Arts
Ongoing – August 24: Artists Among Us: Faculty & Friends Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. Annual exhibition featuring artwork by LSUA Faculty and Staff, The Contemporary Artists’ Guild and Photographers Guild of Alexandria. Opening Reception and Artists’ Panel: Friday, June 28. Cost: $4 adults; $3 Seniors/students/military; free for LSUA Students and children 4 and younger. Call Alyssa Fridgen: 443-3458.
Ongoing – August 24: Pulp Icons: Stewart Nachmias, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tues.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. A group exhibition of contemporary Native artists explores created spaces transcending time and place. The illusion of a singular identity is unraveled through contemporary reworkings of weaving, performance, beadwork, storytelling, mythology, and symbolism, infusing both historical and contemporary processes and references. Imaginary space suspended beyond multiple realities highlight a more honest and accurate depiction of self and suggests new models of thinking and engaging with the world. Cost: $4 adults; $3 Seniors/students/military; free for LSUA Students and children 4 and younger. Call Alyssa Fridgen: 443-3458.
July 8-19 and 22-August 2: Summer Art Studio/Art Camp for Ages 5-13, River Oaks Square Arts Center, time: TBA. July 8-19: “A Little Surrealism?” featuring instructors Pat Phillips, Brenda Howell and Carole Steele. July 22-Aug. 2: “Animals & Abstracts-The Summer Finale” featuring instructors Kimberly Brannon, Janet Ahrens and Leslie Elliot Smith. Cost: $245 per child per two week session. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
July 8-12: AMoA Summer Art Camp “Face It” Session, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9:00am-4:00pm. Instructor Jason Gray will lead campers in creating self-portraits using printmaking, collage, drawing and painting. After practicing drawing the parts of the face, create Picasso-inspired masks from Styrofoam. The camp is broken into two sessions: Ages 6-9 from 9:00am-12:00pm; ages 10+ from 1:00-4:00pm. Cost: $75 for AMoA members; $100 for non-members. Call: (318) 443-3458. www.themuseum.org.
July 12: Exhibit Opening Reception, River Oaks Square Arts Center, time: TBA. Exhibit dates: July 9-Aug. 17. Featuring artists Cyndi Menton, Denise Lott, The Annual Resident Artists Show (over 40 artists) and Tish Fresh. Cost: Admission free. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
July 15-19: AMoA Summer Art Camp “Impressionable Impressions” Session, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9:00am-4:00pm. Instructor Anne Reid will lead campers to experiment with various techniques and materials, including foam core, matt board, linoleum, and objects from nature, to create inventive printmaking impressions. The camp is broken into two sessions: Ages 6-9 from 9:00am-12:00pm; ages 10+ from 1:00-4:00pm. Cost: $75 for AMoA members; $100 for non-members. Call: (318) 443-3458. www.themuseum.org.
July 20: AMoA Family Art Class: Pulp Art, Alexandria Museum of Art, 1-3p.m. Families and kids of all ages will create colorful images using paper pulp, after discussing the work of Stewart Nachmias. Cast off tissue, papers and fabric fibers find new life in these vibrant creations. Cost: Admission free to AMoA members and $20 per member family. Call Jenny Gallent: 443-3458.
August 5: Plein Air Painting” Adult Art Class, Alexandria Museum of Art, 8:30-11:30am. Learn how to paint landscapes ‘en plein air’ (in the open air) with Artist Margie Tate at this outdoor workshop. Participants should bring their own materials. Cost: $10 for members; $20 for non-members. Call Anne Reid: (318) 443-3458.
Dance
August 3: Nutcracker Auditions, Arts Annex, 2700 Lee St., 9a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by Red River Dance Theatre. All auditioning dancers will be cast in show. Girls please wear leotard, tights, ballet shoes and hair in bun. Boys wear t-shirt, athletic pants, socks or dance shoes. Show dates: November 24-26. Cost: $5 audition fee. Call Linda Mioton: 443-7500 or 792-1699. www.redriverdance.org
Music
July 18: Live Acoustic Concert Series, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30-8:30p.m. Come out and enjoy live music in a casual coffee house atmosphere in our café where various local and regional musical guests join host John Wakefield. Cost: AMoA members free, nonmembers $4 adults; $3 students/seniors/military. Call Anne Reid: 443-3458.
