JANUARY

JAN. 2

Step Off 2005

Presented by the Chatham County Youth Commission with the Savannah Youth Council. 6 p.m. Jan. 2, Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah Civic Center. The middle and high school competition features step teams from across the region including Jewels of Distinction from Savannah, Kappa League from Savannah, K.E.J. Step Team from Lyons, Lewis Frasier Middle School from Hinesville, Sigma Beta from Savannah and Terror Squad, Glynn Academy High School from Brunswick. Tickets: $5 in advance, $10 at the door; can be purchased at the Civic Center, Lester's Florist and the Oglethorpe Mall. Call 652-7964.

Christmas Bird Count

Volunteers needed for this Jan. 2 census of local winter bird populations. Call 786-5703 to be assigned to a territory.

JAN. 5

Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra Auditions

The Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of Art, Music & Theatre and the Savannah Friends of Music present auditions for the spring concert of the inaugural Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra season. Auditions for placement in the AAYO program are scheduled for afternoon and early evening of Jan. 5. To schedule an audition, call 236-2560 or e-mail joneslor@mail.armstrong.edu.

JAN. 7

Graduation Recital

Featuring sopranos Rachel Thompson and Stephanie Dickerson, 2:30 p.m. Jan. 7, Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Presented by the AASU Department of Art, Music & Theatre. Free admission. Call 927-5381.

Gallery Hop

5-7 p.m. Jan. 7, five facilities, Savannah College of Art and Design. Shuttles run between the galleries. Galleries included are Alexander Hall Gallery, Orleans Hall Gallery, Pinnacle Gallery, Red Gallery and shopSCAD. Refreshments served. Participants may begin at any of the stops. Free and open to the public. Call 525-9999. Upcoming dates: Feb. 7, March 4, May 6, June 3.

Final Talent Search Audition

6 p.m. Jan. 7, Liberty City Neighborhood Center, 1401 Mills B. Lane Blvd. Audition for a chance to participate in the Black History Musical Extravaganza on Feb. 23 in Johnny Mercer Theatre. Sponsored by the City of Savannah Recreation Services. Free and open to the public. Participants must call 651-6789 to make an appointment to audition. Call 650-7805 for more information.

First Friday for Folk Music

7:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 7, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, 429 Abercorn St. Featuring Savannah Irish Session, FOCOROPO, Justin Beckler and host Hank Weisman. Recommended donation: $2. Refreshments available. Call 786-6953.

JAN. 8

Old Time Country Dance

Lessons 7:45 p.m., dance 8-11 p.m. Jan. 8, Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Beginners welcome. Upcoming dates: Feb. 19; March 12; April 16; and May 14. Cost: $7 general public; $5 Savannah Folk Music Society members and students; free AASU students and staff. Call 236-3117 or 925-2456.

'Ten-Minute Play Festival'

7 p.m. Jan. 8, Jenkins Theater, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Presented by the AASU Masquers and the Savannah Arts Academy. Within a 24-hour window of time, teams of students from both schools work together to organize the formation of a new play beginning with script writing and concluding with a public performance. Free admission. Call 927-5381.

Family Fun Day

Noon-6:30 p.m. Jan. 8, Garrison Elementary School, 649 W. Jones St. Presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc. Call 341-0042.

Heaven and Hell

A Chris Cook Theme Party, 10 p.m. Jan. 8, The Velouria Lounge, 220 W. Broughton St. Featuring costume contests and prizes. Cost: $7. Call 238-9930 or visit www.chriscookthemeparties.com.

Book Signing

Co-authors Rebecca Davis and Sandra Peacock will sign their book "Judge Faye Sanders Martin: Head Full of Sense, Heart Full of Gold" at 1 p.m. Jan. 8, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Oglethorpe Mall. The book is a biography of the first woman attorney in Bulloch County, the first woman appointed to the Georgia Superior Court bench, and the first woman chief superior court judge in Georgia. Judge Martin will be present at the book signing. Call 353-7757.

JAN. 9

Children's Winter Video Series

All shows 3-4 p.m., Tybee Island Marine Science Center, 1510 Strand, Tybee Island. Cost: $3 children ages 3-16, $4 adults. Reservations recommended; limited seating. Children younger than 10 must be accompanied by adult. Popcorn, short program and video included with paid admission to the Science Center.

