Art
Ongoing-October 23: 34th Annual September Competition, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). 48 works of art have been selected from around the globe to participate in AMoA’s annual competition experience the international competition in person and online. AMoA proudly welcomes Dr. Andrew James Wulf, Ph.D. as the Juror for AMoA’s 34th September Competition. For the last 18 years, Dr. Wulf has served as a passionate creative museum professional at international institutions, directing the strategic, civic and educative mission of museums and serving in key roles to represent, supervise, produce, and sponsor a wide array of compelling public programs and exhibitions on a variety of themes in the arts, sciences, and humanities, in order to promote cultural literacy through community engagement. Currently, Wulf serves as the Executive Director of the AAM-accredited Albany Museum of Art in Albany, Georgia. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org
September 6: Free Access Mondays, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 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
August 7: Nina Diaz in Concert, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & NW Louisiana History Museum (800 Front Street, Natchitoches), 2:00pm. As part of the 2021 NSU Folklife Concert Series, San Antonio, Texas rock artist Nina Diaz will perform a 45-minute music set followed by interviews with the musicians and an audience Q&A. In addition to the music performances, two or three folk artists will demonstrate and sell traditional crafts. Sponsored by the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. and the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission. Cost: Free.
August 7: One Night with Broadway’s Phantom: Ben Crawford, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St, Alexandria), 7:00pm. Lagniappe Theatre Company is proud and excited to present A One Night Concert with Broadway’s Phantom: Ben Crawford. Mr. Crawford is the current Phantom on Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webbers’s Phantom of the Opera. He comes to Alexandria direct from New York City where he is currently in rehearsal for the long anticipated reopening of one of Broadway’s most beloved and treasured musicals. One man, one piano, one voice that will change your life. He will sing music from Broadway musicals, beloved operas, American standards from the American Songbook, and pop songs we have all come to love. Cost: $25.00 General Admission; $40.00 VIP Meet & Greet. Call: 318-48-STAGE. lagniappetheatre.com
August 14: Blato Zlato in Concert, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & NW Louisiana History Museum (800 Front Street, Natchitoches), 2:00pm. As part of the 2021 NSU Folklife Concert Series, Blato Zlato (“Swamp Gold” in Bulgarian) will perform a 45-minute set of Balkan music from New Orleans and Bulgaria followed by interviews with the musicians and an audience Q&A. In addition to the music performances, two or three folk artists will demonstrate and sell traditional crafts. Sponsored by the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc. and the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission. Cost: Free.
August 15: Rapides Symphony Orchestra Presents VOX POPULI, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St, Alexandria), 2:30pm. This concert features pieces inspired by folk music, including Dvorak’s “Serenade for Winds” and Hindemith’s “Der Schwanendreher” (The Swan Turner) with viola soloist Peter Minkler. Cost: $25.00 Adults; $15.00 Seniors 65+; $10.00 Students; $50.00 Family Pack (2 adults + 2 children). Call: 318-442-9709. rapidessymphony.org
Theatre
Ongoing-August 8: CPP Presents “Unnecessary Farce”, Kress Theater (1102 4th St, Alexandria). Two cops. Three crooks. Eight doors. Go. In a cheap motel room, an embezzling mayor is supposed to meet with his female accountant, while in the room next-door, two undercover cops wait to catch the meeting on videotape. But there’s some confusion as to who’s in which room, who’s being videotaped, who’s taken the money, who’s hired a hit man, and why the accountant keeps taking off her clothes! City Park Players presents Paul Slade Smith’s comedy, directed by Jim Weinzettle and Maura Herboldsheimer. Performances begin nightly Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30; Sunday matinees begin at 2:30pm. Cost: $15.00 Adults; $12.00 Seniors 60+ & Military; $10.00 Groups of 10+; $7.00 Students; $5.00 Thursday shows. Call: 318-484-4478. cpptheatre.com
August 7: Workshop Q&A with Broadway’s Phantom: Ben Crawford, Lagniappe Theatre Event Center (7521 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 12:00pm-2:00pm. Broadway Performer Ben Crawford, Broadway’s Current Phantom on Broadway, joins the Lagniappe Theatre preceding his evening concert to offer an acting workshop and Q&A session to local patrons. Watch Mr. Crawford as he works with local students with acting and vocal work and lends his expertise to improve their skills. Immediately following the workshop, have a chance to ask Ben questions about his life, career, and the Broadway world. Cost: $20.00. Call: 318-48-STAGE. lagniappetheatre.com
Events
Ongoing-August: 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.
