Art

Ongoing-February 19: Monumental—Colossal Works from the Collection, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Looking back through art history, there are many examples of large scale works. Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Monet among others created enormous works that commanded power and captured the imagination. The practice of creating monumental works continues today often focused on making an impact within a space. In this exhibition, AMoA shares a selection of large scale works from the collection including pieces by Bill Illes and Margaret Evangeline. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 6 & January 3: 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

December 7: Creativity Launchpad—Watercolors, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:00pm.  Launch Pad classes offer a rotation of mediums to provide a well-rounded art experience, designed for the beginner, intermediate and advanced students. Registration is required. You must be 21 or older to attend this class. Cost: Free AMoA Members; $20.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 11: 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

Music

December 17: The Highwaymen Tribute Show, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 7:30pm. The Jena Band of Choctaws presents The Highwaymen Live! Perhaps the greatest country music super group in history, the Highwaymen traveled the world performing country music to millions of fans. You will watch in amazement as each song, one hit after another is sung just as if they were seeing the original band perform. This country music tribute show is full of upbeat, honky-tonk hits like Ring of Fire, Dukes of Hazard, and On the Road Again. Cost: $25.00-$45.00. rpclive.org

December 18: AMoA Holiday Homecoming Concert, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Join the Alexandria Museum of Art for their annual holiday concert, featuring festive favorites and some special arts community guests! Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 18: Come Home for Christmas Concert, OLPS Catholic Church (2120 Elliott Street, Alexandria), 6:30pm. Join OLPS and the Josh Blakesley Band, who will be playing all of your favorite Christmas and Advent songs! Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Food vendors will be available on site. Cost: $10.00 General Admission; Children 5 & under Free. Call: 318-445-3693.

Theatre

December 9-11: Tuna Christmas, The Hearn Stage (1102 3rd Street, Alexandria). Play On Theatre Company presents “A Tuna Christmas”, a broad comedy set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. The plot centers on the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest, won 14 times in a row by Vera Carp. A mysterious “Christmas Phantom” has the contestants on edge. Among the subplots are Stanley Bumiller’s attempts to end his probation and leave Tuna, Bertha Bumiller’s struggle to hold her family together at Christmastime, and Joe Bob Lipsey’s fight to mount successfully his production of “A Christmas Carol” despite the town controller of the electric company threatening to turn the lights off. The play is both an affectionate commentary and withering satire of small town, Southern life and attitudes. Two actors play all 20 zany characters. Shows begin Thursday through Saturday at 7:00pm; Saturday matinee at 2:00pm. Cost: $15.00. Call: 318-623-6561. playontheatrecompany.com

December 10-12: Little Women, Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St., Alexandria). Alexandria Senior High School Theatre presents Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s life. Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested–her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. Performances December 10th at 10:00am & 7:00pm; December 11th at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; and Sunday at 2:00pm. Cost: $12.00 General Admission; $10.00 Seniors & Military (w/ ID); $8.00 Students/Children. Call: 504-400-2283.

December 17: Christmas Under The Stars, Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St., Alexandria), 7:00pm. Come celebrate the holidays with Alexandria Senior High School Theatre! We’ll be singing some of your favorite Christmas classics, some new contemporary holiday hits, holiday themed skits and more! This hour long presentation will end with a special appearance from Santa himself! Bring the entire family! Cost: $10.00. Call: 318-767-2600.

Events

Ongoing-December: 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.

Ongoing-December 29: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 5:30pm-9:00pm. One of Cenla’s most beloved traditions is back for even more nights of lights this holiday season! Create wonderful holiday memories on select evenings in December at Holiday Light Safari. See the Zoo in a different light with a casual stroll through the Zoo’s colorful environment sparkling with thousands of lights and whimsical lighted animal figures. Share your wish list with Santa through December 23, hop aboard the train for a merry ride, find the perfect holiday gift at the Zootique, and enjoy tasty treats from the Palm Cafe. Open weekends December 19th; December 22nd, 23rd and daily 26th through 29th. Cost: $8.00 General admission; $6.00 FOTAZ members; Under 4 Free. Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

December 7-8, 10-11 & 16-17: 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. December7-8: Vidalia Baptist Church; December 10-11: LSU Ag Center Mansura; December 16-7: Pineville Park Baptist Church. 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

December 7, 14, 21, 28 & January 4: 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.

