Arts
April 6-29: Preservation: Hope and Art. The Vernon Parish POW Paintings, Gallery One Ellleven, 111 Third St., Leesville, Wed.-Fri. 11a.m.-4p.m., Sat. 11a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by Gallery One Ellleven, Vernon Parish Tourism and Museum of West Louisiana. Held in conjunction with the State Preservation Conference held in Leesville the second week of April. Gallery will be closed April 6-9 for Preservation Seminars. Cost: Admission free. Call Vernon Parish Tourism Commission: 337-238-0783.
April 7: An Evening on the River, Alexandria Museum of Art, 7p.m. Sponsored by AMoA. Special event celebrating the exhibits at AMoA, featuring food, live music and a gallery talk on the life and art of Mississippi artist, Walter Anderson by Brent Funderburk, Professor of Art at Mississippi State University. Cost: $75 per person. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
April 7: The History of Landscape Painting, a Slideshow and Lecture, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 6:30-7:30p.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Slide show and lecture that begins with Giatto and moves through the 20th Century. Larry Leach will host the presentation, which includes discussion of changes and developments of materials and products. Cost: Admission free. Call Jennifer Wright: 443-5696. www.fumca.org/artsfestival.
April 9: Children’s Day at the Arts Festival, featuring Peter and the Wolf, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 10a.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Lagniappe Theatre will present Peter and the Wolf, followed by breakfast and an opportunity to meet the characters from the story. Children pre-K through sixth grade are welcome accompanied by an adult. Cost: Admission free, pre-registration required. Call Jennifer Wright: 443-5696. www.fumca.org/artsfestival.
April 9: Plein Air Painting, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 12:30-4:30p.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Artists are invited to bring easels and supplies and join guest artist Larry Leach in the church courtyard for an afternoon of outdoor painting. Cost: Admission free. Call Jennifer Wright: 443-5696. www.fumca.org/artsfestival.
April 15: ArtWalk, Downtown Alexandria, 4-9p.m. Sponsored by Arts Council of Central Louisiana and the City of Alexandria. Free family oriented walking tour that features the visual art of artists throughout Central Louisiana and live entertainment. Sidewalks, green spaces and the alleys will come alive as local artists display and demonstrate their works of art. Artists will have booths set up in the Alexander Fulton Mini Park and elsewhere along 3rd St. Also participating: Alexandria Museum of Art, River Oaks Square Arts Center, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum, Arna Bontemps African American Museum and more! Cost: Admission free, artist fee: $25. Call Elizabeth: 443-4718.
April 15: ArtWalk and Opening Reception for exhibit: George Rodrigue: Saga of the Acadians, Alexandria Museum of Art, 5-9p.m. Sponsored by AMoA. Louisiana artist, George Rodrigue documents the hardships the Acadians encountered in order to preserve their identity after they were exiled from Canada. Cost: Opening reception is free and open to the public. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
April 15: Exhibit Reception/Art Walk, 1330 Main St., 5-8p.m. Sponsored by River Oaks Square Arts Center. Exhibit featuring artists Aya Rosen and Barry Owen. Cost: Admission free. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
April 15: Southern Circuit of Independent Filmmakers: “Scrappers”, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7p.m. Sponsored by Arts Council of Central Louisiana. Film follows two Chicago families who make ends meet using brains, brawn and battered pickup trucks. Questions popular notions of poverty, race relations and recycling while focusing on the actual work of self-sufficiency and urban sustainability. Cost: $5. Call Elizabeth: 443-4718.
May 4-28: Gallery One Ellleven Spring Group Exhibit, Gallery One Ellleven, 111 Third St., Leesville, Wed.-Fri. 11a.m.-4p.m., Sat. 11a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by Gallery One Ellleven. Group exhibit of Artist Members of Gallery One Ellleven to coincide with the MAYFEST celebration. Traditional and contemporary art and sculpture. Event reception May 6 at 7p.m. Cost: Admission free. Contact: [email protected].
Music
April 8 and 15: Brown Bag Concerts, Alexander Fulton Mini Park, Noon-1p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria Division of Community Services. Grab some lunch and come out and enjoy the spring weather while listening to the music of local artists. Cost: Admission free. Call: 449-5051.
