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Was it my own mental collapse or did last weekend draw a stark contrast to the weekends before it? You could hear the city lay down on her side in one big exhale, taking a respite from the festivals, art shows and performances that tumbled into the end of the spring. Everyone was trying to squeeze the last bit of attention and money out of the swollen student population before the kids hightailed it back to mom's house. But don't worry, the undergrads haven't taken off with the creative luster that marks a worthwhile art event. This is really an opportunity for the permanent Baton Rougean to embrace that empty-nest syndrome and tear it up while Bobby General Studies is lifeguarding at the Mandeville YMCA.

First, nothing thrills me more than a completed public works project in the state of Louisiana. BREC will be celebrating the re-opening of City Brooks Community Park at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31. Baton Rouge Gallery will be having a portfolio sale, offering the work of artist members Hunter Roth, Mickey Walsh, Amy James, Sam Corso and many more. And if you stay until sunset you can catch Movies & Music on the Lawn, presenting Charlie Chaplin's Circus, accompanied by live music.

Across the neighborhood on Christian Street, John Norris exhibits his work "Inanimates" at Plusone Gallery, May 31, 6- 9 p.m. His artwork will be on display until June 21. The exhibition tackles the relationship between humans and inanimate objects, both through an object's physical attributes and its function. Reciprocally, he addresses the effect an object's association with a person can have on one's subjective perception of either.

And if you need a refresher course in the personification of inanimate objects then Sunday at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum is the place to be. As a part of Jim Henson's Fantastic World exhibition families are invited to create their very own puppets from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 1. For education beyond socks and buttons, LASM is also hosting Tom Newby of the Jim Henson New York Muppet Workshop. Newby explains the technology behind modern puppetry at 2:15 p.m.

This weekend will be the first chance to see the work of New Orleans-born George Dunbar at the Brunner Gallery. Dunbar's exhibition illustrates his ability to beautifully mix mediums, primarily clay and metal leaf. In an essay by Edward Lucie Smith, Dunbar's work is referred to as,"one of the most distinguished bodies of visual work to have been produced in New Orleans during the past few decades."

The kids are gone, it is time to spread out and enjoy the summer and just the slightest drop in the anxiety.