Arts
Ongoing – November: Central Louisiana Arts & Healthcare Exhibits. Central Louisiana Arts & Healthcare proudly presents our monthly art exhibits at area hospitals and clinics. Exhibits are currently showing: Abstract Impressions – Paintings by Jack Lafaye at the Christus Cabrini Gallery for Reflection and Healing; Volume I – Photographs by Michelle Palmer at the Rapides Regional Medical Center Gallery; and Photography Exhibition by Dr. Jian Hang at the OSMS Gallery. For more information on the exhibits, visit www.artsandhealthcare.org; or Call: 769-7602.
Ongoing-November 27: River Oaks Art Exhibit, 1330 Main St., Tue.-Fri. 10a.m.-4p.m., Sat. 10a.m.-2p.m. Sponsored by River Oaks Square Arts Center. Exhibit featuring James Borders, Rosalind Berg and students of JoAnne Thompson Acrylic Art Academy Class. Cost: $2 adults, $1 students and seniors. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
November 12: The Alexandria Airborne Celebration: A Rendezvous With Destiny, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:00pm. The Museum will feature an historical celebration and symposium honoring the 68th Anniversary of the founding of the 101st Airborne on August 16, 1942, at Camp Claiborne. Tom Czekanski, Collections Manager of the National World War II Museum will be the featured speaker. Reception to follow. Cost: Free.
November 30-January: Opening Exhibit, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Tue.-Fri. 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. 10a.m.-2p.m. Sponsored by River Oaks Square Arts Center. Exhibit featuring Annual Miniature Invitational and photographers guild. Exhibit Opening Reception Dec. 3, 5-7p.m. Cost: $2 adults, $1 seniors and students, exhibit reception free. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
December 3-January 1: Louisiana Crafts Guild Annual Exhibit, AMoA, Tue.-Fri. 10a.m.-5p.m., Sat. 10a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by LSUA and Alexandria Museum of Art. Exhibit Opening on December 3 from 6:30-8:30p.m. Cost: Exhibit Opening free, other times $4 adults, $3 students, seniors, military and children 13 and younger. Call Sara Fuhrer: 443-3458.
December 4: Annual Porch Sale, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 9a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by River Oaks Square Arts Center. Great opportunity to purchase unique gifts for Christmas. Cost: Admission free. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
Theatre
November 7, 11, 12 & 14: All The Kings Men. Directed by Jim Leggett, the City Park Players Readers Theatre presents Robert Penn Warren’s tale based on the life and times of Huey P. Long at various locations throughout Cenla. November 6: Southern Forest Heritage Museum at 3:00pm; November 7: Tioga Heritage Park & Museum at 3:00pm; November 11: Alexandria Museum of Art at 6:00pm; November 12: Kees Park Community Center at 6:00pm; November 14: Rapides Parish Westside Library at 5:30pm. Cost: $5 (Nov 7, 11, 12); $15 (Nov 6–Includes BBQ dinner); $30 (Nov 14–Includes Dinner at the Soiree in the Stacks). Group rates are available. Sponsored by CPP and the Rapides Parish Libary. Call: (318) 484-4478 or E-mail: [email protected].
November 11-14: Sanders Family Christmas, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, Thur.-Sat. 7p.m., Sun. 2:30p.m. Sponsored by Lagniappe Theatre Company. The yuletide sequel to Smoke on the Mountain, this show has all the great country gospel heart and side splitting laughs as the first show. Don’t miss it. Cost: $15-$10. Call: 48-STAGE.
November 14: All the King’s Men Dinner Theatre: Soiree in the Stacks, Westside Regional Library, 5416 Provine Place, 5p.m. Sponsored by Friends of the Rapides Library and City Park Players. Come experience Robert Penn Warren’s classic tale of politics and human nature as reader’s theater and enjoy a wonderful meal. Cost: $30 per person. Call Kelly Kingrey-Edwards: 445-2411 ext. 241.
November 19: ONSTAGE2010 Gala & Viewers’ Choice Awards, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7:00pm. City Park Players will honor its own with an evening of food, fun and live entertainment. Silent auction and cash bar will be provided. Live music by Red River Jazz Band. Cost: $50 adult; $75 couple. Semi-formal attire. Call: (318) 484-4478 or E-mail: [email protected].
