In addition to having the chance to win door prizes, members will get to mingle with some of the city's most talented musicians, players we've seen and heard on stages all around town. Members, check The Beehive website for info on location and the music lineup, and watch your email for an Evite with more details. If you're not already a member or if your membership has expired, join us or renew by Jan. 20 and we'll add you to the invitation list.

If you're a music lover, you'll want to save the dates of Apr. 23 to May 2. That's when Jazz Week '10 transforms the Greater Boston area with a 10-day celebration of the city's vibrant and varied jazz scene and more free and low-cost events than ever before.

Coordinated and promoted by JazzBoston for the fourth consecutive year, Jazz Week is a collaborative effort by representatives of the area's entire jazz community, with hundreds of events in scores of venues in and around the city - from clubs, museums, and churches to libraries, universities, hotels, and community centers.

JazzBoston encourages venues, arts organizations, and other presenters to participate by booking a special jazz event of any kind between Apr. 23 and May 2. We particularly encourage dance, theater, film, digital media, and visual arts presenters to participate by finding opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations with jazz artists. All participants will share the exposure provided by JazzBoston's extensive multimedia promotional effort.

For more information about participating in Jazz Week '10, please write to jazzweek@jazzboston.org. Click here to read about past Jazz Weeks.

The organizers of JazzFest Falmouth have a winter warmer offer for JazzBoston members: two pairs of free tickets to the Valentine's Ball on Friday, Feb. 12 at the Coonamessett Inn, Falmouth, to hear New Orleans-born pianist Jonathan Batiste (photo left). Tickets ($150/per pair value) include dinner and show. If you're up for an outing and a special night out, and you are a JazzBoston member, write to newsletter@jazzboston.org now.

We are proud to announce that the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston has become a JazzBoston Membership Partner. A&BC/Boston, which marshals business leaders and nonprofit experts to provide highly relevant support services to artists and arts organizations - including training workshops in marketing and other business disciplines, legal services, and technical assistance - is offering JazzBoston members a 25% discount on a wide range of seminars, workshops, and webinars.

Coming up next, a series of webinars on copyrights: how to protect your artwork, how to register your copyright, and how to protect your copyright when working with others. The first webinar in the series is scheduled for Jan. 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. To get the discount code for online registration, email Sheri Mason, Director of Legal Services for the VLA, identify yourself as a JazzBoston member, and give your membership number.

Click here for details and a full list of upcoming seminars and webinars, or write to mail@artsandbusinesscouncil.org for more information.

The Boston-based, Crescent City-inspired Revolutionary Snake Ensemble (photo left) continues one of the funkiest traditions around when they entertain Amtrak riders traveling on the Mardi Gras train to New Orleans Feb. 11 and 12. And for the first time ever, two JazzBoston members heading to New Orleans will have the opportunity of a lifetime to march with RSE on Feb. 15 in the famous Krewe of Orpheus parade.

The band leaves from New York's Penn Station on the Amtrak Crescent the afternoon of Feb. 11 and arrives in New Orleans the evening of Feb. 12. Click here for Amtrak train details and ticket info. But hurry, train tickets are going fast!

"We are told by our friends in New Orleans that visiting the city is one of the best ways that people can support its revitalization," said reedman Ken Field of the RSE. "So we hope some JazzBoston folks will join us this year!"

To be eligible to win the prize of marching with the RSE, you must be a JazzBoston member and write to newsletter@jazzboston.org by Jan. 29 indicating your interest. The winning member will be entered into a raffle and contacted with details.

To catch the RSE locally in Mardi Gras warm-up shows, go to the Plough & Stars, Cambridge, on Jan. 13 at 10 p.m., and Vernissage Restaurant, Brookline, on Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.