Art

Ongoing-June 18: Smith & Wisznia Collection Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). Originally curated in 2010 for display in the Maritime Building on Common Street in New Orleans, the Smith & Wisznia collection features 69 works from 30 Artists who lived, worked or exhibited in Louisiana during this challenging time. AMoA is excited to share this impactful collection from artists working in the midst of post-Katrina uncertainty, representing the art renaissance experienced during the rebuilding and rebirth of the city of New Orleans. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

April 7, 11 & 25: Art is Life, Rapides Main Library (411 Washington Street, Alexandria). Get in touch with your creative side during this acrylic on canvas painting session! April 7th & 11th: 10:00am-12:00pm; April 25th: 5:30pm-7:30pm. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1036. www.rpl.org

April 9: Second Saturday at the Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). The Museum is proud to welcome the community on the second Saturday of each month for open admission during regular business hours. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

May 2: FAM Day at AMoA, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). The Alexandria Museum of Art opens its doors to the galleries on the first Monday of each month for those with disabilities for private, stress-free viewing of the exhibits. While those with special needs are welcome any business day, this dedicated day offers specialized interactives for hands-on learning, creative inspiration, and engagement as well as communication tools. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

May 3: Creativity Launch Pad, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:00pm. Launch your creativity in this on-going adult (21+) art education series for any and all skill levels seeking a relaxed creative environment in which to learn, receive instruction, experiment with mediums with other adults. Launch Pad classes offer a rotation of mediums to provide a well-rounded art experience, designed for the beginner, intermediate and advanced students. The May class will focus on acrylics. All supplies are included. Please pre-register; class sizes are limited. Cost: $10.00 AMoA Members; $20.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

April 8 & 21: Downtown Rocks, Alexandria City Hall (3rd & Murray Streets, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Make plans to attend the remaining Downtown Rocks events of the spring featuring the local band Abstract on April 8th and Wayne Toups on April 21st. Just bring a lawn chair and join the fun downtown outside of City Hall by the mini park. Food and beverage vendors will be on site. Cost: Free.

April 23: Springtime Pops, Red River Bank (1412 Center Court, Alexandria), 7:30pm We are thrilled to have as our guest artist the renowned jazz trumpeter, Byron Stripling, performing a concert that is a tribute to Louis Armstrong called “What a Wonderful World”.  Mr. Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite throughout the country, soloing with over 100 orchestras around the world. Food and drink trucks will also be on hand. You will want to bring lawn chairs and blankets to make seating comfortable. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-9709. rapidessymphony.org

Theatre

Ongoing-April 9: Waiting for Godot, Richard Gwartney Theatre (8100 Highway 71, Alexandria). The LSUA Empty Space Players present Samuel Beckett’s “tragicomedy in two acts.”  Performances begin nightly Thursday through Saturday at 7:00pm; Sunday matinee at 2:00pm. Cost: $10.00 Adults; $5.00 Students & Seniors (w/ ID); LSUA Students Free. Call: 318-473-6473.

April 7: The Great Barbeque Brawl (To the Death!), Wyndham Garden/Alexandria Convention Center (2301 N MacArthur Dr, Alexandria), 5:30pm. The Unusual Suspects are ready to keep you laughing and trying to figure out what will happen next with an interactive live performance. Come out to have some fun with a purpose. Those in attendance will be using their sleuthing skills and clues to solve the mystery for chances to win prizes. This exciting mystery dinner is designed to raise much-needed funds for the Central Louisiana division of Evergreen Life Services. Evergreen’s mission is to serve, provide for and champion individuals with disabilities. Cost: $75.00+. Call: 877-243-4021.

April 7-9: Anastasia The Musical, Bolton Conservatory (2101 Vance Avenue, Alexandria), 7:00pm.  From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, this dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman suffering from amnesia sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family. Featuring all the hit songs from the animated film such as “Journey To The Past”, “Once Upon A December”, and many, many more, Anastasia is not to be missed! Cost: $16.00. boltonconservatory.com

