THEATER
THEY'RE BACK: 'Designing Women — 2020 The Big Split' returns the women we love — Julia, Suzanne, Charlene & Mary Jo — to us on stage. See the partners at Sugarbakers interior design firm tackle the hot button issues of the day, including presidential politics, while closeted during a pandemic. It's a divided 'House of Sugarbakers' in a fiery election season, but these sassy, Southern, designing women remind us of the truth that laughter can unite all of those who will let it. Creator of the much-loved 'Designing Women' TV series, playwright Linda Bloodworth Thomason, moves her characters forward in this new story that still bubbles with good humor and social commentary. Directed by stage veteran Sara Pagones. Performances Friday and Saturday nights, April 5-27, at the Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Boulevard, in Slidell. See the theater's Facebook page for more details.
CAJUN: The Lacombe Community Dinner Theater is scheduled to present James Hartman's latest Cajun Mystery, "Shooting Gators," on April 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 on stage at The Village Church-Lutheran, 29180 US 190, in Lacombe. The cost of a Friday or Saturday performance and brisket dinner is $39 per person. Call (985) 788-7405 for reservations; see villagelutheran.org/LCDT for more details. The dinner theater is a ministry of The Village Church-Lutheran.
MUSIC
KEEPIN' COUNTRY: Clifton Brown & The Rusty Bucket Band will perform chart-topping Nashville music from the 1980s forward on April 5 as the city of Slidell's spring Bayou Jam concert series continues with free Friday night performances in Heritage Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Don't forget to bring chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park at 1801 Bayou lane. In case of rain, check city website or Facebook page; cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on day of event.
PARTY TIME: The Mandeville Live! spring concert continues at the city's trailhead on April 5 when the Witness dance band performs. No charge for the 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. show. Concertgoers should bring chairs or blankets for seating, but no ice chests; food and beverages will be sold on site. These community concerts will continue weekly through May 10.
ART
CALLING ARTISTS: St. Tammany is looking for local digital artists and muralists to provide artwork for new outdoor exercise and yoga installations at the Camp Salmen Nature Park in Slidell and by Kids' Konnection Playground at Koop Drive near Mandeville. March 28 is the deadline to apply to arts@stpgov.org. Selected artists will be compensated. See application guidelines at http://www.stpgov.org/residents/arts-grants.
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ABITA SPRINGS: En Plein Air Art exhibit at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum, 22044 Main St., on April 12-14, starts with a 6 p.m.-9 p.m. reception with artists and sponsors on the first day. The following day, the art will be on exhibit to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on final day, from 10 a.m. 'til 2 p.m. The exhibit will feature outdoor scenes in St. Tammany from 25 artists. Get more info from Ron Blitch (504) 452-1738 or ronblitch@msn.com or Lynnette Soules at lynnabita @hotmail.com or (985) 264-0528.
SPRING: Spring for Art, a celebration of music, art and performing arts in downtown Covington on April 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., is a free festival produced by the St. Tammany Art Association. This annual event draws thousands of patrons to enjoy the live music, art demonstrations, performances and dining in numerous locations. This year's event will feature a sprawling art market all along Columbia Street and the return of the Mix Masters mixologist cocktail competition.
COMMUNITY GUMBO
NTCC: Northshore Technical Community College scholarship recipients, their families and the donors who help support the scholarships will all be honored March 28 in the ninth annual Chancellor's Scholarship Breakfast celebration at Benedict's Catering, 1144 N. Causeway Blvd., in Mandeville. Honorees from St. Tammany and Washington parishes will be recognized between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. that day. Get tickets, $45, at Eventbrite.
PEARLS: The second annual Pastels, Pearls & the Girls spring soiree to benefit the Rainbow Child Center will take place April 27 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Cross Gates Family Fitness, 200 N. Military Road, in Slidell. Features a silent auction and fashion show; a new Pearl Award winner announcement; and live music by Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces. Get tickets for $40, or VIP tables, at any Cross Gates in Slidell. For more, visit crossgatesclub.com/special-events/.
