Art
Ongoing-June 26: She Persisted: Louisiana Women in Art, Alexandria Museum of Art. The Alexandria Museum of Art is celebrating Louisiana female artists in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. Postponed from 2020, this exhibition will now open during the 2021 International Women’s Day Celebration. “She Persisted” features both nationally recognized and lesser-known female artists in our state whose talent and persistence broke through generations of male-favored systems in art. From Newcomb to up and coming artists, AMoA has selected just a small portion of the outstanding female artists to showcase the incredible work that has been and is being created by amazing women in our state. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org
April 8-9: Dirty South Cup Drinking Vessel Workshop, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 10:00am-4:00pm. This hands-on, two-day workshop led by 2021 Dirty South Cup Guest Juror, Dan Anderson, will help you in your quest to improve your skills creating hand-held drinking vessels. Both hand-built and wheel-thrown cups will be demonstrated and created. Various surface treatments like paddling cups with wooden paddles, and faceting cups with various cut-off wires will also be demonstrated. It is the goal of the workshop for each participant to complete up to six cups, depending on scale and the amount of time/detail that is spent on each cup. The workshop is not intended for those wishing to make large numbers of pieces. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Masks will be required. Cost: $95.00. Call: 318-473-2670. RiverOaksArtsCenter.com
April 8: Adult Virtual Art Class, 10:00am-11:30am. Join Victoria on Facebook at fb.me/rapideslibrary for a virtual acrylic painting session featuring a spring bouquet in a watering can. Please pre-register to reserve and schedule pick up of your grab-n-go paint kit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x1902. www.rpl.org
April 9: The 7th Annual Dirty South Cup Opening Awards Reception, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 5:00pm-8:00pm. The Dirty South Cup Show, with guest juror Dan Anderson, will feature over 100 cups, mugs and yunomis from artists across the U.S. and will run through May 22nd. Sponsored by: GAEDA, NEA, LDOA, Dr. & Mrs. James Parrish and Dr. Betsy Long Memorial Fund. Cost: Free. Call: 318-473-2670. RiverOaksArtsCenter.com
April 10: Bend it Like Benglis Sculpture Workshop, Alexandria Museum of Art, 1:00pm-5:00pm. This adult workshop will draw inspiration from the sculptural works of female artist, Lynda Benglis and her approach to medium manipulation. Each participant will create a three-dimensional work of art that includes reactive components and may require the use of some hand tools. All supplies are included. You must be 21 to attend this class. Registration is required. Cost: $45.00 AMoA Member; $65.00 Non-member. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org
April 15: Three Generations of Louisiana Women Artists, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:00pm. This panel of 3 generations of artists from Louisiana included in the exhibition will discuss the challenges they have faced as women artists. From gallery representation to museum shows, women have struggled with biases in the art world that often discount contributions by women in favor of their male counterparts. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org
April 22: Children’s Virtual Art Class, 10:00am-11:30am. Join Ms. Victoria on Facebook at fb.me/rapideslibrary to create scratch art using crayons and black tempera paint. Please pre-register to reserve and schedule pick up of your grab-n-go kit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x1902. www.rpl.org
May 3: Free Access Mondays, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10:00am-2:00pm. Each first Monday of the month, AMoA is opening the doors to the galleries for those with disabilities and special needs including those on the ASD spectrum, and their families and caregivers. A special interactive station is available for educational stimulation, experimentation with writing and drawing prompts, textures, communication cards to assist in your visit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org
Music
April 9, 16, 23, 30: Leesville Friday Night Spring Concert Series, Leesville Polk Outdoor Stage, 6:00pm. Every Friday night Leesville Polk Outdoor Stage is transformed into a Downtown Music and Food Truck Park featuring performances by Henry Reggans and the Turn Ups on the 9th, Old Man Band on the 16th, the Mike Kuk Show on the 23rd, and Bryan Fontenot on the 30th. Cost: Free. Call: 337-404-4078.