May 5-15: “Psych” by Lisa Rowe, Hearn Stage at the Kress Theatre (1101 3rd St., Alexandria). City Park Players is thrilled to bring Lisa Rowe’s farcical comedy “Psych” to Hearn Stage. Directed by Maura Herboldsheimer and Jim Leggett, the show features local actors Steven Smith, Rick Taylor, Alecia Lewis, Sierra Smith, Travis Paul, and AnTennille Crocker and tells the story of Edward Baxter, a successful psychiatrist who is framed for murder. “Psych’s” humor is broad in scope, including slapstick, wordplay and a bit of dark humor. Shows begin nightly Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday matinee begins at 2:30pm. Cost: $15.00 Adult; $12.00 Senior; $10.00 Groups of 10+; $7.00 Student/Child; $5.00 Thursday shows. Call: 318-484-4478. cpptheatre.com

Events

Ongoing-April: New Hope Al-Anon Group, Horseshoe Drive Methodist Church (1600 Horseshoe Drive, 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 7-8: Louisiana Women in Ag Conference and Expo, Randolph Riverfront Center (707 2nd Street, Alexandria). LWAG is an opportunity for woman, passionate about agriculture, to network and learn from experienced speakers and ag-related vendors from across the state and nation. This inspirational and educational event is open to all women (and men!) in agriculture in Louisiana. louisianawomeninag.com

April 7-8, 20-21, 25-26 & May 5-6: Save Cenla ASIST Training, 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. April 7-8: Hopewell Baptist Church, Colfax; April 20-21: Bienville Courthouse 2nd Floor, Arcadia; April 25-26: Rapides Parish School Board, Alexandria; May 5-6: CLTCC, Winnfield. 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 and CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund. Cost: Free. Call: 337-519-1888. SaveCenla.com/asist

April 7, 21 & 28:  Witness to Change: Community Conversations on Coastal Impacts, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm. Witness to Change is an adult reading and discussion program, led by scholars, that offers the opportunity to learn more about issues arising from the complex and changing human relationship with water.  See how these issues are both local and global, and join in an exploration of how others are adapting to our changing world. Join any or all of the planned discussions to be hosted by LSUA’s Dr. Elizabeth Beard, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Dr. Mary Treuting, Dean of the College of Social Sciences.  Discussions will incorporate history, memoir, and fiction texts. April 7th: The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi; April 21st: Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward; April 28th: Bayou Farewell by Mike Tidwell. Facebook participants will be able to add to the discussion by submitting questions in the comment section. Cost: Free. bit.ly/witnesstochange

April 8: Zoo Brew, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 6:00pm-9:00pm. Tap into your wild side at Zoo Brew, where guests can tour the Zoo, sample some of their favorite craft beers and wines, enjoy live music by the Sundown Band and more. Additional beer and wine and tasty food truck fare is available for purchase. Advance tickets on sale online only. Admission includes a souvenir glass, two drink tickets, and drink samples. Cost: $50.00 General Admission; $15.00 Designated Driver. Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

April 8, 15, 22, 29 & May 6: Live Auction, Auction Barn at the Trotter Center (1634 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:30pm. Join in the excitement of live auctions every Friday night! Proxy bids are welcome. Call Earl Hayes: 318-730-8676.

April 9: Diabetes Management Class, HP Long Pineville (213 Hospital Blvd, Pineville), 9:00am-11:00am. 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 American Diabetes Association guidelines. Topics include meal planning, monitoring blood sugar, medications, complications, and learning to deal with a chronic disease. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-4440.

April 9: LOPA Path of Remembrance, Wesley Center in Woodworth, 10:00am-1:00pm. The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency is hosting a Path of Remembrance as part of Donate Life month. Families will gather at the Methodist Church’s Wesley Center in Woodworth to remember their loved ones and to take part in a release of butterflies. Cost: Free.

April 9: Eggs-travagant Easter Drive Thru, Alexandria Downtown Mini Park (3rd & Murray Streets, Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to come see the Easter Bunny and get free treats and the chance to get one of six golden eggs with a special surprise. This is a drive-thru event and children must be present in the vehicle to get treats. Cost: Free.

April 9: Second Saturday Market, Huckleberry Brewing Company (4724 Sterkx Road, Alexandria), 1:00pm.  On the second Saturday of each month, Huckleberry Brewing Company will be hosting a vendors market on the Huckleberry grounds! Come check out some awesome local vendors at the Second Saturday Market! If you’re interested in participating as a vendor, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or through Facebook messenger!

