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On this week's notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin discusses the origins of a school that helps preserve locally the language and culture of the world's most populated country.

Playwright Edward Albee's "Tiny Alice" is being performed in New Orleans for only the 2nd time in over 40 years. We go Inside the Arts for a peek at this infamous work that examines man's relationship with God.

On this week's Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin speaks with an artist contributing to Prospect 2 who's found inspiration in one of New Orleans' most treasured literary works.

Award winning Jazz singer Rene Marie celebrates Americana in an evening of song as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation presents a Jazz Journey concert featuring Germaine Bazzle, Stephanie Jordan and Betty Shirley. The free concert is Friday January 13th at Dillard University's Lawless Memorial Chapel. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The concert begins at 7pm.

On this week's Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin keeps her ear to the ground to hear from an articulate and underexposed rapper in New Orleans.

This week on Notes from New Orleans, a weekly peek inside the unique life and culture of our region, Sharon Litwin focuses on the many upcoming tourism activities slated for 2012.

The 4th Annual Joan of Arc Parade kicks off on Twelfth Night in the French Quarter...celebrating the Maid of Orleans' 600th Birthday. Festivities begin at 6pm Friday January 6th at Conti and Decatur Streets. More info at www.joanofarcparade.com

A traditional Holiday Classic--Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet gets a Southern tweek in The Pecan Cracker directed by Ricky Graham. Final performances at Southern Rep Theater...tonight and Friday, 7:30 pm.

Author Stephen King spoke at the Academy of the Sacred Heart this past October to discuss his new book, his career as a writer, and his first trip to New Orleans. WWNO was on site to record the event, which included a question and answer session with audience after King spoke.

The New Orleans Museum of Art celebrates 100 years with a marathon 31 hour Anniversary bash. Friday December 16th thru Saturday December 17th.

The 1st Running of the Santas will inundate the Warehouse District on Saturday, while across town in Metairie, on Sunday, a live radio play of the Holiday classic-- It's A Wonderful Life -- transports audiences back in time. We go Inside the Arts for a sneak peek at both events.

This week on Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin talks with Carol Clark, the leader of an oft-overlooked national historic park within the New Orleans city limits.

The second play in Southern Rep and WWNO's New Orleans Noir broadcast is "Spin Cycle" by Greg Herren. Greg is the author of seventeen novels and editor of eleven anthologies. "Spin Cycle" is read by local actors James Bartelle, Kesha Bullard, Jason Kirkpatrick, Wendy Miklovic, and John Neisler. Stay tuned following the performance for a short interview with playwright Greg Herren.

The first play in the New Orleans Noir world premiere broadcast is "Private Chick" by Julie Smith, a former journalist and the author of 20 mysteries featuring three female sleuths and one neglected guy. "Private Chick" is read by local actors James Bartelle, Kerry Cahill, Andrew Farrier, Vatican Lokey, Mathew Mickal, and Mandy Zirkenbach. Stay tuned after the play for a short interview with the playwright.

We travel to the Northshore for Holiday inspired ideas for your weekend. Conversation with Jennifer Bushnell, Arts Coordinator for the St. Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs. More info on Northshore events can be found on the website stpgov.org

This week on Notes from New Orleans, Sharon Litwin talks with Greer Goff Mendy, a dancer turned lawyer turned cultural leader rooted in the Lower Ninth Ward.

Gumbo pots are being stirred in Treme and they're decking the halls in the Garden District this weekend. We go Inside the Arts for a look at the 4th Annual Treme Creole Gumbo Festival and the Preservation Resource Center's 36th Holiday Home Tour.

Internationally renowned architects and artists are in New Orleans for the 5th Annual DesCours, a cutting edge architecture, art and entertainment event. The free public event runs nightly through December 11th at numerous venues. More info at descours.us Conversation with Melissa Urcan, Exec. Dir. New Orleans chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

We travel to the Northshore for "art-filled" ideas for your weekend. Conversation with Jennifer Bushnell, Arts Coordinator for St. Tammany Parish Cultural and Governmental Affairs. More info on Northshore events can be found on the website stpgov.org

The 2nd Annual New Orleans Ladies of Jazz Holiday Concert kicks off Sunday, in collaboration with the Music Alive Ensemble, at the UNO Performing Arts Center. Germaine Bazzle, Leah Chase and Stephanie Jordan perform some of your Holiday favorites.