Theatre
July 8-13: My Imaginary Pirate, Martin Performing Arts Center at LC, 10:00am. Join One-Eyed Jack and his crew for a swashbuckling good time full of fun for all ages as the Summer Players present My Imaginary Pirate by Catherine Bush! Cost: $5.00 students; $7.00 adults. Call: 318-794-0216.
July 11-14: LTC Presents Greater Tuna, the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. Lagniappe Theatre Co presents Greater Tuna, a Southern Comedy sure to leave you in stitches. Two men, 20 characters, tons of costume changes and hilarious antics await you in this hilarious show that’s fun for all ages. Thursday , Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:00pm, with the Sunday matinee curtain set for 2:30pm. Call: (318) 48-STAGE. www.lagniappetheatre.com
July 18-28: Smokey Joe’s Café, Hearn Stage, Kress Theatre, 7:30p.m. Thurs.-Sat., 2:30p.m. Sun. Sponsored by City Park Players. Musical revue showcases 39 pop standards, including rock and roll and R&B songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Examples include “Charlie Brown”, “Spanish Harlem” and “There Goes My Baby”, etc. Cost: $15 general admission; $12 seniors; $7 students. Call City Park Players: 484-4478.
Events
Ongoing –August: Summer Safari Camp & Classes, Alexandria Zoo Education Center, time: TBA. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria and FOTAZ. Visit www.thealexandriazoo.com for fees and more information. Call Zoo Office: 441-6814.
Ongoing-August 15: YMCA of Central Louisiana Summer Day Camp, City Park YMCA, 1801 Sylvester Street, 7a.m.-6p.m. A summer full of fun! Children will enjoy basketball, swimming, arts and crafts, off-site field trips and much more. Financial assistance available. Cost: $45 registration fee per child; $65 per week 1st child; $60 per week 2nd child; $55 per week 3rd child. Call Courtney Paige: 449-4686.
Ongoing-July 19: Kids Inc., @ www.facebook.com/alexandriamall. Sponsored by Alexandria Mall. Does your kid dream of opening their own business? Find out how on the Mall Face Book page. Kids have a chance to set up shop and keep all the cash they earn. Cost: Admission free. Call Missy McKnight: 619-2754.
July 6: Breastfeeding Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Intended for women wanting to breastfeed their infants, this one-day class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on advantages, preparation and troubleshooting techniques. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for your baby. Research shows that learning about breastfeeding prenatally enhances your breastfeeding experience. The support partner/father is welcome to attend. Lunch is included. Call: 877-801-8441.
July 6: Breastfeeding Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Breastfeeding Class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on the benefits, techniques and concerns of breastfeeding. The father/support partner is welcome. Cost: $20. Call: 866-581-3627.
July 8: The Morning Widowed Persons Support Group, Power Center, 10:00am-11:30am. This is an on-going support group for men and women whose spouse has died. There will be group sharing time and this group has trained outreach volunteers who are available to the newly grieving. The Morning Widowed Support Group meets on the second Monday of each month and is sponsored by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
July 8: Look Good…Feel Better, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, Noon. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good…Feel Better is a free program led by a trained volunteer cosmetologist who teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients in active therapy. In order to provide complimentary cosmetics, advance registration is required. Please identify what color makeup kit you will need: light, medium, dark or extra dark. Call: (800) ACS-2345.
July 8: Bereaved Parents Support Group, Power Center, 6:30-7:30pm. This is an on-going support group for parents, grandparents whose child has died. Bereaved Parents Support Group has trained outreach volunteers who are available to the newly grieving parent or grandparent. This group is sponsored by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and meets on the first Monday of every month. Pre-registration is required. Brown bag supper begins at 6pm. Check out our Face Book page: Bereaved Parents of Cenla. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
July 9-12: Gardening Camp, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum, 9a.m.-Noon. Come learn all about using your green thumb. Learn the different types of fruits and vegetables and how and when to plant them. Children will be working outside and inside and get to start their very own plant to grow at home. This camp is funded by The Rapides Foundation. Cost: $10 deposit; $60 members; $70 nonmembers.
July 9: Sibling Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. This class is a fun, interactive class designed specifically for young siblings who are expecting a new baby in the home. Cost: $10 per family. Call: 866-581-3627.