April 12, 19, 26 & May 3: Alexandria Farmer’s Market, First United Methodist Church (2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria), 3:00pm-6:00pm. The Alexandria Farmers Market is a weekly gathering that connects the community of Alexandria with the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural artisans of Central Louisiana. This connection strives to improve the physical, social, and economic well-being of the region by providing access to fresh, healthy, local food for residents, fostering community relationships, and serving as a business incubator for growers and producers. Cost: Free. Call: 318-441-3407.

April 13: Cenla Women’s Connection Prayer Coffee, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Highway 28 East, Pineville), 10:00am-11:30am. Betty Whittiker will lead a short devotion and prayer time will follow. Bring your prayer requests and come join us. Coffee, water, and other refreshments will be provided. Follow us on Facebook (Cenla Women’s Connection) and Instagram @cenlawomensconnection. We are affiliated with Stonecroft a non-denominational , nonprofit organization. Call: 337-349-4776.

April 13: Cenla Master Gardeners Orientation, LSU AgCenter (8592 Highway 1, Mansura), 1:00pm-4:00pm. The LSU AgCenter and Cenla Master Gardeners will start new Master Gardener in-person classes. The first class will be an open orientation and cover the details of the ongoing course. Master Gardeners are AgCenter Volunteers who receive horticultural training in weeds, insects, plant diseases, turf, vegetables, ornamental plants, and other related topics. These classes will end in August. Pre-registration available by emailing [email protected]. Cost: Free. Call: 337-284-5118.

April 13: Child Safety Seat Check, Rapides Regional Medical Center Main Entrance (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 2:00pm-5:00pm. A trained child passenger safety educator will take a look at your car seats, make sure they are not under recall, make sure the seat is installed properly and show you how to install the car seat. The car seat check process takes between 15-25 minutes, depending on how many car seats are in the vehicle. The seat checks normally are held the second Wednesday of each month. Cost: Free.

April 19: Safe Sitter, RRMC Education Department (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 8:30am-4:00pm. Boys and girls, ages 11 to 14, can learn the basic skills needed 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. Registration includes lunch and supplies. Class size is limited. Cost: $45.00 per child. Call: 318-769-4440.

April 22-23: Louisiana Forest Festival, Winn Parish Fairgrounds (2000 South Jones Street, Winnfield). The Louisiana Forest Festival, which reorganized in 1979, salutes the timber industry in our state. The festival encompasses a wide variety of timber related activities. There are numerous forestry equipment displays and related exhibits. Professional lumberjack sports competitors come from throughout the United States to participate in the show. There will be 13 lumberjack events to cheer on with 6 different chainsaw events. LaForestFestival.com

April 22-23: Sixth Annual Natchez Euro Fest, Downtown Natchez (100-300 N. Broadway, Natchez, MS), 10:00am-5:00pm. This all European auto/motorcycle show will feature over 150 entries from 10 states. Come view a once in a lifetime collection of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Vincent, Ducati, Norton, etc. It will feature, among other very rare entries, a 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and a 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Alloy Body Prototype Competition which was the first American entry to finish in the 1000 mile Italian road race, The Millie Miglia. Cost: Free. Call: 601-946-1950. Euro-Fest.net

April 23: 2nd Annual Lobster Boil and Silent Auction, LTC Event Center (7521 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 5:30pm-8:30pm. Lobsters, potatoes, corn, coleslaw, rolls & dessert for dine-in or carry-out! Enjoy live music by “Mavis & Harry”, raffle drawing and silent auction. All proceeds benefit Family Justice Center of Central Louisiana. Cost: $50.00. Call: 318-448-0884.

April 28-30: AlexRiverFete, Downtown Alexandria. Alexandria’s premier Downtown event returns with Dinner on the Bricks, ArtFete, Classic Car Fete, Beer Garden, Fete Stage featuring live music and performances, delicious food and drinks, vendors and more! Find the Fete on Facebook and Instagram @OfficialAlexFete and on Twitter @RealAlexFete. Cost: Free. AlexRiverFete.com

April 28: Cenla Author’s Club, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Place, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Our speaker will be Christee Atwood, author of 15 books. The Author’s Club is open to the public. Cost: Free. Call Michael Wynne: 318-487-8805.