Theatre
April 15-18: The Wizard of Oz, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. Join Holy Savior Menard High School’s theatre department and director Cherise Rino for their production of L. Frank Baum’s timeless classic. Evening shows begin on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm with matinee presentations on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm. Seating is limited! Be sure to get your tickets now! Masks are required. Cost: $20.00. ticket-central.org
April 22-May 2: Moana, Jr., Lagniappe Theatre Company. Join Lagniappe Theatre Company for Disney’s “Moana, Jr.”! This thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story follows the strong-willed Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as both learn to harness the power that lies within. With empowering messages of bravery and selflessness, “Moana, Jr.” is sure to bring out the hero within each of us. Performances begin Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm; Sunday matinees begin at 2:30pm. Cost: $13.00 children; $15.00 adults. Call: 318-487-8243. lagniappetheatre.com
April 29-May 1: Hairspray the Musical, Bolton Conservatory for the Performing & Visual Arts, 7:30pm. You can’t stop the beat of this 2003 Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, featuring 1960s-style music and based on the 1988 John Waters film. The year is 1962, and plump, big-haired teenager Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing on the local teenage TV dance program. When she learns a few dance moves from her black friend Seaweed, her wish comes true and she becomes an instant local celebrity. Using her new-found fame, Tracy advocates for racial integration on the show—an uphill battle she has every intention of winning. boltonconservatory.com
May 6-9: Seussical the Musical, Pineville High School. Join Pineville High School Theatre as they present “Seussical The Musical”, a fantastical, magical, musical adventure with many of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, and a little boy with a big imagination, Jojo! The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Sure to bedazzle with fun for all ages, you don’t want to miss Seussical The Musical! pinevillehightheatre.com
Events
Ongoing-April: New Hope Al-Anon Group, Horseshoe Drive Methodist Church in Alexandria, 7:00pm. The New Hope Al-Anon Group meets each Tuesday and Thursday evening. Al-Anon is a mutual support group for anyone having experienced a problem with someone else’s drinking or addiction. You are free to ask questions or to talk about your situation or just listen. Every meeting is different. Each meeting has the autonomy to be run as its members choose, within guidelines designed to promote Al-Anon unity. Cost: Free.
April 10: Spring Herb Day, Kent Plantation House, 8:00am-1:00pm. Herb Day will be a morning of treasure hunting with the many vendors who will be set up on the grounds of Kent House with their special wares. The day will feature herbs, flowers, art, crafts, jewelry, garden decor and a Kent House Yard Sale to benefit the museum! Plan now to attend. Masks will be required per the statewide mandate. Call: 318-487-5998. kenthouse.org
April 10: APD New Hire Physical Testing, Alexandria Senior High Football Stadium, 9:00am. The Alexandria Police Department will host a physical fitness assessment session for those interested in becoming police officers. The APD application process requires candidates to pass a physical fitness assessment which includes a 1.5 mile timed run, 1-minute of push-ups and 1-minute of sit-ups. Individuals may take the assessment even if they have not yet completed the civil service exam or submitted an application. Passing scores will be valid for up to six months. Police Academy staff members will be on hand to provide tips and pointers to help participants improve their scores and answer questions. Call: 318-441-6429.