August 6-7: Save Cenla ASIST Training, LSUAg Center (8592 LA-1, Mansura), 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
August 6, 9, 11: Glass Act Neighborhood Pop Up Parties, 5:30pm-7:30pm. You’ve heard about it you’ve read about it, you’ve been waiting for it and, at last, glass recycling is coming. Beginning with neighborhood pop-up parties. August 6th: Garden District (Marye & 20th Streets); August 9th: Cherokee (5722 Navaho Trail); August 11th: Crossgates (Community Pool). Bring a bottle, bring a check, and bring a friend! Cost: Free. Contact: [email protected].
August 7 & September 4: 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.
August 10, 17, 24, 31 & September 7: 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.
August 11: 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.
August 14: 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!
August 18: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center on the Greens (90 Harold Miles Park, Boyce), 12:00pm. Speaker Mitzi LaSalle presents “The Impact of Hearing and Speaking the Word of God”. 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, August 13th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 337-349-4776
August 20: Parents’ Night Out Beach Party, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum (1403 Third Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-9:00pm. Drop off the kids at the museum for the evening! Beach themed activities, games and a pizza party! Open to kids ages 4 to 12. Pre-registration is required. Cost: $20.00 per child. Call: 318-619-9394.
August 21: Prepared Childbirth Class, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 9:00am-12:00pm. This class is taught by a childbirth instructor and 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. Mothers should plan to schedule this in the 6th or 7th month. Don’t wait until the last minute, as class availability depends on the number of registrants. Topics include progression of labor and birth, how to determine when you need to go to the hospital, pain management and C-sections. Please pre-register. Call: 318-769-4440.
Sports
August 7: Bulls, Bands and Barrels Tour, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 7:00pm. The Bulls, Bands and Barrels Tour is kicking it off in style! Featuring one of Louisiana’s most popular sons, Frank Foster, the Bulls, Bands and Barrels Tour will roll right into Louisiana featuring the rankest bulls in the southeast and the fastest equines. Bull, Bands and Barrels never fails to deliver in its promise to be three of the most exciting hours in westerns sports and entertainment. Intermission will feature the nail-biting competition freestyle bull fighting. Adding to the excitement, will be a special guest appearance by world renowned championship cowboy, Chris Shivers. Cost: $25.00 adults; $15.00 children (ticket prices increase by $5.00 at the door). Call: 800-745-3000.
August 7, 14, 21, 28 & September 4: Saturday Morning Qi Gong, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 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.
August 10, 17, 24, 31 & September 7: 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.
August 11: Harlem Globetrotters Spread Game Tour, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 7:00pm. The Spread Game Tour is a basketball event like no other. Ankle-breaking moves, jaw-dropping swag, and rim-rattling dunks are only some of the thrill you can expect from this fully modernized show. Part street ball from the players who defined it, part interactive family entertainment, the new tour will show off the best of the Globetrotters in a dazzling exhibition of talent and game. Cost: $15.00+. harlemglobetrotters.com
August 14: Yoga for Kids, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:30am.The Alexandria Museum of Art and Rapides Regional Medical Center have partnered to present Healthy Living @AMoA. On the second Saturday of each month a Lotus Vibes present a Kids Yoga class at the Museum. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458.
*All events subject to change in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.