Music
November 18: Showcase of Songwriters, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30pm-8:00pm. As part of the Museum After Hours series, the Nashville Songwriters Association International of Cenla will honor the life of Linda Hargrove, hit songwriter and singer. Call: 318-443-3458.
December 5: Rapides Symphony Orchestra “Christmas Cinemagic” with Lagniappe Theatre Company, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 2:30p.m. Sponsored by Rapides Symphony Orchestra. The RSO along with Central Louisiana’s Lagniappe Theatre Company will help spread the holiday cheer with this concert that includes music from a long list of classic holiday movies. Cost: $25 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. Call: 442-9709 ext. 2.
Events
November 5: CheeWeez in Concert, Alexandria Convention Hall, doors 8p.m., concert 9p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. Tickets available at American Wholesale Mattress, Sassy Girl and Spirits. Cost: $25 advance tickets, $30 at door or $250 reserved table of 8. Call Paula Monk: 443-0520/452-2068 or Zina Ford: 445-0035.
November 6 and 20: CPR and First Aid Course, American Red Cross Office, 8a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. Teaches lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in emergency, help sustain life and minimize consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. Cost: $30. Call Trent Murphy: 442-6621.
November 6: Breastfeeding Class, 1st Floor Conference Room at Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on the benefits, techniques and concerns of breastfeeding. The father/support partner is welcome. Sponsored by CHRISTUS Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Pre-registration required. Cost: $20. Call: 448-6970.
November 6 and 13: Scouting for Food, Rapides and surrounding parishes. Sponsored by the Louisiana Purchase Council Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to Gulf. Scouts in uniform will go throughout neighborhoods distributing Scouting for Food Bags and then picking them up the next Saturday. Please have bags on porch for pick up by 8:30a.m. Food will go to Food Bank Central Louisiana. Cost: Admission free. Call Sarah Fuller: 443-0482.
November 6: One Day Breastfeeding Class, Medical Terrace Gallery Room at RRMC, 9:00am – 3:00pm. Intended for women wanting to breastfeed their infants, this class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on advantages, preparation and troubleshooting techniques. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for your baby. Research shows that learning about breastfeeding prenatally enhances your breastfeeding experience. The support partner/father is welcome to attend. Cost: $30 (if not delivering at RWCH). Call: 877-801-8441.
November 8: The Morning Widowed Persons Support Group, Power Center, 10:00am-11:30am. This is an on-going support group for men and women whose spouse has died. T This month our focus will be: Holidays instead of Hollow Days. There will be group sharing time and this group has trained Outreach Volunteers who are available to the newly grieving. Please plan to dine with us after the meeting. Sponsored by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938 or Pam Hataway: 448-6970.
November 8: Look Good, Feel Better, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Trellis Room, 12:00noon. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good … Feel Better is a free program led by a trained volunteer cosmetologist who teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients in active therapy. In order to provide complimentary cosmetics, advance registration is required. Please identify what color makeup kit you will need: light, medium, dark or extra dark. Cost: Free. Call: 769-7200 or 1-800-ACS-2345.
November 9: Sibling Class, 1st Floor Conference Room at Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 6:00pm – 8:00pm. This class is a fun, interactive class designed specifically for young siblings who are expecting a new baby in the home. Cost: $10 per family. Call: 448-6970.
November 9: Patience Quilters, West Side Regional Library, 6:30pm. Patience Quilters meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at West Side Regional Library, located at 5416 Provine Place in Alexandria, off Highway 28 West. The meetings are open to the public. Quilters are invited as well as anyone interested in learning more about quilting. Email: [email protected].
November 11: Diabetes Group Class, Rapides Regional Medical Center Medical Terrace, 9:00am – Noon. This program is designed for adults with newly diagnosed diabetes and for people needing a refresher course in diabetes management. This is a basic diabetes program therefore no physician referral is required. The program content follows the American Diabetes Association guidelines and uses a variety of teaching methods to enhance learning. Topics include meal planning, monitoring blood sugar, medications, complications, and learning to deal with a chronic disease. The course is taught by Sandy Couvillon, Registered Dietitian and Amie Starks, Registered Nurse. Cost: Free. Pre-registration required. Call: 769-3106.
