THEATER
TRIUMPH: "The Color Purple, the Musical," an award-winning family story about an unforgettable woman who uses love to triumph over adversity, opens Jan. 5 at Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell, with weekend shows through Jan. 27. This adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over 35 years forms the arc of this epic story. The show's stars will include veterans Brittney Crayton as Celie; Thais Kitchen as Shug; and Sam Warren as Mister. See the 8 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 767 Robert Blvd. Tickets are $35-$45. Purchase at www.eventbrite.com or avoid online and credit card fees by texting (985) 285-6666 to reserve tickets. Provide name, day and date of show to reserve, number in party, and email address.
CHOW & CURTAINS: Dinner featuring Brisket Luke, followed by "The Carol Burnett Show Revisited," takes place on the The Village Church-Lutheran stage in Lacombe at 29180 U.S. 190 on weekends through Jan. 12. A production of the new Lacombe Community Theatre. The 7 p.m. dinner shows on Jan. 5-6 & 12 is $39 per person; the 2 p.m. matinee on Jan. 7, featuring a large salad and potato bar, is $29. Call the theater’s reservation number at (985) 788-7405.
NUNSENSE: If irreverent humor and bellylaughs are your thing, check out "Nunsense" at 30 by Ninety Theatre, 880 Lafayette St., in Mandeville for two Friday-Sunday weekends, Jan. 20 through Feb. 4. A hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns and a fundraiser. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God, and the remaining nuns stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. With catchy songs and comedy, Nunsense is a hoot. Directed by Sister Mary TT, with musical direction by Jonathan Sturken. Tickets $25-$32, depending on age. Go to 30byninety.com/tickets.
ROAR: "The Lion in Winter" will be presented Jan. 20 through Feb. 4 at Playmakers Theater in Covington, a modern-day classic by James Goldman that is a tale of sibling rivalry, adultery and dungeons. Comedic in tone, though dramatic in action, Anna Wethern Turner will direct this story of the Plantagenet family locked in a free-for-all of competing ambitions to inherit a kingdom. Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, featuring Julie Generes, has been imprisoned since raising an army against her husband, King Henry II, played by Eric Generes. Directed by Chase Hefte. Tickets are $15 to $20. Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets $15 to $20 at Bontempstix.com.
LOVE: Slidell Little Theatre will present "Romeo and Juliet," the classic story of young star-crossed lovers by William Shakespeare on Jan. 12-21. This oft' told tale of doomed romance between the children of two feuding Italian families was Shakespeare's most popular play during his lifetime, and along with "Hamlet." remains one of his most frequently performed plays today. See it on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for two consecutive weekends. Shows at 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets $20 and $25. Order on the website at https://www.slidelllittletheatre.org/.
MUSIC
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s Northshore Classics series continues on Jan. 5 in Covington with Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. The 7:30 p.m. show, under the leadership of recently installed LPO director Matthew Kraemer, will be performed in the LPO’s new northshore home, the Fuhrmann Auditorium, at 317 N. Jefferson Ave. Tickets are available as a subscription; individual tickets, ranging in price from $28 to $60, are also available. For more information, visit lpomusic.com/subscriptions/23-24-nsconcert-package/.
ART
WELCOME BACK: The St. Tammany Art Association is inviting its members to contribute their work to an upcoming exhibition — Art Bienvenue: A Celebration of Our Member Artists — to help mark the reopening of the association's storm-damaged Art House in Covington. The original art must be submitted Jan. 12-13 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Art House, 320 N. Columbia St. Get details and paperwork on the website at sttammany.art.com. The exhibition will run Jan. 20 through March 15, and an opening is scheduled the first day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
RIVERS: The Christwood Atrium Gallery is about to open a new exhibit entitled "Waterways of the Northshore" featuring the work of New Orleans artist Will Smith Jr. The exhibit will run Jan. 11-Feb. 24, with an opening reception planned Jan. 13 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Smith, praised for his photorealistic landscapes of southern Louisiana, says his oil-on-canvas pieces being exhibited will feature the Tchefuncte and Bogue Falaya rivers. An accomplished graphic artist, his designs are also seen in Mardi Gras posters. The Atrium Gallery, part of the Christwood residential complex, is located at 100 Christwood Blvd., using the Brewster Road entrance. The public can visit the gallery, at no charge, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COMMUNITY GUMBEAUX
WALKING: Join the Abita Springs Walking Club on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Meet up at the Tammany Trace arches in Abita Springs Park. The club is sponsored by the Women's Center for Healing and Transformation, which advises "Join when you can; walk as long as you are able." All-weather walking, except for heavy rain or lightning.
REVEAL: Join a SoulCollage workshop Jan. 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Women's Center for Healing and Transformation, 71667 Leveson St., in Abita Springs. Draw on the power of intuition and creativity to learn more about yourself as you create a deck of collaged cards individualized for you. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own images if they'll fit on 5x8 cards. Suggested cost of $55 includes all supplies. Ask about sliding scale if needed. Preregistration required. Go to womenscenterforhealing.org and select the events button.
WIDOWS: The next coffee and general meeting of Widows Social West will be Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at North Cross Methodist Church in Madisonville. A social community for all widows that gives them the chance to make new friends while enjoying activities of shared interest. After coffee and socializing, hear a "Personal Safety Awareness" presentation by two women with enforcement backgrounds. Come find out what the group has for you. Questions to Laura Norsworthy at norsworthylaura@gmail.com or call (985) 789-9899.
PARKINSON'S: The next support group meeting takes place Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Road, in Slidell. Hear two inspirational speakers who live with Parkinson's, Jimmy Choi via Ted Talk and Tim Hague via YouTube. The group is for anyone who lives with Parkinson's or provides care and support of those who do. Open to people living with the disease, their care partners, medical professionals or anyone else interested in learning more about living well with Parkinson's disease.
WELCOME: The Slidell Newcomers Club's next general membership luncheon is Jan. 10 at the Pinewood Plantation. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; meeting starts at 11 a.m. This nonprofit women's social club offers a social setting of shared interests and new friendships to women now living in Slidell, Lacombe and Pearl River. A reservation is required to attend the monthly luncheon. Contact Judy Warnke at (630) 899-1459 or visit slidellnewcomersclub.com.
NEIGHBORS: The Hermadel Estates-Carolyn Park-Bayou Cache’ Residents' Association will meet Jan. 11 at the American Legion Post, 1680 St. Ann Place. A pot luck dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a short meeting; election of officers; a brainstorming session for coming year activities; and some social time. Elected officials usually attend with neighborhood updates. Bring a dish if you can, but no alcohol. Questions? Call Jill Dalier at (504) 307-7715.
FEDS: The Slidell Chapter of the National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association will meet at 1 p.m. on Jan. 12 in the Cornelius Community Center (second white building past First Christian Church) at 102 Christian Lane. Speaker Nancy McKinney with federal Blue Cross will update any coverage changes. The Lunch Bunch meeting to eat at T-LeBlanc's Restaurant, 797 Robert Blvd, before the meeting should notify Elroy Noel at (985) 290-0757 or email elroynoel@bellsouth.net. All active and retired federal employees and spouses are welcome to the meetings.
TWEET TWEET: A half-day birding trip at Fontainebleau State Park (east of Mandeville on US 190) on Jan. 13. Meet at 8 a.m. in the large parking lot closest to the lake. A $3 entrance fee required, but free for Louisiana senior citizens. Led by Holly Morales and Glenn Ousset; hosted by Orleans Audubon Society.
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