April 8 and 15: DownTown Rocks, on the steps of City Hall, 6-8p.m. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria Division of Community Services. Downtown comes alive with zydeco, blues and funk! Bring your family and friends for a free evening of family fun. Cost: Admission free. Call: 449-5051.
April 7: R & B Jam with Dynamic Jake and Friends, Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op, 4p.m. Sponsored by Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op. Musicians drop by the Co-Op for a fun time with friends. This jam session is designed to help you re-enter the music scene, meet new friends, and most of all, enjoy playing a few tunes! Cost: Admission free. Call Aaron Sibley: 442-6463.
April 8: Jazz on Jackson, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 6-9p.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. An outdoor coffeehouse set up in the church courtyard featuring musical entertainment by Smithfield Fair. Cost: Admission free. Call Jennifer Wright: 443-5696. www.fumca.org/artsfestival
April 9: Press Kit Development, Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op, 10a.m.-12p.m. Sponsored by Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op. Participants are encouraged to start on the press kit before the workshop. A professional journalist will be present to offer feedback on the construction and content of your press kit. Current industry standard press kits will be on hand for comparison. Cost: Admission free. Call Aaron Sibley: 442-6463.
April 16: Jazz on the River 2011: A Continuum of New Orleans Jazz, Downtown Amphitheatre, 6p.m. Sponsored by Arna Bontemps African American Museum and City of Alexandria. Rain site for this concert is Alexandria Convention Hall. Cost: General admission free, $200 for reserved tables of 10. Call Gwendolyn Y. Elmore or Joan Williams: 473-4692.
April 16: Chicago in Concert, Paragon Casino Resort Mari Showroom, 9:00pm. Chicago has had a steady stream of hits throughout the 70’s and 80’s and is one of the longest running and most successful pop/rock and roll groups. They have sold over 38 million albums in the U.S., with 22 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. Cost: $50. Call: 1-800-946-1946. www.paragoncasinoresort.com.
April 20: Audio Essentials, Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op, 3:30-5:30p.m. Sponsored by Tipitina’s Music Office Co-Op. A workshop designed to acquaint you with software based recording, and to equip you with knowledge to use it yourself. All levels of interest and ability are welcome to join. Cost: Admission free. Call Aaron Sibley: 442-6463.
April 29: Gigi Live in Concert, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Texas-born Singer/Songwriter, Gigi Love juggles blues and rock with folk and country honky-tonk. If you missed Gigi when she opened for the Dave Matthews Band at the Columbia River Gorge, or played for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Closing Ceremonies, don’t fret–you can catch her at the Alexandria Museum of Art! Call: 318-443-3458.
April 30: Rapides Symphony Orchestra Spotlight On the RSO – An Orchestra Extravaganza, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 2:30p.m. Sponsored by Rapides Symphony Orchestra. We close our season with a concert that features our own Symphony musicians in some of the most spectacular show-pieces in the orchestral repertoire, including Borodin’s “Polovetsian Dances” and Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome”. Cost: $25 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students. Call: 442-9709 ext. 2 or email: [email protected].
May 2: Community Holocaust Commemoration, Emmanuel Baptist Church, 7p.m. Sponsored by Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Jewish Temple. The guest speaker, Fletcher Thorn-Thomsen is a Dachau liberator. A Holocaust exhibit will be on display at 6:30p.m. before the presentation. Cost: Admission free. Call Rev. Lee Weems: 442-7773 or Rabbi Arnold Task: 445-3655.
May 3: Songs of America, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7:30p.m. Sponsored by Red River Chorale. Cost: $10 adults, $5 seniors. Call Red River Chorale: 484-4463.
May 6-7: 18th Annual Arna Bontemps African American Heritage Quiz Bowl, LSUA Campus, Coughlin Auditorium, 9a.m.-5:30p.m. Sponsored by Arna Bontemps African American Museum, LSUA Multicultural Affairs Committee and City of Alexandria. Open to teams of three, Division One: grades 3-5, Division Two: grades 6-8 and Division Three grades 9-12. Prizes awarded include U.S. Savings Bonds. Please call the museum for registration information. Cost: Admission free. Call Renisha Beaudion: 473-4692.
