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THE EAST JEFFERSON
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METAIRIE • KENNER • HARAHAN • JEFFERSON • ELMWOOD • RIVER RIDGE
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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2, 2015 H
THENEWORLEANSADVOCATE.COM
Eva Jacob Barkoff AROUND JEFFERSON
Lafreniere to light up for the holiday Lafreniere Park will become a winter wonderland Friday when Jefferson Parish officials hold a special holiday lighting ceremony. Holiday in the Park, at 6 p.m. in the park, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, will include performances by the Jefferson Ballet, Our Lady of Divine Providence School and the Jefferson Parish Library. The display is open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 5:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Santa, Frosty and Rudolph will make appearances on Friday and Saturday nights. The display will close Dec. 30. “The entire exhibit is constructed with LED lights, making it energy- and cost-efficient and environmentally friendly,” said Kriss Fortunato, public information officer for Jefferson Parish. “There are several äSee BARKOFF, page 2G
Lynne Jensen
THROW ME SOMETHIN’
Marine Band, Toys for Tots make beautiful music together Here’s an early Christmas event that’s fun, free and an invitation to spread holiday cheer to children. Gather the family and head downtown for “Santa Meets Sousa,” a Marine Corps Band concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. Reserved-seating tickets will be available beginning at 10 a.m. the day of the concert at the Saenger box office. Doors will open at 5 p.m., and Marines will be in the lobby to collect new, unwrapped toys for their annual Toys for Tots drive. “The donations are greatly appreciated,” said Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Smith, officer in charge and principal conductor of the band. “The toys will help less fortunate children in the New Orleans area have a brighter Christmas.” The concert features the music of John Philip Sousa, an American composer known for his military and patriotic marches. Sousa, who lived from 1854 to 1932, was a member of the Marine band and served as its director for 12 years. “Sousa didn’t write any Christmas music, but we are doing a medley as if he had,” Smith said. The concert is a 1½ hour holiday production “that will fly by with something eväSee JENSEN, page 2G
Advocate staff photos by SOPHIA GERMER
ABOVE: Mya Catchings and Angelo Vicini rehearse the ’Nutcracker’s’ big party scene recently at Lyons NORDC Center in New Orleans. BELOW: Dancers get into their places during a dress rehearsal at Lyons NORDC Center.
Getting their chance to shine
From kids to seniors, NOBA puts community dancers on stage BY JASON BROWNE
Special to The Advocate Ballet does not discriminate on the basis of age, and the New Orleans Ballet Association will prove it twice on Sunday. NOBA will offer its annual performances of “The Nutcracker Suite” at Dixon Hall on the Tulane University campus at 3 p.m. and again at 6 p.m., with a cast of all-amateur dancers ranging in age from single digits to 77. “Dance has a way, as all arts do, to bring people together,” said Jenny Hamilton, NOBA’s executive director. First, it will bring together members of the NOBA Center for Dance’s Pre-Professional program (ages 9-18) and the Senior Dance Fitness program (no age limit) from the city’s
eight New Orleans Recreational Development centers to rehearse. Then it will bring together hundreds of guests from the community to enjoy the show. “We do our dance with the children, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Irethea Gilyard, 77. “I have an 8-year-old grandson, so it gets me prepared for when I have him during school breaks.” Gilyard has been a loyal member of NOBA’s Senior Dance Fitness classes for seven years. This will be her third “Nutcracker Suite” performance. She said performing is a thrill, but the community aspect of the program is her true inspiration. “I attend three to four classes per week. It keeps us active as seniors. But even when we’re not in class, we’re all friends, and we do things äSee SHINE, page 4G
Block party Advocate staff report
Who says Legos are just for kids? “Nothing compares to the feeling when you finally find a piece that you’ve been looking for for quite a while,” said Nick Parrish, who turned out for the recent Beer & Building event at the Robert E. Smith Library in New Orleans. Library patrons Advocate staff photos by SHERRI MILLER
ages 21 and over got to
Nick Parrish and Luke Sirinides search through a box of Legos for the perfect play with the blocks and piece during the Adult Lego Club Night at the Robert E. Smith Library in New enjoy a brew. Orleans on Saturday.
Andy Simoncelli builds a Lego bridge.