The Outdoor Movie Series, featuring family-friendly notable films, continues throughout the year. Moviegoers are invited to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs.
Admission: Free.
When: Twilight on the third Friday of each month.
Where: Memorial Park across from the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, 7910 Park Ave., Houma.
Information: Houma Regional Arts Council at 873-6367.
Throughout the summer
Reading can win you prizes
The Terrebonne Parish Library System’s summer reading program began May 28. Read 10 library books — or parents can read 10 library books to younger children — and receive a certificate, a chance to win a bike and coupons for free things. The summer program includes weekly story times, craft workshops and performances from Harvey Rabbit, Johnette Downing, Page Turner Adventures, The Noise Guy and more. The Library System’s teen program, “Own the Night,” and adult program, “Between the Covers,” are also planned.
Admission: Free.
When: Throughout the summer.
Where: Various Terrebonne Parish library branches.
Information: wwwmytpl.org/srp or 876-5861 (option 3).
Throughout July
Art exhibit
Local artists Emmy Givens and Becky Givens-Bickerstaff were selected as the Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild’s Artist of the Month for June. An exhibit of their work is on display throughout the month. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Emmy Givens is a professionally trained artist who has painted for more than 50 years. Her artwork is a reflective collection of that. Givens’ daughter, Becky Givens-Bickerstaff, is a self-taught artist of about two years. Emmy deals with realism, impressionism and color, while Becky is an abstract artist also dealing with color. She received the highest honor of best composition in abstract painting at Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild’s Spring Art Show in March. Emmy started her painting career by taking required watercolor education courses, but she prefers painting still life in oils and pastels. Becky prefers painting with watercolor, usually with a philosophical note attached, according to the way she feels at the time she is painting. Even their taste in frames is different. Emmy likes wide ornamental gold, or in many cases, very small gold frames, while Becky uses mostly plain, dark frames.
Admission: Free.
When: Throughout June.
Where: Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild’s Downtown Art Gallery 630, 630 Belanger St., downtown Houma.
Information: www.TFAG.org or email info@TFAG.org.
Throughout the summer
Reading can be fun
The Lafourche Parish Public Library System’s summer reading program began May 31. Read a certain amount of books, and you will receive a certificate and coupons for free things. The summer program includes weekly story times, craft workshops, games, magical performances, wetland critters, arts and crafts, a visit from the Audubon ZOOmobile, and performances by Harvey Rabbit and friends.
Admission: Free.
When: Throughout summer.
Where: Any Lafourche Parish library branch.
Information: www.lafourche.org.
July 6
Salute the tunes
The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band’s annual patriotic concert features some time-honored classics.
Admission: Free.
When: 6:30 p.m. July 6.
Where: J.C. Penney court inside Southland Mall, 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma.
Information: Jen Jenkins at 637-3849 or visit www.htcb.org.
July 11-28
Theater
Performances of Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne’s first production of the 2013-14 season, Dan Goggin’s “Nunset Boulevard,” features the Little Sisters of Hoboken who have been invited to sing at the Hollywood Bowl. They are thrilled at the prospect until they arrive and realize that they are booked into the Hollywood Bowl-A-Rama — a bowling alley with a cabaret lounge — and not the famed “Bowl” they were planning on. The show is structured in the tried and true variety format, but as always, things go awry.
Admission: $15.
When: July 11-28.
Where: Le Petit Theatre de Terrebonne, 7829 Main St., Houma.
Information: 876-4278 or www.houma;ittletheatre.com.
July 18-28
Theater
The Thibodaux Playhouse’s children’s presentation of Howard Ashman’s “Little Shop of Horrors” features a down-and out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, RB-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination.
Admission: $15 for students and children and $20 for adults.
When: July 18-28.
Where: Jean Lafitte Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 St. Mary St.
Information: www.thibodauxplayhouse.com or 446-1896.
July 20
Summer fun
The 14th annual Summer Fun Kids Day features live entertainment, bounce houses, games, characters and dozens of vendors showcasing products and services for families and children.
Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children 2-12, and children 2 and under are admitted free.
When: July 20.
Where: Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd.
Information: 850-4657.
July 20
Singing contest
The “American Idol”-like contest returns for its sixth year with CenterStage auditions. The singing contest’s finals are scheduled for Aug. 24 at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. What began in 2003 under the name Hometown Stars held at Southland Mall, changed to CenterStage in 2007 at the Civic Center. The event organizer, Ann Duplantis, said those looking to audition should bring a karaoke track or acoustic instrument to audition to, and be prepared to sing in front of a panel of judges. The annual contest is for those 9 and up. Bands are not allowed. The top 20 will be chosen based on the judges’ scores and notified the day after.
Admission: Free.
When: July 20.
Where: Southland Mall, 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma.
Information: Ann Duplantis at 790-3900 or visit www.centerstagesingingcompetition.com.
July 26
Let’s rock
Downtown Live After 5 has entered its 12th season of free monthly outdoor concerts held the last Friday of the month through November in Courthouse Square in downtown Houma. Monthly performances feature sounds from bands with roots in rhythm and blues, country, swamp pop, rock and more. This month, the local band, Vintage, is set to take the stage. The event, sponsored by the Houma Downtown Development Corp., was started as a way to bring people back to downtown Houma and show them the restaurants, stores and night spots that were in their backyard. Houma’s Downtown Live After 5 started in March 2002 as an effort to revitalize interest and activity in downtown Houma. Members of the Downtown Business Association suggested holding outdoor concerts in the city after seeing similar events in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and other places across south Louisiana. The series attracts a group of 200 to 300 people a month.
Admission: Free.
When: 5-10 p.m. July 26.
Where: Courthouse Square in downtown Houma.
Information: Anne Picou at 873-6408.