Jan. 9: "Jack, the Seal, and the Sea" (30 minutes), Reading Rainbow, ages 3-12.

Jan. 15: "Humphrey the Lost Whale" (30 minutes), Reading Rainbow, ages 3-12.

Jan. 23: "Chickens Aren't the Only Ones" (30 minutes), Reading Rainbow, ages 3-12.

Feb. 5: "The Big Aquarium" (50 minutes), Little Mammoth Media, ages 3-adult.

Feb. 13: "Kids Discover Dolphins" (21 minutes), Little Mammoth Media, ages 3-12.

Feb. 19: "Sam the Sea Cow" (30 minutes), Reading Rainbow, ages 3-12.

Reel Savannah Film Group

Films screened at 7 p.m. at the Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St. Tickets: $6, cash only. Visit www.reelsavannah.org.

Jan. 9: Red Lights (France, 2004) - A thriller featuring a young couple on their way to pick up their children from summer camp. French with English sub-titles; 105 minutes.

Jan. 16: Vodka Lemon (Armenia, Italy, France, 2004) - Portrait of an abandoned community by exiled Iraqi Kurd director Hiner Saleem. Winner of the San Marco prize at the Venice Film Festival. Armenian, Russian and Kurdish with English sub-titles; 88 minutes.

Jan. 23: Seducing Doctor Lewis (Canada, 2003)- Tale of a fishing community on an impoverished island trying to persuade a young Montreal physician to live in their town. Selected for several festival prizes including Audience Award at Sundance, Closing Night and Director's Fortnight at Cannes and Special Presentation at Toronto. French with English sub-titles; 108 minutes.

JAN. 10

Guest Artist Art Exhibition

"Spatial Awakening: The Fine Art of Chinese Painting" by Lampo Leong, on view Jan. 10-27, Fine Arts Gallery, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Free admission. Leong will present workshops, Jan. 10-14. Call 927-5381 for schedule of workshops. Opening reception for exhibition, noon Jan. 13. Call 927-5381.

JAN. 11

Big Band Concerts

"A Salute to Martin Luther King Jr. Concert" presented by the Coastal Jazz Association, 7 p.m. Jan. 11, Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Dessert reception at intermission. Free and open to the community. Call 232-2222 or 355-8111.

Cool Nights at the Beach

Presented by the King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, 7 p.m. Jan. 11, Beach Institute, 502 E. Harris St. The series showcases African and African-inspired performances by artists with ties to Savannah. The Jan. 11 event features spoken word performers from the Spitfire Poetry Group, young adults from Project Yes, vocalists Juanita Tucker and Adiva and folklorist and storyteller Sister Imani Mtendaji, who uses traditional African, Afro-Caribbean and African American culture to inspire her performances. Free. Call 234-8000. Upcoming dates: Feb. 10, March 9, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14.

JAN. 13

Graduation Recital

Featuring Tim Nicholson on piano, 2:30 p.m. Jan. 13, Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Free admission. Call 927-5381.

JAN. 14

Gospel Fest

7 p.m. Jan. 14, Greater Gaines Chapel AME Church, 1006 May St. Presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc. Call 341-0042.

Robert Ingram Strozier Faculty Lecture Series

12:15 p.m. Jan. 14, University Hall 156, Armstrong Atlantic State University. "Legacy and Health: Photovoice, a Qualitative Study in the Community" presented by Meg Walworth and Jacquie Fraser. Call 921-7315.

Becca Bessinger & Moe Loughran Concert

8 p.m. Jan. 14, The Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave. Both singer/songwriters are touring to support their latest albums. Bessinger fronts the band Modern Marriage out of Atlanta. Visit www.moerocks.com and www.mmband.com.

JAN. 15

The Mad Tea Party Performance

8 p.m. Jan. 15, The Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave. Featuring post-modern parlor music including novelty music from the '20s and '30s and original music. Visit www.themadteaparty.com.

'Miss Saigon'

8:30 p.m. Jan. 15, 7 p.m. Jan. 16, Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah Civic Center. Tickets: $34, $43 and $50; available at the Johnny Mercer box office, all Select-A-Seat locations, online at www.savannahcivic.com or by calling 651-6556.

