Art

Ongoing-June 18: Smith & Wisznia Collection Exhibition, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). Originally curated in 2010 for display in the Maritime Building on Common Street in New Orleans, the Smith & Wisznia collection features 69 works from 30 Artists who lived, worked or exhibited in Louisiana during this challenging time. AMoA is excited to share this impactful collection from artists working in the midst of post-Katrina uncertainty, representing the art renaissance experienced during the rebuilding and rebirth of the city of New Orleans. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

June 8: Adult Painting Class, King Branch Library (1115 Broadway Avenue, Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. Join Victoria for an acrylic on canvas painting class which will feature a Juneteenth painting. Registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org

June 11: 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

June 13 & 27: Art is Life, Rapides Main Library (411 Washington St., Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. Learn various acrylic painting techniques during this painting session led by Alice McBride. Registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1022. www.rpl.org

June 21: Adult Painting Class, Martin Branch Library (801 W Shamrock Ave, Pineville), 2:00pm-4:00pm. Join Victoria for an acrylic on canvas painting class which will feature flip-flops on a beach. Registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

June 29: Adult Painting Class, Robertson Branch Library (809 Tioga High Rd, Ball), 10:00am-12:00pm. Join Victoria for an acrylic on canvas painting class which will feature flip-flops on a beach. Registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-7259. www.rpl.org

July 5: Creativity Launch Pad—Pastels, 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

June 24: Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Rockin’ River Fest, Historic Downtown Natchitoches, 6:00pm-10:30pm. Rapides Regional Medical Center is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Rockin’ River Fest held in conjunction with the 2022 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction weekend. This family-friendly event features local bands, food, fun and fireworks, and is open to the public. The New Orleans Saints and Pelicans will have an area set-up for kids ages four and older. Cost: Free. lasportshall.com.

July 4: 10th Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival, Broken Wheel Brewery (109 Tunica Drive East, Marksville), 10:00am-8:00pm. Louisiana’s 4th of July Destination Festival Returns with heavy hitters like Grammy-winning Louisiana icon Wayne Toups and zydeco superstar Lil Nate after a two year hiatus! Festival grounds will close at 8pm just in time for a dazzling fireworks display on Tunica-Biloxi grounds by Paragon Casino Resort approximately two miles down Highway 1 from the festival. The fireworks are presented by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, Paragon Casino Resort and the City of Marksville Fire Department and will begin at nightfall. No outside alcohol or ice chests permitted. Cost: Free. Call: 318-264-9392.

Theatre

June 16-19: Spectral Sisters Productions 2022 Ten-Minute Play Festival, Hearn Stage at the Kress Theatre (1101 3rd St., Alexandria). Enjoy original theatre by local (and even international) authors, support local authors, directors, actors and stage hands. As always, the plays deal with a wide variety of subjects, from baseball to immigration, with a lot in between.  The themes and language are intended for adults, so parental discretion is advised. Performances begin at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday. Cost: $10.00.

Events

Ongoing-June: 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.

June 6-7, 20-21: Save Cenla ASIST Training, 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. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an 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. June 6-7: St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Leesville; June 20-21: Ware Youth Center in Coushatta. Open to ages 16+. Mental health professionals can receive 12 CEUs after taking this workshop for $60.00 through livingworks.net (a $300 value). Sponsored by Central Louisiana Human Services District and CHRISTUS Community Impact Fund. Cost: Free. Call: 337-519-1888. SaveCenla.com/asist

June 7, 14, 21, 28 & July 5: 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.

June 8: 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.

June 10, 17, 24 & July 1: 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.

June 11: 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!

June 12: Poetry & Fashion Rip the Runway, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:30pm. Ignite The Mic and Catch a Wave Boutique are teaming up to present, “Poetry & Fashion: Rip the Runway.” Join us for food, poetry, music, singing, a fashion show, and all things art! This show will bring all art lovers together. Do something different with your Sunday evening. We invite everyone to join us for this amazing night of collaboration and artistry. The purpose of this event is to promote the creation and performance of art that engages communities and provides a platform for artistic voices to be heard uncensored. Cost: $20.00+. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

June 21: Safe Sitter, RRMC Education Department (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 8:30am-4:00pm. Boys and girls, ages 11 to 14, 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. Registration includes lunch and supplies. Class size is limited. Cost: $45.00. Call: 318-769-4440.

June 23: Cenla Author’s Club, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria), 6:00pm-7:30pm. Club meetings are open to all, even if you haven’t written your first word (yet, but you will!). This month, Berchman Richard and Donna Hankins present “How Co-Authors Can Team-Up Together”. There is no pesky membership dues. But feel free to bring some book door prizes. Cost: Free.

June 25: Cenla Voices Military Creative Writing Workshop, Alexandria International Airport 3rd Floor Conference Room (1100 Frank Andrews Blvd, Alexandria), 10:00am-2:00pm. Cenla Voices Spring/Summer workshop is designed to engage all Veterans and Active-duty members of the Armed Services as well as their Families and Caregivers in a supportive, collaborative setting. This event is open to members of the military community, including family and caregivers. A subsequent session will be held and July 23rd. Cost: Free. cenlavoices.org

June 25: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Mystery Reveal Cocktail Reception, Glass Act Recycling Center (5215 Leo Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm–6:30pm. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is a mystery fundraiser where local residents host a dinner party in their home for 6-10 guests. Guests are invited to attend the Mystery Reveal Cocktail Reception, where they will be able to guess their mystery hosts, and ultimately be given their host’s name, address, and a menu teaser. Until the night of the event it is a mystery; neither host nor guest knows how they will be paired. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go towards supporting and maintaining the Glass Act Recycling project and facilities. Cost: $100. glassactrecycling.com

July 2: 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.

July 2: 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.

July 2: Louisiana History Museum’s Independence Ball, Hotel Bentley (200 Desoto Street, Alexandria), 7:00pm. Enjoy an evening of dancing, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and live music by the Steve Wells Band. All proceeds are donations the Louisiana History Museum Restoration Fund. Cost: $75.00. Call: 318-769-2216.

Sports

June 7, 14, 21, 28 & July 5: 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

June 8 & July 6: The Fighting Flights Dart Tournament, Fighting Hands Brewery (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:00pm. Attention dart players! The Fighting Flights (that’s you!) will be gathering at Fighting Hand Brewing Co for another round of play. Who will take home the pot tonight? If you couldn’t make it last time, come on by! All skill levels welcome and get to compete for the pot. Cost: $5.00. fightinghandbrewing.com

June 11-12: Louisiana Free Fishing Weekend.  Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend is an opportunity for residents and visitors to fish Louisiana waters without an otherwise required fishing license. While a fishing license is not required, all fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits and gear restrictions will remain in effect during Free Fishing Weekend. For an added bonus, LDWF has stocked adult-sized catfish at 17 ponds across the state as part of the Get Out and Fish! Program. Cost: Free. www.wlf.louisiana.gov

June 12: Indian Creek Triathlon, Indian Creek Recreation Area (100 Campground Road, Woodworth), 7:30am-11:30am. The Indian Creek Triathlon was founded in 2000 and has been a local favorite sprint-distance triathlon for two decades. FRESHJUNKIE Racing acquired the race in 2014 and continues the race’s tradition by promoting the beauty of the course, the Indian Creek Recreation Area, and the fun of sprint-distance racing. Come enjoy a fresh, clean swim in a beautiful lake, a rolling bike course on well-maintained and pine-shaded roads, and a flat and fast run course inside the beautiful state park. Open to ages 12+. Cost: $115. Call: 504-952-2899.

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