May 7: Wild Side of the Arts, Alexandria Zoo, 10a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and Friends of the Alexandria Zoo. Learn about animals at this wild arts festival featuring performing arts throughout the zoo. Many interactive art stations for kids, and an art show and sale featuring local and regional artists. Concessions available. Artists may get additional information for the show/sale by visiting the zoo’s website. Cost: Regular zoo admission. Call Lee Ann Whitt: 441-6810. www.thealexandriazoo.com.
Theatre
April 6-9: William Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, LSUA Campus, Quadrangle Area, sunset (approx. 7:30p.m.). Sponsored by LSUA Empty Space Players. This year the annual performance of a play by Shakespeare will be directed by Dr. Rhonda Shook. Audience members are invited to bring blankets or lawn chairs and to enjoy Shakespeare “under the stars”. Appropriate for audiences of all ages. Cost: Admission free with opportunity for contributions/donations. Call Richard Gwartney: 427-4469.
April 15-17: Evangeline: The Musical, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, Fri.-Sat., 7p.m., Sun. 2p.m. Sponsored by Family Playhouse. Written by Louisiana locals, Jamie Wax and Paul Taranto, this musical highlights faith, hope and history during the Acadian Expulsion. Come let our cast inspire you! Cost: $12 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students. Call Lisa Rozas: 442-6500.
April 16-17: The CPP Monologue Challenge, Hearn Stage, time: TBA. Sponsored by CenLa Community Theatre-City Park Players. So you think you can act? Come on out and show us what you can do and who you can become for 3-5 minutes. Send an email to [email protected] and we will give you all the details. Cost: $20 participants, $5 audience. Call Jean Holliday: 484-4478.
April 18: Evangeline: The Musical School Performance, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 9a.m. Sponsored by Family Playhouse. Written by Louisiana locals, Jamie Wax and Paul Taranto, this musical highlights faith, hope and history during the Acadian Expulsion. Call for reservations. Will make a great after LEAP historical field trip! Cost: $5. Call Lisa Rozas: 442-6500.
Events
Ongoing-May: After School Program, Bolton Avenue Community Center, Mon., Tue. and Thur., 3:30-5:30p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria Division of Community Services. Activities include homework assistance, recreation, arts and crafts and much more. Cost: Admission free. Call: 449-5228.
Ongoing-May 26: YWCA After School Care, 5912 James St., Time: TBA. Sponsored by YWCA. Participants can expect to have a fun, safe place to go after school. Arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor activities and homework time are all part of the program. Cost: $45 registration, $45 weekly and $10 membership fee. Call Marle Chapman: 442-3397.
Ongoing: Louisiana History Museum Historical Exhibit, Louisiana History Museum, Tue.-Sat. 10a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by Louisiana History Museum. Alexandria’s best kept secret. Come take the hour and a half tour and explore the history of Louisiana. Cost: Admission free. Call: 487-8556.
April 6-9: Shakespeare-on-the-Greene: A Festival of Renaissance, LSUA Campus, Quadrangle Area, 3p.m. until sunset. Sponsored by LSUA Chancellor’s Arts and Humanities Committee. The Twelfth Annual Shakespeare-on-the-Greene Festival of Renaissance. Come enjoy vendors of all sorts, entertainers from musicians to dancers to visual artists. Booths sponsored by student groups and members of the community. Appropriate for audiences of all ages. Cost: Admission free with opportunity for contributions/donations. Call Richard Gwartney: 427-4469.
April 7: Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond, “Beauty and the Beast” City Tour to include Brad Pitt’s houses in 9th Ward. Lunch at Court of Two Sisters, New Orleans. Sponsored by Cenla Travel. Cost: $140 per person. Call Nancy Richards: 443-9038. www.cenlatravel.com
April 9: Spring Herb Day and Arts and Crafts Sale, Kent Plantation House, 8a.m.-1p.m. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House. Herbs and arts and crafts will be for sale. Cost: Admission free. Call Kent Plantation House: 487-5998.
