Arts
Ongoing-June: Arts & Healthcare, Inc. Exhibits. During the month of June, the Cabrini Gallery (located in the Outpatient Center, 1st floor across from Radiology) will feature the colorful art of Kathleen Pharis. The Rapides Gallery (located in the South Tower between the ER and the Lobby) will feature the artwork of Lafayette-based artist, Rosemary Smith. Most art is for sale. Cost: Free. Call 318-769-7602. www.artsandhealthcare.org
Ongoing – July 9: Exhibition, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 10a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by River Oaks and GAEDA. Artwork exhibit featuring work from artists T.J. Black, Leah Moreau Morace, and Father Chad Partain. Cost: Members free, Adults $2, Seniors & Children, $1. Call Rachael Dauzat: 473-2670.
Ongoing –July 9: George Rodrigue Foundation for the Arts Contest Exhibit, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. This exhibition will feature 15 finalists chosen from over 600 entries by Louisiana high schools’ juniors and seniors in the George Rodrigue Foundation Art Contest. This year, the competition is presented in partnership with the Krewe of Orpheus and young artists were invited to create a work of art based on the theme of “Louisiana Celebrates Carnival.” Cost: Visit www.themuseum.org for prices. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
Ongoing-August 20: Faculty & Friends: Artists Among Us, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. Inspired by the creative resources in our community, this annual invitational exhibition showcases faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers of some of the arts organizations and arts education institutions in the Central Louisiana region and throughout the state. The collection of the AMoA contains work by a number of teaching artists both past and present. Cost: Visit www.themuseum.org for prices. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
Ongoing-August 20: Changing Landscapes: Jan Beauboeuf Along the Solomon Northup Trail, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. This photography exhibition features stunning landscapes by Avoyelles parish artist Jan Beauboeuf along the Northup Trail tracing the path of kidnapped free man of color, Solomon Northup, who lived as a slave in Central Louisiana before his rescue and return to Sarasota, New York. Jan, soon to be eighty, grew up in the same rural Bayou Boeuf country. Cost: Visit www.themuseum.org for prices. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
Ongoing-August 20: Purchased Lives: America’s Domestic Slave Trade, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat. This exhibition, originally shown at the Historic New Orleans Collection, examines the individuals involved in the slave trade, considering New Orleans and Louisiana’s role in this era of U.S. history. Cost: Visit www.themuseum.org for prices. Call AMoA: 443-3458.
Events
Ongoing- July 31: 2016 Summer Reading Program, “Get on your mark, get set…READ!” All Rapides Parish libraries, during hours of operation. Sponsored by Rapides Parish Library. Traditionally, summer reading programs are designed to encourage school-aged children to keep reading during summer vacation. Preventing the “summer slide” is the main objective of summer reading programs. For many families with school-aged children, the public library is the only community space during the summer months where they can access free educational and cultural activities and programs. Cost: Free. Call Tammy DiBartolo or Karla Kirby: 318-442-2483 x 1906.
June 7: Healing Hearts Perinatal Loss Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Trellis Room, 6:00pm. The group helps parents who have lost babies. Cost: 318-769-7569.
June 7, 14, 21, 28 & July 5: Cenla Meditation Meeting, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 6:30pm. Cenla Meditation (Founded in September 2012) is a non-profit organization for those who want to learn more about meditation and mindful living within our community. All levels welcome! No religious affiliation required. Cost: Free. Call Lyndon: 318-229-3811. www.cenlameditation.org
June 8: Diabetes Group Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Auditorium, 9:00am – Noon. This 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; reservations are required. Call: 318-769-3445. www.rapidesregional.com
June 8: Child Safety Seat Check, RRMC Medical Terrace Driveway, 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 correctly 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.
