LIVE SHOWS
TRIBUTE: Musician-singer-songwriter and tribute artist Finley Watkins will perform two 8 p.m. shows on July 15-16 at the Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd., in Slidell. Watkins, 14, plays seven instruments, favoring rockabilly and blues and the musicians who make that music. Get tickets from the theater by texting (985) 285-6666, or order from Eventbrite online through the theater website. Basic tickets for Watkins’ “Friends in Low Places” are $30.
“OZ”: A unique, fast-paced retelling of the classic L. Frank Baum story “Wizard of Oz” is on tap at Playmakers Theater in Covington for three weekends between July 30 and Aug. 14. Titled “Choose Your Own Oz,” the process of delivering this beloved Baum story is shaken up so that the audience becomes the playwright and gets to change everything — from the style and color of Dorothy’s footwear to the species of her little dog, Toto. Shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; check the website at https://playmakers-theater-05.webself.net/. The theater is at 19106 Playmakers Road in Covington.
MUSICAL: The show “Twisted,” the untold story of a royal vizier, will be presented July 22-30 at Slidell Little Theatre for mature audiences only, ages 18 and older. The musical parodies the 1992 Disney film “Aladdin” — as well as the Disney company — by telling the story from the point of view of Ja’far, the royal vizier. Tickets are $20 and on sale now at https://www.slidelllittletheatre.org. The theater is located at 2024 Nellie Drive in Slidell.
THEY’RE BACK!: “Back to the Chapel/Come and Get Your Love” brings back Betty, Ginger, Maria and Margo to continue their journey to find true love, break into Vietnam, survive loss and learn the value of enduring friendship. This funny, uplifting jukebox musical includes tunes from the ’70s and visions of disco. A vocal powerhouse at The Cutting Edge Theater, 767 Robert Blvd., in Slidell. Six shows, all Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. from July 22-Aug. 6.
LIVE MUSIC
ADULTS 55+: Inspirational vocal and instrumental music with Adam Watson, David Logan and David Rockett at First Baptist Church, 16333 La. 1085, in Covington, at 10:30 a.m. July 12. A program for adults 55 and older. Online registration is required at www.fbccov.org/adults-55. Cost is $10, payable at the door, which includes lunch at noon. The deadline to register is Friday, July 8, at noon.
SUNSET: Sunset at the Landing concert at the historic Columbia Street Landing in Covington on July 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy the free music on the banks of the Bogue Falaya River at the foot of Columbia Street. Bring your chairs, blankets, food and refreshments.
KIDS’ ADVENTURES
CODING: A Summer Coding Camp for 8- to 12-year-olds will take place July 25-28 at Northshore Technical Community College’s Sullivan Campus in Bogalusa. The 8 a.m. to noon camp will teach the basics of programming with wearable Code Cubes for beginning coders. Campers learn block-based programming to create artistic animations, colors and patterns that can play sounds or change as they move it around. The Coding Cube is theirs to keep at the end of camp. Snacks will be provided. The camp is provided free of charge via a grant from International Paper. Register at https://www.registerblast.com/ntcc-testing/Event/EventDetailStep/134.
PEL PARK CAMP: There are more one-week Pelican Park Nature Explorers summer camps left in July for two age groups — 6- 8-year-olds and 9- to 12-year-olds. The camps will include weekly field trips and hands-on learning. Get kids away from screens and back into nature with different topics for each week. Go online at pelicanpark.com to see fee schedule, dates, times, topics and more. Some scholarships available through the World of Wonder Foundation by contacting [email protected].
PA CAMPS: The window will soon close on the remaining Positive Attitude camps being held in July, so contact Action Youth and Community Resources now to register on behalf of students in grades five through eight. These overnight youth development camps, held at Fontainebleau Elevated Group Lodging in Fontainebleau State Park, are designed to teach leadership and communication skills to campers. A final Positive Attitude camp for grades seven and eight will be held July 18-21, and PA Junior for students entering fifth and sixth grades will be held July 22-24. For more info or to register, visit ActionYCR.org.