April 9: Second Saturday Market at the Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9a.m.-1p.m. Sponsored by AMoA. Shop and support local art, specialty products and food vendors. One-of-a-kind art is tax free in Cultural District. Kids’ art activity, featuring Family Playhouse cast members performing songs from musical Evangeline! Cost: Admission free. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
April 9, 16, 23, 30: Rapides Strategy Board, Tile & Card Games Group’s Game Day, Anime & Game Play Shop, 12:00noon. Participation is open to teens, college-age and adults. Newcomers are welcome to attend and participate. The group aspires and strives to emphasize friendship and socializing as well as good sportsmanship and fair play in a positive atmosphere. The games that the group plays include many of the top-rated modern/Euro strategy games which are not familiar to most people since they’re not the games we grew up playing; aren’t advertised on television; and aren’t available on most store shelves. Cost: Free. E-mail: [email protected]. www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/629539.
April 9: Cajun Fest & Gumbo Cook-off, Headquarters Field. The Fort Polk Cajun Fest and Gumbo Cook-off will feature musical entertainment will be by Louisiana’s Rockin’ Fiddler Waylon Thibodeaux, Natalie Stovall, and Wayne Toups & Zydecajun. Cost: Free. Call: 337-531-1959 or 337-531-1860.
April 11: 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. This month our focus: The Power of Healing Touch. 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.
April 11: Mommy Talk, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 5:00pm – 7:00pm. This fun and informative class is especially designed for the “on-the-go” teenage expectant mom and her support group/family. Special emphasis is given to the continuing needs of teenagers such as health and fitness, nutrition, staying in school, resources for pregnant mom, as well as the labor and delivery process. Classes will be taught by a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Childbirth Educator. Pre-registration is required. Cost: Free.
April 11: Juvenile Diabetes Support & Activity Group, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm. The Juvenile Diabetes Support & Activity Group will support children with diabetes (Type 1) and their families. Everyone is welcome to attend. Call Shelly Barton: 318-448-4964 or E-mail: [email protected].
April 12, 14, 19, 20, 27, 28:: Senior Lifestyles and Heart Health, Rapides Parish Senior Citizens’ Centers, 10:30am. Rapides Regional Medical Center teams up with Rapides Senior Citizens Centers to offer on-site health screenings and injury-prevention classes including fall prevention, home safety, motor-vehicle safety and pedestrian safety. Apr 12: Glemora; Apr 14: Alexandria (MLK); Apr 19: Alexandria (2nd Bethlehem; Apr 20: Sieper; Apr 27: Spring Creek; Apr 28: Woodworth. For information call Rapides Senior Citizens’ Centers at 487-1561 or Rapides Regional Medical Center at 769-3512.
April 12: 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].
April 13: Diabetes Group Class, RRMC Medical Terrance Auditorium, 9:00am – 12:00noon. 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. The course is taught by Sandy Couvillon, Registered Dietitian and Amie Starks, Registered Nurse. Cost: Free.
April 14: 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.
April 15-16: Roses in the Pines Arts & Crafts Festival. The Rosepine Historical Society will hold their annual Roses in the Pines Arts & Crafts Festival on April 15th and 16th at the red light on 171. There will be live local bands on Friday from 2pm to 6pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Vendors will offer food and arts & crafts, and children’s games will be available. Call: (337) 462-6763 or (337) 396-2448.
April 16: Main Street Trade Days, behind the Leesville Leader, 7:00am – 2:00pm. Leesville Main Street will hold their Main Street Trade Days on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. The “flea market/rummage sale/arts & crafts bazaar” will feature booths for second-hand items or your favorite arts & crafts. It’s a different crowd of sellers every weekend. If you’d like to get a space for yourself. As a bonus, area restaurants, including the Leesville Cafe, will open early to accommodate shoppers. Call Dicky Berry: (337) 392-1776.
April 16: Running the Road for Life 5K/1mile, Downtown Alexandria, 8:00am. The One Mile Fun Run will begin immediately following the start of the 5K. Proceeds benefit Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 day of race; $75 family max; $15 each for teams of eight or more. Call Jay Slayter: 318-229-1992 or Ritchie Martin: 318-880-4932.