16th Annual Model Railroad and Train Show

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 16, National Guard Armory, 1248 Eisenhower Drive. Presented by Coastal Rail Buffs, Inc. Admission: $4 general; $3 seniors and students; free for military and children under age 12 with parents. Call 927-4976, visit www.coastalrailbuffs.org or e-mail railbuffs@sabrelink.com

Jazz in January

Presented by the Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association's 2004/05 Performing Arts Series. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. at the Historic Ritz Theatre, Brunswick. Tickets: $18 adults, $15 students and seniors (65+); general admission seating. Call (912) 262-6934.

Savage Jazz Dance Company, Jan. 15

A Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Jan. 23

JAN. 16

Explore the Salt Marsh by Land and Sea

Presented by Wilderness Southeast in conjunction with Fort McAllister State Park. 2-4 p.m. Jan. 16 & 30, meet in parking lot, Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill. Walk and paddle with a naturalist guide to learn about the salt marsh ecosystem. Group size: 6-16. Cost: $25, includes canoe rental and basic canoeing instruction. Reservations required. Call 897-5108.

Ambassador Dennis Ross Lecture

Ross, architect of the Oslo Peace Agreements, will speak on his new book "The Missing Peace: The Inside Story of the Fight for Middle East Peace." 3 p.m. Jan. 16, Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Copies of the book are available for sale at the JEA. Public invited. Call 355-8111.

Books and Brunch

Noon Jan. 16, Sea Palms, St. Simons Island. Guest speaker: Dorothea Benton Frank. Featuring a champagne reception, door prizes and lunch. Proceeds benefit the St. Simons Public Library. Tickets: $40. Call (912) 634-1994 for reservations.

JAN. 17

Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Parade

10 a.m. parade, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. community health fair and blood drive, Jan. 17. Presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc.; health fair and blood drive sponsored by the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum. For more information, call 234-5502 or 341-0042.

JAN. 18

Andy Friedman and The Other Failures Performance

8 p.m. Jan. 18, The Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave. Friedman brings a live, poetic forum to the visual arts and inspires a new role for the visual artist with his band and slideshow poetry performance. Onstage with music from the backing band The Other Failures, Friedman accompanies projections of his paintings, snapshots and drawings with lyrics that are spoken rather than sung. Friedman says, "It's like Hank Williams with visuals." Call 232-4447.

Poetry Society of Georgia

7 p.m. Jan. 18, Read Room, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 34th St. entrance. Dr. John J. Dunn, past president of the society, will present "Johnny Mercer as Poet." Public invited. Call 233-6445.

JAN. 19

Boston Brass Concert

7 p.m. Jan. 19, Performing Arts Center, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro. Sponsored by the Campus Life Enrichment Committee. Tickets: $8 general admission, $6 GSU faculty, $3 students with student identification. The Boston Brass will conduct a master class designed to help music students improve their performance abilities. 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Performing Arts Center. Master class is free and open to the public. Call (912) 681-5396 or (912) 486-7999.

JAN. 20

'Tracing Oglethorpe' Lecture

"Tracing Oglethorpe: Georgia Sites in London," 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Orleans Hall, 201 Barnard St. Edward Cashin will discuss sites in London associated with Georgia, incorporating the architectural and artistic links to come to a more complete understanding of Georgia's colonial history. Free. Call 525-7187.

Ecumenical Service

7 p.m. Jan. 20, Asbury United Methodist Church, 1201 Abercorn St. Evening of Liturgical dance and praise featuring the Asbury UMC dancers and the Savannah State University Dance Ensemble. Presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc. and co-sponsored by Unitarian Universalist Church. Call 341-0042.

Live Oak Public Libraries Foundation Gala

Chapter I: "Once Upon a Time" gala, 6 p.m. Jan. 20, Bull Street Library. Featuring a live auction, buffet dinner, entertainment by Huxsie Scott and complimentary valet parking. Chapter II: "Once Upon a Time" literary luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 21, The Chatham Club. Virginia Armiger Tucker will speak about fairy tales, myths and legends. Call 652-3605 or e-mail divinec@liveoakpl.org.

JAN. 21

Graduation Recital

Featuring tenor Matthew Jones, 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21, Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Free admission. Call 927-5381.

