“Lifelike,” a new exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art, explores the boundaries between fabrication and reality. Featuring works of art from more than 50 global artists, including Andy Warhol, Charles Ray and Susan Collins, the exhibit is on view until Jan. 27. It demonstrates how artists use scale, unlikely materials and contextual devices to manufacture authenticity. Susan Taylor, director of the museum, says, “There is a real poignancy that we rarely recognize in the mundane objects and situations of our daily lives. That’s what makes the experience of this exhibition so exciting.” The exhibit features sculptures, paintings, photographs and drawings as well as other multimedia projects. Information, noma.org
Enchantment in City Park
A holiday tradition and a delight for all ages, Celebration in the Oaks will again offer enchantment at City Park throughout the month. Highlights include amusement park rides; nightly performances by school choirs, dancers and orchestras; and photographs with Santa. Be sure to check out the “Who Dat Tree,” and of course, the lovable Mr. Bingle. Information, CelebrationInTheOaks.com
Floating Into Town
The irresistible tale of a kindhearted, magical nanny makes its way to the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, Dec. 18-23, as Broadway Across America presents Disney’s Mary Poppins. With exciting new choreography coupled with the classic songs made famous by the lovable Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, going to see this musical is like opening an early Christmas present. Information, MahaliaJacksonTheater.com
KICKING FOR A CAUSE
In December of last year, Katie Boudreaux organized Kicking Against Cancer, a charity kickball tournament presented by Kickball of the Crescent City, to raise money and offer moral support to Melisa Garcia, who was battling cancer at the time. It was, unfortunately, one of the last times that many of Garcia’s friends saw her, as she tragically passed away two months later at the age of 28. To celebrate her life and help others in need, Boudreaux decided to make Kicking Against Cancer an annual event. This year it will be held on Dec. 8 at St. Patrick’s Park in Mid-City. Pre-registration is open to those over the age of 21 and all are welcome to attend as spectators. Information, kickingagainstcancer@gmail.com, or search 2nd annual KOCC Kicking Against Cancer tournament on Facebook.
What does the event entail? There will be eight teams. The tournament isn’t meant to be competitive – it’s meant to be a fun day with good people. It’s about coming together. The entry fee is $10. Besides the games, there will be a raffle. Several businesses across the city have already signed up to donate items for the raffle: Funky Monkey, Branch Out and Nola Food Delivery, just to name a few. Also, several people in the league are providing baked goods for sale, and Reginelli’s Pizza is kindly donating pizza to sell at the event. League member Jim Martyn, who has helped me a great deal in the planning and scheduling, has asked his mom to provide her delicious jambalaya for sale as well. In short, there will be some very delicious things to eat! We’ll also be selling T-shirts designed by the very talented Scott Ray.
Where do the proceeds go? I think with a lot of fundraisers it can be hazy as to where your money is really going. This event was significant for everyone involved because we knew exactly where it was going and having Melisa there at the event made it extra special. She was very touched and honored. So, of course, in her memory we’ve decided to do it again. I know she’s really proud of what we’re doing. This year we are donating all of the proceeds in Melisa’s name to Young Adults Taking a Stand Against Cancer (YATS). They are a local organization dedicated to the needs of individuals aged 21 to 39 who are affected by cancer. We felt that the group particularly fit for us because they are a small organization that helps those in the same age bracket as Melisa.
What do you hope that this event accomplishes? Melisa will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved her. This event is just another way to keep her memory alive and to make her proud. This day is a day to celebrate her – to recognize how hard she fought, and to raise money to encourage those who are so young and still fighting. Raising money and awareness is something we can all do to help those fighting cancer so that they don’t feel alone.
Through Dec. 2. PhotoNOLA photography festival; various venues. Information, PhotoNola.org
Dec. 2, 8-9, 15-16, 21-23. Teddy Bear Tea; Crescent City Ballroom at The Roosevelt New Orleans Hotel. Information, TheRooseveltNewOrleans.com
Through Dec. 16. The NOLA Project presents “Romeo & Juliet;” New Orleans Museum of Art. Information, NolaProject.com
Through Jan. 20. “The Bayou School: 19th Century Louisiana Landscapes of Clague, Buck and Smith”; New Orleans Museum of Art. Information, noma.org
Through July 13, 2013. “Guests of the Third Reich: American POWs in Europe”; National World War II Museum. Information, NationalWW2Museum.org
Dec. 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 22, 28. New Orleans Hornets home games; New Orleans Arena. Information, nba.com/hornets.
Dec. 6. Aerosmith and Cheap Trick in concert; New Orleans Arena. Information, OrleansArena.org
Dec. 7. “The Art of Giving”; Ogden Museum of Art. Information, OgdenMuseum.org
Dec. 7-8. Louisiana High School Athletic Association’s football championship games; Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, lhsaa.org
Dec. 16, 30. New Orleans Saints home games; Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, NewOrleansSaints.com
Dec. 21. Home for the Holidays – A Concert for the Daniel Price Foundation for Aspiring Artists; House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
Dec. 22. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue in concert; House of Blues. Information, HouseOfBlues.com
Dec. 22. R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl; Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, NewOrleansBowl.org
Jan. 2. Allstate Sugar Bowl; Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Information, AllstateSugarBowl.org
