Art

Ongoing-December 29: “People & Places” A Photographic Collection, Gallery on the Square (122 East Mark Street, Marksville). Gallery on the Square presents the work of local photographer, Shannon Kojis Fender through the month of December. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Call: 318-264-1826.

Ongoing-January 10: Metamorphosis, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). Internationally award-winning artist Eric Hess of Sanctuary Arts School in Shreveport brings his new project titled Metamorphosis to AMoA starting in November. You will not want to miss this collection of 17 works of art created by eco-conscious artists from around Louisiana who create art from usually discarded materials including wood, metal, glass, plastic, paper, and found objects. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Ongoing-February 3: River Oaks Square Arts Exhibitions, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria). The 8th Annual 5x5x5 Show National Call for Miniature Works returns with Guest Juror, Tom Richard. Charissa Owens presents, “L’amour de la Vie,” a tribute to “The Love of Living,” in the Galerie des Amis along with the 2023 Art for All Ceramics and Painting Outreach Program Exhibition in the Stokes-Harris Gallery. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

Ongoing-February 17: The Global Language of Headwear, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality explores the vital role of ceremonial headwear throughout diverse cultural customs, beliefs, and rituals. The exhibit features approximately 89 hats and headdresses from 43 different countries spanning five continents. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 9: Second Saturday at the Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 Second St, Alexandria). Enjoy the Alexandria Museum of Art without admission charge on the second Saturday of the month. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 9: Multicolor Printmaking, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-4:00pm. Join print master, Madilyn Anderson to learn and expand your knowledge of creative printmaking techniques. With inspiration of Francis Pavy from the AMoA Permanent Collection, this workshop will guide participants through the Lino print process, including planning, execution and layering with color, to complete a series of limited edition prints! Open to ages 21+. All supplies included. Cost: $60.00 AMoA members; $80.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 12: Creatives Round Table, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:30pm. Are you an artist or creative in Central Louisiana? Are you looking for a place to come and talk to other creatives? Join us for the Creative Round Table! Being an artist can be isolating, but we can lift each other up! Do you want to learn about grants and artist calls? Talk about process? Maybe you want to learn how other artists market their art or ship their art? Well, come on! Let’s talk about it! No need to register. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

December 10: DRUMLine Live! Holiday Spectacular, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. The “DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular” takes you on an unforgettable musical journey through the most beloved chart-topping holiday classics. Imagine the festive sounds of holiday cheer combining Gospel, Jazz, Soul, Motown rhythms, and The Nutcracker Suite mixed with a hip-hop beat and the driving force of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band. Cost: $20.00-$37.00 Adults; $15.00 Students. louisiana-arts.org

December 14: “Remarkable” Christmas Concert, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (626 4th St, Alexandria), 7:30pm. Red River Chorale presents this joyful concert featuring a dozen small choral gems from every major era in musical history, from medieval times to the current time, all guaranteed to fill you with Christmas joy! The audience will be invited to join the Chorale in the singing of the “Hallelujah Chorus,” from Handel’s “Messiah.” Cost: $15.00 adults; $5.00 students. redriverchorale.com

December 31: Singin’ In The New Year with Chapel Hart, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd Alexandria), 9:00pm. RPC is Singin’ In The New Year with America’s Got Talent stars Chapel Hart! Chapel Hart has an amazing ability to tug on your heartstrings with a tender yet powerful ballad, then have you pumping your fist in unison to the pulse of hard-hitting rock and roll.  There will be a balloon drop and confetti cannons at midnight. Cost: $35.00; $840 VIP Table for 8. rpclive.org

Theatre

December 14-17: A Calvary Christmas, Calvary Baptist Church (5011 Jackson Street, Alexandria). Calvary is thrilled to present A Calvary Christmas in 2023 as a gift to our community. This two-act production will feature a live orchestra, choirs of all ages, stunning visual effects, and the Living Nativity! Of course, at the heart of this production will be the simple story of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ…and the glorious hope we have in our Savior! Performances begin nightly Thursday through Saturday at 7:00pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00pm. Cost: $10.00. Call: 318-445-1426. calvarynet.net

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 28: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 5:30pm-8:30pm. Create wonderful holiday memories with a casual stroll through the Zoo’s colorful environment sparkling with thousands of lights and whimsical lighted animal figures. Holiday Light Safari will be open Nov. 24-26; Dec. 15-17; Dec. 1-3; Dec. 20-23; Dec. 8-10; and Dec. 26-28. Holiday Light Safari is a separately-ticketed event; FOTAZ Memberships and other Zoo Passes are not valid during Holiday Light Safari. Cost: $10.00 Adults; $8.00 Children (ages 2-12); Infants under 2 Free. Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

December 9: Holiday Signatures, Oakland Plantation (4386 Highway 494, Natchez), 11:00am-1:30pm. Create holiday cards for loved ones and send some holiday cheer to our friends at Natchitoches Community Care Center. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 316.

December 9: Garden District Neighborhood Holiday Tour of Homes, Alexandria Garden District, 3:00pm-6:00pm. Everyone is invited to take a guided tour of five of the Garden District’s most unique and historic homes. The tour begins at First United Methodist Church Alexandria. Sponsored by the Garden District Neighborhood Foundation. Cost: $25.00. Call: 504-606-4712.

December 12, 19, 26 & January 2: 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 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.

December 15-16: Save Cenla ASIST Training, St. Alphonse Church (3659 Main Street, Hessmer), 7:00am-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 and CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund. Cost: Free. Call: 337-519-1888. SaveCenla.com/ASIST.

December 15: Central Louisiana Ultra Comics, Fighting Hand Brewing Company (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 7:30pm. Bells jingling. Laughs Tingling. Maybe even a carol or two! Come join us. Ages 21 and up. Cost: $10.00. Call: 318-704-0272.

December 16: Let’s Make An Ornament, Oakland Plantation (4386 Highway 494, Natchez), 11:00am-1:30pm. Create your very own holiday ornament. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 316.

December 16: Magical Market, Fighting Hand Brewing Company (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 5:00pm-9:00pm. Magical Market is Cenla’s fastest growing community vendor event. Established in 2020 with the vision of bringing local artists, crafters, and fellow visionaries together in unity, Magical Market celebrates turning the mundane into magic through the beauty of unique creations. Find Magical Market on Facebook @magicalmarketlouisiana. Must be 21+. Cost: Free. Call: 318-704-0272.

December 27: Board Games and Brews, Fighting Hand Brewing Company (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:00pm. Join the Central Louisiana Gamers’ Guild for an evening of tabletop gaming. Ages 21 and up. Cost: Free. Call: 318-704-0272.

December 31: New Year’s Eve in Paris, Hotel Bentley (200 DeSoto Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm-12:00am. The evening starts with champagne and cocktails at 6:00pm, followed by a five-course Parisian inspired dinner at 7:00pm. Dance the night away with The Wise Guys until ringing in the new year with a toast at midnight. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana History Museum. Cost: $250.00. Call: 318-487-8556.

January 6: 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.

January 6: 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

December 12, 19, 26, January 2: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:45pm. Classes taught by Learn with Laci. 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. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

*All events subject to change.