Benefit Concert/Dance

Shag DJ Bobby "Mr. Beach" Malphrus 7-8:30 p.m.; featuring The Joe Pope Tams, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Jan. 21, Alee Temple, Eisenberg Drive. Presented by Shag-Beach Bop-Etc. Savannah. Featuring early light snacks, cash raffle, cash bar. Tickets: $20 by Jan. 10 or $27 after Jan. 10. Reserved tables for eight or more. Portion of proceeds benefit the Inner City Night Shelter. Call 927-4784 or 398-8784 or visit www.shagbeachbop.com.

Fifth Annual Taste of Savannah

7-10 p.m. Jan. 21, Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Presented by the Tourism Leadership Council. Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 the day of the event. Approximately 25 restaurants and caterers will serve food representative of Savannah. Call 356-1223.

JAN. 22

'Evening in Hollywood Gala'

The American Cancer Society Hope Ball of Chatham County, 6 p.m. Jan. 22, The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Tickets: $125 per person; can be purchased at the American Cancer Society office. Call 355-5196.

JAN. 23

Sunday and Evening Lectures

Featured lecturer: Douglas Hyland, director of the New Britain Museum of American Art. 3 p.m. Jan. 23, Telfair Museum of Art. Presented by the Telfair Museum of Art. Free admission. Call 232-1177 ext. 20.

JAN. 24

Rock Music Show

Featuring Calico System, Reflux, The Warriors and Arcasia Red Show, 8 p.m. Jan. 24, The Jinx, 127 W. Congress St. Open to ages 18 and older. Cost: $8 ages 18-20, $6 ages 21 and older. Call 224-9951.

Exhibition at the Telfair

"Strokes of Genius: Masterworks from the New Britain Museum of American Art," first of the Four Fabulous Weeks program presented by the Telfair Museum of Art. Free admission Jan. 24-30, sponsored by the City of Savannah's Department of Cultural Affairs. Call 232-1177.

JAN. 27

'Women's Voices: Connections'

7:30 p.m. Jan. 27-29, 3 p.m. Jan. 30, Jenkins Theater Black Box Theater, Armstrong Atlantic State University. Featuring comic and dramatic stories about women and the relationships they encounter. Free admission. Call 927-5381.

Lecture and Demonstration on Pruning Roses

10:30 a.m. Jan. 27, Chatham County Botanical Gardens, 1388 Eisenhower Drive. Public invited. Call 355-3883.

Night of One Acts

7:30 p.m. Jan. 27, Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Ave. Featuring one-act plays directed by student directors. Call 201-5000.

JAN. 28

Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Ball

9 p.m. Jan. 28, ballroom, Savannah Civic Center. Presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc. Call 341-0042.

Savannah Theatre Performance

"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jan. 28-30, Feb. 3-6, Feb. 10, Feb. 12-14; Savannah Theatre, 222 Bull St. Featuring some cast members from "Jukebox Journey." Show contains adult content and is not recommended for children younger than 16 years. Tickets: $28. Call 233-7764 or visit www.jukeboxjourney.com.

SCAD Scholarship Gala

7 p.m.-midnight Jan. 28, Orleans Hall, 201 Barnard St. Annual fund-raiser benefits Savannah College of Art and Design student scholarships. Call 525-5862.

JAN. 29

Ms. Savannah Senior Pageant

7 p.m. Jan. 29, Fine Arts Auditorium, Armstrong Atlantic State University. The event, sponsored by the Savannah Classic Club, celebrates women with style, energy and charm, and helps promote positive senior-hood. To be a contestant, call 897-5144, 925-6456 or 355-0960.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

Time TBA, Jan. 29, The Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St. Tickets: $27, $22 and $17. Tickets can be purchased at the SCAD Box Office or charged by phone at 525-5050.

Winter Furniture & Yard Sale

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 29, Humane Society Chatham/Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive. Featuring furniture, appliances, clothing, housewares, linens, toys and books. All merchandise is donated, and all sales benefit the homeless animals at the Humane Society. No admission fee. Refreshments available. Call 354-9515.

JAN. 30

Alumnae Luncheon and Fashion Show

"St. Vincent's Through the Years," 12:30 p.m. social, 1 p.m. lunch Jan. 30, ballroom, Hyatt Regency Savannah. Presented by the St. Vincent's Academy Alumnae Association and fashions provided by Sisters Too Boutique. Cost: $30 per person. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent's Academy Scholarship Fund. Call 353-9894.