Art

Ongoing-December 31: Childhood Classics: 100 Years of Children’s Book Illustration, Alexandria Museum of Art.  This exhibition explores the history of children’s books from the turn of the century pen and ink Mother Goose art of Sarah Noble Ives, to the most popular works of today including the digital creations of Mo Willems. The exhibition features the original art of Dr. Seuss, the iconic Wild Things of Maurice Sendak and the perennial heroism of Garth Williams’ Stuart Little. Among the many classic illustrators featured are Rosemary Wells, Richard Scarry, Chris Van Allsburg and Hilary Knight. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Ongoing-December 31: 33rd September Competition.  The 33rd September Competition is an annual juried exhibition highlighting the work of contemporary artists in all media and styles created within the past two years. 50 artworks selected from over 450 international submissions are included in the exhibition and awards will be presented by juror Kristen Miller Zohn during the virtual opening. Visit the virtual exhibit at: https://33septcomp.themuseum.org/ Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Ongoing-February 13: 5th Annual 5x5x5 Exhibit, River Oaks Square Arts Center. The 5th Annual 5x5x5 juried by Virginia Chavis will be in the Bolton Davis Gallery. Upstairs will showcase the work of resident artist JoAnne Thompson. The students in the River Oaks Ceramics Outreach will display some of their work in the Stokes Harris Gallery. Masks are required in the galleries. Call: 318-473-2670.

December 10: Adult Online Painting Class, Rapides Parish Library Facebook Page, 4:30pm-5:30pm. Join Victoria on Facebook for a virtual painting class featuring elf feet. Please schedule pick-up for your grab-n-go paint kit in advance. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483. fb.me/rapideslibrary

December 21: Children’s Online Art Class, Rapides Parish Library Facebook Page, 4:30pm-5:00pm. Children join Miss Victoria on Facebook for a virtual art class featuring shrinky dink bookmarks. Please schedule pick up of your grab-n-go art class kit in advance. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483. fb.me/rapideslibrary

January 4: 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

January 8-February 20: PAUSE Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Art. There’s no question that 2020 has had a profound effect on all of us and provided artists with a wealth of emotional themes to draw from. PAUSE… is an opportunity for artists of all levels to share their unique personal experiences of their year thus far. Whether natural disasters, civil unrest, pandemic, or personal struggle, creative expression can be a powerful tool for coping. Themes of fear, isolation, and protest, as well as hope and faith, reflect the challenges and solutions present in our communities during 2020. All mediums are eligible. Artists ages 18 or older residing in the following Louisiana parishes are eligible to enter: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn Parishes. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

December 10: AMoA Holiday Jazz Concert, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:00pm-8:00pm.  Experience an outdoor concert and holiday celebration with jazz musicians Connye Florance and Kevin Madill. For proper social distancing, tables will be provided with candlelight, holiday treats and holiday décor including our favorite holiday luminaries! Ticket holders may bring your own refreshments for your table. Hot chocolate and spiced cider will be served. Seating is limited; masks are required. Cost: $12.00 Individual; $25.00 Couple; $50.00 Table for 4; $75.00 Table for 6. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Theatre

December 13: A Calvary Christmas Home Edition, 7:00pm-8:00pm. This year, Calvary Baptist Church brings A Calvary Christmas to you in the form of a special streamed video production! Visit https://calvarynet.net/acalvarychristmas/

Events

Ongoing-December: 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.

Ongoing-December 18: Letters to Santa, Libuse Branch Library. Children are invited to pick up a postcard to write to Santa. Libuse Branch has one of Santa’s special mailboxes, and we will get those letters to Santa by December 24th. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

Ongoing-December 19: Faux Glass Candleholder Craft, Boyce Branch Library. Visit Boyce Branch to pick up your grab-n-go faux glass candleholder craft while supplies last. Cost: Free. Call: 318-792-2182. www.rpl.org

Ongoing-January 6: Natchitoches Christmas Lights, Downtown Historic District and Cane River Lake. Enjoy dazzling light displays nightly as Natchitoches celebrates 94 years of the Christmas Festival. Spectacular fireworks displays will be launched every Saturday night through December 26th. Cost: Free. www.NatchitochesChristmas.com