June 9: Lady Chops Returns!, Westside Regional Library, 2:00pm-3:00pm. This program is guaranteed to get things hoppin’ and a boppin’! Percussionist and former STOMP cast member returns with her high energy rhythmic performance. Lady Chops uses household items, pots, buckets, brooms to create music! You will be amazed! Cost: Free. Call: 318-442-2483 x 1904. www.rpl.org
June 9: Makerspace Creative Hours, Rapides Main Library, 2:00pm-5:00pm. During our Makerspace Creative Hours, you can learn new skills while having a tremendous amount of fun. Choose what you would like to do! Build a robot; learn how to play piano on a banana, and more! If you have taken our Spark Your Imagination Class, you can use our Sparkfun Inventor’s Kits to create, you will enjoy working on projects independently or with a group in our Multi Media/Technology Lab. Pre-registration is required. Call Faith Johnson: 318-445-2411 x1036. www.rpl.org
June 9-11: Louisiana Corn Festival, 208 Pershing Avenue, Bunkie, Louisiana, Thursday 5:00pm-10:00pm; Friday 5p.m. – Midnight Saturday 10a.m. – Midnight. Sponsored by Avoyelles Commission of Tourism and Bunkie Chamber of Commerce. Parade and kids party, softball tournament, corn shucking and eating contest, bands, and a 5k Run/Walk. Cost: Adults $3.00, 21 and under $1. Call Bunkie Chamber of Commerce: 318-346-2575.
June 9: ALS Support Group, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6:00pm. These support group meetings are open to persons with ALS, their families, caregivers and friends to provide information about ALS and the various resources available. Call: 800-891-3746 ext. 3. E-mail: [email protected].
June 9, 16, 23, 30: Refuge Recovery, 1921 Jackson Street, 6:00pm. Refuge Recovery is a non-theistic Buddhist approach to recovering from addiction. Cost: Free. Call Lyndon: 318-229-3811. www.facebook.com/refugerecoverycenla or http://refugerecovery.org
June 9: Suicide Survivor Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade, 6:30pm. This group is open to anyone who needs support and has lost a loved one to suicide. It could include parents, siblings, children, spouse, friends or coworkers. The group meets the second Thursday of each month. Call: 318-312-7970.
June 11: Zoo Day, Alexandria Zoo, 9a.m.-4p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and FOTAZ. Celebrate the Alexandria Zoo’s 90th Anniversary on this day filled with birthday cake, music, activities, animals, and fun! For more information visit www.thealexandriazoo.com. Cost: Free. Call Lee Ann Whitt: 318-441-6810.
June 14: Kids Cook!, Johnson Branch Library, 10:00am-11:00am. Kids learn to cook, follow directions, listen to instructions, and have a great time with kid-friendly recipes they can use to fix dinner for their family. Please pre-register. Call: 318-776-5153. www.rpl.org
June 14: Girl Talk, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 6:00pm-8:00pm. This two-hour class designed for girls between the ages of 9 and 13 – and their mothers. If mothers can’t attend, aunts and grandmothers are welcome. The class will explain some of the physical and emotional changes that occur to adolescents during puberty. The class is also designed to help parents open the lines of communication with their daughters. Cost: $20.00 per family. Call: 318-769-3445.
June 15 & 22: Safe Sitter Class, RRMC Education Department, 7:45am-4:30pm. Boys and girls, ages 11 to 13, can learn the basic skills needed 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: $45.00 (includes course materials and lunch). Call: 318-769-3445.
June 15: Sports Art Contest, Hineston Branch Library. The theme is: Wellness, Fitness, and Sports! Not everyone is athletic, but we can still enjoy sports by watching, learning about sports. We’ll have fun drawing your favorite activity. We’ll discover what it takes to become the ultimate athlete – an Olympian! Call: 318-793-8461. www.rpl.org
June 16: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6:00pm. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call: 337-234-0088.
June 16: Cedric Watson and the Mad Minstrels, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30pm. The Mad Minstrels is a musically and historically interesting side-project styled after the old string trios of the late 19th century, featuring Fiddle, Gourd Banjo, and Upright Bass. Their repertoire includes ballad standards such as “John Hardy”, as well as many obscure, or original songs. They describe their style as “Roadside Acoustic Walkabout Dance Music.” Cost: $5.00 for Non-Members; Free for AMoA Members. Call: 318-443-3458. www.themuseum.org
June 18: Prepared Childbirth Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 9:00am-2:00pm. 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: 318-769-3445.
June 18: “My Dad Rocks!” Craft, Johnson Branch Library, 10:00am-10:45am. Tons of fun for all as we make a Father’s Day gift that will surely show the strong man in our life how much he rocks! Registration required to ensure there are enough supplies on hand. Call: 318-776-5153. www.rpl.org
June 20-24: Jane in June Camp, Kent Plantation House, 9a.m.-4p.m. Young ladies will learn all about life in the early 1800’s and what a girl’s life was all about. They will learn sewing, gardening, and painting as well as songs and games of the time. Other arts and crafts projects as well as a tour of the house will fill out the week. Daily tea parties will be lessons in table manners and etiquette as well as setting and serving a proper table. Cost: $200 per camper. Call Kent House: 318-487-5998.
