Arts, Entertainment & Culture

Let us entertain you!  Jefferson Parish diverse in its people and culture brings you entertainment year round.  Perhaps you prefer live theater, or maybe it's a lively festival, or you are more of a history buff.  Whatever your preference you are sure to find it in Jefferson. 

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Jefferson Performing Arts Society

The JCVB would like to congratulate JPAS Maestro Dennis Assaf for receiving an award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The AACT Distinguished Merit Award is presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of contributions made to promote and develop the highest standards for community theatre.

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) has an exciting season with performances at the Performing Arts Center located in Metairie on the east-bank of Jefferson and at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre and Teatro Wego! located on the westbank of Jefferson.  There is something for everyone, drama, comedy, kids theatre, and holiday presentations!  Call the box office at 504-885-2000 or visit www.jpas.org for complete details and to purchase tickets.

 

AVENUE Q
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx    
Book by Jeff Whitty    
Based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, AVENUE Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart. AVENUE Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Westwego Performing Arts Theatre (177 Sala Avenue, Westwego)
January 25, 26 & 27, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM

North Star Theatre (347 Girod Street, Mandeville)
February 22, 23, 24 & March 1, 2, 3, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM


THE COLOR PURPLE
Based upon the novel written by Alice Walker
And the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Motion Picture
Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray
Nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score, THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. This musical adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium/400 Phlox St., Metairie)
February 22, 23, 24 & March 1, 2, 3, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM


BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
Written By Alan James
On February 3rd, 1959, the man who changed the face of popular music tragically died in a plane crash aged 22. Now, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story tells the story of the three years in which he became the world's top recording artist with a show that features over 20 of Buddy Holly's greatest hits including "Peggy Sue", "That'll Be The Day", "Oh Boy", "Not Fade Away", "Everyday", "Rave On", "Maybe Baby", "Raining In My Heart", Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba", and the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace". Over 20 million people have come to see Buddy all across the globe where the magical talents of Charles Hardin ‘Buddy' Holly have been shared live with many more people than the real Buddy Holly ever had the chance to perform to. The incredible legacy of the young man with glasses, whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period during the golden days of rock ‘n' roll, continues to live on in Buddy.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium/400 Phlox St., Metairie)
March 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 & 31, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM
Columbia Theatre (220 East Thomas Street Hammond)
Wed, April 10, 2013 7:30PM

ONE GREAT MOMENT IN TIME
Featuring the Original Music of JPAS Composer-in-Residence GLYN BAILEY
With Special Guest Stars ARIEL ASSAF, MICAH DESONIER, JENNIFER, DELATTE
Join JPAS for an unforgettable evening of original music by acclaimed JPAS Composer-in-Residence GLYN BAILEY (composer, SCANDALOUS!) featuring the vocal talents of the city's loveliest songbirds, Ariel Assaf, Micah Desonier and Jennifer Delatte. This is a special evening of music that is not to be missed!

Westwego Performing Arts Theatre (177 Sala Avenue, Westwego)
April 20, 21, 22, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sun 2PM

MORE PERFORMANCES and VENUES ANNOUNCED SOON!

JPAS THEATRE KIDS!
JPAS Theatre Kids! Presents great theatre for kids performed by all-kid casts!

Disney's CAMP ROCK, The Musical

Book by  Robert L. Freedman and Faye Greenberg    
Songs by Adam Watts, Andy Dodd, Kara DioGuardi, Mitch Allen, Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Dapo Torimiro , Lyrica Anderson, Antonina Armato, Tim James, Thomas Sturges, Toby Gad, Kovasciar Myvette, Aaron Dudley, Steve Rushton, Jamie Houston, Adam Anders, Nikki Hassman, Peer Astrom
Music Adapted, Arranged, Orchestrated and Produced by David Lawrence    
Based on a Disney Channel Original Movie written by Dan Berendsen, Karin Gist and Regina Hicks and on characters created by Karin Gist, Regina Hicks, Julie Brown and Paul Brown
This summer at camp was supposed to be all about the music and having the time of their lives.  But the new, flashy Camp Star across the lake now threatens Camp Rock's very existence.  To keep the doors open, Mitchie steps up, rallies her fellow Camp Rockers, and gets them into top shape for the ultimate showdown!  Disney's CAMP ROCK: The Musical, based on the hit Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, will fire up your stage with over a dozen songs, including "This Is Me," "Can't Back Down," "It's On," and "We Rock."

Westwego Performing Arts Theatre (177 Sala Avenue, Westwego)
March 29, 30, 31 & April 5, 6, 7, 2013 Performances Fri & Sat 7:30PM, Sat & Sun

Season Specials
Season Specials are stand-alone events are not included in any package or subscription.