July 10: Diabetes Group Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Auditorium, 9 a.m. – Noon. Rapides Regional Medical Center is offering a free program designed for adults with newly diagnosed diabetes and for people needing a refresher course in diabetes management. This is a basic diabetes program; therefore no physician referral is required. The program content follows the American Diabetes Association guidelines and uses a variety of teaching methods to enhance learning. Topics include meal planning, monitoring blood sugar, medications, complications, and learning to deal with a chronic disease. The course is taught by Sandy Couvillon, Registered Dietitian, and Amie Starks, Registered Nurse. Space is limited, please pre-register. Cost: Free. Call: (318) 769-3106.
July 11: March of Dimes Healthy Baby Shower, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 10:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. The March of Dimes is hosting a Healthy Baby Shower pregnancy workshop for expectant mothers to provide helpful information about prenatal care, breastfeeding, importance of full-term pregnancies, safe sleep and eating healthy on a budget. Additional information will be provided about resources available to low income, expectant mothers. Free baby care items, food and prizes will be given out. Space is limited, please register by July 9th. Call: (318) 290-2496.
July 13: Second Saturday Market, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9a.m.-1p.m. Shop handmade art, specialty products and the freshest produce from local farmers. Stroll the galleries to view the current exhibitions. Children’s art activity and live music round out this free monthly event. Cost: Admission free. Call Jenny Gallent: 443-3458.
July 15: Cancer Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, Noon. If you or someone you know has cancer, or you are a caretaker of someone with cancer, please join this group on the third Monday of each month. A light meal will be served. Please pre-register. Call: (318) 769-7200.
July 17: Cancer Survivors Group, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, Noon. The guest speaker will be Karla Acuna, RN, BSN, who will be speaking on “Health Basics”. Call Miranda: 318-466-6074.
July 18: Safe Sitters Class, RRMC Education Department, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For boys and girls ages 11 to 13. Learn the basic skills you need to be a safe and successful babysitter. This medically-accurate, hands-on class teaches sitters how to entertain children and keep them safe, how to perform basic child care skills, how to call for emergency help, what to do when a child chokes, how to keep themselves safe and how to start a successful babysitting business. Class size is limited; please pre-register. Cost: $40 per child (includes lunch and supplies). Call: 769-3445.
July 18: Parkinson’s Support Group, Power Center, 11:00am-12:30pm. This group meets on the third Thursday of each month and is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their family/caregiver. We offer educational handouts and programs plus a chance to share with others. Lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Please pre-register. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
July 18: Better Breathers Club, Rapides Health and Lifestyles Center, 724 Scott Street, Noon. Rapides Regional Medical Center offers the American Lung Association’s “Better Breathers Club” for patients with chronic lung disease. This is the only Better Breathers Club in Central Louisiana. The meetings will include guest speakers and a chance to ask questions of your own. Lunch is provided. Please pre-register. Call: (318) 769-3776.
July 18: Pink Ribbon Club, Christus Cabrini Women’s Life Center, 5:30 p.m. This breast cancer support group is for education, advocacy and support of breast cancer patients and survivors. Call: 866-581-3627.
July 18: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Support Group, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm. Please pre-register. Call: 866-581-3627.
July 20: Prepared Childbirth Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This one-day class, taught by a certified childbirth instructor, prepares couples for the actual delivery. Topics include stages of labor and delivery, when to go to the hospital, pain management, assisted delivery, Cesarean birth as well as a tour of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A light lunch will be provided. Please pre-register. Call: 877-801-8441.
July 20: Childbirth Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. This class is designed especially for expecting couples from early pregnancy through the delivery process. All classes are taught by certified childbirth educators. Cost: $30. Call: 866-581-3627.
July 20: Fairytale Ball, Center Court, Alexandria Mall, 1p.m. Sponsored by Lagniappe Theatre and Alexandria Mall. Come one; come all to Alexandria Mall’s Fairytale Ball! Crafts, refreshments, photo opportunities with a bevy of character princesses. Cost: Admission free. Call Missy McKnight: 619-2754.
