Art

Ongoing-July 12: George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts Contest Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). This exhibition features finalists chosen from entries by Louisiana high schools’ juniors and seniors in the George Rodrigue Foundation Art Contest. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Ongoing-August 5: 2023 Resident Artist Summer Show, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria). This year’s Resident Artist Summer Show promises a stellar exhibition, bringing together the artists’ personal favorites in terms of subjects, media, and inspiration. Concurrently, we are thrilled to showcase exhibitions by our very own Jane Crowell and local artist Madilyn Anderson in the Galerie des Amis and the Stokes-Harris Gallery, respectively. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

July 8: 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

July 11: Creativity Launch Pad—Acrylics, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:00pm. Launch your creativity in this on-going adult (21+) art education series for any and all skill levels seeking a relaxed creative environment in which to learn, receive instruction, experiment with mediums with other adults. Launch Pad classes offer a rotation of mediums to provide a well-rounded art experience, designed for the beginner, intermediate and advanced students. All supplies are included. Classes meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Cost: $10.00 AMoA Members; $20.00 Non-Members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

July 11: Creative 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

July 22: Hand-Building Ceramics, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-4:00pm. This workshop will offer a strong foundation in hand-building techniques needed to create sculptural and utilitarian forms. Optional Glazing: Saturday, August 5th from 10:00am-2:00pm for an additional fee. Cost: $25.00 AMoA members; $40.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

August 1: Creativity Launch Pad—Watercolors, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:00pm. Launch your creativity in this on-going adult (21+) art education series for any and all skill levels seeking a relaxed creative environment in which to learn, receive instruction, experiment with mediums with other adults. Launch Pad classes offer a rotation of mediums to provide a well-rounded art experience, designed for the beginner, intermediate and advanced students. All supplies are included. Classes meet on the first Tuesday of every month. Cost: $10.00 AMoA Members; $20.00 Non-Members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

July 13: The Waymores, Spirit Food & Friends (1200 Texas Ave, Alexandria), 6:30pm. Get ready to groove! This sensational acoustic HonkyTonk Americana duo, hailed for their incredible talent and international touring, is coming from Atlanta to give you an unforgettable performance. Bring your friends, soak up the Louisiana vibes, and get ready to dance the night away! Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-4491.

July 22: 43rd Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Fest, Prather Coliseum (220 S Jefferson St, Natchitoches), 9:00am. The Folk Fest will feature three stages of music with Cajun, zydeco, blues, Celtic, and country music, free Cajun and zydeco dance lessons, and many traditional food vendors. The Festival will also include a gumbo cook-off, blacksmithing, KidFest, over 70 crafts persons, a harmonica workshop taught by Ed Huey, and the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship from 1-4 PM. Music headliners feature Rusty Metoyer and the Zydeco Krush, the Jambalaya Cajun Band and the Cajun Stompers, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue, Hugh Harris and the Drifting Cowboys, The Russell Welch Hot Quartet with special guest Aurora Nealand, traditional Native American songs and dances with the Rising Sun Youth Choctaw-Apache of Ebarb Dance Group, and blues by Jimmy “Duck” Holmes. Cost: $10.00 adults; $6.00 evening pass; Children 0-12 Free. Call: 318-357-4332.

Theatre

July 10-14: CPP Summer Theatre Workshop, Kress Theatre (1102 Third St, Alexandria), 1:00pm-4:00pm. City Park Players’ annual summer workshop for kids is back for 2023! The workshop will feature a week of fun theatre activities, music, costuming, rehearsals, and a performance on July 14th! The workshop is open to ages 5-15. Cost: $75.00. Call: 318-484-4478. cpptheatre.com

July 13-23: Jeeves at Sea. City Park Players is thrilled to bring “Jeeves at Sea”, by Margaret Raether, to Hearn Stage. Set sail for laughter as Bertie Wooster revels in life aboard the Vanderley yacht. Bertie is a happy bachelor who is simply “rolling in the oof” (he’s wealthy), and has a remarkable talent for landing squarely in the soup.  Bertie is the pampered guest of the lively Lady Stella, accompanied by his valet, Jeeves. A madcap case of mistaken identities ensue – will they end in Bertie’s doom, or worse, his marriage? Showtimes: Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm; Sundays at 2:30pm. Cost: $15.00 Adults; $12.00 Seniors; $7.00 Students; $5.00 Thursdays. Call: 318-484-4478. cpptheatre.com

Events

Ongoing-July: 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.

