Night Before the Opera planned

The Covington branch library will host Night Before the Opera with Paul Cimino to prepare patrons for performances in the 2009-2010 season of the New Orleans Opera and to improve opera knowledge.

Cimino, a former opera singer, will give a seminar preceding each opera, explaining story lines, music, etc. The presentations will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. The schedule is:

“Romeo and Juliet” – Nov. 18;

“The Verdi Requiem” – Jan. 19; and

“The Flying Dutchman” – March 16.

The event is free and open to the public. Class space is limited, and registration is required. The Covington branch library is located at 310 W. 21st Ave. Call 8796-6280 to register or for more information. Visit the St. Tammany Parish Libraries Web site at www.sttammany.lib.la.us for more information on library sponsored adult programs.

Holiday ballet planned

Ballet Apetrei will hold its’ 21st production of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 5 and 6 at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington.

The shows will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 and at 2 p.m. only Dec. 6. Tickets are available at the Pineapple Gallery in Mandeville: Reserved, $25; general, $15; and seniors and students, $10.

For more information, call 624-3622. Ballet Apetrei is located at 829 Asbury Drive, Mandeville.

Cultural Affairs workshops set

St. Tammany Comission on Cultural Affairs has announced its upcoming workshop schedule:

Nov. 12 – Web Design for under $100 - Guide to creating a simple, cost effective Web site.

Nov. 19 – Portfolio Design and Review Part 1 - In part 1, Susan Brunner will give a lecture on the dos and don’ts of good portfolio design.

Dec. 10 – Portfolio Design and Review Part 2 - In part 2, Susan Brunner will conduct a review critique of the portfolios of the workshop attendees (only the portfolios of participants from part 1 of the workshop will be reviewed)

 All workshops are held in the St. Tammany Parish council chambers, 21490 Koop Drive, Mandeville, from 6-8 p.m.

Kitty Cleveland

to perform

Kitty Cleveland in Concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mandeville. Cleveland will be singing selections from her seven CDs, including songs from her Christmas CD, “O Holy Night” at this special Advent concert.

She will also share stories of her recent trip to Rwanda with Immaculee Ilibagiza, survivor of the Rwandan holocaust and author of the book “Left to Tell.” 

A reception will follow the concert, where Kitty will be available to sign all of her CDs for gift-giving. The concert is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m. A voluntary offering will be collected during the concert to support Kitty’s ministry. For more information, visit www.kittycleveland.com, or contact Maria Burkhardt 893-4060.

The church is located at 312 Lafitte St.

Millsaps choir

to perform

The Millsaps Chamber Singers will perform at St. Timothy on the Northshore United Methodist Church Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The Millsaps College Chamber Singers, a 24-voice auditioned touring choir, presents a concert of a cappella and accompanied choral music, from motets and anthems to American folk hymns and spirituals.

Timothy C. Coker, professor of music and Director of Choral Activities, directs the Chamber Singers.  Janette Sudderth, staff accompanist at Millsaps, provides support on piano and organ.

UNO to hold

auditions

The University of New Orleans, Department of Film, Theatre and Communication Arts Lakefront Youth Theatre Experience will present ‘”Twas the Night Before Christmas” Dec. 18-20 featuring a cast of school children to be selected by audition. Auditions will be held following audition workshops on Nov. 27 and 28.

The play, adapted for young performers, will be directed by Clair Van Cott and performed in the UNO Performing Arts Center Robert E. Nims Theatre.

Van Cott, children’s theatre director and author, will conduct the audition workshops full of fun theatre games and activities leading to real auditions for T’was the Night Before Christmas on Nov. 27 and 28.

Auditions workshops for prospective cast members in third through ninth grade will be held Nov. 27 from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. and Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to noon.

An audition workshop for kindergarten through second grade students for elves and carolers will be held Nov. 28 from 1-2 p.m.

To sign up, call Shannon R. Miller at (504) 280-6030 Monday through Friday from 9-11 a.m. or e-mail callboard@unolyte.org.

Young actors must be signed up to receive an audition packet. Visit www.unolyte.org for more information.

Casting will be audition based. There is no cost to audition or to be in the show. Ticket sales will provide the production budget.

Tickets are $12 each and will be available beginning Dec. 10.