theaters’ Lagniappe Stage, 325 Minor St., Kenner. Tickets are $10. For tickets or more information, call [phone] or [phone] or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.RivertownTheaters.com

Holiday tours

The Historic New Orleans Collection is hosting “Holiday Home and Courtyard Tours” of its Williams Residence, 533 Royal St., New Orleans, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 30. The Collection will be closed on Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25. Admission is free for Collection members and $5 for nonmembers. For more information, call [phone].

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.hnoc.org

Home for holidays

Tickets are on sale for “Home for the Holidays” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at the House of Blues New Orleans, 225 Decatur St., New Orleans. The event is presented by the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute, House of Blues and the family of Daniel Price. Tickets are $37. For tickets, call [phone] or visit the websites.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.HouseOfBlues.com

http://www.LiveNation.com

http://www.Ticketmaster.com

Broadway stars in N.O.

Tickets are on sale for the Broadway Series, featuring Broadway stars Patti Lupone, Sutton Foster, Megan Mullally, Audra McDonald and Betty Buckley. Producer Mark Cortale is bringing his acclaimed Broadway series to the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts’ Lupin Theatre, 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans. Audiences will hear rare, intimate conversations with some of the Great White Way’s biggest stars. Series dates are Jan. 7, 2013, Patti Lupone; March 2, 2013, Sutton Foster; April 6, Megan Mullally; May 18, Audra McDonald; and June 1, Betty Buckley. Each performer will be interviewed by SiriusXM Radio celebrity Seth Rudetsky, who will also accompany them on the piano for several musical numbers. A limited number of tickets remains for the Lupone event. Tickets are $50-$100. For tickets or more information, call [phone] or visit the website.

ä ON THE INTERNET:

http://www.broadwaynola.com

Auditions at Loyola

Promising young opera singers from across the Gulf Coast will compete for the chance to perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages at the Metropolitan Opera National Council District and Regional Auditions at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Loyola University New Orleans. The winner of the regional auditions will advance to the national semi-final round, held in March on the Metropolitan Opera Stage in New York City. For more information, call [phone].

Culturally Speaking is a weekly column in The Advocate’s Sunday Magazine. The deadline for submissions is Monday preceding the next Sunday publishing date. Email information to [e-mail], [e-mail] or fax to [phone].