April 16: Prepared Childbirth Class (One Day), RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 9:00am – 2:00pm. This class, taught by a certified childbirth instructor, prepares couples for the actual delivery. Topics include stages of labor and delivery, when to go to the hospital, pain management, assisted delivery, Cesarean birth as well as a tour of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A light lunch will be provided. Cost: $20 (if not delivering at RWCH). Call: 877-801-8441.
April 16: American Association of University Women State Convention, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9:00am – 3:30pm. Pre-registration required. Call: 225-752-1326 or E-mail: [email protected].
April 16: Childbirth Class, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital 1st Floor Conference Room, 9:30am – 4:00pm. 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.
April 16: Party for the Planet, Alexandria Zoo, 10a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and Friends of the Alexandria Zoo. The biggest Earth Day event in Cenla. Great family fun featuring entertainment and over 20 interactive stations that will provide information, handouts and souvenirs. Animal encounters and feedings, zookeeper talks, Discovery Carts, concessions and more. For booth information call or visit www.thealexandriazoo.com. Cost: Regular zoo admission. Call Lee Ann Whitt: 441-6810.
April 16: YMCA Healthy Kids Day, Alexandria YMCA, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Rapides Regional Medical Center will provide safety information for children. Call: 318-445-8261.
April 16: Train Day, TREE House Children’s Museum, 11a.m.-3p.m. Sponsored by TREE House Children’s Museum. Come join us for the day to learn about trains. There will be exhibits, displays, activities and projects. Cost: $4 per person, children under 2 free. Call Kara or Malaina: 619-9394.
April 16: Wagon Wheel Riding Club, Slagle Rodeo Arena. The Wagon Wheel Riding Club holds a show on the third Sunday of each month – usually at the rodeo arena in Slagle, LA, but when the weather is bad, or it’s too hot, they move to the covered arena in Leesville. 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. Cost: Free. Call: 337-238-3734 or 318-793-3400. www.wagonwheelridingclub.com.
April 16: Party in the Park, Liberty Gardens, 6:00pm. The Leesville Mayor’s Women’s Council will host their annual Party in the Park on the Liberty Gardens stage located next to the Vernon Parish Library. There’s no charge for this “jazzy” evening, so bring your lawn chairs and coolers and join the fun. Call Linda Harris: 337-238-9714.
April 16: 2011 Ms. LSUA Pageant, Brumfield Caffey Annex Ballroom, 7-9p.m. Sponsored by LSUA. Cost: $6 general public, $3 students. Call Kathryn Wimmert: 473-6545.
April 18: Cancer Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, Noon. If you or someone you know has cancer, or you are a caretaker of someone with cancer, please join this group on the third Monday of each month. A light meal will be served. Please pre-register. Call: 769-7200.
April 18: Sibling Class, Rapides Women’s & Children’s Hospital, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. This class is offered to children expecting a little brother or sister. It helps them understand where mom is when the baby is being born and lets them know how important it is to become a big brother or sister. The ideal age for this class is 3-10. Cost: $10 (if not delivering at RW&CH). Call: 877-801-8441.
April 19: Cenla Women’s Connection, Conference Center at the Greens, 12:00noon. Luncheon topic is “Excellence in High Heels” featuring Susan Brown. Pre-registration is required by April 15th. Cost: $16. Call: 318-481-7880 or E-mail: [email protected].
April 20: Administrative Professional’s Week Luncheon, The Diamond Grill, 11:30am – 1:30pm. The LaPine Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will celebrate Administrative Professional’s Week by hosting its annual luncheon. This year’s focus is the recognition and celebration of all office professionals. Reservations are required. Cost: $25. Call Cindy Rine: 318-484-7428.
April 21: 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. If you would like, please bring a special dessert or salad for our holiday celebration. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
April 21: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6 p.m. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call: (800) 644-9730.
