Art

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.

Ongoing-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

February 11-12: Mixed Media Workshop with Dusty Reed, River Oaks Square Art Center, 10:30am-4:30pm. Learn the mixed-media process of artist Dusty Reed. The workshop will begin by introducing students to compositional assemblage and found object connections that will lead to the creation of an original piece of art. Discussions will continue throughout the two-day workshop reinforcing the process and concepts. All objects and supplies needed to create a complete piece will be provided by the artist. Open to levels beginner to advanced. Space is limited; masks are required. Cost: $450.00. Call: 318-473-2670.

February 12: Opening Reception for Reed, Morace & Hope House, River Oaks Square Art Center, 5:00pm-7:00pm. Join River Oaks for the opening reception of three new exhibitions. Bolton Davis Gallery: “Picasseaux Not Picasso” The Art Of Dusty Reed; Stokes-Harris Gallery: “Hearts of Hope” Hope House with instructor Carla Guillory; Galerie de Amis: “Birds, Beast & Byways” by Leah Morace. Masks are required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-473-2670.

February 13: Figure Drawing in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10:00am-4:00pm. This adult workshop will focus on learning how to draw the human figure including capturing gesture, form, shading and technique. Instruction will include warm-up exercises, short and long pose compositions with a live model. All supplies are included. Registration is required. This is a full day workshop. Bring a lunch or pick up something downtown. You must be 21 to attend this class. Cost: $60.00 AMoA members; $80.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

March 1: 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

Music

February 25: Joy Clark—Tell it to the Wind, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:00pm. Like so many of the world’s most renowned musical artists, Joy Clark’s influences first began with gospel before delving into secular expression—like Sade, Shawn Colvin, Lenny Kravitz and Tracy Chapman. With each new discovery in sound, Joy’s unique style grew and evolved, culminating in the creation of her first band “Soulkestra” and winning the Delgado Songwriting Contest in 2017. She has delivered live performances at some of New Orleans’ most famous and beloved venues including Cafe Negril, Tipitina’s, The House of Blues, The Orpheum, and The Mint. This event has been designed to provide exceptional entertainment with special attention paid to social distancing. Guests will be asked to check in upon arrival and directed to their table. Please maintain social distancing at all times and masks are required by all guests and staff. Ticket holders may ‘bring your own’ spirits and refreshments for your table. Cost: $12.00 single ticket; $25.00 table for 2; $50.00 table for 4; $75.00 table for 6. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Events

Ongoing-February: 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.

February 17: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center on the Greens, 12:00pm. Our Speaker, Mitzi LaSalle will present “Impact of Hearing and Speaking the Word”. As the Director of Donor Relations at Evergreen Life Services, she will discuss this service, “Where Everyone Matters”. Invite a friend and join us for a delicious lunch and an inspiration message. 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, February 12th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 318-790-0415 or Email: [email protected].

February 19-20: Save Cenla ASIST Training, Pineville Park Baptist Church, 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. This 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).  Cost: Free. Call: 337-519-1888. SaveCenla.com

February 20: Oakland Plantation Illuminated Memorial, 4386 Highway 494, Natchez, LA, 6:30pm-8:00pm. As part of Black History Month, Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host a memorial illumination and tour event to remember and honor the people who were enslaved on Oakland Plantation. The tours will be outdoors, will cover about a half mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and will occur rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 200.

February 26: Tell Us Your Story, You’ve Got A Lot To Say, Alexandria Museum of Art, 3:30pm. Joy Clark is a New Orleans guitarist, singer/songwriter.  Her musical artistry feels like a  warm, fresh twist on the fervently familiar, and her tranquil yet ardent original creations boast a bluesy vibe with a splash of folk sensibility and a dash of alternative appeal.  Joy truly embodies the bliss that comes with creating melodies and rhythms to celebrate peace and the undeniable power  of love. Part performance and part conversation, Joy will lead participants through a discussion about storytelling and get a glimpse of how she uses life experiences and personal challenges to inform her songwriting. She also gives insight into how to identify and extract  what’s most valuable and honest in our struggles and gives participants the opportunity to apply it in their own artistic expression. Perfect for high school students and adults. Seating is limited. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

February 27: APD New Hire Physical Testing, Alexandria Senior High Football Stadium, 9:00am. The Alexandria Police Department will host a physical fitness assessment session for those interested in becoming police officers. The APD application process requires candidates to pass a physical fitness assessment which includes a 1.5 mile timed run, 1-minute of push-ups and 1-minute of sit-ups. Individuals may take the assessment even if they have not yet completed the civil service exam or submitted an application. Passing scores will be valid for up to six months. Police Academy staff members will be on hand to provide tips and pointers to help participants improve their scores and answer questions. Call: 318-441-6429.

February 27: Magnolia Plantation Illuminated Memorial, 5549 Highway 119, Derry, LA, 6:30pm-8:00pm. As part of Black History Month, Cane River Creole National Historical Park will host a memorial illumination and tour event to remember and honor the people who were enslaved on Magnolia Plantation. The tours will be outdoors, will cover about a half mile over uneven and unpaved ground, and will occur rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight and dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions. Magnolia Plantation can only be accessed via LA Highway 1. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 200.

Sports

February 9, 16, 23 & March 2: 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.

February 6, 13, 20, 27 & March 6: 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.