December 7: Beaded Candy Cane Ornament Craft, Westside Regional Library. Children pick up your beaded candy cane ornament grab-n-go craft kit while supplies last. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483. www.rpl.org

December 7-14: Christmas Tree Craft, Libuse Branch Library. Adults are invited to pick up a Christmas tree grab-n-go-craft while supplies last. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

December 8-22: Gnome for the Holidays, Hineston Branch Library. Pick up a variety of Gnome grab-n-go craft kits for Holiday decorations while supplies last. Cost: Free. Call: 318-793-8461. www.rpl.org

December 8: Pet Pics with Santa, Montgomery Animal Hospital, 5:00pm-7:00pm. Receive a complimentary 5×7 photo of you, your pet, and Santa with donation of five non-perishable food items. This event will be primarily drive through. We ask that you stay in your car as you are directed to make your way around the loop. You will be able to get out with your family and pets to take your photograph with Santa. Santa’s helper will be passing out hot chocolate and cookies. Photographs will be taken by Gale Photography. Cost: 5 Non-perishable Food Items. Call: 318-473-8177.

December 9: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center on the Greens, 12:00pm. Our Speaker, Kristy Webb will present “Two Morticians and a Guy Named Judas: How I Became a Preacher’s Wife.” As a special feature-we will have Neila Craig owner of Doce Vida Brazilian Bakery. Invite a friend and join us for a delicious lunch and an inspirational message. Cost: $16.00. Call: 337-349-4776 or Email: [email protected].

December 9: Pet Pics with Santa, Alexandria Mall, 4:00pm-6:00pm.  Santa Claus will meet and greet his furry friends at the Alexandria Mall Santa Set located at Center Court. Owners can bring their small pets to have a photo taken with Santa and receive a special treat. Cost: $20.00. www.alexandriamall.com

December 11: Paper Plate Christmas Wreath, Johnson Branch Library. Children may pick up a  grab-n-go craft bag containing supplies to make a paper plate Christmas wreath.  Glue is not included.  Offered while supplies last. Cost: Free. Call: 318-776-5153. www.rpl.org

December 11: Christmas Movie Night, Alexandria Mall Center Court, 5:00pm-7:00pm. Join in the fun as we watch a screening of the film “The Grinch”. Cost: Free. www.alexandriamall.com

December 11-26: Christmas in the Park, 4343 University Parkway, Natchitoches, 6:00pm.  Step into a magical winter wonderland as Christmas In The Park kicks off its sixth season. Christmas in the Park provides the perfect setting for family memories this Christmas. Be merry and bright as you bask in the glow of 250,000+ dazzling LED lights in this growing holiday display with seasonal treats, character experiences, a gift shop and more! Cost: $6.00. ChristmasInTheParkLa.com

December 11: For the Love of Food, Rapides Parish Library Facebook Page, 6:00pm-6:30pm. Dianne Lundy demonstrates how to make an assortment of side salads perfect for  holiday meals on RPL’s Facebook page. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x1036. fb.me/rapideslibrary

December 17: Virtual S.T.E.M. Class, Rapides Parish Library Facebook Page, 4:30pm-5:30pm. Children join Miss Victoria on Facebook for a virtual S.T.E.M. class featuring Grinch slime. This class explores non-Newtonian fluids. Please schedule pick up of your S.T.E.M. kit in advance. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483. fb.me/rapideslibrary

December 19: Lantern Walk at Oakland Plantation, Cane River Creole National Historical Park, 6:00pm.  Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host an evening lantern walk of the grounds of Oakland Plantation for an after-dark experience of the plantation grounds.  Each participant carries a lantern as a park ranger guides the group on an outdoor walking tour of the grounds of historic Oakland Plantation. Visitors will learn about significant people and events in Oakland Plantation’s history. Pre-registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 x316.

Sports

December 9, 16, 23, 30 & January 6: 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.

December 12, 19, 26 & January 2: 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.