April 28: Chonda Pierce Live, First Baptist Church Pineville (901 Main Street, Pineville), 6:00pm. Join Chonda Pierce, a stand-up comedian, television hostess, author, and now actress, as she channels her life experiences into positivity, bringing laughter to audiences around the country. This is an evening you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets to see the Queen of Clean comedy! Cost: $29.00-$55.00. FBCPineville.net

May 6-7: MayFest Returns!, Leesville Courthouse (S. Third Street, Leesville). Mayfest, winner of the Louey Award 2012 Festival of the Year, is an annual event held in historic downtown Leesville on the first weekend in May. Vendors from all over Louisiana and surrounding states offer home-made items and food made from scratch. Bring your lawn chairs and join us on the courthouse lawn for two days of family fun offering live music, vendors, demonstrating artists, children’s activities, and more. Cost: Free. vernonparish.org/events/mayfest

May 6-7: 14th Annual Sale on the Trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas (Natchitoches to Nacogdoches, Texas). Travel the trail for hot sales and deals, food, vegetables, plants, flowers, art, antiques, homemade and handmade one-of-a-kind treasures. Along the trail, vendors will offer new and used items. Churches, civic groups, families and retail stores along Highway 6 and Texas Highway 21 are encouraged to have sidewalk and roadside sales. Garage and yard sales are welcome as well. Call: 800-358-7802. VisitElCaminoReal.com

May 7: Experimental Aircraft Association 1st Saturday Breakfast, Buhlow Lake Airport (200 Lake Buhlow Road, Pineville), 7:30am-10:00am. Come enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, grits, potatoes, milk, orange juice, and more! Anyone interested in aviation and general cordial chatter with lakeside ambience is welcome and invited to come to enjoy breakfast with us! Cost: $10.00 Donation.

May 7: Central Louisiana Dutch Oven Cookers First Saturday Gathering, Indian Creek Recreation Area (100 Camp Ground Road, Woodworth), 9:00am-12:30pm. A delicious day with Dutch oven cooking enthusiasts. There is no charge for food, however, donations are accepted. Regular park admission applies. Call: 318-625-1762.

Sports

April 8: Girls on the Run Golf for Girls Tournament, Oak Wing Golf Course (2345 Vandenburg Dr, Alexandria), 12:30pm. Participants in the tournament receive a round of golf with cart, entry to all contents, on-course refreshments, lunch, a swag bag, and an afternoon of great golf for a great cause! Shotgun start will begin at 1:00pm. Beverages and mulligans available for purchase. Proceeds benefit YWCA’s Girls on the Run program. Cost: $100. Call: 318-442-3397.

April 8-10: Father-Child FUN Camp, Woodworth Outdoor Education Facility. The camp offers parents and children an opportunity to spend a weekend in the outdoors, re-establishing bonds and honing outdoor skills. The camp is open to parents with children from 10-13 years old. Pre-registration is required and space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration covers meals, lodging and supplies, including tents, used during the weekend. Bed linens and sleeping bags are not provided. Cost: $50.00 per parent/child; $25.00 per additional child. Call: 337-491-2575 ext 2009.

April 12, 19, 26 & May 2: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 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. themuseum.org

April 29: Relay for Life, Buhlow Lake (Pineville), 5:00pm. Join Rapides Cancer Center for this year’s Relay for Life in its new location at Buhlow Lake in Pineville. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Call: 800-227-2345. RelayForLife.org

April 30: Love Them Both 5K Walk/Fun Run, Grace Christian School (4900 Jackson Street Alexandria). This walk/run is being held as a fundraiser for Cenla Pregnancy Center, a non-profit crisis pregnancy center that offers free and confidential services to women in unplanned and crisis pregnancies. This is a rain or shine, non-competitive event open to all ages. Cost: $25.00 before April 12th; $30.00 after April 12th. Call: 318-668-2357.

May 4: The Fighting Flights Dart Tournament, Fighting Hands Brewery (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:00pm. Attention dart players! The Fighting Flights (that’s you!) will be gathering at Fighting Hand Brewing Co for another round of play. Who will take home the pot tonight? If you couldn’t make it last time, come on by! All skill levels welcome and get to compete for the pot. Cost: $5.00. fightinghandbrewing.com

May 7: 10th Louisiana Dragon Boat Races, Buhlow Lake in Pineville, 8:00am. After a two-year break, it’s time to Paddle Up for the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races! Sponsors will awaken the Dragons once again on the morning of race day to compete for trophies, medals, spirit awards, and bragging rights! To form a team takes 20 paddlers and one drummer. At least eight paddlers must be women. Cost: $2,100 per 21-person team. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

*All events subject to change in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.