December 8: Cenla Women’s Connection Christmas Luncheon, Wyndham Garden Alexandria (2301 North MacArthur Drive), 12:00pm. Melody Grace presents “The Gift”. Also featuring special music to celebrate the season. Bring a friend and  join us for this wonderful celebration, a delicious meal, and an inspirational message! Please RSVP. Cost: $18.00. Call: 337-349-4776

December 8: 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.

December 9-12: AlexWinterFête, Downtown Alexandria. Alex Winter Fête is back with several returning favorite attractions like letters to Santa, ice skating and spectacular fireworks, along with new activities for everyone to enjoy. This winter celebration is open to all ages with numerous must-see events. Cost: Free. alexwinterfete.com

December 9: Book Signing with Author Michael Lois Kuk, Venon Parish Library (1401 Nolan Trace, Leesville) 3:00pm-5:00pm. Kuk is the retired fire chief for the Joint Readiness Training Center and U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Polk. He will be on hand to sign copies of his book “An Army Firefighter in Vietnam 1970-1971”. Cost: Free. Call: 337-239-2027.

December 11: Gingerbread Workshop, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum (1403 3rd St., Alexandria), 1:00pm-4:00pm. Join the T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum for a Gingerbread Workshop! Children will be provided with everything needed to build a gingerbread house that they can take home! Please pre-register. Cost: $20.00. Call: 318-619-9394.

December 11: 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!

December 11: Christmas in the Dog Park, Hynson Dog Park (Gilbert Street, Alexandria), 2:00pm. Bring the family and your four-legged friends to enjoy puppy painting, holiday pet pictures, raffles, games treat bar, doggy holiday costume/sweater contest and more! Please bring a lawn chair. All proceeds benefit local rescues.

December 11: Garden District Holiday Tour of Homes, 4:00pm-7:00pm. The Garden District brings back its much loved holiday tradition with the Tour of Homes. Each year, this festive tour showcases the history, architecture, and gracious living in Alexandria’s oldest neighborhoods. This year’s tour will feature The First Church Christ-Scientist Edifice at 1734 Albert Street; The Kellam-Redmond-Hughes Home at 1924 White Street; The Adams-Farrington-Lord Home at 2101 Elliott Street; The Michael Small Residence at 903 Pierson Street; and The Kahn-Davis Home at 3132 Marye Street. Cost: $25.00.

December 13: Lady Chops Presents “Here Come The Bells, So Many Bells…”, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Place, Alexandria), 6:00pm. This is a high energy, interactive show for all ages featuring favorite holiday hits! Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Feliz Navidad, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, and of course, Little Drummer Boy (or girl) and more! And yes, there will be a whole lot of sleigh bells involved. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483. www.rpl.org

December 17: Adult Orphans Support Group, Buckets Restaurant (111 Maryhill Rd, Pineville), 6:00pm-9:00pm. This support group is geared towards individuals with no (or few) living relatives seeking to make meaningful connection. Please call to pre-register. Cost: Free. Call: 318-589-8004.

December 18: Space Saturday, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Place, Alexandria), 5:00pm. Join us for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, meet an astrophysicist virtually during a live zoom session, and participate in a rocket building S.T.E.M. activity while you enjoy space snacks and orange Tang. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 ext 1906. www.rpl.org

December 18: Cedric the Entertainer, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 8:00pm. Rapides Parish Coliseum welcomes a King of Comedy to Cenla. Cost: $45.00-$75.00. rpclive.org

December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sports

December 7, 14, 21, 28 & January 4: 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

December 11: Rapides Urgent Care Ugly Sweater Run, Downtown Alexandria, 8:00am. Put on your ugliest of sweaters–or running gear–and take part in Rapides Urgent Care’s Ugly Sweater 5K run. Proceeds benefit the Girls on the Run program in Central Louisiana. Register online at alexwinterfete.com. Cost: $30.00.

December 11 & 18: 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. themuseum.org

December 11: 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. themuseum.org

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