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A GUMBO OF EVENTS
DO-SI-DO: Ozone Squares Square Dance Club of Covington will host an open house to introduce people to the fun and health benefits of modern square dancing on July 18 in the Bogue Falaya Hall at the Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson Ave. in downtown. There is no cost to attend the event from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, contact Wes Koon at (985) 502-4154.
ROLL FORWARD: Slidell said due to “overwhelming” public demand, Slidell Movie Night in Heritage Park is moving to cooler weather this fall rather than continuing with movies in summer. The new movie night dates are Sept. 30, Oct. 14 and Oct. 28.
PARKS FEST: On July 16, Pelican Park will mark Parks and Recreation Month by celebrating St. Tammany Parish recreation at an event in the park from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This family event will feature local bands — including Rockin’ Dopsie and Lost in the 60s — fireworks, food and more. For the kids, there will be inflatables, games and other kid-friendly activities. At The Groves in the park, 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville. Parking $5 cash. For more info, call (985) 626-7997 or email [email protected].
GALA: St. Anselm Catholic Church of Madisonville will hold its 14th annual gala at The Castine Center on July 30. The patron party, hosted by Gallagher’s, begins at 6 p.m., with general admission at 7 p.m. The live band will be Three Thirty Seven, and more than 50 restaurants will provide a dinner buffet. There will be a silent and a live auction, and the evening will end with the raffle of a 2022 GMC Acadia from Rainbow Northshore Buick GMC.
NEIGHBORS: The Hermadel Estates-Carolyn Park Residents Association will hold its next meeting on July 14 at the Sons of Italy Lodge, 1619 East West Drive (corner of Kaycee Drive), in Slidell. There will be a potluck at 6:30 p.m. and business meeting at 7 p.m. The Slidell Police Department and District D City Council member usually attends with updates about our neighborhoods. Bring a dish if you can, but no alcohol, please. Come out and meet your neighbors. Call Michael DeSandro at (985) 201-5459 with questions.
HELPING: The next meeting of the Northshore Parkinson’s Support Group will take place July 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lamb of God Lutheran Church, 57210 Allen Rd., in Slidell. The group promotes the social, emotional and physical well-being of those living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Guest speaker Dr. Hans Schuller will discuss sleep issues with Parkinson’s. The meeting is open to anyone with Parkinson’s and anyone who provides care. Questions can be emailed to Mark at [email protected].
MRA: The Military Road Alliance, an umbrella organization of a dozen homeowner associations in eastern St. Tammany Parish, will meet July 20 at 7:30 p.m. for a special presentation from State Treasurer John Schroder. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Boyet Junior High, one block off North Pearl Street; ample parking available. Contact Robert Broome at (985) 643-4565 or via email at [email protected].
TRANSPLANTS: The Chalmette High School Class of 1966 will celebrate its 56th reunion on July 16 at the Jefferson Orleans South, 2536 Edenborn Ave., in Metairie from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Former classmates who relocated to St. Tammany after Hurricane Katrina are invited to attend. Cost is $75 per person in advance; $80 (cash only) at the door. Dressy casual attire. Additionally, all CHS and Andrew Jackson High classes of the 1960s are invited to join in because COVID prevented so many reunions. This will be a mega reunion celebration. For tickets or additional information, call Beryl Hargis at (985) 30-2380, Kathy Fogarty at (985) 549-0946 or Arthur Sherlock at (504) 606-8517.
TEE UP: The Chalmette High School Alumni Association will host its annual golf tournament on Aug. 20 at the Oak Harbor Golf Course in Slidell. The fundraiser has been renamed the Paul Granberry Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of Granberry, the longtime tourney chairman who died in August after a battle with cancer. Sign-in begins at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Cost per player is $100 or $400 for a foursome. Food and drink are provided. To register or get more info, contact David Fernandez at [email protected] or (504) 818-8935. All proceeds go to the direct benefit of Chalmette High School students.