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

January 8: 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

January 14: Adult Painting Class,  Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria), 9:00am-10:00am. Join Westside Regional Library staff in an acrylic on canvas painting session featuring a red cardinal. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x 1902. www.rpl.org

January 21: Children’s Art Class, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria), 9:00am-10:00am. Join Ms. Victoria for an in-person art class to create a work based on the Lascaux Cave Paintings. These early cave paintings are the first ever examples of art in history. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x 1902. www.rpl.org

February 7: 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

Music

January 15: Lil’ Nate and the Zydeco Big Timers, Paragon Casino Resort Mari Showroom (711 Paragon Place, Marksville), 8:00pm. Enjoy a night of Zydeco, R&B, and Southern Soul with Lil’ Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers! Additional performances by Jeff Floyd and Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco HotBoyz. Soundtrack for the night provided and hosted by DJ Troy-D. Cost: $25.00.

Theatre

February 3-5, 10-12: tlc Presents “Fences”, Martin Performing Arts Center, Louisiana Christian University (Pineville), 7:00pm. Set in the 1950s, “Fences” is the sixth in August Wilson’s ten-part “Pittsburgh Cycle”. Like all of the “Pittsburgh” plays, Fences explores the evolving African-American experience and examines race relations, among other themes. The play won the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play. Cost: $15.00 General Admission; $12.00 Senior Citizens & Students; $5.00 LCU Students, Faculty & Staff; $10.00 Groups of 10+. Call: 318-613-4064.

Events

Ongoing-January: 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.

January 7: Children’s STEM Jack Frost Slime Class, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria), 9:00am-10:00am. Discover the science behind slime when you participate in this Jack Frost slime-making session. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x 1902. www.rpl.org

January 7: Beginning Excel, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 10:00am-11:00am. Covers the basics for entering data, applying formulas, formatting and printing. Create a basic budget and learn techniques for embellishing for professional looking printed results. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

January 7: No Sew Rope Basket, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 10:30am-11:30am. Adults are invited to create a no-sew rope basket with us. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

January 7: Animal Cookie No Sew Pillows, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 5:30pm-6:30pm. The cookies of childhood have become a no-sew pillow with this month’s craft for teens at Libuse. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

January 8: 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!

January 10: Ancestry Library Intro Class, Rapides Main Library (411 Washington St, Alexandria), 9:30am-10:30am. Join Sonya Jeter for an introduction to Ancestry.com Library Edition and begin research on your family tree. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1022. www.rpl.org

January 11, 18, 25 & February 1, 8: 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.

January 12: 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.

January 13: Calming Jar Craft, J.W. McDonald Branch Library (1075 LA-497, Glenmora), 3:30pm-4:30pm. Join us for a calming jar craft session. Cost: Free. Call: 318-748-4848. www.rpl.org

January 14: Kids’ Power Hour, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 5:30pm-6:30pm. Make a DIY Lava Lamp during Kid’s Power Hour this month! Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

January 19: Cenla Women’s Connection Christmas Luncheon, Wyndham Garden Alexandria (2301 North MacArthur Drive), 12:00pm. Carol Braud Mayeaux will be presenting “God is Good.” Bring a friend and  join us for this wonderful celebration, a delicious meal, and an inspirational message! Please RSVP by Friday, January 14th. Cost: $18.00. Call: 337-349-4776.

January 20: As Young As You Feel, Rapides Main Library (411 Washington St, Alexandria), 10:00am-11:00am. Enjoy fellowship and fun as we gather to play games. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1036. www.rpl.org

January 20: Snowmen Early Literacy Family Storytime, Wettermark Branch Library (1177 Haywood B. Joiner St, Boyce). Cozy up for some cool snowman stories, a simple craft and coloring. Ages 2 – 5 years. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-793-5954. www.rpl.org

January 21: As Young As You Feel, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 10:30am-11:30am. Adults are invited to tap into their whimsy playing games. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

January 22: High Tea Party, J.W. McDonald Branch Library (1075 LA-497, Glenmora), 10:00am-12:00pm. Enjoy a delightful tea party and book discussion during National Hot Tea month! Cost: Free. Call: 318-748-4848. www.rpl.org

January 22-23: Spirit of Mardi Gras, Kent Plantation House (3601 Bayou Rapides, Alexandria). Join Melissa Scarborough, Louisiana’s First Whiskey Sommelier Level III for a whiskey and king cake pairing event.  Saturday’s event begins at 6:00pm; Sunday’s event begins at 2:00pm.  Open to patrons 20 years of age and older only. Seating is limited; reservations are required. Call: 318-487-5998.

January 24: Sibling Class, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room (501 Medical Center Drive, Alexandria), 6:30pm-8:00pm. This class is offered to children expecting a little brother or sister. It helps them understand where mom is when the baby is being born and lets them know how important it is to become a big brother or sister. The ideal age for this class is 3-10. Registration is required. Call: 318-769-4440.

January 25: Come Write In, Rapides Main Library (411 Washington St, Alexandria), 5:30pm-6:30pm. Learn to write creatively during this monthly session held at Main Library. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1036. www.rpl.org

January 28: Teen Craft DIY Snow Globes, Libuse Branch Library (6375 Hwy 28 East, Libuse), 4:00pm-5:00pm. Teens will enjoy crafting their own snow globe! Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

February 5: 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 is welcome and invited to come to enjoy breakfast with us! Cost: $7.00.

February 5: 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

January 8, 15, 22, 29 & February 5: 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

January 8: 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, Lotus Vibes present a Kids Yoga class at the Museum. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

January 11, 18, 25 & February 1, 8: 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

January 22: The Greatest Show on Dirt, Rapides Parish Coliseum (5600 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 7:30pm. The Greatest Show on Dirt stampedes into Rapides Parish! Legendary professional rodeo producers Harper & Morgan are in Alexandria for the first time ever! All the action-packed rodeo events include bucking horses, bull riding, roping, and wrestling. Rodeo clowns, bullfighters, and real-life cowboys! Featuring world famous roman and trick rider Dusti Dickerson. Get your tickets early to save money. Cost: $13.00+.

January 29: 4th Biennial Cenla Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Festival, Kees Park Civic Center (2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville), 8:30am-3:30pm. Seminars, casting clinics, fly tying and jig making demonstrations, exhibitors and more.  Presentations cover fly fishing, crappie fishing, bass fishing, marsh fishing.  There’s also a raffle of fishing items to benefit The Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Hosted by the Kisatchie Fly Fishers. Cost: Free. Call Glen Cormier: 318-793-5855. www.kisatchiefly.org

January 29: Spirits 5K and Beer Mile, Spirits Food and Friends (1200 Texas Ave, Alexandria), 12:00pm. 22nd Annual 5K benefiting Manna House Ministries.  This race will start and Finish at Spirits. You will run through the Beautiful Historic Garden District. Join us after the race for a great finishing party including food, drinks, and fellowship with great friends. What is a Beer Mile? The concept is simple: a beer every quarter mile for 1 mile. Sounds easy? Not quite. The race will start at Spirits and finish four beers later with a heart-pounding sprint to the finish. All beer for the Beer Mile provided by Huckleberry Brewery. If you are feeling courageous you can sign up for both races at a discounted rate. Register at runsignup.com/Race/LA/Alexandria/Spirits5K1mile

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