November 11: 68th Anniversary of the 101st Airborne – Historic Celebration, AMoA, 6p.m. Sponsored by LSUA History Department. Cost: Admission free. Call Dr. Chris Stacey: 427-4483.
November 11: ALS Support Group, Rapides Regional Medical Center Medical Terrace Building Gallery Room, 6:00pm – 7:30pm. This monthly support group is designed for ALS patients, their family members, friends and caregivers. The group will meet the second Thursday of each month. Patients who attend will have access to companies which provide services for ALS patients, such as physical therapy or wheelchair repair. Call Duana Trotter: 445-7898 or 308-1950
November 12: Food Bank of Central Louisiana Telethon, 3223 Baldwin Avenue, 6a.m.-8p.m. Sponsored by Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Telethon to raise funds to support mission of alleviating hunger. 24 live reports during KALB’s regular programming. Volunteers needed. Call Linda Hutson: 445-2773.
November 12-13: The 24 Hour “Give Around the Clock” Blood Drive, 2051 North Mall Drive, Fri. 8a.m.-Sat. Noon. Sponsored by LifeShare Blood Centers. The 5th annual 24 hour blood drive. All donors must present I.D. Cost: Admission free. Call David Broussard: 445-7439.
November 13: LaCamp Fall Bazaar, LaCamp Church of God, 8:00am – 3:00pm. The bazaar will be held inside the Fellowship Hall of the church and will feature many home-made items for sale, such as cakes, candies, pickles, jellies, and gift baskets. For more information call Viva Grant: (318) 729-2409 or (318) 659-4994.
November 13: Prepared Childbirth Class, Rapides Regional Medical Center, Medical Terrace, Gallery Room, 2nd floor, 9a.m.-2p.m. Sponsored by Rapides Regional Medical Center. Certified childbirth instructor helps prepare couples for actual delivery. A tour of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital and light lunch will be provided. Cost: $30 per family, waived if delivering at RW&CH. Call: 887-801-8441 or www.rapidesregional.com.
November 13: Childbirth Class, 1st floor Conference Room at Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This class is designed especially for expecting couples from early pregnancy through the delivery process. All classes are taught by certified childbirth educators. Cost: $30.
November 13: 17th Annual Sugar Day Festival, Kent Plantation House, 9a.m.-5p.m. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House. Cost: $5, children 6 and younger free. Call: 487-5998.
November 13: Second Saturday Art Market, AMoA, 10a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Museum of Art. Fine arts and crafts, music, food vendors, specialty foods and products, quality fresh produce and more. Cost: Admission free. Call Sara Fuhrer: 443-3458.
November 13 and 27: CPR and First Aid Course, American Red Cross Office, 8a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by Rapides Regional Medical Center. Teaches lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in emergency, help sustain life and minimize consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. Cost: $30. Call Trent Murphy: 442-6621.
November 13: Van Gogh Gala, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 7pm. Sponsored by Rapides Regional Medical Center and River Oaks Square Arts Center. Cost: $50 or $500 reserved table of 10. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
November 15: Breathing & Relaxation (Comfort Techniques for Labor), Rapides Regional Medical Center Gallery Room, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Taught by a certified childbirth instructor, this class will be an in-depth opportunity to practice breathing and relaxation techniques and other comfort measures for labor and delivery. The support partner/father is encouraged to attend. Bring pillows to class. Cost: $15 (if not delivering at Rapides). Call: 877-801-8441.
November 16: Happiest Baby on the Block, 1st floor Conference Room at Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. This program was created by Dr. Harvey Karp and is designed to teach parents simple, effective and fun techniques to quickly soothe their babies’ cries and help them to sleep a little longer. Cost: $30.
November 18: A Perfect Pancake Breakfast, Cenla Focus, 3911 Parliament Drive, Alexandria, 9:00am-1:00pm. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or lunch, the benefit breakfast will include a short stack of homemade pancakes, delicious syrup, sausage and a beverage. 100% of all funds raised go directly toward the purchase of well-fitted, quality, uniform-approved shoes for underprivileged school children. Tickets are available at La Capitol Federal Credit Union branches at 1930 Gus Kaplan Drive in Alexandria and 820 Main Street in Pineville, at Cenla Focus Magazine, located at 3911 Parliament Drive in Alexandria. Cost: $7 (Includes delivery for group orders of 15 or more). Call: (318) 442-8277 or E-mail Jonathan Rushing: at [email protected].
