The V Side: Offbeat entertainment options from NolaVie

Friday / Wherefore Y’Art thou: Is a blank canvas painted white and priced outrageously really … art? That’s the question addressed hilariously in “Art,” Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning play that dissects contemporary painting through the eyes – and acerbic words — of three friends. The work premieres at 8 p.m. Friday in the Stern Auditorium at New Orleans Museum of Art, courtesy of the museum and the NOLA Project. Tickets are $16; $8 for members and students. The run continues on Fridays and Sundays through August.

Saturday and Sunday / Gentlemen, start your moustaches: Who cares about the Honeybees, UsedToBees or Saintsations? The hottest dance team in town is … the 610 Stompers, of course. First round of tryouts for the hot, hot, hot all-guy gyrators and Saints fans (the name derives from the location of their season seats at the Superdome) starts at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at The 12 Bar, 608 Fulton St. Plan to spend most of the day there shakin’ your thang. Dancers who impress the judges will be given a “Golden Ticket” to the second round, to be held at noon Aug. 14, same place. Friends and voyeurs get in free to watch. Hint: Dance attire is not required, but highly and creatively recommended.

Saturday & Sunday / Get your dancin’ shoes on: Yeah, you know all about Satchmo Summer Fest and its non-stop lineup of music in and around the New Orleans Mint Thursday through Sunday. But what you may not know is that you can learn some smooth moves between sets. Dancing Man 504, NOLA Jitterbugs and Dance Quarter will be offering free lessons in jazz dancing, second line, swing and blues. So go get your groove on.

Saturday & Sunday / Get your mojo on: National Enquirer celeb astrologer Maria Shaw invites you to come with an “open mind and open heart” to hear messages from loved ones who have crossed to the other side at her New Orleans Summer Psychic Fun Fair and Crossing Over Gallery. The Psychic Fair, with gems, crystals, readings and the like, takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the House of Broel, 2220 St. Charles Ave, for a $10 admission. The Crossing Over Gallery, featuring conversations with those from beyond, is 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday; charge is $15 and spaces are limited.

Saturday / Scene or be seen: Of course you know it’s White Linen Night along Julia Street on Saturday. But are you aware of the alternative arts celebration called Off White Linen Night? The 7^th annual event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Will Smith’s Studio and Home, 1061 Camp St. (at Calliope), and features art, fashion, music, the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, liquid refreshment from Abita Brewing Company and snacks by Holly Tamale. There’s an after-party, too, at the newly reopened Circle Bar.

Sunday / Speaking of Indians: The annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Memorial, Induction and Awards Ceremony takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard (click here for a drive-by entertainment option on Oretha Castle, worth catching on your way to Ashe). The program highlights the role of Big Chiefs, all Mardi Gras Indians, and those who assist in supporting the tradition. As former Haley Elementary School principal Dr. Roslyn J. Smith put it beautifully when she said, “The Big Chiefs are community leaders, and in many ways they are social warriors, struggling to preserve traditions of beauty in the community while working to make the communities better places.”