17th Annual Pasta & Puccini Fundraising Gala
Friday, October 19, 2012. Doors open at 6:30PM
Hyatt Regency New Orleans (601 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans)
Proudly Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Henry Shane, Hard Rock Construction, First NBC, Mrs. Hannah J.Cunningham, The Mary Foundation, The Robert & Myrtis Nims Foundation, EZ Parker
Celebrity Auctioneer President John Young
To Benefit JPAS Cultural Endeavors and Youth Programming for the 2012-2013 Season
The highlight of the cultural season returns! The 17th Annual JPAS Pasta & Puccini Gala will once again be an elegant evening to benefit the JPAS artistic endeavors and arts outreach programming. Gala patrons will enjoy an evening of world class entertainment, an elegant seated dinner and exciting auctions to the music of the great Giacomo Puccini. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit the Jefferson Performing Arts Society's annual theatrical productions and arts outreach programming that annually enrich and serve over 20,000 arts patrons and reach over 10,000 youth throughout five parishes in Southern Louisiana. Tickets and tables for this elegant affair are available for purchase now! Contact Valerie Hart at 504-885-2000 x212 or email valerie@jpas.org. The evening includes an seated dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing and live entertainment provided by stellar performers and the JPAS Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dennis G. Assaf.

Arts Adventure Series Special!
SLIM GOODBODY: LIGHTEN UP! TOUR
Lighten Up! addresses the problem of childhood obesity. It is a highly interactive, 50-minute musical show designed to help children, in grades K-6, learn the value of exercise and good nutrition. The show deals with the serious problems of excess weight and obesity in an entertaining and totally non-threatening way. Children are encouraged to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors needed to make health-enhancing choices. In every musical number, the kids participate, by answering questions, volunteering, and moving along with Slim.

Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium/400 Phlox St., Metairie)
Arts Adventure Series Performances January 22, 2013, 9:45am and 11am

More About the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS)
Founded in 1978 by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham, Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit professional arts organization whose mission is to promote arts performance, training and outreach by providing a diverse range of quality programs that entertain, educate and enrich the cultural and economic vitality of Jefferson Parish, Greater New Orleans and the deep south.

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Audubon Nature Institute - Aquarium, IMAX, Insectarium & Zoo

• 6500 Magazine Street
• New Orleans, LA 70118
• Phone: 504-581-4629
• Region: New Orleans

Walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, marvel at the lush beauty of the Amazon Rainforest and journey the Mississippi River at the Aquarium of the Americas.  Penguins, sting rays, sharks and other MORE >>

• Overview

Black Cat Productions

• P.O. Box 2933
• Gretna, LA 70054
• Phone: 504-481-9014
• Region: Gretna

Writing, Producing, and Recording Jazz, Gospel, and Contemporary Music Black Cat Productions, LLC is a music resource company committed to writing, producing, recording, and promoting various types MORE >>

• Overview

Boomtown Casino

• 4132 Peters Road
• Harvey, LA 70058
• Phone: 504-366-7711
• Region: Harvey

Leave your worries behind and escape to Boomtown® Casino New Orleans for a little relaxation and fun. With live entertainment, three great restaurants and three levels of non-stop gaming action, MORE >>

• Overview

German-American Cultural Center

• 519 Huey P. Long Avenue
• Gretna, LA 70053
• Phone: 504-363-4202
• Region: Gretna

Interprets the German immigrant contribution to Louisiana, 1720's to present. The GACC interprets the unique German immigrant contribution to Louisiana's history through exhibits, lectures, programs, MORE >>

• Overview

Gretna Office of Tourism & Visitor Center

• Huey P. Long Avenue & 4th Street
• Gretna, LA 70054
• Phone: 504-363-1580
• Region: Gretna

 Friendly faces, historic places, architecture, museums, exhibits. Home to the Gretna Heritage Festival, Mel Ott Bronze, historic treasures, art walk, and National Historic District. Gretna City Hall MORE >>

• Overview

Jefferson Parish Library

• 4747 West Napoleon Avenue
• Metairie, LA 70001
• Phone: 504-838-1190
• Region: Metairie

Whether you are on the east or west banks, a Jefferson Parish library branch can be found in the area. We specialize in fun resources for ALL ages, including young readers, teens, and adults. All 16 MORE >>

• Overview

Jefferson Performing Arts Society

• 1118 Clearview Parkway
• Metairie, LA 70001
• Phone: 504-885-2000
• Region: Metairie

Founded in 1978 by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah J. Cunningham, the Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit professional arts organization whose mission is to promote arts performance, MORE >>

• Overview

Louisiana Children's Museum

• 420 Julia Street
• New Orleans, LA 70130
• Phone: 504-523-1357
• Region: New Orleans

Come Play With Us Today!Find something new and fun to do each time you visit the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Explore and experience 30,000 square feet of hands-on fun, engaging exhibits and exciting MORE >>

• Overview

Rivertown Museums

• 405 Williams Boulevard
• Kenner, LA 70062
• Phone: 504-468-7231
• Region: Kenner

Open 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday by appointment ONLY for groups of 10 or more. Open to the public on Saturdays only - tickets available at the Planetarium Box Office 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. MORE >>

• Overview

Teatro Wego! Theatre

• 177 Sala Avenue
• Westwego, LA 70094
• Phone: 504-885-2000
• Region: Westwego

Teatro Wego! Theatre/Westwego Community Center is located adjacent to the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre. This venue can be configured in many different seating arrangements for performances, MORE >>

• Overview

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