Let the good times roll at Pioneer Square gallery walk

The new year is here, but one of our favorite old events is still with us: the monthly Pioneer Square gallery walk. Typically the first Thursday night of the month, this month the participating galleries all pushed the walk to tonight due to the Jan. 1 holiday.

Tonight, you can use the art walk as a staycation. Through the showcases of photography, paintings and sculpture from homegrown artists, you can appreciate the beauty of the everyday, or even travel to France.

And our happy-hour pick can transport you to New Orleans.

Marcella's Cookery

The New Orleans-themed restaurant is relatively new to the square, celebrating its first anniversary in February. Marcella's Cookery features half-priced hors d'oeuvres and half-priced beer, wine and spirits. In true Cajun spirit, entrees include gumbo, fried crawfish and bread pudding — not to mention the spicy and delicious fried alligator, or the prawns antoine (that is definitely worth a second order). There's also the New Orleans classic cocktail, the Hurricane.

Plus, there's a warm family vibe; the co-owner himself, Anthony McDonald, waits on you and recommends dishes. You'll definitely leave in a satisfied state of happy food coma.

Zydeco Happy Hour: 4:30-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 106 James St., Seattle (206-223-0042 or marcelascookery.com).

Benham Gallery

"Placement of Place": Redefine your sense of place with an exhibition by fine-art photographers Esther Sirotnik, R. Mac Holbert, Dan Steinhardt and Robert Wade.

Seattle-native Sirotnik transports viewers to Paris, France, with her street photography. Holbert, former tour manager of such groups as Crosby, Stills & Nash, exhibits his digital work. Long Beach fine-art photographer Steinhardt strives to capture the beauty in the ordinary. And Seattle-based artist Wade combines figure studies, man-made objects, water and portraiture in order to make viewers take a second look.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 1216 First Ave., Seattle (206-622-2480 or www.benhamgallery.com).

Foster/White Gallery

"It's Only Paint Mrs. Rembrandt": Longtime Seattle artist James Martin showcases a collection of curious and comical paintings. He opens a window into his world of characters that include animated animals and notable historical figures like artist Vincent van Gogh, playwright William Shakespeare and singer John Lennon. It makes for a whimsical exhibit, an adventure through art to fantasy.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 220 Third Ave. S., Suite 100, Seattle (206-622-2833 or www.fosterwhite.com).

Gallery4Culture

"Tread": Seattle-based artist W. Scott Trimble uses wooden woven sculptures and intricate drawings to explore the meaning of pathways. These pathways climb the gallery walls.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 101 Prefontaine Place S., at the corner of Third and Prefontaine, in the Tashiro/Kaplan Building (206-296-7580 www.4culture.org/publicart/gallery).

Marni Muir Gallery

"Only the Truth": This group showcase examines the human condition through photography, with a display including: Seattle artist Dave Kennedy, who photographs staged psychological dramas taken from readings, conversations and dreams; and Seattle photographer Marianne McCoy, who captures a sense of the ancient with old cameras and alternative methods.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 112 S. Washington St., Seattle (206-624-9336 or www.marnimuirgallery.com).

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com

Information in this article, originally published January 8, 2009, was corrected January 8, 2009. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated " "It's Only Pain Mrs. Rembrandt" rather than "It's Only Paint Mrs. Rembrandt."