November 18: Parkinson’s Support Group, Power Center, 11:00am. This group meets on the third Thursday of each month and is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their family/caregiver. We offer educational handouts and programs plus a chance to share with others. Lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
November 18: Blessings of Life, Emmanuel Baptist Church chapel, 6:00pm. Rapides Cancer Center invites individuals from our community who have experienced cancer as a survivor, patient or caring family member. Join us as we reflect on the gifts of faith, family and friends and the strength they provide us. Refreshments will be served after the program. Call: (318) 769-3106.
November 19: ONSTAGE2010 Awards Gala, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7p.m. Sponsored by City Park Players. Features performance by Red River Jazz Band, Dancing and CPP Viewers Choice Awards Presentation. Cost: $50 per person $75 per couple. Call Jean Holliday: 484-4478.
November 19: Southern Circuit of Independent Filmmakers: “Artois the Goat”, Hearn Stage, Kress Theatre, 7p.m. Sponsored by Arts Council of Central Louisiana. Virgil Gurdies doesn’t eat to live, he lives to eat. After he comes face to face with the strange inhabitants of the artisanal goat cheese world, he buys a scrawny young buck, Artois, and two female goats. Cost: $5. Call Elizabeth: 443-4718.
November 19-20: TBIPAC BBQ Throw Down, Paragon Casino Resort, Fri. evening, Sat. daytime. Sponsored by TBIPAC. Cost: entry for pork spare ribs, chicken and brisket $125, anything over rice and soup $35 each or $60 for both and sauce and margarita $25 each or $40 both. General admission free. Call Amy Sampson: 240-6414.
November 20: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9:00am. Pre-registration required. Call: 318-448-4900.
November 20: Wagon Wheel Riding Club Event, Slagle. Shows include the following events in different age groups (ranging from 0 to Over 40): Flags, Stakes, Poles, Tie Down Roping, Break Away Roping, Ribbon Roping, Goat Tying, Heading, Heeling, Clover Leaf Barrels, and Straight Pattern Barrels. Concessions are available for purchase. Cost: Free. Call: (337) 238-3734 or (318) 793-4200.
November 22: Safe Sitter Class, Rapides Regional Medical Center Education Classroom, 7:45am-4:30pm. For boys and girls ages 11 to 13. Learn the basic skills you need to be a safe and successful babysitter. This medically-accurate, hands-on class teaches sitters how to entertain children and keep them safe, how to perform basic child care skills, how to call for emergency help, what to do when a child chokes, how to keep themselves safe and how to start a successful babysitting business. Cost is $40 per child and includes lunch and supplies. Class size is limited. Call: 769-3106.
November 22: Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Power Center, 11:00am. This group is designed for Caregivers and/or family members of those diagnosed with Alzheimer/Dementia. We offer educational handouts, sharing time, and lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
November 22: Alzheimer’s Activity Group, Power Center, 11:00am. The staff from Kingsley Place will offer appropriate activities for those with Alzheimer’s disease with a fun, hands-on approach. The caregiver must attend the Caregivers Group and stay on campus during this group time. Lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
November 26-27 and December 3-4: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoo, time: TBA. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and FOTAZ. A holiday tradition in Cenla. The Zoo is adorned with thousands of lights; giant lighted animal figures and old fashioned Christmas decorations. Concessions, train rides and gift shop available. Entertainment on selected evenings. December 18th will be the 11th Night of Christmas. Cost: $8 adults, $4 senior citizens and children 4-12 yrs., $3 FOTAZ members. Group rates available. Call LeeAnn Whitt: 441-6810.
November 28: Bereaved Parents Butterfly Tree, Alexandria Zoo, 2:00pm-3:00pm. If you have lost a child, grandchild, sibling, come and join us in decorating a Christmas tree with a Butterfly Ornament. The ornaments can be handmade or bought and the child’s picture, dates or special words can be included. Bring the whole family for this uplifting ceremony. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
November 30: Healing Hearts ‘Christmas Memorial Tree,’ Lobby, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 6:00pm. A memorial tree sponsored by the Healing Hearts Perinatal Loss Support Group. Call Denise Cross: 769-7569.