June 20: Sibling Class, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 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. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-3445.
June 21: Adult Fun Zone, King Branch Library, 12:00pm-1:30pm. Get into your summer experience with your neighborhood library! We’ll enjoy board games (new and familiar favs!) Something new every time we meet! BINGO, movies, trivia games and more. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org
June 21: Wacky Olympic Games, Rapides Main Library, 1:00pm-2:30pm. On Your Mark, Get Set…Show the skills you have by participating in wacky Olympic games that require thought and physical skills. Don’t miss out on the fun! (For ages 5 to12) Pre-registration is required. Call: 318-445-2411 x1036. www.rpl.org
June 22: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center at the Greens, 12:00pm. “Is There Life after Addiction?” Join us and find out! Janet Shrewsbury will share her personal story. Also, Tammy DiBartolo will let us know what is happening at our Rapides Parish Libraries. Registration is required by Friday, June 17th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 318-481-7880.
June 23: A Kidnapped Life: Solomon Northup’s Experience of Slavery in the Red River Valley Panel Discussion, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:00pm. This panel discussion with Louisiana State University of Alexandria faculty members Dr. Ginger Jones, Dr. Jerry Sanson, and Dr. Christopher Stacey, and Alexandria Museum of Art Executive Director Catherine M. Pears will focus on the research into Solomon Northup’s experience in Louisiana through the lenses of history, literature, and museum exhibitions. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. www.themuseum.org
June 25: Inglewood Summer Bash, Inglewood Farm, 8a.m.-12p.m. Live music, kid’s water slides, farm tours, kid’s games, horse rides, and full market. Cost: Free admission. Call Stephen Reed: 318-442-6398.
June 28- July 1: T.R.E.E. House Reach for the Beach Camp, 1403 Third St., Sponsored by T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum. Join us for a beach themed adventure! Cost: $70 for non-members, $60 for members, $10 additional to hold a spot and pay later. Call Kara Edwards: 619-9394.
June 29: iPads, Galaxies and Kindles! Oh My!, Rapides Main Library, 9:00am-11:00am. This focuses on you and your device. In this interactive class you can learn to download an ebook onto your personal device. Plus discover what else the Library’s new ebranch has to offer. Demos will be shown for IPad, Kindle, Samsung Galaxy or Nook for 30 minutes followed by a 30 minute Q&A session. Class size is limited to 5. Pre-registration is required. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1090. www.rpl.org
July 4: 5th Annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival, Downtown Marksville. “Louisiana’s July 4th Destination Festival!” returns featuring the live music of Lil Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers, Funkateers, Brass-A-Holics, Amanda Shaw, All Is Lost, Travis Matte & The Kingpins, along with great food, crafts, activities for all ages, BBQ Cook-Off, fireworks display and 4th of July parade! Cost: Free.
Sports
Ongoing-June: Yoga Classes, Cabrini Mediplex Yoga RX Room, 4:00pm-5:15pm. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. These classes meet every Monday and Thursday. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
June 6-10, 13-17, 20-24 and 27-30: Water Aerobics, 1831 Turner Street, 8a.m. Sponsored by the YWCA of Alexandria-Pineville. Cost: Visit www.ywcaalex.org cost. Call YWCA: 445-8880.
June 6-7, 9, 13-14, 16, 20-21, 23, 27-28, 30: Water Aerobics, 1831 Turner Street, 5:15p.m. Sponsored by the YWCA of Alexandria-Pineville. Cost: Visit www.ywcaalex.org cost. Call YWCA: 445-8880.
June 8, 15, 22, 29 & July 6: Wake Up Yoga Class, Cabrini Mediplex Yoga RX Room, 9:30am-10:30am. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a Yoga mat. This is an on-going class and meets every Wednesday. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
June 15: Yoga for Every Body!, Robertson Branch Library, 9:30am-10:30am. Join us on how to “Exercise Your Mind” and body with Ms. Grafton, Yoga instructor. She will be here to instruct and demonstrate basic Yoga positions. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Call: 318-640-3098. www.rpl.org
June 22: Yoga for Every Body!, Johnson Branch Library, 2:30pm-3:30pm. Join us on how to “Exercise Your Mind” and body with Tiffany, Yoga instructor. She will be here to instruct and demonstrate basic Yoga positions. Wear loose comfortable clothing. Call: 318-776-5153. www.rpl.org