July 20: Pulp Art Family Art Class, Alexandria Museum of Art, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Families and kids of all ages will create colorful images using paper pulp, after discussing the work of Stewart Nachmias. Cast-off tissue, paper and fabric fibers find new life in these vibrant creations. Cost: Free for AMoA members; $20 for non-members. Call: (318) 443-3458. www.themuseum.org.
July 20: Central Louisiana Sarcoidosis and Autoimmune Support Group, Stalnaker’s Seafood Restaurant, 6:00pm-8:00pm. Come enjoy a supportive environment for those with Autoimmune disease. This event will feature times for sharing, patient handouts and fun door prizes. Call: 318-541-1001.
July 22-26: Junior Engineers, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum, 9a.m.-Noon. A camp for boys and girls who love trains. The children will work together to build a model train layout with the help of a few engineers. Only 6 spots available on a first come first served basis. A spot will be held when payment is made in full. Must be 7 or older to participate. Cost: $60 members; $70 nonmembers. Call Katy Michiels: 619-9394.
July 22-26: Summer Genealogy and History Camp, Alexandria Historical and Genealogical Library and Museum, 9:00am – 12:00noon. Students ages 11-15 are invited to attend and learn how to research their family history. Registration forms are available at the Genealogy Library or any branch of the Rapides Parish Library. Cost: $10. Call: 318-487-8556.
July 22: The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Power Center, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. This group is designed for Caregivers and/or family members of those diagnosed with Alzheimer/Dementia. We offer educational handouts, sharing time, and lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. The Alzheimer Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of each month. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
July 22: The Alzheimer’s Activity Group, Power Center, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The activity group will be offered for those with Alzheimer’s disease. The staff from Emeritus Senior Living will offer appropriate activities with a fun, hands-on approach. This group meets on the fourth Monday of the month in conjunction with the Caregivers Support Group. The caregiver must attend the Caregivers Group and stay on campus during this group time. Lunch is provided by Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
July 22: Breathing and Relaxation, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Taught by a certified childbirth instructor, this class will be an in-depth opportunity to practice breathing and relaxation techniques and other comfort measures for labor and delivery. The support partner/father is encouraged to attend. Bring pillows to class. Please pre-register. Call: 877-801-8441.
July 25: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6 p.m. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call: (800) 644-9730.
July 26-27: Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration, Rosedown Plantation and St. Francisville area. Sponsored by the Feliciana Nature Society. The event will include a Friday evening speaker and the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up close as they are banded at two private homes in the St. Francisville area. Hummingbird-friendly plants will be available for sale. The Celebration will begin with a wine and cheese reception, and speaker on Friday evening at 6:00pm. Cost: $10. Call: 800-789-4221. www.stfrancisville.us.
July 27: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9am. Please pre-register. Call: 866-581-3627.
August 3: Back to School Bash, Alexandria Mall Center Court, Noon-2p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mall. Party with a cast of costume characters during our Back to School Bash! Free Activities and goody bags to the first 100 kids. Cost: Admission free. Call Missy McKnight: 619-2754.
August 5: Kids World, JC Penney Court, Alexandria Mall, 10a.m.
Sponsored by Alexandria Mall Chick-Fil-A. Children’s activity club featuring free fun and educational experiences for kids 12 and under. Cost: Admission free. Call Missy McKnight: 619-2754.
August 6: Family Fun Movie Night, Center Court, Alexandria Mall, 6p.m. Family friendly movies. Dr. Seuss’ the Lorax. Cost: Admission free. Call Missy McKnight: 619-2754.
Sports
Ongoing-August 8: YMCA Swim Lessons, Alexandria Family YMCA, 1831 Turner St., mornings and evenings. Lessons available for ages 6 months to adult. Private lessons available upon request. Financial assistance available. Cost: $65 per session members; $75 per session nonmembers. Call Susan Williams: 445-8261.
July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art, 5:30p.m. Yoga is offered free of charge every Tuesday, thanks to a grant from the Rapides Foundation. Yoga instructor, b. Hedrick is an ascetic Taoist yogi with 14 years of yoga practice. Yoga Tao is for all experience levels, incorporating spirit-mind-body techniques. Cost: Admission free. Call Jenny Gallent: 443-3458.
July 11: Hatha Yoga Class, Power Center, 4:00pm-5:15pm. This class meets every Thursday. Some yoga experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Call Becky Watkins: 448-6938.