December 1: AARP Driver Safety Program, Rapides Regional Medical Center Medical Terrace Auditorium, 8:30am.The four-hour class is designed for those 50 or older. Valet parking is available at the hospital’s main entrance. Cost: $12 for AARP members; $14 for non-AARP members. Bring your AARP membership card to verify your AARP membership number. Call Rapides Regional Medical Center’s Community Education Department: 769-3106.
December 2: Shepherd Center‘s 14th Holiday High Tea, 4701 Wade Court, Alexandria, 10:30am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm. Dr. & Mrs. Chad Norton will host three seatings for this year’s event at their beautiful Lakes District home to benefit the Shepherd Center in Alexandria. Cost: $40. Call Lisa Hoekstra: 448-3752 or Zelda Beall: 442-8934.
December 2: Holiday Magic, Alexander Fulton Mini Park, 5 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria. The kickoff for the 12 Nights of Christmas. Youth groups, choirs, caroling, cookies and Santa. Come downtown and help celebrate the 1st Night of Christmas as the Mayor lights the city tree to kick of the holiday season. Cost: Admission free. Call: 449-5051.
December 2-4: Follow the Star – A Louisiana College Christmas, LC Campus, 6-8p.m. Sponsored by Louisiana College. The story of Christ’s birth acted out at different stations around campus. There will be performances from area choirs on Thur. and Fri. night and a special drama presentation on Sat. night. Dec. 3rd is the 2nd Night of Christmas. Cost: Admission free. Call: 487-7194 or 542-8688.
December 4: An Old Fashioned Christmas, Kent Plantation House, 4-6p.m. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House. Story telling, vintage music, Papa Noel, hot chocolate, and cookies. Make an old fashioned Christmas ornament to take home and place on your tree. The 3rd Night of Christmas. Cost: Admission free. Call: 487-5998.
December 4: Adding Lots of Laughs to the Learning, Rapides Parish Westside Library, 9:00am. A Pathways-approved Train the Trainer session with comedian David Glickman. Sponsored by Central Louisiana Arts & Healthcare. Advanced registration recommended. Cost: Free. Call Tammy: (318) 442-2483 ext. 5.
December 4: Lighting of the Village, Le Vieux Village, 5:00pm. The City of Opelousas welcomes the holidays with its annual ‘Lighting of the Village’. The official lighting of the historical village has been a favorite holiday activity of both children and adults, offering a family friendly environment. The holiday lights will remain lit through January 2011. Call Opelousas Tourism: (337) 948-5227.
December 4: An Evening of Medical Humor, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm. Sponsored by Central LA Arts and Healthcare. Featuring comedian, David Glickman, from Florida and a humors art exhibit. Open to the public. To benefit Central LA Arts and Healthcare programs. Cost: $50 patrons, $25 general admission. Call: 769-7602 or [email protected].
December 4: CPR and First Aid Course, American Red Cross Office, 8a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital. Teaches lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in emergency, help sustain life and minimize consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. Cost: $30. Call Trent Murphy: 442-6621.
December 5: The Live Nativity, 2727 Jackson St., 6-8p.m. Sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. Relive the story of the first Christmas during this drive-thru nativity, which features Christmas music, candlelight and live animals. The 4th Night of Christmas. Cost: Admission free. Call: 443-5696 ext. 104.
December 5: Caroling in the Pines, Long Leaf, 2p.m. Sponsored by Southern Forest Heritage Museum. Train rides, community caroling and Santa with sleigh. Cost: Admission free. Call Claudia Troll: 748-8404.
Sports
November 21: Half Marathon & 10K of Central Louisiana, Indian Creek Recreation Area, 8a.m. Sponsored by Run Wild Event Management. Both races begin at 8a.m. Visit website for all of the details. Call Elizabeth Cassano: 445-9735. www.runwild.us
December 4: Dash for Cash 5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run, Upper Third St. public boat ramp, 8a.m. Sponsored by Fit Families for Cenla, Inc. Run for cash. Route runs along Red River and winds through the trails of Alexandria. Cost: TBA. Call Teresa Caplan: 447-7219.