July 7: SBA Disaster Readiness & Resilience Talk, Cenla Chamber of Commerce (1118 Third St, Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. This presentation will feature key points on understanding threats, development a preparedness plan, and accessing resources.

July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 4: Live Auction, Auction Barn at the Trotter Center (1634 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:30pm. Join in the excitement of live auctions every Friday night! Proxy bids are welcome. Call Earl Hayes: 318-730-8676.

July 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!

July 9: Bird Sound Workshop, Oakland Plantation (4386 Highway 494, Natchez), 8:15am-10:00am. Learn to identify birds through their songs and calls. This workshop will help you advance your birding skills. You will learn the basic ways to identify birds through hearing. Workshop end times listed are estimates and may change. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 316.

July 10: Professional Women’s Network of Cenla (PWN), Brocato’s (5515 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria), 12:00pm-1:00pm. PWN meets on the second Monday of each month. No reservation needed. Lunch available for purchase. Call: 318-880-3033.

July 10, 17, 24 & 31: Monday Night Bingo, Paragon Casino Resort Club MeZazz (711 Paragon Place, Marksville), 6:00pm. Each Monday, join in for 10 games of bingo with up to $250 in free play up for grabs! The more you play, the more you can win! Space is limited, so grab your spot early. Cost: Free for Club Paragon members. Call: 800-946-1946.

July 11, 18, 25 & August 1: 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.

July 12: Cenla Chamber of Commerce Legislative Luncheon, England Airpark Community Center (1718 Kegleman Drive, Alexandria), 11:00am-1:00pm. Join the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Legislative Appreciation Luncheon featuring our Central Louisiana State Legislative Delegation. The program offers an opportunity for Chamber members to hear from legislators about the outcomes of the Legislative Session and to thank them for their work on our behalf. Cost: $30.00 Chamber members; $40.00 non-members. Call: 318-442-6671.

July 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.

July 16: Bird Identification Workshop, Oakland Plantation (4386 Highway 494, Natchez), 8:15am-10:00am. Le welcome birders of all levels to this bird identification workshop. Learn how to use binoculars and identify common birds. We will walk the grounds and practice our birding skills. Feel free to bring your own binoculars. Please pre-register if you need to reserve binoculars. Workshop end times listed are estimates and may change. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext. 316.

July 19: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Alexandria Convention Center (2301 North MacArthur Drive, Alexandria), 12:00pm. Come and Enjoy a wonderful meal with speakers, fellowship, and many door prizes. Lisa Maggio will present “From Death’s Door to the Ballroom Floor” and a special musical feature. Please RSVP by Friday, July 14th. Sponsored by Avalon Group and 4 Points. Cost: $20.00. Call: 318-447-4673.

July 25: Safe Sitter Class, RRMC Education Department (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 8:30am-4:00pm. This is a class designed to teach boys and girls, aged 11-14 years old, how to be safe babysitters. It is a fun way for babysitters to learn important topics such as how to handle emergencies, how to entertain kids, CPR/choking rescue for children and infants, basic child care skills, babysitting business skills, and how to keep themselves safe while babysitting. Cost: $45.00. Call: 318-769-4440.

July 27: Cenla Author’s Club Meeting, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Place, Alexandria), 6:00pm. A renaissance man of sorts, David Luck is an author, director, producer and humorist. David is a great speaker is the mode of Christie Atwood, so be prepared to have a fun night! Cost: Free.

July 29: 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.

August 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 and general cordial chatter with lakeside ambience is welcome and invited to come to enjoy breakfast with us! Cost: $10.00 Donation.

August 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

July 11, 18, 25, August 1 & 8: 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.