Encounters of the cultural kind.

New Orleans' reputation as the cultural center of the South is seen in its abundance of performance groups and theaters. Spend an evening with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the region's only full-time, professional orchestra. LPO plays at various venues throughout the city, including the Morial Convention Center, Tulane’s Dixon Hall and McAlister Auditorium, Loyola’s Roussel Hall, the First Baptist Church and the Pontchartrain Center.

Southern Repertory Theatre at Canal Place and Le Petit Theatre in the French Quarter are the perfect venues to see original and adapted works from New Orleans' finest thespians.

Need more culture? Here are a few places to start:

PERFORMING ARTS ATTRACTIONS AND PRESENTERS

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra 129 University Place, (504) 523-6530

The magnificent music of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) entertains and enlightens with both the finest classical music and pops favorites. Special concerts include Classics, Pops and Casual Classics. Under the musical direction of Carlos Miguel Prieto, the LPO is this country's only musician owned and operated symphony.

The LPO presents its concerts in a variety of lovely venues throughout New Orleans, ranging in size from the First Baptist Church to the Morial Convention Center. Single ticket prices range from $9 -$65, and group rates are available. For more information, call (504) 523-6530.

New Orleans Opera Association 1010 Common Street, Suite 1820 (504) 529-3000

The New Orleans Opera Association, founded as the French Opera House, is the oldest opera in North America. The 2006-2007 season performances are being held at the Morial Convention Center and Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium. The New Orleans Opera Association also offers a full array of educational and social events throughout the season.

New Orleans Ballet Association One Lee Circle, (504) 522-0996.

The New Orleans Ballet Association, or NOBA, is the region's premiere presenting and service organization dedicated solely to the art of dance. NOBA's dynamic Main Stage season annually features a

variety of world-class dance companies at Tulane University’s McAlister Auditorium. The popular series has introduced audience members to the contemporary world of dance. In addition to the presenting series, the NOBA Dance Institute serves as the largest dance classroom in the Gulf South providing over 50,000 dance enthusiasts with over 3,000 concerts, lecture/ demonstrations, workshops, classes and much more.

Southern Repertory Theatre 365 Canal St. 3rd Floor, (504) 522-6545

This trendy theatre in Canal Place, the elegant mall at the foot of Canal Street adjacent to the French Quarter, presents both classic and original American and regional drama, with up-and-coming young thespians as well as seasoned per formers whose credits include Broadway and Hollywood.

Contemporary Arts Center 900 Camp Street, (504) 528-3805

The CAC's Performing Arts Department presents three seasons annually: fall, winter and spring. The seasons are an exciting blend of performance disciplines including: Music (jazz, classical, and avant garde, including a new series, The Music of New Orleans), Theatre (featuring a variety of acts within the DramaRama series), Dance/dance theatre (featuring local, regional, and national touring companies), Film (in partnership with the New Orleans Film Festival and the Jewish Film Festival), Spoken word and performance art. Tickets are available at the CAC or online at www.cacno.org. Please call the CAC Box Office at (504) 528-3800 for further ticket information.

New Orleans Creative Arts Center (Center Stage) Lupin Hall on the NOCCA Riverfront campus, 2800 Chartres Street. (504) 904-2787

The Center Stage Series is presented in the beautiful theatre at NOCCA, a school for creative high school students that has produced such greats as Harry Connick Jr., Wynton and Brandford Marsalis, and Terrance Blanchard, to name a few. The Center Stage Series is a great blend of education and performance, bringing artists from around the globe to teach NOCCA students in master classes and through stage performances that are also available to the public. Ticket prices are very reasonable, and activities range from serious theatrical to small opera, along with a wide variety of musical and dance presentations.

Le Chat Noir 715 St. Charles Avenue, (504) 581-5812

A cabaret, bar and wonderful place to see theatre in a relaxing, sophisticated atmosphere. The shows are eclectic, from serious theatre, to retro cabaret and even improvisational comedy. It is a wonderful after dinner treat for more mature visitors.

Le Petit Theatre 616 St. Peter Street, (504) 522-2081

Le Petit is one of the nation's oldest continuously presenting theaters. Just off the corner of Jackson Square, it is the perfect venue to see a Tennessee Williams play or attend the wonderful Faulkner and Tennessee Williams festivals and full dramatic presentations held there year in and out. Watching the crowd gather for a performance gives one a feeling of connection with the traditional Creole community that has come here over the years.

True Brew Coffee House, 200 Julia St, (504) 524-8441

Located in the Warehouse District at Julia and Fulton Street stages small theatrical presentations and poetry readings on a regular basis including improvisational comedy, cabaret, and productions by independent grassroots live theatre groups. May also have the best recorded music for a coffee house in town.

Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center 1724 Oretha Castle Haley, (504) 525-6727

Zeitgeist, famous for their "theatre experiments" presents film, video, performance art, visual art and literary events six nights a week, year-round and shares the large new space with Barrister's Gallery. Zeitgeist is considered one of the premiere alternative arts centers in the South.

Anthony Bean Community Theater 1333 South Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-PLAY

The Anthony Bean Community Theatre produces quality stage plays that are both educational and entertaining. Situations and characters of the productions reflect relevant issues in the lives of the immediate New Orleans community both past and present. Cast members come from diverse backgrounds in the New Orleans area.

DramaRama Performing Group 900 Camp Street, Contemporary Art Center, (504) 528-3800

From hilarious slapstick comedy to dazzling dance-theatre, DramaRama offers New Orleanians a chance to see outstanding new work from locally and nationally known artists! DramaRama features two popular programs. DramaRama11, featuring new works for teenagers and adults and DramaRama Junior.

Summer Stages 225 Baronne, (504) 598-3800

Produces a wide array of contemporary musicals for child performers, Summer Stages has since presented 14 fully-staged musicals, most of which were New Orleans premiere performances.

UNO Downtown Theatre at the Scottish Rite Temple, 619 Carondelet Street, (504) 539-9580

This new performing arts venue has become a new home for cutting edge and emerging theatre companies as well as student and faculty productions for UNO staff and students. Located in the heart of the CBD and close to the arts district, it has since its opening become a popular hall for the many small presenting companies in New Orleans such as Running With Scissors, Rue de Sept and Artspot.

Tulane University's Shakespeare Season, Lupin Theater, Tulane University, (504) 865-5101

This, with Loyola's Theatre Department, is one of the venerable university based theatre programs in the city. The schools also produce wonderful contemporary theatre series, but are best known for the Shakespeare performances which can be presented wonderful park settings as well as on campus.

Artspot 900 Camp Street, Contemporary Art Center, (504) 866-7387

Under the leadership of Kathy Randels, Artspot has been presenting original and contemporary live theatre at the CAC, UNO Downtown Theater, and at area universities.

Running With Scissors http://www.norunningwithscissors.com/running.html

This troupe presents mainly farce and high camp productions, and was recently nominated for a Big Easy best production award. Their performance locations vary, so be sure to check the Website.

Happensdance 129 University Place, (504) 523-6530

The group explores diverse ways of making dance happen. They combine intricate planning with rhapsodic spontaneity, artistic vision with happenstance. This troupe is devoted to creating and presenting energetic and distinctive works of contemporary dance. Its repertoire is infused with the company members' diverse strengths.

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