GIRLS: Lakeview Hospital and the Junior League of Greater Covington to host Girls Health Day on April 13 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for girls from 8 to 14 who registered and accompanied by their mothers or guardians. Designed to promote healthy, positive behaviors and give mothers/guardians the tools to help their daughters do that. Topics to include digital safety; health and social issues; the hazards of vaping and tobacco; safe dating; mental illness; changes with puberty; sexual health; and healthy eating. Online registration and $5 fee required at www.jlgc.net.
AHHH: The Covington Garden Club will present its annual flower show on April 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bogue Falaya Hall in the Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson Ave. Free admission, open to the public and handicap accessible.
GROUP GATHERINGS
WOMEN: The Widows’ Social Club of Slidell will next meet in the John Wesley Center of Aldersgate United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. on March 30. The group will have a party to celebrate the third 'birthday' of the W.S.C.S. Games, music, hot dogs, chili, chips, cake and ice cream. All widows are welcome. For more info, call Cindy Alberts, (985) 707-7676.
MEN: Men retired or nearing retirement are invited to join the Northshore Men’s Group the first Monday of each month for lunch and conversation. This informal group meets only to foster friendships. No dues, officers, goals or activities — just casual talk over a four-course meal at Mandina’s in Mandeville. Group coordinator Ralph Oneal gives members advance notice of the monthly meetings. To join or ask questions, contact him at (985) 705-9252 or email at NSMGLunch@gmail.com
NEWCOMERS: The Northlake Newcomers Club will have fun for a good cause on April 12 when hosting its Charity Bingo and Raffle at Benedict’s, 1144 N. Causeway Boulevard, Mandeville. Ten games of regular bingo and one blackout game with calling by a special guest that everyone will recognize. Lucky players will share their winnings with Hope House in Covington, a Children’s Advocacy Center for abused children. Doors open at 10 a.m.; games start at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $42 pp for lunch and one bingo card. For more, see www.northlakenewcomers.com.
PWP GROUP: The Northshore Parkinson's Support Group will meet April 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Road, Slidell. The speaker will be Dr. Gerald Calegan, a neurologist specializing in movement disorders to discuss "Managing the different types of Parkinson's Psychosis Symptoms" and "The Importance of Fitness for PWP." People with Parkinson's, their care partners, medical professionals and others interested in learning more about living well with Parkinson's are invited.
FESTIVALS & SUCH
MUDBUGS: Come by boat, bike or car to third annual Crawfish Cook-Off for the Corps fundraiser on April 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club in Mandeville. All you can eat crawfish and beer included, with ID & ticket. Cash bar. Kids 12 & under free; enjoy swimming, live music and bounce house. Teams will compete for best mudbugs. Sponsored by Marine Corps League — LCpl. Justin McLeese Detachment 1487. Tickets start at $45 on Eventbrite; $55 at door.
ALL GOOD: Eat some mudbugs and help those who need it by participating in this year's Crawfish Cookin' For A Cause at the Mandeville Lakefront Splash Park on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beneficiaries include Grant's Gift Foundation, aiding children with special needs, and Project Red Light, helping cover the uninsured medical costs for a local woman with ALS. Early tickets on sale now at slightly discounted prices. Get more info; get tickets starting at $40; sign up a team' or become a sponsor or volunteer at www.cookinforacause.com.
FAMILY DAY: The annual Slidell Heritage Festival will take place June 29 in Heritage Park, sponsored by the two Slidell Rotary Clubs; the city of Slidell; and the St. Tammany Farmer and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. It is a community celebration of the nation's birthday and provides funds for selected local charities that have demonstrated a need for the money to use for a specific purpose. Those chosen from those that applied will also provide significant support and volunteers to help with this year's festival. For more info, see www.slidellheritagefest.org.
WHEELS: Covington's American Legion Post 16 will host a Cruise In on April 12 from 5 p.m. — 8 p.m. at 2031 Ronald Reagan Highway. A casual gathering of people who like to drive, show off or just look at antique, classic, muscle cars, hot rods, trucks, cycles, military vehicles or other modes of transportation. Just drive your ride in and park; no fee. Visitors welcome; food and activities available. Contact (334)303-3936 for more.