April 21: Museum After Hours, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Enjoy original works by various musical guests in a relaxed coffeehouse atmosphere at AMoA’s Acoustic Concert Series with host, John Wakefield. Cost: Standard Admission (Museum Members Free). www.themuseum.org
April 24: Hodges Gardens State Park Easter Sunrise Service, Hodges Gardens, 5:45am. Hodges Gardens State Park will host their annual Easter Sunrise Service at the park, featuring members of church choirs from Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, and Beauregard will perform on the Lakefront Stage as the sun rises in the east. Gates will open at 4:30am. Please bring your own lawn chair. Cost: Free. Call: 318-586-3523.
April 25: 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. If you would like, please bring a special dessert or salad for our holiday celebration. Call Pam Hataway: 448-6970 or Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
April 25: 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.
April 25: Look Good, Feel Better, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 12:00noon – 2:00pm. “If you look good, you’ll feel better…” that is why CHRISTUS Cabrini Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society are offering a very special program called Look Good…Feel Better. This program is designed to help women cope with the physical changes that might occur during cancer treatment. Reservations are required. Call Janet Blank Bonnette: 318-466-6074.
April 25: Keagan LeJeune Book Signing, Vernon Parish Library, 7:00pm. Copies of his book, “Always for the Underdog, Leather Britches Smith and the Grabow War” will be available for purchase at the library. Call: (337) 239-2027.
April 27: LSU Ag Center Lunch & Learn, LSU AgCenter in Alexandria, 12:00noon. As part of the 2011 Lunch & Learn Spring Series titled “Happier, Healthier You!”, this session encourages you to relax and enjoy guest speaker Katy Johnson, Licensed Massage Therapist. Cost: Free Admission; $6.00 (for optional lunch). Pre-registration is required. Call: 767-3969. E-mail: [email protected].
April 28: Safe Sitter Class, RRMC, 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. The class includes lunch and supplies. Class size is limited. Cost: $40. Call: 318-769-3106.
April 28: Dinner on the Bricks, Third St., Downtown Alexandria, 6-8p.m. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria Division of Community Services. Come experience the beauty of downtown as local restaurants and caterers vend selected portions of their famous menus. Music provide by Dave Duplissey and Uptown Jazz. Cost: Admission free, food costs vary. Call: 449-5051.
April 28: Civil War Anniversary Dinner Theatre, Loyd Hall, 6p.m. Sponsored by Loyd Hall Plantation and Alexandria/Pineville CVB. “The Ghosts of Loyd Hall” is a who-dun-it mystery set at Loyd Hall. Visitors will meet several of William Loyd’s surviving family members, a local sheriff’s deputy, an antique dealer, and a whacko psychic, all of whom are interested in cashing in on real and imagined fortunes. Cost: $40 per person, $35 for groups of 20 or more. Call Alexandria Pineville CVB: 1-800-551-9546.
April 29: Civil War Anniversary Living History, Kent Plantation House and Tyrone Plantation, 9a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House, Tyrone Plantation and Alexandria/ Pineville CVB. Experience Civil War plantation life at two of the area’s oldest homes. See a soldier encampment, artillery demonstrations, open hearth cooking, period musicians, blacksmithing, primitive brick making, medical practices during the war and much more. Cost: Free living history events, $8 house tours. Call Kent Plantation House: 487-5998 or Alexandria/Pineville CVB: 1-800-551-9546.
April 30: West Louisiana Chill & Grill, Vernon Parish Fairgrounds, 7:00am. The WLLF will host the first West Louisiana “Chill and Grill” BBQ Competition. There is no charge for admission to this premier event, and no entry charge for contestants this year. There’ll be live music, as well as games, prizes, and food. The Sabine Cowboy Shooters will have an “OK Corral” style shoot-out, so you might want to keep your head down, pardner. Call Darryl Hinson: (337) 397-2026.
April 30: March of Dimes – 2011 March for Babies, Downtown Alexandria Amphitheatre, 9:00am. Join the RRMC team as they walk in support of healthy babies!