April 12-16: Silliest Poem Contest, Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library. Write a funny poem and bring it to the branch by April 16. On April 19 we will read the poems live on Facebook and announce a winner! Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org
April 12: National Drop Everything and Read Day Book Discussion, RPL Zoom Room, 4:00pm-5:00pm. Join in to discuss a powerful page-turning novel, “The Stolen Daughter” by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, that deals with personal identity, family, and choices in the RPL Zoom meeting (ID: 891 1293 4608). Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org
April 13: C3 Lecture Series, Guinn Auditorium at Louisiana College, 6:00pm. Louisiana College will hold its second spring C3 Christ Church Culture Lecture Series event on “Calling and Career” featuring Professor and Author R. Keith Loftin. Loftin holds a master’s degree in humanities from the University of Dallas, a master’s degree in philosophy from Louisiana State University, and a master’s degree in theology from SWBTS. His Ph.D. in theology is from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. The event coincides with the launch of LC’s new Quality Enhancement Plan. Social distancing will be practiced, and attendees should wear a mask to attend in person. The event will also be available via livestream. Cost: Free. Call: 800-487-1906. lacollege.edu
April 15: Virtual S.T.E.M. Class, 9:00am-10:00am. Join Miss Victoria on Facebook at fb.me/rapideslibrary to make penny spinners. This hands-on science activity explores the theory of radial force. Please pre-register to reserve and schedule pick up of your grab-n-go S.T.E.M. kit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x1902. www.rpl.org
April 19: National Velociraptor Awareness Day, Martin Branch Library, 9:00am-6:00pm. National Velociraptor Awareness Day, traditionally observed on April 18 each year, addresses a critical topic. Recently, however, this day has gone unobserved. This trend must be stopped! The R.P.L. King Branch staff interviewed the tens of people who have been affected, and these testimonials will be available for one day only to the public. With information about velociraptors themselves, resources for the protection of your family, and strategies to combat the inevitable, our staff will keep our community safe and un-en-raptor-ed. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org
April 19: Virtual Makerspace with David Sproles, 6:00pm. Are you hurricane-ready? Students age ten and up may Join David Sproles on Facebook at fb.me/rapideslibrary to make a hurricane emergency light. No prior experience is required. Please pre-register to reserve and schedule pick up of your grab-n-go Makerspace kit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x1022. www.rpl.org
April 21: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center on the Greens, 12:00pm. Our Speaker, Oujette Cone, will present “Music From the Heart.” As a special feature, Joseph Buzzetta and Kimberly Boyd from the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition will discuss their programs and services. Invite a friend and join us for a delicious lunch and an inspiration message. We are abiding by CDC guidelines for restaurants to prevent the spread of Covid-19. So wear a mask, social distance of at least six feet and hand washing encouraged. We will have hand sanitizer as well. So come and join us. Please RSVP by Friday, April 16th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 318-790-0415 or Email: [email protected].
April 24-25: Save Cenla ASIST Training, Immaculate Conception Church in Dupont, 8:00am-4:30pm. Suicide and mental health issues are a growing concern, especially in these trying times. Suicide is preventable. Anyone can make a difference. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an evidence-based, two-day workshop in suicide prevention skills helps participants learn and practice a life-saving intervention model that is widely used by professionals and the general public. Open to ages 16+. Mental health professionals can receive 12 CEUs after taking this workshop for $60.00 through livingworks.net (a $300 value). Sponsored by Central Louisiana Human Services District. Cost: Free. Call: 337-519-1888. SaveCenla.com
April 26: Kids Craft @ Main, 6:00pm. Join Ms. Londa on Facebook at fb.me/rapideslibrary to make Among Us Shrinky-Dink key chains. Please pre-register to reserve and schedule pick up of your grab-n-go kit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x1022. www.rpl.org
April 30: Medicare Q&A with Cenla AAA, Country Inn & Suites in Pineville. Do you have questions or want to learn more about Medicare? Join train Medicare counselors to discuss your coverage and answer your questions. Three, 90-minute sessions will be offered starting 8:30am, 10:30am and 1:00pm. Bingo will follow each session. Seating is limited; please pre-register. Hosted by the Cenla Area Agency on Aging. Call: 318-484-2260.
May 1: Central Louisiana Dutch Oven Cookers First Saturday Gathering, Indian Creek Recreation Area, 9:00am-12:30pm. A delicious day with Dutch oven cooking enthusiasts.
Sports
April 6, 13, 20, 27 & May 4: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art, 5:45pm. Register online by selecting the class you would like to attend. Out of courtesy for our class waiting list, please cancel at least two hours prior to class start time. Masks are required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458.
April 10, 17, 24 & May 1: Saturday Morning Qi Gong, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10:30am. The Alexandria Museum of Art and Rapides Regional Medical Center have partnered to present Healthy Living @AMoA. Paul Nettles of The Levee Tai Chi School leads a class in Qi Gong, which is an ancient system of coordinated body postures and movements combined with deep breathing and meditation. It is used to stimulate good health, spirituality, and a state of calm mindfulness. Masks are required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458.
*All events subject to change in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.