April 30: Civil War Funeral Re-enactment, Mt. Olivet Chapel and Cemetery, 10a.m. Sponsored by Mt. Olivet Chapel and Cemetery and Alexandria/Pineville CVB. Hear the clip-clop of hooves as the horse-drawn wagon carries an antique coffin to the Mt. Olivet Chapel for burial in the historic cemetery. Re-enactor soldiers form a color guard to lead the procession as Major Mercer Canfield (1824-1864) is laid to rest. Cost: Admission free. Call M. Olivet Chapel: 473-8787.
April 30: Bayou Ceramics, TREE House Children’s Museum, 1:00pm. Come join Bayou Ceramics for a fun-filled afternoon spent creating your very own ceramic flower pots. They make great Mother’s Day Gifts! Please pre-register. Cost: $10. Call TREE House: 318-619-9394.
April 30: Red River Campaign Symposium and Meet the Authors, Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site, 1p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria/Pineville CVB, City of Pineville and City of Alexandria. Meet the authors who have penned books about Civil War Louisiana. Immediately following, Dr. Henry O. Robertson, history professor at Louisiana College will give an overview of the 1864 Red River Campaign. Cost: Admission free. Call Shirley Ingram: 442-9546.
April 30: Re-enactors Battle, Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site, 3p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria/Pineville CVB, City of Pineville and City of Alexandria. Watch as the Union and Confederate re-enactors battle on the site of the earthwork forts built during the War Between the States as a response to the Union Fleet’s Red River Campaign. Cost: Admission free. Call Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site: 484-2390.
April 30: Ball on the Bayou, Kent Plantation House, 7p.m. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House and Alexandria/ Pineville CVB. The ladies and gentlemen of Kent House along with guests, both historic and modern, will dance the night away to the Virginia reels and waltzes under the starry sky on the House grounds. Music will be provided by Roscoe, Lee and Abadie. Children’s games and activities will be available for those under 12 years of age. Cost: $10. Call Kent Plantation House: 487-5998.
April 30: Second Annual Milky Way Gala, Loyd Hall Plantation, 7:00pm – 11:00pm. The evening will include a cash bar, live music, silent auction and live auction presented by Barbara Bonnette. Red River Grill will provide the catering for this event. All proceeds benefit the moms and babies of Cenla through the Central Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition. Cost: $40 individual; $500 table of eight. Call: 318-451-1929. www.cenlabreastfeeding.org.
May 5-6: MAYFEST, Leesville Main Street District. Sponsored by Gallery One Ellleven, Vernon Parish Tourism and Vernon Arts Council. One of the last free music, art and food festivals in Louisiana. New interactive children’s art area, art, crafts and live performances. Cost: Admission free. Call Vernon Parish Tourism Commission: 337-238-0783.
Sports
April –June: Spring Martial Arts Special, 1718 Kegleman Blvd., time: varies. Sponsored by Master Rousseau’s Taekwondo. Children’s beginner classes Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:20-7:05p.m. and Saturdays 10:30-11:15a.m. Adult beginner classes Thursdays 8p.m. and Saturdays Noon. Cost: $99 for nine weeks of martial arts instruction with uniform included. Call Master Carol Rousseau: 443-8066.
April 8-9: 2011 Crossroads Cup, Johnny Downs Sports Complex. Sponsored by Crossroads Soccer Association. Call Rebecca Lee-Poklemba: 473-1203.
April 9: Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival 5K and Fun Run, Alexandria, 8a.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. All proceeds from event go to benefit the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival and the community based art programs that the Festival produces and supports. Cost: $28 registration fee. Register on line at www.imAthlete.com.
April 9: 4th Annual Joey Giordano Memorial Fishing Tournament, Red River at Colfax. The Joey Giordano Foundation would like to invite you to join us for the 4th Annual Joey Giordano Memorial Fishing Tournament. There will be plenty of food, fun and door prizes. Guarantee payout for 1st place will be $2,000.00. This is a open team tournament and everyone is welcome. For a entry form and/or a sponsorship form or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
April 16: LOPA Running the Roads for Life 5K, Alexandria, 8a.m. Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Fourth annual race with proceeds going towards education and awareness of organ donation. Race will include a one mile fun run. Online registration available at www.active.com. Cost: $25 registration fee. Call L.C. Athletic Club: 487-1000.
